It's been a month since the accident happened. Flores' home suddenly feels an empty place now. Isabella can't still totally move on from the fact that her parents died, yet another big problem added to her pile.
After the burial of her parents', she needs to set aside her grieving so she can find a way to find a solution to their problem. There's no even a little money that's left over by her parents' except the savings that she managed to keep, but it's not even enough to sustain someone's life in a year.Beside that she tried her best to find a job, she even begged to some business persons to accept her no matter how small the salary is, to support Nerissa's education and also for them to survive on their own, since they doesn't have any relatives to help them at all. But there are none that will take a person without any qualifications."Oh my gosh, Isabella! We don't have anything to eat again?""What should we do now? Look, I am studying. I am walking kilometres away here because you can't even give me some cent for my car's fair. I don't want to die too early!" Nerissa exclaimed while she's putting a cuticle on her feet's nails."Nerissa, I am really doing my best to find a job, but I guess it's not working out. Most of them want someone who's already a degree holder," Isabella responded while wiping the sweat on her forehead, as her hand almost get hurt by the hot water heater. Nerissa rolled her eyes as she's done with her nails, so she put her hands together and sighed."Are you really sure that Mom and Dad didn't give have any secret savings, even at the bank?" Nerissa asked her."Nerissa, I already make sure the answer for that. Sadly, Mom and Dad didn't have any savings. So, just also pray that I can find a work as soon as possible.""Then, what should we do? Am I going to stop studying?" Isabella dried her hand and walked towards Nerissa."No, Nerissa. I still want you to continue going to school. Besides that's what Mom and Dad wants. So, even you are the only one who can finish studying, then at least you can have a good life and also help me." Nerissa laughed sarcastically."Your mind's already in the future, Isabella.Don't you even think that what you hoping is already like a wishful thinking? Yes, Mom and Dad wants that, but where are they now? They're not breathing, they are already dead." Isabella's shoulder droops down and a bitter feeling crept up into her chest, but she still has to smile through that emotion. She's already prepared for this. It's true that her parents are not around anymore, but she won't give up trying everything. She held Nerissa's hand."Whatever happens, we will stay in each other's side, okay?" Nerissa stared at her. She the smiled bitterly and just nodded.The next two days, Isabella just do her routine, but at the end she just goes home tired and hopeless. She thought that finding a work will be the most hard problem she needs to face not until..."What do you mean? My mother and father own this house, you can't just kick out us here," Isabella said to the landlord. She didn't aware about this. No one from her parents' told her that they sell this house."I'm sorry dear, but it's actually been sold months ago, your mother and father just begged us not to get rid of it from their life, because according to them, they're going to pay us back in just some period of time, but since they're already dead, we are sure that both of you aren't capable of handling this kind of responsibility, so I have no choice but to evict you." The man replied calmly with his back turned toward Isabella."Sir, please! I am begging you. Me and my sister need this house. You know, we barely manage to live on our own now...""But the house belongs to us already, young lady. We can do whatever we want with it." The landlord said sternly and Isabella had nothing to say. Her eyes watered."By the way, I am going back here later. Make sure that you'll get your personal things with you. If I'm back here and you are still here, then I have no choice but to call the police."And with that he walked out of the door. Isabella cried silently. Her heart feels like it was shattered into millions of pieces. This house is full of memories of her parents'. She doesn't want to leave here, but she also know that she have no choice right now, but to start packing their things.The time came, Isabella with her baggages is waiting for Nerissa in front of their house. She still didn't know how she'll explain to Nerissa about what had happened. She stood up immediately when she already saw her sister."Nerissa!" With a furrowed brows Nerissa run towards her."What happened? W-Why you are here outside? And..." Isabella quickly hugged Nerissa, as