It had been two days since Dominic found out the reason why I was ignoring him. I hadn't met or seen him since then because I had taken a week's leave. I had been contemplating what action I should take after the scene we had. It was chaotic because everyone knew what had happened.
I heard from Mira that our department boss had been dismissed not only from his position but from the company as well. It was the first time Mira had ever seen Dominic that angry. I appreciated Dominic for helping me, but it also made me anxious about returning to work, which was why I decided to take a week off. I didn't know what people would say once I went back.
I opened my online bank account and stared at the numbers displayed on the screen. Three hundred thousand pesos.
I had deposited the money Dominic gave me when I took care of Lucca.
I sighed. This money wouldn't allow me to survive forever. As much as I wanted to run away, I needed to stay and continue working if I wanted to support myself.
My thoughts were interrupted when someone started banging on our gate. I immediately went outside to see who it was. The banging sounded aggressive.
"Who are you?" I asked.
I saw two men standing outside.
"Are you Ms. Blake?" the first man asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"You need to pack your things because this house has already been sold," the second man said.
"Excuse me?"
It seemed like my ears were playing tricks on me because I was hearing something impossible.
"Do I have to repeat myself? We'll give you one day to pack your things and leave this house," the second man said.
I opened the gate and confronted them.
"What are you talking about? I didn't sell this house to anyone."
"Didn't your mother tell you? She sold this house yesterday," the first man replied.
"Yesterday?"
I was still trying to process the information they were giving me. It felt impossible. I hadn't even finished dealing with my problem at work, and now this had happened.
"You heard us. We'll give you a day to pack your things," the first man said.
"Wait! This can't be right. I didn't know my mother sold this house. How could she when my grandmother left this house to me?"
"Ms. Blake, we're just the agents. We don't care about your family affairs. We're only here to inform you that you need to leave because the house has already been sold," the second man said.
"How much did my mother sell it for?" I asked, even though I was trembling with anger.
The two men looked at each other before answering in unison.
"Ten million."
"What? Ten million? How—"
I wasn't able to finish my sentence because the other man cut me off.
"Ms. Blake, why don't you ask your mother instead of asking us? She's the one who sold it anyway."
I didn't know what to feel. Another problem had appeared. I hadn't even finished thinking about my troubles at work, and now this was piled on top of everything else.
"I won't leave this house," I said firmly while looking at them.
"Are you kidding us, Ms. Blake? You can't say that just because you want to."
"I'm not saying it because I want to. I'm saying it because this is my house, not hers!"
"She handed us the title the moment we paid her."
I frowned. How could she have sold the house if my name was on the title?
I clenched my fists in anger. I couldn't even contact my mother because I didn't have her phone number. We had cut ties after my grandmother died. But why was she meddling in my life again? Why would she sell the house without even thinking about where I would live?
"We'll come back the day after tomorrow. I hope we won't see you here anymore. The client wants to move in as soon as possible," the first man said before they left.
I remained standing there, staring into space.
How could that woman be so cruel to me?
I had been suffering because of her since I was a child, yet she still wanted to make me suffer now. Did she really enjoy seeing me fall over and over again?
I hadn't even noticed the tears running down my cheeks. My neighbors were standing outside, staring at me as well.
When I finally came back to my senses, I went inside and grabbed my bag.
I was going to that woman's house to ask her why she had done this.
I had never taken revenge on her despite the grudge I held. I held a grudge against my father too, but I never did anything. Yet this was unreasonable.
The house belonged to me now, yet that woman still found a way to interfere. Did she need the money so badly that she didn't care whether I would suffer because of what she had done?
Then again, my parents had neglected me my entire life.
To them, money had always been more important than the well-being of their firstborn daughter.
I rode a bus and traveled for thirty minutes. I had never wanted to go to her house ever since she left me.
The first time I attempted to visit her, she shooed me away like I was a stray dog. I begged her to support me because my grandmother wasn't capable of sustaining our needs at that time. But instead of helping me, she treated me as if I wasn't even her daughter.
This was the second time I would be visiting her house. If she hadn't meddled in my life again, I would never have come here. Grandma wouldn't have liked it if she knew her daughter had sold the house.
After thirty minutes, I got off the bus and rode a tricycle to her place. My emotions were all over the place today. I already had too many things on my mind, and this only added to them.
When I arrived, I didn't ring the doorbell immediately. I stood there for a moment, contemplating what I should say.
"Mama! There's someone in front of our house!" a little girl holding a Barbie doll shouted.
I didn't know if she was the youngest child. I didn't want to know because the thought alone hurt.
"Who is it?" I heard my mother ask.
She walked toward the gate, and the moment she saw me, her expression changed. The warmth she had shown her daughter disappeared, replaced by complete indifference.
"Baby, go inside your room," she said with a smile.
Had she ever smiled at me like that before? Like I was the most precious thing in her life?
