Chapter Five

Early in the morning Cassandra immediately blocked her quiet friend while having coffee. Her questioning about the state of her relationship with Oppa was flawless. She could not fully comprehend what she had admitted last night in front of her. She missed it last night because she knew they were both tired and she was also wondering who her target would be but now she is not.

Margarita told her voluntarily. And just as she was shocked last night, she still did not tell her much. The relationship between the two has been on the brink for a long time and her friend did not just tell her even though they are so close because she is afraid that she will also break up. That's why every time she asks it, she doesn't answer it right away, she also smiles at changing her expression sometimes when it comes to Oppa. Now they are both unlucky in love. One was betrayed face to face and the other was blinded.

Throughout their week-long stay at Camp Move On, they had no choice but to look for their respective targets for initiation. They are both confident. It's time for them to start an empowerment on women that they should not be hurt.

They are determined to change the course. If the man is able to make them cry they can keep up. They will do the same, but they will make the woman who will be their victim aware that all men are not loyal.

Their last day at Camp Move On, They made the most of their friends by breaking the bottle to vent their remaining resentments. During their previous stay, Cassandra enjoyed all the prepared activities. The other day they were mountaineering and trying to have intense riding on mountain bikes. She also enjoyed Camp's gimmicks like the target where she had the opportunity to tear up the ex's photo with the target knife.

On their last day Cassandra wanted to leave a mark on the place. She wanted to remember the place wherever her revenge would take her. So, she made a vow that she would return to the place. She will come back as a brand new person whose pain and heartbreaks couldn't penetrate her anymore.

While on the trip back home, Cassandra couldn't help but wonder who she might be the victim of. She knew what she was going to do was not easy. She knows she is not a home-wrecker and she does not tend to steal men. But for the sake of the contract she was bind to and the purpose of it, both healing her heart and making some women a realization she will not back down.

Her friend slept soundly while on the trip, she only woke her up when they arrived at the bus terminal in Manila. After they separated from a friend, she first went to the corner to buy a puto bungbong that maybe she would just hit, she was tired of cooking. When she arrived at the apartment, she was not able to get dressed. She went straight to the pallet with only a mattress cover. Cassandra would have closed her eyes when she was startled by the ringtone of her cell phone. She snatched it from the backpack. It is nine o'clock in the evening and her brother is calling very unusual.

"Hello Carl? Why did you call?" She rolled her eyes and sat on the edge of the pallet.

"Hello sis, I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Mom didn't want to call me in case the situation looks really bad." She gasped in excitement as she listened to her brother. All her senses in the body seemed to come to life.

"Why? what's going on there?" She could not wait to ask.

"Tata Julio has shooed us three times here. The landlord is allegedly evicting us."

"Yes!" Cassandra who's half-awake couldn't contain herself. She was overwhelmed with anxiety. "Mom how is she. What's going on there?" She is restless.

"She's okay, sis. But if we don't leave the farm, they will be summoning us. Mom is stubborn so she will send us a summons when Tata Julio returns." Cassandra is worried but does not hesitate to think about the situation of her sister and mother first.

"Where is mom, let me talk to her." Her brother handed the keypad phone to her mother. Next was the voice of the depressed mother who recorded the speaker.

"Cas, my daughter." Her answer rattles.

"Mom, what's going on there Mom. Why didn't you tell me right away that Tata Julio has been going back and forth for a long time." Tata Julio has direct contact with the owner of the land where they live. It seems that Tata Julio is the standing leader on the farm, her father is his friend so he was able to let them stay on the farm for free.

"I thought they would just solve it but he said he could not really talk to the landowner. They are evicting us, we only have four months to extend."

Cassandra wanted to downplay what she had heard. Four months? Are they crazy?

