t was early in the morning when Anna woke up.
She went downstairs and found her elder sister, Karen, already in the kitchen, carefully preparing breakfast. The soft sound of cooking filled the quiet house.
"You slept early last night?" Karen asked without looking away from the stove.
"Yes," Anna replied as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
Karen turned slightly, watching her. "Are you okay?"
Anna gave a small smile. "Yes… I'm fine. Our final examinations are coming, maybe I'm just stressed."
Karen placed the spoon down and sat across from her at the wooden table.
"Hey," she said gently, "you don't need to pressure yourself too much. If you feel tired, just rest. Your health is more important."
Anna nodded slowly, her smile soft but tired. "Okay."
For a moment, the morning felt calm… almost normal.
Then Sarah and Dianne came down the stairs, breaking the quiet with their usual energy as they joined them for breakfast.
The house slowly filled with movement, voices, and the warmth of a family starting another day.
After eating, Anna prepared to leave.
She went to school with Sarah, while Karen headed out for work nearby their house.
And just like that, another ordinary morning began—at least on the surface.
TOM'S POV
"Have you talked to your father?" Janeth asked her son as she served him a glass of fruit juice and a slice of cake.
"No," he answered flatly while checking his phone.
"Papa wants you to come back to the company," she said softly. "He wants you to manage the business. He's planning to resign."
"I don't want to," Tom replied immediately.
Janeth sat down beside him.
"Tom, he's old now… please put aside your ego and forgive him," she pleaded.
"He's not going to change, Mama."
"And you?" Janeth asked, her voice suddenly sharper.
A few minutes earlier, a customer had entered the café, ordered quietly at the counter, and sat alone at a corner table. The soft background noise of the shop filled the silence between them.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
Then Janeth broke it again.
"He is still your grandfather, Tom. Whatever his reasons are, try to understand him."
Tom clenched his jaw and looked away, letting out a heavy sigh.
Janeth gently held his hand. "I know you're hurt… but you need to forgive him. It's been two years. We've missed you so much. You need to come back."
"But I'm not ready," he insisted.
"And when will you be?" she asked firmly. "If you keep living like this, you will never win against him."
She exhaled. "Your ego and pride won't help you anymore. Haven't you gotten tired of all of this?"
Her voice softened, but her words hit deeper.
"Your father is sick… he can't handle the stress and workload in the company anymore."
Tom finally looked at her.
"How is he?" he asked quietly.
"He's fine… for now."
Silence fell again.
Tom sighed, finally picking up his glass and taking a slow drink of juice, but his mind was far from calm.
"By the way, we have a dinner this coming Friday night. You and Mildred are coming, right? You should come. Your grandfather's best friend's granddaughter is coming."
"Tsk… glad for him. He finally found his mistress," he murmured.
"What?" Janeth asked, confused.
Tom only shrugged and smirked.
Janeth looked at him seriously. "You're not a kid anymore, my dear. Be mature."
"What?" Tom replied sarcastically.
"You'll understand when you have your own children," she said firmly.
"Alright, alright. I'm going," he said, giving in.
"Don't forget the dinner on Friday, my dear," Janeth reminded him.
***************** **********ANNA POV
"Anna!" Kevin called as he ran toward her in the hallway.
She turned around and waited for him.
"By the way, thank you for supporting my idea," he said.
Anna nodded.
"So you're going home?" he asked.
"Mm," she answered with a soft smile.
"Let me send you home. It's late."
"No, it's fine. Thank you."
"Are you sure?" he asked seriously.
"Yes… 100 percent sure. Thank you."
Kevin looked at her and smiled. "Really?"
Anna nodded again.
"Alright then. Take care and good night," he said softly before walking away.
Anna bit her lower lip and smiled.
Then suddenly—
"What am I doing?" she whispered to herself, knocking her head lightly. "Wake up, Anna."
She continued walking toward the gate.
While waiting for a jeepney, a black car stopped in front of her.
"Are you sure you don't want a ride?" Kevin asked from a distance.
Anna laughed lightly and waved. "Yes. Good night, Kevin."
