Chapter 3 3

Natasha's POV.

(Meant to fight)

"I need money..." I sighed as my mother visited me at work. It's been months since her last visit, and this time, she asked for a significant amount for the payment of electricity, water, and my father's medicine.

"I'll use the money, Mom. Maybe next time..."

"No! Give me at least five thousand!" Her voice rose immediately, echoing inside and outside the club. "Just give me five thousand!" I closed my eyes; five thousand? What does she think of me, picking money off the ground?

"What will you do with five thousand?"

"Chloe's enrollment is tomorrow, and she needs to try on a new uniform!" I sighed; my sister is already in her second year of college, while I'm stuck here with nothing to show.

"Fine, but next time, I might not be able to give you anything..."

Her eyebrows raised at my statement. "With the income you have here, you can't give me anything?"

"I'm planning to leave..."

"What!" My mother lacked gentleness when facing me, but I was determined to leave, wanting to start my own business. I won't be here forever.

"I bought a space near Fatima; I'll open a shop there."

"You're going to start a business?"

"Yes." She frowned; I just wanted their support, but it seems all they care about is money.

"I thought you'd look for a low-paying job. Well, make sure your shop earns, and still give us money."

I sighed; this is my role. To support them while I can, even if I can't provide for myself. As long as they have what they need, it's enough for me.

The next morning, my mother left with the five thousand she wanted. In my time here, I managed to save some money. But if my mother didn't ask for money so often, I might have left earlier.

"Are you leaving?" Mrs. Dahlia asked in her office after lunch. I shared my plan with her; I have dreams too, and I won't always be here.

"I'm going abroad..."

She laughed. "What job? Domestic helper, caregiver, or perhaps an entertainer?"

I bit my lip; she was belittling those jobs. I'd rather be a domestic helper than stay here, but that's not my plan.

"I'll be working in a hotel." I lied; this would probably be our last meeting. I won't be coming back.

"You're going abroad, away from your family. Maybe you prefer that just to escape your stepmother."

I sighed. "I'm leaving next week, Mrs. Dahlia. Thank you for taking me in."

"Oh, alright! You still have a week, but I want to get the fifty percent before that day comes."

I didn't say anything more; I was grateful she allowed me to leave. And besides, I won't worry about the fifty percent. Apollo found the space for me, near Fatima.

That night, Apollo visited again. He mentioned a girl he liked named Trixie Domingues.

"She's beautiful but strict with me," Apollo said while we drank. He was alone, no handsome guy to be seen.

In short, GGSS!

"The woman can be really snobbish at first, but if you genuinely show your good intentions, she'll eventually soften."

"Really?" he lowered the glass he was holding.

"Yes, if she gives you the cold shoulder, just let it be."

"She's too westernized, she often rolls her eyes at me and seems to have a liking for another guy."

"Oh, if you want her, there's a way; you'll get her eventually." I leaned back, surveying the scene, lively in the late hours, with people enjoying the spectacle of dancing ladies on stage.

"What about you, anyone trying to court you?"

I grinned. "Yes, but I have many responsibilities; my two siblings haven't finished their studies yet."

He stared at me, understanding the course of my life. He's been the one urging me to leave and start a business.

"Don't dwell too much on your responsibilities; you might end up an old maid."

"H*ll no!" I protested. "Even if I'm just this kind of lowly girl, I dream of having a happy family!"

"Hey, easy!"

"Your mouth, I'd love to shut it down."

He chuckled while shaking his head. "Why don't you just focus on studying?"

"I told you, I have a family to feed; my father is still sick, and I haven't fulfilled my promise."

"I offer you help, but you never accept it."

"Tsk, you're going to spend again. Just let it be; I'll save up again."

He sighed; he often says that, but I don't want him always helping me. It's enough for me that he takes on some of my workload.

"Are you really leaving?" Abby asked, grinning. It's been a week, and I'm about to move to that space. Unfortunately, the place I bought is almost empty; I need to start from scratch, hoping my money won't run out.

"I have dreams in life; if I just stay here, I won't achieve them."

"Well, you haven't even experienced stepping into heaven."

"I'll experience that too, with the right person, not just anyone!"

"Wow, fast talk, huh?"

