My HOME
Beginning: Back in the past Home
The scent of oil paints, my haven, was suddenly suffocating. The vibrant hues on my canvas, usually a source of joy, now felt like a mockery of the reality settling upon us. My parents' words echoed in my mind, a chilling reminder of the life I was about to lose.
CHRISTIANA SUAREZ
-35 years old
-POLITICIANS
-Ex congresswoman of San Lorenzo City
-Wife of Luiz Suarez
-Mother of Avi and Ethan
San Lorenzo Village. The place I'd left behind, the place I'd thought I'd escaped. The memories of childhood friendships, of a life that felt so long ago, flooded back, bittersweet and tinged with a sense of loss. But it wasn't just that. It was the thought of leaving behind my career, my life in showbiz. My modeling gigs, the photo shoots, the runway shows, the art exhibitions, the interviews, the red carpets - it was all a part of me, a part of who I was.
LUIZ SUAREZ
-40 years old
-FAMOUS BUSINESS TYCOON
-Owned a lot of properties, owner of Suarez Empire
-Husband of Christiana
-Father of Avi and Ethan
The canvas before me, once a vibrant explosion of color, now seemed flat and lifeless. The cityscape I'd been painting, a testament to my love for Manila's energy, now felt like a cruel joke. The towering buildings, the bustling streets, the neon lights - it all seemed so distant, so unreal, as if I was looking at a faded photograph of a life that no longer existed.
Safety at the expense of my dreams, my passions, my life in Manila. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being forced to trade my freedom for a gilded cage.
Mom
Avi, Ethan! Come down for dinner!
Mom's voice, usually warm and melodious, sounded strained, carrying a tremor of anxiety that echoed my own.
Ethan called back, his voice clipped, his fingers flying across the keyboard of his laptop. He was always the efficient one, the one who could compartmentalize his emotions, but I could see the flicker of concern in his eyes as he looked up from his screen.
Avianna Suarez
What's going on?
I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Ethan shrugged, his expression unreadable.
Ethan Suarez
I don't know. But Dad's been on the phone all day, and Mom's been pacing like a caged tiger.
We descended the grand staircase, the polished marble steps cool beneath our feet. The air in the dining room was thick with unspoken anxiety, a palpable tension that hung heavy over the mahogany table.
Dad
We have something important to discuss.
Dad began, his voice firm yet laced with a hint of worry.
Dad
We've been facing some threats lately, both in business and politics. It's not safe for you two to stay here in Manila.
I echoed, my heart skipping a beat. I knew Mom's political past had made them a target, and Dad's business dealings had always been fraught with risks. But I hadn't realized it had reached this point.
Mom
We want you both to transfer back to San Lorenzo Village,
Mom added, her voice laced with concern.
Mom
It's safer there. We'll be joining you soon.
Avianna Suarez
San Lorenzo Village?
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.
Avianna Suarez
But... my life is here,
I stammered, my voice barely audible.
Avianna Suarez
My friends, my work, my dreams...
Mom said, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination.
Mom
But this is for your safety. We can't risk anything happened to you.
I looked at my brother, his face a mask of stoicism, but I could see the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He was a man of the city, just like me. We'd both built our lives here, our careers, our dreams. Now, we were being forced to abandon it all, to return to a life that felt like a forgotten chapter.
Ethan Suarez
We'll do what's best for the family,
Ethan said, his voice calm, his gaze steady.
He was always the responsible one, the one who put the family first. The dinner that followed was a somber affair. The clinking of silverware against porcelain, the hushed conversations, the forced smiles, it all felt like a funeral for the life we once knew.
Mom
It's a serious matter. There are people who want to hurt us, to silence us. They're trying to intimidate us, to force us to back down.
Ethan Suarez
Who are they?
Ethan asked, his voice sharp, a hint of anger in his tone.
Dad said, his gaze hardening.
Dad
But it involves your mother's political rivals and some of my business competitors. They're using dirty tactics, trying to smear our names, to damage our reputation. They're even threatening to harm our family.
Avianna Suarez
So, what are we supposed to do? Just hide away? Give in to their demands?"
I asked, my voice trembling.
Dad
But we need to protect you and your brother. That's why we want you both to go back to San Lorenzo Village. It's safer there, away from the prying eyes of these people.
AFTER A FEW HOURS LATER...
