Chapter 3

Anikka's one year at Rancho Mondragon seems to have changed the cycle of her world from a simple life to a chaotic one. Everyone was surprised when he returned that the father revealed that Lucila suddenly appeared at the Rancho and surrendered him. he gave a reward and immediately dismissed the mother-in-law who almost ran to go back with her. He didn't want to go back to the Rancho especially seeing how his Uncle Octavio's eyes were glazed over and Ana's disgust at his presence. the father immediately called a meeting and immediately transferred the management of the Rancho to him despite his objection.

From the big house he raised his eyes to the land he owned. He was eight years old when he left here thinking he would just go for a walk in Manila because he wanted to go to Ocean Adventure. Due to an accident, he was completely removed from the land he owned. now he can see again the part of his youth that was happy, colorful and full of life. Now it seems like a prison that prevents his freedom because of the eyes of the people there; the Uncle Octavio and the adopted parent Ana.

two are family-owned companies that both he doesn't want to mess with; the Golden Land Mining Corp., and the Mondragon Agri Corp. which distributes the agricultural products of Rancho Mondragon. Both companies involved a lot of money. for now the Rancho was enough for him to get around. Whether he admits it or not, there is fear in his heart every time he faces his Uncle Octavio because of his sharp eyes. he's just thankful that Ana's relationship with him is getting better in the past months. .if there is a good relationship between the real mother and Ana, he should not be jealous because Diana is also trying to fill the time lost between the two of them.

"You have to go to the company meetings, Anikka," said her father from behind her who had entered the room without realizing it. "Soon you will manage those too. It is good that you learn early."

"Ana is the one who has an interest in that, Papa, you should only appoint her.    I want to have a job according to the course I completed."

"But you are my son. This land and the company I inherited all from your Grandmother. You are the real Mondragon, not Ana and especially not Octavio.     on Monday I will take you to the office and give you a position. Ana will still remain in her position," he seemed to say finally.

"Can I refuse?"

"No.    you need to embrace this truth son – you are rich and you own a Ranch and two companies. I want you to be wise, watchful and brave during these times. I'm not always here to protect you."

he was hit on the forehead by the weight of the responsibility he wanted to put on him. If he had grown up here, he could easily get used to being an heir, not like this he will suddenly be sent to war with no ammunition.

the father had left he still couldn't think straight. Jude is constantly calling her when she will return to Nueva Ecija because she did not inform why she suddenly left. he can't send his girlfriend here because the father will insist on reconciling with his friend's son whom he has never seen in his entire life.

Her life was in turmoil and she was not happy.

"There you are, Nikka," the mother said when she went down to the kitchen to eat lunch. Ana was already in the dining room and happily joking with the servants. The relationship between her and her mother is fine, but she feels sad that her attention is divided between her and Ana. and when he is troubled like this he wants to run to Lucila and tell her his thoughts. He could see Lucila's sympathy for him even just talking on the phone more than Diana who was with him now.

"Is something wrong, Nikka?" Ana asked when she noticed that he smiled for a moment before his expression turned serious.

"Nothing." He showed a forced smile again.

"You look bothered," he said again.

"I just have a headache," he answered. when he thinks a lot like this, he gets an anxiety attack.

"There's paracetamol in the medicine cabinet, Nikka. I'll have the maid get it," said the mother, who also sat down at the dining table. The conversation between the two started again which he didn't understand much. after eating, he immediately returned to the room and just listened to music to relieve the heaviness in his chest.

When the afternoon came, he sat on the veranda and enjoyed the fresh air. A loud voice from behind him startled him and made him thump in his chest.

"How is our dear Princess?" Uncle Octavio said with a smile. "What are you doing here alone? Your mother and Ana went out of town. Didn't they invite you?"

"I just came out of the room," he replied simply. he wants to drive him away but the father tells him to force him to live together so that he will not be included in the trouble of the brothers but it seems that is not what is happening.

"Ana has completely captured your Mama's heart.    Won't you at least be alarmed?" it continued to speak. he knew she was provoking him to take action against his mother or Ana but he would not allow it.

"I also don't want to change whatever their company is just because I came back here, Uncle," he hardened his voice to show that he would not be affected by what he was saying.

"August said that you will join the company on Monday.      did you know that Ana has applied to be the VP for Operations at Agri Corp? Maybe you won't block that for you to land the position."

"Papa will decide on that, Uncle. Ana and I should respect what he wants, shouldn't we?"

"You still have a lot to learn before being assigned to a high position, Nikka. If you want to work with me for a while," he said tactfully. What he knows is that he has a position in Mining but his rank has dropped due to a series of mishaps of the staff before in the mine. Her father took over the operations and put another manager in his replacement.

