Beneath The Bitter Past

Sometimes in the difficulty of life, it is inevitable that we cling to a knife. If not ourselves, then our parents. I am Audrey Paulino, a nineteen-year-old. I am a simple girl, and come from a poor family. We are two siblings, the eldest boy, and I am the youngest. Many people say that I am beautiful, sexy, perfect body, perfect woman and that I will definitely go far. But how can I reach my dreams when the life I lived for is nothing but a low blow to the ground? That I could hardly be given a fare by my parents every time I went to school.

How can I prove what they said is a perfect woman, sexy, and beautiful, I don't have good clothes? Occasionally, I envy my friends because they have a pile of expensive clothes, expensive perfume and expensive makeup. I have a brother, but he got married early. My father, on the other hand, is just a worker for a rich family here in our place. The Bustamante family, and my mother also worked here as a housemaid and laundress. The Bustamante couple has a son who has been living in Canada for a long time, and I have never seen him. The only people I always catch a glimpse of in their house when my mother takes me with her are Senior Miguel, and his bedridden wife, Madam Berta. They are both fifty-two years old. At the time, my mother wanted to take me with her, I made the excuse that I had a headache. Every so often I put garlic on my armpits to raise my temperature, so I got sick. Because I noticed Senior Miguel's maniac.

But sometimes, I can't say no to Mom, especially if I notice that she's not feeling well. Every so often, I asked heaven why he made us hard in this life? Why didn't he just give us abundant life like others? I just thought that the Lord had a reason why he gave us this. I will work hard so that my parents can experience an abundant life. It is free to dream, and I dream of a comfortable life for my parents, and my future children.

"Audrey—" My mother called, and she coughed. I will definitely be the one to go to the Bustamantes' house again.

"Why, Mom?" I answered her as I looked at the door.

"Audrey, maybe you can go to the mansion because I'm feeling bad." she begged.

When I noticed that her cheeks were red, I immediately approached her, and touched her forehead.

"Oh! You have a fever, Mom." I worry about her too much. "Do you want me to take you to the center, Mom?" I asked her.

"No need. Don't worry tomorrow it will be gone. Go there because you need to cook for them. You know Madam Berta is sick."

"Alright, Mom…" I couldn't do anything, but follow my mother, and beg Madam Berta to advance this week's salary, so I could take Mom to the hospital.

I'm wearing a simple duster, and it's old-fashioned. I'm also wearing shorts underneath so that my panties are not obvious. Since the mansion is far away, I have to speed up my walk. When I arrived at the big house, I immediately saw my father watering the plants. I approached him and I gave him respect.

"Why did you come here? Where is your mother?" my father asked in surprise.

"She is at home, and has a cough and fever." I answered him with pity, because Dad's back was wet with sweat. I immediately took his towel and wiped it.

"Thank you," she said happily to me.

"Dad, please don't let your sweat dry you up because you might get sick..." I reminded my Dad, and he nodded as he hugged me.

"Alright."

Until I entered the big house, it was hushed around, and I immediately went to the kitchen to cook their breakfast. When I finished preparing the table, I went upstairs to knock on the couple's room.

"Madam Berta…" I called, and the one who opened the door for me was Senior Miguel.

"Good morning, Senior Miguel, breakfast is ready." I bowed down.

"Where is your mom?" he asked, but his eyes on my whole body.

"My Mom is sick!" I answered him angrily, because I caught him staring at my body.

"Audrey, is that you?" Madam Berta asked. She is kind to me, and I can't say anything to her.

"Yes! Madam Berta. The food is ready."

"Miguel, let Audrey in," she ordered her husband, and he let me pass.

"Why, Madam Berta?" I asked immediately.

"Maybe you can bring me some food here. My body hurts, I'm having trouble going down," she asked me, and I can't do anything but follow her orders.

"Okay, madam."

Until I returned upstairs with her food, and then I told her about my salary advance.

"No problem, just tell Miguel," she answered me.

"O-okay, Madam Berta."

When I returned to the kitchen, I found Senior Miguel eating at the table, and I immediately told him what I needed.

"Senior Miguel, I told Madam Berta that I will advance the salary this week, I need to bring my mom to the hospital tomorrow. Madam agreed, but she said to tell you." I bowed my head down.

"Okay, no problem. I will give it to you this afternoon." He responded with a smile to me, and still looked straight at my whole body.

Before the afternoon, my father told me to take a half-day, because he could take care of my mom. So I was left alone in the mansion. After eating madam's lunch, I immediately put away the plates she had eaten, and I brought it downstairs. When I entered the kitchen, I saw Senior Miguel begging upstairs, so I felt safe in the kitchen. While I was in the middle of washing the dishes, someone suddenly grabbed my shoulders, and I was surprised.

"Oh — Merciful heavens!" I screamed and dropped the glass and it broke.

"Shhh…" he ordered as he covered my mouth.

"—It's you, Senior Miguel," I said, when he removed his hand from my mouth, and I felt terrified.

"Don't be afraid, Audrey. I won't hurt you," he whispered.