We were gathered in the living room of our mansion, a space that usually buzzed with laughter and the scent of freshly brewed coffee, now heavy with a suffocating silence. The plush velvet sofas, usually a haven for cozy movie nights, felt cold and unforgiving beneath us.
The giant flat-screen TV, usually showcasing our favorite movies or the latest music videos, now displayed a grim tableau of news footage.
The anchorman, his voice grave and measured, spoke of the threats facing the Suarez family, our family.
Male Anchor
The Suarez family, known for their philanthropic endeavors and their influence in both business and politics, is now facing a wave of threats,
The anchorman stated, his words echoing through the room.
Male Anchor
The threats, believed to be linked to a recent political scandal involving Mrs. Suarez, have escalated in recent days, with anonymous sources alleging that the family is being targeted by a powerful group seeking to silence them.
The news footage shifted, showing images of our family home, the sprawling mansion that was now a symbol of our vulnerability. The manicured lawns, the shimmering pool, the towering columns, all felt like a gilded cage. There were shots of our parents, their faces etched with worry, as they addressed the press, denying any wrongdoing and vowing to fight back against the accusations.
Male Anchor
The family has refused to be intimidated,
The anchorman continued, his voice unwavering.
Male Anchor
They have assured the public that they will not be silenced, and that they will continue to fight for what they believe in.
Ethan shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, his brow furrowed.
Ethan Suarez
This is getting out of hand,
He muttered, his voice laced with a growing tension.
Mom said, her voice was tight with worry,
Mom
That things were getting serious.
Dad
They're trying to intimidate us,
Dad said, his jaw set, his eyes narrowed at the screen.
Dad
They want us to back down, to give in to their demands.
But the words on the screen felt hollow, a thin veil of defiance masking the fear that gnawed at our hearts. We watched, transfixed, as the news footage continued, showing images of our home, our faces, our lives, all laid bare for the world to see.
The news report ended with a chilling warning, a reminder of the dangers we were facing.
Male Anchor
The authorities are investigating the threats, but the Suarez family remains on high alert,
The anchorman said, his voice a somber echo in the silence that followed.
Dad
They're trying to scare us,
Dad said, his voice tight with anger.
Dad
But we won't let them win.
Mom
You both will go to San Lorenzo.
Mom said, her voice firm, her eyes filled with a steely determination.
Mom
It's the safest place for you two right now
Avianna Suarez
But what about our lives here?
I asked, my voice trembling.
Dad said, his gaze meeting mine, a flicker of reassurance in his eyes.
Dad
We'll find a way to make it work.
But even as he spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that our lives were about to change drastically. The threats we faced were real, and the safety of our family was paramount. But a part of me couldn't help but feel a sense of loss, a yearning for the life I had built in Manila, a life that was now being ripped away from me.
The news footage on the screen faded to black, but the images remained etched in my mind, a haunting reminder of the danger that lurked around every corner.
Ethan Suarez
We're going home,
Ethan said, his voice is a low murmur.
Ethan Suarez
We're going back to where it all began.
The thought of San Lorenzo Village brought a strange mix of emotions. The village, with its narrow cobblestone streets, its quaint houses with colorful bougainvillea spilling over their walls, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the local bakery, held a comforting familiarity.
But it also represented a life I had left behind, a life that felt so long ago. I could almost hear the laughter of childhood friends, the sound of the village bell echoing through the streets, the warmth of the community that had once embraced me.
But now, as we prepared to return, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. The village was a place of safety, but it was also a place of limitations, a place where my dreams seemed to fade into the background.
And as we stood there, surrounded by the silence of our mansion, I couldn't help but wonder if we would ever find our way back to the lives we once knew.
Chap. 1: THE REUNION
The taxi’s engine hummed a lullaby of farewell as we trundled through the familiar streets of Manila. My heart ached, a dull throb that mirrored the rhythm of the engine. I pressed my face against the cool glass, my reflection a hazy outline against the vibrant tapestry of neon signs, bustling markets, and towering buildings. Each corner, each street, was a memory, a piece of my soul woven into the fabric of this city.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, a jarring interruption to the melancholic haze that swirled around me. It was a call from Trisha, the name flashing on the screen like a beacon of my Manila life. Ethan shot me a questioning look, but I simply nodded, a silent acknowledgement of the impending farewell.
Trisha
Avi, is it true? You're leaving?
Trisha's voice, laced with a hint of panic, spilled through the phone. I could almost hear the frantic whispers of Calix and the rest of our gang in the background.
