Special Chapter: Owen Builds
Author's note; sorry for lame writing. I wasn't able to furnish it I'm running out of time at wala pa po ako tulog.
Happy reading .
[Sendai, Japan 2026]
Owen's POV
How time flies!
It was already eight years ago since my beloved sister, Cher, died. She died of giving birth to her son, Miles.
It was so sudden, it is so saddening. Most especially, for Miles. He never had the chance to know his awesome father and lovely mother or even see them.
The only way he could feel and know them is through their works, pictures, and videos.
He will never had the chance to have a family picture.
Before Cher died, she gave birth to a very handsome boy. He almost looks like me. .
I said almost, but not quite. Because who really he resembles is his Daddy Caleb.
That boy whom Cher delivered is now eight years old. And he is living with me. Kara and I adopted him.
"Do I really look like my real Dad, huh, Papa?" Miles asked me. We're standing here beneath the cherry blossom tree that has an engraved "CC" on its trunk.
It's still the same, it's still deeply engraved. It really signifies that their love is strong even beyond this life.
"Do you know why your Mom named you, Miles?" I asked my nephew, Miles was standing beside me.
"Is it because we're Miles apart?" He answered.
"Well, something like that," I said with my lips pouted and nods gently my head because it's quite a nice and logical answer. Maybe he also inherited his Dad's intelligence.
"Then what's the reason then?" He asked again. I stirred up his curiosity.
"Before your Dad died, he told your Mom that he wants to name their son or daughter, Miles. Because he said, though they are thousand Miles apart, this Miles will also connect them."
"Oh, I see. That's so lovely. Dad is so sweet," Miles said.
"Yeah, he is the sweetest. You know it's sad that you didn't come to know how awesome is your Dad. If he were still alive.
Kara and I adopted Miles since he is already an orphan. Though we don't adopt him legally because Malik wants to retain his last name Malik. He said that it suits the best his father's last name, Malik.
Miles Malik.
Yeah, we agreed and respect his decision even though he's just a kid.
Even Leily, she can use the last name of her stepfather Caleb but it was the only request of his father to retain and never change her last name. Leily Murray.
Kara and I were already married for five years but we still don't have a child.
Aunt Marga really opposed us at first because she really misses her son, Caleb. And Miles really resembles his Dad but in a soft tone. I mean, Caleb is oozing an intimidating aura, he looks so serious. He looks so manly. While Miles is the cuter, fluffy, version of Caleb.
Anyways, as I have said, Kara and I were five years already married but we still don't have a child.
Hiow Kara and I ended up together?
I guess I will tell our love story too. Cher, Caleb, and Maki's love triangle is not the only love story worth telling.
Kara and mine too. Though it's not as roller coaster ride love story like theirs.
Kara is four years older than me. She is Caleb and Cher's classmate when they were in fifth grade.
While I? Maybe I was in my second grade. My Mama left Papa and me when I was only five.
Grandma Linda became a mother figure to me. But she is a vegetable vendor while Papa is a shipper of goods.
So I was always left alone in the house. It was lonely. But what can I do but to get used to it. Sometimes I go with Granda Linda in the Market.
Until one day, Papa Ronnie brought a beautiful woman in our house. She really is beautiful.
Her name is Mikee. She is a waitress.
"Pay respect to your new Mama," Papa said and I was so confused.
What happened to Mama? Will she never come again? Why? I miss my Mama. Though she's already five years gone already.
But this Mikee lady is beautiful and kind that I was enchanted by her beauty and kindness. She is so lovely. I don't want to admit it but Mikee is lovelier than my Mama.
Mama is always mad. She's grumpy. But Mikee is always smiling.
Papa said that we will be leaving home and will move to other place.
Since i am just a ten year old kid, I just go with the flow and Though I don't want to have a step mother but what can I so? I'm just ten years old.
So, when Papa said that I should pack my things up, that's what I did. Without any further delays.
