"Please take her to her room." Don Tanduay commanded to Melany who's been waiting for them outside.
"M-My room sir?" Aviore was surprised by what he said. 'Room? I have my own room? I thought I'm just here for today.' She thought.
"Yes hija, I prepared your room here before you came. Why? Don't you want to sleep here?"
"I do! I like it! Thank you very much." She exclaimed excitedly! She could not believe that she will sleep in such a beautiful house. Don Tan smiled at her.
"Okay, go ahead. Melany will take care of you. I have to stay here in my office, I still have to do something."
"Thank you again, sir!" Aviore bowed as a symbol of gratitude. Don Tan nod as a response and walked inside his office.
Aviore and Melany started walking through the hallway to her room.
Melany opened the door. It was the same room she was in when she's being treated.
"You can take a rest now! There are clothes in the closet that you can use. If you need anything, just ring that buzzer. It will connect to my room downstairs." Melany explained.
"Thank you, Melany!" Aviore replied with a smile.
Melany replied her smile and helped herself to go out of the room.
Aviore wandered her eyes around the room that she can't do before because of the pain she's enduring. She went to the closet and there she saw different kind of clothes. She took a dress and checked if it looks good on her by looking at the mirror attached at the cabinet doors with the dress aligned in her chest. She smiled and tried some more.
"Wow! These clothes looks like were bought exactly for me. This is amazing!" she smiled from the thought and closed the cabinet. She was about to go to bed when she saw a door. Not the entrance door of the room of course. It must be a bathroom. She didn't notice it before.
"Wow! This is awesome!" Aviore sniggered with her eyes twinkling. "Oh My Gosh! Is this a bathtub?" She excitedly went to it and feel its cold porcelain material.
Aviore never seen a real buthtub before. She went inside the bathtub and tried lying in their like she was taking a bath. She closed her eyes and smiled. She feels like dreaming. Who would have thought that her journey to this Island was like living a dream?
A few moments later and Aviore decided to lie on her bed. She smiled and caressed the soft bed and pillows. "Oh so soft! So Fluffy! Smells so good! Ahh... Feels like a dream!"
Aviore then lie flat and looked at the blue ceiling of the room with a little chandelier.
"How I wish my life's like this forever. But what does Don Tan mean when he said that everything has to be gained from hardships? Does that mean I have to experience hardship too to get to the well?"
Aviore yawned and closed her eyes hoping everything is not a dream.
Days passed and Aviore's stay at Don's house became comfortable. She is well cared for and is fed with delicious food. She also eat with the Don sometimes and some talk.
The Don is caring and fun when he want to and intimidating if he want to.
Days passed and her arm healed and her contusions gone. Aviore went to the kitchen to drink some water when a maid called her.
"Ms. Aviore, Don Tan is looking for you. He said to meet him at the rooftop." Jenny, a lady about 20 years old called her. Aviore often chat with her and they are in good terms.
Aviore finished her drink and put it at the sink. "Ok Jenny."
Aviore went closer to Jenny and whisper even though they're the only person at the kitchen. "What do you think he's gonna tell me?"
Jenny sniggered. "Probably gonna kick you out now!"
Aviore made face. "Oh men! I don't wanna go yet. You really think so?"
Jenny chuckled. "How would i know you silly girl?" Jenny pushed her outside the kitchen. "He's been waiting for you don't make him wait."
Aviore chuckled. "Ok ok. I just hope it's not the end of me."
"You bet." Jenny exclaimed jokingly as she stays at the kitchen while Aviore walked on to see the Don.
The house has a little rooftop at the back of the house enough for a little gathering. It can't be seen at the front of the house. The rooftop is facing the backyard and the big mountain nearby.
Aviore climbed up the stairs to the second floor. Walked straight, turned left, and went through the long hallway where at the end there was a small staircase leading to the rooftop.
When Aviore went up, she saw Don Tanduay watching the setting sun almost touching the mountain. It's been days since she saw the Don.
"Good afternoon Don Tan, are you looking for me?" Aviore greeted as she walked near him.
"Oh you're here! How are you feeling? Is your arm okay now?"
"I'm okay now Don Tan, thanks to your generosity I am able to heal my wounds and have a good stay."
They are now side by side watching the stunning scenery.
"That's good to hear Aviore."
Aviore smiled as a reply.
Don Tanduay looked at the setting sun. "Isn't the setting sun beautiful?"
Aviore Nodded. "Yes, it's beautiful! God's creation is indeed beautiful."
"Do you remember when I said to you that to get what you want, you have to experience hardships?"
Aviore nodded but wandered what the Don is pointing to.
"There's no such thing as a free meal." Don Tan said without looking at Aviore. Aviore don't know what to reply so she just keep her mouth.
"If you want to go to the wishing well, then it won't be easy."
"W-What do you mean, Don Tan?" Aviore stuttered. She doesn't know what the Don wants to say and that makes her nervous hoping it won't be something that could kill her.
Don Tan faced Aviore. "Do you see that tallest mountain over there?"
Aviore looked at the tallest mountain and nod. "Yes, I can see it."
"I own that mountain. It's called Mt. Kulingling. In order for you to get to the Wishing Well, you have to get to the peak of the mountain and find the Ruby Stone. It will lead you to the Wishing Well."
"T-To the peak of the mountain? D-Don Tan, isn't it dangerous? Are there wild animals there? How big is the ruby? How am I able to find it? How do I ---" Aviore asked in panic but Don Tan cut her off.
"Listen, For you to get to the well, you have to conquer everything. If not, you'll die."
Aviore gasped in horror. "I-I'll d-die?" her hearts pounding and her hamds are trembling. She looked down and was about to fall when Don Tan reached her shoulders.
"You have to conquer the woods Aviore! You have to trust yourself."
"B-But I don't wanna d-die!"
"Aviore, You have to trust yourself. Isn't this what you came for?"
Aviore was stunned. He was right, this is what she came for. To make a wish to the Wishing Well. To gain strength so nobody will belittle her anymore. So no one can hurt her anymore. But she doesn't want to die.
"Aviore, do you see your life? Isn't it already ruined? You don't have anything. I've let you live in my house for a long time now. Do you really plan to stay here forever? Do you think I'll let you? Do you have no shame?" Don Tan said Seriously.
Aviore was taken aback. She never thought of that and she never thought Don Tan can say something like that to her. She can feel her eyes starting to water. She's just a nobody. Why would such a wealthy man give her a comfortable life when he can't get anything from her? Nothing.
"The only reason I accepted you here because that old man you saw ordered me to." He added.
"T-That grandpa?"
"Yes. Now Aviore, you decide weather your going or not."
"If I don't go, what will happen to me?"
If you don't go, you can either go back to your poster parents and be beaten again or go find a place to live and be the same Aviore that is clumsy, mocked, and weak forever."
Aviore gulped.
"You choose" He continued.
He is right. She has nowhere else to go. She does not want to be a coward for the rest of her life. She raised her head and firmly answered the Don."I'll find the Wishing Well." She decided.
Don Tan smiled devilishly. "Great! You're leaving tomorrow morning!"
"WHAT?!" Aviore shouted in disbelief.