Castiel Accessories is a premier company renowned for crafting high-end jewelry both internationally and locally. The Castiel family, a prominent and affluent dynasty, has maintained their elite status since the days of the old regime. It's uncommon for a Castiel to lead an ordinary life, but Liora is set to break that mold. After being disinherited, she finds herself without a trace of luxury, making her the first in her family to face such a drastic fall from grace.
Liora's new home is a quaint two-storey house that exudes a sense of historical charm. The first floor is distinguished by its bright yellow walls, which lend a cheerful, albeit slightly faded, appearance to the space. This vibrant color contrasts with the aging, weathered wood that covers the walls of the second floor. The house's overall aesthetic harks back to the 1960s, evoking a sense of nostalgia and reflecting its long-standing presence. Despite its age, the house remains functional and provides a certain rustic appeal.
This newly acquired house is situated near Rizwood University, directly across from the SB Terminal.
This was the final amount Liora spent from the money given by the stranger, providing her with a month of relief from financial struggles and a place to stay. Although she has a small amount of savings, it is only enough to last for three months at most. She's uncertain if it will be sufficient, considering the numerous expenses she faces, including necessities, food, water, internet connection, and electricity.
She really had it rough.
Despite feeling dejected and overwhelmed, Liora steadied herself and began to unpack her luggage, placing it near a single, dusty old table whose previous owner was unknown. Given her current circumstances, she couldn't afford to be picky. The stark contrast between her former luxury and her present situation was a harsh reality she had to face.
"Damn this people. Lucky me!" She said full of sarcastic remarks.
Exhausted, Liora grabbed a rag she had bought for 5 pesos near the terminal and used it to clean the floor of her room. Unable to afford a broom, she made do with the rag, which only managed to push the dust towards the edges. She used a plastic bag to collect the debris, covering her hand with it to scoop up the dirt without a dustpan.
Proud of her resourcefulness, she laid her only blanket on the floor and used one of her bags as a makeshift pillow. Despite the dust and her fatigue from cleaning, she fell asleep on the floor, completely worn out.
She woke up, hungry and uncomfortable from the sweat and dirt accumulated during cleaning. Noticing that it was already past 11 PM, she decided to take a bath and change into a clean white shirt and comfortable pajamas. After freshening up, she grabbed a 200 peso bill and headed to the Sleven Convenience Store.
Upon arrival, Liora noticed a young woman staring at her. Feeling uneasy in the unfamiliar area, she initially ignored her, suspecting that the woman might be trouble. Distracted by her own worries and the sense of alienation from the lower class, she didn't pay much attention. Suddenly, the young woman bumped into her and snatched her phone.
"What the hell?!" Liora shouted, immediately running after her. Penniless and unable to afford a replacement, the phone contained all her plans and important details, making it crucial for her not to let it go.
As they reached the intersection, Liora faced the risk of traffic, with buses zooming past, making it dangerous to cross. Undeterred, she chased the thief and, at the last moment, yanked the woman's shirt, pulling her away from an oncoming mini bus. Thanks to her quick reflexes, a skill she had developed out of habit, Liora managed to save the young woman from being hit.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Liora yelled, gripping the woman by the collar. Anger and frustration surged through her as she held her tightly. "This phone isn't worth your life! I'm struggling too, and I need it, but you need to live! Forget the phone—you're younger than me. Instead of stealing, try to work and better yourself. We're both barely getting by!" Overcome with emotion and exhaustion from her own difficult situation, Liora cried, feeling overwhelmed by the theft and her mounting frustrations.
The young woman trembled and cried, appearing very young and vulnerable.
"Sister! I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I was just so hungry and needed money for food. I've tried everything, but nothing's working. I can't take it anymore."
Seeing her distress, Liora softened and released her grip.
"If you're hungry, why didn't you just ask for help? You're too young to be stealing. What if I were someone else, like a man? What would have happened to you?" Liora asked, genuinely concerned.
