In the distance, you can see the beautiful scenery here in the Province of De-Coco. Where farmers live quietly, peacefully and Floraison Belle Flores belong there.

The daughter of a poor farmer but even so, she is not ashamed of it.

They're were happy to harvest this month because it is only once a year. Even though, there are many pests on their crops. Lora and her parents have more than this year compared to last year.

"Floraison." Mama C called her.

The mid age's woman approached Lora. When she finally reached her, Lora couldn't help but grin when she looked at her mother.

Her beautiful smile and blooming aura make her always look young even though that she's already 45.

"What is it... Mama?"Mama C looked at her with concern in her eyes but the excitement still prevailed over them, so Lora was a little bit confused.

What's going on?

Lora looked at her father, Papa J that just arrived from the farm which is owned by Donny.

Donny was from China, it seems that he only landed in the Philippines because of their farm where it needs to be managed.

When Mama C came up to Lora and held her both hands, Perhaps to turn back her attention to her mother. That smile of hers is genuine.

I think this is good news? Lora thought.

Mama C took a deep sigh before staring at Lora with a huge smile on her lips. "Your Papa J and Uncle Greg decided to drop you out in Peach Art's College." She started.

Lora left off her guard because of it.

What the.. what's going on? Peach Art's College is a Provincial University here, I'm going to take an exam next month for my scholarship for my 2nd year of college, and I just graduated last week from my first year!.

Lora takes a deep sigh and calms down herself, after a few seconds.

"Mama C, Papa J what is this? I mean what going on and what is the sudden decision of this? why did you decide to drop me out, did I do something wrong?" her voice sounds pleading and her round eyes became even more round.

She looks like a child who's been captured in his or her mistakes but she has never been a bad girl in her whole life.

While Lora confusedly stare at her parents with the edge of crying, Mama C anxiously sat Lora down in the empty seats here outside of their farmhouse.

Papa J sighed and worried about his daughter. "Floraison we both know how much you desire to study in School of V.A and D.A right? even you don't say or mention it to us, we're your parents and that's why your Uncle Greg said that he's willing to take care of it." Did they mean?

"Yes, we're dropping you out in Peach Art College because you're going to transfer to Florida!" Papa J and Mama C exclaimed with a proud expression.

Lora was stunned and no voice came out to her mouth, she will open her mouth but it will also shut up, she is very happy with the news, but despite being able to rejoice she is also sad.

It looks like her mom noticed it so Mama C announced the good news to her again "And your Uncle Greg wants you to be his Suffragium archimagirus* in his G & F Càfe Shop."

Then, she regain her thoughts that her eyes began to widen slightly and her lips parted. Lora jumped in shock indicated that she was happy.

Lora learned baking when she was five or maybe six? she doesn't remember when or was but she knew that she loves baking, it started when she was a little.

Lora stopped when her Uncle Greg leaves the country because Señorito Mateo picks him... He is Lora's grandpa.

Technically, she never stops reading some books about cooking and baking that's why she has so many books in her room.

Perhaps her parents got what she meant, Mama C nodded at her twice indicating that her thought was right, Lora hugged them both because of the happiness that surpassed her.

They parted their hug when Lora calmed down, Papa J nudge her left shoulder to make Lora look at her father.

"Floraison get your things ready, tomorrow is your first day of the journey" he chuckled.

Lora stares at them for a second with love and admiration in her eyes.

I'm the happiest person for having a great parent like them. Lora said to herself

However, Florida is too far from the Philippines.

"I will miss you" she murmured just right for them to hear.

Mama C was still smiling at her, suddenly she sniff and her tears started to roll down in her cheeks. Subconsciously, Lora approached her to wipe her mother's tears.

"Oh my. I'm so emotional today why do I have a gorgeous daughter like you? and a Genius Greek?" she mischievously says but the sadness can still be felt there.