Never.
"Okay, Mama," the little girl replied cheerfully before running back inside.
My mother opened the gate and immediately asked, "Why are you here?"
There wasn't an ounce of remorse in her voice. She didn't even ask how I was doing.
Had I done something wrong when I was a child for them to treat me this way?
"I didn't want to come here, but you left me no choice," I said.
She didn't look surprised at all. She had probably expected me to come.
"And what exactly brought you here?" she asked as if she were provoking me.
"What right do you have to sell Grandma's house?" I demanded.
She looked at me with annoyance.
"Shouldn't you be grateful that I sold it now instead of right after she died?"
"Should I be grateful for that?" I asked sarcastically.
She smirked.
"I have every right to sell it. I'm her daughter."
"What about me? Didn't you even care that I was living in that house?" I asked, trying to hide how hurt I was.
She chuckled coldly.
"You can afford to rent a place, can't you? Why are you making this a bigger problem than it is?"
"You're the one making it a bigger problem. How could you do this to me?"
"I already sold the house. It's done. What do you want? Money?" she asked mockingly, as if I were some gold digger.
I clenched my fists and fought back my tears. I refused to let this woman see how much pain she had caused me.
"How can you even be my mother?" I asked softly.
"You're so evil," I added.
She laughed.
"Evil? Without me, you wouldn't even be alive today."
"A miserable life?" I shot back. "Should I thank you every day because I owe you my existence?"
A wicked smile spread across her face.
Then her eyes landed on my hand.
"Oh, the ring you're wearing. Maybe if you'd given that ring to me, I wouldn't have sold the house."
I couldn't believe her.
She was truly greedy.
Everything was about money, regardless of who got hurt, even her own daughter.
"I need the money," she said. "And you won't get a single peso from it. Do you hear me? Now get out of my property. I don't ever want to see your face again."
"Who would want to see yours either?" I snapped. "A devil wearing human skin."
"Watch your mouth, Seraphina."
"I don't watch what I say when I'm speaking to people who don't deserve my respect. You're one of them."
I took a shaky breath.
"You sold the house, but money disappears quickly. I don't wish you happiness, but I do wish that one day you'll suffer as much as you've made me suffer."
After saying those words, I turned my back on her.
She shouted my name in anger, but I didn't look back.
As I walked away, tears streamed down my cheeks.
Now I had no place left to call home.
I was hurt, deeply hurt, but there was nothing I could do.
I kept walking without knowing where I was going. My chest felt tight, and my thoughts were a blur. I didn't care if people saw me crying in the middle of the street.
Somehow, I reached the bus station.
I didn't even know how I got there because my mother's house wasn't close to it.
I sat down on a bench, still lost in my thoughts.
They had given me only one day to pack my things, and I didn't think that would be enough.
When I finally regained my senses, I pulled my phone from my bag and called Mira.
The phone rang for a few seconds before she answered.
"Hello, Sera?" Mira asked.
"Mira... can I stay at your condo for a while?" I asked, my voice cracking.
"What happened, Sera?" she asked immediately, panic evident in her voice.
Tears started falling again.
Thankfully, I was alone at the bus station.
"Where are you? I'll come get you."
"Don't bother. I'll come to your condo," I said.
"You don't sound okay, Sera."
"I'm really not okay."
"Tell me where you are. I'll come right now. Stay there and wait for me."
Before I could protest, she ended the call.
She was probably already on her way.
I looked up at the sky while tears continued to fall.
Then suddenly, rain poured down heavily, as if the heavens were crying with me.
A luxury car pulled up in front of the waiting shed.
I didn't pay much attention to it. I was too preoccupied with my own misery.
I only heard the car door slam shut before someone walked toward the shed.
My attention shifted when the person stepped closer.
Then I saw a familiar figure.
"Lucca," I whispered.
He looked at me with a blank expression.
Even so, something tugged painfully at my heart.
"Why are you here? This isn't even your area," he said.
I quickly wiped my tears, hoping he wouldn't notice I had been crying.
But it was obvious. My eyes were red.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"I had a business meeting nearby and was about to head home when I saw you," he replied.
Not the rude Lucca.
The gentle one.
My phone vibrated.
It was a text from Mira asking where I was, but I didn't reply.
"Why are you crying here?" Lucca asked.
"I just have some problems," I answered.
"Get in the car."
I stared at him in confusion.
I didn't move.
"Do I have to carry you to the car?" he asked sarcastically.
"Mira is coming to pick me up."
"Tell her I'll take you home."
I wanted to refuse, but I didn't have the energy.
I sent Mira a quick text explaining that Lucca had found me and offered to drive me home.
Then I stood up and got into his car.
Because the rain was pouring heavily, both Lucca and I got slightly wet before we managed to get inside.
"Here."
Lucca handed me a box of tissues.
