Chapter 2

Nick carefully placed his bag on the chair of his mother's small bedroom. He didn't want to wake her up because it was almost midnight. If it were not for the late practice of the cheer dancers earlier, he could've finished cleaning the gym up early, and he should've been home earlier as well.

The old plastic chair he sat on made a small noise, making her mother wake up.

“Oh Nick, you came home late again?”

“Sorry, Nay Sabina. I had to work double duty in the university today. The co-student assistant I worked with wasn’t around so, I have to do the cleaning of the gym myself.”

“Then what about your evening class?”

“That is why I came home late because I still have to finish my evening class by 8:30 PM and then do the cleaning duty afterward. Don’t worry, I will only be doing it for a couple more days until Eloy comes back.” Nick made a ‘mano to her sleepy mother while answering.

“Nicholas, do not overwork yourself. Remember, you already have a part-time job in the bank every morning. Do you still have time for yourself with all your extra works? I can still help you, you know?”

“Don’t worry, Nay. This is my last year in college. A bit more patience and I’ll already graduate in a couple more months. And don’t talk about helping me - that’s actually the reason why I wanted to work more so I can graduate, eventually, get a better paying job then I can get you a small house where you can live. That way, you can resign from working and living here in the governor’s mansion.”

“I’m just worried about you, my son. That’s all.”

“I’ll take care of myself, don’t worry so go back to sleep, Nay.”

“Alright then…go ahead and check the food I covered in the table. I know you are tired and starving.”

“Now I just remembered how hungry I am.” He removed the plate covering the dish and began to eat.“Hmnnn…You're really good at cooking!”

Nick talks and ate at the same time, happy that it was his favorite Adobo his mother had cooked tonight.

“Well, if you have really loved my food then why don’t you stay and live with me again here in the mansion? You don’t need to stay in that tiny room you rent in the town of San Agustin. At least here, you can save your money since the room here in the mansion is free.”

He was still chewing his food when he answered his mother's question.“I have work early in the morning in the bank so I can’t mess up being late coming from here. Plus, I think I can’t live for free here in the mansion if I won’t be working with the governor.”

“Okay. By the way, did you see that there are many security guards today in the mansion? Did the new guards notice you? ”

His mother was a stay-in-cook in the De Plaza family, a large political clan in Bacolod province in the Philippines, and lived right in Governor De Plaza's mansion. He visits and stays with his mom from time to time especially if he has an exam since the university is close to the mansion.

“Ahm ... Gino and Steve were on guard earlier, Nay. They know me, so I don't need to worry. But I decided just to pass at the back gate of the mansion earlier because the governor has a lot of visitors now, especially since the election is near. ”

“Ah, by the way, Hijo. Did you know that Ma'am Samantha talked to me earlier?”

The spoon hung in Nick's hand when he heard the name of the governor's spoiled brat daughter - remembering what she and her squad did to him earlier in the gym. He didn’t talk to her, but he knew her group did the ball accident on purpose.

"What did she do to you, Nay?"he seriously asked. He doesn’t want her mother to be part of the spoiled brat’s game.

Samantha Yvette De Plaza, the governor's daughter referred to by his mother, was famous at their university. And why not? She is utterly stunning, talented and most of all is filthy rich. She is the only daughter of a political clan who almost owns half of the province with their numerous businesses and endeavors. So even though she was just a transferee last year at their university, the students already call her Queen Say, her famous nickname. She is as popular in the university as her father in the political jungle. She also has a self-absorbed aura because of how boys follow her like madness.

“Ahmm, nothing. She just said that I should just call her Samantha or Say and no ma'am. She has been here in San Agustin for a year, and I think it was the first time we had a conversation like that unless it was an order. Samantha sounds respectful and friendly..."

“Well, don't be too complacent, mom.” He doesn’t want to voice a negative opinion, but her mom was already curious about his tone.

"Why son, did she do something bad to you?" She sat down on the bed and became curious as to what he would answer.

He chuckles. "I was laughed at by her friends earlier in the gym where I was working after they deliberately threw balls at me.”

"Well,did you see Samantha throw the ball at you?"

It took him a long time to answer. "No."

"Well then, you didn't see her, so it wasn't her who threw something at you." Nay Sabina smiled again and went back to lying down.

“Do you think differently of her now just because of her short conversation with you earlier? I thought you told me before that when I visit here I will avoid talking to her and/or meeting her?"

"Ah yes, but it's not just for you, it's for all the relatives or acquaintances of the helpers working here in the governor's mansion. But I think Samantha is also kind like her father, hijo. ”

“Well...we’ll see.” He stood up and looked at his old Nokia 5110. Earlier he was waiting to see if his boss from the bank had texted him back.

“Nay, my cellphone has no reception here in your room again."

“Oh, you know the cell reception is difficult to find when you are inside. Try to go out of the room and pick up the signal. ”

***Some Filipino used words here and their meaning***

Hijo is a term called for the only son

Adobo is a Filipino delicacy made of chicken, vinegar, and soy sauce.

Mano is a Filipino gesture often done by young people to the elders as a sign of respect. This is done by gently striking the elder's right hand to the young's forehead.

Nay or Nanay is a term of endearment used by Filipino children to their moms.