Chapter 30: Chapter 30

I am completely lost on this day. I waited for days to finally released the bodies of the two Dela Fuente. I used the money I found in their bedroom to give them a decent burial. I did my best to make everything settled for these two beautiful people.

After the burial, the upper officials decided to hold all the Dela Fuente's property since their daughter, Criselda Dela Fuente, is nowhere to be found. Although I claimed that I am one of their trusted persons, they don't give me any permission to handle their properties.

Upper officials also decided to give the full authority of the town to Sonia's father. They got what they wanted for a long time. They are happy now, but they killed people to be in that position. When I saw Sonia on the day of the declaration of his father's leadership, she was smiling but her eyes were scared. I know because she was the one who killed Cristel's parents. I can't accuse them of anything, I don't have any evidence. If Cristel shows up, they will target her next. She's pregnant, she can't be in danger.

I completely ignored them; I am planning to leave this town for good. Good thing, I still have money, I need to look for a shelter. I can't believe that it's been 3 weeks since Henry left for the mission. It is good if he will not see me anymore. I hope he will not find me when he found out that I left the town. I want him to be with Sonia.

My money will not sustain me for a long time, I need to find shelter and decent work in the other town. But for now, I need to eat, I am hungry. I arrived in another town, I just walked because I need to save money. It's a long walk, my body complained many times, but I have no choice.

I bought one piece of bread from the bakery and asked for free water. I roamed my eyes on the town, it is completely different. I am not used to it, but I have to. I started walking again then, I found a flyer that was looking for a helper on the farm. It has an address; no particular gender is required. I asked different people for the address, they pointed in the same direction.

The warm breeze of the plantation welcomed me. I went to the guardhouse to speak to some people.

"What can I do for you, Miss?" the guard asked me.

I handed him the flyer. "You are looking for a helper, right? I want to apply." I smiled.

He looked at me from head to toe then raised his brow. "You looked a fine lady raised in a mansion, are you sure you can do tough jobs like shoving a soil?"

I nodded. "I might look like a weak lady; I am tougher than how I look. I need a job, please."

He sighed. "I will talk to my boss, stay there." He grabbed the telephone.

I looked around the big farm. They have a variety of crops and I saw a group of farmers resting on the shade of one big tree.

The guard cleared his throat, I looked at him. He smiled. "My boss will come to see you. Take a seat first while waiting for him to come out. He's busy with his horses."

I nodded then sat on the chair he provided. I waited for minutes before a man shows up, he's wearing ripped pants and he is topless. I immediately stood up. This is the guard's boss, I assumed.

"Who is the applicant, Rick?" he asked the guard.

The guard points to me. "There she is, boss."

I smiled when he looked at me. He has a nice body, maybe because he works on his farm for a long time. He smiled at me too.

"A beautiful lady," he said. He opened the small fence. "Let's go inside so I can interview you well."

I followed him; I saw his mansion. It was very big. If he is the owner of all of these, he was very young. I think he was the same age as Henry and Alfredo.

"Papa!" a young girl shouted from afar.

"Can we talk on the nipa hut instead? My daughter is there." He pointed to the small nipa hut.

I nodded. "S-Sure. You have a daughter, already. If you don't mind, can I ask how you are?"

We started walking towards the nipa hut. "I am in my 30's. I married at the age of 25, inherited all of this at the age of 26, a father at the age of 27, and became a widower at the age of 29," he answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear the last sentence. You are very successful then," I said.

"Yeah, I have a big farm, a mansion, and a lovely daughter." He carried his daughter in his arms.

"Say 'hello' to our visitor, Eunice," he said to his daughter.

The girl with a cute dimple waved at me. "Hello," she said.

"Hello, Eunice. I am Aliyah. Nice to meet you," I said then extended my arms to shake hands with him.

"You have the same name as my mother," Eunice said.

I stopped then smile. "Really? T-That's nice to hear." I looked at his father.

He cleared his throat and offer the seat in front of him. "Take a seat, Miss Aliyah. I just want to ask few questions before I accept you," he said.

I nodded. The little girl giggled. "Papa is so serious. Is he your girlfriend, Papa?"

My eyes when wide from her question. I shook my head.

"No, Eunice. She is going to work with Papa at the farm," her father said.

"Okay!!" She's so cute.

The man breathes heavily. "So sorry about that. By the way, my name is Edward Gil, the owner of this farm. Thank you for being interested in the work we are offering. I was shocked when I first saw you, I am expecting a man to be interested in the work. First question, can you cook?"

He was very serious about his question. I thought it will be too technical, I didn't expect a question like that.

"Y-Yes, I can," I answered.

"Next, can you handle a stubborn little girl named Eunice?" He looked at his daughter then pinched its cheeks.

I smiled. "Yes, I can."

"Last, can you milk a cow?" he asked.

Oh, no!

"I can't. Am I rejected?"

He shook his head then smiled. "Of course, I help you with that. Don't worry. And I happy to say that congratulations! You are accepted. You can start by tomorrow."

I clapped because of happiness. Eunice clapped, too.

"Thank you, but..." I paused.

"What's the matter?" Edward asked.

"Can I start now? And can I ask a little favor?" I forgot the word 'shyness'.

"Sure, you can start now. What favor is that?" His forehead creased.

"Can I stay here at least for this night? I don't have a place to stay. Just for this night. I know you just met me, and you don't have any reason to trust me. But I won't do anything bad, I won't harm you. Please... I only have this little money in my pocket." I showed them the remaining money in my pocket.

He looked at me seriously as if he is examining me. I didn't look away; I want him to know that I am a good person and my intentions are good.

He sighed then nodded. "Sure, no problem. You can sleep in this nipa hut later. But for now, can you go to the market to buy some stuff?"

I nodded. "Thank you so much. Sure, sure. I can do that. Thank you!"

My happiness is overflowing right now. I thought I will spend the night outside.

I only walked going to the market. I am very unfamiliar with the place. But I tried to fit in. On my way to the meat section, I saw familiar figures. I confirmed who they were when they looked in my direction too.

It was Alfredo and Cristel.

"Aliyah," they both said when we are finally near to each other.

"Alfredo, Cristel..." They stopped me.

"We decided to change her name. It is Caridad now," Alfredo said.

I almost cried when he mentioned that name.

It was my grandmother's name.