Unappreciated Treasure

After Chelsy had poured her heart out, she held out the necklace her father gave her before dying and said, ''this necklace is actually a copy of another. It is called the heart of the earth. They are two of them. My dad never told me what happened to the other necklace. This is the only thing my dad left me with. He asked me never to lose it for whatever reason.''

The necklace Chelsy was holding was in the shape of a globe. It represented the planet earth.

Collins, who had listened to what Chelsy had said, cleared his throat and said, ''Chelsy, it is his loss. He doesn't deserve an amazing person like you. He is such a jerk.''

Grandma Flora, who had been sitting in the corner and listening to everything, slowly walked towards Chelsy's sofa.

She placed her hand on Chelsy's shoulder and said with a warm smile, ''Listen to me dear child. Love is a beautiful thing. Love will sometimes bring us tears and pain. But this same love will also heal our pain and wipe away our tears. I was married for fifty seven years to the love of my life, after having had two heartbreaks. My husband and I were never rich, but we were very happy. He healed my broken heart with the love he had for me, and I him. Even after he died, the love we shared and the memories we made are the ones still keeping me this strong. So don't give up on love.''

Grandma Flora had a little chuckle and continued, "The right person will find you."

She smiled at the portrait of her late husband on the wall, and said, ''Wait for the man that calls you beautiful and not hot. The man who calls you back when you hang up on him. The man who will lie with you under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or who will stay awake just to watch you sleep. Wait for that man who kisses your forehead and wants to show you off to the whole world when you are all sweaty and at your lowest point. Wait for that man who will hold your hand in front of his friends and your friends, and who thinks you are just as pretty with or without makeup. Wait for that man who constantly reminds you of how much he cares about you and how lucky he is to have you in his life. And finally, wait for that man who turns to his friends and family and says, this woman right here, is my soulmate, my woman, my gift from the heavens and the love of my life. You might think these kinds of men do not exist, but believe me, they do, and they will one day find you. So, Chelsy, you should never give up on love because of one setback or a broken love between your parents.''

After Grandma Flora had finished talking, she moved over to the other sofa and sat down. Rachel, who had been listening to every word Grandma Flora said, felt every word, and it resonated with her. My dear Jade, I am indeed the most lucky girl to have such a gentle and amazing man like you. She thought to herself. 

Chelsy just looked at Grandma Flora and said with a forced smile, ''Grandma Flora, thank you for all the positive words. But I am done with love for now. Everything that has happened, has made me realize I actually placed Ken before my very own happiness. It still hurts so badly knowing that I still love him so much.''

She spoke with a sullen face. ''I am not sure whether it will take a few weeks or months or even years for this pain to go away. But one thing is very clear, I will never be a pawn to someone else's game ever again, nor will I ever let anyone play with my emotions.'' Chelsy spoke, clenching her fist. 

It was the next morning. Rachel was still sleeping, and Chelsy woke up to the sound of birds chirping and roosters crowing. It was one of the most beautiful and peaceful sounds one could get used to every day. Chelsy stretched and muttered to herself, "I wish I could wake up to such a peaceful environment every day."

She walked outside and found Grandma Flora feeding the chickens in the backyard. Collins, who was sweeping the yard, said with a smile, ''Good morning, miss Chelsy. Hope you slept well.''

Chelsy smiled back and replied, ''Good morning Collins. I did sleep well. Thank you for asking. I wish I could wake up to such a peaceful and quiet environment every day.''

Collins smiled back and said, ''you know you are always welcome here. Right, grandma?'' Grandma Flora, who was in the chicken pen, said, ''of course she is.''

Chelsy had a grin on her face and said, ''please, let me have the broom.'' She walked forward and collected the broom from him and started sweeping.

"Good morning grandma Flora." The three of them heard Rachel's voice from behind. She had just woken up, and was a little light headed.

''Good morning sleeping beauty. You are finally awake.'' Collins responded.

Rachel smiled and said, ''Aren't you such a cutie?'' The four of them couldn't help but laugh out loud.