"We will miss you too"

"Floraison my daughter, just don't get yourself in trouble ok? Focus on your study and being Suffragium of your Uncle." Mama C paused and came a little closer to her to whisper in Lora's left ear and continued.

"And also find a man that will suit you're being a bookworm" she mischievously smirks.

After the conversation about my uncle's offer, we've just chatted and had fun while eating grilled corn and sweet potato well if you wonder what happened earlier is that I accepted the offer because it's was my dream, a dream that I been dreaming of.. and I wanted to pursue, now that I'm given an opportunity I will do my best.

The night has come and Lora was now lying in her bed. It is just a mat and a thin blanket but it's comfortable to lie down.

In Lora's thought, she couldn't help but think about what Florida looks like? What will happen to her when she arrived there? if the citizens there are also kind like here in the Philippines?

"Stupid," she mumbled to herself and tilted to get a comfortable position.

Of course not, the Philippines is the Philippines while Florida is still Florida. Nothing could change the fact that Lora was a little bit dumb sometimes.

"Dear Almighty God, please guide me there and keep my parents safe here." Lora sighed in delight and the drowsiness swallowed her.

Orlando, Florida see you soon.

.....

Suffragium Archimagirus* is Assistant Chef in English term, it's a Latin language.

Lora is awestruck looking at the people passing in front of her, she looks up at the buildings that were so tall where she stood like a statue.

As her sweats incessantly pulled at her forehead, Lora took the handkerchief inside of her pocket and wiped it to her forehead.

I turn to the other side of the street, there's a lot of people crossing when the street light turns green I am not ignorant to not know it I just couldn't help but be amazed at what I'm seeing right now.

I never imagined it would look like this. Nevertheless, it's nice here, I thought it was just a simple country, well you never knew if you don't witness it.

And it was silly of me to think something like that.

While passing over the street, Lora saw some hoboes, having a habit of staring she didn't realize that she was staring too long that even make those hoboes look at her, it sent chills down to her spine at those fierce and furious stares?

Lora naturally averted her eyes, acting as if nothing happened she ignored it and proceed with her walk, making the hoboes confused with her action.

Mama C once told me that safety first before anything else!.

Little did she know, her stares at the hoboes makes them scared and shivering. Getting the wrong idea, Lora immediately left that place.

She sighed and was reclined on the seat in the waiting shed, as she wait for her driver who would usher her into her uncle's house. Lora chuckled as she thought back to what happened before emigrating to Florida.

«««

In front of the airport, Lora was being embraced by the warmth of her mother and father, she sheds tears as they parted their hug.

A week has already passed when Lora was decided to pursue her dream in Florida, and this is the day of her flight to Orlando, Florida.

If I could turn back the hands of time, I would love to spend more time with my parents. she thought.

Lora was fighting on the urge of crying when Mama C held her both hands. "Lora my dear, have a safe journey just inform us if you've already arrived there." Mama C advised.

She fixed her daughter's hair and slightly pinched her cute rosy cheeks, she couldn't resist the temptation of pinching her daughter's cheeks.

I mean who wouldn't? Lora has rosy dimpled cheeks that you can resemble on cherry blossoms with a delicately timid appearance.

Lora beamed. "Mama, don't worry too much about me. It's bad for your health, I promise I will take care of myself and I'll call you when I arrive in Florida," She said.

Mama C seems to be down in the mouth. Nonetheless, she was relieved to hear that from her, she's glad that Lora turn into a courteous lady but Mama C was still apprehensive.

She brushes off her thoughts and believes that everything will be alright.

Yep.. it will be okay.

Therefore, Mama C laughed as she pinched Lora's cheek again. Lora whimpered with the pain. "Papa, help me!" she plead in misery.

Instead of helping her, Papa J looked at his wife and his only daughter with tenderness and sadness in his eyes. "Sweetheart, Lora came here," he said.

Without hesitation, Lora runs to her Papa. "What is--"

Lora was surprised that she didn't even finish her word when Papa J suddenly hug her, she smiled and hugged him back. As she tightened her hug and caressed his back she felt that her papa sniff quietly.