We went to a shanty house
, It was at the back of a cabaret.
It's as small as our house.
It was already 4pm that we had lunch because our traveling time took us 4 hours.
I wonder how Papa met Mikee. All I know is when Papa got his wage from the market, he goes to a cabaret to drink alcohol and forget about Mama. And Mikee was the waitress who served him. So the rest was history.
I was so hungry that I eat my meal fastly then the door opened and a very cute girl entered in. She is with a handsome white boy.
My grandma Linda invites them to eat but she blatantly show her displeasure to see us. I can't blame her though.
I knew then that her name is Cher and her boys is Maki.
I understand if Cher will not like us but this Maki boy has no rights to get hot with me except for an instance that I ate his meal.
But why is he eating here? He looks like he came from a rich family and why is he always here.
Ah yeah, his girlfriend is my stepsister that's why he's always here.
He always glares at me. Maybe he is jealous of me. But why would he? Cher hates me. There's nothing to be jealous about.
I should be the one to get jealous...
My stepsister doesn't see me as her brother. In her eyes I am just a bastard.
I did everything for her to accept me as his brother.
I wash clothes, wash the dishes, clean the house. But still I'm an outcast. Unloved. Unwanted.
Why? Is life this hard?
I just want a family. A lovely mother who cooks, a father that's working, and a sibling that will help in my assignment.
But what I have is a stepsister who dislikes me, her boyfriend who loves to glare at me, and a father who beats me when he is intoxicated.
Cher saw how Papa beats me. I can see in her eyes her sympathy.
I don't want her to see me being beaten. I don't want someone to pity me.
But Cher, being a compassionate person, took pity on me.
She cooked a porridge for me.
I was so touched. I can't contain my tears. Her porridge is simply delicious.
Since then, I dedicated my life for Cher. Because she cared and loved me like no one does.
She's the most beautiful and loveliest woman I have ever seen thus far.
One day, when I heard her and Maki having a fight, a lover's quarrel? It was awkward when I caught them hugging, making up.
Maki loves Cher so much, he was obsessed with a hint of greediness and selfishness.
I'm glad that I kept the box that Caleb left. Cher told me to throw it.
Thank God, that I did not obsy her, because I have a positive feelings about the box.
And this box is so precious to her. How can you throw precious memories away?
She doesn't really want to throw it that's why she asked me to get rid off it because she doesn't want to and could not.
In that box were the letters, pictures, and the calling card of Kara Curtis' Dad.
Cher said that Mr. Curtis has a real estate company. He has business partners and clients in Mumbai, India maybe someday he might help Caleb to find his father.
I got curious about this Kara, if she was friends with Cher and Caleb, she must be a kind person too. Maybe she could help me fond a job to self-sustain my study.
I'm ashamed of Cher already, I am always bothering her, calling her to greet ger, and know what's she's doing and then after that I will ask for money because I have projects and I need materials to buy.
I don't want her to think that I only contacting her because I'm asking money.
Though she say over and over that she has money in the bank, she can sustain my college finances just ask her what and how much I needed and she will surely give.
But I know she already has a daughter that has needs to because since Maki went ran off with Candice, he's not giving her support anymore.
I hate Maki for that. If he wants to hurt Cher, then don't include Leily. Because what he's doing to Cher , Leily is affected.
So, that savings on the bank, I don't want her to touch that. It's all for my adorable niece.
How could I use that money belongs to her future.
That's why I'm determined to study hard, get impressive grades, and succeed in life.
But I can't do it all alone, I need resources, and when I was thinking what should I do in life to have money, I noticed the box that Cher wants to throw.
I always read it on my sad moments, or pensive mood because it's touching.
Cher's exchange of letters with Caleb is inspiring.
You can see and feel that they secretly love each other.
They also wrote poems and short stories.
Caleb even on his grade school years, exuded excellent writing skills. I admire and envy him.
