The children approached her one by one and hugged her tightly for the last time. The children's faces show deep sadness because they will lose their big sister—especially Charity who is very close to her. It cries while Lara carries her.
"You all behave here okay? I hope when someone wants to adopt you— don't forget me Charity. Always think that Lara loves you so much. I will leave but you will always here in my heart." the children cried at the same time as she said goodbye. It was so hard for her to leave them— but she couldn't do that, because she had to fulfill what she and Don Julio had agreed upon.
"Everything will be fine, you will always remember that I am doing this for you." That's all and she finally left the orphanage, she could still hear their cries.
"Lara! Lara, don't leave us.." she stopped where she was standing, but she didn't look back at the children. It was heartbreaking to leave the home that sheltered her for so many years, the home that gave her life.
From outside the gate, someone was waiting for her in a car. She knows who owns the car, she can't be wrong it belongs to the Cervantes. When the car door suddenly opened.
"Miss Lara— Don Julio has ordered us, you have to come with us now." they tooked it from her the bag she was carrying. After they put in her stuffs they immediately left orphanage.
"I'll be back. I promise Mother, I will be back. I'll see you again, and when that time comes, I'll make sure I have something to make you proud of. I will finish my studies." She only whispered to herself while I tears.
After they arrived at the mansion, she was immediately opened by the two bodyguards of the Cervantes family. They were greeted by an elderly woman who she estimated was in her late sixties.
"Señorita, come in. Oh, what a beautiful young lady. I remembered Señorita Emerald from you. Let's go, Don Julio is waiting for you inside." she said to Lara as she welcomed her happily.
"I am Lara, what is your name?" She kindly asked the elderly with a sweet smile.
"I'm Rosita, I've been serving here at the mansion for a long time. Señorito Dylan was just a child when I was here. I tooked care of him since then." Lara just nodded.
"Ah' Elder Rosita, maybe you can just call me Lara. Señorita is too formal I am not even your boss." She said shyly to the old woman.
"Oh, you'll get used to it Lara. Because Don Julio instructed us that from now on we will call you señorita." the old woman replied to her.
"Elder Rosita, it's okay when it's just the two of us— just call me Lara please.." it speaks softly to the old woman again.
"You know I'm instantly at ease with you my dear Lara. I just met you now but I feel like we've known each other for a long time. Come on Lara, how can I say no to someone as sweet as you are," Elder Rosita said while laughing, The old woman was really happy to meet her.
After entering the living room, she found Don Julio with his grandson Dylan, who had an indescribable expression on his face. Don Julio stood up to welcome her, but his grandson was just sitting on the sofa.
"Lara, you're here." She looked at them before speaking and saw Dylan's frowning face.
"Ahm.. Don Julio," she paid respect to the old man and kissed him on the cheek.
"You are really sweet Lara. From now on, you can call me Grandpa okay?"
"Ah-eh, yes Grandpa." She smiled in response to the Don.
"Ahem.. Aren't you going to at least welcome your future wife?" he asked Dylan. It stood up as if forced.
"Welcome to hell Lara!" it whispered to himself.
"It is good that you know how to keep your word." he only said to Lara lifeless.
"Ok, now that you are here we have to discuss about your wedding. Tomorrow I will get everything ready. I will call the media for the announcement and I will make introduce you as my grandson's fiancé." Her eyes suddenly widened after hearing what the Don Julio said.
"Lolo, you don't have to do that. Let's make it simple. I'm sure Lara isn't used to appearing on National Television, right Lara?" she nodded as she agreed.
"Ah, yes Don Julio or should I say Grandpa. I'm not used to a lot of people. If Dylan and I are going to get married, I want it in a civil— I'm fine with that." She said to the old man while bowing her head.
She couldn't meet Dylan's gaze on him. Stare like it's on fire, like if she was just a candle she would have been melted.
"Oh, well if that's what you want. But I would prefer to introduce you to the world we live in, I want everyone to know that you will be my grandson's wife." Dylan took a deep breath.
"Lolo, Lara said it herself—she doesn't like a lot of people. If you want us to get married right now, you can call for Judge Reyes now." Lara swallowed and choked on her own saliva.
"Really right away?" She whispered to herself.
"Lara, are you ok?" the Don immediately asked her.
She tried to smile. It seems that this Dylan is serious, so they can get married right away.
"Not now Dylan, just tomorrow. After all you're here, take Lara to your room. Lara, go with Dylan and get some rest. I will call you when dinner is ready. Feel at home Lara." the Don said with a smile, Lara immediately followed him upstairs, Dylan stepped so fast that she didn't realize she fell down the stairs.
"Ouch!" she groaned.
"Get up! Stupid!" Dylan said to her.
"This is terrible. He didn't help me? Hmmpp!" She stood up and followed Dylan.
Lara immediately looked around after they reached the top, the mansion had many rooms, they walked through a long hallway before stopping at a door.
It made Lara think that this might be their room.
"It's good that they can still see each other here?" She said in amazement because of the size of this mansion.
"What are you doing? Are you just going to stand there?" He raised his eyebrows at Lara.
"Sit down first, we'll talk in depth!" he turned and took a piece paper from a drawer.
"What agreement did you and Grandpa have?" he asked Lara.
"Ahm, I will marry you in exchange for twenty million pesos. Don Julio has been telling me this for a long time, but I didn't agree at first, it just happened that we were in a tight spot, the owner of the land where the orphanage is located was evicting us so I was forced to do this." She spoke to Dylan while bowing her head.
"It's, because of the money? If I double what Grandpa paid you, will you agree to leave me? I can't promise you anything Lara, I can't promise to love you and I can't promise you heaven Lara. Your life will be in hell with me—you will never be happy with me!"
"I have one word Dylan! I can't back out of our agreement. He will be mad at me if I back out. I'm sorry."
"Isn't money all you need? Oh well I'll make it double or triple, just disappear Lara. There's nothing Grandpa can do when your gone—stay far away! Use the money to start a new life!" she even shooked her head.
"I don't need your money Dylan, all I need is to keep my word. I don't care about your money, I don't need it anymore." She said seriously to Dylan.
"This girl looks tough! Let's see how far you can go. Welcome to hell Lara—I will make your life miserable! " he said in his mind.
"Is that your decision? Sign this, if you and Lolo have an agreement we should also have an agreement, give me a child Lara. And when you gave birth, I will take the child from you—and I will annul our marriage. Remember Lara, our marriage is only valid for one year!" reaching for a piece of paper and a pen, Lara read it the contract.
Rule -1 You have no right to bother me.
Rule-2 You have no right to complain.
Rule-3 Serve me.
Rule-4 Do your duty as my wife.
Rule-5 Everything I want you will obey.
Rule -6 You are not allowed to go out.
Rule-7 You can't talk to anyone especially men.
Rule-8 You do all the housework.
Rule-9 Don't say no when I need you.
Rule number-10 You are not allowed to fall in love with me.
"Wait, why am I not allowed to go out? What about my studies?" she frowned when she asked.
"Don't study—after all I'll give you a lot of money when you leave."
"That's not possible! That's all I have, that I can brag about to everyone. Are you going to take that away from me?" she said trembling, she bravely faced him.
"I'll sign it, but still I am going to school. You can't take that away from me Dylan." She was trying to protest. That is the only thing she have, her education.
"Alright, you're going to school—but you're only at home and school."
She did nothing more—than to sign their agreement. The only thing that is important to her right now is to finish her studies where she can be proud of one day.