(Knock…knock...knock...)
No one answered. Gab knocked again but no one responded. She opens the door and saw that Luke was still asleep. She slowly placed the food on the bedside table. She stares at Luke diligently and smile thinking how can a spoiled boy sleep so calmly. She just stop when she notice that Luke begins to open his eyes.
"Good morning!" she greeted. "I heard you don't eat your breakfast at the dining table so I brought you some food. It's your favourite—a sunny side up egg, bacon and a French toast plus a cup of milk." She happily added.
But Luke just ignored her and called for his assistant.
Days pass so slow for Gab. Everything was just so hard for her. Life in the mansion wasn't easy at all. Though she didn't thought of it as merely as a job, she never realize it would be that hard. But her innate kindness drives her to pursue her goal—she really wanted to help Luke to have hope in life. That's why no matter how she got rejected and ignored, she never quit—she was like a mushroom that sprouts no matter how you step and pluck it on the ground. Gab's persistence was match with Luke's tantrum and attitude. He did everything he could just to send Gab out of his life.
But everything eventually reach to its limit.
One day, Gab was looking for Luke. But he's nowhere to be found. She searches for him in every room, in every corner. She ended herself in a secluded room—a room filled with paintings. She was amazed but tears keep flowing on her eyes—she felt the loneliness and pain the paintings are conveying. But one moved her was a painting of a mother and a child hung on the wall, when she touches it, a secret door opens. She was surprise as well as curious on what's behind that secret door. She slowly follows the pathway and found herself on the secret garden. She was stunned by the beauty of the garden—it has different plants and flowers of different colours. She roam the garden. At the center part of the garden, she saw a butterfly on top of a bunch of green roses. She intended to catch it just like when she was still living in the farm. She slowly approach it and immediately jump towards it but fails to catch it. When she notice the butterfly already flew higher. Gab was a bit disappointed but what shocked her was that she landed on the landscape beside the green roses. It was not just an ordinary landscape—it was the one made by Luke with his late nanny. It was filled with different plants and flowers, with a small hut, an improvised waterfalls. She was frightened to see how the landscape was totally wrecked. Though she was also a bit hurt—a cut on her right arm, she still tried to fix it but failed and eventually it became even worse. She was startled when someone opens the door.
"What have you done?" Luke angrily asked. "Get out here." "Now."
"I'm so sorry." "I'm really sorry." Gab apologize. "I'll just fix it."
"Don't touch anything." Luke shouted. "I said get out." He yelled as he pushed her.
Gab tried to explain what happen but she couldn't because of Luke's anger.
"I clearly told you to never mess up with my stuff. What have you done? Are you just dumb enough to understand a very simple instruction?" Luke furiously asked. "Huh, what would I expect from someone who lives in the farm—living with those filthy animals? How uneducated?" "Now, get out. Get lost and don't ever show up in front of me." "Leave!" He shouted.
Gab left the garden slowly as she feels a bit pain from her wounded arm and legs. She was crying. She rushed to her bed.
As days goes by, Luke and Gab ignores each other. They were eating on the same table, attending the same class (home schooling), listening to the same lectures on proper etiquette and manners but no single word was heard from them as though they don't acknowledge each other's presence. Gab wanted to say something but it seems like she lost of words to spill after hearing all the mean words from Luke.
One day, they were having a vacation on one of the villa of the Perez's in the countryside. It was a farm house filled with trees and plants—with healthy growing vegetables and fruits. The kids were brought in the farm house as suggested by the attending physician of Luke that he needs fresh air and relaxing view to calm him down. Gab was so excited with the trip because she misses her life in the farm so much. On that day, they were on a different car with Madam Olivia. But a peaceful and simple excursion turns out to be a nightmare for the two.
While on travel, the car takes a detour. It turns out that the driver was someone else—an unknown man but with an aura of a bad guy. At first the two were not alarmed since Luke was busy reading his book while listening to music. Whereas Gab was also busy taking photos from the window when she just notice that the car fronting them was already gone. She feels something is off so she intended to call Miss Lyn but unfortunately her phone was left at home due to her excitement with the trip. She plans to tip off Luke regarding the situation but unable to do so since they were already put into sleep.
When Gab wakes up, they were kept on a dark and small room. Gab scream and shouted for help but since the place was far from the neighbourhood, no one responded. Despite being tied, she forced herself to look for anything that could help her untie her legs and hands. Because of her loud voice, Luke eventually opens his eyes. He burst into tears when Gab hugs him.
"Its okay, Luke." "It's okay." "Everything will be fine." "For sure, a rescue team was already coming to save us." "Don't be scared, okay." "I'm here for you and I will not leave you."
Simple words yet those very words seems to work for Luke since it calms him down and put his tears away when suddenly, they heard someone arguing outside.
"Honey, do you really need to do all these things?" asked the lady. "They're just kids. They're innocent with what the Perez's has done to us. This is not the right thing. Do you believe that if our son is alive, he will be happy seeing you like this? You cannot set things right by making another mistake." Pleaded the woman to his husband.
The kidnapper was moved with those words since at the beginning he was not really a bad guy. He did those things because he wanted to take revenge for the death of his son five year ago. That's why after a couple of hours, he set the two free. But because he was afraid to be put into prison he just leave the kids in the forest and warns them not to spill anything if they don't want their family to be hurt. So, the two just continue their trail when suddenly it rained heavily and since the place was far and unfamiliar for the two, they were lost in the forest. All they have is a bottle of water, some food and a flashlight. So, they decided to look for a place to stay. Because they were soaked in the rain, Luke was chilling and got a fever. But Gab treated him well with the stuff they have, she treated Luke with the best she could. In the morning, Luke's fever finally drop low. When he wakes up, he saw Gab hugging her tight. He was about to let go with Gab's hug when Gab suddenly opens her eyes. He felt awkward but Gab didn't notice it.
"Let's go." "The sun is already up. We should be hurry. For sure they were all worried for us. Are you sure you're okay? Gab asked as she prepares herself.
Luke just nod. When they were about to start walking Luke quietly fainted and losses his balance. That's why Gab decided to assist him in walking. Luke insisted that he doesn't need any help but because he's obviously not feeling well, so Gab ended assisting him. At first they were not talking when Gab feels that Luke was uncomfortable so she started a conversation with him. During their trail she was the only one talking since Luke won't make any response when Luke finally talks.
"Thank you." He said.
"Huh?" asked Gab. "What did you say? I can't hear you."
"I said thank you." Luke responded.
"What?" Gab was obviously teasing him.
The two were burst into laughter. No one would have thought that an enemies before could turn out to be as good friends eventually. Their faces were filled with smiles. Indeed, every beautiful relationship begins with a simple act of friendship—it all begins with a simple gesture—a smile in the face.