Condition

Her eyes were amused by the beauty inside the mansion. She has never seen before like how beautiful inside the household. No wonder because the mansion was of the Mondragons. From the ceiling to the wall and the ground floor. The bricks used were certainly expensive. And the flooring used was worth the price. Paintings made by a well-known masterpiece that you could know are expensive at just a glance of the eyes. But she didn't wish to live in fancy housing like what she's standing where at. Like an old folk says, it is better to live in a hut if the people who were living are humans. It makes no sense to live in a stone but the people living inside were owls. If it wasn't for her grandmother Trinidad, she might have left even though she was still at the arch outside. She missed her grandmother. She just wanna say hello and how are you Lola at least. And then disappeared right away from the mansion.

"Welcome home stubborn lady."

Zaviah raised her head.

She stared at the woman talking and coming down the elegant stairway. It is polished and made of Narra wood. Everything inside she sees is antique designs. In the spacious hall, she saw the luggage bag that she was carrying when she was about to leave their house.

"You?"

"I'm no one else. Lady Silva Mondragon."

Its chin was still raised as it spoke going down the stairs. Fanning herself with an abaniko fan. (Phiilippine traditional fan) Zaviah knew that her blood was slowly rising to head with rage. But she will try to calm down. The anger she feels was too much. She would have been on the plane if she had not been forced to board and taken to Hacienda Mondragon.

"You just don't know how hard I'm trying to sort out my papers just to get to Italy."

"I'm just following orders, hija. Don't tell me that because I also don't want you to step on here. Don't you know me? I am Senyora Silva."

"What do I care if you are Silva?" Zaviah bravely answered.

"You grew rude. Is that how your mother raised you?"

Zaviah got so annoyed. She wanted to drag the demon-like lady out of the mansion. Still brave enough to say she was rude even though her life was almost being taken by that woman. If she had not escaped she would probably have died in the middle of the woods. Yes, she comes to remember the name Silva. Her father's older sister. But as far as she knew Silva wasn't a real Mondragon by blood. An adopted daughter by Don Rafael and Donya Trinidad because they thought they would never have children anymore. But the couple later had bear two. Those were Stella and Zaviah's, fathers. Stella has a mental deficiency. Something was lacking in g the way she is because Donya Trinidad was old enough to give birth to her firstborn baby. But Stella is so beautiful indeed, she looked like normal. She became pregnant and was allegedly raped by Rodolfo Villaverde. But according to those who knew their love story, the two have a relationship. Stella has just lacked the right mindset. So she hadn't fought her love for Rodolfo. She died in childbirth due to depression while she was pregnant. Rodolfo died without anyone knowing who killed him. Stella's son is missing and the only one who knows where it is is might Don Rafael.

"What does Don Rafael need from me?"

"Grandpa Rafael hija," said the woman who also entered the hall calmly.

"Grandma!" Zaviah utters this obvious tone of excitement.

Her heart was close to her grandmother. Donya Trinidad lived with them for three years in Manila. After time Stella died and lost her child. That was the time her daddy Fabio was still alive.

"How are you, my granddaughter You're such a beautiful woman."

Her grandma hugged her tightly. Zaviah was so happy to see her. And they were distracted by the sound of clapping palms. It was Don Rafael coming closer to them.

"The daughter of my rebellious son," Don Rafael said.

Zaviah was upset to call her daddy Fabio rebellious. Her father was in the afterlife so his memories should be honored. But what is even more painful is that his father often speaks unkind words to his daddy. His ear also tingled at the word. It is not her own will why she's there at Hacienda Mondragon.

"I'm sorry Don Rafael. I'll also ask you why you abducted me even though you didn't want me to be here. My mother and I have a quiet life in Manila. What is the reason?" Zaviah's tone was tough.

Don still hasn't changed. He was still angry with his father.

"Why are you trying to run away from your auntie Silva hija? I told her to bring you here. I heard you wanna work abroad so I'm sending them to get you. You don't have to seek luck abroad. You are a Mondragon," Donya Trining litany.

"Oh! Grandma."

"Yes, that's how I ordered."

Zav began to think about how she could tell her grandmother that Silva wants to kill her.

"Grandma than--- that."

She couldn't tell what she wanted to say. Silva is overpowering her voice. And giving her a sharp look so that she would just be quiet. She has to be careful and clever too. That Silva has the plot to ruin her before Mondragon's wealth could be put in her hands.

"I'm the one who was kind enough to fetch you, but it seemed that I was bad."

Her auntie Silva still raised an eyebrow and frowned as she spoke. She still seems to be indebted if it is what Silva trying to imply in her words.

'You woman. You also have the right time with me.' Zaviah whispered to herself.

She's a strong and courageous woman. Ever since her daddy died she has been the only one to support their everyday living. Her daddy died grief over the losses of their business because of the scam. Perhaps that was exactly the reason why it had an accident while driving. She graduated from college with a medical degree. It was through her efforts that she obtained the title of a doctor. She hasn't been in the service for a long time but she's one also of the so-called best doctors. She also has been acclaimed for the award in the field of medicine. She just really wants to have a new life in Italy. There she doin' married and child. And plans to take her mother here and brought to the place where she is until to the time she could be in a stable situation. So she studied and worked and worked hard to make ends meet with his mother when she was still studying.

"I'm leaving tomorrow too. I don't want to stay here long," Zaviah said firmly.

"In one condition hija."

He looks in Don's eye. So did Silva and his grandmother Training.

"Condition?" she asked it the Don again.

"Help us bring Stella's son back to this mansion."

Then the Don turned around after speaking. He wasn't even explaining. Where or how she would do what is commanded to her.

They looked at each other. And exactly what they heard was right. It wasn't over their expectation what the Don said.

"Condition? "she asked it, Don Rafael, again.

"Help me bring Stella's son back to this mansion."

Silva's eyebrows rose again. Donya Trining also frowned in surprise because what she knew was that Don Rafael didn't want Stella's young child at home.

"Come here Zaviah. I'll bring you to your bedroom. Have a little rest first. I know you're tired of the trip."

Zaviah followed her grandmother while her lips murmured. She was not just tired but also so scared while she was on the trip. Not just on the trip but then also when she was hiding in the woods.

"What is it Zav? I could hear you talking. Don't hesitate to tell me what is it. And don't worry I'm on your side here.

"No grandma. Nothing. Thank you anyway. I missed you so much. Let's go."

Zaviah hugged again her grandmother as she missed her father too.

She quickly put her butt on the bed as they were in her bedroom. At last, she feel a little relief as her legs were hurting.

"I leave you alone here Zav. I will see who is preparing the food for you. I'll be back. As soon as the table is ready. I know you are hungry."

She just nodded. Looking at her grandmother leaving the room. Zaviah couldn't forget Don Rafael's condition to her. She knew she only had two choices to choose from. Just run away and let go of the condition. Or help find Stella's child. But how or where will she start the search? She closes her eyes while thinking.