Mr. Left

Chapter 2

"Miss Velasco, where are you going?"

It was Derrick.

He had seen me.

But what do I do now?

I looked at him. My decision is made. "I'm leaving," I stated.

"Where are you going? And what time are you coming back?" He frantically asked.

"Far away, Derrick, and I'm not coming back."

I noticed that he creased his brows in concentration. He initially appeared perplexed by what I said, but as soon as he saw the sizable bag I was carrying, he quickly understood what I meant.

"You're going to run away? Why?"

I was surprised when the light suddenly came to life in the living room, so I quickly grabbed Derrick's hand before running to the large tree and hiding there. Both of us got on our hands and knees and looked around the house to see if someone was going to emerge from it. I bit my lip. Is my dad awake?

I was even more nervous, but I immediately turned my attention to the man next to me.

"Listen, whatever it is that you witnessed, don't tell anyone else about it. I have the desire to move out and be on my own. Please don't tell anyone that you saw me."

He watched me. "Then I'll take you where you're going."

I shook my head. "I have no idea where I'm heading just yet, but I need to get away from here. Please, Derrick, just let me do this. Don't let my father know."

"Why Miss Velasco? Is this about what happened last night? Are you still not getting along with Mr. Carpio?"

I couldn't speak immediately. He witnessed what happened that night, so I have no escape from him, but now is not the time to explain. I have to hurry and get out of here.

"Look, it's too complicated, and I don't have time to explain it to you. Just get me out of here, and I'll pay you half of everything I've saved up if you agree not to tell anyone."

He shook his head. "That's not nearly as much as what your father will give me if I tell him you're going to leave," he said.

I gasped when I saw him grin. I just noticed that he was wearing only a simple shirt and shorts. It seems that he looks very different from his usual appearance when he wears a black suit.

And now he chose to tease me as if we were really close. Tsk, or maybe he did that because he knows I'm in a desperate situation.

"Please, Derrick, I'll do everything; just don't let Dad know this. Please help me with my plan to leave. I want to escape from it all because maybe if I do that, I can recover from pain."

I am like a child begging for grace. I'm about to cry my eyes out once more.

It was his response, "Oh, okay," that took me by surprise. I looked at him. "Really?" I quickly dried my eyes and managed a grin.

He nodded. "As long as you stay in our house,"

"Huh?"

"You said you wanted to go far away. If you have nowhere to go, you should live in the countryside for a while. In our home. So that I am aware of your location and can rest certain that you are not in danger, but life there is a bit different compared to here."

I was silent. On the one hand, I didn't really have anywhere to go, and on the other hand, his idea was great. If I'm in the province and live there, I can save more money than I have.

"That's my condition, Miss Velasco," he stated. "If you agree to that, I promise I won't tell you where you are."

***

As Derrick pulled up to the location, he announced, "We've arrived." I massaged my eyes as I realized that I had allowed him to travel for a number of hours in order to reach their province. What a huge inconvenience for him!

After that, I finally became aware that the morning was beginning to break. When I looked out the window, I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't waste any time, and I stepped outside to take in more of that breathtaking panorama. A volcano. We have a fantastic vantage point from where we are standing right now.

"It's beautiful," I remarked, but as soon as I thought about Jhon Rey, I was overcome with emotion and sobbed uncontrollably. He hopes to visit other breathtaking locations like this one. I really wish he could be here to witness it.

"I'm just going to park here; however, it is quite a distance from our house, but we can walk. Is that all right with you?"

I nodded. It's good that he just casually talks to me. After all, I'm just a normal citizen now because I ran away from my family.

We started walking. The path that we were traveling on was rocky, and the other way had not yet leveled off completely. I suppose life is the same way out in the country. But I can't explain why the melancholy that's been weighing on my chest appears to vanish when I look at those homes that are so simple yet beautiful. Some are crafted entirely out of stone, while others are limited to wood.

Even though it's still way too early, a good number of folks are already up and sipping coffee outside. Everyone is happy for Derrick right now because he has recently returned to the province where he was born. They were so delighted to welcome him.

"You're so different, Derrick! Is that really what happens to people living in the city? Getting better? Getting better looking?"

"Not really," Derrick responded, giving off the impression that he was still ashamed. Well, they were right; Derrick has quite the face. I wonder why he's still single at his age. Maybe he's just shy, but anyway, we're not that close for me to judge if he's really shy. I just know that he always follows me and watches over me.

"Is she your girlfriend? She's really beautiful!" Several other adults voiced their opinion that it appeared as though they were referring to me.

"Oh no, he's the daughter of my boss. She's only going to live here with us, so take care of her here while I'm gone," he said.

