Master Key Of A Hidden Secret

Chapter 1 In the small busy town of Quezon, a young girl named Yani Mendez is the only child of Rose and Arthur. Her parents loved her dearly. She was raised as a kind-hearted and smart child. Her Mother is a plain housewife and her Father is just a farmer. They were poor since her parents had a low paying job, but an unknown relative who was working abroad helped them. The relative provided Yani's family with their needs and supplies for her education. On the other hand she is aloof and shy to mingle with other people, especially men. She used to be with her two friends. On the day of her graduation as a lawyer, which was attended by her friend and dear parents. During the seven years of her law school, she did everything to make her Mother and Father happy. She grew up an obedient and respectful to her parents. Everything her Mom and Dad asked for, she did not refuse or hesitate to follow it. She believed that caring and spending time with her is a great debt of gratitude. As she spoke on the stage, she could see all the parents of her colleague to witness their success as a lawyer. Everyone was happy with every victory they had come. All the hardships they had overcome over the seven years made them successful graduates. **** “Congratulations Yani!” My friend Rhea shouted excitedly and approached me as I got off the stage. Rhea has been my childhood friend since then. Her skin colour is brown and she has long curly hair. She is funny and likes to gossip people, unlike her other friend Mandy. Mandy is serious but thoughtful and attentive. She is beautiful and has white skin. She studied as a veterinarian. I met Mandy on the first day of our school. She came from another University and she had just moved to our place. It was a coincidence that we only went to the same town. Even though we have different courses we are often together. “Thank you!” I grinned and replied to Rhea. My Mom and Dad approached and hugged me in tears. My heart was full of joy because I finally finished their dream. I do not know why this is what they asked me to be a lawyer. I felt no remorse for that, knowing they had poured all their time to me. "Congratulations dear!" You are now a pledge lawyer. We are proud that you have become our child because you are obedient and you have listened to all our advice,” my mother told me with vigour. I am lucky to have a parent like them. All the support and love they gave. I was stunned to hug them when I heard a voice in the distance. “Congratulations Attorney Ms. Yani Mendez! Someone with a baritone voice from behind greeted. I was shocked. I suddenly removed myself from my parent’s embrace and turned away. I moved towards the man stunned by his presence. The man was standing nearby and had both hands tucked into the pockets of his denim pants. His posture is tall and elegant. I estimate his overall appearance. He might be over his 40's. I frowned staring at his face. “Is he the one who my parent’s told me about?" He knows me but in all my life I had never seen this man. I looked at him with my mind full of questions. I grew up without a known relative or any friends of my parents. They also did not mention anything to me except the person helping us who was abroad but never visited us. When my parent’s noticed him, my Mother and Father immediately approached the man. I went back to reality when Rhea spoke. "Do you know him? I just saw that man,” Rhea asked as she wondered why the man knew me. I shook my head and almost no words came out from my mouth. I think my parents knew him because of their actions as if they had not seen each other for a long time. The three of them were approaching where Rhea and I were. I can see the man's face more clearly. He is old but he is handsome. He was a mysterious stranger to me but I had this strange feeling in my gut. “Who is he? Why after all these years he would appear out of nowhere?" I just saw him for the first time but I was light-hearted and he looked like a trustworthy person. “Dear, we want to introduce you to our guest but we decided to talk at home.” My father placed his hand on my shoulder. I just nodded at what he said. I noticed Rhea examining the man in front of us. Like me, she has never seen him once. When we got home I went into my room to change my clothes. Rhea also went home and said she would come back with Mandy. I let my parent’s talk to our guest. That was also my father's request that they will talk first. It surprised me that their actions seem to be hiding something. ‘'What was their secret?” I wanted to ask them but no words came out from my mouth. After fifteen minutes I was startled to hear a sudden knock on my door. “Dear, come to the living room your Father is calling you and we have something important to talk about,” my mother said when I opened the door. “Alright Mom, you just wait for a while," I replied. I quickly took my phone placed on the side table and put it inside my pocket and immediately went to the living room. When my Father noticed that I was approaching them, he gave me some space in the middle of their seat. Right in front of the man that I have never met. He had a serious aura sitting with his arms folded and staring at me. “Is there dirt on my face?" I asked while glaring at him. I was not used to staring at anyone this meaningfully. “Oh! I'm sorry sweetie! I just remembered someone like you. You looked exactly like him.” The man shook his head