My day always begins with you as the sun's rays begin to light up the morning. I've never been happier than when I was running through the fields and helping my mother fill water in the kitchen.
This is my favorite time of day because I'll be close to you. I never imagined that making the crown flower would be so beneficial to me in making you happy.
I would fill the water in the kitchen and then before anything else I would gather some flowers to make a crown.
My heart danced with you as you danced in the middle of those flowers, and your laughter is music to my ears.
I'll hide behind the tree, watching from a distance with a wide smile on my lips, and I'll place the flowers beside the tree before you notice me.
But when Mother forbade me from going to the garden, I was hurt because I saw you every day leaving the house and waiting for me in the garden.
I never expected it to affect you as much as it does me, but I can't reveal myself to you; I'm just your servant's daughter, and I have no right to be near you.
So I went there anyway, oblivious to my mother's presence, hoping you'd feel my presence even without the flowers.
It warmed my heart when you began talking to yourself as if I were present with you and truly existed in your world. I hear you talking a lot, as if you're telling me stories, even though I don't understand you because you're speaking in your godly language, and I still don't know anything about people like you who came from another country. I would still be ignorant if it weren't for Kirk, Nop's brother, who told me things I was previously unaware of.
Kirk, like his brother Nop, comes from an elite family, but when your family moved, he never treated us like mere servants. When we were transferred to serve in their clan, I met Kirk.
I caught you eavesdropping in one of the mansion's rooms just as I was about to sneak out to watch the sun set and get the flowers you always left there, which I assumed were for me.
Although I was close enough for you to see me at the moment, I'm glad I was quick to hide in one of the mansion's vases so you didn't.
I followed you through the fields after spotting you leaving the mansion and seeing how distressed you were.
And when I saw you there, sobbing uncontrollably next to the tree, my heart broke. I wondered what had caused you to be so sad as to go wailing like that.
When my father passed away out ocean fishing, I can recall grieving in a similar manner when I was around her age.
I therefore considered that maybe someone in your family had passed away; it would have stung like my father's death does for me.
I wanted to reach close to you and embrace you, but I was worried you'd reject me. As a result, I chose to sit back behind the grass and observe you while listening to your screams because there was nothing else I could do but stay there with you, even if you weren't aware I was there.
I made another crown flower while I was watching in the hopes that, if you notice it, it may eventually make you smile. I was simply considering how I would deliver this to you covertly.
When I was about to secretly lay the crown flower, I noticed you had already fallen asleep on the ground.
My intention was to simply lay the flowers beside you, but when I saw how messy your face looked, I was about to laugh but was afraid I'd wake you up, so I just covered my mouth and giggled for a moment.
I sat next to you and gently shook your body to make sure you were asleep so I wouldn't wake up when I wiped the dirt off your face.
Your face is so flawless, and as I was wiping off the dirt, I grinned to myself. Being able to interact with such a lovely child is a pleasure.
Yet as you held my hand and we simultaneously gazed into each other's eyes, my smile faded. At that very moment, I believed I had just seen the heavens laying in your eyes, leading me to believe you are in fact a child of God.
Even though time has passed, the memories will always be there. My heart will always remember how it felt at that precise time. Even though change may be the only constant in life, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for you. I won't let time, place, or characters influence how I feel about you.
I stood there looking, and the most beautiful human being I have ever seen, with those eyes that have heaven in them, was looking intently while smiling and walking side by side with the man who welcomed her the moment she got off that wagon.
It might be a pleasing sight for everyone around here; I should be happy too, but my heart tells me otherwise. You may not look at me the same way you did before, and you may have forgotten about this peasant girl who cannot give the world what that man can, but only crown flowers that are still coming from your own garden.
What a pity to have been born like this and to have felt this way toward a goddess like you; this might be called insanity, but I will keep these feelings within me even if you can't see them, and even if you can't see me, I will still remain where I am standing, watching you, as it always has been and as it always should be.
I bowed before you like every servant should do, all eyes on you, who would not look if an entity from heaven came down to put light into this dark and lonely world where positions and money are more important than seeing the beauty in everyone.
But who am I to complain? I am just a mere servant. Who are paid to serve and not give opinions and have no right to complain but to obey only.
Back to present
(Third Person's POV)
The man with the white polo shirt is back again in this old house. He shifted his position as he was sitting in this chair near the desk, reading the words written on one of the old and brown papers on top of the old desk.
He removes his eyeglasses from his eyes and wipes them with his handkerchief, which he gets from his pocket. Before he puts them back on, he also wipes his eyes and goes back to reading.
The old mansion was now cleaned and renewed, and everything inside was like it was before it was abandoned, and time forgot about it.
Back to MAIN CHARACTERS POV
"So, what are your plans now, Freen?" Jim asked quietly, looking her straight in the eyes. It was good that Freen had started fighting for what she wanted, but dragging them all into this mess without a plan? That was reckless, and it could cost them everything.
"Honestly..." Freen hesitated, biting her lower lip like she always did when she was unsure.
Jim's eyes widened, reading the doubt and fear flashing there. When no one else was paying attention—they were all still swimming or chatting by the pool—Jim gently pulled Freen inside the house.
"You dragged us all here and got us fired, but you don't have a plan?" Jim whispered, barely able to keep the frustration out of her voice.
"Heh," Freen gave a weak, awkward smile and avoided eye contact.
Jim smacked her forehead with her palm.
"And Becky? What's her plan? What does she know?"
Freen's eyes dropped.
"She still doesn't know... I haven't told her yet," she murmured, voice shaking.
"What? Freen, what are you thinking?" Jim's voice softened with worry.
"I—I don't know," Freen said quietly, unable to meet Jim's gaze.