It is not that easy, they are not like the rich who defecate, so it is difficult for them to find a new home. She even saves a few cents just to send something. She also could not get close to her father's side because they were very angry with her mother. It is said that their poverty was the reason why her father died because they did not treat it immediately with lung disease nine years ago. They lost their father at the age of 18 and her brother was only nine years old. On the side of her mother, they receive only contempt because they are the only ones who are incapable of life, so even then they decided to make their own effort.

She stopped studying, she only finished 3rd year. She helped with farming and planting so that her mother could help with the livelihood until she decides to leave Manila to have a bigger income. In fact, they have been serving in that land for about twenty years from her father until he woke up and learned to work there as well. This is what gave them life. So she could not allow an instant to erase all the memories of her father in that place.

"Where is Tata Julio?"

"He left. But he promised he would come back again to drive us away forever. He said he would bring the guards." Cassandra was blown away by the strong wind. She was stroked by the stickiness on her neck.

"Why do we suddenly have to be evicted from that farm?" Her forehead was furrowed and she was obviously abusive.

"According to Tata Julio, the landlord has been planning to sell the land for a long time. His son is getting married and they want to make this land an investment and use it for the wedding day."

"All right Ma. I'll be right back there. I'll make a way for us not to be evicted from that land."

"Are you sure? The owner is asking too much if we want to stay here. They are asking for a million. And where are we going to get that much money."

"As long as I take care of it, I will make a way so that we will not be evicted. I will find a way. I will go home there."

"All right daughter, be careful."

"All right, wait for me." When the cell phone went down, she first ran the bag of her savings to the old drawer. She threw it on the mattress and counted. She sank down and cried when she found out that it was only fifty thousand. How can she find a million in just four months if her salary is barely enough for them, her brother is still studying and she does not want to stop it and be like her who did not graduate. She was ashamed to ask Margarita for help especially with such a large amount. She knew Margarita was from a wealthy family but she was very indebted to her and did not want to add to that. She cried. She really had nothing else to think about. She has not even been able to move with Julius, here is another big problem.

She was stopped from crying. Married? Did she hear right from her mother? The owner's son is getting married. She thought the landowner had no children. Cassandra nodded. She had an idea. Her face was determined as she thought. She really wants to be able to move on from Julius and save the land where they live, so she will just attract the groom-to-be of the wedding. This is what she will target in the signed deal, she just needs to prevent its marriage and the land and her torn heart will be saved. Whatever it looks like she doesn't care as long as she can redeem the two things that are important to her.

Early in the morning and without sleep she immediately called her friend. She growled in response to her obviously disturbed by deep sleep. She said she would resign from the mall she worked for but did not say what she might do anything else. All she said was that she would return to the province and set up a small business. She even surprised her and made her even more curious. She also left her written resignation letter and said goodbye to the land lady of the apartment where she was staying to just give it to her friend. She did not have time to say goodbye. Carrying all her belongings in two suitcases and a backpack was her decision. She can no longer retreat.

In one night, so much happened to her, she had a long drive from Camp Move On, her ass was only able to rest for a few hours and she was going to embark on a high trip to the province. She had not slept well because of the eagerness to get home. Cassandra is really bombarded with everything and there is only one way she really knows how to get rid of all the problems and that is to attract the groom-to-be of the wedding.

November 24, Present

"I don't know what I'm going to do to you Jethro. You always made me worry; you always give us your Daddy's headache! What went through your mind and you thought of sailing huh? You will be here half a day if you followed my instructions to fly. Your Daddy is looking for you and he's very mad at you right now! “His Mommy is the one he talks to on the cell phone. He is currently boarding a ship back to the province.

He did not pay attention to what his mother was saying. he is used to being scolded and preached by his mother. Actually, he's immune to it and he has memorized the pattern of his parents. And what it says is that his father is looking for him. He doubts it. Yes, it will look for him and he knows it would cause him something again. It will ask for his favor again. Favors like coming back to the Philippines from the States.

