The Lauchengco's

2215 Words
"We will pay you, anyway." People always get desperate when it comes in our hardest time. It is so scary because it can cause rush decisions to a person that she or he couldn't even think if they are doing the right thing in life. But sometimes, the reason for us to risk ourselves is the people who we value so much. It is so hard for us to see them suffering that we can even sacrifice everything just to see them smile genuinely, with no burdens and bags of problems behind them. Aera heaved a sighed before facing Mother Isabela again. She finds her intimidating, strict and scary. She is the Mother superior of the orphanage while Aera got hired to cook for the children inside. Aera Amelia knows that there's something wrong in this orphanage. She often heard a lot of humors that the place used to received a lot of donations but people did not see any improvement inside. Other says the orphanage is a scam and using the money for their own sake and not for the children. But there are also part of Aera who doesn't believe about the humor. She believes that the Nuns are holy and respectable kind of people. But still she can't deny the fact that she often experiencing some maltreatment from the Nuns towards her everytime she is not doing well on her job. She always receive amount of money from them as her salary for working but sometimes it doesn't reach the real agreement that they talked before she started working as their cook. But since she need the job, she stayed there. She is also now close from the children there. "Mother Isabela, What if they will find out that it is not me." Aera said in a worried voice. "I already told you, right? That I will take care about the rest of the plan." She answered before finally pushing Aera away to ride in the bus that is waiting for Aera. She wave towards the children behind Mother Isabela. Her family did not know about it. She said to her Mother that she will just going to go with a vacation with the other Nuns. Her father is gone now since he left them when Aera is still a kid. Her mother is also a servant from the orphanage before that's why it is easy for her to get a job there. She also have a brother named Antonio. He is still an Elementary student and Aera wanted him to finish his studies that's why she want to earn money so bad. The trip to the Province of San Poblacion will take two hours base on what Mother Isabela said. Aera knows that she will going to face a challenging life when she will finally arrived there. It was so scary and she doesn't know what to do. But she needs to be strong as she can be. This is for her family. Aera Amelia ask by Mother Isabela to pretend to be someone else. She knows that it was wrong. She knows. Mother Isabela trained her already. She said if they will going to ask who is she, she needs to answer them that she is 'Ethel'. Aera is suspecting that the real Ethel is inside the Orphanage. She witnessed and heard that they don't want the family of Ethel to be happy. Aera concluded that Mother Isabela is trying to screw everything. She doesn't want to do this but she needs the money so bad. "We are already in San Poblacion!" The conductor of the bus announced that they have already arrived. Her heart is pounding because of the sudden nervousness that she is feeling. She immediately lift the bag she brought. It was full of her t-shirsts and shorts, in case she needs it. If she will already received the money she will immediately go home and bring her family in a place that will give them peace and a happy life. No struggles and pain. "You will receive the two million dollar. Don't worry." That lines echoed to Aera's ear. That was Mother Isabela said before she explained the agreement. Aera needs to find a tricycle so that she can finally arrived in the village. She is just waiting in the terminal. She is wearing a flowy and floral dress with her stringed sandals. She partnered the outfit with a floral pink headband just like the color of the dress. "Sylvia village, Sir." Aera said while fixing her bags inside the tricycle. "Yes ma'am. By the way, what City did you came from, Ma'am?" The tricycle driver ask finally maneuvering the vehicle. "Ah, I came from Nelay City." She answered as she stared at the rough road in front of them. "Ah, did you study there?" The driver ask again. Aera is happy and glad that people are seems so kind and approachable here. It won't be hard for her to communicate with them. She is just hoping that Ethel's family is kind too. "I work and studied there at the same time, Sir. I did not pass my board exams in my course, Education. I wanted to have a job for the mean time." Aera said, still in a nice voice even if she is already pre-occupied about the view and sceneries of the place. "Ah, that's why you came back now. Well, San Poblacion will refresh your mind here. This is a nice place for you to relax." Aera immediately nodded and smiled towards the driver before locking her gaze towards the big trees. The road is kind of rough but the place still amazed her because of it's cleanliness and it also gave her a peaceful impression. "By the way, the Sylvia Village is the Village that owned by the Lauchengcos. Are you related to them?" Aera was taken a back because of what the driver said. She swallowed hard before slowly nodding. "Ah, yes. I am Ethel Lauchengco." She said before looking away. She does not want to look at the driver's eyes. He looks so innocent and kind, he doesn't deserve to hear lies from a shameless creature like her. "Whoa? Is that so? Wow, it was an honor to drive a Lauchengco." The driver said with amusement. He is about to say some words again but it seems like they have already arrived since he already stopped the tricycle. "Thank you for the nice ride, Sir." Sashi already forbid her goodbye to the driver as she waited him to finally maneuver his tricycle again. She wave her hands before finally turning to