"This is my daughter" my dad introduced me to his Chinese relatives. I remember that I'm just 6 that time and my mom passed away early because of cancer so my dad decided to go back to China.

I remember myself standing beside my dad, hugging his arms because I'm scared. Everyone looks at me like I am a disgusting thing.

That time I have no choices, my mom passed away and my dad was too depressed because of it. He said that he can't take care of me alone because of this so we flew to China.

Day by day, my dad got worsen. He's always in his room crying and drinking because of sadness. I always cry when I saw him in his fragile state but I cannot do anything.

My cousin always mocked me because of my skin color. They always say that I'm a bad fortune and doesn't deserve to be part of the Chen family. That will always make me cry and angry but I always remember my mom saying "Always be good, Ginnella. Good always wins" and decided to ignore them all the time.

One of the reasons why they hate me the most is because grandfather Edward Chen likes me. He said that he's fond of Filipinos because in the past when he got injured, a Filipino helped him. He plays with me when he got time and always buys me gifts because he don't want me to feel that I'm alone.

I appreciate all of grandpa Chen efforts, he's one of the reasons why I am smiling. With this world full of toxic people, I am blessed because I have someone like him that accepts me for who I am when no one does.

Me and my cousins study at the same school. I get in and got a scholarship on the best university here in China by myself because I don't want to bother Grandfather about this I can handle but as soon as cousin Weilan Chen and Xixi Chen found out about this, they immediately enrolled too and take the same course I took.

I'm doing my best to keep silent and just study but this two wouldn't stop making things hard for me. One time, they accused me of cheating on the exam because they got jealous when I got the highest score so I was forced to do a retake. I did it without saying anything, I did it without disagreeing.

Hoping that this would satisfy them and hope that they will leave me alone but they won't stop, this things wouldn't satisfy them. I kept this things to myself without telling grandfather or my father because I don't want them to worry. I got this! I need to be strong.

During the day I am always seen as a quiet and introvert girl but when the night comes, I always cry when I hear my father mumbling my mother's name. The pain that I am unwanted by our family and the pain that I can't have a complete family again.

It hurts so much...

I applied for a scholarship on the best university here and got one by myself because I don’t want to bother grandfather about this small thing that I can do on my own but when Xixi and Jiya Chen heard it they immediately enrolled there too and also picked the course I chose.

I remember one time I got the highest score on our examination and out of jealousy, my cousins Xixi and Jiya Chen told our teacher that I cheated so I was forced to do a re-take. I did it without saying anything nor arguing. I didn’t mention it to grandfather because I don’t want a fight. I didn’t cheat on the test so why I would be scared to do a re-take.

They didn’t hear anything to me that day but when I got home I immediately run to my room to cry. I cried then took the book mom gave me. It was entitled ‘Golden Hearts Unlocks Golden Doors’ I always read this book when I need a comfort because it felt like I am talking to my mom when reading this.

It looks old and plain with the black cover and gold writings. Inside, you’ll see some motivating words, words of wisdoms and comforting words. This maybe plain and unappealing but for me, this is my everything, the only one that catches me when no one does.

I closed my eyes then opened the book without looking. After I opened the book, I opened my eyes to see what would the book tell me now “I see your hardships, I feel your pain but no matter what, YOU’RE LOVED AND WILL BE LOVED” I smiled bitterly as my tears started falling again.

“Bitch” she stopped from reminiscing her past when Xixi spoke “Why are you here? My classmates are going here today so go upstairs because I don’t want them to see you. Look at yourself, so dark I can’t even see you. Out!” Xixi shouted at her so she immediately stood and go upstairs without any word

“Don’t come out, okay?” Xixi yelled again. She immediately go to her room and locked herself inside the room and started reading her books.

