Taming The Billionaire's First-Born

CHAPTER FOUR

Life has taught me that if you are going through a lot of hardships, you should just keep going no matter what happens. Everything happens for a reason. Negative and positive outcomes are a part of our lives. If you think you are constantly falling, you should try to at least hold on and keep on going.

Sometimes, we all make some mistakes, and with every mistake we make, we inevitably miss the opportunity. Yes, we do make some mistakes sometimes, but then again, mistakes are a part of our lives. We have struggles and we even regret things in the past, because just like in photography, everything uses negative outcomes at present to develop colorful films in the future.

For me, life is such a wonderful gift from God. My parents taught me to be thankful even though I suffered a lot of hardships when I was young. I should be grateful because, despite growing up in difficult circumstances, my family is still complete and I have a place to call home. I should be thankful because I can eat three times a day, and even though I didn’t go to college, I still experienced being able to study.

My parents taught me to be thankful at all times. They taught me that not in all cases will we be given the opportunity to have this kind of lifestyle. Yes, we don’t belong to middle-class families, and my parents don’t earn enough a day, but I’m sure that even though we weren’t born into a wealthy family, we had parents who were willing to support us no matter what happened.

My family wasn't the best, but they were pretty damn close. I also can't say that my family is perfect, but they are my everything.

Whenever I had a problem, my parents were the ones who gave me suggestions on what I should do. Whenever I felt down, my siblings were the ones who supported and comforted me. They were my treasure, and I would do everything to give them a comfortable life in the near future. A life that I know I can give someday if I ever have the chance to go to college.

I let out a deep breath when the subject of college entered my mind once again. I repeatedly kept in mind that maybe I didn’t get into college today because of financial problems and this is not my time to fulfill that dream. Maybe now is not my time to study again. Some of my friends were already studying in college and already taking the course they wanted, while I, on the other hand, stayed inside our house and secretly asked myself to make way to study again.

Staying at home wasn't the best decision for me. Who would have thought that it would be a good decision to stay home and do nothing to save money? Whenever I saw my parents getting tired at work, my conscience repeatedly visited me.

If I can't study this year, then what will I do? What do I need to do to help my parents?

I was not born into a wealthy family. I should start to look for a new job. I should start to work my a*s off. I should plot my goals. I should start saving money and get an education. I should..

I should help my parents.

"Solanna..."

I slowly turned to look at the nipa hut where my father was. I saw him waving his hand while looking at me. The wrinkles caused by old age became visible on his face when he smiled at me. Even though I'm not in the good mood to greet him, I decided to reciprocate that smile even though I know that my smile didn't turn into a genuine smile.

I saw him approaching the stone where I was sitting. My father wasn't that old. He just looks old because of his work in the field. I promised myself that if I reached twenty years old, I should have saved money and bought a house, but it seems like my goals are not in line with my current state.

"It seemed like you were thinking deeply," he said.

I smiled at him before I averted my gaze and turned to look at the sun, which was now defeated by darkness. Staring at the sun while thinking about random things comforted me a lot. It seems like the sun helped me to heal the pain I have been feeling for a long time.

I don’t know what the pain I’m feeling is for either.

Is it because my parents won't let me get to college, or is it just because of my resentment towards myself because I can't find a way to let myself go to college?

I slowly shook my head and smiled a bit. I know that he didn’t see my smile because my chin rested on my knees while sitting on the rock where I was.

Staring at the setting sun while sitting here in this large rock formation seemed to be my favorite scenery. The peaceful sea from afar adds to the beauty of the setting sun above the cloudy atmosphere. The waves were crawling calmly near the shore, and this scenery brightened my mood. Staring at the dreamy sea seemed to be my favorite habit forever.

It's a good thing that this property isn't for sale and not open to the public. When I was young, my parents told me that this property was not owned by the government. Someone bought this land, but because of the time period and also because of the amount of business handled by its owner, they forgot to visit the property they bought. I don't know if they know that they own it or if they have any idea that they own it, but I'm sure that when the time comes and they come back here, they will take back the land they own.

I mean... who doesn't, right?

"Is there something on your mind?" my father asked while looking at me.

My lips pursed a bit because of his question. I replied, "Nothing. I'm just exhausted."

"You should rest then."