Avianna Suarez
Yeah, we're leaving for a while,
I mumbled, my voice echoing the sadness that was choking my throat.
Avianna Suarez
We're going back to the province.
Trisha
No fair! We were just about to plan our next big adventure. What about the beach trip we promised each other?
I could hear the disappointment in her voice, the echo of my own.
Trisha's voice was filled with a mixture of disbelief and disappointment.
Avianna Suarez
I know, I'm so sorry,
I said, trying to force a cheerful tone into my voice.
Avianna Suarez
But it's just for a while. We'll be back. Promise.
I took a deep breath, the familiar scent of Manila filling my lungs, savoring it one last time. It was a bittersweet farewell, a love letter whispered on the wind.
Trisha
We'll miss you so much,
Trisha said, her voice thick with emotion.
Trisha
But we'll be here once when you get back. We'll be waiting.
Avianna Suarez
Thanks, Trisha,
I said, a lump forming in my throat.
Avianna Suarez
I'll miss you guys too.
The call ended, leaving a void in the air that felt heavier than the city's humid embrace. Ethan, ever the pragmatist, had accepted our move with a stoic quietude, but I knew the city was just as much a part of him as it was of me.
Ethan Suarez
Are you okay, Avi?
He asked, his voice laced with concern. He leaned back in the seat, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
I mumbled, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace.
Avianna Suarez
Just...thinking.
The airport loomed before us, a sprawling concrete jungle that seemed to swallow the city whole. As we stepped out of the taxi, the air hung heavy with the scent of jet fuel and distant diesel fumes. I took a deep breath, savoring the familiar city air one last time.
Avianna Suarez
I can't believe we're actually leaving,
I said, my voice barely a whisper. The words felt heavy, clinging to the air like the humidity that always clung to Manila's skin.
Ethan squeezed my shoulder, his hand warm against my skin.
Ethan Suarez
It's just for a while, remember? We'll be back. Maybe even sooner than you think.
He was right, of course. Our father’s business was demanding his attention back in their province. We were supposed to be there for a year, maybe two. Yet, the thought of leaving Manila, the place that had always been my home, felt like a betrayal, like ripping a page from my heart.
I glanced back at the cityscape, the vibrant tapestry of Manila fading into the distance. It was a bittersweet farewell, a chapter closing on a life filled with laughter, love, and memories that would forever be etched in my heart. This wasn't goodbye, not really. It was merely a pause, a temporary separation from the city that had always been my home.
The plane hummed with a low, steady thrumming as it ascended into the cloudy sky, leaving Manila behind. I stared out the window, a knot of sadness twisting in my stomach. The city below, once a vibrant kaleidoscope of lights, now faded into a blurry, gray canvas.
Ethan Suarez
I know. It’s not easy leaving Manila, especially so suddenly.
Avianna Suarez
Do you think it’s going to be okay?
I asked, a tremor in my voice.
Avianna Suarez
The threats, the whole… situation.
Ethan Suarez
We'll be okay,
He said, placing a hand on mine. His touch, always reassuring, brought a flicker of comfort.
Ethan Suarez
We're together, and Dad and Mom will protect us.
Avianna Suarez
But what about our lives, our dreams?
Avianna Suarez
Our jobs, our friends, everything we’ve built…
He sighed, a hint of frustration in his tone.
Ethan Suarez
I know, Avi. It’s hard, but we have to think of the bigger picture. This isn’t forever. We’ll be back, and we’ll rebuild.
I looked at him, his stoicism a mask for his own worries.
Avianna Suarez
You’re okay with this, aren’t you? Leaving Manila? And Going back to the village?
He met my gaze, his eyes reflecting a mixture of apprehension and determination.
Ethan Suarez
It’s not ideal, Avi. But it’s what we have to do. We’ll make the best of it.
A silence fell between us, heavy with unspoken anxieties. I looked back out the window, the clouds swirling and shifting like a sea of uncertainty.
Avianna Suarez
Do you think things will ever go back to normal?
I asked, my voice a mere whisper. He placed his hand on mine again, squeezing gently.
Ethan Suarez
We don’t know yet. But we’ll make it through. We always do.
His words offered a sliver of hope, a reassurance that resonated in my heart. We were a family, strong and resilient, and we would face this challenge together. As the plane soared higher, leaving behind the city that was now just a memory, I felt a wave of determination. We might be leaving behind a part of our lives, but we weren't leaving behind the spirit that bound us together. We were just beginning a new chapter, a chapter written in the language of resilience, hope, and the unwavering bond of family.
