"Lorelle, darling, where's Orion?" Mama asked as she leaned on the kitchen counter.

It's been months already since I met my biological family and until now, I still can't believe that I'm with them!

Who would've thought that by attending that charity ball will lead me to them?

It seems to me that the world is making up for all the years I spent hurting.

"Why? I mean... how did I end up to someone else's family," I asked.

We just received the DNA test result and it turns out that I am the daughter of the Vuitton couple, a prominent family of businessmen in Europe.

I stared at my biological parents, with them are my siblings. The eldest among us is a girl while the following are twin guys.

"How come they were able to live with you while I was left with the Farellos?" I asked again, pointing at my siblings who were looking at me with amazement as if they can't believe that I'm here.

My biological mother didn't waste any more time in explaining what happened. It turns out that she hid us from our father the time I was born because they weren't in good terms. The nanny that was taking care of me took me away from her; the reason why I ended up in an adoption center in the Philippines.

There's a part of me that feels sad and disappointed because I wasn't able to grow up with my siblings but if it wasn't for what happened, I wouldn't have met the Farellos.

I then spent the following months in their palace like mansion here in France so I could get to know them.

And today, the day that my mom has been preparing for and gushing about for months, is my welcoming party.

"He's on his way to the airport," I answered.

Orion had been coming back and forth because he still has companies to manage at the States but he also didn't want to stay away from me for too long.

But for a week now, he's been staying here with us. He also offered to fetch my Farello fam which I think are waiting at the airport.

My mom squealed with delight. "I'm so excited to meet them! I have to thank them for taking care of you."

My mom then pulled me out of the kitchen because she didn't want me to do anything else but relax.

Ayaw kong magkulong sa kwarto kaya naglibot-libot na lang muna ako sa mala palasyong bahay na ito habang ka-text si Orion.

Squid🦑:

I'm here at the airport. Have you eaten?

Ako:

Luh, pa fall! 😭🤚🏻

Squid🦑:

I'm your boyfriend...

Ako:

Hehe just kidding 😚✌🏻 and yup, done eating. Drive safely, squid

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero kahit sa mga simpleng convo lang namin, nasisiyahan na ako. It's nice to have someone I can text whenever I want and about whatever topic I feel like talking. He doesn't mind if most of my messages are full of nonsense that's why I feel so comfortable to be weird around him. It's so nice to have someone to be weird with.

"Nice smile you got there," a familiar voice said.

Napatingin ako sa nakakatandang kapatid na palapit na sa akin. Inakbayan niya ako at saka hinalikan sa pisngi.

"I'm so happy to have you here. I always wanted a baby sis but I got two evil brothers instead," she shared with a pout.

Patuloy kaming nag-usap-usap at huli ko nang namalayan na nasa kwarto ko na pala kami.

"It's still morning!" I complained. "The party will start at five!"

"Aish!" She rolled her eyes. "Just step in the bathtub and relax! Eloise here will help you wash your hair."

"I can wash my hair!" Giit ko ngunit nakalabas na ang kapatid habang tinatabunan pa ang tainga.

Eloise is one of the helpers here in our chateau that was specially assigned to help me.

I've been staying here for months but until now, I'm still not used to this lavish and grandeur of a lifestyle my biological family has.

I could still remember the shock I had when I first stayed here. Apparently, there are people who can do every single thing for me.

Just like now, my sister still forces me to have one of the helpers wash my hair!

"Eloise, I don't know how many times I've said this but you don't have to help me wash my hair," I said. "You can go rest at your quarters."

Ngumiti si Eloise sabay yuko at saka lumabas na ng banyo.

The warm, french vanilla scented water greeted my skin as I dipped into the marble bathtub with a few rose petals afloat on it. I was immediately calmed and the sweet scented candles also helped in soothing my senses.

The lights were dim and everything in this bathroom was either white or gold in color.

Ever since I arrived here, I was treated like some sort of princess who needs an ample amount of care and attention.

Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo ako, hindi lang talaga ako sanay sa ganitong klase ng karangyaan ng pamumuhay. I mean... I grew up pampered as well but not like this! Everything in this chateau screams elegance and wealth!

I stayed long in the bathtub since I'm really enjoying it. After that, everything happened like a blur and one moment I was brushing my hair, the next thing I knew, someone was already doing my hair and makeup!

The stylist made me a wear a long sleeved bodycon dress with a deep-v neckline. The fabric is see-through like and champagne in color but it was embellished with gold crystals and sequins so it looked more like gold than champagne.

My hair was styled into classy curls and pinned with some gold clips on both sides.

"Voilà! You look perfect mademoiselle!" The stylist gushed while clapping her hands, pleased with what she did. "The genes of the Vuittons are really something!"

Few moments later, my sister went in my room with a photographer behind her. We had a mini photoshoot and I must say, there is no doubt that we really are siblings. The resemblance between the two of us is undeniable especially now that she dyed her hair back to its original color which is identical to mine's.

Sabay kaming bumaba at nakitang hinihintay kami ng buong pamilya. The Vuittons were there together with the Farellos, my friends and Orion.

They were all dressed with accordance to the theme which I think is gold or nude or beige. I'm not really sure what exactly is the theme but it's one of those colors.

We had a photoshoot again and after which, the guests started arriving.

I wanted to chat with my friends but I didn't had the chance to do so since I was literally introduced to everyone.

The seven course meal started while a string quartet was performing. I was seated with my friends so I now have the time to catch up with them.

"Damn! This isn't a house! It's a palace!" Ani Galaxy at saka ipinalibot ulit ang tingin. Kanina niya pa ito ginagawa at hanggang ngayon, mukhang hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa mga nakikita.

