Chapter 00

"No..." I said, repeatedly shaking my head as Mommy explained to me what would happen in the next few months. No! Just no!

"Maia Celine—"

I harshly stood up. Nabigla sila Mommy. But so was I! What did they mean our bank accounts and properties were frozen?! Why?! Illegal ba ang businesses namin?! Oh, my god! Drug lords ba ang parents ko?!

I felt like I was getting lightheaded. Agad akong napa-balik sa inuupuan ko.

"Do you mean we have no money?" I asked, feeling fear creep into my system... Oh, my god... I was accustomed to a certain lifestyle! Hindi ako pwedeng maging mahirap! I needed to have the latest cloths and bags and shoes! Those things define me! Without them, I was just a nobody!

"I'm not sure yet, anak..." Mommy replied.

I looked at Daddy. "Dad..."

Agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. Oh, my god! Even my Daddy, who loves me the most, couldn't assure me that we still had money?! Paano na ako niyan?! Do we need to live in a smaller house? With no maids? And no aircon? Oh, my god!

"Don't panic, anak. We're doing everything we can."

"How can I not panic, Dad?" I asked, on the verge of crying.

"We need to leave first—"

"Saan tayo pupunta?"

"No, anak... Kami lang ng Mommy mo."

My lips parted as my eyes widened. "What... do you mean? You'll leave me here?! Are you serious?! 17 lang ako, Mommy! Iiwan niyo talaga ako?!"

I stood up once again and started to pace back and forth. Was I having a nightmare? Sinampal ko ang sarili ko para sanna magising ako, but all I felt was a sting on my cheek. Gosh! This wasn't a dream! Totoo ngang nangyayari 'to!

I'm broke!

I'm poor!

I'm a nobody!

My parents tried to explain to me that they needed to go to some place to fix the mess that they got us all into. Kahit anong pilit ko ay ayaw nilang sabihin sa akin kung saan sila pupunta—it was for my own safety daw. As if living me all alone ni Manila was safe! Hindi ba nila naiisip na walang tutulong sa akin dito?! All our relatives despise us kasi simula raw nung yumaman sila Daddy, naging masama na ang ugali namin. As if! Sila nga ginawa kaming ATM kasi hingi nang hingi!

"If I die, just throw my body to the ocean," I said as I watched them put their bags in the car. It was 2am! I felt like my parents were criminal na tumatakas ng madaling araw! Gosh!

Daddy chuckled. "We'll be back before you even know it."

"I really can't even call?"

"No. It's better this way, Maia. Ayaw ka naming idamay ng Mommy mo sa problema namin."

"But I'm your daughter! Am I not automatically a part of this mess?"

Daddy sighed. "Just take care, okay? We left you enough money. You need to find a new place. I'm sorry hindi namin naasikaso 'to. Things happened quickly. But you're a smart girl—you'll figure it out... right?"

"How about my school?"

"Your tuition's fully paid. Sa SCA ka pa rin mag-aaral."

"Allowance?"

"Anak, the money we gave you is enough for a small apartment—"

"Apartment?! I'll live in a condo, Daddy!"

"Anak—"

I looked at Daddy. Ngayon ko lang napansin na ang laki ng ipinayat niya. He's really stressing out about this, huh? Why didn't I notice it before? Was I really that self-involved that I failed to notice this very obvious fact?

"Okay, Dad..." I replied, not wanting to add to the burden.

"Thanks, anak."

"How will you know if I'm okay?"

"We'll know... Hindi mo lang kami pwedeng ma-contact," he replied. Gosh, ang gulo! Parang kahapon lang nasa mall ako maghapon at kung anu-ano ang binibili! Tapos ngayon, poor as dirt na ako!

I stood there and watched as my parents' car disappeared in the darkness of the night...

Now, what?

* * *

I thought I still had time to think about my life, but the following morning, some people from the bank or government or something came to the house and told me that I needed to leave! The audacity of these people! Ugh!

I was forced to pack a suitcase! And they didn't even let me bring my bags! Isa lang ang nadala ko! My favorite LV!

I swear to the heavens, once na maibalik ang pera namin, I'd get back on these jerks!

"You all suck," I mumbled to myself while I was walking out of the subdivision. I adjusted the facemask I was wearing. I knew that our kapitbahays probably already knew what was happening to my family. Duh. It's good chismis! But I would never confirm it nor deny it! Bahala silang ma-curious!

Ugh! So annoying! Even my car, they took! Paano ako papasok sa school?! I'd ride Grab?! Ordinary person na lang ba talaga ako?!