I rolled my eyes, and Kate laughed, knowing their antics. But for me, never. No one has touched my heart, not even a first kiss, flying in the air. Hug? I've had those, but except for them.

"You have a good reason for leaving, what if she passes by your shop?" Abby teased.

"So what? I can say hello to her. If I tell her I'm starting a business, she might not allow it, and besides, it's done; I've said my goodbyes!"

I stood up, carrying what seemed like two suitcases, as if I were going abroad. But these bags are second-hand; my poor pocket can't afford brand new ones.

"Natasha will really prosper outside, but if I were you, I'd do what Shaira did, snag a millionaire!"

I looked at Abby, wearing a beautiful dress we bought once in Divisoria.

"What if I end up with someone else? You know, it's like a mango tree. You're under it, and you can't see the ripe and rotten ones!"

"Really comparing it to a mango tree!"

"And besides, that's not what's meant for me. Because Lord is still busy with my love life."

I grabbed the two suitcases; I had no time to fake niceties with them. I was excited to escape this courtyard.

"At eight in the morning, I bid farewell to Ma'mang. I spoke a bit of drama to convince her that I was happy at this rundown club. Despite earning money there, it was just enough to tolerate the insults.

I placed two suitcases on a metal bed in the room of the two-story shop I bought. There's a bathroom downstairs and one upstairs. The space underneath is bright, prompting me to think about opening a flower shop and coffee table.

Sitting on the bare metal, I still need to buy household items, but the tables and chairs I ordered haven't arrived yet. I need to prioritize that to avoid running short on cash.

"Where are you now, Shai?" I asked Shaira when she answered my call. I planned to join her in searching for materials for this shop.

"At Jacob's house."

"Wow, at the house? So, directly at Jacob's house!" I was amazed at Shaira's answer, considering she used to live in a condo. Now, she's in Jacob's actual house?

Seems like my friend hit the big time.

"That's why I said house," I chuckled at her response, eager to see where she was. Upon learning Jacob's location, I quickly took a taxi and temporarily closed the vacant space.

"Here!" the taxi stopped at a large gate where Shaira was leaning. I chuckled at her attire, covering her body.

I kissed her cheeks after greeting her. "What's with that fashion, Shai, planning to attend a meeting?"

"This is what I wanted to tell you earlier."

"Really? Are you going to ask me how to choose fashion every day?"

She smirked, still quite sassy. "No, tsk. Come inside first."

"Yay, okay!" I entered their mansion, no, Monteclaro Mansion, and Shaira, the goddess, looked stunning!

"You live here!" I marveled, looking around, the chandelier in the middle catching my eye.

"Temporary while I'm studying."

"Oh my god, you hit the jackpot with Jacob. Such a beautiful house, a palace!" Shaira grinned at me, but I was just amazed at what I saw. It seemed like my little feet didn't deserve to step into such a place.

"I know, let me get you something to drink." She turned, and I chimed in.

"I don't want water; I want juice!" I laughed again at her reaction. With this beautiful house, they must be rich in food too.

"Fine, do you want it with a sandwich?"

"With cake, no?"

"With extortion, you want?" A bit harsh, but let it slide. My little one in my belly is hungry, and I haven't had breakfast due to my thriftiness.

"Okay, with a sandwich." She turned away with a smirk, and her outfit was still weird, as if hiding something.

I walked to the side, noticing some picture frames with family photos of the Monteclaros. What surprised me more was seeing the flirtatious Noah there.

Someone cleared their throat behind me, but I ignored it, engrossed in Noah's photo with Jacob and Dianne, the handsome grasshopper.

"Excuse me?" I turned to the voice and almost raised an eyebrow seeing who it was.

"YOU!" We both said simultaneously, but seriously, what is he doing here?

"What are you doing here?" I asked with a furrowed brow, but he just laughed.

"I should be asking that. What are you doing here?" I raised an eyebrow, wondering if it's right to return the question."

"Ah, I know! You're the maid!"

"W-what did you say?" I couldn't believe it. "With my beauty and elegance, you think I'm a maid?"

"Where's the beauty?" he trailed his fingers over my body, raising an eyebrow, continuing down until his eyes stopped at my chest. Tsk. What's he up to now?

