Chapter 6: Chapter 6
7:13 PM, Dumaguete City Port
Storm, Lightning, Sea Currents, and the ship sinks. Everybody is dead. Cassandra's eyes open in a sudden. She's drenching wet with her sweat strolling off her body waking up from that dream. She wiped the sweat with her palms. The ship echoes through the port reminding everyone that they've arrived into their destination. Cassandra stretched her arms and legs from a long sleep. Cassandra smiled, she regained her energy somehow. She had slept for the entire trip in the ship because she did not sleep well last night. Cassandra noticed the Americana wrapped around her shoulder. He then, remembers that it was the man's clothing next to him sitting down before he got tired and fell asleep earlier.
She loitered her eyes in the ship deck. A second had passed, before her eyes saw what she was looking for. Standing a few people away from her, he grips on the ship's railings and is ready to squeeze out from the crowd. She only feasted the broad and flexing muscles at the back of the man. She didn't see much of its face and she didn't familiarize it face as well before as she ran it with her suitcase. She was thinking too many things before so she could not even see his face.
Cassandra was about to approach the man but it looked like zombies were rushing people out. The people inside were mixed. When she gazes again where she left off the man in sight it was no longer there. She tried to hurriedly run towards the railing and look upon outside, her eyes were searching for the man thru the bunch of people walking on all corners of the port area. Then to the nook space she noticed, the man’s face taking a glimpse at her before entering into the car and evaporated from the place. Cassandra just returned to pick up the suitcases she had left. She shrugged her head and looked at the Americana she was holding. Oh well, she might as well get this as a remembrance from a stranger who showed a good deed to her. She smiled and slipped it into the handle of the suitcase.
Undoubtedly, her ride was high enough to make her dizzy, her ass would swell and her neck would hurt forever. She is finally on it and she finally reached her destination. If you add up, she already has four rides from Manila, Ship. Van to the terminal. Bus again. Now she rides a multicar to reach her hometown, the Libertad Dos.
Only twenty people fit in the average multicar and if she remembers, it only travels twice to Libertad Dos because it is the last town of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. The road is also bumpy and the poles are not lit because it’s difficult to get electricity from Poblacion. In addition, the area is often browned out because tree branches usually fall off the poles. Cassandra arranged the seating; they sat close together inside and just fit the ass to put on the chair. Her belongings were on the roof of the multicar tied with a rope.
Even in such a situation Cassandra is still comfortable. Unlike in Manila, when it is crowded, she will definitely bathe in her own sweat. Add to that the bad odor on neighbor’s or passengers who will just make you wince and shake your head. Here in the province, given the fresh air the surroundings is also very peaceful.
Cassandra was stunned mentally. They are in the last part of La Pamplona followed by Libertad Dos. Cassandra's eyebrows rose as everyone stopped speaking; everyone was looking outside so she followed where their eyes were focused. Cassandra was flustered on the site outside. They were looking at the mansion sitting on the roof of the mountain, it was huge and such a tourist attraction because of the number of Christmas lights-lit, the tourist attraction did because of the number of people admiring its beauty. According to her mother, it is owned by the richest businessman in their entire city as well as in the entire province of Negros.
They left the mansion but the conversation did not stop there. Cassandra's ears lit up when she heard the two people talking opposite her.
"Rumor has it that the owner will sell the big farm in Libertad Dos?"
"That news is already widespread in our town, Sisa. Domeng and I are looking for a place to move to another town. Fortunately, my son who got married can save us."
"I also don't know why that will be sold, eh! Don Fructose's wealthy. Now some of us are restless in search of a new home and a job." it frowned.
“Rich people are really something, Doring. You know Don Fructose is very generous, especially to his son. He will marry a rich woman from Manila so the preparations have to be pretentious. I also do not know why Don Fructose’s son still appeared, there now our lives are in turmoil. "
"Yes, of course. I only saw his son's face once in a newspaper in the market. Eh, I even saw him for the first time, he was handsome! But he was obviously also like his father. Wait, isn't their business profitable and do they still had to sell the land? Don't they feel sorry for the farmers who will lose their jobs? It is against my will to stop my son from studying first because of this situation! " The lady in front of her suppresses anger. Cassandra was listening intently lest she get any information from them.
"Yet we cannot change the decision of the Silvestre. We know that nothing can stop what they are doing as long as it is about money. I am also not convinced that it is only because of marriage that it will be sold, there seems to be a deeper reason! So let us wait and see. Doring.”