I smiled a bit before I stretched my arms. Sitting here for a while while thinking about random stuff seemed to be long overdue for me.

"Staring at the setting sun is already my rest, Dad," I said before I turned to look at him. "Are you done? Can we go home now?"

He nodded at me and smiled a bit. It seems like we both had our own thoughts. I was thinking about how to find a suitable job for myself, and I had no idea what he was thinking right now.

We continued walking home. I know my dad, and it seems like he already knows that I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone right now. He respects me, and I respect him too. Based on his sigh and deep breath, it also seemed like something else was bothering his mind.

I don't want to ask him because I respect his privacy. If he needs to tell me something, he will say it. Not that I don't care about him, I just don't intend to interfere in other people's problems. I know my dad, and if he has something to say, he would say it directly to me or to us.

My father works as a farmer. The land is not his property, and it is illegal to build our house near the private property that is already owned by someone else. He told us that he had a contract signed about being the caretaker of this private property, and as compensation for guarding their land, the owner gave him the permission to plant on the vacant land given to him.

I don't know what exactly they talked about regarding us being tenants of their land, but I'm sure there will be no problem because they have a contract with the owner.

I just wished that the owner kept the promise referred to by my father.

When we arrived at home, I saw my mother, who was now busy preparing our food. She smiled at me when she noticed my stares. My two other siblings were busy reviewing their schoolwork, so even though I wanted to annoy them, I decided to restrain myself and let them finish the schoolwork that had to be passed tomorrow.

"I'm done. Let's eat," my mother said.

We have become accustomed to praying every time we come to the table. This time, I was the one who led the prayer, and to start it all, I hurriedly stood up from my seat and began to pray and give thanks for the blessings he gave to us.

Actually, I am very thankful to God. Even though we did not belong to a wealthy or middle-class family, my family is complete and my parents never got sick. If there's anything I need to be thankful for, it's the health of my parents and my siblings.

"How's your school, Monique?" my mom asked.

We are used to talking about random topics whenever we all get together for dinner. My sister, Monique, raised her head and smiled at her before she decided to shrug. It seems like she has no plans to answer what she's asked her.

"Everything was smooth. You don't have to worry, Mom," Monique said.

I let them talk about random topics. They also didn't talk about school, especially when my father asked about another topic.

Instead of immersing myself in their conversation, I decided to hurry my dinner and thus be able to rest as well. Butting in in their conversation isn't my thing. I never intervened in my parents' discussion out of respect for them as well.

It’s not that I distance myself from them, it’s just that my parents taught me how to respect someone’s privacy. It is also not good to see you immerse yourself in the discussion of others without their permission. Yes, I'm talking to them and having a conversation with them, but that's only if they ask me.

When we were young, the elders taught us that interfering with their conversation was called "profanity." The kids back then knew how to respect each other. I don't know what happened these days.

Because of exhaustion, I didn't even realize when I fell asleep. The cold breeze coming from the open window was the reason why I woke up early the next day. I stretched my arms and yawned before I decided to get up from my bed and head to the kitchen to cook breakfast.

I saw my mom sitting near the kitchen. She was wearing her usual attire whenever she sells fish in the market. She was holding a piece of paper, and it seems like she didn’t notice me in my stance because her attention was all on the paper she was holding.

I wanted to startle her, but when I saw she was serious, I just shrugged and calmly walked over to the kitchen sink to peel some onions.

"Is there something wrong, Mom?" I asked.

She stiffened a bit in her posture when I sat on the vacant chair in front of her. She sighed heavily when she finally noticed me. It didn't take long for her to smile at me when she turned to look again at the paper she was holding.

I saw the envelope lying on the table. Based on its stamp, it seems like it came from a wealthy clan. My brows furrowed when I saw the word invitation.

It seems like my mom noticed the curiosity that was now visible on my face while looking at the envelope. She chuckled before she shifted in her seat.

It seems like her face has been serious lately, but when she noticed the curiosity that was now plastered on my face, it seemed like her seriousness had completely disappeared.

"This is an invitation, Solanna," she said.

I wasn't even surprised when she already knew why I was curious about the paper she was holding. She handed me the letter, which made me look at it for a while before I decided to take it from her.

"Invitation for what?" I asked.