Cher is very lucky to be loved and cared for by a man like Caleb.
If I were a woman, maybe I will fall in love with him too. He is not just a pretty face, a man of skills, but also a man of character. He can be use as a reference character of an ebook that's so popular today.
He is far way better than Cher's selfish boyfriend he only thinks of himself.
Maki is just a hottie white guy but his character sucks. He's not that worse before, it started when his family fell apart.
He was neglected by his parents and have witnessed the worst fights of a couple.
But it is still not a justification of what terrible person he has become.
Cher and Caleb also grew in a broken family. Their childhood is much worst than what he went through.
And I also. I'm also a product of a broken family. My mother left me when I was five and now I'm an orphan.
Rest in peace Mama, Papa. You will forever be loved.
That's why the three of us, Cher, Caleb and I for sure will get along together.
That's why I love reading their works, I can relate too.
My favorite inside this box is the 'missing piece' promise of Caleb.
I do pray that someday it will manifest. Cher deserve to be happy.
Since I have already read over and over all their letters and masterpieces, I got curious about this Kara.
So, I searched for her name.
But I chickened out because I suddenly thought, what if she's already married?
She's not Kara Curtis anymore. Well, there's no harm in trying.
So, I borrowed my dormmate's laptop with internet connection, and search for this Kara Curtis.
I typed her name and it easily appeared. Good grief. She didn't make it hard for me.
I clicked her profile in FB and scrolled through it. Seems legit. So, I message her.
[ Hi, Miss Kara. I am Owen, brother of Cher Classen. Remember her? You are friends with her and Caleb.]
She's online but I doubt she will respond right away because she's the head of the team of their real estate company. She must be so busy.
But I was startled when she replied just after few minutes.
I'm a bit nervous. This is my first time to chat with a woman and she's beautiful.
Well, I expected her to be, I saw her picture together with Caleb and Cher, she's already cute back then.
[Oh, I'm psyched to meet you. How are you? How's Cher and Caleb?]
[My sister is already a housewife, she's looking after her baby. And Caleb.. it's been a decade I think, since they left for Japan.]
[Oh, Japan! Awesome. Say 'hi' to Cher and her baby for me.]
[Sure, Miss Kara, no problem.]
[Anyway, I'm glad you come across my profile, may I know how?]
[Do you remember the souvenirs you gave to Caleb and Cher? Together with the picture and calling card of your dad? I have them in store. I got curious about you and there's something that I am in need of.]
Oh, goodness, why did I say that I am in need, she might think I want to borrow money. Yeah, stupid.
[How may I help you?]
I'm glad that she's still on the line, I thought she would be offended or turned off.
[Miss Kara, I am in desperate need of work. I am currently a sophomore architecture student. You are in the architecture industry, you must probably know how struggling and challenging it is financially.]
Oh, I forgot, she's filthy rich, she doesn't know what financial struggles and challenging is.
[Yeah, I know. I've been a working student too. Let's see, hou can have my number and you can visit me in my office and let's talk about it, okay?]
Oh, I'm really a judgmental stupid student. Impressive, she became a working student too.
[ Thank you, Miss Kara. Expect me to be there. Have a great day!]
Whooah, I got sweat all over my forehead. This is it, no turning back.
I texted her and we exchange of messages regarding my job hunting.
She told me to come to her office at my most convenient time and she will make a schedule for me.
Oh, wow, she's the one who will adjust, just for me.
She's so down to earth.
I told her that I am ok with any of her free time because we are having our sembreak so I'm available at any time any day she wants.
She told me if it is okay with me to come early in the morning in this coming Wednesday.
Oh, this Wednesday, it would be tomorrow. Oh goodness, that's too fast.
I get up of my seat and see in my small closet the available semi casual attire that I have. I forgot. I do not have any.
So I went to my other dormmate on the other dorm who has the same body built as me.
He's my friend and a senior and already will graduate this coming school year. So, even it's sembreak he's still in the dorm for his OJT
I borrowed from him a white long sleeves.