Papa J rarely shows his weakness in front of his family but knowing that his only daughter will be gone for a few years, he was fighting back tears.

With a misty-eyed, Papa J pats her head.

"Good afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B to Florida. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes. Thank you." the speaker announced.

As she stares blankly at the screen. "Lora, you should go now." Mama C said in despair, she gave her a travel bag and slightly push her to walk because she seems to hesitate.

Lora hug them tightly one last time and said her goodbyes to them. As she got inside the plane, Lora vows to do her best and make her parents proud.

»»»

As she was spacing out, Lora was back on earth when someone bumps into her harshly and it caused to make this someone's things scattered in the side street and her getting hit on the tree.

Feeling dazed, Lora blinked twice before standing with her sore back.

Sweet as a cupcake..? when did I stand there, as I recall I was sitting on the.. oh right that old crone she kicks me out! where I was sitting a while ago, poor me.

Lora grasped when she remembered that she had a collision a while ago with someone, she immediately turned around to help that person because she still had a mistake.

Seeing no one in there, "where did that person go? no way.. a ghost!" she murmurs in horror.

Astonishingly, in the middle of the day?

Meanwhile, a toddler was struggling to get his candy in Lora's hand, getting frustrated. "Iz cuse me miz ( excuse me miss )," he spoke in a monotone voice.

Battling with her thoughts and imagination, Lora freak out when she suddenly heard a toddler's voice. "macaroon!" she exclaimed.

Subconsciously, Lora looked down where the voice come from noticing that there's a toddler with a dull look on his face, she sighed in relief at the thought that there was no ghost and awkwardly smile.

"Hi, are you having a troubled baby?" she asked.

Glancing at her for a couple of seconds, the toddler pointed to the "candy" that she was holding. It was his candy but because of the accident earlier and Lora's fast reflex, she snatch it without her knowing it.

Although Lora was astonished why she was holding it, she gave it to him. "umm.. thanks, sister." he said timidly.

Even though his expression is stern, his ears are turning slightly red, indicating that he's embarrassed.

That made Lora's heart melt, snapping from being dazed Lora noticed that the young boy have no adult that should guard him. "hey, where is your guardian?" she carefully asked.

Lora quietly analyst the appearance of the young boy, and the only thing she could say is that.

He is so adorable!

"..." The young boy was tight-lipped.

Instead of answering her questions he just stare at her with his big eyes, Undoubtedly enough for Lora to get the wrong idea. As her sparkling blue eyes reflect the young boy's eye, she narrowed her blue-eyed and faintly smiled.

Soothing him that she was not a bad person. Figuring out that there's a wariness in the young boy's facial expressions, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Hence, she cleared her throat and bend over to pick up her stuff, glimpsing at the young boy. she asked "Your name?"

"Zach" He shortly replied.

The dissatisfaction confounded Lora's face but she didn't dare to let him see, she's a smart person, hence she noticed that the young boy didn't trust her, she smiled gently and said. "you have a pretty name, um... how about your home address, Zach?"

"..."

Zach timidly glance at her, before placing the candy in his mouth, he purposely ignored her.

Lora was hopeless, her plan was in vain. she decided to know his name and address so that she could report it to the police station for a missing child, nonetheless, the young boy seems to be indifferent about it.

And he doesn't even tempt to say who is his guardian. It makes her feel unhappy somehow, Is he being neglected by his parents? she wondered.

She couldn't guess any more reason why would a young child act like that, something was amiss.

Therefore, this kind of scenario is no different from what she encounter a few years ago, and it makes her determined to guide him safely.

Recollecting that she wasn't even introduced herself to Zach, she smiled widely that make her dimpled show, and said. "Floraison."