He has only been here in the Philippines for four months since his father deported him 26 years ago to the States so that his name will not be tarnished in the business world. He was kept discreet from the public since his mother remarried when he was 6 years old and that is Don Fructose who he now recognizes as his father. His mother's wedding is the day he flew off to the States. But it's okay with him. Although he was not one hundred percent recognized as a child, it did give him all the luxuries he enjoyed while he was in the States with his Nanny. But he only found out that the mother was the one who suffered everything. The second father's treatment of his mother was still cold. He was pierced to hear her mother cry as she greeted him on the phone every time she called him.

So, he decided to comeback when Don requested him. The Don says that if he wants his mother to have a place at home and in deciding he has to go home and marry the daughter of the Elverio’s. Because he felt sorry for his mother, he decided to return to the Philippines, the Don announces that he is his son for the first time in public three months ago; he took over the company presidency and made a vow to marry Jillian for the sake of his mother. From then on, he saw that his mother had a voice in the house. Three months later he was immediately named business tycoon, closing huge deals and investors. Eventually the issue about his identity died, he knew that his second father would be able to get through it. A small word for the press saying "I just do not want my son to be involved in the complex world of business so I hid him" and everyone believed.

"I will be going Mom, bye." He dropped the call without even finishing his mother's speech. Did he also not know from his mother why he was still enduring the power of Don Fructose if he could revive it with his college diploma and accumulate it in the States? He told his mother then that they would run away but his mother did not want to leave because she said she would just put up with it rather than make life difficult for them.

While on the ship, Jethro rolled his eyes. He was finding a seat near the rails because he wanted to entertain himself watching the sea. He decided to disobey his mother to take him on a plane because first of all he did not want to get to the mansion immediately; his parents' voices were loud. Next, he does not want his fiancé to think that he is excited even though he knows the reason. And lastly, he just wanted to escape the life of a tycoon for a minute. He feels that his world is shrinking in the world he lives in. Gold and riches are on his grasp. He wanted to explore.

It is not obvious that he is a business tycoon in what he is wearing now. He was wearing simple jeans with a slight scratch on his knee, branded black shoes and a white polo shirt emblazoned with Americana. After his last meeting with Mr. Fajardo at the Rizal Park Hotel for the plan to build, a sugar factory plant he decided to get dressed. He stiffened wearing Americana.

No matter how much he refuses to go home and avoid his parents and fiancé, he still cannot escape, Don is very grateful to Jillian's family. Anyway, he also needs the woman for his business. Jethro just thinks about the benefits he would get when his fiancé married them, he never thought of anything else. He's a tycoon who wouldn't let anything slip out of his hand and he wants everything to his advantage. Love? That's too oblivious and sweet for him, and he was not a fan of love. One night stand is enough for him. He would rather spend his life on the bar playing than to be tied towards a woman who is tying him into the responsibilities of a marriage couple. That is why he agreed to marry Jillian because he knew that they were both after the stocks of the company and to give his name more fame. The woman does not care about him, whatever he does. As long as she only shows up to her parents requests and does plastic talks with other business associates, the woman is okay with that. And that's what Jethro likes because he sees his future living like a dove even though he is married, suppose they are just husband and wife through papers. Anyway, he did not think that Jillian would be an effective wife. The woman is full of childishness; she still has a lot to learn in life. She is just good at business but she sees Jillian incapable as a wife.

He was agitated and winced at the pain of being hit by the wheel of a suitcase on his foot. He looked at the woman in front of him.

"Sorry, sorry." It sidestepped him. In the corner of his eye he examines its face. A tycoon like him only moves his eye unrecognized. When he wants to make a judgment, he just needs to look at anyone. Anyway, all women are the same; if not conservative, they are liberated.

