SAIS

"What? You like him?" Isagani looked at Leanne suspiciously.

Leanne rolled her eyes at him, "I don't even know him." Leanne thought that the man only looked familiar and nothing more.

"That's right... because the one you like is Manong Emilio." Isagani spoke confidently.

(Manong = Older brother)

Leanne suddenly got nervous, but for different reasons. It was right that Josefa liked Emilio, but she is not Josefa. What if they notice that the current 'Josefa' does not like Emilio and get suspicious!?

Leanne cleared her throat, " That... that's right. I like Emilio... How did you know? Is it that obvious?" Leanne's cheeks burned red. Confessing you like someone, whether it's true or not, is so embarrassing. Leanne patted her beating heart and took a deep breathe.

Isagani's expression softened a little. It seems that this crude woman in front of him has an adorable side as well. His voice became a little gentler, "Mother told me earlier... but, you do know that an Indio like my brother can never be with an Ilustrado like you... right?"

Leanne, however, did not notice the change in his tone. "Do you hate... the upper class?"

"Let's just say that my encounters with them weren't so wonderful... but you seem like an interesting Ilustrado. I see some potential in you, so I'll help you with my brother a bit." Isagani smiled at Leanne for the first time since they've met. Isagani looked more his age when smiling. He looks like an innocent child, unaffected by the world.

Leanne felt pained looking at Isagani. She could not imagine what did the upper class do for his usual self to be like an adult, burdened by the world.

Isagani noticed that it is getting late, so he stood up, "Let's go. I'll take you home."

When Leanne arrived home, Maria quickly came to greet her. Maria looked nervous as she held Leanne's arm, "Josefa, your parents have been waiting for you for so long. They also seemed uneasy... Do you think they know that we went to the plantation?"

"No way... Where are they?" Leanne immediately dismissed that idea. She remembered that the diary did not mention anything about being scolded.

Maria told Leanne that her parents were waiting for her in the living room.

As soon as Leanne saw her parents, she greeted them happily, "How are you today, Mother, Father."

Josefa's mother, Teresita, worriedly inspected her, "There you are, Josefa. What took you so long? Where did you go? Your Father was looking for you."

"I went out with Maria and Emilio..." Leanne was not able to finish her sentence when her father interrupted her.

Leanne's father, Rafael, raised his voice and shouted angrily at Leanne, "That Indio again!?! How many times have I told you not to associate with those uneducated Indios!?!"

Being an only child and a daughter, Leanne has never been scolded by her own parents before. They were more understanding and tolerant of her. Josefa's parents, however, seemed to be the opposite. They were more strict since she was their only daughter. She finally understood why Maria was so scared of Josefa's parents.

Leanne got a little teary as she apologized, "I'm sorry..."

"No matter... Go get ready with Maria. We will be having important guests this evening." Rafael didn't even look at her as he shoo-ed her away. It was as if he was tired of even being in her presence.

Leanne ran away to her room without even properly saying goodbye to Josefa's parents. She was hurt and ashamed of being scolded like that. When she entered her room, Maria was there waiting for her.

Upon seeing Maria, Leanne complained and whined all of her dissatisfaction, "They scolded me! They did not even greet me. Today was supposed to be my birthday... What kind of parents were they?! effin' annoying!" Leanne beat up one of her pillows in annoyance.

Maria sighed but comforted her nevertheless, "Why did you mention Emilio's name? It was supposed to be our secret. You know how important hierarchy is to your father..."

"How am I supposed to know that!?" Leanne couldn't contain her annoyance any further and started crying.

Maria remembered that Leanne lost some of her memories, so she apologetically patted Leanne's back. "Forgive me. I forgot about your condition, Josefa... Why don't I help you get ready for tonight?"

"Whatever... Who were coming again?" Leanne calmed down a little after shedding some tears.

Maria shook her head, "I do not know... but if your father is looking forward to it, then it must be important..."

"Wait..." Leanne suddenly recalled the diary as she thought, "Isn't it today that Josefa would meet great-grandpa? My handsome great-grandpa!!! Father would arrange us to marry today... Oh my!... but wait... What about Emilio... and Josefa's regret??? Aaah! I don't know anymore... Let's just wing it!"

Maria sat there and observed all the changes in Josefa's expressions. It went from excited to embarrassed and confusion, then determined. It seems that Josefa threw away all her manners and etiquette. How could someone be so unladylike just by sitting there and thinking?

Maria sighed again and interrupted Leanne's thoughts by patting her, "Josefa, you must remember that you are a noble lady. You should act and speak with manners and grace... You can't meet guests like this... Anyway, let us go prepare ourselves."

Leanne understood what Maria meant, but she can't be someone that she is not. Habits die hard, you know!? Leanne, however, knows that there could be consequences to her actions... so she would at least try. "Alright... I'll try..."

When evening came, Rafael gathered everyone at the entrance to greet the guests. A while later, a fancy carriage stopped in front of their home.

Two men were getting down the carriage, a middle-aged man and a young man.

Leanne was speechless. Her heart was pumping blood so quickly. She must also be so red by now. Leanne knew that her great-grandpa was handsome... but she did not know that he was this handsome in real life. What will she do now!? What about her plans of flirting with Emilio!?!