Deanna Cervantes, a seventeen-year-old girl, lived in a small hut with her grandmother. She was beautiful, loving, and brave—a well-known figure in their community in Tabaco City, Bicol. Deanna was born with fair, smooth skin, and when she dressed well, she could easily pass as a rich man's daughter.

Her mother had died giving birth to her, while her father passed away due to heat stroke. She had already graduated from high school, but now, her grandma was in critical condition.

"Grandma, please eat something. Don’t you feel bad for me? You won’t even agree to go to the hospital. Come on, Grandma, you're so stubborn," she pleaded, holding a bowl of food.

"Hija, remember that I love you very much. If… if I pass away, call Doña Estrella. Be a good granddaughter to her," her grandma instructed, struggling to speak but still managing to joke around.

"Grandma, don't talk like that! You're not going anywhere yet. You're making me cry," Deanna said, her voice breaking. Her grandma had raised her since she was a baby, and if she lost her, it would feel like losing her own life. Her grandpa had also passed away just the previous year, making her grandma the only family she had left.

"Hija, I… I can see the light," her grandma murmured.

"Grandma, of course you can. It’s daytime," Deanna said as she pulled the curtain to block the sunlight streaming through the window.

"I thought it was heaven. I got excited," her grandma coughed.

"What? Excited?" Deanna grimaced. Every day, she prayed for God to grant her grandma a longer life, and yet here she was, eager to leave.

"Of course… I want to be with my abunjing-abunjing, your grandpa," her grandma said with a forced smile.

Deanna scratched her head. "Wow, so that’s how it is. I thought you wanted to live longer for me, but it turns out you’d rather, well, kick the bucket for Grandpa. Fine, you won’t make it to heaven if you leave me like this because I’m mad at you," she pouted.

"Hija, I love you, but please understand. I miss your grandpa so much. Don’t be upset, don’t worry—you’ll join us someday," her grandma said with a mischievous grin.

"Fine, whatever, Grandma. I still want to live a long life. Go ahead, you can die now if you really want to be with Grandpa. But you’re getting minus points in heaven because I’m still sulking!" she huffed and turned away.

Silence.

She turned back.

Confused, she approached her grandma. "Grandma? Grandma Delilah? Grandma?! Noooo!" She hugged her tightly.

It was the most painful moment of her life—the loss of the person she loved the most.

"That’s so unfair, Grandma! You really left without giving me a chance to stop you!" she sobbed, clinging to her grandma's lifeless body. After a moment of grief, she rushed outside, desperate for help.

"Help! Somebody help me!" she cried out as she stepped out of the hut.

"Deanna? What happened? Why are you crying? Where’s your grandma?" a concerned neighbor, Mrs. Cora, asked.

"M… Mrs. Cora, my grandma is gone. She passed away," Deanna said through choked sobs.

"Oh, dear Lord! When did this happen? Come, take me to her!" Mrs. Cora exclaimed, hurrying inside with Deanna. Soon, more neighbors arrived, offering their condolences and assistance.

By the afternoon, people had brought tents and made arrangements with the village chief for help. The embalming was done, and the wake began.

"Poor Deanna. She has no one left," a woman murmured.

Deanna sat by her grandma's coffin, crying endlessly. She had no appetite and ignored everyone around her.

A woman named Mrs. Fe approached her.

"That’s life, dear. People leave, and new ones arrive. Stay strong, everything will be alright. We’re all here for you," Mrs. Fe said, gently patting her shoulder.

"Thank you, Mrs. Fe," Deanna replied, tears still flowing.

Her grandma’s wake lasted three days. She requested that Grandma Delilah be buried next to her grandpa, behind their house. Many people came to mourn and help with the arrangements.

Once the funeral was over and everyone had gone home, Deanna sat alone by her grandparents’ graves.

"There, Grandma! You got what you wanted. You’re dead now, finally reunited with Grandpa. Hmp. Fifty-fifty chance of heaven for you because I’m still mad! That was so unfair, Grandma. Abunjing-abunjing!" she pouted like a child before turning her back on their graves.