The carriage lurched to a halt, the horses snorting and pawing the ground. Ethan squeezed my hand, his eyes mirroring the excitement bubbling in my chest. We were finally home.
After two days of travel, the familiar scent of damp earth and pine needles filling the air, we stood before our ancestral home. The grand mansion of our forefathers loomed before us, its weathered stone facade and towering chimneys silhouetted against the fading twilight. The sprawling haciendas stretched out like emerald carpets, their boundaries lost in the gathering shadows.
A wave of emotions washed over me. Awe, apprehension, a deep sense of belonging, they all swirled within me, making my heart thrum against my ribs. This was it. The place my family called home for generations. The place where my story was meant to be written.
The heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing Doña Elena, our mayordoma, standing in the shadowy hall. A rush of memories flooded my senses.
Her weathered face, framed by a crown of silver hair, seemed to hold the weight of generations upon her shoulders. Her eyes, though dimmed by time, still held a flicker of the warmth and wisdom I remembered from my childhood visits.
DOÑA ELENA
-70 years old
-The Suarez Old Maiden
-Loyal and faithful to the Suarez family
-40 years in Old mansion
Doña Elena
Welcome home, Avianna, Ethan,
She said, her voice echoing in the vast hall, a tremor of emotion in her tone.
Doña Elena
It is an honor to see you return to these hallowed halls.
Ethan, ever the gentleman, bowed slightly, a playful glint in his eyes.
Ethan Suarez
Doña Elena, it's good to be home.
I couldn't speak. My throat felt choked with emotion. As we stepped inside, the silence of the mansion seemed to press down upon us.
The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and dust, carrying the faintest whisper of cinnamon and cloves, a reminder of the countless feasts held within these walls. My boots echoed on the polished marble floor, the sound reverberating through the cavernous space, magnifying the sense of history and grandeur that hung heavy in the air.
Avianna Suarez
This place feels...different,
I finally managed, my voice a whisper.
Avianna Suarez
Like a dream.
Doña Elena smiled, a warmth spreading through her weathered face.
Doña Elena
It is a place of dreams, Avianna. Dreams of your ancestors, their hopes and their struggles. Now, it is your turn to write your own story within these walls.
Ethan Suarez
Don't you think we should let Doña Elena show us around? She's probably dying to tell us all about the place.
I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips.
Avianna Suarez
Of course, Ethan. Let's explore our heritage. Come, Doña Elena. We're all ears.
Her smile widened, crinkling the corners of her eyes.
Doña Elena
Of course, Avianna, Ethan. Follow me.
She led us through the grand entrance hall, its walls lined with portraits of our ancestors.
Their stern faces, captured in oil paint, seemed to gaze down upon us with a mixture of curiosity and approval. The air grew cooler as we moved deeper into the mansion, the temperature dropping with each step. The scent of wood smoke, a faint but familiar aroma, lingered in the air, clinging to the shadows that danced across the walls.
We rounded a corner, and I caught sight of a tall, slender figure working on a bookshelf, his back to us. He was…handsome. Strikingly handsome.
His dark hair was neatly cropped, revealing a strong jawline and the beginnings of a salt-and-pepper beard. His broad shoulders moved with a measured grace as he worked, his movements both efficient and powerful.
LANCE JAVIER
-28 years old
-Childhood best friend of Ethan
-Love the flowers, Reading some academic and novel book, Good at cooking
-Brother of Eva
-Smart/independent/
-Hacienderos in Suarez Mansions
His dark hair was neatly cropped, revealing a strong jawline and the beginnings of a salt-and-pepper beard. His broad shoulders moved with a measured grace as he worked, his movements both efficient and powerful.
He turned, and our eyes met. His gaze was sharp, almost predatory, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. There was an air of arrogance about him, a sense of aloofness that made him seem both alluring and distant.
His features were sharp and defined, his lips pressed into a firm line, a hint of sarcasm dancing in his eyes. His eyes, a deep, cool gray, held a depth that hinted at a life of hard work and determination, but also a touch of cynicism.
He called her, his voice deep and resonant, tinged with a hint of amusement. Doña Elena smiled.
Doña Elena
Ah, Lance. It's good to see you. This is Avianna and Ethan, the new masters of these lands.
Lance gave a curt nod in Ethan's direction, his expression softening just slightly.
