The forgotten wife

CASHREN JHED VENDIDO'S POV

"CASHREN! Do you have a group yet?!" I rolled my eyes when I heard her voice. His voice was irritating at times. Earache. I immediately put my things in my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. I ignored Giuseppe Salvatore.

"Cashren! Go ahead, join our group!" Consetta scolded me. Giuseppe's cousin. There's no doubt that they are cousins ​​because they are both loud, naughty and talkative.

I left our classroom and I still felt them chasing me. Their ears are also hurt by wearing stilettos instead of black shoes without heels. I turned to them without emotion.

"Leave me alone," I said coldly as I turned my back on them. I don't want to be with anyone, I don't want to have friends because I don't like being noisy. So I really prefer a quiet place.

But these cousins, even though I repeatedly rejected them, they still continued to approach me. Sometimes I just let them go. Because it's tiring to disobey them that they don't listen to me. So it's really in their attitude that they are naughty.

I was on my 11th grade, and 19 years old. My parents even educated me in a private school. That's easy when your parents are rich. You can go to any school you want. You just say a word to your parents, it seems like you just flip and magic will come out. But of course not all of us get what we want. Only children like us are lucky and financial is not a problem.

My Dad, he has a business company while my Mom is also a stylist and has a boutique. Mostly our mothers are actually fashion designers. So I am one of the lucky children to have such a mother and a good father.

"Cashren, you made the top 3 again, didn't you?" Consetta asked me.

"What about you now?" I asked him without emotion.

He was always Top 1 in our class and Giuseppe followed. To be honest, studying is tiring, but it is necessary for our future. I didn't finish my studies.

There are businessmen who have no education but they do their jobs well. I am referring to their business company.

Eh, what do teachers just teach us? Just how to read, write and also to have knowledge in everything but they didn't teach us how to make money or how to become rich.

As Neil Gaiman said,

"I've been making a list of the things they don't teach you at school. They don't teach you how to love somebody. They don't teach you how to be famous. They don't teach you how to be rich or how to be poor. They don't teach you how to walk away from someone you don't love any longer. They don't teach you how to know what's going on in someone else's mind. They don't teach you what to say to someone who's dying. They don't teach you anything worth knowing." It is up to us how we can increase our knowledge.

Because I know if you are just an employee you are chasing time. Without time you have no salary.

So after I graduated college I planned I was setting up a restaurant or is it just my perspective as a student?

Money is more important to us that's why they should teach us. Because even if you are a police officer, teacher, engineer and etcetera, I know that they are not rich and they will not get rich. With the amount of bills we have, right? Because I believe you can only be rich if you own a business company because you don't work yourself, money will work for you.

"I have a question," I said and the two looked at me. They were a little surprised when I suddenly spoke.

"What is that, Cashren?" Giuseppe asked me.

The three of us were on the rooftop. These two did follow me. They eat fries and soft drinks. For me it's just burgers and bottled water.

"As for ultimate freedom, what is important for you? Health freedom, financial freedom or time freedom?" I asked them and I looked at them seriously.

"Hmm, for me I don't need financial freedom anymore because I'm already secure there. So I am health freedom. Because we should always be healthy," replied Consetta. I understand why he wants health freedom and not financial freedom. Because I know he is a good person.

Next I looked at Giuseppe who was stunned for a moment because he also seemed to be thinking about what he would choose and answer me.

"I am... uhm. I'm healthy so I don't need health freedom anymore. Maybe... I'll choose financial freedom. I can buy as much as I want---"

"Your luxuries, you mean?" Consetta answered him.

"Shut up, Set! Me first. There you go, Cashren. I really have a lot of things that I want to buy or whatever so I should choose financial freedom," he explained.

"Is that you?" Consetta asked me.

I looked up at the sky. "Out of the two you chose, I wouldn't choose any of them," I answered.

"Eh, aren't you on time freedom?" they asked me at the same time.

"Because the teachers told us, time is gold. When I was young I was confused by that. Because how did time become gold?"

"I don't know that either," Giuseppe said shaking his head.

"Me too, I'm curious. How did time become gold?"

"Because time, with every flip of it, seconds pass, become minutes, hours and also become a day. The time that passes cannot be turned back, and if today is October 16, and this day will be tomorrow, we cannot turn him back. If it can be returned you will expect it to be another year. So I chose time freedom, because I don't want to waste my time here in this world. Our time that you just waste I know we should be doing a lot. We can't just sit back and let time pass. With time freedom you will get financial freedom, I'm not sure about health freedom but maybe too," I explained to both of them at length and their lips parted in shock.