When she entered the hut, she was alone. She started tidying up and suddenly remembered her grandma’s last wish—to call Doña Estrella.

She grabbed her old keypad phone, searched for the number, and dialed.

"Hello. This is Lilia from Ashford de Mansion," a voice answered.

Deanna swallowed nervously. "Hello, this is Deanna Cervantes. May I speak with Doña Estrella?"

"Okay, Ma’am. Please hold on for a minute," the woman replied.

Wow, they really sounded rich. They even had someone answering their calls in English! Good thing I understand English.

She sighed.

What kind of life awaited her in Manila?

She could only hope it wouldn’t be full of trouble.

"Hello, Ma’am. Are you still on the line? Doña Estrella is here now," Lilia repeated.

"Yes, Ma’am. Alright, thank you," she replied.

"Hello, Deanna, hija," the old woman greeted.

"Hello, po. Wait—how do you know me?" Deanna asked, surprised. She thought Doña Estrella wouldn't recognize her. She had planned to introduce herself as Grandma Delilah’s granddaughter, but it seemed like the old woman already knew exactly who she was.

"Of course, I know you, Hija. By the way, how is Delilah? Is she still alive?" she asked bluntly, making Deanna wince.

Deanna swallowed hard. The old woman seemed to know that her grandma was already on the verge of passing.

"My grandma has passed away," she answered sadly.

"Well, that’s good," Doña Estrella said.

Deanna’s eyes widened in shock. She frowned and asked, "Huh? Why would you say that? That’s so mean, Doña Estrella. You’re not even sad or surprised by the news."

"Did she never tell you that she called me several times, saying she missed her dear abunjing-abunjing?" the old woman asked.

"No, she didn’t. But I do know she was really looking forward to… you know, dying. Honestly, it kind of hurt," Deanna shared.

"There you have it. Even I felt hurt by her," Doña Estrella sighed.

"Don’t worry, Doña Estrella. I think it’s fifty-fifty in heaven now because we’re both upset with her," Deanna rolled her eyes.

"Let’s hope so. Anyway, Hija, get ready because I’m sending someone to pick you up tomorrow. Do you know the airport there? The one in Legazpi?"

"Yes, I do. I just need to take a jeep. But isn’t this a bit sudden?" she asked.

"You need to catch up on the first semester of college. That’s why you have to come here immediately," the old woman explained.

"Oh, I see. Alright, Doña Estrella," Deanna answered, a bit excited. She really wanted to study and finally finish college.

"Good. Tomorrow, before two in the afternoon, you should be at the airport. My secretary, Lilia, will call you and take care of everything," the old woman instructed.

"Okay. Thank you," she replied with a smile.

"Alright, Hija." The call ended.

"Yes! I finally get to ride an airplane and go to college!" she cheered. She reached for an old album inside her bag. "Hi, my sweetheart! I’m going to find you, and you will be my husband. Just stay right there, okay?" she whispered while looking at an old photo of her younger self.

In that picture, a young boy had been captured on the side of the frame. She had been staring at that photo for years, and she had made a promise to herself—she would find that boy, and he would be the only man she would ever love.

She started packing her things for tomorrow. Even though it hurt to leave Bicol, she knew she had to. If she wanted to study and build a future, this was her only chance.

That night, she visited her grandparents’ graves one last time.

"Grandpa, Grandma… I’m leaving Bicol tomorrow. I’ll finally be able to go to college. I promise I’ll come back, but I don’t know when. If only you both hadn’t left so soon, I wouldn’t have to go. But what can I do? I don’t have any other family… You’re both gone," she said with a deep sigh. "I feel like there’s something I don’t know. It’s like you already planned this, like you knew you were going to send me to Doña Estrella when you were both gone—especially you, Grandma! No wonder you always made me speak in Tagalog and never let me use Bicolano. You were preparing me for Manila all along! That’s unfair, tsk. But fine. I’ll also find my abunjing-abunjing! Hmm. Goodbye, you two. I love you both," she said, her voice filled with emotions as she bid them farewell.

