Author's POV
"Captain," Gia said, taking her eyes off the man, "the papers. Within this week. And the other thing I asked for."
The captain looked at her at once. From her tone alone, he already knew there was more to that request than what should be heard by everyone else.
"Ah," he said quickly, glancing first at Sebastian, who was still standing by the gate with the two children near him. "All right, hija."
Gia did not look back at the governor's son. Whether he noticed her deliberate lack of interest meant nothing to her. The list of things that mattered weighed more than any face, no matter how polished.
She and the captain moved a little farther, to the side of the building under an old tree that gave enough shade and distance from the others.
"What is it, hija?" the captain asked, lowering his voice.
Gia looked at the broken school for a moment before answering. The damaged building was still there in front of them, along with the thin children who still came to class and the classrooms that looked as if they had been waiting years for someone to care without needing campaign photos.
"I need people," she said.
"What kind?"
"I cannot do everything alone." Her gaze stayed steady on him. "Once the school starts moving, along with the feeding program, medicine support, and the clinic, I need someone who can handle records, receipts, expenses, supply lists, and updates. Someone who will not get lost in numbers, will not gossip, and knows how to report to me properly."
The captain nodded as he listened.
"An assistant?" he asked carefully.
"Yes. But not someone who only sits at a desk and writes neatly." Her voice was flat but not harsh. "I want someone who understands accounting, stays organized, and can keep up when things begin piling up. If something is missing, I want to know immediately. If there is money going out, there must be a record. If materials arrive, there must be a count. If there is a problem, it does not get hidden."
"I understand." The captain straightened a little. "I already have someone in mind."
"Find her for me."
"I will."
"And do not send me someone who survives only on pity," Gia added. "I want someone with a brain. And no fake sweetness."
The captain almost laughed, then caught himself. "All right."
"There is one more thing."
"What else?"
Gia paused briefly before speaking again. She was not embarrassed by what she needed, but she rarely made room for others inside her house.
"I also need someone to help at home."
The captain grew more careful. "A house helper?"
"Stay in. If possible, a man."
That made him stop. "A man?"
"Yes."
She did not let the silence hang.
"The people with me are old," she said. "I do not want them struggling. I need someone who can cook if needed, clean, help with medicine, and most of all lift things when something needs to be moved. No wife. No children. It will be easier for a stay in arrangement."
The captain was quiet for a moment.
"I do not need someone noisy," she continued. "I do not need someone with vices. I want someone who respects old people and does not need watching every second."
"I know a few decent men," the captain said at last. "Not all of them are used to stay in work."
"Find me someone who can get used to it."
"Do you have a budget for that?"
Gia looked at him as if he had asked the wrong thing.
"If I hire him, I will pay him."
"No, no, I did not mean otherwise." The captain shook his head. "I only asked so I know what kind of person I can offer you."
"As long as the work is proper, the pay will be proper."
The captain nodded. "I will handle both. Your assistant and the stay in helper."
Gia looked once more at the school building, then at the road beyond it where the sun was still unforgiving.
"Captain," she said quietly, "I want people who are not afraid of work."
The captain gave a short nod. "In this place, people are not afraid of work. Shortage is the real enemy."
That was the only answer she needed.
After that, she left.
She did not look at Sebastian as she got into the van, though she was sure he had noticed the private conversation with the captain. He could think whatever he wanted. She had no time to explain herself to the governor's son, especially when she had not asked anything from him.
At home, the afternoon was quieter.
Nena was in the living room folding fresh laundry. Lando sat by the open window, trying to fix the small radio that only worked when it felt like it. The moment Gia stepped inside, both looked up.
"It's too hot out there," Nena said before Gia could even sit down. "And you keep going out in the middle of the day."
"I have a vehicle."
"And I can answer for you too," Lando added. "But it is still too hot."
Gia ignored both of them, set her bag on the table, and sat across from them.
After a moment, she said, "I'm looking for someone to help at home."
Nena stopped folding the towel in her hand. "What kind of help?"
"Someone to stay in." Gia looked at the two of them. "It cannot just be the two of you all the time. And once the school and the other work begin, I will not be able to watch everything."
"Apo, we can still manage," Lando said.
"I do not want to wait until you cannot."
That silenced him.
Gia's tone softened slightly. "I want a man. Someone who can lift things, help with your medicine, and manage the house when I am out."
"A man?" Nena repeated.
"Yes."
"Not a woman?"
"We need strength more than gossip."
That drew a short laugh from Lando.
Nena shook her head, though she was smiling too. "At least you know that much."
Gia did not answer. It was already obvious to them that she was planning for something larger than one house. And when Gia's mind moved in that direction, it never stopped at a grocery list or a single act of help.
Three days later, the captain called.
Gia was in the kitchen then, drinking coffee while Nena cooked porridge and Lando hung clothes in the back.
"Hija," the captain said at once, "I have two people I want you to meet."
Gia looked out the window. "Now?"
"If you can. They're here at the barangay hall."
"The assistant and the helper?"
"Yes."
"I'm coming."
She did not waste time.
By the time she reached the barangay hall, it was less crowded than before. Still hot, but quieter. Inside the office, the captain was waiting with two people.
The first was a woman in her mid twenties. Her hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a pressed blouse and slacks that were clearly not new but carefully kept. She looked quiet, but not weak. At first glance, Gia already knew she was not the kind of woman who would get lost in receipts and lists.
