Iris gulped in fear and turned to walk away, but he grabbed her forearm.
"When I talk, you reply to me, butterfly," he said with a smile on his face.
Iris yanked his hand off her and ran off.
"Let's go, Xander. We'll be late for class."
The one who had held Iris looked in the direction she had run.
"I'm not done with you yet," Xander thought as he walked away with his friends.
-------
RESTROOM
Iris was sitting on the floor, crying her eyes out.
"Is being poor a disease? Why must I be bullied like this? I hate this school! I hate my life… I hate you, Xander!" she screamed through her tears.
The electronic bell rang, signaling the start of her first class that morning, but she didn't care.
All she wanted at that moment was to be alone. She hugged her knees tightly and buried her face in them.
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NELLY'S RESTAURANT
"Here's your order, sir," Valentina said, serving a man with a smile.
She bowed and walked back into the kitchen. Her feet ached from moving around so much, and her cheeks hurt from holding her smile for too long.
Luckily, her working hours were from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and judging from the time on her wristwatch, it was already 1 p.m.—just one more hour to go!
"You can do it, Tina," she said inwardly, taking a deep breath.
"Tina! Quit slacking around!" the chef yelled, jolting Valentina back to reality.
She hurried and continued serving the customers who came in.
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THORNTON INVESTMENT
As Ricardo stepped into his company, he was met with greetings.
"Good morning, boss."
"Good morning, Mr. Ricardo."
They all greeted with deep respect as they passed him.
"I need you to review all those files I sent. Approve the eligible ones and reject the rest," Ricardo said with a straight face.
"Yes, Mr. Thornton," Emilia replied.
"Good," he said and walked into his office.
Emilia sat at her desk, just beside his office, and began reviewing the files he had assigned, rejecting those that weren't profitable.
Outside the company, a car stopped right in front. The driver opened the door, and two kids hopped out.
"First to reach Dad's office wins!" the boy shouted and ran off.
"Hey! That's not fair!!" the girl yelled, chasing after him.
They ran past the workers and past Emilia, whose head was buried in the files.
Ricardo was typing on his laptop when the door suddenly swung open.
"Daddy!!" they exclaimed, rushing to him and hugging him tightly.
"Myles… Minnie! How are my two precious darlings doing?" Ricardo smiled.
They both sat on his lap—Myles staring at the laptop while Minnie played with Ricardo's tie.
"Dad… Myles fought again in school," Minnie pouted.
"It wasn't intentional, Dad. The boy was bullying Leslie," Myles explained.
Minnie leaned closer to Ricardo and whispered, "Leslie is his crush."
"She's not my crush!!" Myles exclaimed, blushing.
"I see…" Ricardo laughed.
Minnie and Myles were what you'd call two little bundles of trouble—adorable, funny, stubborn, and kind, all in one.
"Sir…"
Emilia opened the door to Ricardo's office and paused.
She couldn't help but stare at his face. He never smiled—except around his kids.
"So handsome…" Emilia muttered, hugging the files close to her chest.
"Emilia?" Ricardo called, noticing her standing there.
Emilia coughed awkwardly and fully stepped into the room.
"Here are the files you asked me to work on, boss," she said, placing the papers on his desk.
"Alright. Call the driver to come over," Ricardo said.
"Alright, boss," Emilia said, stealing one last glance before leaving.
"I think she likes you, Dad," Minnie blurted out.
"What do you know about like and love? You're just six!" Ricardo said.
Minnie scoffed and flipped her hair.
"I'm a young woman, Dad," she pouted.
Ricardo couldn't help but laugh.
"On a serious note, I think she has a crush on you, Dad," Myles added.
"Too bad I don't like her one bit!" Myles and Minnie chorused.
Almost immediately, a knock came at the door.
"Come in," Ricardo said.
The door opened to reveal the driver.
"Good, the driver is here. Minnie, Myles… time to go home and rest," Ricardo said.
Myles climbed off his lap and waved. Minnie kissed Ricardo on the cheek before following her brother.
"Bye, Dad!" Myles said, leaving with Minnie and the driver.
"Bye, champ," Ricardo smiled.
He sighed and looked back down at the files on his desk.
---------
OUTSIDE NELLY'S RESTAURANT
"Finally!" Valentina groaned, walking out of the restaurant.
Her phone began ringing. She pulled it out and sighed. The screen was cracked, and black lines distorted the display, making it hard to read. Unfortunately, she was saving money for Iris's education and other expenses...
"Hello?" Valentina said, stuffing her things into her handbag.
"Tina?" a voice said.
Valentina's eyes lit up. She smiled widely.
"Oh my God! Kristina!" she exclaimed.
Kristina had been her best friend since elementary school through high school. They used to call themselves the 'Tina Twins' or 'TT'.
Sadly, Kristina had gone abroad for college, and they lost contact.
"I missed you so much, Tina!" Kristina said. She was in a luxurious car, being driven home.
"Me too," Valentina replied.
"Where are you right now?" Kristina asked.
"Uh… just in front of Nelly's Restaurant," Valentina said.
"Perfect! I'm close by. Don't move—I'll come pick you up," Kristina said and hung up.
"Drive me to Nelly's Restaurant, please," she told her driver.
"Okay, ma'am," he replied and made a U-turn.
---------
10 MINUTES LATER
"Tina! Oh my God, is that you?" Valentina said, rushing to hug Kristina.
"You've grown up to be even prettier than me. And hotter too…" Kristina winked.
"Come on…" Valentina blushed.
Kristina chuckled and nudged her.
"I'm serious," she said, taking her hand.
"Let's go to our favorite spot. You've got to tell me everything that happened while I was away for four years."
They both got into the car, which drove off.
------------
PORK RESTAURANT
"You have a boyfriend??" Kristina gasped.
"Yeah," Valentina replied with a dreamy smile.
"I hope I get to meet him. I bet he's cute and handsome," Kristina teased.
"Of course he is! His name is Ryan, and he's a business tycoon or something like that," Valentina said.
"And you're still living in poverty?! Sorry to say, but I'm surprised," Kristina exclaimed.
"Yeah… you don't get it, Kris. I want my family to eat from my hard-earned money. I don't want help from anyone," Valentina said.
"Still stubborn as ever," Kristina smiled.
"And crazy too," Valentina winked.
They continued eating their pork—still their favorite.
Suddenly, Valentina's phone rang. She answered it while chewing.
"Hello?"
"Babe…" a sweet voice replied.
Valentina cleared her throat and smiled.
"Babe! How are you? Are you back from your trip to Paris?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm driving home now," Ryan replied.
"That's great. I missed you so much!" Valentina pouted.
Kristina rolled her eyes playfully. Ryan chuckled.
"Me too, darling. How about a date tonight?" he asked.
"Alright, hun! 7 p.m., at the place I work," Valentina said.
"Perfect. Gotta go now. Love you!" Ryan said and hung up.
Valentina blushed and tucked her phone away.
Kristina sighed loudly.
"Poor us single girls. Oppression everywhere!" she pouted.
---------
THORNTON INVESTMENT
Ricardo heaved a sigh of relief—finally done with all the work.
He stood, picked up his coat, and wore it.
He shut his laptop and was about to leave when a knock came at the door.
"Who is it?" Ricardo said, clearly irritated. He was exhausted and just wanted to go home.
The door opened… and in walked two people: an elderly man and a beautiful blonde woman by his side.
"Not again…" Ricardo cursed inwardly.