He averted his gaze. "G-get me something to drink, and also call your boss."

"I'M NOT A MAID HERE!" I exclaimed, annoyed because I was mistaken for a waitress earlier and now a maid.

Is there a sexy maid in a dress?

"W-why are you shouting?"

"Because you're annoying, ugly chinito!"

"W-what!"

"I HATE YOU!"

I turned away irritably, my steps heavy as I entered where Shaira had gone before.

"You think he's handsome, but he looks like a janitor in that outfit!" I sat on an empty chair, Shaira's companion preparing food nearby.

"Who looks like a janitor?" Shaira placed some sandwiches in front of me. I took one before answering.

"Do you still remember the guy who took you from the club?"

"Noah?"

I laughed, she probably knows him, maybe he's related to Jacob.

"Is that his name?" I acted as if I just learned his name, even though I've known it for years. "His name is as ugly as he is."

"He's handsome, ma'am," Shaira's maid raised her eyebrows.

"Is your standard for handsome that low?"

"What?"

"He's not handsome to me, with those squinty eyes, he looks like a grasshopper!" She stopped, biting her lip and not responding. Seems like I said something amusing to make her hold back a smile.

"Oh, by the way, what's your good news?" Shaira changed the topic suddenly. I looked at her, smiling.

"I left the club."

"Since when?"

"It's been two days."

"Really? How come they allowed you?" She pulled a chair and sat beside me.

"I paid the old man to let me go. You know, I've saved up quite a bit during my time there."

"That old man is really consumed by money."

"True." We both sighed, but she had another question.

"Is that the good news?"

I smiled subtly before shaking my head.

"No, of course not. This is the good news." I took my phone from my pouch and quickly found a photo of the space I bought.

"What's that?" She asked, puzzled.

"I bought it."

"Wow, really?" I nodded. "Are you going to build your own house?"

"No, I'm going to turn it into a mini flower shop with a coffee corner."

"When do you plan to start?"

"Tomorrow!" I said excitedly. I'll start arranging things tomorrow because I'm so thrilled. I'll buy some items because I'm sure the orders will start coming in tomorrow.

"It's close to Fatima because there are only a few coffee shops there. Plus, I'm the only one selling flowers near Fatima." I added.

"If that's the case, you must really love what you bought."

"It fits my budget."

She nodded. "If I'm not busy, I'll visit you. I won't miss the opening."

I smiled before placing my hand on the table.

"I never thought I could buy that. There are so many expenses with Dad's medical treatment, and Mom keeps asking me for money."

"How's your dad doing?"

"The same, still sick." I sighed. "We're three siblings, I'm the eldest, but why does everything fall on me? My brother brings home someone to feed, even though I'm already struggling with work, and my income is not enough."

"Because you're the only one with a job."

"Brandon also has a job, with his two girlfriends. But everything falls on me. I'm not even at home, yet I carry all the burden." I felt resentful; maybe this is the first time I've complained since Mom kicked me out and sold me.

"Your parents still raised you, it's only right to reciprocate and show gratitude for how they brought you up." I laughed sarcastically, thinking if only I could take care of Amang alone, but I'm not that heartless to my siblings.

"They don't treat me like a real child; I'm like an adopted one with the way they treat me. Inang even managed to sell me."

Well, she's not really my mother. She can probably do whatever she wants. What am I even dramatizing?

"A person can really make mistakes."

"That's not a mistake, Shai, it's a choice." I sighed, realizing my situation. "But you're right, even if they rejected me before, I can't turn my back on them because I have a heart, unlike them."

He placed his hand on my shoulder. "You're a good person."

"I'm a beautiful person."

"WHO'S BEAUTIFUL?!" I turned to the familiar voice from the door, and there's the annoying one.

Epal alert.

"You?" I raised an eyebrow at his question.

"I don't talk to a grasshopper." I rolled my eyes, hearing a faint laugh from the side, and there's the handsome Jacob.

He's so hot today; I hope Shaira notices.

"In this handsome guy, you'll call me a grasshopper?" I sighed at Noah's voice.

"Who said you're handsome, your conscience?"

"Many have said, not just ten, but twenty."

"You believe too much in hearsay, tsk."

