[A/N: Well, I know this pairing don't exist but for the sake of RARE PAIRS, I'm doing this. And the truth is, I'm quite relating to this story of mine. This is a piece of my life also. :D

If you don't want it, then at least don't bash it! ]

-o—

Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.

-Albert Camus

-o—ooo

I am Maria Clara Dela Cruz Fernandez y Carriedo. I am the daughter of Don Antonio Fernandez Carriedo, the owner of the biggest distillery and also the largest farm of tomatoes in town.

All of this wealth runs down in our family, from grandfathers to fathers, fathers to sons, sons to their future sons… You know, there's a strange thing in this family that puzzles me—all of them are men.

The "them" that I'm talking about are the ones that are given the chance to manage the family businesses. They don't give women a chance! Even if the women have the potential—if not better than them—they didn't gave them any chance! I, for an example, have been studying about the structure of our business, the incomes, the taxes, the exports, the employees, the fees, the legal papers, the location, the influence all my life and yet, Papa doesn't seem to notice my efforts! Sometimes I really think if there's a chance that Papa will acknowledge my hardships.

Chances are the only thing that I needed.

Well, this is the "rule" here in our familia: Men are always in charge of the money and women are always in charge of the morals. Well, it's righteous when you hear it at first but seriously, if you were in my place, you'll probably freak out. And I'm not going to deny that I'm stubborn. I am a fighter! And as I was saying, if you were in my place you'll also rebel about this system. My Papa, being the doting father he is, won't allow me to meddle with the "bothersome" world of politics. He was always saying, "Hija, women aren't suitable for such troublesome jobs. Proper ladies should be in their homes, relaxing and trying to preserve their beauty!" Papa and his stereotypical beliefs… He's too overreacting don't you think?

Well, in any case, I've made up my mind.

I'm going to change it all.

-o-

"Papa! Maria's at it again!" Alejandro called out to his father about his sister's usual "antics".

"You know what Nueva? You're always like this, informing Papa everything when you feel like you're going to lose." Maria smirked at his brother who glared at her in return.

"You know what hermanita? You're quite cute if you weren't so Amazona." Now it's Alejandro's turn to smirk at her now glaring sister.

These two were in really, really good terms. They were very close because their father was always out on business so the two were left only by themselves, with the assistance of the maids and butlers of course. Alejandro is Antonio's "nueva" or his apparent successor while Maria, well, she's her father's most precious daughter. And that's the reason of their consistent bickering.

"Ay, Nueva! Don't be so full of yourself po! I can prove to you that someday, Papa will acknowledge these things I do so that means that you should hand me the current reports about the distillery and the tomato farm or else you'll be in great trouble." Maria predatorily stepped closer to her older brother trying to get the papers out of his hand.

"Snap out of it, Maria! I will never hand this to you, no seas tonto! Papa said that ladies should not meddle with this. You're the Señorita of this household that's why Papa and I were just worried about you!" Alejandro said while raising the papers up, out of her sister's reach.

"Ay naku! Por favor mi hermano! Please hand that over!" Maria was now using her last resort—the puppy eyes technique.

This was proven to be effective when Alejandro faltered in his resolve however; a certain Spaniard came into the background just before his son hand the papers to his daughter.

"Hoy, hoy…. What's the ruckus all about, mis hijos?" Antonio asked while smiling at his children.

Antonio Fernandez Carriedo was a charming and passionate man on both of his children. He was great at politics and he has a strange hobby—collecting debts of gratitude. Well, maybe he really is a genius when it comes to his family's business but this man is a downright dolt when it comes to his own children.

"Papa, gracias a Dios! Maria here, wants me to hand over these papers so that she can manage the work you have given me." Alejandro explained to his father, relief was obvious in his face.

"I gave you work? When?" Antonio asked, his smile not faltering.

Maria burst out laughing while Alejandro face palmed. Antonio also laughed and gave his children some of the churros he bought earlier while he was on his way home.

-o—

One Week Later

"Alejandro? Maria? Come down we need to prepare!" Antonio called out to his children.

"Alejandro? Maria? Donde estas?" Antonio called louder but still, no response.

"Alejandro! Maria! Come down now! Apurate!" Antonio called at his loudest, attempting to sound angry but his excitement gave off his cover.

Few seconds later, his two children came out of their respective rooms. They were probably sleeping soundly on their room if weren't their father who was shouting everything from his lungs.

"Papa! What is this all about? It's too early you know?" Alejandro told while yawning.

"Opo, he's right… Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I don't want to ruin my morning for a bad announcement po…" Maria said while walking with her eyes closed.

"Papa, you can always call the maids to wake us up." The two of them said lazily in unison.

-0-00-0

"And so with that, Signore Lovino Vargas and Signore Feliciano Vargas of the Grand Vargas Household will be staying with us for seven months!" Antonio chirped as if he was a loving mother that was going to see her long lost son. "I wanted to see them both! It's been ages since I saw them so we must keep them comfortable in our villa."

"You mean that Signore Feliciano Vargas will be married in seven months to your removed cousin and he obviously didn't even know her face and her personality? Maria said and yes, she is completely shocked and confused.

Antonio just said a happy "si" to his daughter while earning another bunch of questions from her. He was going to answer her questions when his son answered for him.

"Maria, don't you remember? Papa married when he was eighteen so don't overreact there. That Signore Vargas was already twenty-three." Alejandro said before sipping his cup of coffee.

"B-but… Papa? You've always said that love is a very special thing po. Why is it that I have a feeling that you do not mean what you've said to me?" Maria looked to his father's eyes, looking crestfallen.

Alejandro looked at his sister with consternation and then to his father who was also looking at him, as if trying to find the answers his daughter wanted through him. Silence spread through them but was broken when Antonio spoke.

"Hija, listen to me. This world is full of deception. Through this life, people will try to hurt you, to treat you bad, disrespect you, and bring you down to your knees. That's why people want everything that's practical. They want to make their life easier." Antonio explained calmly.

"And hermana, love isn't easy. That's why at most times, it was out of their list of practical options." Alejandro said after his father while Antonio smiled at him and ruffled his hair.

Maria understood what the two older men had said but she's still downcast.

"So, will you help me welcoming the Vargas brothers?" Antonio enthusiastically asked his children.

"If seven months is the grace period of Signore Feliciano Vargas before he's married to a girl he didn't even know, we shall make those seven months his greatest months of all!" Maria beamed happily as she grinned to his father and brother.