I watched the blue flames hugging the base of the pan dancing in a crazed rhythm. The sudden whoosh of the breeze through our kitchen window panes had me jump off from a stool toward the kitchen island. The narrow strips of propane blaze stemming from the holes of the burner flickered, creating a short, choked hissing sound before it died. Taking a look at the hardened egg yolk inside the frying pan, I twisted the knob upward in a half-circular motion, putting the stove off.
"Andy! Your sunny-side-up is done."
I didn't hear an answer.
"Andy?" I hollered louder, thinking my six-year-old brother did not hear me.
Still, the deafening silence of a countryside atmosphere during the early evenings answered me. I pulled my brows together, wondering where he was. Our house was too small that even a cat's footsteps could be heard.
I dashed forward to look for him, opening the two rooms that were then left empty after my father died. The large painting hanging on the wall across the door greeted me, drawing a bitter smile from my lips. That was the portrait of my parents during their wedding day. Mom was on her white wedding dress, placing her hands on the chest of a stunningly handsome man. They were such a picture of loveliness--of beauty and inspiration. Yet, they're both gone, leaving me alone to fend for my brother and myself.
Tears stung my eyes as I thought how cruel my fate was. Mom left us after giving birth to Andy, and now, it's dad's turn. All thanks to that, Mr. CEO!
A wave of anger surged through my head, making my nostrils flare. I pictured him at the back of my mind, standing tall and mighty in his three-piece business suit. However, no matter how formidable he seemed to be, a day shall come that I would be setting him off his horns. He killed my father!
"Andy!"
I swept my thoughts aside as I remembered I was looking for Andy. I went to the next room where he used to occupy, but he's still not there. When dad died, I moved some of his important things to my room so that both of us would cope with the sense of loneliness together. He was still too young to suffer from depression, so I swore to take my parent's place in his heart.
Still not finding him there, I began to panic. I ran back to the room we shared, peeping under the bed, and opening the doors of the closet. Unable to see any trace of him, I ran outside. There were still streaks of crimson and tangerine hues above the horizon, but the shade of darkness had already crept under the canopy of the towering trees.
"Andy!"
I shouted from the top of my lungs, my knees trembling even against the force I exerted in the running around. Drops of sweat trickled down my temples, even with the cool breeze. I knew no one would hear my calls for help, even if I shout my lungs out. We were alone in this seemingly-forested area due to the dense growth of shrubs and trees outside our fence.
This place--our home now-- is the only property that dad left for us. Adjacent to Hacienda del Fierro, this small parcel of land still allowed us to enjoy watching the splendid sceneries of the vast property that had been my dad's source of pride. Until now, I couldn't understand why he gave up on this.
My father's lawyer and a bank officer told me three days after his death that our house and cars in the city were given as collaterals for his long-overdue loans from the bank.
"How about his business firm?" I asked after I got over from the waves of shock.
"Everything your dad had, including the Hacienda del Fierro, is sold to Mr. Tan a few days ago."
"No," I screamed in disbelief and pain, slamming a fist on the table as I stood up. "Dad would never do that. He has dreams for Hacienda del Fierro. And that dream is for Andy and me."
"I'm so sorry, dear. I also don't understand why your dad did all these."
"Miss del Fierro, we understand that this is difficult for you. So, we are extending your stay here until you can somehow move on from your loss."
In my anger and humiliation, I did not wait until my term with the bank ends. With the help of the lawyer, Andy and I moved out of the house that had been my home for twenty years. The bungalow-type house in this beautiful but eerie place may be a lot smaller than our house in the city, but it was big enough for the two of us. Somehow, dad also left us a small fund, but I knew this could not provide Andy and mine's education.
Trembling and panting at the same time, I paused to take a rest. I forced my thoughts to stop running for a while, wracking my brain to think of a possible place Andy would likely go.
Lost in my thoughts, I wandered until I reached the main entrance of Hacienda del Fierro. Seeing the steel gate and the long stretch of galvanized, barbed-wire fence, I noticed the large signage standing on top of an iron post.
"On this site will soon rise the Blue Raven Mountain Resort..."
My eyes widened in horror. Damn it, Mr. Tan! You steal, not only my father's life but also his dream!
Blue Raven Mountain Resort was the name he would give to the resort he planned to construct in Hacienda del Fierro.
"Daddy, why are the ravens, not blue?" Andy's childish voice played on my mind as I ran my eyes through the beautiful portrait of the actual resort printed below the bold letters of the signage.
Dad chuckled at Andy's childish question. "That is how God designs them, but I will make blue raven for you!"
Andy's eyes lit up, jumping from his seat, and threw himself on dad's lap. "How?"
"How would you like it if the name of our dream resort will be Blue Raven?"
My lips twisted into a smile at the memory. The moment I looked up, I saw Andy curling at the side of the gate, his head on his knees.