Chapter 5 find the address

Chapter 5

ALANA POV

He just walked on the road. He did not know where he was going or if he would ever reach his father's house. He always asked where to find the address the man gave him, but most of the people he asked didn't know where it was and if there was one, they said it was far away and he really needed a ride to get there. In fact, he didn't see any jeepneys or even tricycles. The only cars he sees are rich cars. Where did his father take him? He thought he would be fine if he came here but why is this happening? If only he knew how to get home to the island, he would have done it long ago.

So here he is, he's been walking on the street for a few hours. He felt hungry and thirsty. Fortunately, he found a small store that sells food. He went there and bought a bag of bibingka and water. When he got the food, he immediately ate it. He just took his first bite, I think he was already tasting the best food he's ever tasted! Because he hasn't eaten lunch yet. It's almost night.

"Just eat slowly, hija." The shopkeeper smiled at him. "You must be very hungry. Haven't you eaten well?"

"Yes, eh. I haven't had lunch yet."

"Why?" he looked at his belongings. "Did you go away, hija?"

"No." He didn't run away, he was kicked out. "I'm looking for the address of my Papa's house."

"Ah, is that so? You seem to be from a far away place. Do you know where your Papa lives?"

"Someone gave me an address but I don't know how to get there."

"Just take a taxi to make it easier."

"Um, I don't know..."

"You don't know how to take a taxi? Ah, I got it. Where are you from, hija?"

"I live on the island so I don't know much about the city. I just need to go home to my Papa's place because I was evicted from the house I was supposed to live in. The owner said Papa didn't say anything about moving that's why I was kicked out. I don't know where I can live, so I'll just go home to Papa's house."

"Eh, what if you just go home on the island?"

"I don't remember the name of the island."

"You poor thing. Don't worry. After that, I'll stop the taxi so you can get on and go home."

"Oh! Thank you so much!" It's a good thing he came here and helped her with her big problem right now. Finally, he can go home.

After finishing some tasks at the office, he went home to change his clothes. He worked non-stop all day. He still has a lot to finish, especially the construction of the newly built megamall. That should be finished a few months before the Christmas holiday. The on-going construction went along with the new private hospital that he will also focus on. Fortunately, his business partner helps him to keep an eye on every update from the hospital. This is a doctor and the project is important here so that the hospital can start operating.

As much as he does, his parents are always teasing him. Like now that he is being invited to dinner again. It is said that some of their friends are also included. It's his parents so he can't refuse. Surely, the two will not stay for long because they will go to another country. He guessed that his parents' next destination is Egypt.

"Here it is, son. I'll iron it carefully so it doesn't get tangled right away."

"Thank you, Aling Nora." He took his necktie and put it on. Formal dinner at one of his parents' favorite restaurants so what he wears must be formal as well.

He heard Aling Nora gasp. "What's wrong, Which Nor?" he asked. "Is there a problem?"

"I can't help but worry about that boy. It's late. Where is he now?"

It refers to Francisco's son who suddenly came and climbed the yard behind his house. "I guess he's already back at their house. I gave him enough nap time so he wouldn't have a hard time."

"Even if you give him money son, it doesn't mean that he will be able to wander anywhere. He is not from here and you know that in this city, you can easily get lost, why did you send Alana away right away?"

"Which Nora, she's grown up and can take care of herself. Besides, I helped her find the address of her Papa's house so she won't get lost here." He decided as soon as possible, to get that girl out of the house. From what Howard said, he thinks it's a plan for Francisco to go and leave his son with him. That woman also knew about Francisco's debt so she was willing to help the father and agreed to be collateral. If his doubts about this are true, instead of piling his anger on the woman, it is better for her to leave his home.

"I hope she comes here at least one more day. Even though Alana is an adult, she grew up differently. She doesn't live with her father. The day her father took her to the island, that was the same day that the two met. He promised to take care of and educate him but when he arrived here in the city, he just left his son to someone else. What kind of father abandons his son?

If it wasn't for her father's good promise, Alana wouldn't be here today. Isn't his situation pitiful? You should have given him permission, son."

He was stunned for a moment. Meaning, the relationship between father and son is estranged? He didn't know that. All he knows is that the woman said that her father promised to study her and leave her with her because he was going to work somewhere far away. 'That's all.

"I'm fine. I hope the boy is doing well. He's still nice, but what worries me more is that he has no knowledge of the world he's walking in now. Only his mother is with him on an island. I hope he's back home this is so that he won't wander anywhere. That boy is still very innocent."

Now he's starting to feel guilty! From what he knows about that girl, he feels he did something wrong. Yes, he thinks she's old enough to be herself outside, but Aling Nora also has a point. That girl is the size of an island. But, it cannot be denied that this is the son of the person who ran away from his debt! It's not his responsibility to worry about its condition. He doesn't know that girl---woman or who else it is.

