Chapter 25

So she put her apron back on to wash the newly dirty plates and glasses. Then she placed it in the aluminum basin and would have brought it to the table near the cabinet. But she suddenly slipped and out of balance and what she was carrying fell on the floor and broke everything. Alondra's eyes widened at the sight and she was about to pass out when all the expensive glasses and plates scattered on the marble floor broke, she sweated a lot due to nervousness and fear. She cried because she knew that if Mrs. Abra found she would be fired from her job. Then the door opened and Mrs. Abra's eyes widened when she saw the broken dishes and glasses on the floor.
"What have you done!" Mrs. Abra shouted in terror.
"It was an accident. I slipped and dropped all of this. I will pay for everything I broke. Just don't make me leave here. I need a job." Alondra pleaded.
"Really? Your salary is so small that you can't pay all that. So get out of my sight! Get out! And you're fired! I don't need an employee who is a fool reckless!" yelled Mrs. Abra and pushed her out of the door.
Alondra slumped her shoulders and did nothing but go out and go to her room. All her tears flowed. She didn't know where she was going now. Will she go home with them or look for another job? Why is she careless? And she was too busy doing what she was doing and she didn't even notice that the water was dripping from the sink and ended up on the floor so she slipped. Now Alondra realizes that not all luck is on her side. But she doesn't have to give up, she can't go home to them and cry just because she was fired from her job. And now it's night and she was dumbfounded about what she could do. She looked for plastic cellophane that was big enough to put the clothes that were left behind. She had to leave before Mrs. Abra came in here and dragged out of the house is even more embarrassing if she experiences that. A few minutes later, Alondra came out and looked for a ride. She looked at her wallet and felt devastated. She only had a little money left and she didn't know where she was going now. She just walked away from the Coffee shop so the staff wouldn't see her. The whole city is very wide and she doesn't know the ins and outs. She still thought that their good fortune would continue if she is strong. She also didn't want to go home to them crying like a loser. Alondra can walk a long way and the whole place is not too scary because there are lights and many cars was always driving along the highway. She sat on a cement bench near the closed establishment and cried. She felt sorry for herself now and her eyes filled with tears. If anyone sees her, they will surely be surprised upon seeing her crying on the side of the closed establishments alone with a big plastic on her. A few minutes later someone came to her and wiped her tears. So Alondra frowned when she saw who it was. She saw a smiling gay man.
"What happened to you? Why are you crying?" he asked.
And took both of her hands and made her stand up.
"Nothing."
He raised his eyebrows looking at her but the smile on his lips still didn't disappear. Even though his smile was beautiful, the weight in her chest still didn't go away.
"A person won't cry if it doesn't bring a big problem. So you can't say anything. What is it? You can tell me the truth." he said.

"I was fired from my job because I broke all of the expensive plates in the coffee shop where I worked," Alondra explained.
"Is it the end of the world? Is it just your problem as to why you're crying?"
Alondra smirked. Doesn't this gay man realize how important her job is to her?

"Why not? Such a job is important for someone like me who didn't finish school," Alondra replied.

The gay man chuckled.

"Of course, I'm aware of that. But you have many other things you can do and jobs you can enter. Look at you, you're beautiful. And you have potential in many things, he said. "The world is wide, dear. And your world shouldn't just revolve around the Coffee shop," he said.

"How? Can you help me? I can't go home with us in the province like this, I want to help my parents in poverty." Alondra firmly responded.

"Of course. I'll help you. But for now, come with me first." The gay man responded.



Alondra paused and gave the gay man a close inspection. He is so handsome, but his skin is too white as if he has no blood and is being exposed to sunlight. She is wealthy and has excellent posture, so even if she stays silent, no one will mistake her for gay. Alondra was hesitant as well because she was unfamiliar with this gay man. After all, he approached her unexpectedly.