after he replied. I was confused and could not understand what he said. I became even more curious this time. I bit my lip nervously. I can feel how much he knows about my personality. “Look like who?" I asked without knowing what he said. I noticed his eyes that used to be light blue then suddenly turned grey when he realized my serious question to him. His mouth opened to answer my question but my father cleared his throat to interrupt him. What he had to say was cut and I was even more confused by their actions. “That is not what we should be talking about right now.” My Father paused taking a deep breath before continuing. “We are here face to face to tell you our long-standing agreement with this person." My father glanced at him and opened his palm like trying to point at the man. I turned to him when I heard of what he meant. I felt my heart beat faster. I clasped my hands trying to control myself. “His name is Alejandro, an heir of the Vergara family. Son of Don Ernesto Vergara. The one with the largest ranch in the town of San Emilio. He was based in America for a long time because of his service as a soldier. Alejandro replaced his father, Don Ernesto. When Don Ernesto decided to return to our country years ago before he died. Alejandro has been the person who helped us since you were a child. He is also the one who educated you in exchange for an agreement,” my Father explained lacking some details. This made me a little mad they never told me of such agreement. “Agreement!" I yelled at them trying not to be rude as I intended. Can you explain to me what agreement you are talking about?" my Dad sighed at my question. My Father looked at me to explain further. “Your Mother and I worked together at the mansion of Vergara back then. But we left when Don Ernesto died in an accident. Your Mother and I came home here in Quezon. Here, we continue our lives with you.” Then Dad’s eyes turned sad. He continued on his explanation. “But when you got sick, I went back to the mansion to ask for help to save you. Alejandro answered everything because we could not provide enough for your needs. But he has a request for an agreement and that is what he came for today.” Then I nodded to assure my dad that I now understood. It was now getting clearer. Now I needed more answers. “What agreement do you want to have?" I asked Alejandro when I looked back to find out what he truly wanted. “I want you to marry me to bear the name Vergara. This agreement is not a payment for everything for what I have helped you.” Then he smirked at me making me more uncomfortable about my situation. “I will ask you for help in return for what I have done. It is all for you, it should only be for you. This is my last mission to be fulfilled and you are the one I have chosen. That is why I educated you to be a lawyer to help me someday,” he answered meaningfully. And I was more confused about it. My heart almost stopped when I heard his explanation. Many things that can be demanded is my freedom to choose the person I will be with forever. I was speechless for a moment. I cannot put into words what I felt on this matter. There was also a moment of silence for the four of us. My world seemed to collapse at his request but he saved me and provided the needs for my success I enjoy today. “Why would I? What is my assurance in this agreement?" I asked again, realizing that I have the right to know the limits of the agreement. Then he slowly approached me. His face came closer and his eyes are looking into mine. “In time sweetie, you will know everything. But for now I just want you to be a complete Vergara. You are free to fall in love and find happiness with other men at the right time," he replied. Then he went back to his seat in front of me. He sat there like a king and I was the one he needed as his Queen. "So, our marriage is temporary? I thought about what he said. How can I be a complete Vergara if my marriage with him is limited? As a lawyer we are curious about every situation so this agreement is a big puzzle for me. Am I capable of solving such puzzles with only a little information about it?" Questions flooded into my head. My curiosity led me to an idea which I accepted his request because I wanted to discover the secret that is sealed in the agreement. After our conversation, Alejandro immediately returned to the hotel where he was staying. Leaving me with my parent’s. I saw how my parents are also grateful and I understand what they did for me. In my room I was lying down on my bed staring at the ceiling full of questions. I did not expect that when I graduated as a lawyer I would enter into a mysterious agreement. With so many questions my mind was restless and I felt tired. I closed my eyes and slept after the day ended. I woke up in a room unfamiliar to me. It was dark all around and only a candle was lit in the distance. I got up to find out where I was. I only noticed someone he turned his back on me. He was wearing a black jacket with a hood that covered his face. He faced me and I saw him holding a large lock and chain. I was anxious and didn’t know what should I do. "Where am I?" I asked the man but he stayed silent. I was scared so I shouted using all my strength to ask for help. "Help me! Please help! Please don’t you dare go near to me!" I was afraid to stop the person approaching. I screamed as loud as I could. I was afraid to see the man coming closer. I covered my face with both hands...