Chapter 1
“Mama, don’t cry. . . Everything will be fine.” Irene kindly assured her mother as they packed her bags. She finally got recruited to work abroad and left her job in town, the one with a meager salary.
“I’m just so worried. Taiwan is a foreign country, and you will be alone there.”
“Mama, I’ll be fine. Many people go abroad, and they become successful, and so will I. Just think positive, Mama. Okay?” Irene reassured her mother but held back her tears, she knows how lonely it can be. Her mom just nodded and continued to put her clothes in the bag.
“Mama, after getting this job you won’t have to sew clothes, Dad will no longer rely on our farm and Lyn can finish her studies!” she said convincingly. However, deep in her heart, she’s afraid, that this is the only time she will be away from her family.
The trip from Bicol to Manila by car was excruciatingly long. By the time they reached a road station, Irene’s back hurt. Fiona reasoned that by driving all the way to Manila, they can save money for their allowance. If she knew better, she would understand that the agent was just trying to save as much as she could from their placement fee. After long hours of traveling and cramped in Fiona’s van, owner of the recruitment agency, Irene finally got a glimpse of the metro’s outline in the distance. The morning sky looked hazy and as they drew closer to the city center, the taller the buildings had become. Is this Manila? She wondered while eyeing the bustling city in fascination.
“We’re near,” Fiona announced which sounded almost ominous. Irene can’t help but feel lonely despite having two other girls beside her. They were also new recruits, embarking on a journey like hers. The van went through a gated property and beyond that was a large house. Suddenly, she’s missing her family already.
“Your rooms are on the second floor, take this time to rest and in the afternoon, we will have your orientation,” Fiona instructed.
“Yes, Ma’am.” They all replied.
***
They have been staying here for two days at Fiona’s residence and the longer they stay, the stronger Irene’s gut tells her that something is not right. Last orientation, Fiona had them put on make-up and took their photos. She said employers in Taiwan required those photos, but she never mentioned what kind of job they will have to do nor the employer’s details. However inexperienced, Irene could not shake the feeling that she had overlooked something in this arrangement. By biding her time until she could muster the confidence and talk to Fiona, she also got to know the other recruits. Mildred who’s only eighteen and Rosanna who’s only nineteen had never thought they could get the chance to go abroad. So, none of them suspect anything and none of them dared question, Fiona.
She was about to share her suspicion with the other two girls when Fiona entered the room.
“Irene, pack your bags and prepare to meet your employer,” Fiona said. Before Irene could even open her mouth and ask her question, the agent had already left the room. Irene was so shocked; she will now meet her new boss that her suspicion was abruptly forgotten. She hurriedly got ready while the other two recruits watched her with envious eyes. Soon she was following Fiona towards the door. Despite her excitement, Irene stopped and asked, “So Fiona, what kind of job is this and who’s my employer?” Fiona went rigid and then slowly turned to her.
“You’re seriously asking me this question just now?” Irene got confused and didn’t know what to say.
“The car is outside ready to take you to Mr. Tuason, your employer,” Fiona emphasized the word employer.
“The name does not sound like Taiwanese, I thought I would be dispatched to Taiwan?”
Fiona rolled her eyes, “yes of course! You will get the chance to go to Taiwan after you marry him. He owns a lot of properties around the world, it will not be just Taiwan you’re traveling to!”
This is where Irene realized the gut-wrenching truth that she was sold to a wealthy old man to be their wife. This is not what she had hoped for when it comes to helping her family get out of poverty. She also never dreamed of marrying an old man just to get rich! She believes in love and dreams of a happy marriage.
“You lied. . . You said I would work abroad? Why. . .” Irene was in disbelief.
“I never lied to you or to your family, all I said was - you will have the opportunity to work abroad,” Fiona said nonchalantly.
“Mr. Tuason has been planning to move to Taiwan and as his wife, you will be living with him there too. The work of a housewife is no joke. So do your best to please Mr. Tuason and do not embarrass me.”
