13 1. Found Me

[Hana's narrating]

You might be wondering how I end up being a maid in the Zhan's residence, am I right? Let's go way back.

Sally Kim was the most beautiful lady in the St. Francis High School. Sally was always surround by people who only befriend her because of her reputation, fame, and money. Sally got tired of it and ran into a man named, Leroy Lu. "Hey! Watch where you going, will you?" Leroy just ignores her and walks pass her. "Hey! I'm talking to you."

He stops and turns around to look at her. He walks towards her and looks her up and down. She puts her arms to cover and protect herself. "W-what?" He opens his mouth and said; "No need to cover yourself since I don't see you as a woman but a clown." "C-Clown?!" He leans in and sniff. "You...since when is the last time you took a shower? You smell like crap. You should shower more often." "W-what?! Y-you!!" "Have you looked yourself in the mirror? You look like you're running the circus." She shakes in anger. "You! How dare you called me a clown!" "Ah..sorry...not sorry. Excuse me. I have a life unlike you so I'm leaving." Leroy just turns his heels and left her there.

"Bastard!! I hope I don't run into him again." Their fates pulls them together once again. One night, she was cornered by a group of thugs. "HELP! SOMEONE!" "Miss, no ones gonna come and help you." Two men each hold onto her arms and pins her down to the cement cold ground.

One yanked to open her blouse. "Wow. Look at that. You sure have a nice figure." She felt disgusted as he touches her, her whole body trembles.

She turns her head and keep her eyes tight. [Please...someone...] A man was passing by and noticed Sally. The man sighs. "Such a troublemaker." He drops his bag and walks over where Sally was. He puts his hand on one of the thugs' shoulder. The thug turns and noticed him. He smiles so innocently and his expression changes. "OUCH!!" "Who's there?" She opens her eyes and sees someone. It was Leroy. [It's you?!] Leroy takes off his glasses and toss it aside. "Let her go."

Sally was struck how good looking he was without his glasses. Her hearts thumps. "Damn boy. You sure have a nerve. Let's get him." All of them take charge at Leroy. Sally watches Leroy fighting as them. She placed her hand over her heart. She can feel her heart thumping like crazy.

The thugs finally retreats and ran away. Their eyes meet. He sighs. He helps her stand back up onto her feet. He removes his jacket and put over her shoulders. "I'll take you home." He grabs her hand and lead her to her place. She fell in love with him.

That night, she couldn't sleep, but think about him all night. On Monday, she was waiting for him by the school gate. Once she spotted him, she was so nervous. "Hey. I--" He ignores her and walks passed her. [What..? Is he pretending not to see me?] When school was over, she waits for him by the school gate again, she speaks up. "Hey. Can we talk?" He didn't look at her. "Sorry. I'm busy."

He left her back there without looking back. Next day, she asked him to talk. He appears. She confidently said; "I like you. Can you be my boyfriend?" He sighs and asked, "Was it just because I saved you from them?" "W-what?" "Or is it because my looks?" She was shocked. He turns and looks at her. "I'm not interested in girls who have nothing better to do. Find someone else." He turned his heels and left her there.

She just smiles and acts like nothing happen. Soon they acted like strangers. One month later, she found out that she had a fiancé. She was totally against of marrying someone who she didn't know. Her parents didn't care about her thoughts about marrying. Sally was frustrated. Soon enough Leroy was standing in front of her. "Huh? You....don't tell me..." "Sally." Her parents walks over and introduce Leroy to Sally. "Where is your manners? This gentleman is.....your brother-in-law."

Sally's heart was broken. [Brother-in-law...then that means...my fiancé is his brother?!!!] Leroy shows a fake smile and said; "Nice to meet you, sister-in-law." "Leroy." Leroy turns around and a man shows up in a wheelchair. "Mike. This lady is your future wife." "Ah...is that so. Nice to meet you." "...Y-yes." Leroy smiles and said; "Excuse me. I have another plans to go to."

Leroy left and Sally chases right after him. "You!! Stop!!" Leroy stops at his tracks but didn't look back. "How long you knew about this?" He turns to her. "I knew from the beginning." Sally's heart shatter. "Mike told me to look after you. I did my part. So, Miss Sally, what else you want from me?"