"Are you leaving right away?" I questioned him as if I were completely oblivious to the fact that he was going to abandon me there.

"Huh? Yes, didn't I say I'd just drop you off? If your father finds out I'm not there, he'll definitely know you're here. Don't you want to get away?"

I nodded. So he will leave me here? Who am I going to be with? Wait, I thought I wanted to be alone. Why am I looking for a companion?

"Don't worry, my sister is there. She will be with you."

We finally said our goodbyes to his friends and acquaintances and started walking in the direction of his house.

I could see a two-story house with a gray front gate.

In fairness, I didn't expect his house to be beautiful. Maybe he got this from working with my father. It cannot be denied that the house has been meticulously cleaned and looks absolutely stunning.

It took a few minutes before Derrick pressed the doorbell when it opened. A dazzlingly beautiful woman with long hair and a slim build suddenly materialized in front of me. She is wearing a white floral dress and is sporting some great shoes on her feet. She also smells good.

"Brother!" she shouted before hugging her brother. "I missed you! I thought you had completely forgotten me and had no intention of coming back."

"How could I possibly forget about you? You are the only family that I have."

I couldn't help but grin at their sweetness. How I wish I had a brother too.

She turned her attention to me. "Brother? Who is she? Why didn't I know you got married?"

"Shh, she's Miss Velasco. She's my boss's daughter, and she'll be staying here for a while. Come on, let's go inside, and I'll explain inside."

Derrick also opened the gate for me, and I observed that he took a few moments to glance around before finally shutting it.

My eyes quickly focused on the stone path that was before me. There is Bermuda grass on all sides, and it is bordered by plants. The fresh scent of freshness permeates the entire home. It's quite amusing. Particularly when a chilly breeze is blowing. Even though I've only been here for a few minutes, I already feel like I've forgotten all of my worries.

After that, we retreated to the living room and took a seat there.

"Have you eaten already?" Derrick's sister asked us.

"Not yet, but Miss Velasco is all you have to take care of because I'm leaving too, Danica."

So, his beautiful sister's name is Danica.

"You're leaving right away? You just arrived?" The expression in the girl's eyes is one of seeming melancholy. "Why don't you at least spend a day here, brother? You know, Mom and Dad are gone, and I'm the only one left here. I just saw you again today, but I can't be with you yet, even for just a day."

"I still have a lot to do to fulfill my promises to Mom and Dad," Derrick responded, which also made me curious about what kind of family they have. It was my first time seeing this side of him, and I'm quite interested in why he ended up being with our family.

"But brother, I'm okay now. I've had enough of what you're doing. I don't ask for anything more. What's the use of wealth without you?"

It would appear that what she said had an effect on me. I never asked that of Jhon Rey, but when I heard that it was as if the same thing was coming to my secret heart, it pained me.

"Danica, because of this, I believe that it is best for you to get married; after all, you've reached the appropriate age for this, and then you won't have to look for me anymore because I can't promise I'll be here all the time."

"But brother—"

"You have a lot of admirers. Why don't you try to give those who ask you hope?"

Danica gave her head a series of vigorous shakes. "I don't want to get married. It's fine for me to die as a young woman. Why are you keeping telling me to get married when you, too, haven't married yet?"

Derrick looked at me, which caused me to frown. He sighed. "Alright, enough of this, because I really need to go. I'm leaving now, Danica. Make sure to take care of Miss Velasco." Derrick turned to me again. "Miss Velasco, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to speak with my sister. Be careful here."

Before Derrick could go, Danica even gave him a hug before he went out the door. He didn't even take a sip of water or eat anything before he left; he just said his goodbyes. What a loyalist!

I noticed that Danica wiped her cheek before looking at me. "Miss Velasco, come. I'll make you breakfast."

She invited me to the dining table near the kitchen.

"It's Sheen May," I answered. "Just call me Sheen May." We seem to be the same age.

She cooked it quietly and served it to me. I feel like she's very kind, like her brother. I can understand how it saddens her when she just saw her brother but never had the chance to live with him for a moment. That's what I also feel whenever Jhon Rey is with me. He always has to go because of sudden meetings or emergency appointments with his clients. It annoys me. I admit it, but I can understand.

I noticed how Danica doesn't speak often, maybe because she's used to being alone here in their house. Well, just like me when I locked myself in my room.

After I washed the plates I used, I found her in the living room reading a book. I sat across from her and watched her. Even at a cursory glance, it is impossible to deny that she and Derrick are siblings due to the striking resemblance between the two. Both of them have impressive heights and physiques.

It was her gaze that caused a split in the corner of my mouth. Simply put, she smiled. It immediately shattered the eerie calm that had descended upon the room when the vibrating of my phone alerted me to a call.