At first, I was confused about why he was giving it to me. Then I noticed that my clothes were damp from the rain, so I accepted his offer.
After that, he continued driving in silence while the rain poured heavily outside.
After several minutes of silence, I was the one who finally broke it.
"Aren't you going to ask me why I was crying?" I asked. I thought he might be curious after seeing me in that state.
"The question is, are you going to tell me the reason?" he asked in return.
I fell silent.
He was right.
I didn't know if I could tell him about my problem. We weren't close enough for me to open up to him.
"Don't force yourself. I'm not curious enough to make you tell me what's wrong," he said when I didn't respond.
Lucca was gentle today.
Although he had been sarcastic earlier, the way he spoke and acted now was careful, as if he didn't want to upset me any further.
"Thank you," I said softly.
The rest of the drive was quiet.
After that conversation, neither of us attempted to speak again.
I looked out the window and rested my head against the headrest.
Watching the raindrops slide down the glass, I slowly closed my eyes.
I didn't even realize that I had already fallen asleep.
Lucca's POV
I went to a town thirty minutes away from the city. I had a client I needed to meet regarding my business.
Actually, I didn't have the energy to do it, but for some reason, something kept pushing me to go to that town and meet the businessman.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Lucca."
The man offered his hand for a handshake.
I looked at it hesitantly. I wasn't used to shaking hands with people.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," I replied without taking his hand.
He simply smiled, as if he understood why I didn't accept the gesture.
After our meeting, I returned to my car and started the engine.
As I drove down the street, I noticed a familiar figure sitting inside a waiting shed.
My speed gradually slowed.
As I looked closer, I realized it was Seraphina.
Was it merely a coincidence that I saw her here?
Was the reason I had felt compelled to meet that client because Seraphina happened to be here as well?
I remained inside the car for a moment, watching her.
She was crying.
What had happened?
Why was she crying in a public place?
Knowing her personality, she wasn't someone who would openly cry in front of other people. Whatever had happened must have been too much for her to bear.
I opened the car door.
The rain was pouring heavily, and I hadn't brought an umbrella.
I quickly ran toward the waiting shed.
Seraphina looked surprised when she saw me.
Perhaps she hadn't expected to meet me here.
To be honest, neither had I.
She immediately wiped her tears and looked away.
"Why are you here? This isn't even your area," I asked.
Instead of answering, she asked why I was there.
I told her that I had a business meeting nearby before asking why she had been crying.
"I just have some problems," she answered.
Just as I thought.
She wasn't the type to cry in public without a reason.
"Get in the car," I said.
I couldn't leave her there when she was clearly not okay.
At first, she refused my offer, but I told her to inform Mira that I would take her home.
Surprisingly, she wasn't stubborn today.
She simply followed what I said.
We hurried to the car while the rain continued to pour heavily.
By the time we got inside, both of our clothes were damp.
I handed her a box of tissues.
"Aren't you going to ask me why I was crying?" she asked, breaking the silence between us.
I was curious.
Very curious.
But I didn't want her to feel obligated to tell me what was wrong simply because I was driving her home.
"The question is, are you going to tell me the reason?" I asked.
The question seemed to make her think.
She wasn't the type of person who openly shared her problems with others.
I wasn't trying to force her.
As curious as I was, I wouldn't make her tell me something she wasn't ready to share.
"Don't force yourself. I'm not curious enough to make you tell me what's wrong," I added, hoping to ease the pressure she might have been feeling.
After that, silence filled the car once again.
A few minutes later, I heard a soft sound beside me.
I glanced at her briefly while keeping my eyes on the road.
She had fallen asleep.
Maybe whatever problem she was dealing with had exhausted her.
For a moment, my gaze drifted to her hand.
The ring was still there.
I stared at it for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.
Seraphina's POV
I woke up when the car came to a stop.
I immediately opened my eyes and realized that we had already arrived at the house.
"Sera!"
Mira quickly opened the car door and helped me out.
I stepped out of the car and looked at the two of them.
"Thank you for bringing Sera home, Lucca," Mira said sincerely.
Lucca nodded.
His gaze lingered on me for a brief moment before he returned to his car and drove away.
Mira turned to me, her face filled with concern.
"What happened to you, Sera?" she asked worriedly.
"Let's talk inside," I said.
We went into the house and sat down on the sofa.
I let out a heavy sigh, trying to ignore the pain tightening in my chest. It felt just as unbearable as it had earlier when I came face-to-face with the woman I despised the most.
"Tell me. What really happened? Where have you been? Why did you ask if you could stay in my house for a while?" Mira asked, firing one question after another until my head started to ache.
"I went to my mother's house," I answered.
"What?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. "Why?"
I lowered my gaze.
"She sold the house."
Mira frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean she sold the house?"
"The house Grandma left for me," I said quietly. "She sold it, and now I have nowhere to go."