She grips onto her dress. "If....If I wasn't your brother's fiancé...." He cuts in. "Even if you're not Mike's fiancé, I wouldn't dare to be with you. I apologize if I show any misleading ways for you to think that. Now, if you excuse me, you're wasting my time." Leroy turns his heels and head to the car.

[in the car]

BANG! Leroy hits the side window hard. [How come it has to be you? God must be punishing me since I am the one who cause Mike to lose his right to walk.] Leroy sighs.

[Engagement day]

Leroy acts like nothing happen. Mike saw Sally kept looking at Leroy. Mike smiles. Mike knew Leroy had feelings for Sally but always puts a poker face on. Mike and Sally stands on the stage, Mike just finished his speech. BANG! BANG! Mike fell off the wheelchair. Leroy's eyes widen. "MIKE!!"

[at the hospital]

Everyone was waiting outside of the ER. Leroy kept praying to the surgery to be successful. The doctor came out of the ER after hours later. "Doc. How is he?" "He's slowly steady but he wanted to speak with you, Leroy." Leroy nods and heads into the ER.

As he walks in, he sees his dear brother in the oxygen respiratory mask. Leroy walks up and stand next to Mike. "Mike." Mike slowly opens his eyes. He turns and sees Leroy. Mike smiles. "Lil brother. Please do not make that face." Leroy stays silent. "I know you better than you know yourself, Leroy. You...and her....have a mutual feelings to one another."

Leroy turns away. "She's your wife." "No. She's not." Leroy looks at Mike. "Lil brother. Please love her and protect her." "Mike." "I.....*gaspp.....I want you to be happy.....stop...putting me first...it isn't your fault that I cannot walk..." "Brother." "I....know who did. That is ...." Leroy's eyes widen.

"Lil brother. Please be happy. You both have my blessings....make sure you take your kids to visit me..." Mike reaches out and pats Leroy's arm. Mike smiles. Soon his hand fell down and land outside of the bed. "M-Mike." He shakes Mike. "MIKE!!!"

-BEEEP BEEPPPPPPPPP- Mike is gone. Leroy is determined to avenged for his dear brother. One month later,Leroy left to go to England in order to take over his father's company. After a few years, Leroy came back and got married to Sally. Both of their family got murdered. Leroy and Sally then went off the grid. Sally gave birth to a baby girl, she named her daughter Hana. Sally was in relief that her pregnancy was successful. Mike didn't know that Sally had cancer, after a short period of time, he lost Sally and promised Sally to protect Hana.

12 years later.

I was just a 7th grader, running to catch up the bus, barely have friends, study hard for the exam, being a good and top student, be home before 6PM and making dinner for Father with Nana, our housekeeper. One day, Father and I went to see a musical opera. It was very ....boring. I fell asleep throughout the musical. Father and I headed home but noticed a smoke coming from our home. We rushed to get there and I get out of the car quickly and asked the firemen about Nana. No one saw Nana. I fell down on my knees, wondering why bad events always happens towards us.

As we wait for the news of Nana. We've been told that they have found a body but due to the fire, they wanted to identify the body. What I saw was horrifying. I couldn't look at the body but something caught my eye. It was a bracelet that I bought for Nana. I couldn't believe it. That body in front of me is Nana.

Nana was like an older sister to me. I had lost someone special, again. Yes again. Two years ago, Father and Nana got me a puppy, Bruno, a border terrier. We were always together. One day, Bruno wasn't home. He isn't the type who would go outside without me. A week later, Father told me that Bruno was run over by a truck. Later that same year, in the spring time, I made my first friend, Cindy. She's very bright girl, who plans to become a top idol. We shared our secrets together. Months later, I didn't see or heard from her. I thought she's probably are having some troubles with her mother.

But then the teacher comes into the classroom and made an announcement. "Our dear student and friend, Cindy Chun has passed away." My eyes widen in disbelief. No. There's no way she's dead. Classmates whispered of what happen to Cindy. "What happen to Cindy?" "Yeah." The teacher replies, "It's confidential."

Later that day, I have meet Cindy's mother. "She commit suicide. She jumped off a building." I couldn't believe it. There's no way she would abandon her mother, even though she hates her mother being so strict. I ran away and head home, locked myself in my bedroom. I cried. Nana and Father were by my side. Since then....I never made any friends. I gave other classmates a cold shoulder. Everyone begins to hate me but its okay. I'm okay with being by myself.