"If you think I'm going to hurt you, you're mistaken; I just want to help you. For some reason, I won't let you sleep on the street. What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"


All Alondra did was nod. She was forced to leave to take advantage of the chance that someone else would now help her. She only considers how much Mathilde and her parents depend on her. She followed him and got inside the nearby red car that was parked from the distance. Before being wet by the rain, Alondra decided to enter. Then the gay man start the engine and drove away.
While the car was running, Alondra was contented with looking around, but the truth was that it was painful for her to lose her job at the height of their need for money. Especially now that Mathilde has started school. She felt disappointed and devastated that some people are heartless and didn't give a person a second chance to correct her mistake. She was willing to pay for the damage of her mistake but Mrs. Abra is so selfish though. She didn't give her a chance. She was a self-centered person that she only care for herself.

Not knowing how to sympathize with other people's suffering. It's hard to understand people who are too proud. And suddenly she thought of the woman she met before in the big house in their barangay. How is she now? And she also wondered why Daisy didn't think to call her. Maybe she was busy taking care of her son. Alondra wonders why the car seems to have been running for an hour but it seems they still haven't reached their destination. And the way they were going had become dark. They traveled for about two hours when they reached the place with a large gate with a sharp point on top. And two guards were standing in front. The guard approached them and the gay man got out of his car. And his gaze went beyond her.
"Can I have your identification card?" the guard asked.
"Let her be she is my relative." the gay answered.
"Okay. I'm sorry."
Alondra just kept quiet because she was shocked by the strict policy of the said place, if they can't show what they demand, they won't be able to enter this place. The big gate opened and the gay man drove his car inside and revealed to Alondra many houses with different color designs. She turned around as the car passed the towering houses. The car stopped at a red gate. The gay man came out and she followed because she wanted to take a good look at the said place. Alondra realizes that other rich people live here in this area.
"This place is called an exclusive subdivision. Rich people will own those houses. And this is your home from now on. So come inside." he said.
Alondra followed slowly as soon as the gate opened and was amazed at what she saw inside. There are many beautiful flowers in the garden. And tall trees surround the whole house and the color of the house is very feminine so she knows that he won't change forever to be gay. But this is too much luck in life because it is rich. When she opened the front door, two helpers wearing uniforms came out to meet her, one took her hand and led her in, and the other took the plastic cellophane that she had. She never saw the gay where he entered because she was busy looking around. The house is very big, if there is no helper to wander inside, one will not know where to go because of its wideness. Alondra didn't say anything because the helpers had no intention of speaking. And then she was too overwhelmed by what she saw and a large staircase had a golden baluster with sparkling diamonds. And they stopped at a white door that was closed. A woman who looked like Daisy's age opened the door and led her inside. The room they entered was too big. The marble floor was so shiny that the tiles used were very expensive she looked at the shiny thing on the ceiling and she didn't know what its name was. And she saw that the bed in front of her was very soft and thick. Alondra knew that this bed was good and very comfortable. She didn't know what would be in return for helping her.
"From now on. This will be your room and this is the first time that Mr. Harway brought a woman here." said the old helper who held her hand earlier.
Alondra stared. This beautiful room will be her room? She didn't know if she would be grateful because Mrs. Abra fire her. After all, she thinks her life will be better here. She didn't know what her job would be here because Mr. Harway didn't say anything to her. And she frowned because they just saw that their boss brought a woman for the first time but surprising to think that they didn't notice that their boss is gay? so men tend to bring him.
"You can take a rest, ma'am. We'll just give you food here." said the woman.
"Thank you."
Alondra smiled. Even now she will at least experience being rich. She lay down on the bed while she rubbed the bedding and she looked at the ceiling, especially the one that was shining on the surface. The door opened so Alondra suddenly got up. She saw a helper come in again with food for her. She placed it on the glass table and faced her.
"If you want to take a shower, just go into the bathroom there are bathrobes in the closet. And then Mr. Harway left and we don't know where he went." said the woman.
"It's okay."
After the woman left, Alondra frowned. Why is it necessary to inform her that Mr. Harwey is going somewhere? Do they think they are in a relationship? Alondra wanted to roll on the floor because she was laughing at their thoughts. A real gay man never likes a woman so they think it's impossible.



