The World of Tomorrow (Rêve de Gosse #1)

Chapter 1

#TWOT1

"I have to go, Dad." I approached Dad's direction and gave him a peek on his cheek.

Today is our first day of school. I hate being late. I hate being last. I am the kind of a person na dapat laging ako ang nauuna. Being last is not my thing. It should be Fleur first before anyone at everything.

Ever since I was a kid, I badly wanted to be a model on d'Lvjs — the number one clothing company not just in the Philippines but also in other countries. The d'Lvjs is a clothing brand that every model dreams of, and I am one of those who dream to be part of their hold. To be one of their models . . . to be one of their runaway models . . . That's why I took UG Degree leading to the B.A in Creative Arts and Design.

Honestly, wala talaga akong planong mag-aral ng kolehiyo. Gusto ko na talagang mag-apply sa isang sikat na modelling agency. I had the natural beauty that every modelling agency was looking for. I have the height that can pass as a model. I also have the skills. But since my dad wants me to have a degree of my own, wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang pumasok sa college.

But I know that my course can also be a big help for my passion. It can help me strengthen my skills and knowledge about modelling and such. I mean, modelling is a very competitive field. I need to be ready every moment I have to get the chance. Otherwise, ang oportunidad na dapat ay para sa akin ay maaaring maagaw pa ng iba. And that is the last thing I would ever do — give an opportunity to someone else.

When I was about to turn my back and approached the way to our door. My dad's authoritative voice echoed.

"Fleur, your mother's also here," my dad called with his usual serious tone every time I made a thing he didn't like.

I secretly rolled my eyes before approaching my mom's direction. She was hopelessly looking at me as she watched me make my way towards her direction. "I need to go . . . Mom." I also gave her a peck on her cheek just like how my dad wants me to do.

"Mag-ingat ka, anak." She smiled at me sweetly in which I returned with a smile also . . . a fake one.

My mom and I are not in a good state right now. At alam kong hindi na ako magbabalik loob sa kanya katulad ng dati.

It's her fault, anyway. Kahit ilang beses niya pa akong susuyuin, I am not the old Fleur who's too clingy when it comes to her. Kung hindi lang naman kasi siya makasarili, hindi kami hahantong sa ganito.

Because of her selfishness, nagkaroon ng sakit ang aking ama. She chose to work abroad that until now, I am having a hard time forgetting about it. I mean, dapat hindi na siya umalis noon na labag sa loob namin ng kanyang asawa. We had money enough to fulfil our needs. Hindi naman kami naghihirap noon para piliin niyang lumayo sa amin.

Ilang beses nagmakaawa sa kanya ang aking ama na hayaan siyang siya na lang ang magtrabaho para sa amin. Na hayaan na lang siyang maghanap buhay para sa pamilya namin 'wag lang siyang umalis at mag ibang bansa. Pero nag matigas siya! Kaya anong nangyari? Dad fell ill because of resentment! And she's the reason why Dad was sick! It's because of her! It's because of her selfishness!

Until now, I still don't understand the reason behind her decision. Alam kong umalis siya at naghanap ng trabaho sa ibang bansa dahil sa amin . . . para matustusan ang mga pangangailangan ko. But is it enough reason for her to leave us? Is it enough reason for her to turn deaf and ignored our pleas?

Well, thanks to that — aside from my father's hard work on handling our family business —, we rise even more from our life before.

As usual, I did my grand entrance papasok sa Rêve café. Ito ay isa sa mga sikat na coffee shop lalo na sa aming mga estudyante. Their coffee is my own definition of classy flavour. It has something in it that makes everyone feel like they're riding in clouds full of different coffee flavours. Their coffee can also somehow help you forget the stress your school keeps on throwing at you.