I'm just in my second year but I it feels like I am going for an on the job interview.
I guess I should get used to it. Especially, that I wil be a working student.
Early in the morning, it is exactly at 8 a.m. when I arrived at Miss Kara's office.
I'm nervous as hell, I really want to back out. But I'm thinking about my future. This meeting is the stepping stone of my successful future.
If I chickened out on this there Will be no another grand opportunity as this that will come again.
So, I shook my shoulders, my fret, hands and anything that can be shaken there is.
I am good. I am ready to go. I am excited.
When I entered the room, I was startled by the sight of her.
She was sitting at her swivel chair leaning her back to the chair and her legs are crossed.
She winked at me.
I swallowed the saliva on my mouth. I did not expect her to be like this... She's beautiful indeed and sophisticated but she is already old.
I know that she is just five years older than I, she's same age with Cher or older than few months but she really is old.
Maybe her work stressed the hell out of her. She needs a personal assistant I think.
"Hi, handsome. You need a high paying job? What can you do for me?"
She said with those seductive eyea and tone.
Oh, good grief. I was really disappointed. This is not the Miss Kara that I expected her to be.
But I don't care. I need what ever job she will offer.
"Anything, Miss Kara. As long as it is legal and morale."
She burst into laughter. A drop of tear was formed on the corner of her eyes.
Then suddenly the other door from the other room, it was the private room of the boss, I think.
"Aunt Claire!" A tall woman with high heels suddenly appeared.
She's holding a lot of papers in her hands.
"Oh, Kara. Hire this boy immediately. He's handsome."
I was dumbfounded for a few seconds when I saw her.
Oh, this tall, stunning woman is the real Miss Kara.
She's so stunning that I almost forgot to greet her.
She smiled at me. And she waited for this 'Aunt Claire' to get out of her office chair.

Then she sat down on it.
"Aunt Claire, that's very unbecoming of a corporate employee." She whispered but I overheard it.
"I'm no longer an employee I just had my early retirement. I'm here to roam around and annoy your employees.
"You are not just annoying the employees but the employer as well."
Miss Kara said calmly.
Ah this is what Cher is talking about at the back of her physics notebook.
She said there that she misses Kara. Her sweet lady like demeanor that she always wanted to copy but she cannot because it's Kara's innate character and cannot be imitated even over time.
Miss Kara is wearing a light makeup, almost nothing.
Her shiny black hair that flows freely on her back through her waist, is now in burgundy red and a little wavy.
I like her straight shiny black hair better. But nonetheless, she is still beautiful.
If you will compare her to Cher today, Cher might be identified as her auntie.
That's how stressed Maki made to Cher.
"I'm glad that you came. Just in time! I need a personal assistant. Pardon my Aunt, she's really a cheerfully old maid."
"Hey yah, witch. Who's old maid?" Aunt Claire rolled her eyes.
"Aunt, I'm working here." Miss Kara said politely.
Aunt Claire just raises her hands up in surrender then gestures to zipper her mouth implying that she will stop talking and will be quiet.
"Mr. Owen, right?" She asked.
Oh I forgot to greet her. "Yes, Miss Kara, my name is Owen Sanchez. Pleased to meet you." I offered my hand for a handshake gesture.
She took the half of my hand and shake it.
Her hands are so soft and smooth though it's just the half of it that I was able to touch.
"So, where are we now?" She asked.
"In your dull office." Aunt Claire butted in.
She zippered her mouth again when Kara glared at her.
Oh, that was scary.
"Don't worry, Mr. Sanchez, it's really a formal interview. That's why Aunt Claire is sitting here, fooling around the office. You can breathe normally."
Aunt Claire burst into laughter once again. She's laughing because they noticed my nervous breathing.
"Do you want to be my personal assistant?"
Oh, that was the position I am applying for.
Yes, finally! My first job.