"You're right about that, Cashren. Time freedom is more important for us," Consetta said and nodded.

"Just like now it's time for our next class," I said and stood up.

I know it's hard to understand what I say sometimes. That is just based on my views on life.

Whether we admit it or not, time is really more important to me. The employee is chasing time so they can have wages and we are also waiting for the right time, right?

When our class was dismissed, instead of going straight home, I hung out at the park. What exactly am I doing in this place? I just like to watch people. Their faces portraying happiness.

You can also see their status in life from their clothes. Poor, well-to-do and rich. Why do we think there are poor people? It's not because that's what they were meant to do, because I believe that rich people started from poverty.

Bill Gates also has a saying, "If you are born poor it's not your mistake but if you die poor it's your mistake."

A person's life can still change, it's not our fault that we were born poor and having said that we made a mistake when we die it's also poor because there's a lot of time, time you should have done something. That something should at least change in the course of your life. That's our choice too. That's why I chose the time freedom.

I took out my cellphone and called our family driver to pick me up. He always picks me up at the park. My parents don't scold me either because they let me do what I want.

***

"Good afternoon, Mom. It's time for you to go home," I said smiling and kissed him on his cheek.

He immediately greeted me with a sweet smile. The tiredness I had earlier sitting in the park and listening to the professors disappeared like a bubble. Our parents are also really one of our stress relievers.

"Darling, you should be going home earlier so I'm actually ahead," she said accompanied by a soft laugh. I sat next to him. "Here, drink some apple juice first," Mommy offered me.

I took the glass filled with juice and apple flavor from his hand.

"Is it Dad, Mommy?"

"He's home safe," she replied and I nodded. "How are your studies, son?"

"Study is tiring, Mom," I said making her laugh.

"Son, that's for your future."

"It's not possible, Mommy. What the professors should teach us is how to earn money and how to get rich so that there are no people who are struggling today," I said.

"Cashren, not everyone is lucky. That they were not given the luxurious life."

"Mom, I don't believe that even before we are born, there is a destiny written for us," I promised and took a bite of the pancake she was eating.

"What kind of view is that, son?" he asked in amazement.

"We are the ones who make our own destiny. It's not in our palm, it's here," I said and pointed to my senses. "It can be in our hands because we will make the destiny that is for us. You and Daddy, I don't believe that you are destiny." Mommy's laughter grew louder at what I said next.

"You and your figurative words sometimes I don't understand, son," he said and shook his head.

"My mind is open to reality and I really think about a lot of things that the people around me don't understand."

"I will still try to understand you, son." It was Dad's voice that made me smile. I stood up from my seat and approached him.

"Good afternoon, Daddy," I greeted him and kissed his cheek.

"If your Mommy is having a hard time understanding you, don't worry. I will always understand you and listen to you."

Daddy is a good father. I'm not a Daddy's girl because I'm also close to my Mommy. I don't have a favorite, I prefer them both. Because I owe them a lot.

Without them I wouldn't be here in this world. They are important to me and I love them very much. So while I'm still here I promise to take care of them both.

"If your father and I are not destiny then how did we meet and how are we now married and you are the fruit of our love?" she asked me.

"It's always our choice. To let someone into our lives. It's like having a friend, someone will come to you and say, 'let's be friends' it's our choice if we agree to what they want. So we often say that it is our destiny to meet them. If you refuse, do you think that person is still your friend until now?" I asked and he scratched his head.

"They say we have a guest from abroad coming today. One of the sponsors of our school," Consetta babbled again. Early in the morning you will have breakfast with his chatter.

We are all in the classroom and we are just waiting for our prof. Because it's class time but no one has come yet.

Consetta and Giuseppe have different desks but these two are really close to me. They both did it on purpose, eh. The one sitting next to me. To check me out. They're not noisy when it's class time, that's why they're in the top 10 because they're smart. You can't tell from their behavior. Because you think it's just carefree but it's serious when it comes to studies.

"What are they doing here?" Giuseppe asked and curiosity was evident in his voice.

"Our school is having an event so the president of our school invited them," said another classmate.

"When was that?" asked Giuseppe. He's really loud no matter when.

"Next month. That event was the very day they got sponsors so it appears that event is for them."

"Can all of us students be invited?" Consetta, there are already rumors but she still lacks information. Ts

"Hmm, that's sure we're invited because they need a student's presence."