She sighed heavily before she smiled genuinely at me. She replied, "My friend asked me to work for her, but I refused their offer."

Just like what my mom said, the letter was all about the invitation. The sender wrote an informal letter, inviting my mother to work for their family. I saw the first two letters that were written in bold fonts: Montero Family.

"Why?" I asked curiously. I turned to look at her, asking for a better answer. "It seems like the job she offers is easier compared to your job here. Based on her letter, it seems like she was just trying to help you."

"I don't want to leave here, Solanna," she said, which made me turn to look again at the paper I was holding. "How about your father? Who will look after and watch over your siblings?"

"They can take care of themselves, mom," I said.

I tried to purse my lips because I didn’t want to utter hurtful words against my siblings. Yes, they couldn't take care of themselves without our mom, but then, they were already teens. They can handle themselves even when our mom is not by their side.

"There are things they can't do on their own, Solanna," she said, which made me secretly roll my eyes. She sighed heavily before she took the paper away from my hand and folded it to put in her pocket. "If you have your vacant time, help your father plow the field. He told me last night that he would plant peanuts so we could harvest them next month."

I slowly nod my head at her. She stood up from her seat and said goodbye. It's too early, but because of her work, even though the sun isn't rising outside that much, she needs to go to work.

Just like my usual cycle whenever I am left alone here, I wasted no more time and started preparing breakfast for my siblings who were going to school.

This is what I always do because I am the only one left here at home. Every weekend, whenever my siblings didn't go to school, I was the one who always worked with dad on the farm. Every week, I was the one who always plowed the field or whenever there was a schedule for planting crops. Sometimes, if I do have a lot of free time, I will also help my mother sell fish in the market.

If I had the chance to have a decent job, I would stop my parents from working, especially my father. I know that he is also giving up on plowing the field because his body can no longer handle the heavy work, just like plowing and planting in the middle of the scorching heat of the sun every day. Maybe when I get a job, I'll give them a chance to rest.

I want them to experience living without caring about life, that they can live without considering the financial problem. That they will be able to purchase everything they could not previously afford.

If only I had a job...

My lips pursed a bit because of what I had thought. I've been thinking for weeks about where and how I can find a job, but until now I still haven't worked my way up. I can’t count how many times I’ve told myself that I would find a job, but until now I’m still here at home.

If I want to have a job, I should start to look for a new job. Yes. That's right! I can't do anything if I just stay here at home.

I'm not a saint and I don't tend to lie. Yes, I suffered a lot of stress when I graduated from senior high. I have also had panic attacks several times every time I think about my future. I do have a lot of hardships and problems regarding my schooling, and I can't deny that my anxiety is about to turn into depression.

During those times that depression engulfed me, I had no one else to cling to. Yes, my family was always there for me every time my anxiety attacked me, but it seems like their suggestions didn’t help to alleviate my anxiety. Somehow, I’m glad that it never entered my mind to harm myself. It never entered my mind to kill myself.

Even though I suffered a lot of hardships from then until now, I never thought of killing myself. I never downgraded depressed people because somehow I understood them. But then, harming yourself isn't the best idea for you to overcome the problem you have. Every person has their own hardships and struggles, and with all the struggles and hardships you have, even though your problem is small or big, there's a solution to everything.

Nothing happens if you feed on depression. There's a solution to all our problems, and that is a fact.

I stood up from my seat and was full of determination when I decided to walk closer to the nipa hut where my father was resting. I saw him sitting near the wooden bench, busy sipping his coffee. He almost blew his coffee when he saw me approaching him.

"What brings you—"

"I want to work," I cut him off, making his brow furrow in confusion. I smiled widely at him when I saw that until now he could not speak. I added, "Spencer told me that there were a lot of vacant positions in the cafe owned by his parents. I want to work with them. I also want to be able to save for my college."

He sighed heavily before he decided to get up from his seat. I saw him place the cup of coffee on the wooden table before he crossed his arms and listened to everything I said.

"If that's what you want, then work for it," he said. "I can't stop you from everything you want to happen, Solanna. I will support you in everything you decide."

I felt my lips raise a bit for a smile. I let myself approach him and gave him a tight hug, which made him laugh.

This is one of the reasons why I love my parents; they support me in everything.