"Yeah... prinsesa kasi ako ng buhay niya!" Pabiro kong sabi sabay baling sa kinaroroonan nina Orion.

Nasa katabing mesa sila kasama ng mga kapatid kong lalaki at iilan kong mga pinsan. Nakatingin din siya sa akin kaya nag-flying kiss ako sa kaniya sabay kindat.

My friends all teased me because of what I did but I merely shrugged.

We continued eating while chatting but I noticed the unusual silence of Vanilla. Akala ko ako lang ang nakapansin pero mukhang napansin din ito ng tatlo at nagpapatay-malisya lang.

"May nakasagutan kasi," sagot ni Galaxy para sa nakabusangot na Vanilla.

Bago pa ako makapagtanong kung sino iyong nakasagutan ng kaibigan, dumating ang isa kong kapatid at saka may ngising tinitigan si Vanilla.

"Can I borrow your friend for a while?" Anang kapatid at isa-isa kaming tinitigan.

Bago pa kami makapag-react, tumayo na si Vanilla at padabog na naglakad papuntang garden. Kaming apat naman na naiwan ay sabay na napasinghap sa nasaksihan.

"Teka lang! Hindi niyo alam kung sino ang nakasagutan niya?" Tanong ko.

Sabay silang umiling. "Narinig lang namin."

"What a small world," bulong ko sa sarili at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain.

After the formal party ended, the informal one started. My friends and cousins got along with each other and they pretty much caused the noise and fun of the night.

Ako naman, sandali ring nakisali bago umalis sa dance floor at saka hinanap si Orion. Natagpuan ko siyang nakaupo sa swing sa may garden at mukhang may seryosong pinag-iisipan.

"Why are you here?" Aniya, mukhang ayaw pa na nandito ako pero inakbayan naman ako. "You should be with your family."

"I already am," seryoso kong sagot at diretso siyang tinitigan sa mga mata.

He bit his lips as if trying to stifle a smile but failed. He ended up smiling ear-to-ear while lightly scratching his head.

"Kinilig ka noh?" Tukso ko. "Huwag kang mag-alala ganiyan din ako kaya hindi kita huhusgahan."

Lalo siyang napangiti sa narinig at mas lumapit pa sa akin sabay halik sa pisngi ko.

"Ah, you make my heart flutter," he said dramatically with a hand on his chest. "As much as I like what you're saying, you really should be with them."

I shook my head and stood up, then pulling him to do the same. We went back to the party and immediately got teased. Hindi ko alam kung saan nila napulot ang mga ganoong kababalaghan pero hinayaan ko na lang.

The night passed by smoothly and I don't think I've ever been this happy. Being able to experience such event made me feel another level of contentment and joy.

Everyone I love are here with me. It's like suddenly all the heartbreaks I experienced in the past all seemed worth it because those heartbreaks led me to this exact moment which I am truly grateful for.

I don't know what exactly I'm feeling but I could feel this overwhelming warmth in my chest. It's unexplainable and I'm sure that mere words won't give justice to whatever this is that I'm feeling.

"Are you ready?" Orion asked, stopping the engine.

Nandito kami ngayon sa tapat ng presinto kung nasaan si Miss Tavora. Hanggang ngayon kasi, hindi pa rin siya nakakalabas. Gusto ko mang tuluyan nang makalimutan ang nakaraan, alam kong imposible iyon at ito lang naisipan kong gawin para mabawasan ang kinikimkim at gusto ko ring malaman kung apektado pa rin ba ako sa nangyari.

"I guess so," I answered, clutching my bag tightly.

I heard him sigh. He held my chin and made me look at him, then dipping his head for a kiss. "You can do it. I know you can," he assured.

I felt better because of that. I'm really grateful that he's here with me because if he isn't, I might've drove home already. We just arrived from Europe yet he willingly offered to go with me.

Someone walked us to a small, enclosed room. Orion and I waited and in a few, the woman who was once thriving in the corporate world, sat in front of us with her sunken eyes and with distress all over her face.

"M-miss Farello, Mister A-alvarez," she stuttered.

"How have you been?" I asked.

Under the table, Orion's hand found its way to mine's and squeezed it gently. I'm a bit nervous and he knows it.

Miss Tavora smiled, "Well... I'm paying for my mistakes."

My mouth opened, about to reply, but no words came out. I wanted to say something but I don't know how I should talk to her.

"I regret all of it," she admitted while looking straight at us. "I realized that I had more than what I need but I lost all of them because of my greed for wanting more."

"Even my family... I lost them too," she continued. "The two of you were the only people who visited me after all these years."

I felt bad for her. I know that she did us wrong but hearing her say such breaks my heart.

"I'm sorry, Miss Farello, Mister Alvarez. I know that what I did is unforgivable and my mere apology won't change a thing. But please do know that I'll forever be regretful," she said in a low, shaky voice, then looking down.

I brought a hand to her cuffed hands that were on the table. "Forgiven," I said with a smile.

What she did was the reason why Orion left. What she did caused me my heartbreaks. It's easy to just tell myself to hate her but then, everything is now starting fall back into their right places.

What she did may be irreversible and unforgettable, but I know that with forgiveness and time, all will be well. I would be able to talk and think about what happened without crying and feeling suffocated. I would be able to acknowledge what happened without any more pain and resentment.

We didn't stay long at the precinct but I felt better after our short conversation with her.

"Thank you for going with me," I beamed at Orion, then reaching for his hand that was resting on the lever.

He didn't say anything but only glanced at me with a small smile before focusing his eyes back to the road and continued driving.

Life is hard; it's full of heartbreaks. But this guy beside me whose hand is entwined with mine's made it worth living.