"Guys! They say we don't have class in the morning session today! But we'll be back in the afternoon!" As soon as I said that, I immediately stood up. Maybe I'll just sleep on the rooftop or go home first. Or hanging out in the park? "And Cashren, Prof Eldeyor is summoning you."

My eyebrows crossed at what I heard. What is the reason why our professor is still calling me? I didn't speak any more and left our classroom.

"Come with us, Cashren!"

"No! I'm the only one being summoned, eh!" I said. They weren't offended by me because they just grinned. So weird. Everyone shouted, eh.

"I'm one point, Giu. I have seen Cashren's angry emotions!" I rolled my eyes.

"Just tell us that, Cashren!" I just covered my ears and went out.

While I was walking towards the faculty room, I met someone who was a student and even though I avoided him to avoid bumping into me, I still bumped into him. He dropped something. He doesn't care if he bumps into someone.

"You were given eyes to see. I think it's better for people who are deprived of seeing the world because they are more careful than us," I said coldly.

I don't know him, maybe he is our senior. Just by his appearance, I knew he was not serious about his studies. His necktie and even his coat are not in order.

"What did you say?" he asked me hostilely.

"Don't blind people have small sticks or sticks so they don't bump into people or things? But those of us who see are still the ones who are not careful about what we are walking. Don't you ever wonder why some people have accidents? Because they don't know how to look at what they are passing by," I said firmly and he stepped closer to me.

Before he could get close to me, I looked at the things he had dropped earlier. The corner of my lips rose and I quickly picked it up.

"You..."

"I'm going to the faculty room now. What if I report them to them? Which came directly from..." I read the name on his clothes. "Mr. Lacson. Your last name is familiar to me," I said and smirked at him.

"Hist. You have a day with me too, kid," he said and my face crumpled. He called me kid? While he is the younger of the two of us, eh.

Sometimes we can't help but be bored in someone's life. But that doesn't mean that we will judge them immediately, that easily.

"Don't you think what you're doing now is just wasting your time?" I fired back.

"I got time, so you're lucky, and besides, it's my first time to see a student smoking and a girl. Don't you think that's interesting?" Where is the interesting thing? What is he really saying, eh?

"Who are you and why are you interfering in other people's lives?" To be honest, my blood has been boiling for him.

"Me? I just don't mind my business today, uhm... I mean to say---whatever. I also want to know what the students are doing here and is it worth it being my father's sponsor. Because of all the schools why did he even choose this? A private school instead of public because they need it more, right?"

"Why are you asking me that? Why not your father's?" I asked him rudely and this argument we are doing is just a waste of time. So I turned my back on him.

Prof Eldeyor and I should be talking, not that man.

"Hey, kid. Are you cussing me?!" he shouted and I just cried. I speed up my walk but I can feel his presence following me.

I know he didn't understand what I said. Because it is obvious to him that he does not know how to speak our language.

I also reached the faculty room and Prof Eldeyor was there. "Cashren." He even smiled when he saw me.

"Are you calling me, Prof?"

"Yes, I only have a favor, Cashren and I know you're the only one I can ask for a favor for this," she said. What could that be?

"What is that, Professor?" I asked her.

"Because our sponsor's son is here and he will be here for a while. Because he will attend our event next month. Uhm, I would like you to tour our school and join him, hmm?" What? Out of all the students here, he still chose me? Why?

"I believe that our seniors can do that. I am not, Prof," I refused. There are many students who are one year ahead of me, so why am I still in 11th grade?

"No, Cashren. This person is not just the son of our sponsor... I just don't want it... It's only going to be a mess if I leave this to someone else. He might not like your seniors' attitude," she reasoned out. How about my attitude? I'm not an approachable person and I don't know how to entertain them either.

"What about me, Prof? You know my behavior," I said.

"I know that, Cashren. You are cold but calm. You will not fail us here." Does he really trust me?

"Prof. Elder." His eyes widened when he saw the person who spoke behind me. Just by that voice I knew who spoke.

"Sir Lindbergh." Lindbergh?

"Is he the guy you're referring to, Prof?" I asked our professor and looked at the man who was looking at me.

"Do you know him, Cashren?" he asked in surprise.

"Prof, he is doubting our school and if his father's sponsor is worth it. We will only fight if you include me with that guy. So, choose someone else not me, I suggest," I firmly promised and I hope he will listen to me.