She’s already asleep when someone knocked on her door. “Bitch open the door! You shameless!” She immediately stood then walked to open the door “So, here is the slut” Xixi called her and then pulled her hair “stop! Stop!” She cried but no one helped her. “No! This is just right, you seduced my boyfriend!” Xixi yelled again then pull her hair harder “No, I didn’t do anything please stop”

“What is happening here?” Grandfather Chen interjected “Grandfather, this slut here seduced my boyfriend!” Xixi told him “No. I didn’t do anything grandfather. Please.” She cried “Put down her hair. What are you doing, Xixi? There are so many people here” grandfather said

“It is alright, grandfather. They are my friends. Because of them I found out that Ginnella is seducing my boyfriend” Xixi then pulled my hair again “No! Please no!” she cried again “Stop lying! I have evidence” Xixi said then get something on her pocket which turned out to be her phone! “Why are you holding my phone?” she asked and Xixi laughed

“listen here, bitch! Look everyone, he told my boyfriend to meet her at the T Hotel tomorrow night” Xixi announced while holding her phone up to let everyone see but that’s not true. Her phone is missing 2 days ago so she didn’t send that message and she doesn’t even know who is her boyfriend. “No. My phone went missing 2 days ago so I didn’t send that message” I told them but just eying at Grandfather because I don’t want him to misunderstood me

“Look, you’re not done with you acting. Your phone has a password so no one can open it and also if it’s missing 2 days ago why didn’t you told us? You need your phone to study right?” Xixi asked her probably didn’t want her to win this argument

“I don’t need a phone. I have I laptop for my projects and I always go to the library to search and not on my phone” I explained “Shut up! This phone is yours and you message my boyfriend! You slut! You don’t deserve to be part of the Chen family! My friend even saw you kissed my boyfriend!” Xixi yelled again

“Yes I saw you, Ginnella! I thought it was Xixi but it turned out to be you! Stop pretending!” one of Xixi’s friend added “Stop! All of you that is not part of the Chen family, leave!” grandfather shouted so they all turned to leave

When we’re the only ones that’s left, grandfather grabbed me away from Xixi “Grandfather, thank you” I said then turned to hug him but he dodge me “Go to your room, your grounded” he told me strictly. “What? Why? I didn’t do it. I didn’t” I cried “Go to your room or get out of this house? You choose” He shouted. I was dumbfounded for a minute before running away to my room, crying.

It’s hard to even move but I still run, I want to know if this is real or not but every sobs, every pain I am feeling now says that this is all real.. ‘he didn’t believed me. He didn’t trust me. Even Grandfather Chen didn’t believe. No one believes, no one trust. I’m alone’

I immediately open the door of my room and locked it after I entered. I then slide down and cry like a toddler that’s scolded by her parents. I cried quietly then I remember the book my mother gave me so I stood up then wiped my tears before I run to get my book and then slowly closed my eyes. ‘I know you would believe me. Please enlighten me, I want to give up but I remember you, mom. I know you love me and you will always choose me, right? I miss you, mom..”

03

‘Sleep, you wouldn’t be alone’

‘You have the key, unlock it’

That’s what the book says. I sat down on the edge of my bed then closed my book “I’m tired” I stood up again then go to the bathroom to take a shower, maybe it can help me.

After that warm shower, I used the blower to dry my hair then jumped to my bed to sleep but started crying again.

I woke up feeling like I didn’t even sleep but it feels comfortable and very warm. I opened my eyes, at first it hurts because of crying before going to sleep but then later on it’s fine, it hurts a little but more tolerable than before.

I stand up only to bounce down again because of something that’s wrapped to me. I looked up only to found out that it’s not something but someone! A man hugging me in a bed?! I immediately pushed him so he fell while I stayed on the bed tugging the comforter securely. “Ouch” he groaned slightly massaging his back but then smiled when he saw me “You’re awake, what do you feel know?” He asked the walked towards me so I got scared and shouted “Don’t come near me!”

He put his two hands upwards like he’s being held by the police “Woah! Calm down, love” he said “What love?! Who love?! I don’t even know you! Where am I?” I yelled then started looking around the room. It’s just a simple white room with common things that you would find on a room and it’s full of quotes, messages and etc. About comforting, life and etc.