"Hey!" He widened his eyes at me, lips quivering as if annoyed. Don't tell me he'll pick a fight; what does he think? I'll back down? "You're so arrogant!"

"Why, do you want to fight?!" I stood up, challenging him.

"I don't fight with a skinny girl!"

"If that's the case, you have no balls; you're soft."

"Huh!" He glared at me, his eyes bulging, lips trembling as if annoyed. Don't tell me he'll still engage me; what does he think? I'll back down? "You're so arrogant!"

"Why, do you want to fight?!" I stood up, challenging him.

"I don't fight with a skinny girl!"

"If that's the case, you have no balls; you're soft."

"Huh!" He widened his eyes at me, holding his chin while looking at me. "I said I won't fight with you, you pervert!"

"If that's what you think, I don't care."

"Hey!" He laughed, holding his chin while looking at me. "I said I won't fight with you, you pervert!"

"If that's what you think, I don't care."

"Hmm!" I laughed at that, and since then, my mind seemed to blank out.

He's handsome, but he resurrects irritation in my body. I can't accept that he can't remember me when in my mind, he never left.

"I was going to ask you to accompany me today, but maybe Jacob won't allow you..." I'm outside the mansion now, we discussed a lot after Noah left, that guy is so infuriating.

"I can."

"Sus, never mind. Jacob might miss you." I smiled at him, aside from being a good friend, Shaira also has issues about her father. I found out today that she didn't really grow up with her biological father; it's just sad that we almost share the same experience.

I haven't seen my mother either.

"Next time, visit the shop, okay?"

"Sure, I will." I have a big smile as I leave, but inside, it feels like something's missing.

Shaira is happy even though the one who raised her is not her blood relative, but I was never considered a real child.

Beep...

A honk from a passing car made me turn around; there's no available taxi nearby, so I have to walk to the not-so-distant highway.

It's embarrassing to ask Jacob for a ride.

"Are you going home?" I rolled my eyes at his slanted eyes. After he confronted me earlier, he's acting like nothing happened.

"Get in."

"No, thanks." I continued walking, but his car kept following me.

"I'll take you where you're going." I stopped and looked at him with a hint of confusion.

"And why are you doing this?"

"You can just ride and stop complaining," I rolled my eyes before looking at the clean road. Are there really no taxis around here?

Well, instead of spending on fare, might as well not waste his sudden kindness.

"I'm going to a market, take me there," I willingly entered the back seat; he looked at me with a furrowed brow.

"Why?"

He sighed, as if his eyes were perfect when they're just narrow. It's amusing that I can hardly see the road due to his height; I had to look out the window.

The car smells nice, I wish I had a car. When will I be able to afford one?

"Why are you going to a market?" he suddenly asked. What's his problem?

"I'll just hang out there," I grinned slightly. What else would I do there? Obviously, shopping.

"Oh, really?"

"Tsk, of course, I'll shop. I need food and things to use!"

"You really have a big voice."

"W-what?" He didn't repeat what he said, but what did he mean? Is my voice loud?

Is my voice loud?

I furrowed my brow, looking out the window, wondering if it's true that my voice is loud. I always thought Shaira and I had similar voices, hers being soft even if she's loud.

But me?

"Get off now," Noah's voice snapped me back. His voice isn't that loud. Just right, very manly.

"Tsk..." I don't know why he's like that. He opened his door and stepped out of the car; I just stared until he opened my door.

"You're already here," I avoided eye contact, eventually stepping out before scanning the surroundings.

11-11 Marketing.

That's the name of the large mini-mall he brought me to.

"Thank you," I still thanked him despite our little conflict earlier. I just can't accept that he can talk to a woman disrespectfully, especially commenting on her appearance.

I'm pretty and sexy, after all.

"Are you going in there dressed like that?" I raised an eyebrow.

"So what's it to you?"

"Your boobs are waving when you're walking..." I smirked, slightly grinning.

"Why are you looking at my chest then?" I raised both breasts with my palms, teasingly.

"Well, I'd look there because of what you're wearing. It's getting more attention; you look braless."

"I'm not wearing a bra," he suddenly coughed, a full-blown cough because of what I said.

"You're unbelievable."

"Yeah, I'm available."