PROLOGUE:
LARA'S POV:
"Lara, there's nothing we can do now! We have to leave here—according to Mother Rufina we need to find a new place to go." Sister Cecilia said sadly to me.
"No sister, no one is leaving here. We will fight for this orphanage, I will make a way!" I even answered Sister Cecilia because I will not allow them to evict us from here.
No one can ever evict us from this orphanage, it can't be! Many children will suffer. Kids like me who are orphans. I didn't know what to do but I was thinking of asking for help from the Cervantes. They are one of the wealthy families who helps our institution.
Here I grew up. I never met my real parents. I was only a few months old when I was left here by a woman named Esmeralda. Mother Rufina said this is not my real mother—she just picked me up near a dumpsite. No documents would prove who I really was, and where I came from. Only my necklace with an initial of E— I was wearing.
I'm Lara Jeanne Forteza, 19 years old, third year college and studying at a school-owned by the Cervantes family. I'm taking up Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
I want to become a teacher, I want to teach young generations that their parents can't afford them to study. This is my chance to help my source the Sister's of Mary Foundation.
I did everything I could to study. I became a crew in a popular fastfood chain, I also extracted janitress, and sometimes a saleslady at a mall here in Sta. Mesa Manila. My scholarship that the Cervantes gave me was also a great help. I have nothing else to do but to maintain my high grades.
I need to graduate. I was inspired by Sister Cecilia and Mother Rufina and especially my siblings at the orphanage.
One Saturday morning, this is the day I have been waiting for. Every Saturday, the Cervantes conduct a feeding program here at our institution. I will talk to them, I will ask them for help.
I'm already feeling at ease with the old Cervantes, it was Don Julio Cervantes. I just hope Don Julio goes and not his grumpy grandson Dylan Cervantes.
Twenty eight years of age, Dylan Dale Cervantes is the only child, the only grandson and the only heir to the Cervantes family. But he's a bit of a jerk. Whenever that Dylan came here, he always stared at me—always angry, always grumpy. It was as if he had grabbed all the resentment in life. His serious face is almost as cold as ice. His eyes were lifeless. He is handsome, muscular, tall and artistic.
Just like the male leads I used to watched on Netflix movies. He has a thick red lips, with a thick eyebrows and most of all with a brown color complexion that really enhanced his good looks. Cervantes is known in business world, they are one of the most well -known and rich people in the country. Because they have a lot of businesses, one of them are their shopping centers, schools and their real estate companies.
At the gate I was so excited to approach the Cervantes, I greeted and paid homage to Don Julio.
"Good morning Don Julio, it was so fine that you've visited again." As I happily approach Don Julio.
A serious Dylan got off the vehicle.
It's too early but he's frowning again.
"You're handsome, but you're rude! Hey! When will I see you smile?" I whispered to myself. When he suddenly spoke. I think I said too much.
"Are you referring to me?" It spoke angrily to me. It was too late for me to realize what I had said—he had heard it.
"Lara my dear, you are very cheerful. I feel better everytime I see you. You bring so much joy to my heart. Please help our staff where to take the foods." He said happily to me as I was also smiling because of so much joy.
"Thank you so much for all of these Don Julio."as smiled sweetly as I thanked him. My siblings here in the orphanage were happy again, after eating the Cervantes gave toys, clothes, books and a lot of stuff's.
I saw Don Julio looking at us happily. I approached him to talk to him about our problem.
"Lara, come here. How was your studying?" He asked me when I finally get into him.
"It's okay Don Julio, my grades are high. I'm in third year college now. I will be a teacher in just a year. Thank you for the scholarship you gave me, it was a great help Don Julio."
"Good to hear that Lara. Just improve your studies okay?"
"Thank you very much Don Julio. Ahm—Don Julio we have a big problem now." As I said sadly. I need to cheer myself up. I'll just try to ask Don Julio for help.
His eyes were so dark that it stared at me.
"What is it Lara—maybe I can help?"
"Ah-eh, Don Julio the owner of this land trying to evict us from here. We need to find another place to go. They will have to put it in a commercial building. Don Julio please, please help us, poor kids like me who have nothing else to go to. I will do anything and everything just for you to help us." I said begging. The Don was silent as he stared at me.
"Let's make a deal Lara. You'll help me, and I'll do the same too, I'll help you." Don Julio said to me seriously.
"Wa-what help do you want?"I asked him again.
"Accept my offer Lara. Marry my grandson Dylan and I'm sure you won't be evict from here. Think about it Lara."
He told me several times that I would marry his grandson. I always refused, because I don't want to get married with out a feeling involve. I admit it, I have a crush on Dylan. I don't know, even if he is grumpy, he is still handsome in my eyes.
"But why am I Don Julio ? He had a girlfriend? I am not fit for your grandson." As I told him again.
"Lara, you're the one I want. I feel good about you. At least you can give Dylan a child. Not that kind of girl who only knows how to beautify her self and doesn't want to ruin her figure. Dylan can't do anything when I make a decision. Think about it Lara."
I was left stunned and staring into nothingness. Don Julio seems serious now, I thought it was all just a joke before.
"Lord help me. What shall I do? This orphanage depends on me. Help me,"
The Cervantes had left a while ago, but Don Julio's offer to me could not be removed from my mind.
"Lara do you have a problem?" Sister Cecilia asked me.
"I am thinking of this orphanage sister on how can I help you,"
"Don't think too much about it Lara, God have mercy. There is no notice yet, maybe we'll try to talk to land owner again." It said it to me.
The night came, I still couldn't sleep. No matter how hard I try to close my eyes, I still can't fall asleep.
I tossed and turned in my bed several times. I'm at a loss—I am so confused as to what I should do.
The next morning I got up early, I almost didn't sleep all night because I was thinking about Don Julio's offer to me.
"Marry my grandson." I heard it in my mind over and over again.
I'm going out to water the plants, when I heard something like a riot outside.
Someone shouted outside the gate.
I ran to see the commotion. I caught up with Mother Rufina and Sister Cecilia with other nuns and other children crying.
"Mother what's going on?" I asked worriedly.
"They're making us leave here Lara, they won't be able to be persuaded anymore." Mother Rufina said crying to me. I immediately approached the mob.
"Have mercy! Have mercy! Please, I'll do everything. Today—I will make a way!" I say boldly and one of the owner's staff just laughed at me.
"You will make a way? Are you kidding? And where are you going to pick up twenty million pesos?" And at the same time they all laughed at me.
"Well, I'll make a way right now!" I said boldly.
I immediately went back to mother to say goodbye.
"Mother, I'm just leaving for a moment. Promise, they can't get us out of here! I promise that Mother,"
"Lara be careful. I know you know what you're doing. You're a good kid. I have a trust on you, so go ahead," Mother Rufina told me.
I went back inside to get dressed, I only wore white shirts and jeans and then a white shoes.
I took my sling bag, and put it on my phone. Luckily I still have Don Julio's calling card. I also took that piece of paper where the address of the Cervantes was written.
Whatever happens to me, I will accept Don Julio's offer to me. Rather than pick us up from somewhere. My siblings in the orphanage will be miserable. I took a deep breath to brace myself.
"Whoahh! It's now or never! You can do it. It is all depending on you Lara." As I whispered through my mind I let out a breath of air.