The young woman was visibly troubled by Liora's question. Although she hesitated to steal from Liora, the harsh reality of survival on the streets had driven her to act. In her desperate hunger, survival instincts had overpowered her moral considerations, proving how dire her situation truly was.
Sophia Cruz had always known hardship. Orphaned at a young age and left to fend for herself, she had become a fixture on the streets near Rizwood University. Her home was a dilapidated shack near the terminal, barely shielding her from the elements. Her days were a constant struggle for survival, and every night was spent in uneasy slumber, with hunger as her only companion.
Despite her tough exterior, Sophia was just a child at heart—scared and alone. Her life had taken a turn for the worse when the elderly woman who had once cared for her passed away. The old woman had been Sophia's beacon of hope, providing her with warmth and safety. Now, with her gone, Sophia felt abandoned and desolate, with no one to turn to.
"What's with the look?" Liora asked upon checking her puzzled reaction.
Sophia shook her head and said. "You are too naive."
Liora "..."
Liora took Sophia in, providing her with food, shelter, and a safe place to stay. Despite the dire state of her own life, Liora extended compassion to the young woman, treating her with kindness and understanding. For a while, Sophia felt a glimmer of hope as she enjoyed the stability and care she had been so desperately missing.
However, as time went on, Sophia's gratitude began to wane. She was consumed by her old habits of survival, which led her to make a fateful decision. One evening, when Liora was out, Sophia seized the opportunity to take one of Liora's few remaining possessions—a precious momento from a deceased friend. It was a small, irreplaceable item that held immense sentimental value for Liora, a tangible link to her past and the memories of her lost friend.
Sophia sold the momento, using the money to buy food and other essentials. Her guilt was palpable as she did so, but the hunger and desperation clouded her judgment. She knew she had betrayed Liora's trust, but the immediate relief of having food outweighed her remorse at the moment.
When Liora returned home and discovered the theft, her heart sank. The loss of the momento was a blow that cut deeper than the theft of the phone. It was a symbol of her friend's memory, now gone forever due to Sophia's betrayal. Liora's reaction was cold and distant, a stark contrast to the warmth she had previously shown. She continued to provide for Sophia's basic needs—food, shelter, and cleanliness—but her demeanor was marked by an icy silence.
Sophia felt the weight of her actions deeply. The silent treatment from Liora was a constant reminder of her betrayal. She was overwhelmed by guilt and regret, realizing the gravity of her actions and the trust she had shattered. The warmth and care she had once received were now replaced by a chilling indifference that cut through her.
One day, as Sophia tried to find the courage to apologize, Liora's simple yet powerful words pierced through her guilt: "You should not bite the hand that raised you." The words resonated deeply with Sophia, a painful reminder of the betrayal she had committed against someone who had shown her kindness.
Sophia Cruz had always lived on the edge of survival, but her recent betrayal had pushed her to a new level of desperation. After stealing and selling Liora Castiel's precious momento, she faced an emotional storm of guilt and regret. Liora's silence and cold treatment were a constant reminder of her wrongdoing. Despite the harsh reality of her situation, Sophia was determined to make amends and restore some semblance of integrity to her life.
In the weeks following her betrayal, Sophia immersed herself in a relentless cycle of work and self-improvement. With the money she earned from selling the stolen phone, she began collecting discarded boxes and scrap materials from the streets. Every day, she scoured the alleys and sidewalks, gathering whatever she could find. She sorted and cleaned the materials, preparing them for sale at local recycling centers. It was backbreaking work, but Sophia was resolute. Her guilt was a constant motivator, driving her to push through the physical exhaustion and the harsh weather.
She spent long hours running errands for neighborhood vendors, earning a meager income for her efforts. The work was grueling and the pay was minimal, but Sophia embraced every opportunity to earn a little extra. Each day, she would carefully save the small amounts she earned, determined to eventually retrieve the jewelry she had pawned. The jewelry had been one of Liora's few remaining treasures, and Sophia knew how much it meant to her.