But he's feeling the guilt running through his whole body.

"Is this what your house looks like now, hija?" asked the driver of the taxi he boarded. They will also go around in search of his father's house. The only sign he remembers is the color of the gate and the number attached to the post. Fortunately, the driver was kind and patient with him.

"Yes, it's here." He helped her take out her things.

"There doesn't seem to be anyone inside, hija." It said. "Are you okay with being here alone?"

"It's fine. I'll try to knock maybe there's someone inside. Thank you for your help." He gave the payment and left.

He looked at the big house. The driver was right. There is no light in the whole house. Only a few poles are lit. Why is it? Eh, just the other day, there were many people at home. His father has helpers, gardeners and drivers but why when he arrives now, the whole house has been abandoned?

He rang the doorbell in case someone was still inside, but after several minutes of waiting, no one answered or even came out. He noticed that the gate was not locked, so he voluntarily went inside. He peeked through the windows to see inside. No one, no light---the whole house was dark. He couldn't even get inside.

He just sat on the pavement opposite the door. He is hungry and very tired. He realized that he had gained nothing by being with his father. He didn't understand what was going on. Did he think his life would be better if he came along? But, why the promise to take care of him, get back from some people who didn't show up for him and educate him was not even fulfilled? He hoped because one of his late mother's wishes was for him to continue his education.

Then, his father suddenly left him and moved him to another residence. But, he will find out in the end that the owner of the house knows nothing about him so he can do nothing but evict him. He didn't know what place this was and he wanted to go home. But even if he wants to, he doesn't know how and where that island is. That was the big mistake he didn't know where he lived. Even stronger than that. Quiet life, beautiful scenery and people who are real and will not leave him. He keeps missing Aling Martha and Ate Julia. They were still very sad when he left.

He looked at his belongings. Almost all of them were bought for him. Beautiful clothes and expensive toys. But all this is not important to him. His mother taught him that having fancy things and lots of money would make up for it if no one loved him.

He opened them and chose only what he would need to bring. Only a bag pack, little to wear and the most important of all, his most hidden little photo of his mother. It's also good that he still has a little money left to buy food. He is also hungry and he plans to find a place to sleep for tomorrow, he has the strength to find information on how to get home to the island. What he will do is difficult but necessary. He has no one to ask for help but himself. He should not be afraid because he knows that his mother will not leave him..

Let him walk where his feet take him. He didn't know where he was going. He was hungry and his legs were aching. He had to find somewhere to sleep and eat tonight. Almost all the establishments are closed and there are not many cars passing by. I hope there will be more tomorrow so he can rest and eat. He really wants to go home to the island but where is he going? If he had to take a bus or a ship, he would have done it but he didn't know the name and location of the island!

But, he still has hope left and even if he gets home, he will never come back here and he will never accept any offer. He will stay on the island for the rest of his life.

He was so tired that he sat down in the waiting shed not far away. He drank water and leaned back. He also massages his feet. He also looked up at the surrounding buildings. This is his first income in buildings that high. It's different from his residence where there are only high mountains.

He walked again and after a few minutes, he ended up in a street full of people. There are many fancy cars lined up and the music is not blaring in every establishment. He sees only men on the road but there are also a few women who are dressed differently. The shorts they wear and you can almost see the chest and knees as they bring their bodies closer to the men.

It is ideal that he will find somewhere to eat and sleep here. He passed people who were busy talking to others. Full of life everywhere he looked. There are also foreigners here. It's like a different kind of sightseeing that he went through, ah.

She stopped walking when someone blocked her man.

"How long until tomorrow?" the man asked her.

"what?" he did not understand her question. He thinks he is in his fifties and seems to be addicted to alcohol.

"How much?" This again. "All in until tomorrow morning. I'll take care of the hotel. Don't worry, I'm not a picky client."

"I don't know what you're talking about." He answered.

He was surprised when he suddenly grabbed his arm. "It's like you're new here. Go ahead, agree. Don't worry, I'm good and I'm sure you'll be able to handle what we're going to do."

He began to feel fear. As soon as he held her, he had an evil plan.

He tried to release his hold on her. "Not really, Sir. I'm not coming."

"Go ahead! don't be too stingy there!"

"Hi, Sir! It seems that you are busy with something else, ah!"

He stopped when a woman suddenly blocked the two of them. It confronted the man to release him.

"Sir, the transactions are not here yet so you can book beautiful and sexy chicks!" he said it as if he was giving a sales talk. It continues. "The good thing is, I have a secret to tell you." He took something from his pocket and gave it to the man. He didn't hear the conversation between the two until the man left.

To Be Continued....