“Why I am here? Don’t tell me that you’re Xixi’s boyfriend! You’re the reason why the only one that’s left with me didn’t even trust me!” I accused him then I started to cry. He immediately walked towards me and hugged me “It’s okay, love. You have me, I won’t leave you” he said while soothing my back. I must say, it’s really good to have someone to hug you and to comfort you when you’re wrecked.

“Who are you?” I asked “Xian Jang” he answered, still hugging me. Who is this Xian Jang? Isn’t he the boyfriend of Xixi? “I’m not that guy you’re thinking. I won’t do something that’ll hurt you, Ginnella” he said. Why did he know what I am thinking? Is he a magician? “Where am I? I remember that I slept in my bedroom, why am I know here? Did you kidnapped me?” I asked then pushed him away

“Stop pushing me, you’re hurting me” He said while holding his chest acting like he’s truly hurt. “Stop it!” I slapped his arm then laughed. Why did I even laugh? What’s happening? “You’re so beautiful when you laugh” he commented staring at me “Stop staring! And why are you calling me love?” I asked him “Hm? Because I don’t want you to be surprised later” he answered then removed the hair that’s blocking my face “What will happen later?” I asked again, a little confused

“You guess” he told me then lay down, he’s head on my lap with the comforter in between us. “What are you doing!” I slapped his shoulders “Ouch! Relax, love I’m just laying down” He answered me smiling. “Stop smiling” I told him then covered his mouth “Mhmm! Mhmm mhmmm mm!” he’s talking but I couldn’t understand it because my hands are covering his mouth “Shhh! So noisy!” I told him “Love” he called. I didn’t answer but I looked at him. He then started to wiggle “I said love! Love! Love talk to me!” he shouted like a kid throwing tantrums “What?” I answered just to shut him up because he’s too noisy

He then stopped and smiled when he heard me talk “You’re inside of a book” He started “what?! Are you crazy? How am I inside?” I said while laughing. “Stop laughing! I’m not joking. Now sleep” he instructed me then sat up and pushed me down “Hey stop! What are you doing? Don’t touch me!” I argued slapping his hands away

“don’t be scared. Everything will be fine, love. I’ll take care of you and only you. From now on, you will be loved. I love you my love, wait for me okay?” he told me then bended down to kiss my forehead “wakey-wakey, Ginnella”

“Eldest miss, someone is looking for you” I hear someone outside the door knocking and saying something “in a bit!” I yelled before I stand up and immediately run to the bathroom to take a bath before going down. It’s still early but I can just read to the library to catch some time

I’m reading my assignment to see if there is something missing or wrong while going down when someone spoke living me dumbfounded “Don’t read while going down, love. You might fall” I immediately looked down only to find the guy in my dreams! Wait, is it even a dream? What’s happening?!

“Who are you?” I asked. He laughed “It’s only 6 hours ago but you actually forgot about me yeah?” he asked playfully. I got down the stairs then walked towards him “What did you say?” I asked because I’m so confused now “Xian Jang” He answered then walked a little closer to hug me but I immediately pushed him “Don’t hug me!” I said

“I’m sorry. Are you ready? I already talked to your grandfather about the issue yesterday and bring evidence that would prove that you are right. And I also send it to all the people who saw or heard about that issue. It’s all done, love” He explained. I was shocked for a moment “You did what?” I asked confused

“It’s okay. I’ll accept hug for payment alright? You can pay me whenever you want” He said smiling “You really did it?” I asked a little teary “for you” he answered still smiling “But how?” I asked again working hard to stop my tears from falling “You got a rich boyfriend here” he answered playfully “You believed me? You did trust me?” I asked, my tears started to fell

“Ofcourse. I will believe in you, I will always trust you and I will always love you. You have me, love” He whispered to my ears then kissed my forehead.