"Let's just slowdown in the uprising, it looks like we've only been there four months." They have stopped talking. But Cassandra seemed dumbfounded, the words coming back and forth in her ear.
As a child she knew that rich Don was the owner of the land they lived in but it never entered her mind that they will sell it. If the situation of her mother and brother had not been threatened, she would not have gone home in the first place. She will work longer first and save but since Don's son suddenly appeared that she did not know and where she had been hiding for several years, she would only target it to save her heart and the land. Part of her isn't convinced that it's not just because Don is gallant or he wants luxury. She was thinking that it had other reasons besides marriage. So whatever they were planning she was there to stop. She will take the man's heart; if she is not ready, she will give herself to prevent the wedding from taking place.
She has already seen the big signage that says they are about to enter Libertad Dos. After crossing the boundary of La Pamplona, Plaza El Corazon immediately greeted her, remembering that she was hanging out after her class. Extensive mango plantations followed before their small market and barangay hall. One of the porters helped her carry her belongings. She waits for her brother to pick her up in the waiting shed and help her carry her suitcases.
Cassandra missed the place- so much. She has many memories left here of her childhood and adolescence. Here in this town she talks about the violent world. Here she witnessed all the hardships and joys of the twenty-three years before she left Manila. Libertad Dos is an ordinary place for someone who wants luxury and entertainment in life, few will appreciate the place and one of those people is the Silvestre's. The land in Libertad Dos is not important to them but for them its memory and joy carved throughout the years is enough reason to consider the place a treasure.
"Ate Cassie!" She already knew who that voice was. Only her mother and brother call her Cassie. She turned to their direction; her brother slapped a hug on her side. "Ate Cassie I miss you so much! I always really pray that you come home so that Mom and I can be with you." It brought tears. She also cried when she heard what her brother was saying.
"Me too youngest, I miss you so much. Oh sha, let's hurry I want to see Mom." She promised and rent a potpot to their house.
Her mother did want to hug her. She did not seem to want to let her go or lose sight of her. While at the table eating their dinner- fried fish and fried beans, her mother passionately told her all what happened on the farm during the past three years that she was not there until now their situation is in danger.
"Eh! It is not right what the owner is doing to us, Mom. We are still the ones to pay even though we have contributed a lot to this land. If we do not have people living here and farming, those Silvestre’s will not eat anything. “Her mouth watered as she said that. She has lost her appetite.
"We can't sitback, I know. They own this land and if we add it up we have no rights because we are just their workers. The locals also do not want the trouble to escalate and get to court, and even when we get there, we have no fight. We have no paperwork. “Her mother's face flushed as she said that.
"What is Tata Julio doing and he can't fight for us. I'm sure the Silvestre bribed him to stop talking. What are we going to do? They won't even give us allowance?" She angrily teased and punched the glugging head with a spoon. Sometimes Cassandra is really tired of this life. They only receive misfortune.
"Don’t worry now that I am here I will not let them just drive us away just like that. I will make a way for us to fight for the rights of the farmers in this land." Cassandra's brows wave.
"Are we really leaving here Mom, Ate?" Her brother Carlos also stopped eating and was obviously affected by their condition.
"No,Carl I will assure you that we will not be evicted. I will and will make a way so that we will not be evicted." She was very determined. She will do everything it takes.
Cassandra was lying on the mat next to her mother and youngest sister but she could not sleep. It was early in the morning and she was obviously tired from the trip but did not want to close her eyes.
She just went out to get some air. She went to the rocky area opposite to their small hut. She sat down on her favorite rock and watched the vast emptiness. Only the twigs playing in the trees and the moon give light to the entire space of the night. She stared at the stars for months and smiled at the way she felt. A bead of tears passed from the corner of her eye as it dripped one after another. Her crying was silent. She wasn't crying because how unfortunate her life is or why she was born poor. She was crying because she can't afford to see her mother and brother to suffer the brutal life of tyranny. She made a vow before she would lift them up.
She took the cell phone out of her pocket. Margarita texted her if she was okay. She replied with an emoji and just continues to sob. She scrolled through the cell phone gallery, viewed the last picture of Julius on her phone before deleting it and cried. She is going to cry all the grievances of her life and ex-boyfriend. She will be waking up as a new Cassandra tomorrow. She will start the healing process of her broken heart, make some women realize that all men aren't faithful and putting an end to this treacherous life for good.