"I like her, Prof. Elder. Is she the student you chose to take with me?" Why do I have a different understanding of what he said 'to take with me?' tss. He should also clarify what he said. Why did he use such terms? Pss

"I did not agree," I told him and I even looked at him.

"Cashren. This is for our school."

"I don't know how to communicate, and you might just fail, Prof," I reasoned out.

"Please... Only you can really help us."

I almost stomped when I couldn't do anything but agree. Why did he choose me? It's okay if it's a man, right? So that there is no problem.

"Hey, kid---"

"Don't call me that, I'm not a kid," I said coldly but my voice was calm.

"Okay, little kitten..."

"Do I look like a cat in your eyes, huh?!" I couldn't stop asking him with a loud voice and I really meant not to speak English just to tease him.

"Kitten, I don't know how to speak in your language. Just English."

"Whatever," I said.

"Cashren! You're here too!"

"Wait, who's with you?" I stood up when the cousin arrived.

"Entertain that man," I said and pointed to the man I didn't even know.

"What... That's a shame, Cashren..."

"Is that your boyfriend?"

"I'm not in a relationship with a foreigner," I promised.

Honestly speaking, I don't care about that man even though he is the son of our school's sponsor. I have no obligation because it is up to our president..

I am only a student and I have nothing to do with them. In my haste, I bumped into someone.

"Oh, who among us isn't careful where we're going now, kid?"

"What's your problem, dude?" I asked him.

"Where is the one you took from me earlier?" he asked me and suddenly he grabbed my waist because our blouse had a pocket. I even recoiled in shock.

"You..."

"Are Filipinos like this? No respect for women?"

"And who the hell are you?"

"Xenus Maicodel Levanna-Lindbergh is the name."

What? Xenus? Xenus Maicodel? Wait... Isn't he the prince of Denmark that I read about in the article? Or maybe I just made a mistake? Because that's impossible!

"Xenus Maicodel Levanna-Lindbergh? That's your full name? Are you from Denmark?" I asked him. Because he doesn't have a picture, eh.

"XENUS Maicodel Levanna-Lindbergh? That's your full name? Are you from Denmark?"

"Uh... Yeah, that's me and...yes, I uhm...from Denmark," he stammered. I frowned because he didn't want to tell the truth that he was the person I was talking about.

The man quickly grabbed the cigarette and his lighter from me. "No wonder you have boyfriends and girlfriends. Both of you care," he said to us. He gave us a bad look then left. This man was about to chase when I pulled his arm to stop him.

"Let him be, and you, find another student who can tour you inside of our university," I said and was about to leave when he spoke.

"Kitten, do you know that when a person knows who I am and where I come from, she will be taken to Denmark to serve there? No one will know about that so you will be forced to go with us," he said. Is he threatening me? Because I'm not afraid of that.

"Do I care about that? I don't care about you either, I also know that you are a fake prince, just maybe," I blurted out and shrugged my shoulder.

"Hey, that's below the belt and what you're doing now is an insult to me. Do you want your professor to know this? Or the president of your school?"

"Are you a real prince or just a fake?"

"How do you know that the prince named Xenus Maicodel Levanna-Lindbergh is indeed?"

"We are no longer interested in the royal family. Just out of curiosity I was reading about that and one of those names I remember belonged to a royal family and their kingdom was in Denmark. So..."

"Wow, that's great. I feel special," he said as he clapped his hands. I rolled my eyes.

I have no choice but to accompany him. I thought I would be able to talk to him because he might be a talkative boy but he was quiet the whole time we were together and he had seen every corner of our school.

"Do you often come here to the Philippines?" I broke our silence.

"Hmm, only occasionally. If there is an important event that I become my father's representative," he replied.

"What do you think of the Philippines?"

"Cars are noisy, there is air pollution. But the Philippines is alive and well, because of the Filipinos who you can see the hard work, dedication and despite their hardships they are still able to cope, you know. You guys are fun to look at, no offense. But I like it here because not everyone likes a quiet place because you'll just get bored. Here in your country, no matter where you go, it's still fun," he said at length.

"That's fine," I just said.

"Do you want to come with me to Denmark?" suddenly he will invite me. My eyebrows meet.

"Are you serious about that?" I asked him in disbelief.

"I never joke."

"I don't know about you."

"Be my queen..."

"You're not funny anymore," I said with a frown.

"But on second thought, I have a girl in my heart. But you are more beautiful than her," he flattered me again. "Thank you for giving me enough of your time. Here, take this... A simple gift for you." I held out my palm to catch the necklace he was about to give me and looked at it carefully.

