• Dad

I am currently in Ma'am Santos' office to review for the MTAP. It's a bit of a hassle because the competition will take place next week. It's scary sometimes but if there are lessons that we reviewed and come out, there's a high chance that will go into the Division Level.

I am with Chelsea and Clifford. Our seats are far away but the two seem to never stop teasing each other. If I hadn't been here maybe they would have shouted all day long.

"Shut up, Cliff," Chelsea said, annoyed. Her forehead was already furrowed because Clifford had been annoying her.

"Ms. Pretty Nerd," he teased with a smirk.

"At least, my crush praised me," Chelsea replied that make Clifford silent. I chuckled at his reaction.

The door of the office opened so I glanced at it. A woman suddenly peeked out who I think was the same age as ours.

"Cheska." Chelsea approached the woman named Cheska. She's my classmate. Though we're really not that close.

"Hello, did I disturb you?" She asked, smiling. She diverted her gaze and looked at me. "Hi, Jane."

"Hi." I greeted. She knows me? I expected not because I never saw her talking to me.

"Come on, Cheska." Clifford invited her but Cheska just shook her head. I just packed my things for I can go home. Ma'am doesn't let us in our classes this morning until this afternoon because of the reviewers needed.

"No thanks. I'll just pass something to Ma'am Santos."

I notice that someone stopped in front of me. I looked at it and saw Cheska smiling at me.

"Jane, we're group mates in our English subject reporting," she said.

" Ah, I thought, we're excuse?"

" The other members don't want to report tomorrow, and I'm afraid that I can't make it just by myself. So... I need a help."

"They're also the one who bought the materials so, I can't say no to them." she smiled with hope as she looked at me. I just nodded and smile back at her. She smiled widely to my response.

"Thank you," she mumbled. "I will send to you the details for our report."

"Okay, no problem," I slightly smiled to eased the awkwardness.

She's grade-concious, I must say. She can balance her studies and social life. She's one of the popular students here. She left while a smile plastered on her face.

"Cheska's really beautiful," Clifford commented thst made us looked at him.

" And we're lucky to have a friend like her," Chelsea seconded. " I can't understand why Zaine won't confess. We knew what's he's feelings for Cheska."

" Zaine has his tactics."

" Yeah?"

" Wait and see." Clifford glanced at Chelsea while smirking. " Jane." I looked at them when they called me.

"Do you want to come?" Chelsea asked while Clifford's waiting for my answer.

" No, thanks. I'm full." I declined.

" Sure?"

" Yes," I smiled to her. They both go outside to eat while I'm roaming here on my own. Paintings were surrounding this place. It's pleasing on the eyes and one of those painting has a mosaic design that's one of my favorite. It gives chills to me as I looked at these.

I stopped when I notice something that caught my attention. It's a picture of a man on his early-50's. It was aligned with the other school officials. He's wearing a tuxedo and no emotions can be seen on his face. The door suddenly swang open and Ms. Santos entered the room.

"Jane, where's your other partners?" She asked as she takes her seat.

" They're in the canteen ma'am."

"Okay."

She's been busy finding some things on her drawer. I want to asked her to what's the man in the picture, being in one of the school officials.

"Ah, ma'am. Can I asked a question?" She looked at my direction when she heard me.

"Go ahead," she muttered.

"Is that man, one of the officials of this school?" I pointed the picture with the man I'm talking about.

"That's Mr. Joaquin Valdez. He's one of the shareholders of this school." I was stunned as what my teacher said.

One of the shareholders?

" I thought you knew him because you have both the same surname."

I know him. He's my dad.

" No, I d-don't know him." I just went silent the whole time as my teacher told me about that information. Does he know that I'm studying here? I bet, he knew.  I'm in Davao right now and they're in Manila.

Our teacher dismissed us early. She knows that we need to refresh our minds for the upcoming competition. It's perfectly fine for me because I didn't finish yet my reviewers and answer sheets.

I passed Aling Dahlia stall again but did not approach her. I even saw the guy who bumped me and ask for my number yesterday.

I just shook my head. Why am I thinking of that man? Obviously he did not grow up here. I walk my way to school and when I get home. It's not far though. Just about seven minutes walk. And one more thing, I can still exercise just by walking

I bought a slice bread and peanut butter at the bakery I passed by. This is Grandma's favorite and it is always our snack. Maybe Aunt Gisselle hasn't come home yet. No one is with grandma right now.

When I arrived at our small house, I saw a fancy car parked opposite the house. Who's car is this? Is this Tita's boss?

I entered and saw a man sitting behind me while he's talking with grandma. I don't know but my heartbeat rapidly beat that it's normal.

"Jane, you're already here," said grandma. Only then did the man in the suit look at me seriously.

"Dad..."

"My daughter, I've been looking for you." he said in a serious voice. "I think, you have enough time to enjoy your simple life now."

How did he find me?

"I want to stay with grandma, dad. Please, don't do this to me." I was nervous about what he might do if I didn't agree to go home with him. My hands are trembling and my lips as well. I saw that he's checking me out.

"Your mother wants to see you, Jane." I was stunned by what it said. It's really impossible for her to care fo me. They never need me.

"I don't want to go, Dad." I answer seriously. "I don't want to be a daughter you want me to be. I want to pursue my dream."

"You can't do that, Jane. You're a Valdez and a heiress." Dad stood up while I'm slowly walking backwards, away from him. He sighed as he saw how frightened I am. "Come with me."

"No, dad." I refused. "Please, give me some time."

Dad stared at me. The seriousness in his eyes was evident, as if he was deep in thought and eventually he sighed while staring at me as if I am a prey.

"Fine. After you graduate, I will come back here and take you."

" Bu—"

"No buts, my daughter." He approached me and gave me a kiss on the forehead. Now he just did it to me. Since our business grew, they have been busy and there is no time for me and my siblings to be with us.

"I'm sorry, my baby." I suddenly hugged him. For a moment I hugged my daddy again.

"Thank you dad." I released from the hug. He looked at me and smiled slightly.

"Okay, I'll go. Take care of her, Flores." Grandma just nodded, that's hes cue to leave.

I just sat down because of what happened as I felt my knees trembling. Dad already knows where I am. He gave me time to stay in my simple life. I don't know what will happen next. Is it good for me or bad?

I felt Grandma Flores approached me. She just gave me a smile and hugged me. I hugged hee back while there was a heavy burden on my heart.

"Your father just wants you to be safe, Jane. I'm sorry if I told him that."

"You were the one to tell him?" I let go of her embrace. I don't know how I will feel because of what I found out. At an early age, I was separated from my family because I wanted to be free from them. I want to get out of their control over me. I feel like I was just a puppet to them, so I was so scared when I saw Dad.

"He knew your situation from the first day you lost. He knew where you are. No parent can let their child, hija. Even if they are far from you and do not show that they are worried, I know they are. "

"Why is that, grandma? They weren't like that to us before. They don't control their own child in what they want to do."

"Parents are different when it comes to love, Jane. Maybe your parents show different things, but inwardly, always remember they love you." She explained. "So, after the time you Dad gave to you, come back home. I know they missed you." I just nodded at what she said.

Maybe, I need my parents too. This simple life is short-lived and I have to face my real life.