MPATB01: PROLOGUE

"Stupid Cupid!" I exclaimed and get up from bed when I heard my alarm clock. While sitting on bed, I stretched my arms widely while my eyes were still close. I'm still so sleepy but I have no choice. I have to stand up and turn off the alarm clock that I put right beside the door of my room.

I hastily walk toward the door and pick up the alarm clock from the floor. Then, I put it on the table beside my bed. I hastily do my morning routine and dress up like a simple girl. I only wear a printed white T-shirt, black jeans and a rubber shoes.

Oh, you maybe thinking why I'm putting my alarm clock in the floor beside the door of my room? Haha, well it's because if I put beside my bed, I will just turn it off hastily and sleep again. When it's far, I have to take a walk first before I can turn it off and this way, I can get rid of sleepiness and don't wanna go back to sleep anymore.

I'm living in this apartment, alone. My Mom and Dad were in US and they didn't know what's really happening to me here in the Philippines.

I run back to my room to get my bag, run to the kitchen and took my provision. "Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed and run back to my room again because I left my cellphone on my bed. Then, I run outside the apartment and took my bike. "Gosh!" I mumbled while looking at my wrist watch. It's already 7:46 am and my work will start on 8:00 am. I hastily ride on my bike and with God's grace, I reached the bakeshop at 7:55 am.

I entered the store and found the owner sitting on the cashier's table. "Good morning, ma'am." I greeted the owner of this little bakeshop, she is Mrs. Lenny Travis.

"Good morning, Elaine." She stood up and come closer to me. "It's good that you are not late on your first day. Go now and get your apron in the cabinet, tied up your hair and put a hairnet too." She instructed me. "Get it?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," I immediately replied. I hastily go to the cabinet that Mrs. Lenny is talking about, I put my bag inside. Then, I put on the apron and arrange my hair as Mrs. Lenny told me. She already instructed me about my work as helper in her store last time when she told me that I'm accepted to work here.

I immediately go to the display area and arrange the breads, gosh it smells so good. I haven't eaten my breakfast because I'm in hurry lately. I guess, I better adjust my alarm clock tomorrow.

"Elaine, come over here." Mrs. Lenny called me. I hastily walk toward her, gosh I'm so tense and afraid to do any mistake today. I don't wanna lose this job or else, I will find it hard to find another one because I'm underage.

"Yes ma'am?" My sweats are flowing from my forehead to down to my chin. I immediately wipe it with my hand towel.

"Hahahaha!" She laughed at me. Lol, do I have dirt on my face? "Little girl, don't be nervous. It is just your first day and it's normal to make mistakes. But, you must learn from it and never do it again," she said. "Are you alright?" she asked.

I smiled. "Yes ma'am." I pretended because the truth is, I'm very tired and hungry. I'm not used to wake up early, use bike as transportation and work like this.

"Go and eat your breakfast besides, we don't have any customers yet." She told me. I don't know how did she know that I haven't eaten my breakfast.

"Don't be ashamed, I know you haven't eaten yet. It's not good to work while you are starving," she said. I was stuck on looking at her face. She's so kind and understanding, she can even read my moves and how do I feel right now.

"Hurry up, you still have a lot of things to do later. You're gonna clean the store and arrange everything from time to time. Go now," she clearly said.

"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am," I apologized. "I'll go ahead now. Thank you," I said and she smiled on me. I immediately went at the back of the store and took my bag on the cabinet.

I'm so lucky that my Boss was very kind. I ate my breakfast and took a glance on my phone. Someone's calling, it is my best friend Lesley.

I answered the call. "Hello sis, I'm on work." I immediately said.

"What!" she exclaimed. "What work? Why didn't I know that?" Lesley asked.

"Because you will disagree if I told you. Come on, please don't tell Mom and Dad or else..." Lesley interrupted me.

"Or else I will lose my job and you will never forgive me forever," she added. "Fine, fine, fine. Where are you? What job is that?" she curiously asked.

"A waitress or we should say, an all around assistant of the owner of a bakeshop or a helper or whatever, haha." I happily said.

"What? A waitress?" Her tone was so shock.

"Oh, what's wrong with a waitress?" I asked her.

"Lol, sis!? If you want to work, then you can just be my personal maid and you won't suffer from any hardship. Why waitress? A waitress but you will be doing everything in that bakeshop? Lol, go home now or else." I end up the call because I don't want to hear her complains anymore. This is my life and this is what I wanted.

Then, Lesley called me again. "Now, what?" I asked.

"Fine, I won't disagree with your decisions. But LITTLE SPOILED BRAT." She really expressed such words. "What about your studies?" she asked.

"Well, the class will start next month. Don't worry, it is just a part time job. Besides, my boss told me that I can still work here on weekends if I want when the classes starts," I explained.

"You know what Elaine, my headaches on thinking what are you doing to yourself since ever. You're making things hard while you can live a princess with your parents," Lesley said.

"Enough!" I told her. "That kind of life was boring. By the way, go and check if I passed the scholarship exam at the Academy. And, don't ever call me again because I'm going back to work now. Love you, bye." I automatically end up the call before she can respond anything.

Last week, I took a scholarship exam at Vida Elegante Akademya. It is the most expensive school in the Philippines where my parents want me to study. I will be a third year highschool student in this school year. I'm a transferee in this Academy and I'm hoping that they will grant me a scholarship. Well, they are just giving a 5 scholarship grant in every school year.

By the way, I grew up in US and I'm just new here in the Philippines, as in 2 months. My parents were Filipinos that's why I know how to speak Tagalog. Well, I just want to experience how to live independently and live like a poor girl that's why I begged my parents to let me stay here in the Philippines.