In a small town called Sutoria, with a population of 3,756 stands a residence isolated from the rest. It occupies almost 2000 acres of land. The Calderón mansion, a Victorian House sits to at least a fourth of their property. It has eighteen bedrooms excluding the maid's quarter and a huge living room with a large chandelier fit for royalty hanging proudly on the ceiling.

It has all the basic rooms and function halls that one would only dream of. But what truly makes the mansion magnificent is the huge triangular shaped garden at the back. It houses the most unique looking flowers and trees, some of which are not even native to the continent, how the Calderons managed to keep them alive remains a mystery to the town's people.

The master of the house, Arthur Calderon and his wife Althea, are both warm and gentle people, willing to open their home for anyone in need. They have three children, Marco, the eldest—a small pale faced boy who always carried a smile on his face. Almira, the second—with curly brown hair and a deep set of eyes, and finally the youngest, Genelyn Calderon, luckily born with the film-star good looks of her mother. A deep pool of emerald globes fanned with thick dark lashes adorned her face, while soft pink lips and midnight tresses completed her uncontested beauty.
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*(Sunday January 15, 1996) *

Inside the car, Arthur cannot help but hold back the tears in his eyes as he steals a heart wrenching glance towards his wife. The woman whom he met on a rainy afternoon fifteen years ago, the woman whom he taught will never throw a glance at him but did, is now dying. Her once bouncy hair has become dull and almost bald. Her fair skin that glistened under the sun is now saggy and scarce of vitality.

"Arthur keep your eyes on the road I'm not dead yet," his wife whispered between breaths. Arthur finally allowed his tears to roll down his cheeks. "Althea how could you leave me? You promised we will be together forever," He murmured between sobs.

His wife did not respond. She kept her eyes closed, pretending to have not heard him.

*(Wednesday January 18 1997)*

The siren from the ambulance rushing towards the Calderon mansion nearly awakened the entire town. Lovely, a kinky haired girl who goes to the same school as the youngest of the Calderon's, rushed towards her mother, latching on her legs. "Mom what happened?" she asked. Her mother looked at her gravely and said, "The Calderons are dead."

"What do you mean dead?" She questioned, innocent eyes probing her mother to give an answer. Her mom took a step back and ended the hug between them, she knelt in front of her and said "It's best if you keep company with the young Calderon for the next few days OK?"

Lovely, confused as she was, nodded her head. Her mother stood and took her by the arm, then whispered, "Let's go back to sleep."

The double funeral of Arthur and Althea Calderon was held on a Sunday morning. The sky was ashen and solemn. The winds blew colder breeze than normal. The two young Calderon stood on the right of the caskets, hands locked with each other, while the youngest stood on the left clinging to the skirt of the house keeper. Anita Miluki the towns seamstress, couldn't help but notice the indifferent glare the two oldest was throwing at the young one and when it was all over the family of three walked back to the Calderon mansion.

The following day both Marco and Almira was taken by a distant relative leaving the youngest child Genelyn Calderon under the house keeper's watch.

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(November, Monday 2006) (9 A.M)

Gen awoke with the rays of an early morning sun, the first thing she sees is the chandelier which her mom insisted on hanging above her bed, which gave a swirling shade of amber and blue, as it meets the sun's glowing rays. She smiled, thinking, "How long has it been 10 years or more?"

The memory of the incident that changed her life forever keeps fading over the years. She got out of bed and headed for the bathroom, but of course, she grabbed her cancer sticks with her, the only solace and companion—which Esther, their house keeper said, will kill her someday. None the less, Gen kept her cancer sticks, at least, it will keep her company, even in death.

A loud knock coming from her bedroom door made Gen rush out of the bathroom. "Gen it's past nine aren't you going to school?" It was Esther, her husky voice hasn't changed over the years. "I won't go" Gen answered with an annoying tone.

She waited for retaliation, but none came. It appears Esther had finally given up on her too. Just like my siblings Gen thought to herself.

Down stairs—Esther prepared Gen's favourite breakfast, bacon and eggs. Although the Calderon masters are gone, their wealth remained. Old money, as people call it. She, the Head of the house maids had been entrusted by the family's lawyer to keep the young Calderon's share.

Since Gen is only sixteen years old, Esther will have to endure two more years of the girl's willfulness, before finding freedom. But, is that what she truly wants? She has nowhere to go, truth be told. Esther came to the Calderon mansion when she was only fifteen years old. She started as a personal maid for the old Calderon, then became the nanny of young Arthur, until finally, she was made the head of the housekeepers when Arthur got married. Thinking back, what truly transpired on that rainy night? Esther took a deep breath and started reminiscing.
It was a Sunday afternoon. The madam and Arthur came home, both with a sullen expression. Esther felt there was something wrong.
The madam who once was the envy of every woman in town with her fair complexion, rosy cheeks, bouncy black hair and flowy dresses has become unrecognizable in a matter of months. Esther was curios but dared not ask.