He's The Runaway, Girl

"You can't leave me!" Andrea blurted out. "Mrs. Arevalo, please, say it isn't true. It can't possibly be true." Andrea cried, her shocked white face was the evidence that she can't believe what Mrs. Arevalo said. The two of them was in her room when the old lady mentioned to her, that she was leaving to live in another country with her sister.

Mrs. Arevalo has been a good neighbor to their family. She's the only family, Andrea has now. That's why leaving her makes her heart ache, but she can't do anything. She's old already that's why her sister decided to take her back.

"But why?" You're the only family, I have now." Andrea Asked, the huge hazel eyes wide with appeal, the unmistakable sheen of tears not far away.

"My dear, as much as I would like to remain and as much as I will miss you, I simply can not stay here, my sister wants me to live with her and your mom knew it, a long time ago."

Feeling even more wretched, if that were possible, Mrs. Arevalo stared at Andrea, wishing she could give some of crumb comfort. Seeing the light died down in her eyes hearing, about her mother. Poor child, remembering how Andrea take the news of her parents and twin brother's death.

"My dear, I know things are difficult for you just now, but in times perhaps it won't seem so terrible. In a couple of years you'll be a lady, and you'll find this everything is just part of a dream."

It was an unfortunate choice of words, because only after a few seconds, Andrea bawled her eyes into a pool of tears.

Mrs. Arevalo felt her own eyes fill, within a second she pulled Andrea into her loving arms. "Oh, dear, do not cry." As she tried to wipe the tears on Andrea's small face.

"I'm sorry for acting like a baby. It is just that I never thought you would leave me also. With my parents and brother gone, I will be really alone now." Andrea says between hiccups.

"It is not the end of the world, dear. You can write a letter to me. I know it's not the same as seeing one another, but it will suffice until you can go out on your own and you can visit me whenever you can."

"Oh, how can you say so! You know Anabelle begrudges every penny I ask for- I can just see her paying the shocking cost of mailing letters to overseas," Andrea said vehemently, a little spurt of spirit returning.

Mrs. Arevalo bit her lip. She refused to think about the Dela Peña and what they were doing to the child. What Andrea says was true. The house, the lands, and the fortune were all Andrea's, yet the Dela Peña's, moving in with their children with indecent haste, did act as if Andrea were some unnecessary encumbrance with which they had to live. Did more than once Mrs. Arevalo had seen Anabelle, treating her own niece as if she's a slave. While Charity treat Andrea, like she's a piece of dirt in front of her. Charles is worst, she looks at Andrea with pure evil intentions, while Anabelle's Husband Carlos making disgustingly vulgar by pinching Andrea's face or nipping her small arms, laughing about their little benefactress.

Looking at the slender figure in the white muslin gown, the thin little girl with the wan features and dull eyes standing so dejectedly across the room from her could be the same Andrea that had romped so happily the day of the party. Would the child ever regain that air of wild kindred soul and happiness again?

She sighed heavily, reminding herself that she could do nothing to change the unhappy situation. Mrs. Arevalo firmly closed her eyes and sigh heavily. "Well, write me whenever you can, my dear. And now I fear that I must leave."

It took a great deal of resolution to leave the bawling little girl, yet knowing she can't offer anything else, she leaves with a heavy heart, she'll forever worry for her and pray for her safety and to find happiness soon.

As for Andrea, after crying for a few minutes, she bade Mrs. Arevalo a safe trip and pray for her health as well.

The heaviness of Mrs. Arevalo's breast was not at all for Andrea. Mrs. Arevalo herself had troubles. A great deal of trouble, but not for the world would she have let anyone know- certainly not poor Andrea, the child had burden enough as it was.

Mrs. Arevalo's husband, Mr. Arevalo unexpected died of a heart attack, his death is a surprise but an even surprised was when he left nothing to his widow and he's even in a deep debt.

No one, least of all Andrea, knew of the disaster that had befallen her. With her stubborn pride, she intended that no one would ever know. She have to sell their house to pay off the debt, and the truth is she's not going to live with her sister. In reality she'll be working as a companion to an elderly lady of some royalty in neighboring country.

She returned to her house, and spent the remaining day packing. She would be staying the night at nearby Inn, where she'll meet the lady who she'll accompany.

Reminiscing all the memories, she thought wishfully, some sad, some happy. She stands at the bay window that overlooked her small mini garden, and as if it was yesterday, she could see Alexander Wakefield, laughing, his young face dark and thick black hair giving him the appearance of some wild brigand, as he picked up the screaming Andrea, while Andrea's twin brother Andrew was laughing so hard.

Alexander is her sister's grandson who visited them always to spend the summer with her. Alas, her marriage isn't fruitful, that's why she treated these kids as her own grandchildren. He is close to the twins and she wondered whether how is Alexander now. She hadn't seen him for ages and she heard some news that she doesn't want or rather she could not believe some hearsay about his whereabouts now.

Does Alexander knows what happen to Andrea's family? She remembered that whenever he looked at Andrea, there's a sense of affection. Alex is already twenty three by now, he's seven years older than the twins.

While Mrs. Arevalo trying to recall the happy memories of the past, Andrea, on the other hand thinking of the memories before her parents and brother died.

The party was a huge success; the rose scented gardens were dotted with gaily attired members of wealthier class and white and gold liveried servants scattered everywhere offering trays of trays of temptingly refreshments.

The twins, Andrea Clarise and Andrew Clive Zaragoza, full of icy lemonade and melting cream-cakes, darted from one table to another, enjoying the attentions and gift they are receiving. It was their fifteenth birthday party that's why they are on their best behaviour.

Surprisingly, their neighbors wouldn't buy their antics coz, everyone knew what mischievous little devils the Zaragoza twin could be.

"Hmp! Not an ounce of evil in either of them, you said?" Mr. Arevalo remarked. "Did I tell you the trouble those two can cause? They caught a mouse and put it on the shoes of their butler! Bah! The old man was screeching so loud that can wake a whole town! And the other day, I saw Andrea climbed to the top of that old walnut tree near our entrance gate!"

On the other hand, Andrea was approaching the group where Mr. and Mrs. Arevalo is talking to the vicar and some people from their neighborhood. She heard the story Mr. Arevalo was retelling to everyone and they even have the urge to laugh at it.

"Good day Mr. and Mrs. Arevalo, vicar and the rest." Andrea greet them politely with a smile pasted on her plum cheeks.

"How pretty you look today, my dear." Mrs. Arevalo said to her, noticing the scowled on Andrea's face. Mr's Arevalo, acted ahead just like any doting grandma would

do. She patted Andrea's head and pinch playfully her plum cheeks.

"Thank you Mrs. Arevalo." The little girl murmured while lowering her head, forgotten the revenge on her head and feel satisfied with the attention Mrs. Arevalo is basking her.

After a few more minutes, she excused herself, seeing her twin brother talking to their parents happily.

"Andrea! Clary, faster come here!" She heard her father and twin brother calling her lively!"

"Andrea! Wake up! You lazy bum! How long are you gonna sleep there? Wake up and get down here, your uncle and I need to talk to you." She heard her mom's stepsister voice while banging on her door. Waking her up from another dream.

She suddenly woke up from her dream after banging on her door. But when she touched her face it was wet from her tears.

Mom, I missed you.

Dad, I missed you.

Drew, i missed you.

I hope that you're all here and everything now is just a dream.