[2 years later]

I just came back from the supermarket. I looked at the time and Father was very late. I called his cellphone but it went straight to his voicemail. I tilted my head, thinking 'Father is probably with a client'. Several hours later, I haven't heard anything from Father. I began to worry. I called his friend and he told me that Father left early. I thank him and tried to reach Father but I couldn't reached him. I paced back and forth, wondering where he could of gone. Few minutes later, the door slammed hard. I flinched and take a look. It was Father.

"Papa." I walked over to meet Father. I stopped my tracks as I see Father covered in blood. "Papa, why are y--" Father quickly walks up to me and covered my mouth. "Listen to me very carefully. They're coming here. You need to run away from here. The further you go, the better." Tears slide down my cheeks. "What about you? What is going on?" Father pats my head. "Believe in me. I didn't kill anyone." "I know. You're the kindest person in the universe." Father smiles.

"I'm sorry for putting you through like this." I shook my head. "I will do what you say, but you will be coming with me, right?" Father sadly smiles. "No. You have to go on your own, but don't you worry. We will meet again." "Promise?" "Promise." Father kissed on the top of my head. I quickly put the most important items into my bag and ran ahead of Father. Father watches me leave. "Child, be safe. Sally, please protect our beloved daughter from any harm."

As I ran out of the house, I noticed a group of men. "It's her. Get her." I ran the opposite direction of where I was going. I ran as fast I could. Who are they? What do they want from us? Are they the ones who killed everyone who were special to me? Why? There are so many questions I want to say. Father. Be safe. I, Hana Lu, will make it out alive and wait for you, so we can be a family again.

Instead of following the path, I went through the woods. I didn't look behind me, I didn't want to know how much close they are onto me. A couple minutes later, I have exited out of the woods, as I stepped onto the road, I heard a car honking at me. I turned but my eyes squinted as the headlights are beaming to bright. Last thing I know, I got hit by a car. I wanted to run but my body was too weak to get up. I noticed a group of men hidden behind the trees. Thank goodness I'm safe. For now. A man in black suit gets out of the car, "Little lady, are you alright?"

My head was spinning that I had lost my consciousness. Few days later, I slowly opened my eyes and noticed an unfamiliar ceiling. Where am I? I sat right up and noticed an unknown man sleeping on the chair with his arms crossed, Who's he?

I get off the bed and search quietly into his pocket. I found his wallet and open it. Kenny Jo. "Stealing, huh?" I flinched and look behind me. In front of me is a boy. Who is he? "What are you doing?" I looked down and I was still holding onto the wallet. I moved my eyes on the wallet to the boy. I shrugged. I put the wallet back where I found it.

I walked towards the bed and sit down, closing my eyes. "Hey you." I ignored the boy's compliant. He got irritated. He walks towards me and removed the blankets off of me. I opened my eyes and glared at him. "Hey! I'm talking to you." I ignored his rude remarks. "RUI!" I opened my eyes and see a beautiful lady and a good looking man entering the room. Who are they? The lady sits on the side of the bed and pats my head. "I apologize for my son's rude behavior."

So she's that rude boy's mother. I looked at the good looking man. So he must be that rude boy's father. What happen to his manners? Probably drinks some bad potion which makes him a satan, eh? "Honey." I looked at the lady. "Are you hurt anywhere?" I shook my head. "I'm okay." "Tch. She's probably pretending to be hurt." The boy's scoffed. The pretty lady turned and glared at her son. She smiles and said, "My Rui, you wanted me to dressed you as a lady for this weekend party, hmm?" Rui shuddered. "Apologize to her or else you're wearing a dress that I had prepared for you." Rui looked away and apologized to me. "Sorry."

"I'm Ai. This is my husband, Leo, and my son, Rui. What's your name?" "...Hana. My name is Hana." "Hana, sweetie, where's your parents?" I looked down at my hands. Can I trust them? Should I tell them the truth? Father is being framed. Mother passed away after giving birth to me. Strange people are after us. What should I do? I lied to her. "I'm an orphan. I met some thugs and got away from them." Ai hugged me tight. "Ohh you poor, poor thing." Oh my god, I cannot breathe. She is squeezing me to death. GOD help me. "Ai, honey. Let her go, you're suffocating her." She lets go of her grasp. Hallelujah I'm alive. "Sorry, honey. it's just that you're so adorable."

