CHAPTER 1

I can feel the warm rays of the sun brushing harshly into my skin early in the morning, I automatically frowned and rolled over the bed. My gaze landed on the open window where it was coming from. My eyes narrow as I look at it— I forgot to close it before I go to bed last night.

I already knew that I would never be able to sleep again so I just got up and got ready to go to work. I’m definitely sure when I’m late again, my boss won’t give me third chance to work for their company. It looks like Ursula’s patience seems short— I mean Miss Jean’s patience, excuse my badmouth.

“Holy cow! Water! Why is there no water coming out?” I repeatedly turned the water valve just in case it came back so I could rinse myself. But to no avail, nothing came out of it.

In disappointment and desperation, I finally poured the remaining water from the bucket and removed or rinsed the remaining soap from my body. You will not really ascend to this place if you do not persevere and have the courage to survive every day.

As well as water and electricity, nothing! So I just spend most of my time at work so that I can save at least a little so I can eventually leave this horrendous and dangerous place.

I put on my pencil cut skirt and cream blouse, then put on a black blazer. I stopped dressing when I noticed something at my back, I automatically looked out the window which I had closed earlier.

"Huh? Why is it open again?" I quickly closed it and held my chest due to fear when I realized something. "Is my apartment haunted?" I observe my surroundings as if I am a paranoid. But I immediately woke up to the truth and shook that thought out of my mind.

When I finished dressing and tidying up, I went out and locked the door. I was greeted by the pungent odor coming from the polluted river near the apartment where I lived.

"Come out! Bathroom Queen! Oh yeah!" I looked at the singer and offered a smile. I walked slowly and came a little closer to the tent where the singer was standing.

"Mr. Henry! It's morning! You’re singing Bathroom Queen, right away?" he immediately turned into my direction and started shouting while laughing. He was wearing a white sando that made him flex his muscular body.

"Oh, Devyn hija! Are you coming to work?" his words echoed through the street because he didn't even avoid or even lower the mic which he was holding before.

"Yes! I might be late again. I don’t want to fed up my boss." I giggled. I approached him because I almost forgot to kiss him so I just hurried the gesture and went straight away after paying my respects.

Manong Henry was Papa's friend when he was still alive. His best friend was Manong Henry. They both grew up in this area. Even though I hate this place, there’s still a part of it that I like the best— their concern for each other.

Manong Henry was also one of the reasons why I was able to finish my studies. I was in high school when I was orphaned by my parents. I lost Dad early while I had no news about my Mom.

He was the one who will always give me food after I worked in a call center agency back then. Sometimes, he gives me fare to go to school. He is what I consider as my second father.

"Devyn..." I was shocked when I felt someone pulling the hem of my skirt. My forehead furrowed when I saw Mak-Mak: the son of the owner of the place where I lived.

I sat carefully and looked at him. His gentle face was full of bruises and his arm had small and large scars. I sighed and restrained myself from getting angry.

"Oh! Mak-mak, did you stumbled again? I told you didn’t I? Don’t be lame and always be careful." I wiped his cheeks which were full of dried tears dripping from his eyes.

"Yes, sister. Then I got caught in the wires so this is it— I have some scratches." I ruffled his hair and smiled. I rummaged in my bag and handed him the key to my apartment.

"Here. You can stay at my apartment first, okay? Then when you get there, lock the door tightly. Call me on the phone when someone bothers you. Did you understand?" he gave me a series of nods and ran away from me while wiping away his tears.

"Just eat there then heal your wounds! " I let out a shout. I saw his small hands waving back at me that caused me to smile.

I can’t really be sure how many times I’ve seen him like that. He also lied to me several times that he allegedly fell or had an accident but I already know that his mother beat him again.

His mother is abusing him because of drugs abuse. I have also reported her to the authorities several times but she has a strong pull because her partner is high-ranked official in the police.

I walked to the jeepney stop. It's also a bit muddy today because it rained last night. Bad luck, isn’t it? I think all of the misfortunes are already with me. That's why I'm very careful while walking and my heels might get stuck in the mud.

"You are a son of a few thousand lizards!" I hurriedly jumped backwards when a black car passed in front of me and all of the mud are now on my feet. My heels and skirt!

"Hey, arrogant mister! Get out of there! Look at what you've done! You're an assh*le, be careful on the road. Not just because you have a car, you're going to be like that. Who do you think you are, Asiong Salonga, the notorious gangster of Tondo, Manila? Are the roads are yours? My goodness gra—" I was stunned when the car window came down and the handsome man with a sly smile faced me.

"What were you saying, miss?" my gaze dropped to his porcelain-like complexion that was almost glistening in the sunlight. I shook my head out of it.

"Huh! You thought you could escape using your handsome face? You're just gorgeous but, you have no respect for other people! You're deceitful!" his forehead furrowed as it looked into my eyes. I was stunned because it seems like he’s studying my face and my whole being.

"What's your problem, miss?" I was shocked by what he said. This man is really arrogant. He stopped but didn't even know what his fault was. I just want to hear a sorry from him!

"Look! Look at what you did to my shoes! Can you see it? It's a trend to slow down, mister. You don't own the road." I gasped as my forehead furrowed in annoyance and irritation.

I saw his gaze lowered from my face down to my legs; I noticed that his gaze lingered there longer than what I expected so my head got even hotter. He’s really rude!

"Yeah. I can see it clearly, miss." his face looked at me foolishly again. My eyes rolled in the air and then I harshly blew air due to irritation.

"Hey! Next time, fix your habit! Even if you’re handsome and rich, you should know that you don’t have everything. Take away your arrogance and fix the way you look! I am not the main course of your meal." I saw his shocked face because of the last thing that I’ve said but he also recovered immediately and smiled at me with serious stares.

"I'll excuse your filthy mouth this time, Miss Devyn." I was left there; stunned because of the tone of his speech, I thought he’s warning me. It seems like he’s telling me not to say those things again.

Wait! How did he know my name then wait — why does it seems like he know me? I looked down at my dress. I already know why, because I’m wearing my I.D. Because of that I looked at my watch; just a few minutes and I am late again. I dismissed him first in my mind, and started walking. I'm just new to the company but I've been late a few times.

So now I don't know if I may got a third chance. Should I ready my new curriculum vitae?