Silvestre Mansion
"Really Dad, you're sending me to that fucking piece of crap? That's out of my business. I am not interested in that piece of land. Sell it if you want to sell it; don't involve me into that shit!" Jonathan backed away when he threw the planner there. The male secretary is too afraid to ask any questions about coffee or hot chocolate. Since the trip he did not have a good rest, the naughty secretary picked him up at the port earlier when he said he wanted to go trucking. He hates dumb people, tomorrow he will immediately replace Jonathan, it becomes a leech on his Daddy.
"You are getting married Jethro, and I do not want to remind you about our deal. I did not take you to America just to whine up here in front of me! The buyers of this land are from Asta Lonia the biggest land developers in the province and I don't want to embarrass myself due to your inability to meet them. I didn't appoint you as CEO just to disappoint me! "
"I will be doing what I want. Not for you to decide. We are not just toys here that you can use whenever you like! And why would you sell the land? To impress those Elverio’s, you are willing to give up some property just for this marriage to happen. You are afraid that you will lose the Elverio’s investment for good that is why you’re showing off! Gosh, you're really something else, you're a beast towards your family but you are a puppy to these people. " His father put on his shoes. But he was not shaken by the stone thrown at him.
It is true what he said, his tail is light when it comes to Elversio’s. Just a little flatulence of them his father will surely smell them. And besides, no one will believe if his father will say it's for the future investments. They have all the means already, 1.5 Million is just a peso to them. Therefore, he assumes, Don Elverio instigated or threatened it again- threats like the marriage will not continue. He looked up at his mother who was silent and just stood on the side. Nothing changes with his Mom, his tail is still weak when it comes to Don Fructose.
"You don't have the right to talk to me like that! You were born as a bastard, but I did not raise you bastard! You will meet these people whether you like it or not. Do not wait for my mind to twist Jethro and do stupid things. You will go and that's final! "
"Shit! You old man. You can't pass me by threatening! I won't go and my decision is my decision alone!" He dropped his voice behind him.
"I will be freezing all of your accounts and assets. I will be throwing both of you out, nothing on your pockets and naked." He saw his mother's tears dripping. He didn't want to see his Mom cry. This is just the reason why he stayed here
"Shit!" His teeth chattered. He wants to smack this old hag to die. But his mother was his concern.
He stared sharply at his father before going up to the second floor of the mansion. He slammed the door of his room and hardly fisted the blanket; it was only here that he vented his anger. He knows his mother will be knocking on the door any minute and will talk to him again. And so it did. It knocked and went inside. He was found sitting at the foot of the chaotic bed sheet of the bed.
"Son, just do what your father says okay."
His mother rubbed his back.
"Mom you are not treated properly in this house but you still wanted to stay here? Why is that? I can provide for you."
"No, don't say that Jethro. Follow your daddy. Do it even if it's not just for me son, do it for yourself, son." He grabbed her palm and squeezed it.
"You're really something else Mom. So you plan to be martyred here in this hellish house? I don't seem to know you anymore, Mom. You used to be so strong." He saw his mother crying. The moment the tears fell from her eyes it was as if a needle had pierced his heart.
"Okay. I'll go." He could no longer stand his mother who was seen crying. The mid-50 woman hugged him. He does not want to be called his mother with a stubborn child so as much as possible he maintains its image other than his being business elite. Because if he is alone, he no longer cares what other people say, he will do what he wants. But when it comes to his mother he can do nothing but give it up. He was protecting his mother from everything harsh.
Don Fructose is not his biological father. He was the son of her mother's first husband and a close friend of Don Fructose who did not want his mother to say who he was. After he was born, his father allegedly did not show up to them. It just disappeared like a bubble. Then the Don came into the picture. Her mother was just 23 back then and Don Fructose was 28 years old. Because his mother also wanted a complete family, so even against Don Fructose’s parents, they chose each other. They later got married and eventually Don Fructose’s parents accepted everything. However, the true colors of the man sprouted that time. If at first she accepted him as a child it later became cold to him. His mother suffered the same on the rich man's hands. He threw him into America away from the embarrassment he could cause because he said he did not want to tarnish his last name by being a bastard. Yes, he was a bastard. He is an illegitimate child. He was the son of someone else's mistake. But he did not blame his mother. It only made him realize to stand stronger and firm.
Through the years he became cold, arrogant and selfish for some reasons. He became a nightmare on anyone around him both men and women. People coded him as a snob, and competitively wanted to get everyone whatever or whoever blocks the way. He was living what his father described him. He was living like a selfish bastard. And no woman can melt the ice freezing in his heart. At least...
Until he met that woman on the ship...