They finished with the morning chores and had breakfast. The two girls prepared to leave for Wolverton. ''Grandma Flora, thank you for helping me and treating me when I was sick. I will never forget this, and I will never forget you.'' Chelsy gently bent down and hugged Grandma Flora. Grandma Flora, who was a little shorter than Chelsy, raised her head and held Chelsy's face with both hands and said, "Remember to love yourself most and remember that true love will someday find you." Chelsy smiled and nodded. 

Chelsy and Rachel got to Wolverton late in the evening. When they got to Chelsy's house, they found Melinda sitting on one of the sofas in the living room. Before Chelsy could say hello, Melinda had a message for her. ''Chelsy, I can see your true colors have finally been revealed. I didn't know you were such a sleep around, and a two timing cheap lying wannabe. I wouldn't want any form of contact between you and my daughter Fiona. You are such a negative influence on our family.''

Chelsy was shaken when she heard Melinda. "Melinda, what are you talking about?" Chelsy asked with a bewildered look.

Melinda, who couldn't stand Chelsy anymore, rushed to one of the rooms by the side and pulled two suitcases forward. She took the suitcases outside and said, ''Chelsy, you are no longer welcomed here. I have helped you pack all your clothes. You can go wherever you deem it necessary to go to, but that place wouldn't be my home.''

Chelsy, who was still shocked by Melinda's behavior, just gave a bitter smile and said, ''Melinda, you know you have gone too far with this, right? You know what my brother will do when he gets to find out about this.''

Melinda gave a wicked laughter and said, ''Chelsy, it is now I see that you are not only stupid, but dumb. He is my husband. Do you think he will ever choose you over me and our child? Never.''

Rachel, who couldn't hold her tongue, angrily shouted, ''Damn you Melinda. How can you be so wicked and heartless? Now I am convinced you are truly a monster. A witch of the first order.''

Melinda stood there, looking less bothered by what Rachel had said.

Chelsy held Rachel's hand and slowly pulled her from Melinda's face. ''Rach, it is okay. Let us go.'' As Chelsy turned to the door, a painful silence fell over the room. She gradually picked up her suitcases that were thrown outside.

Rachel, who was still fuming, helped Chelsy with one of her suitcases and said, "Chels, let's go to my place."

Chelsy pulled her suitcase from Rachel and shook her head negatively with a painful smile on her face, ''Rach, no. Thank you. I have burdened you too much already with my problems. I always seem to drag my loved ones into my mess. I will look for an inn and spend the night and then, tomorrow, I will start looking for a place to rent.''

Rachel was so furious and snapped back. ''Chelsy, what the hell are you talking about? Is this how best friends are supposed to behave? So if I were in your position right now, would you let me rent an inn for a night?'' Chelsy snapped at Rachel and replied, ''Never Rach. How can you even think of something like that?'' 

Rachel cleared her throat and said, ''Exactly my point. I cannot see you in such a distress mode, and let you suffer alone. Do you know how many times you have saved me? Do you remember the night you saved me from being hit by that armed robber?''

Flashback to their second year at university, Chelsy and Rachel were coming back from the school library one evening. They were attacked by a man who was trying to rob them. Chelsy tried her best to fight him off. When the robber couldn't succeed, he took out a big rod and tried hitting Rachel with it. But Chelsy shielded Rachel, and the rod landed on her head, which left a scar.

When Chelsy remembered this, she said, "Rach, I just don't want to drag you into my already messed up world." Rachel hugged her best friend and said, ''shush, Chels. We are in this together, okay? Besides, I have got two big rooms in my apartment. You can stay in the other room as long as you want. Wait, this is not something we are negotiating on.''

Chelsy, whose face was already filled with tears, nodded. ''Will you stop crying already? I am sure the tears you have shed for the past three days can last a lifetime. Your tear ducts should probably be dry by now.'' Chelsy gave a little smile and they both took the suitcases and went to Rachel's apartment. 

What will happen when Leonel finds out that his beloved sister has been chased out of his house by Melinda? Will he stand by his wife Melinda, or will he go against her and take his sister back home?