Disclaimer: I don't own anyone with the WWE. I'm just borrowing their names for the sake of this story. We got that clear, right?Ü
Hola, mi amigas! Haha… There's a lot of Spanish in this chapter since it will be reflecting back on Astrid's past… She used to speak Spanish… Anywhos, I'm not sure if my Spanish is correct so pardon my grammar there… I'm still learning the language… Oh! Another thing… I love you guys for the supportive reviews! I thought y'all hated it… I'm OC, ain't I?
Review reply time!
Simplyhidden – Wow! Thanks so much for that compliment… It makes me feel good about my writing… I hope to hear more from you! Thanks for the review!Ü
Latingurl1523 – Thanks for loving the story! I seriously thought everyone didn't like it… But here you are, saying that you loved it! Ahe… Thanks for the review and here's the update!Ü
Lil'MissCena – I didn't want Cena to be the playboy most people would make him… Plus, I wanted to bring out the 'fatherly side' of him without ruining his rep… I know, Cena doesn't want kids but he loves them nonetheless, right? Anywho, I seriously thank you for the comment and for the review!Ü
Blueandyellow27 – Honestly, I feel bad for Jaina… She got kidnapped at age 3! But anywho, John's a marine and we know when we take something precious to him away, he's gonna want it back! Haha! THE MARINE! Haha… Thanks for the review!Ü
Angel chick1589 – Here's your update! I seriously thank you for the review!Ü
Sweetcandyfun – Well… Borderline because she's 'living on the borderline of living hell and living life'… Plus, she's a prostitute 'coz she was trafficked by her own father… And here I am, updating for my life's sake… Haha… Thanks for the rockin' rev!Ü
ENJOY!Ü
14-year old Astrid Mendez ran across the dirt footpath on her way to her house. Her shoulder-length brown hair was being blown back by the wind whiplashing her body at an amazing force. In her blue-gray eyes, there was that twinkle of happiness. She ran up the hill. Yes, her family and herself weren't rich. They were just making it day by day living from hand to mouth.
Being an only child, Astrid had a lot of privileges other slightly below average family children didn't get. She got to study in a prestigious private girls' school in the city. Now, she had just finished her freshman year, being the top in her batch.
She rushed into the small house they had and bounded through the halls to the garden in the back. Her mom, Florentina, or Flor, for short, was planting some crops for them to eat. Flor was a Spanish-Filipino woman with, unusually, blue eyes and dark brown hair. She was already 45.
"Mama! Mama!" Astrid hollered to her mom as she ran out and to her mom. "Mama! Jacabé la tapa de mi hornada este año!" (I finished top of my class this year!) she said the wonderful news to her mom as she showed her the gold medal that hung around her neck. They mostly spoke Spanish at home. Sometimes even Filipino or English. But those times were rare. Astrid knew how to speak Spanish, Greek, American, Italian and Filipino and was fluent in all of them.
"¡el sorprender, bebé¡su padre estará tan contento!" (Amazing, baby! Your father will be so pleased!) Flor replied as she hugged her daughter. "entre y consiga limpiado para arriba. ¡Él será casero pronto así que tenemos mejor una celebración¡Oigo que él está trayendo el arroz casero hoy! Conseguiré el pollo y lo limpiaré... ¡Salido pronto para usted tienen que ayudarme a lavar los vehículos!" (go in and get cleaned up. He'll be home soon so we better have a celebration! I hear he's bringing home rice today! I'll get the chicken and clean it... Come out soon for you have to help me wash the vegetables!) she continued.
"Si, Mama…" (Yes, mother…) Astrid replied.
Astrid ran into the house and quickly changed from her uniform to a pair of denim shorts and a plain white shirt. She stepped into her slippers before brushing her hair into a neat ponytail and running out to help her mother with the food. While her mom was trying to catch the chicken, she picked fresh vegetables and put them inside her basket. They had a lot of crops growing in their backyard so they still had food. She brought the vegetables in and washed them.
Just then, her mom brought in a pig, instead of a chicken. "Pensé que podríamos cocinar el na del sinigang baboy en lugar de otro, puesto que es su viand preferido." (I thought we could cook sinigang na baboy instead, since it's your favorite viand.) Flor told her daughter as she also began to wash the meat.
Together, mother and daughter cooked dinner and waited 'til the man of the house came home.
"¡Hola¡Soy casero!" (Hello! I'm home!) Reynaldo Mendez said as he entered the house. It was now 6:00, just the time he would usually come home. Rey was a Greek-American. He came to the Philippines to work but surprisingly fell in love with Flor instead. He was a man with gray eyes, light brown hair and a tan complexion.
"¡Hija¿Cómo estaba el día pasado de escuela?" (Daughter! How was the last day of school?) Rey asked his daughter as she ran up to him and hugged him.
"¡Acabé la tapa de mi hornada!" (I finished top of my batch!) she exclaimed as she saw her father's eyes grow wide.
"¡Muy bueno, hija¡Continúe el buen trabajo¡Soy muy orgulloso de usted! Mmm... ¿Cuál está para la cena?" (Very good, daughter! Keep up the good work! I'm very proud of you! Mmm… What's for dinner?) Rey asked as soon as he sniffed the aroma of food.
"Estamos teniendo sinigang a celebrar fuera del logro de la hija... ¿Usted tiene el arroz? Iré cocinarlo así que podemos todos comer..." (We're having sinigang to celebrate our daughter's achievement… Do you have the rice? I'll go and cook it so we can all eat…) Flor said, walking to her husband.
"Si! Si¡Muy bueno! Usted mira hoy muy hermoso, querido..." (Yes! Yes! Very good! You look very beautiful today darling…) Rey charmed as he handed her the rice. He gave her a peck on the cheek and said, "Te quiero, querido..." (I love you, darling…)
And so, they looked happy. Though they weren't part of the extremely fortunate people living in the Philippines, they managed to get by. They managed to feed themselves and keep the family together. They prayed the rosary every night before they go to bed and Saturday nights were dedicated to family time. They would play cards and chit chat or they would play old board games like Games of the Generals and Chess.
Sundays were always days of prayer and relaxation. They went to the nearby town church and celebrated mass. Afterwards, if there was money to spare, they would eat at a nearby McDonalds. Then they would go home and relax. They were just your normal family, having fun and living life.
But nobody knew the miseries that were soon to come.
I'm really sorry if this may seem short, but I made it as a sort of introduction to her lifestyle and not bombard you guys with so many things at once… I sure hope that's alright…
Anywho, I'm looking forward to your reviews and I'll read your stories if I can! Time isn't one of my little luxuries right now… Thanks!Ü
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