3. YAECC

A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means it has not yet been proofread or edited.

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"This is Mr. Larry Zeno Yzaguirre. Nothing much is known about his past, but according to himself, he's from a very humble family, too. Among the three, he had the most interesting, inspiring, and meaningful story. Mr. Yzaguirre is an engineer and the owner of Yzaguirre Arts of Engineering and Contracting Company, the world's leading and biggest engineering company. They handle engineering in various fields: civil, electrical, industrial, and so much more. Not only that, they produce materials for construction. They provide services while under the same company. Can you imagine that? That's why a saying has been made: A government is good if they partnered with Yzaguirre, and corrupted if not. Not to, you know, the other firms... But Mr. Yzaguirre's company have its own website that releases transparent and honest records about the services it provided for its client government, accessible for free to everyone."

Kalonice clapped her hands.

"I've been in YAECC's branch here in the Philippines. They have various departments. YAECC partnered with Mr. Lisieux's architectural firm to commission their architects for projects. Did you know that YAECC pay its employees very well? They have a unique system of circulating money."

"What do you mean, Ma'am?"

The President smiled, "This is what I heard from a friend that works for both Mr. Yzaguirre and Mr. Lisieux. Architects gets paid THRICE. Let's say you're an architect under Mr. Lisieux firm and I'm a client. Your first pay will come from the company, monthly. Then, I, the client, I picked your design. I will pay for your design. 60% of the total amount will be given to you, while the remaining amount will be shared by YAECC and LREPAF as commission fee. That's the second pay. The third pay comes once the project is complete and built. You will receive a 5% commission since it was your design from YAECC. YAECC honors the hard work of its people and is very generous at paying its employees back. Not everyone knows about this since that's a confidential matter. Only the employees know about that and an NDA is included in their contract. But told you since I know that you will either land in YAECC or LREPAF."

Kalonice's eyes widened.

"M-Ma'am!? A confidential matter---!"

The President laughed and pat her shoulder, "It's because I believe in you. And I know they will see your talent, too!"

No, definitely no! The President shared a confidential matter to her! She's supposed to not know about that. She's not an employee of those giant companies---yet! Oh, her heart. It's scared. It's screaming, she's screaming, they're screaming internally!

"Ms. Montecristo, calm down! Pfft! Believe in your self. Trust yourself. You will land a job at one of them. Or maybe both! And just as I have mentioned earlier, we passed the future graduates' plates to those companies including their records and resumes. I guess they are still subject to evaluation. So, are you in? I will send yours as a follow up."

Kalonice looked down. She's pressing her palms and she's thinking. Her heart is beating erratically. She doesn't want to sound bragging, but she knows that she's talented, too. However, it's also herself that pulls her back from stepping out into the spotlight because she's scared. She's scared to shine, she's scared of the public opinion, she's scared of how people will think of her and all. She's wasting all her of potentials by hiding and thank God there are people who take it out of her. Because they believe in her, they know her, and they know she can.

And then, her guilt hit her back by reminding her of the times where opportunities poured on her but she missed it because of her cowardice.

If she dream of giving her siblings a better life, she should learn how to walk out of her comfort zones sometimes. Just a single step out, she will try.

"A-Alright, Ma'am. I don't want to let a chance and opportunity like this slip again. Thankfully, I have my case. My updated resume is here and so the certified true copies of my records, and also some of my plates and designs."

The President smiled from ear to ear. She can see a chrysalis moving and breaking.

"Very well, let's make scanned copies of these to be given to them. I will send these to them and I assure you, it will reach them. For now, you may go. I know you have other agendas. I'm sorry for keeping you here long,"

They stand up and shook each other's hand. Kalonice bowed during their handshake.

"Thank you so much, President. Thank you for your trust in me."

"You are very much welcome, Ms. Montecristo."

They parted. The President sat back to feed her eyes with Kalonice's talent in drawing and creating mind blowing concepts.

"Ma'am, should I turn the TV off, now?" asked her Secretary, getting her attention. She stared at the screen for a moment, specifically, at the image flashed on it. The Big 3, the founders of ALY-IC, or the Alterio, Lisieux, and Yzaguirre International Colleges.

Then, her eyes glide to Octavius Lisieux.

Kalonice is adopted, and so her siblings. All of them were adopted by their abusive and violent mother, Rita. Her parents were unknown. As for Kalonice's appearance, she has a cool undertone and her eyes are blue. Small face with an angelic harmony, long, natural golden brown hair, and in addition, she's tall. She can even pursue modeling if she will try to. That being said, her parents must be a foreigner and the other is a Filipino or Filipina. Well, they will never know unless Rita will give her the truth. However, the only truth she's ever said so far is when she told Kalonice that she was adopted and wished she never took her in at all.

"They sure have the resemblance when they smile," she said with a doubt.

She crossed her arms then closed her eyes to think, imagining she's connecting some impossible dots.

Octavius Lisieux is an architect and soon, Kalonice Montecristo, too. She's adopted and her parents are unknown. Both have an uncanny resemblance in certain angles, especially when they both smile. Another thing is that both are not the smiley type, they only smile to people they had acknowledged and people they trusted. Oh, and that Kalonice's eyes, though not heterochromic, is the same as his blue eye color.

She shook her head, "Nope, nope. I must be crazy. But really, what if?" She think harder and gasped.

'A secret love child!?'

The President thinks she must be out of her mind. It must be those telenovelas' influence on her! Those damned dramas with the same plot about a lost daughter of a very powerful and rich as fuck tycoon.