The next morning, she woke up early. She said goodbye to her neighbors and entrusted them with the small hut and land she was leaving behind.

"I really have to go because I need to study in college. I don’t even know if I’ll ever come back. I might have to live there forever," she told Mrs. Fe.

"We’ll miss you, dear," Mrs. Gracia said, eyes welling up with tears.

"I’ll miss you all, too. Please take care of yourselves," Deanna said, her own tears threatening to fall.

Her departure was bittersweet for the entire neighborhood. Everyone loved her dearly—not only because she was kind but also because she was helpful. She was never spoiled or picky. Ever since her grandfather passed away, she had helped her grandma with farming, their main source of income. They also raised animals, but she had to sell all of them when her grandma fell ill. She had planned to use the money for medical expenses, but her grandma refused to go to the hospital. Instead, Deanna spent most of it on the funeral, keeping whatever little was left.

After lunch, she left for Legazpi Airport, taking a jeepney to get there.

When she arrived, she received a call—it was Doña Estrella’s secretary.

"Hi, Deanna. Where are you?"

"I’m outside the passenger terminal building. I’m wearing blue," she responded.

"Okay, I’ll be right there. Just don’t hang up, please," the woman said.

"Okay, Ma’am," she replied.

Good thing I understand English! she thought to herself.

"Hi. Are you Deanna?" a woman suddenly appeared in front of her, making her jump a little. She was momentarily stunned by the woman’s beauty.

"O-oh… Yes, that’s me," she stammered.

"Okay, please follow me," the woman said before turning around.

This was Lilia Dizon, Doña Estrella’s thirty-three-year-old secretary. Tall, beautiful, and highly competent, she was someone the old woman trusted completely.

"Ma’am, don’t we need a passport to board the plane?" Deanna asked as she hurriedly followed Lilia, struggling to keep up with the woman’s long strides.

"Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered," Lilia smiled and winked at her.

"Okay, Ma’am," Deanna smiled back.

They waited for a while in the terminal, but soon enough, Lilia led her onto the plane. Excitement bubbled inside her—this was her first time riding an airplane!

As the plane took off, a wave of sadness washed over her. She was leaving behind everything she had ever known. The place she grew up in, the memories she made with her grandparents—they would all remain in her heart forever.

After a few hours, they finally arrived at NAIA Airport. A van was already waiting to take them to Ashford Mansion.

A man approached them. “Señorita, I’ll take that for you and place it in the backseat,” he said, reaching for Deanna’s large bag.

Señorita? Oh no, I’m not rich enough to be called that. This is embarrassing!

“S-Sure,” she replied awkwardly.

She was in awe as they drove past the towering buildings. It was her first time in Manila and seeing skyscrapers up close left her amazed.

Even the gate of Ashford Mansion was massive, making her eyes widen.

Whoa! This is just the gate, and it’s already so grand! They must be insanely rich.

When the van stopped, someone immediately opened the door for her.

“Aren’t you getting out, Ma’am Lilia?” she asked, noticing that Lilia was still in the driver’s seat.

“Just call me Lilia, okay? I have an appointment meeting this evening, so I won’t be coming in,” Lilia replied with a smile.

“Oh, okay. Take care.” Deanna stepped out of the van, and her jaw dropped at the sheer size of the mansion. A group of household staff stood outside, ready to welcome her.

“Welcome, Señorita Deanna!” they greeted in unison.

“Señorita? Ah—uh, thank you,” she replied, feeling awkward.

Then, the elegant Doña Estrella stepped forward.

“Deanna, Hija, you’re so pretty!” she exclaimed, pulling Deanna in for a hug and a kiss on both cheeks.

“Hello po. Wow, you’re so beautiful,” Deanna blurted out.

Despite being seventy-two, Doña Estrella didn’t look her age. She was stunning, slender, and always wore high heels.

“Thank you, Hija. But you’re just as beautiful,” the older woman said with a smile.

“Hehe, I don’t think so,” Deanna chuckled internally. She’s the only beautiful one here!