Jim searched for answers in her face, but Freen turned away, eyes drawn to Becky, who sat quietly by the pool, drinking with Kade and Tee.
Jim smirked knowingly and followed Freen's gaze.
"Maybe it was all worth it," Jim said softly.
"Yeah..." Freen answered, barely audible.
"What's wrong?" Jim pressed, noticing the shadow of worry on Freen's face.
"It's Uncle... I haven't contacted them yet. I switched off my phone because I don't know what to say," Freen confessed, voice trembling.
Jim chuckled lightly.
"That's a real problem. Becky's mom would probably kill you by now."
Freen quickly put on a poker face.
"Oops. Sorry, I forgot you didn't want anyone talking about that," Jim apologized.
"It's okay. Let's go back before they start wondering where we are," Freen said, heading toward the pool.
She grabbed a beer and drank it down fast. Jim silently followed.
Becky sat watching them. She had heard the voices inside but hadn't interrupted. Her eyes were fixed on Freen. Something was wrong—she could tell from the way Freen moved, the way she looked distant and off.
Becky suddenly stood and took the bottle from Freen's hand just as she reached for a third beer.
Freen blinked, confused, but didn't argue. She reached for another bottle, and Becky took that one too.
"Stop drinking and talk to me. You've been shutting me out all day," Becky said firmly, her glare sharp.
"I'm not ignoring you. I'm just letting you catch up with the others. You guys miss her, right? " Freen snapped, glancing at Kade, Tee, and Jim.
They all nodded quickly.
"Yeah, we miss Beckzzy," they mumbled, awkward under Freen's glare.
Becky shook her head, grabbed Freen's hand, and pulled her inside.
Freen stumbled—she wasn't used to drinking—and let Becky guide her.
Becky pushed her onto the bed they'd used earlier.
Freen glared but felt dizzy, holding her head.
"What's wrong with you? Argh," she groaned, trying to look Becky in the eyes.
Becky crossed her arms, her expression unreadable.
"Tell me what's wrong," she demanded gently.
Freen didn't answer.
Becky sighed and sat beside her.
"Did you hear the news on the way here? About the company? The layoffs?" Becky asked softly. "Everyone's scared. People don't know what's next."
Freen swallowed hard.
"Yeah... I know," she said quietly. "That's why I did what I did."
Becky's eyes searched Freen's face.
"But running from it and hiding won't fix anything," she said, voice cracking. "You can't just keep it all to yourself."
Freen fiddled with her fingers, staring out the window at the group still by the pool.
"Please, Freen," Becky begged softly, taking her hand.
Freen finally met her eyes.
Seeing the genuine concern there, her eyes widened.
How can she care so much about me—more than she even cares about herself? Freen thought, guilt crashing over her.
Becky sat beside Freen on the bed, her voice gentle but earnest."Freen… I want to apologize. Back in the car, I didn't handle things well. I was scared and mad, and I took it out on you. That wasn't fair."
Freen looked up, eyes shimmering with unshed tears."You… you don't have to apologize." Her voice cracked slightly."I'm just… I'm so overwhelmed."
Becky reached out, taking Freen's trembling hand in hers."I know. And I want you to know, I'm here for you. More than anything."
Freen swallowed hard, the weight of the situation crashing down."Becky, you just finished law school. This — all of this — it's not just about me. Your career… your family's peace… everything you've worked for is on the line too."
Becky's eyes softened, but her grip tightened."That's exactly why I'm staying. Because it's not just your fight. It's ours. I don't want you to carry this alone."
Freen's breath hitched as she looked at Becky, her chest tightening with a mix of guilt and awe."You're thinking about me… and the others… more than yourself."
Becky nodded, voice steady but full of passion."Because that's what friends do. We fight for each other. We sacrifice for each other. I may be the newest lawyer in town, but I know this — no contract, no job, no stress is worth losing someone you care about."
Freen's tears finally spilled over, her emotions raw and fierce."I never meant for this to happen. I thought I was doing the right thing. But I dragged everyone down with me."
Becky shook her head, her eyes fierce yet tender."You didn't drag us down. You made us face the truth. And now, you learned to stand up for yourself and me. You're not alone in this, Freen. Not now, not ever."
Freen's fingers trembled as she squeezed Becky's hand back, her voice breaking."I don't want to lose everything… my dreams, your dreams, our peace."
Becky leaned in closer, voice low but full of promise."You won't. We'll fight it — every step of the way. And no matter what happens, I'll be right here."
In that moment, Freen felt a fierce surge of hope — born from the depth of Becky's selflessness and love — something stronger than fear, stronger than doubt.
"Together," Freen whispered."We'll face it together."
"Why are you like this… after what I did before? And now this…" Freen's voice cracked, heavy with guilt and fear. Her eyes bore into Becky's, searching, pleading. "I'm being selfish again, aren't I?"
Becky's breath caught. This wasn't the Freen she knew — the fierce, unbreakable Freen who always had a plan, who never showed cracks. Seeing her like this, raw and exposed, was like witnessing a storm breaking free.
Or maybe it's me who's changed, Becky thought, feeling a surge of protectiveness she hadn't expected. Because instead of stepping back, she leaned in closer.
"No," Becky whispered, voice trembling with fierce certainty. "You're not selfish. You're scared, you're overwhelmed—and that's human. But you're not alone. I acted impulsively, too. And I'm here with you. We'll figure this out together. Every step."
Freen's lips quivered. For a moment, all the walls she'd built crumbled. Her breath hitched, tears welling, as a desperate hope flickered in her chest. Maybe… maybe she didn't have to face this storm by herself.
The silence stretched between them, heavy and thick — full of unspoken promises and aching truths.
And in that quiet, broken space, something fragile but real began to grow.