We arrived at San Agustin, I slowly tapped Melanie's shoulder to wake her up as well as Kris who was sleeping in front of us, her head's docks on the table. "Melanie, wake up," I whispered, stroking her hair. She opened her eyes, blinking it adjusting from the light, I gripped the bag tightly as I guided her to stand up, I then held her hand tightly as I called Kris who was still sitting on the seat.
"Kris, let's go hurry," I said to her, she nodded her head and followed us. I reached for her hand as I walk with my other hand are wrapped on Melanie's shoulder. "We have to find a place to stay, away from the crowd," I said, she looks at me with her perfect chinky eyes deep set of blue eyes.
"Where to?" She asked, I shrug my shoulder. "I don't know for now we have to hurry, let's grab something to eat," I said.
They nodded their head and followed me, I found a cafe nearby, we just stop a little so I can grab a coffee, I need one and I need to think. I sighed when I finished ordering, Kris did grab one too a piece of sandwich and bread, I paid for the bills and we headed out then Melanie requested something to eat, we found a local restaurant and walk straight there, I let them ordered something for us and paid the food immediately.
When the food was served, I told them to eat because we will be busy, they obeyed me and we ate silently, Melanie and Kris requested a snack I grab some and drinks so we can have a continuous day, they choose to buy a packed burger and drinks, we then continue to a local store to buy something to wear, I choose a jean and a piece of shirt and a jacket, we then paid for our clothes and piece of undergarments too before looking for a place to rent.
"Kris, what do you think?" I ask her as we found a place for rent, it was enough for the three of us, a studio-type wooden floor house just around the corner of the city, accessible to anything but not crowded. She nodded her head I gripped my bag tightly.
"Melanie?" I turn my head to ask her, she was sitting there silently and her stare are far away, I sighed and walk near her the landlady look at us with pity on her face. I sat beside Melanie at slowly pat her head smiling a little. "Hey, are you okay?" I ask her, she turned her head to me and nodded.
I hope that it was all just a nightmare, losing both of our parents are not good even to others and I don't know how we will take this and handle the situation, even my father was a drunkard he never lay us even a finger he may blame us and we fought a little but that's just it, my mother left us to be with another man and I guess that was a slap on Papa's face, we're not rich he may have work but we are just middle-status family who was able to eat at least three times a day and it's one of I'm thankful about.
I sighed heavily as I kiss Melanie's forehead. "I'm here, always," I whispered, I glance at Kris her eyes glittered in tears, sniffing I smiled at her stretched my hand motioning her to come closer. She slowly walks near me and smiled.
"We will make this possible right?" Kris said, I slowly nodded my head and turn to face Melanie. "We will, now! cheer up a'right?" I cheerfully said and smiled. I glance at the apartment owner and nodded. "We will make an advance payment for four months, I'll just follow outside Miss. Marina," I said, she nodded and smiled and slowly walk outside the door slowly closing the door as soon as she walks outside. I slowly stand up and look at the bag, bundles of money is here I guess I need to deposit this into my account so that I can budget it just fine and find a place to work.
"Hold the bag, I'll explain everything as soon as we fix our stay here, Melanie stay with Kris I'll just talk to Miss Mariana," I said, after I got the amount I needed, I calmed myself before going out of the apartment and walk to Miss Mariana's office, I put the money on the pocket of my hoody and sighed heavily before knocking on her door.
"Miss Mariana," I called her name. "Come in," She said, I slowly twisted the door handle open and walk inside her office, I look around and saw some picture frames with her pictures and a picture of a man, he looks familiar I thought.
"Come, sit Miss. Suarez," She said and smiled as she motioned the chair in front of me, I turn my head to see her and smiled back as I slowly walk near the chair on the front of her table. I sat there and rob my legs creating a comfortable heat as I try to think of words.
I cleared my throat before speaking. "Uhm, Miss Santiago I would like to advance a four months deposit," I said, she fixed her eyeglasses as she looks at me clasped her hands together. I look at her, her almond eyes and upturn nose and thin but pouty lips were making her features more of a beauty, to add her brows that were perfectly carved making her strict aura lies a gentle lady, her comforting and calm voice was soothing to listen to.
"Okay, are you new in this little city of Agustin? I've never seen you before," She said I nodded my head and smiled. "Yes, trying to have a new start," I almost whispered, she was looking intently at me for few seconds and nodded her head as a sign of understanding, I sigh and later then we talk about the rules and how we could have the best experience of our fresh start of life here in San Agustin.
After paying the amount, I bid my goodbye and return to our apartment I saw Kris and Melanie talking I cleared my throat as I close the door behind me slowly. "Is the place okay?" I ask them, they nodded their head. I guess two rooms were fine, Melanie can sleep in my room while Kris sleeps in the other room but first we need to buy stuff for our stay here.
"Are you two hungry? Kris? Melanie?" I asked them, as I put my hand in my hips looking at them. "A little, there's a bed in here we already checked the room, and Melanie wants to sleep beside you," Kris said, I look at Melanie who's now nodding repeatedly while her eyes looking at me, the chinky almost the same from me and Melanie but her was more detailed, and the light green eyes she got from our Mother.
"Alright, that's settled then," I said and reached for my phone inside my pocket I then opened it and saw the text messages of my co-workers asking why I didn't go to work, I was about to turn my phone off when I saw a text message again pop out the screen from an unknown number.
From: Unknown Number
I have the bargain to make for you, it's either we will go easy or you want to go for a hard way.I swallowed hard, almost pale. I blink twice as I stare at the message that I read.