Well, if ever it turned out to be like, she won't be surprised anymore. Unlike Octavius Lisieux's real and legitimate daughter, Kalonice Montecristo have what it takes to take over his companies and continue his legacy.

Yes, yes. Kalonice Montecristo is better than his real and legitimate daughter.

"Oh, I'll be damned," the President laughed to herself and asked her Secretary for a drink.

.

.

.

Kalonice went straight to the mall after leaving the university to buy what their home needs. She's been walking around, entering every stall, searched for the best furnitures, tested some equipments, and so much more.

She feel her phone vibrate, so she stopped for a while to check the notification. An email from the President, saying that her papers were ready to be sent out. She replied the President with a 'Thank you' and turned her phone off.

She checked her phone.

Her phone is older than Candice and she feel sorry for its state. Well, she only bought one as means of communication and nothing more. But looking at it gives her the urge to change it already. Also, if the phone could talk, it will probably tell her to let him go and be with the light. It's that old.

After paying for the furnitures, she left to look for a good, sturdy phone. A phone that can beat her first phone's 7-year-old record. The staff said that the furnitures will be shipped on the same day until 7pm. If not, she will receive a 5% cashback once it's delivered the next day.

She didn't only buy a phone but tablets for her siblings to play with. Next, she applied for a wifi connection. Feeling tired, she stopped by McRonald's and continued shopping for appliances.

"Oh, no! My siblings!"

Good thing she looked at her wrist watch to check time! She promised them that she will fetch them from school. Since it's still early, she will go back to shop for appliances with them.

"Mommy, I want to watch cartoons! Cartoons! Cartoons!"

Candice said while jumping on the new couch set.

Workers from the mall were assembling their appliances: the television set with speakers, automatic washing machine, and the refrigerator. They also oriented her about how to use them and the like. Ali and Francis were busy organizing their room. They have a bunk bed, pillows, and three study tables for each of them. Candice threw tantrums and want to sleep with Kalonice every night, so Francis was tasked to move Candice's things to Kalonice's room.

When Saturday came, they shopped for more necessities. New clothes, underwears, school supplies for all of them, and groceries. Sunday is another family day and they went to the chapel to pray. After a little chitchat with the Reverend, they went home.

"I will come back before dinner. Ali, Francis, lock the doors and don't let strangers in, hmm? Candice, behave. If you're hungry, there are snacks in the fridge. If you're bored, watch television or use your tablet. They're connected to the wifi already," she reminded them while checking her final look in the mirror.

Her hair is tied in a neat, single ponytail. She's dressed presentably, too.

She will apply for the same restaurant she worked part-time before again. If she remember it correctly, it's owned by one of the stakeholders of ALY-IC, that's why it's also near the university and the go-to of students.

"Kalonice Montecristo? Hmm..." The manager read her name and scanned her two-pages resume filled with her experiences. The manager is new to her, so Kalonice had an idea that the past manager before was replaced for some reasons.

The manager's eyebrow was raising while going through her credentials, and it went higher when she read her history with them before.

"You worked here before?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Why did you leave?"

Kalonice straightened her back and smiled, "I'm an exchange student, Ma'am."

The manager hissed when she smiled at her. Might be because Kalonice is naturally beautiful, she's jealous.

"From which university?"

"ALY International Colleges, Ma'am."

Now, that changes things. She flipped the pages again to check her educational background, and yes. She really was an Ally (students of ALY-IC).

"I see. Then, you're hired. You may start tomorrow. Once your schedule is finalized, send it to me so I can adjust your shift here. Is that clear?"

Kalonice smiled even wider with excitement and nodded.

After the uniform fitting and orientation, the manager let her go back home. There's nothing much to know since she applied for a server position only. Additionally, she had experiences and history with the restaurant, which is a plus.

She will give her best starting from now on.

~

"Welcome back, Kalonice!"

Party poppers popped when Kalonice entered the room. Her block mates devised this simple welcoming surprise for her when they heard the news about her return. They even bought a small cake for her!

"O-Oh... Everyone, you didn't have to..." She said while feeling overwhelmed. She didn't imagine that they will like her this much.

"Oh, c'mon! It's alright! Now you're back, good old ways?"

The girls hit the boy who said that. He meant about her accepting and taking commissions.

They settled down to talk to her while eating the cake with her. They are curious about her life in the US, and they complain to Kalonice about how much 'they struggle' when she was away since they have to finish their plates themselves.

Kalonice is the only scholar in their block, while the rest are elites. They sons and daughters of people in wealth and power. At first, they treated her a bit rough during their freshman years. But when they realized how good and kind she was, and when they found out about her life with her abusive and violent mother, they softened. And though they are not friends, they respect Kalonice just like everyone else and acknowledges her and her talents.

Students from other departments tried to bully her, especially the girlfriends of some unfaithful boyfriends. They will defend Kalonice every time since she doesn't have the power to protect herself. The poor will never win against the rich. Also, they concluded that Kalonice doesn't have what it takes to fight for herself because all her life, she was abused and belittled by her mother.

Though there are times that Kalonice is feisty and will stand up for herself, still, she's nothing but a powerless, tiny, and helpless being against a giant.

This is how her day goes: wake up, attend to her siblings, send them to school then go to hers. After that, fetch her siblings to take them home but only on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, since that's what her schedule allows. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they will commute.

The manager of Parisian Route, the restaurant she applied to, demanded her of at least 5 hours of part-time service. The rate is 250 per hour and will be paid upon her log out after every shift.

She's grateful.