Lance Javier
Ethan, it's been a while, hasn't it? I see you're still as charming as ever.
He then turned to me, his eyes hardening once more, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Lance Javier
Via, how lovely to see you again. You've grown into a... beautiful young woman.
His voice was smooth, laced with a hint of sarcasm, and his eyes held a flicker of something I couldn't quite decipher.
A blush crept up my cheeks. I didn't remember Lance being so...cutting. He had always been a quiet but kind presence when I was a child, always offering to help with chores or even just sharing a simple smile. Now, he was all sharp edges and veiled disdain.
Avianna Suarez
It's good to see you too, Lance,
I managed, my voice a bit shaky. Doña Elena, sensing the tension, intervened.
Doña Elena
Lance, you know Avianna and Ethan, they're not quite children anymore. They are the new masters of the mansions and haciendas now.
Lance's eyebrows rose slightly, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
Lance Javier
Oh? Is that so? Well, in that case, I suppose it's my duty to assist them in any way I can.
He paused, a playful smirk twitching at his lips.
Lance Javier
After all, this is my home too, and I'm quite fond of the place.
He cast a sideways glance in my direction, and I felt a pang of something...unfamiliar...in my chest. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something, a secret tucked behind those cool grey eyes.
Doña Elena, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, continued.
Doña Elena
Lance is the best man to help you settle in, Señorita Avi. He's been managing the haciendas for years, and he knows every nook and cranny of this place.
She gestured towards the grand salon.
Doña Elena
Let's go. I'll show you around.
As we followed Doña Elena through the mansion, I couldn't help but steal glances at Lance. He moved with a quiet grace, his long legs carrying him with ease. His hands, calloused but strong, were delicate as he ran his fingers over the spines of the books on the shelves, his brow furrowed in concentration.
He had a love for books, I remembered, always lost in some story or another when I was a child. He even loved flowers. He always brought a single rose to Doña Elena whenever he saw her tending to the garden. Not only that, but he was a contradiction - serious, strong, yet with a surprising gentleness tucked away somewhere deep inside him.
My heart thrummed a little faster. I couldn't explain it. Perhaps it was the way he moved, the way he looked at me, the air of mystery that clung to him like a shroud. It was as if a dormant ember within me had suddenly ignited, sparking something new and exhilarating.
And then I remembered. He was Ethan's childhood friend. He'd spent countless hours at our house, sharing stories and laughter. He'd been a part of our lives for as long as I could remember. But he was different now. More mature, more...intriguing.
Doña Elena stopped before the massive, ornately carved doors of the Grand Salon.
Doña Elena
This is where your forefathers held their gatherings, their celebrations, and their debates,
Doña Elena
A place of laughter, of tears, of triumphs, and of failures. The very walls bear witness to their lives.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and then I caught Lance's eye. His gaze lingered on me, a hint of something...unreadable...flitting across his features.
Lance interjected, his voice smooth and low.
Lance Javier
Perhaps I can be of service. I know this place better than anyone.
He stepped forward, his presence filling the surrounding space with a sense of quiet power. His dark eyes met mine, a spark of something…unreadable…flitting across his features. I felt my heart skip a beat.
Doña Elena smiled, a warmth spreading through her weathered face.
Doña Elena
Of course, Lance. You know the mansion best. Show Señorita Avi around. Señorito Ethan, you can join them later. I need to show you something..
Ethan, ever the gentleman, nodded politely and offered a reassuring smile.
Ethan Suarez
See you in a bit, Avi. And of course, you Lance.
Then, he turned to Doña Elena,
Ethan Suarez
If you need any help, I'm here.
Doña Elena
Sure, if that's what you want, hijo
As I followed Lance into the Grand Salon, the grand space felt more like a mausoleum than a place of celebration. The sunlight filtered through the high windows, casting long, stark shadows across the polished marble floor.
I shivered. The air was heavy with the ghosts of the past, a palpable sense of history pressing down upon me. Lance, as if sensing my unease, paused at the entrance to the Grand Salon, a hint of a smile gracing his lips.
The echo of laughter, the scent of freshly baked bread, the sound of my own childish giggles bouncing off the walls...it was all there, hidden in the shadows, waiting to be awakened.
I remembered the endless games of hide-and-seek with Eva, Lance's little sister, my best friend. The secret forts we built in the attic, the stories we shared, the dreams we dreamt. And Ethan, of course, is always a part of our adventures, his laughter ringing in my ears as he chased us through the halls.
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