she tell her everything. Nerissa release Isabella from their embrace."W-What? It can't be, Isabella. We can't afford to keep living like this! Where should we go now? I didn't even see myself leaving as a beggar." Nerissa also started to cry because of frustrations."Listen, Nerissa... Just calm down first.""No! How could I calm down Isabella? We are doomed now. How about my study? My dream? I didn't ask for a life like this!" Nerissa sobbed uncontrollably."I-I'm sorry, Nerissa. B-But I promise you that we will get through this." Isabella caressed Nerissa's head, but Nerissa just walked out."Arghh!" Isabella control herself from crying. She put all their baggages despite feeling weak and follow Nerissa.They just keep on walking. Even asking almost all the strangers if they can help them, but the next day arrive without getting any kind of help."Do you have extra money there?" Isabella dig in her pocket and get all that she can touch there."Here..." Isabella opened her palm which had 100 coins."Ten coins? That can only buy one bread and water, Isabella." Nerissa said, disappointed. Isabella still handed the money towards Nerissa."Just buy something that can sustain your hunger, Nerissa. I'll be fine, besides I am not hungry yet," she lied, just to ease her sister worry a bit.They just decided to sit for a while. Nerissa's eating the food she brought, not even bothering to ask Isabella if she wants also."Psh! This food doesn't really have even a little good taste," she says after swallowing all the food.Isabella looks at her sister who just throws the last piece of bread in her mouth. Then she takes another sip of water and took an exhausted sighed."What if, I'll just wait you here for a while. And you'll find at least a safe place where we can stay this night?" Nerissa suggested."But Nerissa, isn't going to be fast if it's the two of us who'll find somewhere to stay in?" Nerissa almost shout at Isabella, yet she tried to hide her annoyance, and pouted her lips instead."Isabella... I-I already feel dizzy for walking all day. It's like in just a minute, if we continue walking around, I will pass by. So, can you please just let me rest for a while here?" she asked, and Isabella just nodded. She understand Nerissa, and she doesn't want to force her to walk all the day long like this."Alright. Then, just stay here and get some rest." Nerissa nodded slowly, while leaning against the wall. And Isabella started to look around to find a place for them to sleep, but then as she stepped her feet again, she suddenly feel like it's getting heavier than usual, which made her fall on her knees, and before everything turned black, she could still visualize a man hurriedly running towards her.Isabella slowly opened her eyes, her sight blurry. She looked around to try to clear her vision, but it's unfamiliar, until she heard Nerissa's voice. "N-Nerissa, where are we?" Isabella slowly blinked her eyes a few times to regain her focus. "We are at the hospital, you passed out a while ago. According to doctors it's because of dehydration and starvation," Nerissa explained. Isabella quickly sat up despite feeling weak. "We should go now, we doesn't have anything to pay here!" she stated urgently. "But Isabella —""Listen to me, Nerissa. If we stay here more, we can't afford the bills and for sure if we failed to pay this hospital we will put in jail!" "Isabella, we don't need to—" Isabella still ignored Nerissa's words and started to remove the IV needle from her arm, but before she could get out from bed totally a woman appeared in front of her."Dear, you shouldn't move! Your body needs proper rest," the woman spoke softly. "Madam, I told her that, but Isabella's really s
"Welcome to Villanueva's mansion, Isabella and Nerissa," Ms. Cynthia said, smiling sweetly. "Come in," Mateo gestured towards the mansion. Isabella nodded. She's actually really hesitated to accept the suggestion of Mateo. She's really ashamed, but she knows that they will need every kind of help now. "Isabella? Why are you still standing there? Come on! It's the start of our new life, I am so excited!" Nerissa grabbed Isabella's hand. "Nerissa, we are going to work here as maid. We shouldn't take advantage of their kindness." But Nerissa wasn't listening at all, instead she also followed inside without even helping Isabella to carry their luggage."Wow! That's really huge!" The mansion was enormous; it looked like a palace. The floors were shiny white marble, the stairs curved up with intricate designs carved into them, and the chandeliers seemed endless. Before the grand staircase, there are two people wearing maid's uniform."Good morning, Ma'am and Sir!" They greeted politely.