Jethro on the nick of his eye sees a woman about 25 in its black wavy hair; thin sleekly lips and soft skin. It's one of those average appearances he have seen in the bar or any high-end entertainment places. Its only asset is the eyes. Cogent brown eyes that when staring will surely melt anyone. The woman's face was fresh and obviously untouched by make-ups. If it is touched, maybe it is powder or just lipstick and foundation. Jethro knew very well the face of a woman pulling on make-up. He had seen various women in all walks of his life and their faces are all anew to him. It is rare for those she has met not to scratch her face because of make-up. And these faces are one of those rare gems.

He stopped what he did and looked back. Why is he bothered to look at empty spaces? He should think of something productive other than a woman who’s just a nuisance to him.

He was sitting in front for a few minutes when the ship left Dumaguete, Negros. He was stiffly sitting and his body did not seem to move as his hand crossed his chest. Even in sitting he was obviously authoritative. He got bored sight-seeing the blue sea so he thought of taking a nap. He was about to close his eyes when the woman's head beside him sank on his shoulders. The woman next to him was already lying on his arm. He looked at the woman trying to warn her with his deathly glare but it turned out to be asleep. He deliberately shook the other arm to wake it up but the woman's sleep was still deep in hibernation. He was looking at the woman intently, messing up her navel hair with a five-peso tie, large eye bags in the eyes, snoring, sleeping, caressing his arm. Shit! And his saliva was really dripping on the sleeve of his white shirt.

Jethro heaved a sigh and restrained himself. Mostly when a woman does that to him- especially strangers he does not miss. But for some reason, the young man felt pity for the woman. The woman looks so rugged and disorganized and he realizes she really needs sleep. He carefully stretched out his hand and positioned himself obliquely. It's the first time he has been able to control his anger. The woman disturbed him twice, first when it hit his foot with the suitcase and now sleeping at his shoulder juicing. Those who know him know that when he is moved especially when he is bored his anger goes up to the top floor. But for the woman he just seems calm. And for the first time he felt the need of someone, he felt someone else needed- sleep. He became unselfish for some reason.

The woman's asset is also really strong. She’s recklessness and carefree and indescribable, sleeked but left the suitcase empty in front. The waves are shaking the ship so the suitcase is running everywhere.

Shit! He smirked as he reached for the woman's suitcases and held it. It was his first time doing such things. Of course, he is Jethro Kione Silvestre, he is renowned business elite in the entire province of Negros. He was the boss all the time.

He just closed his eyes. Part of him wants to move and change seats with the woman behind him who they have been looking at before but half of him wants to stay put and stare at the woman's cheeks. He mentioned a while that it's soft, tempting him to touch it, so he did. He immediately withdrew his hand.

God He's being weak again. He averted his eyes. He was restless. His thighs were numb and his inner piece is disturbed for a moment. Those were just the cheeks of a plain-looking woman yet he's bodily heat rose to the next level. He closed his eyes, he was thinking about dolphins and mermaids rather than the feeling of unsettlement. He was making his way out of the temptation in touching the woman's lips next. He forced his eye not to look, he shrugged his left hand. Shit! How will he even do that if the woman's innocence is just so irresistible? The woman's sleeping form is angelic and his demonic mind wants to penetrate it. Piece by piece he wants to undress it. Its cleavage is still empty in front of him from the u-shaped pink-tee. He wants to grumble those mountains from its fair skinned chest.

Jethro swallowed hard. He looked away when the thrust on his stomach began to crawl deeper. His teeth grunts and his mouth juices, her bottom was itchy. Before he could be tempted, he took the Americana and covered it with the woman's breast. Then he breathes successfully like a business elite closing a huge deal.

He also can't really understand why he is so confused when he knows he has seen so many boobs before. He could no longer count the few women who undressed in front of him and he had seen all of it, not only its chest but also their soul. But this woman's innocence was new to her. Only now has he seen such an innocent face of yours, and he can judge just by looking at it that it is not liberated or pretends to be conservative. He sees a woman whose truthfully conservative but partly modernized looks. Gosh, he closed his eyes. He will be given a martini again later. He needs to cool this heat d