This is bad.
I look at Melanie and Kris who are now laughing as they arranged their stuff, Kris was holding the broom while Melanie was sitting on Kris's bed collecting and piling Kris's stuff."Lily?" I heard Kris called me, I turn my head to look at them and back to what I was doing. "Yes?" I answered, I heard her hummed which made me look at her again. "I think we need a little storage for some stuff," She said, I look around and furrowed my brows."Why? We just have little stuff for now," I said, I stood up and put my hands in my hips as I scan the room. We have bought the basic needs and groceries as I look for a job to at least help us sustain our lives and we decided to just suspend their school this year until we can recover, I already explained to them what happened and we cried, but of course, they're both smart and I assure to keep them safe.I sigh and look at the stuff we need to arrange, I take a look at my wristwatch.
I opened my phone and read the message again, there's only one way to find out and I need to know, I need to free the guilt that's building up inside me. I sigh as I stare at the screen and decided to text the unknown number.To: Unknown NumberMeet me at the Stop and Dine.After I tap the send button. I sighed after sending it, I look at the place that I was gonna submit my biodata to work. I need to work we can't just lean on the money that our father left us. I push the glass window open and smiled at the cashier before walking near the counter."Hi! Good morning, I would like to ask if where would I submit this," I said as I take the resume out in the folder I am carrying. The cashier smiled back and reach her hand out. "I'll take this to the manager, you're in timing because we are in need of one more waitress right now," She said when she received
I ran towards the stairs and bang the door, it opened after and I saw Kris with her messy posture, puffy and red nose she then hugs me and sob. "They took Melanie, I can't do anything," She said through sobs, I hush her and hug her patting her shoulder a little, I push her a little and look at her face."Did they hurt you?" I ask her, she shakes her head and wipes the tears on her face. I sigh relief that she's not hurt. I heard my phone beeped and I immediately get it to answer the call."Hello?" I answered him, "Your sister is safe-- for now," I heard him say, I clenched my fist and pace back and forth trying to calm myself. "Where is she?!" I said, almost shouting, I breathe in and out trying to calm my nerves and sigh, massaging my forehead. "Relax, she's safe you want to talk to her?" He said, I then heard Melanie's voice in the line."Melanie?!" I called h
The door opened and the guard glance at me, then smile motioning the opened door I step inside, not saying a word, and followed him after we walk around the mansion like earlier I observe the surroundings with my eyes not moving my neck to not attract the guard's attention."Master, here is the guest," I heard the guard said when we stop I stop walking and look around the room I saw Melanie sitting there, not moving and she turns her head to me gasp in surprise, and ran towards me."Are you okay?" I said, combing her hair she looks up at me and nodded her head. "Good, thank God," I whispered and kiss her forehead. I then look at the man in front of us. I saw him sitting there sipping on his cup of coffee-- a deja vu, the only difference is we are somewhere dangerous for my situation, I place my hand on Melanie's shoulder. His eyes then darted to us, the guard excuse himself and walk outside the room le
"Let her go!" I shouted at the man holding Kris, Melanie's crying beside me as she watched Kris trying to let off their grip. I turn my head to look at the man named Anthon-- the boss. "Please!" I said, pleading to him to let my sister go.He nodded and they let go of Kris, she then ran towards us and hug Melanie, "Come here, Lily," Anthon said, looking at me seriously. I wipe my tears and look at him trying to look brave I sigh and walk close to him he then grabs my hand when I was near him and drags me out of the room leaving my two sisters behind. I can hear their muffled complaints when I walk with this man. I am confused and hesitant by his actions.We stop by the big window, he was facing outside and I was just beh
It's been days since were staying here at Conard's mansion, In those days I haven't seen him that much because he was always busy with his work or he was out meeting people for God knows what business.I sigh and look at the maids who are now busy preparing for dinner, I then turn my head to watch my two sisters talking at the other part of the sofa giggling about something, I shake my head and sigh-- if sighing was money I'd be probably rich by now.I saw the maid walking towards our direction, looking serious-- their maids here are not that quite friendly or maybe because they are trained to act and do so which is not impossible because of Conards wealth and respectable family they should too act like they are fit for this mansion, to serve."Dinner's ready, Miss," She said when she was near in our direction, standing few steps away from where we are sitting, I slightly nodded my
The day ended with us finishing to pack our things, it's not much because we haven't been able to buy new clothes and other things though Anthon bought us pairs of shirts, jeans, and dresses which some of them were refused because it was too much.I stretched my arms, and shake my fingers a little when I finished packing our things croaking my neck to the side as I walk slowly to our bed. I sat on the bed and took a glance at Melanie and Kris who are now finished packing their bags."Is that all?" I said when I saw they just packed four bags in total two of their bags are pack bags and the other two
"Who are you?" said the boy croaking his neck to the side as he watches the girl sitting on the end of the slide crying, wearing a white dress stained with mud, dirty and disgusting he thought at the back of his mind, making a disgusted expression in his face then his eyes darted on the little girl's hair, she has these black curly ends and her hair are tied with a pink ribbon and pair of white sandals. The girl sob as she raises her head to look up at the boy who was standing in front of her, with tears in her eyes. "Who are you?" The girl asks back as she wipes her tears using her palms, the boy's face distorts with disgust as he stares at the girl who is now wiping her face with her own hands and sniffing like some street children, with a dress in complete mess stained with mud and dirty pair of white sandals. "I asked you first," The boy said, the girl was just there looking at her not saying a wor