Chapter 2: Guy from the Past

Cassandra's POV:

It's fifteen minutes past two in the morning but I can't get myself to sleep. The discussion Mom and I talked last night made me uneasy.

I can't believe that such things will happen to us. In just a snap, everything we owned was taken away from us. Mom told me everything. Dad is addicted to gambling. At first, Mom didn't mind it because she thought that it was just his past time. But as time goes by, his addiction became worst. Mom and Dad even fought about Dad's addiction without me knowing it.

Dad did not listen to my Mom's rants. He still used all of our properties as a bet. Hoping that he'll win and gain back other properties he lost. But he lost over and over. In just a month, half of our assets were lost because of it. And now, this. We lost the hacienda just like that.

Dad was nowhere to be found. Mom guessed that he was on a run because of his remaining debts. With that thought, I can't help but feel bad. I idolized him so much, put him on the pedestal as someone I must always respect. Not that I don't respect him anymore. It's just that I am quite disappointed with his actions.

Realizing that we're now homeless, I can't help but shed tears. What will happen to us? We have nowhere to go. We don't have any relatives we can run to. Dad wasn't even here to help us out. This is so frustrating! 

How am I gonna face the criticisms of other people? For sure, we will be the talk of the town. Isn't it ironic? The queen of the hacienda, the lady of the town is now living in an apartment. The one on top is now at the bottom.

And what about the people in the hacienda? Would they let them keep their jobs? Or will they shun them just like us? Those people need to earn for their families.

Why now? Now that the harvest was good. Now that the people needed us most. Now that things seem almost perfect.

I tried to stop the surge of thoughts in my head and wiped my tears away. Even if I cry a thousand tears, what was done was done. I can't change the situation we're facing right now but I can still control the things around me.

I have to be strong for my mom. I must do something. If I had to work for us to survive, I will do it. I won't mind those who will mock us about what happened to our family. They won't do me any good, anyway.

What I can do now is, we could rent a condominium but I know it's not practical. I have savings in my bank account but I'm not sure how long they would last. We have to be thrifty especially now that we will have to start from scratch.

The thought of leaving everything behind made me nervous but I have no choice. Rather than blame my father for the misfortunes, I'll just have to stand up and continue our lives outside of our comfort zones.

Whether I like it or not, I have to pack my things, too.

* * * * *

It's six in the morning, we are downstairs and saying our goodbyes to our people. They cried when they knew that we are leaving the hacienda for good.

"We are sorry for what happened to your family, ma'am." Dear old Danny said. He looked so sad and just fought the urge to cry.

"Drop the ma'am Danny, we are no longer rich. I am not your landlady anymore. Just respect the new owner, okay?" I said that trying to sound brave and okay.

"Do you have any place to stay?" I didn't answer. She guessed that we have nowhere to go. "I knew someone from the city who is looking for tenants. The place is small compared to what you used to live in but it is a nice place. Do you want me to endorse you to the landlady?" Susan suggested. She looked so worried about us.

I looked at my mom talking to other people, saying her goodbyes. If I can turn back the time, I will never let this happen. But this is the reality and we have to face it.

I looked at her before I replied, "Thank you so much, Susan. I appreciate it." I can't help but hug her. They are so kind to help us out in times of need. "And yes, I want to see the place."

"Silly! You don't have to thank me, child. We will help you as much as we can. Your family had been very kind to us for as long as I can remember. Let us return the favor." She said as she let go of her arms around me and wiped the tears from my eyes. I didn't notice those tears fell.

"Did you contact someone to help you out with your things?" Martha asked. I didn't notice her standing right beside me.

"That thought slips into my mind. No, I haven't contacted a removalist just yet." I said as I looked at our things. It was dresses and some personal stuff. We are prohibited to bring other things with us. 

"Don't worry about that. My husband can transport you to the place Susan told you." She said that as she patted my back. Her action made me feel at ease for a moment.

"Will you and your mom be okay?" Aling Susan asked, with tears in her eyes.

"We will, Susan. We have to." I said that as I carry my bag with me.

I saw the attorney enter the hall together with two policemen. It's our cue. We need to go.

But before I could step, I felt Susan's arms wrapped around me. Martha did the same. I hugged them back, so tight that I don't want to let go.

* * * * * *

Kyle Sebastian's POV:

Seeing them leave the mansion hopeless made my day complete. At long last! Their reigning days were over. The years of waiting were worth it.

I saw them mounted in a tricycle, driven by one of their farmers. I also saw Cassandra, the girl I loved, bid her goodbyes to all before the tricycle drove away.

I saw everything while I'm comfortably seated inside my car. The window was tinted so no one would know that I watched them leave.

I didn't feel guilty for throwing them out of the mansion, instead, I felt happy. Someone said to me that revenge is best served cold, and it is indeed true. I love seeing them suffer. 

If you'll ask me why I hated them so much, it was because of what they did to us ten years ago. I don't remember the exact reason why they shun us out of the hacienda, all I remember was, Don Enrico and my dad was fist-fighting and he almost died because of those deadly punches he received from him.

At that same time, we were banished from the hacienda at midnight, with no one to help us out. We walked for five miles on our way to Palo proper. The things we're badly kept inside the bag. We slept on the street that night because we had no place to stay for the night.  No one wants to take us in because we had no money. For days,  we begged others for food and money just to fill our hungry stomachs, to survive.

Luckily, an old man asked me to work for him. He hired me as a janitor in his company. I immediately grabbed the opportunity. He even rent an apartment for us and gave us some money for our needs.

We are so thankful to Don Juan. If it wasn't for him, I will not be where I am today. He was so fond of me that he decided to adopt me legally. My parents didn't protest, instead, they encourage me to be his adopted son. By doing so, I will be able to continue my study. Studying in college won't be a problem anymore. For them, I agreed to be adopted.

