Debt

Mark was shaking while driving. He held the steering wheel tighter. He did not expect that Lanie would ask that question. He was glad that Lanie comforted and listened to him about his parents but, he is scared to tell her about his life when he was at the orphanage and after he left the orphanage. Because he knew, if he told her about that, she would leave him.

"Mark," Lanie called. That made him back to his senses. "Are you okay?" Lanie seems to have noticed his sudden change of mood. She quickly felt guilty for asking what happened to him at the orphanage.

"Yeah. I'm fine. You should sleep, we are still quite far from your home plus I know you are tired." Mark said. Lanie only nodded at him and closed her eyes. Mark looked at her for seconds. Looking at her made him guilty too for not telling Lanie the truth. He did not mean to hide that part from Lanie, he just did not want to put Lanie in danger and he did not wish to be in this situation. A situation where he can't do anything because of that… debt.

***

September 4, 20**, 11a.m at Angel Hope Orphanage

A couple went out to a luxurious car in front of the orphanage. Sister Maribeth together with the two nuns came out to welcome the couple. The couple smiled at the nuns as they came in together. When they entered Sister Maribeth's office, there, they saw an 18-year-old boy. "Mark, greet them. They are the couple who wished to adopt you." Sister Maribeth said to him happily but he only stared at her. The couple brightly smiled and looked at him as if he was the thing they wanted to get. A very precious thing. And he did not like that idea.

"They want to support you in your college." She added. Mark saw the gratefulness in Sister Maribeth's eyes. He knew it. He knew that the orphanage couldn't support him in college anymore. The orphanage was close to closing but did not happen because of the couple in front of him. They sponsored the orphanage. And the last thing he knew, he was already at the house of the couple who adopted him. He thought this was the right thing to do, will make Sister Maribeth happy and he can save the orphanage. This adaptation will be the payment to the Nuns for taking care of him for years. That was the right thing to do at that time, not until an incident happened that caused chaos in the family who adopted him.

Mark's life at that house was very hard. The legitimate sons of the couple did not like him. He did not say anything to that, he remained silent. The two sons were always telling and reminding him that he was adopted and that he needs to be grateful that they let him stay at their house, giving him food, clothes, and money. He knew that. He indeed knew that very well, but he endured it all for the sake of Sister Maribeth and the orphanage. He did not want to be in this family either. Later on, he was shocked when he saw a girl in the dining area, eating her breakfast quietly.

"Good morning, Mark! Her name is Lyka, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wang. The only sister of Henry and Yael." One of the maids said.

Lyka Wang. She was in the U.S for a long time and just came back. "Hello! So, you are that guy, our new sibling brother? Nice to meet you." she said.

The way she spoke and acted seemed so elegant and very careful. That was the time Mark knew she would never be her sister because his heart wanted her to be more than that. After Lyka came back, Mark and she were always together. That made Henry and Yael more furious because they knew Mark likes her and Lyka is… already falling for him, too. The married couple did not seem to notice that they were happy that their children were becoming close to each other but little did they know, there was something already happening between their children.

"Where are we going?" Mark asked Lyka but she ignored him and continued to walk around the village.

"I just want to admire this place before I fly back to the U.S tomorrow." Mark stopped. He looked at Lyka while she admired the vast field with different flowers in front of them. The Wang Family is a well-known family. They don't want their precious children to be hurt. The reason why they decided to keep Lyka away from the public. The people don't know she exists in this world because if they do, she will become the target that will crash the Wangs.

And at this moment, while she was admiring the beautiful scenery and him, looking at her with so much sadness and love, a black van suddenly appeared and armed men pointed their guns in their direction and brutally fired at them. He quickly grabbed Lyka and they rolled together at the field. He felt an ache in his right shoulder but he still held Lyka tight. They were both unconscious. Before he closed his eyes, he saw blood on Lyka's head and her pink dress was now dark red.

When he woke up, he was already in the hospital together with the whole Wang Family. They are looking at him coldly with so much hatred. "W-why…" Mrs. Wang cried. "Y-you… should have died instead of her." He remained to stare at the ceiling as his tears continued to fall. He can't hear their grieving and blames him. There's only one thing on her mind. Why? Why did he let Lyka walk around the village? Mrs. Wang already told him about Lyka's situation. Since Lyka came back, Wang's enemy was already watching her every move. So, why… Why did he let Lyka get out of the house?

After that incident, Wang's treatment of him changed. They did not afford to look and talk to him. He became invisible like air to the house but the couple let him finish his college. After that, he decided to move out of the house and live alone. He doesn't want to return to the orphanage. The orphanage is doing well, he is afraid that when he comes back there, Wang will put the orphanage at stake. He can't do that. That's why he decided to move away from them.

But last year, the Wang visited him saying they needed a man to spy on someone. At first, it was only Tyler Lancaster the reason why he is now working at the hotel. But a few months ago, they also wanted them to spy on one of the hoteliers, Lanie Dyce Vergara. He disapproved but they used their ace card on him. Lyka's death.

They made Lyka's death his debt. A debt that can't be paid with money. A debt that chained him to that family.