"It's all you fault, Isabella. I shouldn't cleaning here now if only you didn't push your idea to Mateo's mother to be one of their maids," Nerissa sighed as she swept the floor in the kitchen, while Isabella is preparing herself to do some of the work at the mansion's garden. "I can't avoid thinking now, if you really want me to suffer from the life that we have." Isabella feel guilty. "Nerissa, I am sorry. But we can't just live here like a princess. We owe Villanueva family big time. Besides, I still want to continue finding a job, so soon enough we can also stand by our own feet.""And until when before someone hire you, knowing that you didn't even graduate at any degree?" No matter what Isabella said, it was impossible for her sister not to think that way. "If you already feel tired you can just leave that work there and I will just do it later, okay?" "Really?!" A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Well, as you wish! Then, I'll just familiarize myself more in this m
"Hey, Isabella…" His soft and husky voice made her blush even harder. She could only stare at him, as she tried to control her heartbeat and breathing."Sorry, Mateo." She turned her gazed at something. She really doesn't expect that as the door he will see him still not putting any clothes on the top of his body. She feel so embarrassed now, that it feels like she wants to be swallowed by the ground. "But Aunt Cynthia just asked me to check on you. She says that I should also remind you about the meetings in your company. She also goes first. She thinks that you might be sleeping until now because you seems exhausted the other night." Isabella's heart skipped a beat."Oh, yeah. Well I'm sorry for taking up all your time, Isabella. But thanks for informing me." Isabella's now at the kitchen, helping Rose and Dalia to fix some things there, while Nerissa's watching a television at the living room, while her hand's lazily wiping the top of the table in front of her. "You seems quite,
"Really? Then, grab it already, Isabella," Rose exclaimed cheerfully behind her, while she's putting the groceries inside the fridge and freezer. Nerissa's who's just got from her room after changing her clothes heard all what they're talking about. "What? Mateo's asking you do be his secretary, Isabella?" She walked towards them, with Dalia close behind her. "Yes, Nerissa. Sir. Mateo offered that to your sister. I think, he doesn't want Isabella to get tired finding a job," Dalia replied and then turned to look at Nerissa who's controlling her brows not to draw together. "But who knows, Sir. Mateo's still have more reasons than that," Rose said meaningfully. "What do you mean?" Nerissa asked. Rose, smirked. She can sense from Nerissa's tone that she doesn't like what she's hearing. She can't even forget how many tantrums did Nerissa said while they're at the market a while ago. "Nerissa, we've been living here with Sir. Mateo for so long. We knew him very much. He really seems i
"Are you alright?" Mateo asked Isabella, she's just done dressing herself up after what happened at the pool. Nerissa is still inside their room who's still furious because of her ruined plan to get Mateo's attention, but it's of course unbeknownst to Isabella."Yes, I'm fine now, Mateo." After sometime, Mateo's mother rushed towards them. "My gosh, Isabella dear, Mateo told me what happened. Are you and Nerissa's fine? Mateo also told me that you doesn't want to go at the hospital too to ensure that everything's well." Isabella nodded in agreement. "Thank you for your concerned Aunt Cynthia. But me and Nerissa is really fine. We are thankful that Mateo came in time and save us." Ms. Cynthia nodded in understanding, then she looked around seems finding someone. "Where's Nerissa?" she asked. "She's still in our ro fixing herself, Aunt." Mateo's mother sighed, her brows wrinkled slightly."Why did she even go near the pool if she doesn't know how to swim? Look what happened, you almo
"Mateo, thank you for waiting for me, but you know, you shouldn't waste your time just to drive me. That's very kind, but I can just catch a taxi or a bus." Isabella gazed at Mateo, she's sitting besides Mateo, in the front seat. "Isabella, it's not a big deal. Besides it's also your first day as my secretary. Hm, your first time to step in our company. I believe that you need my support and I don't want to see you being awkward and scared of working there," he said smiling at her."Do you think I can really to this? What if it's not what I'm suited for?" Isabella asked frowning. Mateo chuckle a bit. "Hey hey, don't worry about it. I'll be with you," he reassured her. "Besides, everyone there is nice. They won't be like those rivals," Mateo added. After sometime they finally reach their destination. There are lot of security guards already in the entrance. The building looks really fancy, that it made her feel very small. "We are here," Mateo informed her. She looked up at h
Mateo quickly put her arm around her shoulder and hold her tightly, trying to calm her down. "Isabella, calm down. Try not to breathe so shallowly. Try to concentrate on my voice. Deep breaths. Just follow my instructions. Slowly." She nods her head slightly. She's starting to focus and slow her breathing to match his pace. Isabella tried her best to control her breathing and calm down. The flickering of lights then stopped as the light above the elevator's door started shining bright again. "Thank goodness," Mateo sighed relieved. His eyes never leaving Isabella. "Are you alright now?" he questioned worriedly looking at her."Y - yeah... Yeah, I'm fine... I just thought that we are going to die. I mean, it's my first time being in this situation, s-so I panicked..." Isabella said, and her eyes landed on Mateo's arms that's still wrapped around her waist protectively. And there she realized how close they are. A blush appears on Isabella's cheeks as she averted her gaze from Mat