“By the way, Hija, these are the household staff. If you need anything, just ask one of them,” Doña Estrella said, gesturing towards the staff lined up in front of them. “And I’m sure you already know Lilia Dizon, my secretary. I don’t think she’s here right now,” she added, glancing around. “This is Thomas, the mansion’s butler,” she introduced, turning to an older man.

“Yes, Doña Estrella,” Deanna nodded and smiled politely when Thomas bowed at her.

“You can call me Grandma Estrella because from now on, this mansion is your home too. Everything here is also yours,” Doña Estrella declared.

Sana all sosyal! She even insists on being called Grandma, when ‘Lola’ would’ve been just fine.

“Uh, okay po? But I thought I was supposed to work here at the mansion?” Deanna asked, confused.

“No, Hija. From now on, you are part of the Ashford family,” Doña Estrella stated firmly.

Deanna nodded, though she couldn’t shake off her unease. She had assumed that living here and receiving an education would come at a cost—some kind of responsibility she had to fulfill.

“You can all return to your tasks. I’ll personally show Señorita Deanna around the mansion. Thomas, bring her belongings to her room,” Doña Estrella instructed.

“Come, Hija, follow me,” she said, walking into the mansion.

Deanna followed, still in awe of everything around her.

“This is the main living area,” Doña Estrella said, stopping to let Deanna take it all in.

“The main living area? It’s so spacious and massive,” Deanna gasped, her mouth slightly open in amazement.

They continued to the kitchen. “This is the mansion’s kitchen. If you ever get hungry, you can request anything from Chef Elena,” Doña Estrella said, nodding toward a woman in a chef’s uniform.

“Good afternoon, Doña Estrella and Señorita Deanna,” Chef Elena greeted.

“Good afternoon,” Doña Estrella replied.

“Magandang hapon po,” Deanna greeted, smiling.

After leaving the kitchen, they passed the dining area, which was just as vast.

“If you’re hungry, you can eat here. Or, if you don’t feel like coming down, you can call 102, and someone will bring your meal to your room,” Doña Estrella explained with a gentle smile.

“Oh, that’s a bit much. I’d feel too embarrassed to have food delivered to my room,” Deanna admitted shyly.

“Hija, you’re part of the Ashford family now. Whatever you want, don’t hesitate to ask,” Doña Estrella reassured her, gently stroking her hair.

“Okay, Grandma. Hehe, I’m just not used to this. I grew up poor in the province, and I was always busy. I used to plant crops and take care of animals every day. Here, I feel like I won’t know what to do with myself,” Deanna confessed.

“Don’t worry, Hija. You’ll adjust soon enough,” Doña Estrella said warmly, handing her a key. “This is the key to your room. It’s on the second floor. There are three rooms there, and yours is the one in the middle. I won’t go up with you because I’m expecting a call from Lilia about an appointment. But make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, Grandma. Take care,” Deanna said with a smile.

“Wait, Hija!” Doña Estrella called out.

“Yes?”

“I have a surprise for you inside your room. Go check it out and come down when you’re ready to eat.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that! Thank you so much!”

“It’s nothing. Alright, I’ll be going now,” Doña Estrella said before walking away.

Deanna headed up to the second floor, stunned by how vast it was. There was even a living area upstairs, and three rooms were lined up next to each other.

When she entered her room, she was overwhelmed. It was huge, with a massive bed, a mini library, a study table with a desktop and laptop, and even an android phone. The room had its own bathroom, and when she opened a closet, it was packed with clothes. Another cabinet was filled with shoes and bags.

She had never seen anything like it in her life. Back in the province, five sets of clothes were enough for her. One pair of shoes, one pair of slippers, and one bag were all she ever needed. Tears welled up in her eyes—she never imagined she’d experience this kind of luxury. But deep in her heart, she knew she would have been happier if her grandparents were still with her. No amount of wealth could replace them.

Still, she had to accept her new life. There was no turning back now.

After organizing her belongings, she decided to take a shower and even tried the bathtub.

She was humming to herself as she stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel.

“♪ Dance with me in the middle of the rain, my lo— AAAAAAHHHHHH!”

Her singing turned into a scream when she saw a man lying on her bed.