"No problem, Uncle.    as long as my father approves it," he replied.

"Of course your father won't allow that.    Because what I know is that you will be appointed to Agri as CEO in the next few days." He was surprised by that news and immediately turned to his uncle. that's not what his Papa told him, and if what the other person is saying is true, he won't accept it.

"Ana will surely be devastated, Nikka.     What she expects is that your father will appoint her there.     but because you came, he only accepted the position he could dream of up to VP."     he continued.     "And if Ana gets hurt because of that, your Mama will definitely be hurt too. You don't want that, do you?"

"Like I said, Papa will decide where Ana and I will be placed. Will you excuse me, Uncle? I forgot I had to call someone," he excused himself to end the conversation.

"Sure."    It also stood up but spoke again before it completely left.     "Don't go away from sightseeing in Racho, Nikka. There are still dangerous places on this earth," he said, leaving her with goosebumpsthe accident that happened when he was a child came to his mind again and still comes back to his dreams.

When the father came home that evening, he talked to her in the library. since he came here a year ago he noticed that mother Diana's non-interference in any family company.

"Is there a problem, Son?" The father sat on the swivel chair while he remained standing.

"Uncle Octavio spoke to me this afternoon.    are you really planning to replace me as CEO in Agri? I want to know what you really planned for me that's why you sent me back here, Papa."

"Yes.    I don't know where Octavio got that information, now I believe that man has eyes and ears in my office."

"I don't want such a high position just at the time of my return.    if I really have no choice because I'm your only child, give me a year to learn the ins and outs of the company."

The father stared at him for a moment before slowly nodding. "If that is good for you I will agree.    but you will come in on Monday as my assistant, Anikka. Tomorrow you will accompany me to the lawyer for some things I have to leave to you."

"Don't I start on Monday?"

"This is not about business.    This is personal.    promise no one will know all this."

If earlier he was talking to his Uncle Octavio he was nervous, now he is twice as nervous because of what his father is saying. "Why hasn't Mama been in our conversations since I came here, Papa?" he finally asked the father. He waited a long moment before answering his question.

"I don't want to confess them to you now, Anikka, but I guess you need to know now." This is the beginning that seems to have difficulty confessing what to say next. "Ana is Octavio's daughter."

"You told me that suspicion, Papa. Have you confirmed that suspicion?"

He nodded slowly before taking a deep breath. "And your mother's daughter."

"What?!"

A moment of silence followed. now he understands the relationship the two have that despite his return, he seemed like a stranger to his mother during the first months of his return. Even when visiting Nueva Ecija, he rarely goes with Agusto.

and now he understands Agusto's distrust of his wife regarding the business and wealth left by his Grandmother.

"How did you know?"

"It was Diana who forced me to adopt Ana even though we both knew where we were taking care of you.    at first I thought your mom was just missing you so I agreed. But I noticed Octavio's fondness for Ana so I had the two DNA tested. It was positive. just this past month I had your Mama and Ana DNA tested when I noticed that Diana seems distant from you compared to Ana. And the result just came out last week."

He sat in the receiving chair because his knees were shaking. he couldn't fully imagine the pain the father felt the moment he found out about his wife's secret to him.

"We are really brothers..." he said almost in a whisper. "But you said Mama was captured then, right?"

"That's what I thought too.    but maybe Octavio just fed him to get an inheritance from me through their son."

"So, where is Mama's loyalty now? Is it with us or with Ana?"

"Despite the separation of your Mama and Octavio before Diana and I got married, they have been in good company until now.      It's not hard to guess why.    They live freely thinking that I don't know that secret."

he wanted to feel sorry for the father for enduring to keep the secrets discovered just to keep everyone quiet.

"How do you receive all this, Papa?" The father briefly wiped away the tears he had been holding back.

"Because of you, Anikka.    I need to be strong for your sake and your safety..."

"Why don't we just go away? Just leave this wealth behind. Sell the Rancho and let's leave this place. I want to live in peace, Papa. I don't want to live in fear."

"I will not agree, Son.    I will not be defeated by them.      So I ask you to be brave at all times."

"Oh, Papa..."    She stood up and hugged him. He felt the suffering of her feelings and if only he could admit the pain and he did. from what he found out now he wanted to hate his mother.

"Promise you'll be brave, Anikka.    Don't let them beat you.    Do you understand?"

He did nothing but nod to reassure her. he is the only ally left for now. He cannot be discouraged.

But the truth is that he wants to get away from this place.