The Problem with Enzo

▶︎•၊၊||၊|။||||။၊|။• Fight Song by Rachel Platten ▶︎•၊၊||၊|။||||။၊|။• Never Grow Up – Taylor Swift HERS... Ana brushed the invincible dust off the corner of the plastic folder with care, sliding in the last sheet of printed documentation—a neatly compiled summary of the clinic's weekly performance reports, receipts, and a personalized thank-you letter. Her hands were steady, but her mind raced. Everything must be perfect. This wasn't just any meeting—it was her first time meeting Ashley in person. She exhaled, glanced at the wall clock. 8:15 AM. The gentle clang of a spoon hitting porcelain echoed from the kitchen. "Lia, anak, are you done with your breakfast?" Ana called out. "Almost, Mama! Just finishing my milk," replied Lia. Ana walked to the small kitchen where her daughter sat at the table, her long legs dangling off the chair. At eleven, Lia was already taller than most kids her age. She got that from her father, Julio—an ex-husband Ana rarely allowed herself to think about. Lia had her father's height and defined jawline, but the warm eyes and quiet wisdom? That was all Ana. Lia was sweet, observant, and mature beyond her years. She had learned early on not to demand too much, not to cry too loudly. Life had demanded she grow up early, and Ana hated that. But she was proud of the strong, kind daughter she was raising. "Okay, sweetie," Ana said, brushing Lia's hair back behind her ear. "Listen to Mama. I'll be gone most of the day to meet Dr. Ashley in Manila. You remember what to do, right?" Lia nodded, chewing her bread thoughtfully. "Yes. After you leave, I'll wait for Tito Pao and Tita Kaeli to arrive. I won't let anyone in. I'll feed the cats at noon. And if you're late coming home—" "Which I won't be, but just in case—" "—I'll sleep in your room so the cats won't drive me crazy at night," Lia said, grinning. Ana smiled, kissed her on the forehead. "You're the best. Don't forget to tell Tito Pao to water the plants." "Got it. Mama, are you nervous?" Ana paused, tucking the folder into her tote bag. "A little." Ashley wasn't just any client. She was Ana's miracle. When the pandemic hit, Ana's world crumbled. Julio, her then-husband, was an Overseas Filipino Worker in Saudi. She thought the long distance would be manageable—that they were building a future. She was wrong. One day, he stopped sending money. Then he stopped calling. Months later, she found out he had left his job, married a woman there, and never looked back. Ana had debts mounting, bills to pay, and a five-year-old daughter clinging to her. They were living then in a rowhouse acquired through a PAG-IBIG housing loan—a milestone she had once celebrated with family photos and home-cooked meals. But over time, the pride faded. The same walls that once felt like a dream now seemed to close in on her. Bills piled up. The monthly amortization became a weight she could no longer lift. And with each missed payment, the air in the neighborhood grew colder. She began avoiding the neighbors—most of whom seemed to find endless entertainment in her misfortune. Every time she stepped out to buy groceries, she could feel their eyes on her, hear the faint rise and fall of whispers that followed her down the street. She remembered one afternoon in particular…a flashback… ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── Ana stepped out of the gate with a reusable bag in hand, the late afternoon sun pressing against her skin. She kept her head low as she walked toward the small sari-sari store at the corner. From across the street, two women sat on plastic chairs under the shade of a mango tree. She recognized one of them immediately — Mrs. Ortega, her old high school teacher, now retired. “’Di ba siya yung iniwan ng asawa?” — Isn’t she the one whose husband left her? Mrs. Ortega muttered, but not so softly that Ana couldn’t hear. “Kawawa naman bata, matalino pa naman anak nila si Julia.” — Poor child. Their daughter, Julia, is such a smart girl, another woman replied. “Bakit kaya iniwan?” — I wonder why he left. “Baka may lalaki din siya.” — Maybe she had another man, someone whispered, the words sharp as broken glass. “Didn’t she used to work in a call center? That pays well, right? Why can’t she keep up with her bills?” Ana kept walking, her grip on the bag tightening until the handles twisted around her fingers. But the voices followed her. Some people didn’t bother with whispers. ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── One afternoon, while she was buying rice, the sari-sari store owner leaned over the counter and asked outright, “So, Ana… is it true your husband has another family now?” Another time, a neighbor she barely knew stopped her on the sidewalk. “We were just wondering,” the woman began, smiling as if it had softened the blow, “what really happened? You two looked so happy before.” ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── Each question was a small wound, reopening what she was trying so hard to heal. She learned to force a polite smile, say as little as possible, and walk away before her voice betrayed the hurt she carried. She cried in silence at night, her face buried in cheap pillows, wondering how she would feed Lia the next day. those nights felt endless—until she found the one thing that could keep them afloat. Her job at the BPO had been her anchor then. She started as a healthcare agent, answering calls from frustrated patients in the U.S., navigating insurance approvals and medical records. It was stressful, but she was good at it. So good that within a year, she was promoted to supervisor. She liked the work, but it wasn't sustainable—not with her dreams for Lia and the burnout piling up. She had learned about being a virtual assistant from a friend, took short courses in the morning, built a decent profile on Upwork and jobstreet, then began applying like crazy. Then came Dr. Ashley Coleman—a dermatology and holistic medicine guru from California. From their very first Zoom meeting, Ana knew she had found someone special. Dr. Coleman was calm, respectful, and generous. She didn't treat Ana like an assistant—she treated her like a partner. The pay was more than Ana expected. Enough that she could move out of that toxic neighborhood and rent a small but decent bungalow in Batangas—a town she had always loved for its quiet mornings and nearby beaches. The house had three bedrooms and a small yard, which they shared with their five adopted cats. There was a time Ana couldn't afford cat food. Now, she could buy premium kibble without checking her bank balance. Thanks to Dr. Ashley , Lia went to a private school where she thrived academically. Ana had even managed to buy a second-hand dark gray sedan—nothing flashy, but it got her from point A to B. And slowly, she was saving up for her dream: a small house with a garden where Lia could play, and the cats could roam freely. Ana checked her reflection in the mirror. She wore a cream blouse, navy blue slacks, and light makeup. Professional but approachable. Her volume-rich dark hair with subtle highlights flowed freely over her shoulders. "Do I look okay?" she asked, turning to Lia. "You look like a boss," Lia said. "Like you could run a clinic yourself." Ana laughed. "Maybe one day." A honk sounded from outside. Lia peeked through the window. "They're here!" Lia said in excitement. Ana stepped out to see a silver sedan pulling into their small driveway. Pao stepped out from the driver's seat in his dark pink polo and oversized shades, while Kaeli adjusted her flowy sundress and waved. "Darlings! The queens have arrived!" Pao announced, striking a pose. Kaeli followed with a cheerful, "Your bueaty guards are here, Lia, honey!" Ana chuckled, grateful. "Thanks, gals. I'll be back within the day, but if I get stuck in traffic, you know the drill." "Don't worry, beshie," Pao said, taking Lia's hand dramatically. "Your little princess is in royal hands." Kaeli winked. "We brought snacks and cat toys. Go, conquer Manila!" Ana gave Lia a final kiss on the cheek, waved at her friends, and got into her car. The drive to Manila would take three to four hours if traffic. But she didn't mind. For the first time in a long time, she was excited. Ashley and her family were staying at a hotel in Manila. Not just any hotel—it was a family-owned legacy, part of a chain Ana had only seen online. Elegant, classic, and intimidating. She was shocked when Ashley mentioned it casually during a call: "We have a family property there. You should come by." The idea of meeting Ashley was already overwhelming. The fact that she was part of a family that owned international hotels? That was another level. But Ana was determined not to be intimidated. She worked hard. She had earned this. She arrived at the hotel just before noon, the sun high and unforgiving. A valet helped park her car. Ana stepped inside, clutching her tote. The lobby was marble and glass, with hints of Filipino woodwork and woven art. It smelled of lemon and eucalyptus. "Ana!" a familiar voice called. She turned. Ashley looked almost the same as she did on Zoom—only taller, more radiant. Her blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she wore a linen dress and sandals. Behind her stood a few others—family, friends—chatting and sipping fresh buko juice. Ana smiled, nerves bubbling. "Hi, Dr. Coleman." Ashley enveloped her in a hug. "Please, it's just Ashley . Finally! You're real!" They both laughed. She stepped back. "You look beautiful. I love your energy already." "Thank you," Ana said. "I brought the documents—" Ashley waved it off. "Work later. Right now, you're here as my guest. Let's grab lunch." Ana hesitated, but her boss, Dr Ashley’s warmth was undeniable. And so, Ana followed her boss—not just into a five-star restaurant, but into a new chapter she never thought she'd reach. One built not from luck, but from grit, grace, and an unshakable love for the little girl waiting for her back home.