LOST AND FOUND

PROLOGUE

Elliana Marie Hall Jenkins is a perfect catch. She's a total package- she's stunningly beautiful, smart, talented, and wealthy. At a very young age, she is already committed to Alexander Keith Coleman- his first love, a young man full of enthusiasm. He is intelligent, talented, sporty, affluent, and strikingly handsome. They are both from a well-known family in town, have their own businesses in multiple industries across the country. Jenkins International Academy-owned by Elliana Marie's family is where they both study and currently in the 10th grade. She is extremely happy today as she is celebrating her sweet 16th birthday. It was supposed to be a grand celebration but having Alexander and her family is more than enough for her, moreover, she's not comfortable with anyone in school aside from Keith.

"Happy birthday, Marie!" Keith exclaimed when she reached the living room where everyone is waiting. She dazzles even in her comfy outfit- a pale pink cotton long sleeve and skirt paired with criss-cross white flats. She couldn't contain her happiness as he hugged and kissed her on the forehead. This man never fails to awaken the butterflies in her stomach.

"Thank you, Keith!" She sweetly smiled. With those gestures, she can feel that they are really meant for each other. People may think, she's too young for that and she doesn't care at all.

"You look stunning". He complimented.

"And you look hot." She laughed. Keith chuckled.

"Hi dear, we're here! Just in case, you can only see our son. Ha-ha-ha! " The Coleman couple said and their both parents laughed in sync.

"Thanks for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Coleman!" She warmly hugged them and politely thanked them for the gifts too.

"Why don't you start calling us Mom and Dad already, hmm?" Mr. Zander Vlythe Coleman said. The one and only President and CEO of TD Productions (THE DREAM).

"Oh please, I can already see that they will end up together but please don't make me jealous this early." Mr. Jenkins joked back and hugged his daughter lovingly and it is one of the reasons why she loves her dad so much – he treats her like a real princess. He even takes her out on a date whenever he has the time. He always tells her that she deserves the best! And yeah, he is the best dad ever!

"Nah! You're so jealous dad. Mom, look at dad acting like a jealous kid again. "She laughed.

" Dad, of course, you'll always be my first daddy. The second is Mr. Coleman. However, since I don't want you throwing some tantrums at this point, I won't call him dad yet. We're still young, though. We'll get there, right Keith!?" Her eyes were shimmering as she glanced at him.

" Indeed." The young man couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Sweetie, just let your dad and he's always been like that. " Her mom sweetly smiled. " By the way, why do you call him Keith instead of Alexander? You are the only one who calls him that."

"Bec-" She was about to explain when Keith answered on her behalf.

" Exactly, Ma'am. I think I now know where your daughter got it from" he glanced at Marie's father. " She wants herself to be the only person to call me that way. My family and friends call me alexander and she wants to be special so ...be it. Besides, I also prefer calling her Marie instead of Elliana or Ellie since that's how you all call her."

"Whoah! You really do know me too well." She jumped into him like a small kid. Keith can't get enough of her too.

"Ma'am, Sir, everything is prepared." It was Elvie, the head butler of the family. She's been with them even before she was born. She took care of Marie since then.

"Thank you, Nana." Marie flashed a smile. Keith's arm is wrapped around her waist and carefully walked with her towards the garden where they are celebrating. Despite the fact that they are living a very comfortable life, her parents had taught her how to be appreciative even of the smallest thing and value everything that she has. With that, she prefers a simple celebration and will go to an orphanage the day after to share her blessings with them. One more thing that excites her during her birthday is, it's also Keith's birthday and as usual, the two guest rooms are already ready for family Coleman. That's how close and comfortable their families are. She can't also wait to give her present to him.

"You're stunning." Keith softly whispered that made her blush.

"I know. Stop drooling" She shyly joked. "But this beauty is nothing if you have nothing for me tonight." She pouted.

"Later." He smiled. He offered her a seat and carefully pushed it for her just like a real gentleman. That's what her dad usually does to her and her mom too. He sat beside her. It made her speechless.

"Is there something wrong, honey?" her mom asked.

"I just feel so happy and blessed to have you all in my life, mom. IT's just so...perfect!" She did her best to hold back her tears. She felt a soft pat on her back, that was Keith.

They were like having a small feast. Their favorite cuisines are served. Typical Filipino foods are also served, as always. Her mom loves to cook and she also helps her sometimes. The place was filled with joy and laughter that night and she never loses her sweetest smile until Keith's dad spoke again.

"Hmm." He sighed. She felt Keith's hand on hers.

"By the way, we're afraid we can't stay here tonight as we usually do." He uttered in a very serious tone. He apologetically looked at the Jenkins.

"That's odd. Why?" Her dad asked out of curiosity. Mr. Coleman looked as if he' his son as if he is asking for him to talk.

"What's wrong? Aren't we supposed to welcome and celebrate your day as well?" She asked him.

"We're going to the US tomorrow morning" he softly said. She saw the sadness in his eyes as she slowly fades her smile.