As promised, Don Juan took care of them. He provided my family with everything they needed. My biological father doesn't have to work at all. The support they are getting is enough to live in comfort.

I lived with Don Juan in his villa, only to find out that he was living alone. His wife died almost a decade ago and they had no child. No relatives to take over his businesses. That is the real reason why he took me in -to become his successor.

Don Juan is a kind, generous and humble man. He loved me as his son. Provided me with things that a teenager needs like a laptop and a car. He enrolled me at the best school in my High School days and the best university as I enter college.

I took a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management and graduated with Latin honors. 

For that, he gave me his surname- Gargantilla. One of the richest clans in Leyte. I didn't realize that his so rich until he introduced me to his world.

At the age of twenty, he taught me the know-how of his businesses. He even appointed me as the Vice-President of his company.

Honestly, it was him who defeated Don Enrico in the casino and got the house-and-lot title of the hacienda. He did that because he knew that I loathed the Regaña family and I want to have my revenge. It was he who taught me how to get justice without violence.

So, even if they suspect us of doing such things, they can't. They can't find something that will connect us to this incident. I won't be caught because I am playing my cards well. This is not the end Don Enrico, this is just the beginning. I'm just starting to have my revenge and I will use Cassandra to hurt you.

"Drive," I commanded my driver. "Where to, Sir?" He asked without looking back.

"Home" then without a word, the driver maneuver the car and drove off.

* * * * *

"How did it go?" Don Juan asked me as I throw myself on one of the couches.

He was drinking his coffee while reading the newspaper. After sipping a few, he then placed the cup on the glass center table.

"It went well actually. I never thought that making them leave the hacienda is this simple." I answered back.

"Now that you got the hacienda and they left the mansion, what is your next plan?" He asked, placing the newspaper on the glass center table and looking at me.

"Thank you," I said as the maid hand me a cup of hot coffee. I sipped my coffee before I answered, "I'm still waiting for her to look for a job and apply to our company. 'Til then, I'll just take over the hacienda."

"Okay, I will inform and command HR to hire a new accountant to lure her here. By doing so, it will not be so obvious that it was just a bait." He said that and stood up.

He was wearing a black suit. It's Monday morning and we are needed at the company. I also stood up and walk with him outside the house.

"Wanna join me?" He asked as he sits on the passenger seat. He asked if I wanted to ride with him to the office. I just nodded and entered the car.

While in the car, I can't believe that I am stepping away from getting my revenge. I can't wait to see them beg for mercy.

* * * * * *

"Do you like the food here, hon?" Caroline asked. She's my girlfriend. She's tall, petite, and pretty. A fine young woman. 

We are here at a famous restaurant she recommended to celebrate our first anniversary as a couple.

Caroline is the daughter of the governor so our relationship is quite known. They even branded us as celebrity couples here in our town.

"Yes, the food is great. I love it." I said that after eating the shrimp.

"See? I told you so." She replied with her sweet and angelic smile.

I grabbed some table napkins placed on the right side of the table. "Where do you want to go after this?" I asked her then wiped the excess food on my mouth.

"Is it okay if you accompany me to the mall? I have to look for a perfect gift for my father's upcoming birthday." She said that while doing puppy eyes. 

How can I say no to my sweet girlfriend? "Okay. Let's go." I stood up, pulled the chair for her so she could stand up then assist her. I placed her hands in my arms before walking outside the restaurant.

We walked towards my car that was parked outside and opened the passenger seat so my girlfriend could get in. "Thank you, hon. You are so sweet." She said that before hopping in. on walked to the other side and sat in the driver's seat. I maneuver the car and drove off.

* * * * *

We are now at the mall and as usual, people can't help but stare at us. Honestly, I am not comfortable with this kind of attention I am getting. I still want to be as low-key as possible.

Sales clerks are giving us so much attention. Even the store owners are assisting us with our needs. One of the perks of being quite popular. And I hate it.

"Have you decided what to take, hon?" I asked her. She's looking at the different styles of watches.

"Not yet, hon. I don't know which to pick. They were all awesome." She said as she leaned on the glass to take a closer look. "Miss? Can I see that one?" She said that while pointing at a specific watch.

"Yes ma'am." The sales lady said and hand her the watch.

"Hon? I'll just go to the men's room." I excused myself and then kiss her on the cheeks. "Okay. I'll wait for you here." She replied.

* * * * * *

Cassandra's POV:

I am here at the mall, buying some food and stuff for our new home. I have to be wise on spending and take only what is needed at the moment. I have to maximize my money until I could get a job that will support us with our needs.

While looking at some stuff, I saw a familiar face come out of the men's room. I can't be wrong. I know that it's Kyle Sebastian.

While staring at him, I can't help but notice how much he'd grown. From a farm boy to an elegant, handsome man. I always thought that he'd be successful in life and I am right.

I am glad that he didn't notice me so I could stalk him a bit more. I am curious about his life now. I followed him until he entered a stall for expensive watches.

From where I am standing, I saw how Kyle Sebastian kissed a beautiful woman. In return, the woman gave him a sweet smile.

My heart skips a bit. After almost ten years of not seeing him, I didn't expect that seeing him now with another woman would bring this much pain. Those sweet smiles he gave to me in the past will now remain in the past.

To wish for us to become an us is impossible. He's already happy with that beautiful woman and second, our worlds now are miles apart.

"What am I thinking? I shouldn't indulge myself in the memories of our past. He had moved on. And so do I." I said to myself while looking at them.

I am about to leave when I realized that he was looking in my direction. My eyes were nailed on him and I saw pain and anger in his eyes.

I don't know why, but the look in his eyes made me nervous, it gave me chills. Am I supposed to be afraid now?