"What is this?" I asked him. "A black crown pendant?" There is also an initial on it. X.M.L-L. "Why---"

"No more questions. See you at the party, Kitten," he said and then he left me where I was standing. That man... Pss.

Time passed quickly and that's why the celebration they were talking about also arrived. I intend to not attend anymore because it seems that it is not required for the student to attend.

But I received a gift from that fake prince. Ts A gown that I will wear tonight.

A white knee-length sleeveless dress, it looks simple but elegant because of its shiny fabric and a pair of ankle strap heels. My Mommy herself fixed me but the make-up was not too thick because that's what I wanted.

"You're so beautiful, baby..." my Mommy said softly to me and hugged me.

"I'm an inheritance from you and Dad," I said.

Daddy was going to take me to school since the event was there, but when Daddy saw me, I saw tears forming in his eyes. "Dad? Why are you crying?" I asked him.

He shook his head and suddenly hugged me. "I love you, son..." I notice that my Daddy is often like this but I'm getting used to it.

"Your daddy is emotional again, Cashren," said Mommy.

"Yes. Dad..."

"Let's go?"

***

The celebration prepared by the president and faculty staff was grand to see. The decoration was beautiful but I don't really appreciate it because I don't like this kind of party.

But this time, I appreciated being with the two cousins ​​Giuseppe and Consetta.

The three of us were at the same table and enjoying the party. We were only drinking juice and suddenly a man approached us.

"Ms. Cashren Jhed Vendido?"

"What is it?" I asked with a frown.

"Mr. Lindbergh," he said sparingly with that name. The two of them already know that fake prince so they immediately pushed me away and said I went along.

I caught up with him at a table and there were so many men wearing black suits surrounding him that I almost couldn't see him anymore. He was also alone there.

"Why are you bothering me?" I asked him coldly.

"I just want to be with you just for tonight," he said.

"Excuse me?" Is he like this? Feeling close?

"Sit down, kitten."

"I don't want. I'm going back to our table," I said but he stood up and grabbed my shoulder then sat me down.

"Sit down and wait for your president," he uttered.

President Vazquez had already arrived and he even smiled when he saw me. "Ah, Cashren was the only student who gave you a tour of the school. Cashren is a smart kid, she's just quiet," she said.

"Based on my observation. Yes, she is a quiet kid." Tss, do I still look like a child?

"Thank you for your time, hija."

"What am I doing here? The task you gave me is to accompany the son of our school's sponsor. I have nothing to do with it, right?" instead I said. I'm complaining because why am I at their table? Pss

"That's what I like about you, kitten. You are too straight forward," he uttered.

I didn't say anything more when they both laughed and I just let them go on their trip. I just ate while they were talking. Prof. Eldeyor also came.

I was wondering why my drinks suddenly turned bitter and the strength of its taste but I slowly realized that it was alcohol that I drank. That's why I felt a little dizzy.

I stood up and told them I was just going to the bathroom. I washed up immediately but my dizziness didn't go away. Oh, goodness... Cashren, you're mad at your Daddy.

When I got out, I almost lost my balance, but it's good that someone caught me. I made a facepalm when I saw him. I waved his hand but he helped me to sit on the stairs again.

"I'm sorry. You drank wine. There is no juice on the table," he reasoned out.

"Oh, maybe you meant it, you idiot!" I asked him that he even backed away because of the shock.

"Hey, I'm not a bad person! I wouldn't do that to a kid!" he defends himself.

"Really? Maybe you meant to get me drunk?!" my accusation.

"I won't do that! Stop it, will you?! I am a noble person," he said.

"You are so arrogant!"

"No! I'm just telling the truth!"

***

We went out of the university and he took me to the café that is open 24/7.

He bought coffee for me. "Here... Drink your coffee while it's still hot."

"Why do you want me out? Well, there's still a party at school," I said. I don't know why I went with him.

His few bodyguards remained outside.

"I just don't want to be there anymore. I'm going back to Denmark tomorrow," he said. What about me if he is going back to his country?

"Good then."

"You are really bad girl. I told you that I do not understand your language. English only," he hissed at me. I grinned and took a sip of coffee.

"Who are you to order me? It's your problem if you can't understand me." His eyebrows just crossed.

"I'm going to study. I will learn to speak Tagalog. You'll see."

"Up to you..."

"Hey. That's bad."