Snow andThe Seven Princes

SNOW burst into tears as she watched her father's grave. Everyone has left and she was the only one left there. Even her stepmom had left without a word.

Snow hugged her father's photo. That was all he was now, a photograph, a memory. She cried at the thought. Her biological mother passed away when she was born, she only saw her in a single photograph. All her other photos were burned by her Mama Evian when her father married the latter.

She was not angry with Mama Evian, she forced herself to understand the woman even though she was very young then. She was eight when her father married her stepmother. Missing the care of a mother, she quickly accepted Mama Evian in her life but she probably did not feel the same way towards her.

They didn't go along well. Whatever she was doing, it was wrong to Mama Evian but she did not complain even once. She had to live with the woman even if it was just for the sake of her father. She loved her father so much.

And now that he was gone, she needed to be more patient with Mama Evian. She has left with no choice. Even if the woman does not like her, she was still her responsibility, especially since it was only the two of them in the house. She can do that, she endured her for sixteen years.

"You did not buy the whole cemetery," said an irritable voice.

Snow turned and a very handsome face greeted her. He was handsome but he was frowning. "I-I'm sorry," she said then sniffed. She simply glanced at the tomb visited by the rude man. Jean Tolentino.

Snow tried to keep her mourning quiet so that the man would not be irritated but no matter what she did, she could not stop crying. She could not imagine that when she returned home, she would no longer see his father's smiling face. “P-papa…”

She heard the man exclaimed. She just ignored him. She didn't care about him anymore. It was a cemetery, it was natural for that place to have mourners. Maybe he really got annoyed with her because he left.

Snow remained in the cemetery until darkness took over the sky. “I will come back here, papa. Don't be sad, huh? Don't worry, I know you and mama are together. ”

The steps she took out of the cemetery were heavy. When she got home, she was greeted by a surprise: her clothes were packed. "Mom, what is this?"

She was tired, by all means. And that was not what she expected. Can this woman be a little considerate? Yes, she has an attitude problem and she disliked her a lot but can she let her rest for just one day? Or even just half a day, she was happy with that.

“Stop calling me mama because I am not your mother. Your dad was gone. There is no reason for me to let you live here. Everything he had was spent since he became ill. I can't take care of you anymore. You can leave now. ”

"Mama!"

"I told you to stop calling me mama!" she shouted.

“I don't know why you don't like me. I did everything for you accept me. I have never been a burden to you so why are you like this, mama? ” she asked, crying. For the longest time, that was the first time she asked that question to her.

"Go away," she replied instead.

She still could not believe her. Just like that? They had been together for more than a decade. "Have you ever considered me your child?"

“Child? I do not have a child. So leave. Your father is gone, there is no reason for you to come here.”

"But this is my dad's house!"

“Our house, did you forget that we were married? I will do what I want with this house. For now, I want you out of here. ”

“Mama! Where will I go?" she almost begged. Her biological mother's family were already abroad. She was not close to her father's relatives too. Mama Evian was all she got and yet she was throwing her out like a trash.

"Why is that my problem?"

Snow fell to the floor when her stepmother threw her the traveling bag containing her belongings. She bit her lower lip to refrain herself from crying. She had cried too much. If earlier it was a cry of mourning. Now she wanted to cry out of anger.

Instead of begging, she stood up, picked up the bag and turned around. For now, she could not stop her stepmother evicting her in that house. She has nowhere to go but it didn't matter anymore.

She still has a little money, she just didn't know up to where it will lead her. She was taken by her feet at the convenience store where she worked part time. "Miles," she called her co-worker's attention.

Miles forehead furrowed when she saw her. "Did you run away?" she asked.

"I was kicked out," she replied then sighed.

"Your evil stepmother is crazy again," Miles said while shaking her head.

Instead of commenting, Snow just took a cup of noodles and paid for it. "You have not eaten yet?" That was Miles.

"I was evicted immediately when I got home," she said as if it didn't matter. She didn't want to take it all by heart anymore because it just hurt.

“You should send that woman to a mental hospital. You also have the right to that house because that your father's house too."

"Nevermind. Mama's craziness will also pass,” she said while waiting for the cup noodles to be cooked.

She was eating when a familiar figure entered the convenience store. Snow automatically smiled. "'Tatay Eli!" she greeted the old man. Tatay meant father, and sometimes it was also a way to address an old person. Tatay Eli was still wearing his favorite get up. Open checkered polo, white undershirt and gray pants. To make it look cool, he always wears shades even at night. "Your fedora is new, huh?"

"Snow, long time, no see," the old man replied with a smile and then sat down next to her. Snow once helped the old man when he was almost run over by a tricycle outside the convenience store. Since then, he always go back there to talk to her.

"Someone passed away so I wasn't able to go to work for a few days," she replied sadly but still forced a smile.

"Who passed away?" The old man was obviously worried. He was like that so they became close, always concerned about her. He was like a grandfather to her.