"I am not happy anymore." She mumbled.

"Sweetie..." her mom.

"We have to leave due to emergency reasons, dear." Keith's mom, Mrs. Alezandra Kaye Dawson said. She gazed at her.

"My father, Alex's grandpa is in a critical condition," Zander said.

"We were supposed to leave tonight but Alexander asked us to just leave early in the morning to celebrate your special day." Mrs. Coleman tried to comfort her. It only proved that she is indeed a very special person to them. It somehow relieved her.

"Sorry." She sincerely uttered. Feeling a bit of guilt in her heart, she mouthed "Thank you" to Keith.

There was a moment of silence for 5 minutes when Keith broke it.

"Uh, do you mind if we go inside first? It's already late and I need to give my special gift to this special beautiful lady." He exclaimed. It made her blushed. Everyone gave an excited smile and watched them as they excused themselves with their hands intertwined. Marie is full of excitement once again upon seeing that very obvious gift now displayed in the living room wrapped with a huge red ribbon!

"OH MY GOD!!!" OMG!!!" She shouted with joy and ran towards it. She can't also stop laughing because she is very sure of what the gift is. Keith was a bit shy because of it. Nana Elvie is also happily watching them from the corner.

"Is this really for me?" She can't take her eyes off of the gift as she unties the ribbon and started strumming the customized guitar! The guitar looks so amazing and it cannot deny the fact that it's really for her as it was painted and designed with Cherry blossoms! It was her dream to travel to Japan and see the cherry blossoms herself. Her family has all the money and she has the means to travel abroad but she chooses to stay in the Philippines as she is so lazy to travel. Instead, she painted her room with Sakura trees and leaves.

"Uh-huh!" Keith answered her, laughing too. " You like it that much, huh?" he asked.

"NO!" she exclaimed. " I love it, Keith! I super do love it!" then she put down the guitar and jumped into him and gave him a choking embrace.

"I'm glad then. It costs a fortune, you know." He joked.

" Oh, wait!" She ran upstairs and went straight to her room to get her present for him. When she's back downstairs, she handed a rectangular shaped box to him.

"Happy birthday, Keith!" She happily greeted him.

" We have still a few hours before midnight. What's this?" he asked smiling. Anything from this girl is all special to him. He always keeps the stuff she had given him.

"You're leaving, anyway. Open it." She couldn't help but smile.

"Wow! This is so beautiful, Marie!" It was a white-gold plated necklace with a customized guitar pendant. Engraved behind the pendant are letters M and K which means Marie and Keith.

"We are really meant to be, aren't we? Keith asked.

"Let me put it on you." And so she helped him put it.

"Thank you." He smiled happily, teary-eyed. Marie is overflowing with joy. " I'm sure it costs a fortune too," he smirked.

"Of course. You better take care of it. I saved my monthly allowance for that. I became thinner because of that. Your fault." She jokingly answered. She'll do anything for him.

"Tsh. My gift is also expensive!" He teased. "Look". He asked her to flip the guitar and there she saw their initials engraved on it too. She couldn't stop her tears when it started falling.

"Oh yes, we're meant to be Keith. I'd do anything just to have you." She uttered while tears are running down her cheeks.

He gently wiped her tears with his palm and gave him a peck on the cheek. " Now, will you sing for me?" He was too cute and handsome to be resisted and so she started to strum and sing.

I like your eyes, you look away when you pretend not to care

I like the dimples on the corners of the smile that you wear

I like you more, the world may know but don't be scared

'Cause I'm falling deeper, baby be prepared

She is singing like an angel in front of the man that she'd willing to risk her life for. He was lovingly staring at her making her feel so giddy. His deep dimples are making him more so adorable. Only this man makes her feel that way.

I like your shirt; I like your fingers, love the way that you smell

To be your favorite jacket, just so I could always be near

I loved you for so long, sometimes it's hard to bear

But after all this time, I hope you wait and see

His smell is her favorite, whether he wears a branded perfume or not. At their young age, she is more than confident that they'll end up together. He sang with her at the chorus of the song.

Love you every minute, every second

Love you everywhere and at any moment

Always and forever I know I can't quit you

'Cause baby you're the one, I don't know how

I love you 'til the last of snow disappears

Love you 'til a rainy day becomes clear

Never knew a love like this, now I can't let go

I'm in love with you, and now you know

They ended the song with a contagious laugh. It filled the living room.

"I'll miss you. So much" She emotionally uttered. "When will you be back?"

"I might be back before enrollment for the next school year or probably might be starting the school year, late. Grandpa is badly sick and we need to go." He explained

She felt sad. "It will take a while. Sorry if I'm being selfish earlier. I'm not just used to it." She pouted.

"Wait for me, okay? No matter what, wait for me. Do you promise?" he asked, full of emotions.

"I promise!" She is very willing to wait but why does she feel he's not coming back anymore?  she suddenly felt anxious. What is wrong with her?

To be continued......