Into Her Book 1: Clyde Hernandez

PROLOGUE

Into Her Book 1: Clyde Hernandez

crescent

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This story is not affiliated with anything.

Please be advised that this story might contain some strong languages and mature contents that are not suitable for some readers.

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PROLOGUE

“I’ll come back with your order tomorrow, okay?”

I told Aling Jilen, waving my hand to her as a goodbye. She gave me a nod with a bright smile that she always had on. I hopped onto my bicycle and rode away from her shop with a big smile on my lips, thinking about the money that I received today.

The beautiful skies of Ilocos are sunny today but still enough for me to enjoy the morning. People are busy roaming around the streets, locals going to their own work while foreigners go to their destinations. Indeed, Vigan really is a hot place.

I pass by different old buildings that have the vibe of the old Manila that I read through books. This city really embraced the Spaniard vibes of old Manila—less the traditional clothing, which is why a lot of tourists really come to visit this place a lot, especially during the holidays.

I let the wind come through me as I ride my bicycle to the next street on my way home. I’m Arabella Joaquin, and that has been my routine every single morning when there are no classes. Riding bicycles in this city makes me feel calm because of the vintage aura this city has. It was like I am in that vintage country myself.

My mornings go like waking up and taking breakfast with my Tito and Lola. After that, I will be running errands for my Lola’s crafting shop to deliver them to other shops closely near us that order from us. Once I deliver those successfully, I get to have my free time for a short while during my bicycle ride across the city.

The people here are somehow close to me already, even though we haven't really lived here since the beginning. We only moved here about 4 years ago after staying in Manila. Tito says that it is because life is much better when you are away from the main city.

“My beloved apo,”

My Lola greeted me the moment I stopped in front of our craft shop. She immediately approached me with a warm smile and adoring eyes on me. “Have you delivered the items properly?”

“I did, Lola, but Aling Jilen wants to order the other designs again. I told her that I would deliver it tomorrow.” I politely told her, hopping off my bike before giving her Aling Jilen’s pay.

“You can’t keep promising our customers to give their orders in just a day of production, Bella!” A smirk forms my lips hearing that voice.

“We can’t keep our customers waiting, Tito. Besides! They love and have been loyal to us because of our good customer service.” I said, winking at him—smiling innocently. I turned to my Lola, giving her a peck on her cheeks. “I will go and get changed for now.”

She gave me a nod and I took it as a cue that I could go now. Before I could even pass by Tito, we even ended up teasing one another like usual. Both of us got scolded by Lola though because of being naughty.

Once upstairs, I decided to wash up because of the sweat I got while delivering the items. I dressed up in a simple oversized shirt, tucking the front into my denim shorts. Since there could be more errands and I would be accompanying my Lola in the shop the whole day, I wore sneakers and tied my hair in a bun before going downstairs.

“That will be 850 pesos.” I told the foreigner in their language while Lola remained talking with our neighbouring seller as well.

She often leaves me to talk with foreigners, since it’s easier for me to have a conversation with them than with her. Our shop usually has a lot of foreigners buying souvenirs to take back with them. That is why I have already mastered speaking foreign languages fluently.

“Your apo is really smart, isn’t she?” I heard our neighbouring seller, Aling Fiona, tell Lola. I gave one last thanks to the foreigner before he leaves with his company. I walked towards the both of them to join their friendly conversation. “What’s your class rank again, Bella?”

“Rank 1, Aling Fiona.” I shyly said in a small voice. It is something to boast about, but I don’t want our other neighbors to say that I am being too boastful.

She let out an amazed gasp which made me even more shy. “You must have got your smart brain from your Tatay. If only he was still alive,” she commented.

I tried my best to put on a natural smile but I think I failed to do so because… the reality hit me once again. The reality is that I am not Tito’s nephew, Lola’s granddaughter, and neither Tatay’s daughter. That I am not part of their family by blood.

I don’t really remember anything about how it happened and only managed to hear it from Lola and Tatay. Based on them, it was when I was 7 years old that I got into a car accident. I don’t have any memory of the incident but Tatay told me that he was the one who managed to save me before something worse could even happen. That was the only thing that I knew because he wasn’t able to disclose much further to me—considering the possible side effects it had on me. He told me that when I woke up in the hospital, I couldn't remember who I was and my memory was completely washed away. They only managed to identify me because of my necklace that has my first name on it.

As for my real family, I want to find them and know who they are, because that leads me to know who I am as well. But whenever I try to remember, I always end up with a headache that it’s sometimes unbearable for me to handle. Since then, I haven’t tried remembering again because of the pain.

I was brought back to my senses when I felt a hand reach for mine. I look at Lola in slight confusion but she just focuses on Aling Fiona. “He is watching after her for sure. My son is just as proud as I am of her, I’m sure of that.” She says.

