While the hacienda buzzed with preparations, Marco's world only darkened.
Bills piled on his desk. One night his apartment flooded from a burst pipe, forcing him to spend on repairs. Another day, he slipped on stairs, spraining his ankle.
Each misfortune came like clockwork, unraveling his confidence. He cursed Bianca under his breath, though deep down he feared the truth: the hacienda itself had rejected him.
He dreamt of the guava tree often, its fruit glowing like jewels just beyond his reach. Each time he reached for them, a shadowed figure appeared—tall, unyielding, eyes like steel—blocking his hand.
He woke each time in a sweat.
---
Bianca knew none of this.
She only knew that Marco had stopped coming, and for that, she was grateful. Each day she and Lara laughed more, worked harder, dreamed bigger.
One evening, as they sat on the veranda, baskets full and ready for their first live stream, Bianca felt a swell of hope.
"This could be the start of something," she whispered.
Lara squeezed her hand. "It is the start. Your Lolo would be proud."
The fountain sparkled in the moonlight, the orchard hummed with life, and somewhere near the bamboo grove, the mysterious man stood in silence, watching, guarding.
For now, peace had returned. And with it, the promise of miracles.
---
The veranda had never looked so polished.
Ramon had hung woven mats behind the table as a backdrop, and Paolo had taped his drawings of fruits and chickens along the edges. Lydia arranged baskets of guavas and mangoes with fresh banana leaves, while Lara positioned her phone on a tripod, testing angles. Bianca smoothed her hair nervously, glancing at the glow of the guavas.
"It feels like we're about to go on television," she whispered.
"Not TV," Lara corrected, grinning. "Better. Internet."
The little guardian Kaloy perched on the beam above, munching on a guava with juice dripping down his chin. "Don't worry, Bianca. Just smile. Humans like smiling."
Bianca rolled her eyes. "Easy for you to say."
As the sun dipped, painting the sky orange and gold, Lara clapped her hands.
"Alright, everyone. Showtime."
She tapped the screen, and the red "LIVE" icon appeared.
---
End of Chapter 24