The Hired Daughter

Chapter 1

My broad smile was almost blinding the photographer for our Graduation photo. At long last, I did survive.. but like the usual day, my mind started wandering for this summer. I needed some extra work to earn money. I might try to apply as a service crew? Waitress perhaps? What if I would try to become an online seller, people nowadays were so fond of buying online. I sighed deeply, could I make it till college?

"Sheina!! Hurry up? We’re waiting?" Astrid shouted.

"I will not going to stay that long, Barbara will surely looking for me, I have errand to do." I walked past Astrid, we were heading to their house for the following celebration.. foods and take outs.

"We already know that.. coz for sure they will looking for you more your evil Godsister." she rolled her eyes.

My Godmother was a nice woman, but her daughter Dianne.. she was the opposite, she never did good things on me why Barbara always mad at me just because of her lousy daughter. Barbara has a husband, named Mario, he wasn’t that nice to me either and mostly he was snarling at me too.

"Astrid, I’ll go ahead, they might looking for me now. I told Barbara that I won’t be late." waving at her. "Anyway, thanks for the foods." As I showed her the plastic bags on my hands. I asked for Mechado and spring rolls for the people in our house, in case they want.

"No problem, it was nothing, okay.. just send me a beep once you’re sure for Monday. By the way, congratulations to us!"she grinned and hugged me.

"I’ll go now." I waved again when I saw this arriving tricycle.

"Just dropped me at Sta. Cruz." I told the old man and handed him some bills.

I sighed looking at my purse, I could walk if Astrid’s house was just near. I always saved my money and rarely spent but if it’s for some occasion like this, with some take outs then it might be all right.

Even at school I never spent my money but only for school activities and all, from what Barbara could give me I should’ve at least saved some penny. And right now, I already saved three thousand on my savings since I started to dream on going to college.

Barbara indeed giving me some cash, but in return I had to work all around in her house. I never complained about it coz I had been working for them for the last five years.

I was only thirteen when I lost my parents, they both died from a car accident. They were on the car heading to Manila to meet their friends, but unfortunately they engaged into a road accident.

I sighed in relieved, good that I went home first before Dianne, or else she would probably get mad of me and making a big deal out of it. Barbara was chilling in her living room when I arrived why I headed straight into my room and later on I started doing all the house chores. The five years of my life was spent like this way since I started living here with Barbara’s family, after school I had to get home early and do all the things here. After doing all the house chores then I could chill in my room.

Barbara had to skip my Graduation because Dianne was jealous, they were actually had a row because of that so I told them that it was really okay if she did not come. Barbara not needed to attend my Graduation if Dianne did not like it. And that’s what happened I was alone attending my Graduation. This was the most memorable moment of my life, the most happiest and yet the saddest. Happy because at long last I finished my high school but sad at the same time coz my beloved parents weren’t here to celebrate with me for my Graduation day.

I was lying on my bed when I remembered again my parents. Way back, me and my family used to eat in some restaurants after Sunday mass, it was actually a family tradition. We weren’t rich though, my Mom was a plain house wife and my father worked as an accountant in the bank at the next City. My father had this insurance money left for me why Barbara sheltered me until now. Barbara helped me to claim the money, and so to pay the funeral of my parents. That’s when it all started.

My hands flew on my cheeks and wiped off my tears, I blew a loud breath, I usually missed my parents whenever I was in this kind of sentiments. More when no one cared about it. I slept with unshed tears on my eyes and drifted to a place, where once I lived as a happily with my family.

It was bright Monday and the same day I had to meet Astrid, we were going to the next City and try our luck for this summer.

"You wake up early, Sheina? Still have classes?" Barbara halted me from going to the bathroom. It was still early though.

"Not really, the school is over. I just want to go out . Uhm, I’m going to meet Astrid, we planned on having work this summer, a summer job." I explained and she let me went to the bathroom.

"Good that you want to look for a job this early." I could hear her voice while I was here inside this bathroom.

I just sighed and started taking a bath, as I had to get there earlier for Astrid.

After done of preparing, I was now wearing this white ruffled blouse and skirt. I think this one was the most decent clothes I have in my closet. After checking my appearance I went out and saw Barbara sitting on her living room.

"I got to go."

"Take care, Sheina."

I hailed this next tricycle that my eyes laid on, a back ride would do. Not wanted to wait for another one because of what I was wearing, another half hour was a no no.

I was waiting for Astrid here on this shed, this place was the central of the city why we agreed on seeing each other here. I heaved a bored sigh while playing with my earphones, Astrid being the turtle for making me wait a bit longer than the said meeting. It was twenty minutes after seven and yet no shadow of her, surely we could not find work anymore because of her being late.

I removed my earphones, I started getting annoyed of her for making me wait here when quarter to six I was here already waiting for her. While boringly playing with my foot, a black SUV pulled over into the sidewalk almost near where I was standing, why my eyes snapped to its tinted window. Hello there rich people! Life was so unfair. Its window opened and a beautiful face of the woman showed. The woman not looked too old than her age, probably as same aged of Barbara but she’s way beautiful and elegant than my Godmother. Money and its magic, tell me about it.

"Hija, can I steal a minute from you? Is this Sta. Cruz?" she smiled at me.

I nodded and then shook my head. "Not yet, Ma'am, but the next city is.. This is Sta. Ana, by the way." smiling back at her.

"Oh, thank you." she smiled again before her window rolled up.

My gaze followed the SUV.. I wondered when I was going to experience such car. I heaved a long sigh and shook my head. Dream on, Sheina!

"What’s with the face, Sheina? You looked like you have failed your entrance exam in college the way you pouted." we were just hitched and now on the way to our destination. We agreed on applying in the next city since Sta. Cruz was not yet a developed city, there were few fast food and restaurant but then it’s better here for a better fall back.

"Once we didn’t make it.. I swear, Astrid, I will kick you back to the universe!" I glared her.

"So harsh on me friend.. just chill, okay, always think positive." she smiled. "We’re here!"

I sighed deeply looking at the long line for aspiring applicants. If we arrived early then we got first before this long line.

"Peace, Sheina!" Astrid cleared her throat after making a peace sign.

I walked past her and went to the end of the line, I just hoped we still have chance. As I had to work for this summer for my college, sending yourself to college was not a joke.

"We made it! I told you!!!" Astrid was too overwhelmed when we made it. "Why you seemed not happy? Early this morning you were so grumpy coz I arrived late and now that we’re going for requirements you look still the same?" she was pouting while poking my side.

I dragged her on the side of this establishment, when no one’s around. "Ahhh!!!! Astrid!! We made it! I got work! I can send myself to college..!" I screamed in delight and the poor girl just covered her ears because of my loud scream.

"Jeez! Was in state of shocked? I thought you were sad!" she chuckled.

We laughed while looking at each other, we’re both happy for the not so successful application yet, I was gloomy earlier coz I thought we didn’t have slots anymore. We continued to apply despite of more than ten applicants before us.

I was so happy going home that day, I told Barbara about my newest job and she’s happy for me too. And Dianne just raised me a brow for saying that it was petty of me to rejoice about being a service crew. I just let her at her harsh comment, more when she was muttering about the house chores.

I slept that night with a big smile on my face, so happy that soon I would have a job. It’s a great help for my education.