Tatay—the person who saved me from that accident and the person I have looked up to since then—died 4 years ago. That was actually the reason why we left Manila and resided here already since then. He was shot by a thief without any mercy and we’re just lucky because we got him justice after that thief got caught.

A smile formed on my lips, feeling that familiar warmth from Lola’s words. “I’m sure he is! I didn’t work hard to be at that rank just so he wouldn’t be proud of me.” I proudly said, which made them laugh.

The three of them were the ones who never really made me feel I was not related to them nor don't I belong. Lola treated me and adored me like her own grandchild. Tatay treated me and looked after me until his disappearance like his own daughter. Lastly, Tito treated me and protected me like his own nephew. I never really felt that I was not their family, but instead, they were able to make me even more special. That is why I never really had many thoughts about my real family.

The only thing that was on my mind now was how to make those people around me proud and how I was going to repay them in the future for all of the things they have done for me. I want them to live their life comfortably because of my achievements. I want to be that kind of grandchild, daughter, and nephew that they can be proud of even though I am not really their own. That… that is the only way I could give back to them after years of taking care of me—a person who is not really related to them.

“I’ll just deliver the items to Aling Jilen, Lola,” I said, picking up the items that Aling Jilen ordered from us yesterday.

“Be careful while riding your bike, okay?” she reminded me as I gave her a nod in return.

I ride my bicycle once again in this same city and the same surroundings. This is just something I wouldn’t probably get tired of seeing every single day. I am surrounded by good people in a great city with a stable business. Those are enough for me to not even ask for more.

“Here are your orders, Aling Jilen!” I said cheerfully, placing her orders on the table inside her shop.

She has been our loyal customer for about three years now. Her shop is located near the Baluarte Zoo while ours is near the plaza. That is why our shop sales don’t really clash with one another and Lola has so much trust in Aling Jilen already.

“You dressed nicely today, Bella.” she complimented upon approaching me. She gave me a thumbs up while I gave her a shy smile.

“You don’t need to keep complimenting me, Aling Jilen.” I shyly said.

Every single time I come here, I will always hear some compliments from her. That I am pretty and dressed really nicely, unlike her daughter—a good friend of mine—who dresses up too simply. I don’t even see any difference between our styles because I also dressed simply.

There is just one funny thing about it whenever I get complimented by any of our close neighbors. They always ask me who I look after because they have seen Tatay’s photos and I don’t look after him. They also asked for my mother but I couldn’t say anything since Tatay doesn’t have a wife before he dies. What’s funny in there is because they keep asking who I resemble when I am not even blood related with the family I am with right now.

Unlike the three of them, I have smaller eyelids and longer in width than round eyes—which are the same as an almond as they have big eyes. I also have a high pointed nose which most people are jealous of while they have a not-so flat nose. My lips are natural with a full top and bottom, while they have those round lips. I also have fair skin while they are tanned. We have a lot of differences which makes other people keep thinking that I must have come after my mother. What they didn’t know is that I am not really Tatay’s daughter—nor even part of this family.

I stopped my bike when I noticed a fancy black car parked in front of our ship. Our neighboring shops are also eyeing the car, which made me even more curious. When I approached our shop, I was confused to see it closed because we had just opened about half an hour ago.

“Aling Fiona,” I called, getting her attention. She hurriedly approaches me with curiosity evident on her face. “What’s going on? Why is our shop closed?”

“I was supposed to ask you the same question, Bella! Who are those people that come with that car?” She questioned which confused me.

“What do you mean?”

“Two men just came here about a couple minutes ago now. I heard them looking for your father, then suddenly your Lola just called for your Tito a minute later after she talked to them.” she explained what made me think. She glances at the stairs that lead to our house, just above the shop. “They are upstairs. You should go!”

Without even letting me react, she pushes me forcedly up the stairs. When I look back at her, she just signals me to go up, which gives me an idea that she wants to give her some information about this. I shook my head and just let out a sigh at the end.

I went up the stairs, feeling lost and curious about this sudden event. I just delivered some crafts nearby and now I’m seeing a fancy car outside our house with our shop closed. It’s so new for me. My Lola even invited those people inside our house!

“What’s going on here?”

I asked the moment I saw people on our couch. My eyes caught the unfamiliar faces sitting on the couch who had their eyes on me as well. I arch my brows, tilting my head as one of them stands up while looking at me in longing.

“Who are they?”

Before I could even go to approach Lola and ask her more, the man who had been staring at me the whole time suddenly came to me and pulled me in his arms. My eyes are wide, confused about these sudden events. I don’t even know who this man is, but he is hugging me already with Lola and Tito not even doing anything.