the big metal gate behind her. Her eyes widened when she saw lot of horses inside. It is far from her way but still she can't stop herself from being amaze. She can also see a long way before finally getting to the big mansion in front of the gate where she is standing. "She is here already! She is coming!" She heard some workers shouting that made the other people look from her direction. They are now looking at her with curiosity. A few moments later a woman came out from the main door of the mansion. Some workers immediately run towards the gate so that they can finally open it. "Señorita," The worker uttered happily while opening the gate widely like they've been waiting for this day to come. The man bowed to her that made her shake his hand as a sign to stop him from doing it. "Ah-eh, what are you doing Sir?" She said in a startled voice. Aera is about to stop the man again when a woman walking towards her direction catches her attention. The woman is in her teary eyes while staring at her. Aera's eyes widened when suddenly the woman grab her for a hug. She was already crying and caressing Aera's hair. "Ethel, my daughter." She cried while tightening the hug. Aera stiffened and can't move for a second. She is so nervous. Her heart feels so heavy inside. It feels like she was also longing for this kind of hug. It feels like....she belongs here. "Ethel, I was planning to go to the terminal so that I can fetch you my self. Why didn't you informed me that you will coming this early." The woman is still crying when she finally let Aera from her hug. "Sorry Ma'am. Mother Isabela told me that I don't need to inform you all, I just need to get here, that's all." Aera answered but the woman's brows immediately furrowed. "So Isabela really did took you in the Orphanage." Her expression change after Aera mentioned Mother Isabela. "You should not call me Ma'am. I am your mother. I am Carmelita Lauchengco. I think we should get in so that we can talk more." Aera find her so eligant and respectable. It seems like she is so powerful and rich in just one look. The woman guided her inside while enduring the awkward look of the workers. In her calculations, maybe there is six workers there who is cleaning and fixing the horses. When they finally get inside, Aera's jaw almost drop in amusement. The house is breath takingly beautiful inside. The golden lights that are attached in the golden chandelier above is so amazingly beautiful. The elegant sofa with it's wavy design, golden flowery styles and the dirty white combination of it's fabric. The curtains is also combination of a dirty white and golden fabric that perfectly suit in their wide sala. They continue walking until Aera can finally witness the long eligant staircase of the mansion. The golden fabulous railings of the stair will surely give you a princess vibe when you will step there. "I've suffer for twenty years just to find you Ethel, they took you away from me. I will never let this chance to be with you again." Said Carmelita while facing Aera again. Aera can feel the longing from her words and eyes. She can feel the guilt creeping on her system thinking that she waited for this but the world only gave her lies. Aera will going to regret this until the end of her life. But she does not want to experience the struggling again. She is done hearing her mother's rants because of the life they have. She just want to experience a wealthy life with her family too. "Mother Isabela, she is my best friend before who also loves Fernando, your father. When she found out that Fernando got me pregnant, she can't accept it, she took you from me while I was sleeping in the hospital, I can't ask for help because my parents did not know that I am pregnant. I am scared and when I tried to tell them they also brought me in the other country and I did not have any chance to find you again." Aera is just watching Carmelita crying in front of her. "When I came back here in San Poblacion, Isabela is gone already. Last month I tried to traced her and we also talked. I am so happy that you are here already. I am so sorry, my daughter. I am so sorry." Aera feel sad about what she experienced. She doesn't know what to do if she will find out that she is not really the Ethel she is finding. Now, she is wondering who is the real Ethel. If she will finally received the money she will try to find the real Ethel so that they can still be happy. Carmelita hug her again tightly. "W-where is, uhm my father?" Aera can't believe her self for having the courage to ask it from her. But she think it is the right way to ask. She needs to talk and ask from her because they are thinking that she really is Ethel. "He is coming now. I already texted him since he is working in our firm. We have Coconut plantation and he is managing it." Carmelita said, smiling at her while caressing her hair. "Later I will introduce you to all the maids here in the mansion so that you can also be close to them. The workers outside is already close to the Lauchengco, they are the one who is taking care for the horses." She explained that made Aera amaze. They really seemed so kind even in the workers. Unlike how she witnessed the unkind treatment of the Nuns for her in the orphanage. "Sadly, I have trips everyday to manage your grandfather's business. We only have one day every week to bond. But I will find ways to be with you more often, Ethel. It was okay with you?" "It was fine. But I am more concerned about how busy you are. I hope you are also taking care of yourself." Aera didn't know how she manage to said that but it feels like there's something inside her that really wanted to said it. She really meant saying it, anyway. Carmelita smiled widely because of what she said before reaching for Aera's hand so that she can hold it. "I am fine. You grew up as a fine young lady, Ethel. You look so pretty and kind."
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