Subconsciously, Zach looked at her with curiosity, she then smiled and continue with a light laugh." my name"

Without saying anything the young boy started to walk with his tiny foot. Meanwhile, Lora who was anxiously watching him, worrying that Zach would be in 'trouble' with a quick step, followed the young boy while dragging her travel bag.

"Hey! were you going?... wait."

A scoff could be only heard by himself, worrying for a stranger.. how stupid. Zach wondered.

Experiencing that no one cared for him, since he was born the young child couldn't understand why Floraison would be bothered by something like this.

However, he feels something unfamiliar warm deep inside his stone heart.

He was astonished, the young miss who he accidentally bump into while escaping from his maid seems to be sincere on him.

At the thought of it, he couldn't help but turn around where this young miss who's following him, makes her halt when he looks at her.

Although he is still a child who is merely six years old, he has a high IQ that can compare to an adult, it seems impossible but he does have it.

From his point of view, Floraison is dumb.

"Hey! are you okay child?" Taken aback, Zach casually wave his hand and replied with a "hmm." staring at the near park, he started to walk again as he stood in front of the ice cream parlor, Lora instinctively followed him.

As she peek at the parlor she pondered. "I.. ice cream, is he hungry?"

At the thought of it, she asked. "do you want some Ice cream, Zach?" Zach who's districted by the scene in front of him slightly nodded.

Before averting his eyes, Lora knew something was amiss as she looked at the child she see that there's a pain in his eye but after a second it went taken off as if she's having a hallucination.

Her heart ached for him.

After a while, Lora already has ice cream in both hands, she bends over and stretches her arms in front of the young boy. "Here's your ice cream I don't know what flavor would you like... so I buy a chocolate and vanilla ice cream which one do you prefer?"

"who wants your ice cream?" the young boy arrogantly said. Lora was stunned however she chuckle and indifferently replied. "okay"

After her one word she straightened her back at turned around to leave, Zach was dumbfounded he pursed his lip before holding on to Lora's coat.

Lora smirked but hide it before making a confused expression as she slowly looks at the young child who is being stubborn earlier, she asked. "what?"

Zach was stunned but didn't speak, he bite his lower lips and lower his head with his interlocking fingers he timidly said. "I... I want the chocolate on... e" his mouth was twitching as he began to sniff.

Even though he's crying and his face was full of tears, he's amusingly looked adorable right now.

How unfair he still looks adorable however when I cry at his age I... no I couldn't imagine it. she thought.

Lora placed the ice cream on the near table first, the ice cream that she brought is on the cup, after putting in it she took out her handkerchief and hold the young boy's face.

"Don't cry Zach, I was just teasing you." she softly whispers that enough for the only two of them could hear, as she wiped his tears the young boy's red swollen eyes were revealed.

At the time of this, Lora wanted to laugh but she think it would be a bad idea, so she purse her lips with a slight frown, as she console the child they sat on the available seat in the park.

Peacefully eating their ice cream.

Peeking at the young child, Lora sighed in relief she didn't expect that he would cry a while ago, she just wanted him to feel better but it's all failed.

At least, he looks like he was in a good mood right now while eating his chocolate ice cream.

Recently, while they were in the ice cream parlor the young boy was starting in the whole family who are playing with their children, there's longing and sadness in his eyes.

She wanted to know why but didn't ask, because it's his personal affair after all and she is just a stranger to him.

An hour past and they also finished their ice cream as they quietly sat on the chair, Lora sighed it's already 3:00 pm.

"Hey Zach, tell me did you escape?" she asked with a serious expression, even she didn't mention it directly, Zach already knew what she meant.

"Yes"

Lora look at the young boy who is swinging his tiny foot as he lowered his head, he doesn't look guilty at all.

Thus, with dull eyes, Zach looks at Lora and smiled sadly. "They didn't care about me after all, those maid and bodyguard are just annoying... they always told me that it's for my safety but it feels suffocating."

"And I feel freer whenever I do it, I know that it's bad but I just wanted to be a normal kid who is free whatever they wanted to do as a child."