“Excuse me, sir, but… do I know you?” I said while he kept his tight hug on me.

He let me go and I thought it already ended there, but it didn't. He wiped his escape tears and looked at me in gladness which I returned with confusion. It didn’t really take him long to shock me with his reveal.

“I have been looking for you for so long,” I looked at him with furrowed brows. “We have been looking for you for so long, my daughter.”

“M-my… w-what?”

I removed my eyes off from him and looked at Lola who gave me a nod before she looked down. Tears gradually build up in my eyes as I look back at the person who has been claiming that I am his daughter. It was like a déjà vu. That unbearable headache kicked in after a long time and the only thing I could do was scream while slumping onto the floor where Tito, Lola and that man kept calling for me, but I couldn’t hear anything from them.

And then, the next thing I knew… everything went black.

When I woke up, I was already inside my room with a blanket covering half of my body. The same man who claimed to be my father was standing while looking around my room. When he noticed that I was awake, he immediately came closer to me.

“Are you feeling okay, Arabella?” he asked, helping me to sit up as I gave him a nod. “Do you want some water? I will get you some.”

“Are you really my father?” I questioned before he could even stand up. He turns to look back at me again. “You aren’t lying, right?”

“I know that it is hard to believe, especially that it has been so many years already since we lost you. But that necklace,” he pointed to the necklace that I never remove from my neck unless I am taking a bath. “That alone proves that you are my daughter and I am your father.”

My hand automatically went to my necklace, touching and feeling it. “Does this belong to you?”

“It belongs to your Mom.” He answered calmly.

“My… mom?” I slowly said, letting it sink. I… have a Mom now? “Where… is she?”

“She is back at our home, Arabella. Your mom has been waiting for your return and never gave up even though we have been disappointed so many times.” he explained, which made me glad.

Somehow, the thought that my real family gave up on looking for me has already actually crossed my mind so many times now. I thought that they were already happy with their lives now and didn’t want me around. That is why I didn’t bother myself too much about looking for them, because I have my own new family now, but now… my real father is here in front of me.

“Are you… taking me with you?” I questioned carefully.

“Can I?” he questioned back. “Your Lola told me how they found you and took care of you afterwards. I’m sure you have created a bond with them so much and we can’t take you away from them forcefully just because you are our daughter. It’s up to you… do you want to go with me to our home? To your home?”

The thought of leaving Lola and Tito never crosses my mind unless it's about working already. I never really expected that my real family would find me. That is why I never thought of the fact that I might leave both of them. But now that I am already here, I’m not really sure what to answer.

“I-”

“You should go with your father, apo.” I looked at her with lips slightly parted.

Is she tired of me already? Doesn’t she want me here anymore? She approaches me as my father lets her take his position. She reaches for my hand and holds it.

“Whatever is in your head, it’s not true. I always wanted you to meet your real family, Bella. Now that the time has come, I don’t want you to lose that opportunity of meeting and getting close to them.” she tucked a hair strand behind my ear before caressing my cheek gently. “We both know this will happen one day.”

At the end, we discussed what would happen to me starting now. My father gave me an allotted time to stay here until the vacation ends. It’s only May and I was supposed to have my classes starting next month, but he told me that I still have until August since I will automatically transfer to a new school. The classes there do not start until September, so I will move to Manila by the beginning of August to adjust.

Although I know that I only have a little time left in this city, I tried to make it feel like I am not doing a countdown. I did my daily routine for the next couple of weeks and acted like my real father didn’t show up. We also didn’t disclose my real identity here because I don’t want to be the talk of town. It’s better to just try and keep acting like nothing happened for now.

“I’ll bring the crafts inside, Aling Jilen!” I announced, making my voice louder for Lola to hear.

I tried to be as careful as possible since the crafts are fragile. Aling Jilen also has a customer, lurking around her shop right now so I can’t really be too loud. When I put down the first box, my eyes went to that tall guy who was dressed in a fancy outfit. Just by looking at him, he looks rich and… handsome even though he has sunglasses on.

“Have you already put everything inside?” Aling Jilen suddenly showed up next to me, bringing me back to my senses.

“There’s still another box. I’ll just take it here.” I said before passing by her with a smile.

I didn’t give that guy another glance again and just went back to work. But things happened accidentally. I didn’t expect the box to be so heavy that I lost my balance, making the box fall down to the floor. My mind was on the craft and I was already expecting myself to hit the floor,

…but I didn’t.

My eyes were closed, ready for the impact, but then I felt an arm keeping me in place. When I opened my eyes, I was greeted with another pair of intense eyes looking down at me with a blank expression on. It was like I found myself stuck in his gaze that I can’t even get out.

It’s him… the guy in a fancy outfit.