"My father." Snow felt heaviness in her chest as she remembered her father. She thought she had no more tears to cry but here was she again. She bowed her head a little because tears ran down her cheeks and she simply wiped them.

When she looked up, she saw the old man staring at her traveling bag which was placed on the side of the table. "Is that yours, hija?"

Snow nodded shyly. They were close so he already knew that her stepmom was not treating her well.

"Your mom kicked you out?"

"Maybe she is just stressed because of the loss of papa," she said.

"Where are you going now?"

She shrugged and shook her head. “I don't know where to go yet so I will only be here first. I will come back home when my mom's head is cold.”

"And when she didn't cool down anymore?"

Snow did not respond. She has a plan but it was just embarrassing to tell the old man. She would borrow money from friends to rent even a small room. The problem was that she has a very few friends and they were also struggling financially.

Ever since her dad got sick after she graduated from high school, all their belongings have been sold out. She also sacrificed her studies in college but she worked hard, she supported herself so she can go to school. She tried every part-time job that was available.

Because they also needed money at home, she also gave her Mama Evian a large portion of her salary to help with the expenses. That was why at the age of twenty-five, she was still in college. The good thing was this was already her last year at the university, she will graduate soon. It was just sad to think that her dad hasn't reached her graduation day. She wanted him to see her wearing a black gown.

"If you want, just come with me," said Tatay Eli.

"Yes?" she asked in shock.

“I will pay you, I will also let you stay in my house. All I want is for you to be friends with my granddaughter, Anastasia, because she is always alone. I want you to teach her about life so that she does not waste her time on nonsensical things.”

“Oh, Tatay Eli, you don't have to pay me to be friends with your granddaughter. And you need more money for your treatment,” Snow refused. The old man once mentioned that he was sick.

"But will you live in my house?" the old man asked, smiling.

"Is it really okay?" Snow hesitated. Yes, the old man was kind but wasn't it too much for her to be sheltered by him? Second, she did not even know where the old man lived.

"Of course. Wait a minute, I'll ask Andrew to fetch us. ”

Snow did not ask who Andrew was because the old man quickly dialed in his cellphone. Snow smiled, only now did she find out that Tatay Eli was a techie. Later, a black car parked in front of the convenience store and a man wearing coat and tie approached them.

"Good evening," the man greeted her. She thought that he was just a little older than her. He was tan, tall, he had curly hair but well waxed, has a pointed nose and thick lips. He can pass as a young version of Cesar Montano, an actor in the Philippines.

"Tatay E-Eli," she whispered to the old man.

"That's Andrew, my assistant."

"Assistant?"

The old man turned to Andrew. "Take Snow's bag to the car." Andrew obeyed quickly. Snow was distracted by what was happening. She thought that Tatay Eli was just an ordinary person, simple, he was at the same level as her.

“Tat—”

"Come on, Snow," Tatay Eli said instead. Confused, she followed the old man to the car. She could not even say goodbye to Miles who looked shock too.

Andrew opened the car door for them and then move around towards the driver's seat. "Tatay, I'm dizzy with what's happening," she said to the old man while they were on the trip.

"You will like my house," he excitedly said. He turned to Andrew. “Call Cindy. Tell them to fix the room next to Anastasia's room. Snow will stay there in the meantime.”

As usual, Andrew immediately complied. Snow just stared. What did she get herself into?

She and Tatay Eli did not go to his house. It was more appropriate to call that a mansion. That place was probably ten times the size of Snow's house. The walkway before reaching the front of the house was like a park. It was forbidden to have no car in there. The main house was so far from the gate that many guards were on standby.

My God, am I still in the Philippines?

Snow was still gaping even when she got out of the car and looked at the exterior of the mansion.

"Welcome to my grandchildren's home, Snow," said Tatay Eli.

"This is only your grandchildren's home, Tatay Eli?" Her eyes widened.

“Well, I'm living here too for now because I really want us all to be together. But I have a house in Cavite, too. I was staying there before I was forced to gather my grandchildren in this house. Anyway, I wanted to introduce myself properly, hija. I am Elissus San Gabriel. ”

"E-Elissus S-San Gabriel?" she asked in a whisper. The prominent Elissus San Gabriel?! Was she in a dream? How did an Elissus San Gabriel became so close to her? “You are disguising all this time, 'Tay? No, I mean Mr. San Gabriel? ”

"Call me tatay , it sounds nicer than mister," she replied with a laugh. “I was in disguise when we met because of following my grandson. I am happy with your kindness so whenever I am sad, I visit you at the convenience store. Let's go inside? ”

Snow was out of herself so she just nodded. She let the old man lead the way. The mansion was stupendous. Her eyes almost stick out with the luxury in front of her. She never thought that she would be able to enter such a large house in her entire life.

If Tatay Eli said that the people who lived there cannot meet, she would believe him. She may even be lost when she plays hide-and-seek there. Not only that, the whole house was very clean, it was almost shining. She will give a big round of applause to the cleaners there.

