Lupita's point of view

Lupita sat in Raimundo's arms, holding him tightly. She was grinning sweetly and biting her nails as he whispered things into her ear. Raimundo himself leaned against a huge mahogany tree observing the wind as it caressed the leaves, and he was conscious of the chilled air as well. The air was filled with the scent of wild flowers.

They were on the hills by the side of the lake. There were many green crops and shrubs covering the region right to the West side.

Lupita's hair appeared so dull, her gown looked quite short, simple and slightly tattered.

"Of all the stars in the sky, no one compares to you."Raimundo told her. He stroked his fingers through the strands of her hair. He was broad in the shoulders, and chest, trim in the hips, and legs tightly sinewed, with good muscles. His eye brows are dense, his eyes wide like cat, they look questioning. His hair is spiky. His hair glimmerered like the setting of the sun, it wa black like a sparkling topaze. His cheeks had dimples chiseled into his face. His lips were as red as a newly plucked rose. He is 5fts tall.

The wind blew through his hair. "You are the most beautiful." He added.

Lupita laughed as she tried to break free, though reluctant to leave his arms yet.

"You feel I'm that pretty?" She said with a blush after she had broken free, and set off running as she dared him to race her down the field. She was full of energy and her lungs filled with the desire to run. She took off without warning, through the fields of dry leaves and pineapple trees.

"Try to catch me, " she called after him. Her voice was distant as she ran.

She felt her necklace pulling out from her neck, before she could catch it from falling, she felt it falling and it smashed against rock, and broke in a thousand pieces. It was a pearl necklace.

Raimundo was running to her and he paused seeing the anxious look on her face.

She picked up the pieces of her jewelry, tears welled up in her eyes as she beheld it. Her eyes were a piercingly sharp shade of gray. Eyebrows are arched over the curve. Her face is slim and oval with high cheek bones, straight prominent nose, and lips quite plump. She has a perfect skin, and beautiful white set of teeth. Her smile alone, could melt the coldest heart. He hair was a rich, raven black that sometimes sparked a huge of blue in the brightness of the sun. She was of medium height, and slim build.

Raimundo held her cheeks and stared into her face. "What's wrong?".

"It's shattered. It's the only jewelry I have." Tears dropped in streams on her cheeks.

"It's okay. You are still really beautiful." He wanted to build back her confidence. His soft voice felt so comforting. But, she was really upset.

"Don't try to tease me. I want look so stunningly beautiful like my mates, or like a model." She complained to him, "You know, I always sketch beautiful fashion designs and when i stare at them, i wish i can have the materials to produce it so I can at least, look good. But I don't have any nice clothes or shoes. I know sometimes, you feel embarrassed to show me off to your friends, and colleagues. I'm sorry I can't afford to buy clothes and shoes that make me look appealing." She bowed her head softly. Her voice was cracking as she spoke.

He held her hands softly, and looked into her eyes. "No, don't say that. I love you just the way you are. No matter what, I will not leave you."He told her reassuringly.

His words felt comforting, she couldn't help it, she pulled him closer and embraced him weakly. "I know you love me, and I love you too."

Sara paced in the front yard of her hut fidgetily.

As she waited the minutes passed slowly and soon she was waiting for hours. She grew tired waiting, and when she turned her back to go into her hut, Lupita arrived.

Lupita saw the way her grandmother looked askance at her. She knew by looking at her that her grandmother had a string of questions for her like, 'where have you been?' And, 'why were you out so long?'.

It annoyed, Lupita that her grandmother always questioned her and nagging her about where she had been especially when Lupita had gone out without informing her grandmother where she was going. Lupita found that her grandmother's over protective attitude was tiresome.

Lupita's heart was racing afraid of what she might do or say.

"You stayed out too long. Were you with that boy again?" Sara asked her amgrily.

Lupita was taken aback. "How did she figure out I was with Raimundo?" She wondered.

"Grand ma.....yes, I was...." She stuttered.

"Didn't I ask you to stay away from that rich boy?" She shouted at the top of her voice, "I have told you numerous times that, he is not good for you. You are only eighteen, don't be as naive as your mother."

Marisol, Lupita's mother was assured by Francisco

her boyfriend that he'd return to the Philippines after earning a lot of income in the United States and take good care of her as she was pregnant. But, he never showed up.

It's a sensitive topic Sara didn't like to talk about. She was still bittered about it. She assumed, Francisco was probably married, and that Lupita could have some step siblings. She hated the mention of Francisco's name.

Lupita get enraged when Sara compare her with Marisol.

"I'm not naive like my mother. And, Raimundo is not my dad. He loves me very much." She said firmly.

"That's the samd thing your mother thought, but she was fooled, and neglected."

"I love Raimundo and I won't stay away from him." She felt some courage building in her.

"You will do as I say.'' Sara said emphatically. "I never want to see you with him again. You will remain indoors for the whole week, that's your punishment".

Tears flowed down Lupita's cheeks. She felt a painful lump in her throat. She tried to speak, but looking at the angry face of Sara, she felt unable to argue with her. She wa intimidated by Sara's attitude. She walked into the hut, without saying a word.

Raimundo immediately took his bath when he arrived home. After his bath, He headed downstairs.

The spacious hall was brightly lit. Under the huge European- style chandelier hanging high, was a long table with a variety of scrumptious delicacies around the table, and plates of fresh fruits.

Raimundo was eating the tasty chicken adobo with pancit noodles gracefully. Sitting besides him, was his mother, 'Fiona', and 'Estrella' his aunt. They were quietly enjoying their noodles and observing Raimundo's mood.

"I can see you seem very happy" said Fiona.

"Let me guess....you were with that slum girl." Said Estrella.

Raimundo frowned. "Aunt, don't be disrespectful".

"But, that's what she is. She must be smart and intelligent to go for a wealthy guy. And, she must be cheap, and a slut to seduce and manipulate you considering how she won you over even though she is not that beautiful, nor educated, or from a wealthy home. She is really condescending."

"Aunt, that's enough okay? I wont let you talk about her that way!" He yelled.

"What your aunt is trying to say, is you should date a lady in the same class as we the Montefalcos."

Fiona liked to vaunt about her family status. Dementrio, her late husband passed away allocating in his will to her and Raimundo all of his properties. These included his large clothing store, MF store in Manila in the Philippines. His other assets, like his estates, and his bar business in Pampanga.

"Mum." , Raimundo told her, "I love Lupita, and nothing will Change my mind about her." He Raimundo wanted them to understand, but he felt that they didn't care.