Chapter 2

"Where are we going now?" Cora asked her while they're walking under the heat of the sun. They'd finished eating their breakfast. Casey shrugged her shoulders. She doesn't even know where they're going next. But after a few minutes, she speaks to her friend. "Do you want to go to the church?" Casey asked her. Cora nodded immediately. "Fine. We can go to the church. Since you haven't familiarized this place, I would bring you to the nearby church. It's one of my favorite churches here in Manila," she said, agreeing to her new found friend who came from the province. Casey gave her a wide smile.

"Thank you so much, Cora," she said. "I want you to bring me there. I want to see that church."

"You're always welcome, Casey. Let's go there," she replied.

They finally arrived at the church minutes later. There are few people in the church when they arrived. They bought two candles each and lit it before they enters the church. They knelt down on their knees and closed their eyes and say their hearts' prayers.

"I never expected I would have a new found friend like you," Cora said. They're done praying, but they're still sitting inside the church. Casey smiled at her.

"Me too, Cora. I never thought I would have a friend like you who can fully understand me. I thought no one else would accept me, but I was wrong," Casey answered.

"Same with me, Casey. We're destined to meet each other," Cora said. ''Thank you. You're so kind to me. You're not a beggar, but you accept me."

"Cora, you're kind too and you need to be accepted for who you are. You're a human being. You're worth it. You're important in this world even though we're unfortunate," Casey replied and hugged her new found friend Cora. "We don't know what will happen to us, but we need to keep on going. Only God knows." She shook her head. "You're right, Casey," she grumbled.

They exited the church. They're still talking while walking outside. Casey's eyes are focused on her new found friend Cora and she couldn't see who's in front of her. She groaned when her face bumped into someone's broad chest. Her eyes widened and it's too late for her to avoid him. She lifted her head immediately. She couldn't believe she bumped into someone. The man was handsome, but he looks irritated with her. His pretty eyes narrowed. She could smell his manly scent. His kissable lips parted and it seems like he's cursing her for being careless. He clenched his jaw. Her heart beats faster.

"What the fuck?!" He hissed. "Are you blind, huh?" Casey couldn't find a word to speak. She felt a lump in her throat. She could feel her warm breath on her cheeks. "Oh, shit. He's speaking to you, Casey," Cora reminded her. She glanced at her and cleared her throat before she speaks.

"Huh?" Casey whispered in her ears. Cora rolled her eyes and repeated what she told to her. She let out a deep sigh and looked at the handsome man in front of her. She felt her body was trembling as she begins answering him.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't notice you while we're talking and it's too late for me to avoid you, but I wasn't blind. I'm sorry, sir," she begged. Casey lowered her head, she felt embarrassed. He gasped bitterly. She lifted her head again and looked at his handsome face. Her heart was still beating faster and she doesn't even know why. She's nervous as she waits for his response.

"You should be careful next time. Don't you ever talk to someone while you're walking. You're here in front of the church and expected a lot people are always coming here. You should be careful, okay?" He said, reminding her to be careful next time. She bit her lower lip and nodded immediately. "Yes. I'm sorry for it. It won't happen again, I promise you," Casey answered. She smiled at him, but he gave him a frown look. "Thank you, sir," she added. The handsome man left them. He hurriedly entered the church. The two women exchanged their looks. Casey closed her eyes and let out a very deep breath.

"You bumped into someone, Casey. I couldn't believe it," Cora said. "Maybe you're lucky this day." Casey frowned as she heard it from her. Why would it be her lucky day? Is it lucky to bump into someone?

"What did you say, huh? You called it my lucky day?" Casey protested. Cora nodded.

"Yes. Maybe it's your lucky day, isn't it?"

"Of course not. It's embarrassing, Cora. I wasn't lucky bumping into his broad chest," she replied, breathing heavily. "You're weird, Cora." Cora chuckled.

"I'm not weird, Casey. You don't know him, so you keep on saying you're not lucky. Is he handsome, right?" Cora answered.

"Y-yes. He's handsome. His eyes are so pretty. He has a kissable lips and he looks like a model, but I wasn't lucky. I was embarrassed because of it, Cora. It won't happen again," Casey said with a grimace on her face. "D-do you know him, huh?"

"Yes, Casey. I know him. I know who he is."

"W-what? Aren't you kidding me, huh?" Cora blew out a fresh air. "I'm not kidding you, Casey. I'm serious. I know him, I know who he really is," Cora replied.

"How did you know him? Was he your friend or classmate, huh?" Casey answered. Cora rolled her eyes.

"No. He wasn't my friend nor classmate. He doesn't even know me, Casey. I wasn't special for him because we're not close. We're strangers, but I know him. I know who he really is," Cora said, gasping for air.

"I can't understand you, Cora. What do you mean, huh? He's not your friend and classmate, but you know him. Is he a celebrity or a model, huh? Which one is correct?" Casey inquired.

"There's no correct answer in your speculations, Cora. We're not friends, classmates, and he's not even a celebrity or model," she corrected her. Casey grimaced. "Huh? But who is he? A drug dealer? Or a syndicate?" Cora laughed at her answer. She gritted her teeth.

"What is he? Tell me please, Cora. I need to know who he really was. Maybe I wasn't aware that he's the presidential son and I didn't give him a respect he deserves. Sorry isn't enough."

"He wasn't a presidential son either. He's a billionaire, Casey. His family was known for being one of the most powerful and influential families in our country. They owned different kind of businesses. His two uncles are having a higher position in the government, they're public officials," Cora explained. She told the truth to her. She was amazed to hear it from her new found friend Cora. She couldn't believe it.

"Are you sure?" Casey asked. Cora nodded. "Yes, Casey. He's a billionaire and the only heir of their businesses and other properties owned by his parents. He has everything in his life. Maybe he couldn't ask for more in his life because he has everything. He's so lucky. He was born with a lot of money and he could have everything he needs easily. I envy him. I wish I could be like him and I could have everything I want. Do you want to become like him, huh?" Cora answered.

"I'm not dreaming to be like him, Cora. I'm only dreaming to have a complete and happy family. As long as I have enough money to spend every day I would be contented with my life. I'm not dreaming of having a plenty of money and have everything I want. I only have a simple dream, but I couldn't have it anymore. My beloved mother died years ago. She's gone and I couldn't see her again. I don't have family members who can accept me. They disowned me. If I could have plenty of money I'll use it to have a chance to get into the past and I could be with my mother again. But money can't do it, right? Money can't make dead people alive. Money has no power at all. It can't do everything in this world. Money can't buy everything. Money can't buy the life of the people we love and the happiness we can get from them. They're priceless. What's the use of money if we're lonely in this world, huh?" Casey explained.

Cora gasped loudly. "I know. You're right, Casey. Money can't buy everything. Money can't buy happiness. But he's a billionaire..." She answered. Casey shook her head. "What is his name?" She asked.

"His name is Niccolo Marquez. Is he your type?" Cora said, saying his name to her.

"W-what? Of course not. He's not my type. Stop me, please," Casey protested. Her friend Cora chuckled.