PARALLELED: Wait! Why Am I Suddenly Filthy Rich?

Chapter 1: The Slum's Protector

In a street located in Tondo, Manila, a three middle-aged man was surrounding a young woman with a short hair and a baseball cap. In her hand was a belt bag full of white powder that could sell thousands.

“Give it back Tanya! Why do you always stick your nose to other people’s businesses?” One of the thugs asked.

But Tanya just smirked behind the shadows of her cap. “If you want it, then just simply take it. If you can.” She taunted the thugs causing them to react violently and attacked her at once.

“Oh! Attacking a lady, are we?” Tanya taunted but managed to evade the punch thrown at her. In one swift motion, she kicked one of the thugs in the balls making that person cry in excruciating pain. She also threw a jab on the other one on his stomach and turned quickly to give a kick in the chest.

It’s now down to one person. Luckily, this encounter occurred in a tight lane with no bystanders and onlookers nearby. However, the odds went tight when the last person took out a balisong from his pocket.

Why do thugs always carry that? That’s unfair you know. Tanya whined inside her mind.

The thug attacked her while swinging the balisong around aiming to hit her body. But Tanya was already used to this kind of fight. And in just a split second, the balisong was already in her hand and the thug was lying on the ground with a grimaced face.

“F*ck you Tanya…”

The thug said before losing consciousness. “f**k yourself Tony.” Tanya replied then called the police. She handed over the drugs to serve as evidence and also sent a copy of the photos she took earlier during the drug exchange that she accidentally witnessed on her way back to her small apartment.

The police asked a few more questions before she was finally able to go. On the wooden chair just beside the gate of her apartment, was a person sitting firmly with crossed arms. Tanya sighed at the sight. She will receive yet another earful of scolding.

“What is wrong with you Tanya? Do you really wish to die?” Her close friend, Samantha, yelled at her.

“Jeez Manty. Will you lower your voice? Aling Medring will scold us again, you know.”

But Samantha just narrowly eyed her then pinched her sides. “Stop calling me Manty!”

“Oww! Oww! All right, all right. I won’t.” Tanya chuckled. She knows that her friend was just worried about her. But she cannot also turn a blind eye for such crimes. And she knows her friend knows it. She is just simply worried and she appreciates that.

“Let’s go upstairs. I’m cooking canton for dinner.” Tanya invited but Samantha shook her head. “Nah. I can’t. I need to be early tonight. Geez. You swiftly changed the topic again.” Samantha realized her scheme and she just stuck her tongue at her.

Her friend raised both of her hands in defeat. “Damn you Tanya. Go. Before I change my mind and s***k you in the head, you stubborn kid.”

Tanya laughed. “Beat yah. Bye Manty, send my regards to your clients.” She said and climbed upstairs. She opened the door and entered inside her small studio-type apartment.

Her name's Tanya Gasque. A 22-year old orphan who lives on her own in a small rented apartment located in the slums of Tondo. She grew up in a shelter for orphans all her life and when she reached 16 years old, she ventured herself away to live on her own. All because she wanted to give her spot to another orphan who needs the support of the shelter more than her.

And after two years of having several odd jobs, she managed to get a full-time position in a known computer shop as a manager and technician at the same time. Though deprived with proper education, Tanya managed to land on the job as she was a natural born genius. Her knowledge came from watching people doing it, learning it, then doing it herself.

That process also applied on her fighting skills. Her moves and techniques all came from watching dramas, movies and video clips for self-defense. She practiced them alone and learned them alone. All for the sake of her safety and protection. After all, she has no one to do so aside from herself.

The next morning, Tanya woke up early and prepared for work. Her boss will be coming over later to collect the profit for the month so she has to do some checking and a little bit of inventory.

After locking her place, she quickly went her way. The street was already in a buzz as always. People are yelling early in the morning, while some are already preparing for their business on the near marketplace.

“Still as lively as ever.” Tanya commented as she looked around.

She reached the bus stop and was able to hop on one, shortly after. She sat on the third row near the window. Moments later, the bus was already full. Tanya’s seatmate is a young man around mid-twenties just like her. The man was wearing earphones and was busy watching whatever is playing in his phone. Tanya paid no more attention to him and just stared outside the window.

The traffic is still as early as a bird. She's done a great on deciding to go early today.

Then the bus stopped once again and an old grandma climbed up, after. The man on his side gave the grandma a quick glance. Tanya thought that since the seat are already fully-loaded, the man will be kind enough to offer his seat but she was wrong. The man went back to watching her phone and ignored the poor old lady.

Tanya was disappointed and furious. She glared at the man beside her then stood. The bus was already moving so it was a bit shaky. Using this on her advantage, Tanya stepped on the man’s shoes and pretended she didn’t notice what happened. She then went to the old lady and offered her, her seat. And since the old lady has a huge bag with her, the man was forced to scoot over to the seat near the window.

The man glared at Tanya but Tanya just raised her brows to the man. “What? Want a piece of me? I’ll take you on, dickhead.” Tanya mouthed to the man.

“Thank you, hija.” 

But the grandma suddenly spoke to Tanya so she quickly removed her glare from the discourteous man and smiled to the old lady. “Oh, no worries grandma. My joints are still strong enough to stand. You actually helped my butt. It’s already sore from too much sitting.” Tanya joked around making the grandma laugh.

Tanya chuckled. She has remained standing until she reached her stop. When she is about to go, the grandma held her hand.

“It’s good to see you, Tanya.”

“Huh?” Tanya was surprised. How did this grandma know her name? She suddenly felt chills. “How-“

“Hey kid! Are you getting off or not? You're causing traffic!”

Tanya’s question was cut off by that yell from the driver. That left her no choice but to hop out before she could ask that strange grandma. Tanya stared at the departing bus.

“That was strange." Tanya's head tilted. "But I don’t feel any ill intention towards me from that grandma. Oh well, she must have known me somewhere. I’ll just think where next time. First things, first.”

Ignoring the lingering questions in her mind, Tanya went her way to the computer shop and opened it for business once again today.