After the woman left, Alondra slowly approached the food on the glass table. She is afraid that she might be sent away again because she broke something in someone else's house. She had already eaten what the woman give her even though the food was unfamiliar to her. In any circumstances, she can be poisoned because she doesn't like to ask what was given to her. She doesn't want people to think he's so choosy that he's not rich. Even if it is spoiled food, he will eat it if there is absolutely nothing left. She's eating up everything, it's a shame if she has any leftovers. She stood up and faced the closet, thinking twice about whether to open it or not. But her curiosity prevailed more. She was amazed to see that there were many women's clothes inside and of different brands. Her brow furrowed. It's not obvious that Mr. Harway wears women's clothes didn't know it but she guessed it was for guests. She took the sky blue and brought it inside the bathroom. She also saw a lot of toiletries inside. Alondra didn't know if she would use them, but she wasn't used to expensive things, so she took a shampoo in a plastic bottle and scented soap. She didn't even bother to sink into the bathtub. She prefers to sleep and think about what she can do the next day. A few minutes later, Alondra came out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe. The air conditioning was turned on and she didn't know who came inside. She took a dress from her bag and put it on only to notice a night dress on top of the bed. She was ready to take it but she was hesitant that it might not be for her. But the door opened and Mr. Harvey's smile reached his ears.
"Hi. Good evening. Have you finished taking a shower?" he said and approached her.
"Yes, sir," she replied in a formal tone.
Mr. Harway laughed at what she said.
"Just call me Mauro. My name is too masculine, isn't it? And the opposite of my personality. What do you think of my house? Is it okay for you to live here for life?" he asked.
"Your house is so big," answered Alondra.
"Of course. You can achieve this house if you use your charm. It doesn't matter if you didn't finish school, as long as you are strategic in life, you will advance. Have you seen this dress?" Mr. Harway asked her and took the clothes that were on the bed.
"I've never seen earlier," answered Alondra.
"Put this on first and go out for a while. And I'll come back here to comb your hair," Mr. Harway said with a smile and walked out of the room.
Alondra raised her eyebrows. He is not invalid, why does he have to comb his hair when he can do it for himself? Alondra shook her head as she put on the dress. She is treated like a child by Mr. Harway. She thought about lying on the bed and closing her eyes because she just now felt tired. Her mind and heart seemed to have been beaten too much. And just now she felt the pain in her eyes from crying. Even if she cries until tomorrow. Mrs. Abra will not forgive her so she didn't insist anymore. A few minutes later, Alondra didn't realize that she had fallen asleep when she woke up to someone moving her hair. And she saw Mr. Harway was combing her hair. She didn't know why she was so comfortable around him even though it was the first time they met each other and even once she didn't feel any discomfort when his around just like this that they are all alone in one room. They were like relatives or siblings.
"Did I disturb you?" asked Mr. Harway.
"Not really. I was just stunned by what was moving in my head," answered Alondra.
"I'm sorry. When I enter earlier and I saw you sleeping peacefully so I felt embarrassed if I woke you up so I decided to comb your hair while you are sleeping." Mr. Harway replied.
"It's okay."
"Just check and see if it fits you." Mr. Harway gave her a small box with gold plated colored.
"What is this?"
"Just open it."
When Alondra opened it, she was amazed at what she saw. She saw a gold diamond shape necklace.
"Did you like it?"
"It's beautiful," Alondra answered as if out of breath upon seeing the necklace shining.
"That's yours. I'll give it to you." Mr. Harway said, smiling.
"Huh? I can't take it." Alondra answered and returned the box.
Mr. Harway took the necklace inside the box and put it around her neck. Alondra hold slowly the necklace pendant and couldn't believe that she was now wearing the most expensive item from someone she had just met.
"See? It looks good on you. You look even better and prettier." said Mr. Harvey.
"I can't accept it and I don't have the money to pay for it," Alondra said hesitantly.
"I won't sell it to you. I'll give it to you for free and you don't have to pay. Go ahead. Go to sleep." he said and left the room.
Alondra was left thinking. She could not find an answer as to why Mr. Harway was giving her this kind of expensive thing. It's okay to help her and settle her in his house for a short period but giving her this kind of thing is not acceptable.