The Meeting With Don

"Who did that to you Aviore?" The doctor asked with a restrained anger on his face.

Aviore who's fidgeting and thinking of horrible things that happened to her started sobbing.

"T-This doesn't matter anymore. Please don't call them. I don't want to see them anymore so I left. I also don't want to sue them because I don't want trouble and I also have nothing to spend for a lawyer. So don't worry about me. I woke in a hospital. I'm sure they gave me first aid. " She pleaded to the doctor.

"Aviore, this isn't right. This is abuse. Who are they? We should report them!" Concern is all written on Dr. Morse as he asked Aviore.

It took a few seconds before Aviore could answer. "M-My parents!" she answered with her head down.

The lady who's taken aback of the confession lowered down and hug Aviore. "Oh Aviore!"

"I-I found out that they were not my biological parents. My mother slipped her tongue and spilled it to me." She added between sobs.

Dr. Morse and The lady sighed at what she said. They are out of words.

"All right, let's fix your hand first. Let's talk about this later."

Aviore nodded and the doctor positioned to fix her arm. The lady assisted. He looked at her arm and said that her bone was dislocated. He said he would pull her hand at the count of three but he pulled it in two that caught Aviore in surprise.

"Ahhhh" She's startled and shouted but only for a moment.

He then attached a crutch to her arm hanging around her neck. She was given a prescription to speed up the healing of her arm and contusions. The doctor left and only she and the lady was left in the room. The lady was kind so she felt comfortable even if it was just the two of them.

"Uhm... Can I ask something?" Aviore asked the lady who's helping her to sit properly on the center of the bed.

"Anything I can answer!" She replied.

"May I know your name?"

The lady was put on pause and looked at Aviore.

"Oh my gosh! I haven't introduced myself yet?" she asked with one hand covering her mouth.

Aviore nodded in agreement.

"I'm sorry, how rude of me. I'm Melany. One of Don Tan's house mades. He said I'll be the one attending you."

Aviore smiled. "It's nice to meet you Melany."

Melany smiled too and sat beside her on the bed.

"Aviore, if it's ok with you, can you tell me what happened?" The lady stroked her long hair.

Aviore looked at her and she saw concern in her. She bent her feet and hugged them wondering if it is right to tell Melany her story. A few minutes passed and she did not notice that her tears were coursing down her cheeks.

"That's okay Aviore, if you can't tell the story yet, it's ok." Melany said while continuing to caress her hair.

Maybe it's time for her to tell someone her story. She needs someone to lean on.

"I have an awful life." Aviore started. "When I was a kid, I always see my parents arguing especially about my father being an alcoholic. I grew up with them arguing over pity things. The older I get, the farther the distance they get from me until they started hurting me physically. They vent their anger to me. When I got a part time job, they keep on bugging me to give them money and if I can't give any or not enough for them they will give me some beating. ---" Aviore paused as her sob got higher. Melany hugged her sideways.

"--- then yesterday, my father beat me hard I can't almost stand just because I can't give him any money. He jumbled all my belongings until he found my piggy bank reserved for my tuition. He took it and I'm so limp I can't stop him. Then my mother came shouting. She's Mad to see no cooked food for dinner. Even though she see my contusions, she doesn't care. She went to me and even cut my cheek with her nail. There she spilled that I'm not their child. That I was just an unwanted child thrown beside a trashcan." Aviore cried louder as she said the last sentences.

"It's gonna be alright now!" Melany consoles to her.

"I'm thankful to that old man. He's the reason I'm here. Too bad I wasn't able to get his name."

"You will be fine. Okay, you should take a rest now."

Aviore nodded in response. It's nice to feel that someone is willing to hear her sentiments and she hope that she'll really be alright.

"Oh by the way. Where do you want to eat lunch? Here or below?" Melany asked before she reaches the door.

"Below. It would be too much trouble besides I can walk.

"It's up to you. I'll just call you when the food is served."

"All right! Thank you"

She expected Don Tan to eat with her but she made a mistake. Instead, she was alone at the long table. The dining area is big with chandelier right above the center of the table. Walls are painted in white and some furnitures were around the are and vases that makes the area more lovely. She invited Melany to eat with her and she agreed. Although it was a bit difficult, she was able to eat with her left hand.

In the afternoon, Aviore was called to the Don's office. He was sitting in his swivel chair and seemed to be reading a document. Aviore haven't meet him since morning. As she see him, she can tell he's in his forties.

"G-good afternoon!" She greeted.

"Good afternoon too." His voice is authoritative. Aviore's having a sweaty hands.

"Sit down." He commanded. He pointed to the chair in front of his desk.

"Y-Yes sir!" She complied and slowly sat down.

"How was your trip?" Don Tanduay asked Aviore looking at her leaving the documents he was reading.

"It's fine sir. It is my first time and it's amazing."

"Good to hear that."

"If it's ok with you, can I ask a question?" she asked hesitantly.

"Okay, what are you going to ask?"

Aviore swallowed the lump on her throat because of the aura the Don is giving her.

"Uhm, Melany said earlier that you were waiting for my arrival. Is that true?"

Don Tanduay smiled at her question. "Of course Aviore! Why, you believe it?"

"W-What? No, it was amazing. I was just wondering how." She scratched her neck. "This is the first time we met and I haven't contacted you that I am coming or what but you said you've been waiting." She added.

"You didn't say that but someone told me." He smiled genuinely.

"Really? How?" She asked interested. Incredulously. How did that happen?

"Do you remember the old man who gave you my name?"

Her eyes widened and her mouth opened. She could not believe that he knew that old man.

"yes, but I didn't get his name because he suddenly disappeared."

He smiled at her answer. "He told me you were coming."

"Then you can tell me the mysterious well that grants a wish?" She asked cheerfully.

He's face become serious. Aviore became nervous and just kept her mouth shut.

"Everything can be gain from hardworks Aviore."

"What do you mean?" Aviore asked. She could not understand it. Is he giving some riddles?

He got up from his seat then approached the bedroom window. I can see from the window a mountain not far away.

"In life, if you have something you want to get, you have to work hard. No pain no gain. No sadness, no happiness. Success wasn't grant instantly. You should work hard for it." The Don faced Aviore and smiled.

"So if you want to get to the magical well. You have to work it out too."

"I-I understand." She nodded. Aviore knew he was right. Everything in the world is a fruit of hardships.