Sophia's work was not just a means to an end; it was also an attempt to redeem herself. She made a point to avoid trouble and to be as honest as possible in all her dealings. She worked tirelessly, day and night, with the hope of eventually buying back the jewelry and returning it to Liora. She understood that her actions had not only been a betrayal but had also shattered the trust Liora had extended to her.
One day, after several weeks of hard labor and frugal living, Sophia finally managed to save enough money to reclaim the pawned jewelry. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming, and a spark of hope flickered within her. She felt a glimmer of redemption, imagining how she would present the jewelry to Liora as a gesture of apology and a sign of her sincerity.
As she made her way to the pawn shop, Sophia's heart raced with anticipation. She carefully retrieved the jewelry, its once-gleaming surface now slightly tarnished from the time it had spent away from its rightful owner. Holding the delicate item in her hands, Sophia felt a profound sense of responsibility. This was more than just a piece of jewelry—it was a symbol of the trust she had broken and the effort she had put into making things right.
With the jewelry safely in her possession, Sophia hurried back to Liora's home. The journey was both physically taxing and emotionally charged, as she reflected on her past mistakes and the chance she had to rectify them. Her thoughts were filled with anxiety and hope, as she envisioned the moment when she would hand over the jewelry to Liora.
Upon arriving at Liora's house, Sophia took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Her heart pounded as she waited for Liora to answer. When Liora finally opened the door, her expression was guarded, yet there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
"Liora, I—" Sophia began, her voice trembling. She held out the jewelry, her hands shaking slightly. "I've worked hard to get this back. I'm so sorry for what I did. I know I can't change the past, but I hope this can show you that I'm trying to make things right."
Liora's eyes widened as she recognized the jewelry. Her expression softened, but there was still a trace of wariness in her gaze. She took the jewelry from Sophia, examining it carefully. The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words and lingering emotions.
Sophia stood there, her head bowed, waiting for Liora's response. The silence was both painful and hopeful. After a moment, Liora spoke, her voice calm but firm. "Thank you for returning this. I appreciate the effort you've put into making amends."
Sophia's heart ached as she listened to Liora's words. She knew that she could never fully erase the hurt she had caused, but she was relieved to see a hint of acceptance in Liora's demeanor. The acknowledgment of her efforts meant a lot to her, and she felt a small measure of peace.
"I understand if you don't want to talk to me or if you need time," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just wanted you to know that I'm truly sorry and that I've learned a lot from this experience."
Liora nodded, her gaze softening further. "It's important to learn from mistakes and to strive to be better. I'll take this as a chance that you will change for good Sophia."
Sophia's eyes filled with tears upon hearing Liora's words. She felt unworthy of such compassion after her betrayal and believed she deserved severe punishment for her actions.
To her surprise, Liora reached out and hugged her, allowing Sophia to cry openly. She apologized repeatedly, vowing never to repeat her mistakes.
Liora, moved by Sophia's plight, saw how harsh the world could be for someone so young. She realized how fortunate she was compared to others, which sparked an idea in her. Grasping Sophia by the shoulders, she exclaimed, "Sophia, you're a genius! I finally have a plan!" and began to enthusiastically work on her new project.
The next day, Liora focused on finding an internship opportunity. She had recently found an urgent hiring notice for a paid internship position. Although she had initially planned to focus on other things, she now aimed to secure some funds to support both herself and Sophia.
Liora was thrilled to see the positive changes in Sophia. Over the past month, she had discovered Sophia's talent for public speaking and her fluency in English, which seemed unusually advanced. When Liora inquired about her language skills, Sophia only offered a hesitant smile, prompting Liora to respect her privacy and wait for her to open up in her own time.
Excited about her plans, Liora declared in the hallway while wrinting, "Finally! I'm going to hit three birds with one stone!"
A deep, stern voice interrupted her excitement. "It's two birds with one stone, not three."
Liora jumped in surprise and turned around, startled by the voice. The man before her regarded her with a disdainful expression, as if she were an unsightly stain on a pristine wall.
"So rude," he said dismissively, leaving Liora speechless.