The boy rolled his eyes. His mother pats my head. Ai turns to Leo, "Honey, she doesn't have anyone, we should take her in." Leo nods in agreement. Rui opposed his parent's idea. "No! Who knows her motives are." "Rui." "She probably pretending. You jumped in front of the car because you just want money, right?" I tilted my head in confusion. Money? Why would I want money? Is he ill? What's going on with that small brain of his?

Leo smacks back of his son's head. "Ow!" "I apologize on my stupid son's behavior." "Oh. No need." Ai puts her hand on top of mine. "Want to stay with us?" "Well...is it safe?" Ai was stunned at my reply. She laughs. "Ofcourse it's safe." "Is that okay? Me going home with you guys?" Ai smiles. "I always wanted a daughter but I gave birth to that ill bred son of mine. I even dressed him up as a girl on many occasions." She laughs.

"So what do you say?" I guess its safe. I still need to find Father's whereabouts. They look like they have a wealthy reputation. I nod. "I'll go since I have no where to go."

A month later, Ai signed me up for school but I was afraid of running into those men. I told her that I rather be home schooled. Ai thought about it and agrees.

Later that day,

Rui showed up in front of me. "Just what are you doing?" "Reading." He grabs my book out of my hands and toss it across the room. "What is your motive?" He glared at me. I sigh. "This again?" I stand up and walk towards the book. I picked the book up. "I have no motive."

He scoffs. "Yeah, right." He walks towards me and toss the book out of the window. "Hey!" "No matter what you're hiding, I will find out about your motive." He walks out of the room.

After he left, I ran outside and trying to look for the book that he had toss out of the window. I looked everyone, yet no sign of the book. I looked up and spotted the book on the big tree branch. Thank goodness the book is alright. But...how am I supposed to get it?

I look around and see if there's anyone looking. Okay. No one's here. I decided to climb up the tree. As soon as I reached to the tree branch, I reached out my hand to grab the book. Just a little more. As I kept reaching for the book, I flinched as I heard Rui's voice. "HEY!!" My other hand lets go the trunk of the tree and I fell off the tree.

Ai lectures Rui for not taking care of me. "Ai. It's fine. It's not his fault. It's mine. He was trying to stop me but I ignored his plea. Please don't yell at him." "You're lucky. She even make an excuse for you." Rui just walks out of the room. Ai sits on the side of the bed. "How's your arm?" "It's fine. It'll heal soon."

Ai sighs. "You gave me a fright." She pats my head. Is this what having a Mother would be like? Later that night, I couldn't sleep. I get out of the bed and walked over the balcony, looking at the stars. Father...I really miss you. Hope we can reunited soon. I lowered my gaze and tears slide down on my cheeks. A little did I not know, I was being watched by Rui, who was standing outside by the tree.

I wiped my tears. I have to be strong in order to meet with Father again. I turned my heels and head back to the room.

4 years later, Rui got himself a girlfriend, Ally. Ally and I gotten close. 2 years later, Ally was very excited to be a mother of her and Rui's first child. They were planning their wedding plans before she's in labor.

On their wedding day, Rui had lost Ally, who protected Rui from getting shot by some unknown men in black.Ally still wanted to give birth to her child. She begs Rui to keep the child. Rui stays silent.She looked at me. She puts her hand on top of mine. "Hana...Please...I wanted this child born and safe. I beg you." I looked up at Rui and then looked back at her.

I nod. "No worries. I will raise and protect your child." Ally smiles. "Thank you. You're...you're such a good friend and a good person. Glad we've met." We took Ally to the hospital and taken her child out of her womb. They put the child in NICU. Sora. Sora is the name that Ally picked out. Before Ally passed away, she wants me to do a favor for her. Her favor; for me to stay next to Rui and protect Sora with Rui. I promised her that I would.

2 years later, Sora is now two-years old. Rui never goes near, speak, or touch Sora. Sora never realized that Rui is his father. One night, Ai, Leo, Sora and I head out for a dinner. Rui didn't show upbecause he was so occupied with his work.

After dinner, we all had back to the mansion, but we never made it back home. Why? It's because THEY already found me.