Gab together with her aunt entered the Perez's mansion. Before the car reaches the mansion, Gab was amazed with everything she saw. She smiles seeing how beautiful and lovely the place was. The mansion with its excellent architectural design makes it one of the most elegant and luxurious mansion in the country. But despite of its extraordinary beauty from the outside no one knows except those working in the mansion how unhappy and miserable the person living inside.
"We're here." Her aunt smiled. "Let's go."
As soon as they entered the mansion, the head butler and most trusted person that manages all the activities in the house—Master Pete, greeted them with a wide smile and guided the two to the guest room. He is a single and old man but because of his loyalty to the family, he was with them for over 25 years keeping all the family's secrets. He is very strict in managing the mansion as well as on the implementation of the rules and regulation. But despite his strictness, he has a soft side and that is Luke. He treated Luke as if his own son. Like Nanny Lorna, he also took care of Luke and teaches him everything. With sense of respect, Luke listens to him next to his nanny.
"I believe you're quite tired with your travel." Master Pete uttered. "Please take rest for a while and have some snacks. Madam Olivia will be here soon. Please excuse me."
Gab grab some snacks while her aunt is busy on redoing her make up.
"Whose house is this? And what are we doing here?" she asked.
Even before her aunt could answer, a woman dressed elegantly enters the room. With her looks, no one couldn't be stop to stare and pays high respect. Even though she's too young to be a madam, her career, educational attainment, power and influence made her one when she married a business tycoon and second generation man who lost his wife from an accident in the past—the biological mother of the Perez's siblings. Though their marriage was not fully accepted especially for Luke, she proves her worth by being a second mom to Luke. She manages all the household activities with the assistance of the head butler. She travels back and forth to take care his husband from their house in the city and Luke from their mansion in the countryside. She's very strict and firm from the food, to the household furniture, interior design as well as to the hiring and recruitment of mansion personnel even up to the smallest detail. She's very meticulous with everything concerning Luke and mansion. Even though she never live in the mansion, everything must be reported to her24/7.
Gab and Aunt Ingrid stand and bowed as a respect as she entered the room.
"Good morning, Madam." Ingrid greeted.
"Good morning." Madam Olivia responded. "Have a seat."
"Is she the one you've been talking about?" She asked.
"Yes, madam. She's my niece. Gabrielle Emmanuel Gonzales, Gab for short. She's 12 years old but very smart." Ingrid added.
Madam Olivia looked Gab from head to toe. Though there���s no reaction in her face whether she's satisfied or not, they ended their conversation immediately as she received a call from someone. So, the head master guided Gab to her room and ordered the housemaid to change Gab's outfit and everything else needed to be change.
Gab was in awe as she follows the instruction given to her. She couldn't get any answers from all her questions since her aunt leaves as soon as the madam leaves the mansion. Though before coming to the mansion, they already had a serious conversation with her aunt—that she will be living for a while in a mansion with a young boy—she will be like a friend to him. (Of which some stories were just made up by her aunt.) Gab was caught with her kindness—she wanted to help that boy.
Meanwhile, Gab was taking a bath with the housemaids scrubbing her back, shoulder and etc. She was given different kinds of dresses to choose from—a fashion designer and a stylist is even present to help her with her look. All ordered by Madam Olivia.
"That looks good on you." "That's perfect." "Wow! You look great." "Now, let's go to the shoes." "Hmmm. This will suit you better." were some of the words the fashion designer and the stylist talked about.
Gab looked herself in the mirror. She's very beautiful. No wonder she's the daughter of her mom.
"She's ready." Uttered the stylist.
"Let's go." Master Pete commanded. "I believe your aunt has already explain to you the primary reason of your existence here. Don't worry because I will be giving you specific details of the don'ts and do's in this mansion—in short, the rules and regulations. That is very important to achieve harmony and peace in this house. Miss Lyn will be your personal assistant and teacher. She will give you the details in full. Anything you need and anything you want, you can go to her. But for now, let's meet the young master." He added as they headed to the room.
Master Pete knock on the door but no one responded and it seems like the room was locked. So, he ordered for the keys.
As they enter the room, Luke's presence in nowhere to be found. The housemaids including the head master were all flustered in looking the young master while Gab was left all alone in the room. She roam and was shocked how messy the room was. She wandered how come it was so disoriented where in fact the house has a lot of house helper. No single picture was found. Broken glasses are everywhere. But one thing that caught her attention was a necklace hang in the cabinet. She felt like she saw this necklace before but couldn't remember where exactly it was.
"Who are you?" "What are you doing here?" Luke asked angrily as he entered his room and grab the necklace back.
Gab was agitated to answer.
"Get out!" Luke shouted.
Master Pete came and commanded Miss Lyn to guide Gab on her room for the meantime. He explain everything to Luke.
"I don't need a friend." Luke stubbornly uttered.
"But, young master…"
"Enough." ��Just get out. I want to be alone."
Master Pete couldn't get hold of the situation but follows Luke's order and went out his room. Luke was left in the room. Feeling sad and lonely, he was feeding his dog, Zeus when Madam Olivia arrive. Upon hearing on what happen earlier, she immediately went to the young master's room. Luke immediately rush to his bed pretending to sleep.
"Luke? Luke. I know you're not sleeping. We have to talk. Right now." She strongly uttered.
"I don't need a friend." "I don't need someone. I just want my Nanny back." Luke screamed.
Madam Olivia walk towards Luke and touches his head. "Luke, you know that's not possible right. Nanny, she's in the heaven right now and she will not be back. But if she's gone, it doesn't mean she's not here. You may not see her physically but she will always be here—in your heart forever." "So stop this drama and get off in the bed right now. Please? Just this time, please behave."
Luke slowly moved his blanket to uncover his face.
"Gab?" "Come here" Olivia instructed.
She introduced the two though there was this awkwardness so Gab introduced herself first. But got no response from the young master. So, Madam Olivia leave the two. Silence remains in the room. Luke continue his painting while Gab just sit on the couch not knowing what to say. Then, she started a single conversation.
"Hi! I'm Gab, Gabrielle Emmanuel Gonzales but you can call me Gab for short. That's what my Lolo and friends call me in the farm. You know what I also have a dog in our house, his name is Bull. He goes with me every day everywhere I go except at school because of course dogs are not allowed in there. You know what's the funny story why I named her Bull? Well, here's the thing. One day…
Even before she can continue with her story telling, Luke throws the brush.
"Yeah!" He shouted. "Can you just keep quite?" "Or better, leave me alone." He irritably uttered.
"Sorry." Gab apologize. "I just want to introduce myself."
There first encounter was not really good but that's not a hindrance for these two souls to meet because beyond their senses is that love will spring out in due time—a young love to grow. A slow start indeed.