The second was a young man, almost still a boy, brown skinned, broad shouldered, and clean looking. Not handsome in a dramatic way, but decent and composed. What Gia noticed first was the way he sat. Controlled. Not arrogant. Not careless.
"Miss Gia," the captain said, clearly pleased with himself, "this is Elena Cruz."
The woman stood and gave a small nod. "Good morning."
"Good morning," Gia replied.
"She used to work as a bookkeeper and admin staff at the rice mill in the next town," the captain added. "The mill closed last year. She's quiet, organized, and knows how to handle records."
Gia looked directly at Elena. "Accounting?"
"Yes. I'm not a CPA, but I know ledgers, payroll, inventory, expense tracking, and filing. I can also make reports."
Gia's expression did not soften, but her attention sharpened.
"Do you talk too much?"
Elena paused, then said, "Only when I'm speaking to someone who needs an answer."
That almost made Gia smile.
"If I make the wrong call, will you tell me or just nod along?"
Elena thought for a second. "If the mistake is in the numbers, the budget, or the process, I'll tell you. If it's a personal decision, I will not interfere."
That earned her the faintest curve at Gia's mouth.
"You're the one I want."
Elena looked startled but did not lose her composure. "Thank you."
"Do not thank me yet." Gia leaned back slightly. "Can you keep up with fast work?"
"Yes."
"Can you handle receipts, records, permits, school lists, feeding schedules, medicine logs, salaries, and updates without drowning?"
"Yes."
"And can you keep quiet about things that are not meant for other people?"
Elena straightened. "Yes."
"If I like your work, I'll triple whatever salary you were expecting."
That time Elena did lose control for a moment. Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth, leaving her unable to answer.
Gia turned to the young man.
"This is Noel Ramirez," the captain said. "No wife, no children. He used to stay in and help care for his sick aunt. He can cook, clean, and handle medicine. He's eighteen."
Gia studied him from head to toe.
Noel did not fidget.
Another good sign.
"You're still young," she said. "Why aren't you studying?"
"I finished high school," he answered. "I don't plan to go to college. I want to save money."
"If you finish college, you'll have a better future."
"Yes," Noel said, "but I'd rather save now and work toward going abroad. I can earn more there than spending years studying when I don't even have money for school."
Gia nodded once and let the matter drop.
"Can you cook?"
"Yes."
"Is it good?"
"If the ingredients are good."
That made Gia pause before glancing at the captain, who was trying not to laugh.
"Honest," she said.
"Yes," Noel replied without embarrassment. "It's harder to claim I'm excellent and embarrass you with the first soup I make."
The corner of Gia's mouth moved again.
"Can you stay in?"
"Yes."
"Can you live with two elderly people I do not intend to let get tired?"
"Yes."
"Any vices?"
"None."
"Do you bring visitors?"
"If I did that, you shouldn't hire me."
Gia held his gaze for a long second, then nodded.
"Fine. And about your savings and future plans, I can help with that."
Noel's face lit up at once. Elena, still stunned from the salary, followed with her own thanks.
The captain's relief was almost visible.
He had clearly hoped he had chosen right.
They were still speaking when a shadow crossed the open doorway.
Gia did not look at first. Then she heard the voice.
"Kap."
She turned.
Sebastian Montenegro stood at the door, papers in one hand, looking as composed as ever. He had probably come from some other errand that kept him visible in barangay matters. The moment he saw her there, he stopped.
For a few seconds, no one in the room spoke.
Gia was the first to move.
She opened her notebook and said to the captain, as if Sebastian's presence meant nothing, "The clinic and medicine support should be next after this."
The captain replied too quickly, "Yes. Yes, of course."
Sebastian still did not speak. Perhaps he was measuring her again. Perhaps wondering why he kept finding her in the middle of things that no ordinary newcomer should be carrying.
That was his problem.
At last, Gia looked straight at him.
No shyness.
No interest.
No softness.
A good face. Clean lines. Calm eyes.
Still not enough.
"Good morning," Sebastian said.
"Good morning," Gia replied.
That was all.
But under the simple greeting was the same quiet tension from before. Nothing warm. Nothing careless. Only two people who saw too much too quickly to reduce the other to a first impression.
"I only needed a moment," Sebastian said to the captain, though his gaze stayed on Gia for one second longer before shifting away. "I can wait."
"No need," Gia said, closing her notebook. "I'm done here."
She stood.
Elena and Noel stood as well.
"Starting tomorrow," she told them, "come to the house. Captain, give them the address. We'll start from there."
"Yes," both answered.
Sebastian's attention remained steady, but Gia gave it no room. Two meetings were enough for her to know he was not a simple man. He was not the type to fall into easy charm or shallow interest.
Good.
Those were easier to avoid.
But her view of him still had not changed.
Governor's son.
That stayed first.
"Captain," she said, picking up her bag, "I'll be waiting for the papers. And the senior citizens list."
"I'll take care of it right away."
Gia gave only a nod and walked out.
As she passed the door, her eyes met Sebastian's once more for a brief second.
Neither of them spoke.
But by that second meeting, one thing had already become clear to both of them.
Their paths crossing was no longer simple coincidence.
And even if that still meant nothing to Gia, she knew one thing.
It would not be the last time.