"Okay, bye-bye. See you," he said before driving off.
Anna waved back.
A few minutes later, she rode a jeepney home. She felt tired, but happy—she had enjoyed the council meeting… especially because Kevin was there.
When Anna arrived at the subdivision, she froze.
Mr. Yang's car was parked in front of their house.
The driver greeted her and politely invited her to a coffee shop where Chairman Yang was waiting.
Anna frowned and slightly pouted.
She sighed and followed him.
"Still mad at me?" Chairman Yang asked as she sat in front of him.
"I don't know," she replied quietly.
"Hm… I understand. I'm sorry," he said. "But let's put that aside for now. You don't want to talk about it anyway, right?"
He paused, then continued.
"My family wants to meet you this Friday night."
Anna looked up, surprised—and visibly disappointed.
"I hope you will come," he insisted gently.
Anna took a deep breath and stood up.
"Good night, Mr… Chairman Yang," she said politely.
Chairman Yang looked at her, disappointed.
"Alright… see you on Friday," he replied.
Then he walked away, leaving Anna standing alone.
She didn't understand her own feelings.
Part of her was excited—she was becoming the CEO of a powerful company, and her life could change completely.
But deep inside… she felt fear. Confusion. Sadness.
Every step toward home felt heavier.
The moon shone above her, soft and silent, as if watching over her.
The wind brushed her face like a whisper she couldn't understand.
She was afraid… but she couldn't tell anyone.
Even herself.
The subdivision guard greeted her. She smiled back weakly and entered the gate.
Inside, her siblings were watching TV.
"You're late," Dana said.
Anna smiled faintly.
"Yaaay," Sarah teased immediately.
"What?" Anna asked.
"How's your date with Kevin?" Sarah raised her eyebrows playfully.
"Date?" Anna repeated with a small smile. "We're not dating."
"Ohhh," they all reacted.
"Come on," they teased.
"Seriously, we're not dating!" Anna insisted.
"Then why are you late—and holding a Starbucks frappe?" Sarah asked, laughing.
Anna froze for a second, then laughed.
"Alright… he gave it to me. But we're not dating," she said quickly, hiding the real reason.
"Ahem," Karen coughed suspiciously.
"Don't worry, I know. Promise, we're not dating," Anna repeated. "He's just my crush, okay? He gave this… but he's dating someone else."
"Wait—who's Kevin?" Karen asked.
"The guy who gave you flowers in first year college?" Sarah added.
"Yes, that's him," Sarah answered for her. "Her crush."
"Whoa, really?" Karen said, surprised.
"Maybe he has a crush on you," one of them teased.
"Maybe…" Anna smiled shyly, suddenly feeling kilig.
They all laughed.
"Just don't assume too much!" Anna warned.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Friday finally came.
Anna was picked up by Chairman Yang's driver at the front gate of the school campus.
"Are you going somewhere?" Shania asked.
Anna nodded.
"Where?" Shania asked again.
"Dinner with a family friend," Anna replied.
"Ohh… have fun," Shania said.
They hugged cheek to cheek.
"Thank you," Anna smiled.
She got into the car and sat in the back seat, staring quietly out the window as the car drove away toward a night she didn't fully understand yet.
After an hour, they arrived at Chairman Yang's residence.
In front of them was a tall metal gate. It looked old, with vines crawling along the iron bars. The shrubs around it were overgrown, untouched for a long time. Yet soft post lights and strands of Christmas lights wrapped around the bushes glowed gently, illuminating the darkness around the property.
Mr. David scanned his identification card on the access machine. After a few seconds, the gate slowly opened.
Anna's eyes widened in amazement as she looked beyond the metal gate.
Inside, everything was the opposite of what she expected.
The Bermuda grass was perfectly trimmed. Tall palm trees stood in neat alignment along the cobblestone driveway. A fountain stood at the center, its water softly flowing. The car turned and stopped in front of a grand mansion.
Anna stepped out of the car and froze.