“Come! The car is waiting for you.” Fiona grabbed Irene’s arm and opened the door where a man in a uniform was waiting. Here Irene realized what it meant when Fiona pampered them in the house for two days. The spa and treatments, dental appointments, and waxing. She knew it was weird, but Fiona made them feel so special as if this is how they should actually be treated as workers. Fiona led her into the car while the driver placed her bags inside the trunk, in her tranced state Irene couldn’t find the strength to escape. Soon the car left Fiona’s gated residence, with Irene alone at the back of the car.
The uniformed man glanced at her from the rearview mirror.
“My boss will definitely like you,” he smirked.
* * *
Andrew sat on the wicker chair by the swimming pool at their ancestral home, contemplating the whereabouts of his parents. Having his own place made it rare to visit their mansion, not to mention his parent’s lack of time for family. The success of his father’s construction firm and his mother’s famous fast-food chain replaced both him and his sister’s rightful place in their parent’s minds. However, thanks to their wealth and influence, Andrew succeeded significantly in several investments. Making him one of the few young multi-millionaires in Asia but it’s not exactly the happy and easy life he’s leading.
He half expected the sound of footprints to be his Dad’s but Cecil came into view carrying the wine he had asked for earlier.
“Sir your wine,” placing it neatly on the table. Andrew mumbled a thank you and then dismissed her. He expertly let the wine breathe before taking a sip. He had to admit to himself that his dad’s exquisite taste for good wine never faltered. It was already a month ago when his dad and Andrew talked. They were in this same poolside when they shared a bottle of wine. From the outside, it looked like a sweet moment for a father and son, but their conversation didn’t exactly make Andrew feel any better.
“If I knew you’d be here, I would’ve started drinking much earlier.” He remembered his dad saying while slowly advancing towards him. Andrew at that time was still grieving and thought visiting them would make it less painful. He even brought with him a bottle of wine, a thoughtful gesture. Even so, his wine connoisseur of a father made a face full of distaste.
“Where did you get that garbage?” Alejandro laughed and called one of their servants, Cecil. Soon she was bearing a tray of wine and two glasses for them.
“I hope you don’t mind son, but I just want to share with you the best one.” He poured the wine and glanced at his son’s face. The deep loss and grief were unmistakable and for a moment Alejandro’s features softened. He didn’t say anything though, he wasn’t exactly the man who makes people feel better. Instead, he sat back and said, “You look terrible, son. Is this the bearing of a man raised by a magnate?”
“It’s only been a month dad, let me be…” Andrew responded, rather weakly.
“Tut-tut, you should get it together son. Don’t let anyone see you like this.” He gestured towards him, “if it’s the woman then go get yourself another woman!”
Andrew winced; his dad won’t even say her name. Apparently, she was just a woman.
“Pursue other women, Andrew. You’re only torturing yourself at this point.” It was a mistake to talk to his father. Andrew feels a lot worse now and pain from the fresh wounds of her sudden death hit him. He had had enough and stood up to walk away.
“Don’t you dare disrespect me by storming away, Andrew!” Alejandro shouted.
“Get yourself a wife if you must but letting other people see you this way is just downright embarrassing!” His dad snapped and his words resonated in Andrew’s mind and soul.
Back in the present, he shook the memory off his head and tried to recall his happy memories with her instead. He promised himself that when he has his own family, he will never let his own children grow up with a nanny. They will have a loving mother and a caring father, just like what he had imagined when she was still alive...
A flicker of recollection flashed in his eyes and quickly picked up his phone to make a call.
Andrew received the police report where a second car crash was found in the same area. Apparently, the woman was running away from that car crash when Dan didn’t see her coming from the side of the road. The police are still trying to get a hold of the car’s owner. Unfortunately, the driver didn’t survive. It is still unclear if the owner was also the driver and the relation between the driver and the woman.
“Sir? I beg your pardon?” Dan inquired, obviously looking shocked that his master wants to visit the woman in the hospital.
“Have you gone deaf? I said let’s go to the hospital, I want to check on her.” Andrew repeated impatiently from the car seat. Afraid to make his master even more aggravated, Dan switched gears and drove towards the hospital.ng here…