This was so not a part of the 7-year plan.

I planned on staying pretty and finishing college and then marrying some cute and hella rich businessman. I was not that sold on the idea of love. It's just a feeling—I needed to maintain my lifestyle more. I was pretty sure I'd learn to love whoever could give me what I wanted.

Daddy gave me money, so instead, I just checked in a hotel. I deserved this after all the shits my parents made me go through in a span of 24 hours! I deserved room-service meal and bubble bath! I shall think of my problems tomorrow na!

The next day, I decided to wake up early and go for a run. At least I managed to get my running shoes! I bought a pair of shoes and a pair of heels. Ugh! Thinking about my shoes in the house was making my head ache early in the morning!

What if I break into our house? Ikukulong kaya nila ako? I just needed one more pair of shoes! And my Chanel handbag!

While I was doing my morning run, I passed by a building.

Oh.

Maybe I'd live here! It's near SCA! I could just probably walk to school—that would be a good explanation if my friends ask me bakit wala na iyong car ko. And also, the building looked nice!

I got inside.

"Excuse me," I asked the guy who looked like he worked here. "I wanna live here. How much is the rent?"

The guy dragged his stare from my head down to my feet. Napa-atras ako. I was just wearing my pink Nike sports bra and leggings. So annoying.

"Let's take a seat," he said, and then ushered me to the lobby where the sofa was located. The place really looked nice! Maybe I'd live here na lang talaga... I'd just not eat much food. Mas important na sa safe place ako titira.

The guy was really good at sales talk, so I was convinced! There's a gym here, so I wouldn't need to renew my membership na sa gym, so that's tipid na agad! And may pool din and other amenities! I was sold!

"I'm okay na. I'll take a room."

"Do you want to pay cash? There's a discount if you pay upfront and in full," he said.

"Oh, okay. But I need to go back to the hotel pa. What's your name ba? I'll just look for you when I get back," I replied.

"Saan ba ang hotel mo? Sasamahan na lang kita."

"Huh? Why? I'll just go back here."

"Marami kasing gustong kumuha ng unit dito. Mga nag-aaral d'yan sa Brent at SCA. Baka lang kasi maubusan ka."

Oh, no! I needed to live here!

Pumayag na ako na samahan ako ni Kuya, but he just waited sa lobby. I told him na lang to send me the contract of lease. The price of the rent looked so reasonable! Hindi ko na pala kailangang magutom since I'd still have plenty left for food! Hopefully din, bumalik na ang parents ko bago ako mamatay sa gutom!

Pagbaba ko, I handed him the payment. We signed the contract na rin. 19th floor looked nice naman. At least nasa mataas na floor ako, but also not too high because what if magka-earthquake? Kailangan kong maka-baba agad!

"Is everything okay na?" I asked after her finished counting the money.

He nodded and smiled. "You can move in tomorrow."

"Great. Thanks!" I said as I got the contract from him and got back to my room.

Because I saved money sa new place ko, I decided to order in. I spent the entire day just bumming around and watching sitcoms. I woke up early the next morning. I got my suitcase with me and went to the condo.

"Hi!" I said to the concierge.

"Good morning, Ma'am!" she greeted back. Oh, so polite! I really made a good choice na dito tumira!

"I just signed a contract yesterday and I'm moving in today," I said. Wala kasing binigay na access card si Kuya kahapon, and I just learned today that may pass bago makapasok sa mismong lobby. And may card din for the elevator. So secured! My parents would be proud of me!

The lady's forehead creased. "Yesterday, Ma'am?"

"Yes. I talked to Jerome?"

"Jerome?" she asked, still confused. "Ma'am, I'll check first po, ha? But as of today, there's no vacant room in the building since lahat po ay filled... And if you want to get a room, there's actually a waiting list and you have to go to the building manager and talk to Mrs. Lim," she continued as she typed. "Ma'am, sino po bang Jerome ang naka-usap niyo? Wala po sa file namin na Jerome ang nagta-trabaho dito."

My eyes widened.

No...

Did I just get scammed?!

"No," I said, vehemently shaking my head. "Look, oh! I just signed a contract! I have a 1-year lease sa room 1919!"

The lady looked like she pitied me. She typed something in her computer again. Oh, my gosh! I paid in full! That's my budget for the condo! My parents would kill me if they knew I got scammed!

"Ma'am, may iba pong naka-occupy sa 1919..."

"Who?!"

"Ma'am, we're not allowed to disclose personal information—"

"Oh, my god! Just tell me who lives in room 1919?!"

"I live there," said a voice from behind me. 

**

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