Chapter Seven

…

I did not look when the door of my room opened because I know it's Henry even though I don't look at who it is.

"Thank God Jade you're alive! What happened? Where did you go? Did you know I almost died because of worrying you?" Henry was worried that going to get pissed.

I looked and glared at him.

"You are not the only one Henry! I'm also worried about you, what will gonna happened If something bad happens to you? I almost got a heart attack when I found out what you did Henry. Did you know that you risk your life?"

"I don't care if something bad happened to me because—"

I cut him.

"Have a care Henry because that's your fucking life! I don't like to be alone, you know that. Many people will cry for you while you and Manang are the only I have," I said tearfully, and he's speechless to what I said.

I'm scared to lose him because like I said, Manang and Henry are the only two left.

"We're at the point that you're protecting me but you risk your life In my useless life that you shouldn't have done." I looked at his eyes tearfully.

"You know that I don't have a family anymore Henry, So next time you better save yourself than me because I will go crazy Henry when something bad happens to you," I said seriously.

I enter the bathroom immediately after saying those words. I couldn't wait for him to speak.

I almost fell asleep in the bathroom but I saw the time that I had been soaking in the bathtub for several hours. I can’t help but think of what happened tonight. This night has been tiring for me.

I came out of the bathroom and didn't see Henry when I came out. I sighed.

I dried my hair first before I went to bed.

I immediately fell asleep because of tiredness.

…

When I woke up I immediately made the bed I slept in before I went to the bathroom. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I immediately went downstairs and immediately looked out the window and saw that the police were gone in front of the mansion.

I went to the kitchen and caught up with Manang who was cooking, the lone maid in the mansion. Melinda is as old as Roy. I prefer as few people in the mansion than many of them who did nothing but surround me and do what I should be doing alone.

I sat in the high chair.

"Good morning Hija," the old woman said when she saw me.

"Good morning Manang. How is the province?" Greetings on her vacation in their province. Every second month, Manang visits their province because her grandson is the only one there who is also an orphan like me, so I understand Manang.

Manang stayed there for a week but even so, I still did not reduce her usual salary because Manang almost grew here. She gave birth early and the Daughter also died early due to giving birth to her grandson.

"It's okay Hija, it's good and it turns out that Robert somehow." It smiled and spooned me some food. I can't get Manang out of the mansion because she has to care for me. Even sometimes I Have a hard time.

Manang is the only one who almost raised me so I can't get rid of Manang, which is one of the things that makes it hard for me to get rid of her.

"Why don't you bring Robert here Manang? Let him study college here in Manila so you won't have a hard time." I suggested it to her.

I am also ready to give what is lacking in case Manang is lacking. Because I know how hard it is to educate a college student.

I experienced being in college and I can only say that it was difficult even though I didn’t spend money on my education but I see the difficulty in some of my schoolmates.

"Don't worry about me anymore Jade, because he surely has a headache, and maybe even the beggar in the corner will be courted by Robert." Manang refused while I couldn't help but laugh at what She said.

"Robert is still young so I understand your grandson Melinda, he must finish college here so you won't have any more difficulties."

I smiled and started eating the food She put on my plate. It seems like what happened last night disappeared in my mind when I talked to Manang so my headache disappeared for a while.

I just kept chatting with Manang Melinda until Mang Roy came in, our conversation was interrupted.

"Why Roy? Is there a problem?" I asked

"Atty Tuason is here, He wants to talk to you." I wondered why Atty Tuason is here and what He needs to visit me here.

"Let him in,” I said. The guard nodded and returned with a companion.

"Miss. Jade," said Atty. Tuason.

"Attorney, what are you doing here?"

I stood up and imitated him in the living room. I pointed to the front sofa signifying that I was inviting him to sit down.

"I'm not going to wander around anymore Miss Jade, you need to get married soon if you don't want to be forced into an arranged marriage." It looks like he is not joking because his face shows seriousness. You can read the shock on my face.

"I'm serious about what I said Miss Jade, I'm not kidding if that's what you're thinking."

"Yeah I know, but what do you mean?"

"I mean you have to get married now if you don't want to lose this mansion, this is the proof." Atty. Tuason dropped an envelope in front of me, which I immediately picked up. I immediately took the contents of it and didn't care if I broke it.

And I was almost stunned when our family attorney was right. Why is there such a thing?

"My grandmother and parents have been dead for a long time, why did it just come out now?" I was confused.

“Because that’s what your grandmother wanted, your parents failed to fulfill your Grandmother’s goal, but before your grandmother disappeared she changed her last will. Your late Grandmother thought that her Granddaughter might be able to accomplish her goal, so when her Granddaughter turns thirty and has no Husband yet, she will have to get married or find a husband to marry. But you can solve everything if you get married soon. That's all I can advise you," the Attorney said.

My palm rested on my forehead unconsciously, I didn't know what to do now, it seemed like my head would explode at this revelation.

I looked up again.

"Who will I marry? And in case my relationship with my fiancé doesn't work out, what will happen?" I can't afford to lose the mansion to me just like that. Not only did I grow up here, but there are also many good memories left to me here before my parents passed away.

But I also can't get along with someone I don't love especially and I don't even know his name. And I’m more scared of myself, just in case something happens to me.

"In case something like that happens to you, I will end your marriage by myself. I'll promise you that Miss Jade," he said sincerely so somehow I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Great!" I smiled.

"This week we have an appointment with your fiancé so get ready before the week arrives. The earlier you prepare the better." It smiled at me.

He adjusted his suit and stood up so I followed him as he stood up. It reached out a hand to me. "I'm leaving Miss Jade, I still have a lot to do today." Even against my will, I shook his hand as a sign that I agreed to my grandmother's last will.

"Please take Attorney Tuason to the Gate," I said to Manang as she came out of the kitchen. She nodded and approached Attorney Tuason.

After Attorney Tuason left, I immediately went back to the kitchen, where I had come from before Attorney Tuason arrived. I went to the refrigerator and took a jug filled with orange juice, and poured it into a glass of it. I drank it straight away without hesitation. So I was not surprised when someone seemed to be kicking my chest. I put the glass on the table when Manang came to the kitchen.

"Are you okay Jade?" she asked worriedly.

I shook my head and wiped my arm with my lips. "I have a problem Manang," I said directly and looked at her.

Manang pulled me to sit on the wooden bench while I stabbed the hotdog in front of me with a fork. I ate half of the hotdog and didn’t care if I was choking.

"Take it easy Jade, what's your problem, and does that look like a serious thing?" It poured orange juice into my glass as my brain seemed to be throbbing when I remembered what we talked about in the living room.

...