“Andrew, please show Snow the whole house. I need to take my medicine.” Tatay Eli turned to her. “I'll see you later, Snow. I will introduce you to my grandchildren.”

"This will be your room, Miss Snow," Andrew said politely as he showed her temporary room. He even opened the door for her.

"Can you please just call me Snow?" she requested Andrew before entering the room. “You are too formal. I am just a guest here.”

“I'm sorry. I am used to dealing with Sir Elissus' guests like this.” He was still serious.

Snow just gave up because Andrew didn't seem to obey her. She just thanked him and he left her immediately after saying that she would be picked up later to be introduced to Tatay Eli's grandchildren.

"OMG!" She was surprised when she saw the room. That can even beat the rooms in hotels. Queen-sized bed with pink cover. The whole room was also cold so she searched for the aircon. That inverter split-type aircon was not like the old aircon that she was using in her room at their house that she barely uses because Mama Evian just scolding her.

There was also a bathroom inside that room. Take note, there was a bathtub. Did she really deserve to live there for free? Above all, in that mansion were the San Gabriel cousins ​​that all women and women-alike in the Philippines dream of.

They even beat celebrities. But there was a San Gabriel that was a celebrity, Sebastian. He was the most famous San Gabriel but his cousins ​​were as famous as him too.

She suddenly felt nervous, how would the cousins react when they found out that she was going to live there with them temporarily?

“WOW!” Snow said to herself as she saw the food on the table. That even surpasses the food at the fiestas. She just can’t react as if surprised because she was already embarrassed. Earlier, she looked innocent in front of Tatay Eli and Andrew.

"Andrew, where are my grandchildren?" Tatay Eli turned to Andrew who was standing behind the old man. Tatay Eli was in the capital of the table and she was on his right.

“Sebastian is still in the shooting. Adam is still in the restaurant. Caleb hasn't come home from work yet. Dylan, on the other hand, seemed to be leaving. Jason and Cole are not in their room.”

The sadness in Tatay Eli's expression didn't escape her eyes. He seemed to miss his grandchildren. “How about Anastasia?”

"She is coming down."

It was also a few minutes before Anastasia arrived. She was prettier in real than in stolen shots by the paparazzi. "Who are you?" she asked immediately. Anastasia was Intimidating even though she knew they were the same age. She just thanked the woman with a smile.

"This is Snow, honey." Tatay Eli answered for her. “I met her not a long time ago. She saved me from an accident. ”

“Oh! That was very nice of you. I'm Anastasia. ” Anastasia offered her hand to her. Snow stood up to accept her hand. "Thank you for saving lolo," Anastasia added.

"Oh, you don't have to mention it," she said. "Anyone will do what I did, just in case."

"I don't think so, Snow," Tatay Eli said with a smile. “I brought her here because she was… ahm…”

"My mom kicked me out," she continued what Tatay Eli can't.

“And I want you to learn from her, Tasha. She was a nice person. She knows about life even though she is young… ”

"And I was not like that, Lolo?" Anastasia asked reluctantly. Lolo was the way to address grandfathers.

"That was not what I mean. I realized, your cousins ​​are all men. You need a woman in this house.”

Anastasia smiled, a smile of disbelief but still she did not comment. Snow was a little scared because maybe once Anastasia and her were alone, she would suddenly confront her.

After eating, Tatay Eli and Anastasia went up to their respective rooms. Snow was left at the table and she deliberately waited for the housemates that will clean the table. "Ate," she called the first maid who approached her. "I will wash that."

“Oh, ma'am, you don't have to. Don Elissus will scold us,” the housemate strongly refused.

"Please?" she asked.

"You can't, ma'am."

"Just take me to the kitchen."

The maid was forced to nod and when she was in the kitchen, they cannot do anything to stop her washing the dirty dishes. She just can't bear to be there for nothing. Eating, sleeping, then being treated like a princess. Saving Tatay Eli once was not enough to be given such a great reward.

"Who passes the kitchen chores to Miss Snow?" asked an authoritative voice, he was none other than Andrew.

Snow grinned at the man. She felt guilty when she saw that the maid was terrified. “I insisted, Andrew. Don't scold her anymore."

"I will continue doing the dishes, ma'am," the maid grabbed the plate she was washing.

Snow could not do anything but wash her hands and get out of the kitchen before the poor maid get scolded by Andrew.

"I'm just not really used to doing nothing," she explained to Andrew when he looked back at her. She felt she has been followed by his gaze.

Andrew looked awkward because they were so close to each other, he quickly looked away. “You are still a visitor here, Miss Snow. Sir Elissus will not be pleased to see his guest working. ”

“Okay. I will go up. ” Andrew just nodded. "Good night," she said with a smile before finally climbing up the stairs. She was about to go straight to her temporary bedroom but she saw Anastasia standing outside his room and it looked like she was deliberately waiting for him.