She tilted her head up, staring at the mansion in disbelief. Two tall palm trees stood on both sides of the balcony. The entire house was glowing with warm lights, massive and elegant.
Her mouth slightly opened, her eyes wide as she took everything in.
Mr. David invited Anna inside. As he opened the door, a maid immediately greeted them.
The living room was enormous. A set of off-white couches surrounded a center table. Fresh flowers sat in a vase, and a fireplace stood quietly in the corner. A glass wall stretched from floor to ceiling, revealing the night outside.
But what caught Anna's attention most was the chandelier.
It hung beautifully from the ceiling like a flowing tail of light—gold and crystal reflecting brilliance in every direction. She had never seen anything like it before.
Anna turned slowly, still amazed, and followed the maid toward the dining area, where preparations were ongoing.
A woman approached her, wearing a white dress with a light pink apron. Her hair was neatly tied up, and she gently wiped her hands with a clean towel.
She smiled warmly.
"You must be Anna, right?" she asked.
Anna nodded. "Yes. How can I help you?"
"Oh no, no," the woman said quickly. "Please, you're a guest here. Come and join them."
She smiled again. "By the way, I'm Janeth."
They walked together toward the backyard, where guests had gathered. People were laughing, holding wine glasses, dressed in elegant gowns and suits.
Anna looked down at herself—still in her simple school uniform.
She took a deep breath and smiled politely.
"Come," Janeth said gently, guiding her toward Chairman Yang.
He was seated beside Marvin.
Janeth leaned in and whispered something to him.
Chairman Yang turned around and immediately smiled when he saw Anna. He waved her over.
"Anna," he called warmly. "This is my son, Marvin."
Marvin stood and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you."
"And this is his wife," Chairman Yang added with a smile. "I'm sure you already know her."
Janeth raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled.
"Please don't be shy," Chairman Yang said. "Janeth, please introduce her to everyone."
He gestured toward Mrs. Yang, Tom, and Mildred.
Anna followed Janeth.
She saw the three of them enjoying the gathering, smiling and talking like a close family.
"Ma'am," Janeth called softly.
All three turned toward her.
"Oh dear, you must be Anna," Mrs. Yang said warmly, smiling as she stood. "Come, sit."
She gently held Anna's hand. "So he finally met you. You don't know how frustrated he was when he found out your grandfather had passed away… I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Here is my favorite person, Mildred," she continued with a smile. "She's Tom's girlfriend."
"Hi," Mildred greeted. "How are you? I didn't know Lolo had such a close friend… and I've never heard about you before."
"Oh, it's a long story, dear," Mrs. Yang answered.
Anna looked at Mildred with admiration.
"You look like Liza," Anna said suddenly.
They all laughed.
"Ohhh—she's my sister," Mildred said jokingly. "I'm just kidding… Liza is much prettier than me."
She smiled humbly, then glanced to her left.
Tom was sitting there.
He looked at Anna—and smiled slightly.
Anna froze for a moment.
She was starstruck.
"I thought you weren't coming?" Mrs. Yang asked gently.
"I wasn't supposed to," Anna replied. "But Mr. David waited for me."
"Oh, I'm glad you came. I hope you enjoy tonight," Mrs. Yang said warmly.
She studied Anna for a moment. "So tell me, dear… are you still studying?"
"Yes, I am," Anna answered.
"What course are you taking?" Mildred asked.
"Nursing," Anna said proudly.
"Oh," Mildred replied, sipping her champagne. "I'm afraid of blood."
"Are you graduating soon?" Mrs. Yang continued.
"No, I'm third-year college."
"How many siblings do you have?" she asked again.
"I'm the third child of seven," Anna said softly, feeling shy.
"Too many," Mrs. Yang said lightly. "Is your father very industrious to make babies?"
Anna only smiled awkwardly.
A few minutes later, dinner was served.
Everyone took their seats.
Mr. Yang sat at the center. Mrs. Yang sat on his left, beside Mildred and Tom. On the other side were Marvin and Janeth.
And beside Mrs. Yang… Anna sat quietly.
END
Stay tuned for Chapter 5: The Mistress