When The Poor Girl Suddenly Became Rich

"Let's meet, Lolo. Today."

Just one text. No emojis. No "please."

And if Lolo Dela Vuega knew his granddaughter, he knew Andrea was serious.

Inside his study—surrounded by mahogany walls and the lingering scent of expensive books and disappointment—Lolo sat in his leather chair, flipping through a folder when the door opened.

"Andrea," he greeted, calm and unreadable. "I was expecting this."

Andi walked in—white long skirt, tucked-in linen blouse, three-inch sandal heels that click-clacked with every step, and her signature thrifted fan she wielded like a Spanish weapon of authority.

She didn't sit.

She stood in front of his desk, arms crossed, her abaniko flicking open and shut like a ticking time bomb.

"You investigated Alonzo," she said flatly. "You summoned him like he's a criminal. You threatened his future. And you didn't even tell me."

Lolo calmly set the folder down. "You've always been smart, apo. And you just confirmed what I needed to know."

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I needed to know if he could handle the pressure and still choose you. He passed. So I backed off."

Andi laughed—dry and sharp. "Wow. So this is what love is for you? A test? An interrogation? A clearance pass?"

"He's not just your boyfriend, Andrea," Lolo said, standing. "He's now a name tied to the Dela Vuega legacy. And I'm not about to let another man into our bloodline without vetting."

"Lolo, he's not proposing!"

"Not yet. But you're in love with him."

The room fell silent.

Andi looked at him for a long time, eyes narrowing. "You loved Mama, didn't you?"

Lolo blinked.

"She ran away. Left your name, your fortune, your plans. She chose love. And instead of holding her hand, you held a grudge."

"That's not fair—"

"What's not fair is how you tried to control her from the grave by doing the same thing to me." Her voice cracked, just a little. "I'm not Mama, Lolo. I'm not running away. I'm here. I'm rebuilding our name. I'm keeping our family safe."

"But if you make me choose between the man who makes me feel safe… and the legacy that keeps trying to control me?"

She stepped closer to the desk. "I'll walk away. And you'll lose me too."

Lolo's jaw tightened. But he didn't speak.

Not yet.

She turned to leave—heels echoing against the cold floor. But just before she stepped out:

"Andrea."

She looked back.

"I don't hate him," Lolo said, voice softer now. "I just needed to know if he'd stay when things got hard. Because this family? We don't get easy."

Andi nodded slowly.

"Neither does love, Lolo. But at least love fights with you. Not against you."

And with that, she walked out—elegant, angry, and more certain than ever:

This was her life. Her legacy. Her love.

And no man—no matter how powerful—got to dictate her heart.

It started like any other lunch.

Ate Andi was her usual radiant self—light makeup, puff-sleeve blouse, cream cardigan cover-up, and three-inch wedge heels even though they were just going out for ramen. Kuya Alonzo? Still the chill gamer-boy-turned-trophy-boyfriend in a black hoodie and cargo pants. Never looked stressed, but somehow always looked like he was hiding something.

They were at their usual spot: a Korean restaurant with overhead exhaust tubes even though they weren't grilling anything. Air-conditioned. Comfortable. Great soup. Free.

Life was good.

Except… Ate was oddly quiet.

And Kuya Alonzo?

He looked like he was trying not to sweat.

"Tissue, kuya?" Gesly asked while munching on pickled radish. "You look nervous."

"Huh? No. Totally normal," he answered, smiling a little too awkwardly.

Andi rolled her eyes. "He's still traumatized."

Gesly paused mid-chew. "Huh?"

"Oh no," Alonzo muttered.

"Wait. Traumatized by what?" Gesly stopped eating. "Ate, what did you do?"

"I didn't do anything," Andi said calmly, though clearly smug. "Lolo did."

Click.

Like a lightbulb exploding in his brain.

"WAIT. WAIT A MINUTE. HOLD UP—" Gesly clamped a hand over his mouth, jaw dropping. "OUR OLD-VILLA-GANGSTER-VILLAIN Lolo?!"

"Shh!" Andi hissed. "Keep your voice down!"

"Him?! With Alonzo?!"

Alonzo just sank lower into his seat like a melting softboi dumpling.

"OH GOD, LOLO TALKED TO HIM?!" Gesly was practically standing from excitement. "KUYA ALONZO, YOU GOT DELA VUEGA'D?!"

"Please never say that again," Alonzo muttered weakly.

Gesly was thriving.

This was better than any soap opera plot twist. Better than catching Andi sneaking in late. Better than that time Bella tried to cut her own bangs and failed miserably.

"Details. I want details," Gesly said, sliding his iced tea across the table. "I'll even buy you dessert."

Alonzo sighed deeply. "It wasn't even a big deal—"

"He sent a man in black," Andi cut in, smirking. "Military vibes. Tinted car. Classic intimidation move."

"Oh my god," Gesly whispered in awe. "Kuya, did he pull the 'I can erase you from every scholarship list in Luzon' card?"

"…More like the 'You want a future? Prove you deserve her' type."

"Oooohhhhhhh." Gesly clutched his chest.

"Did you cry in the car?"

"No!" Alonzo said too quickly.

"Kuya, you cried didn't you?"

"Gesly."

"Kuya, you got ambushed with old money energy and trauma!"

Andi just quietly ate her kimchi, suppressing her laughter like the goddess of elegant chaos that she was.

"I hate this family," Alonzo muttered into his soup.

"No you don't," Andi said sweetly.

"No I don't," he muttered back.

"Idiot," Gesly whispered, "I thought stuff like this only happened in anime. Like, 'If you want to date the princess, fight the emperor first.'"

"EXACTLY," Alonzo hissed, finally snapping. "I was summoned! Like some peasant knight with no armor!"

Gesly wiped a fake tear. "You're my hero."

"I hate you."

"Love you too, bro."

They all burst out laughing. Even Andi.

For a moment, the chaos melted into warmth. Into this weird, loud, mismatched family that somehow worked. The kind built on grief and trauma and unconditional love—served with garlic rice and sarcasm on the side.

"Hey, Kuya Alonzo," Gesly said suddenly, after a pause.

"Yeah?"

"If something like that ever happens again… call me."

Alonzo blinked. "Why?"

"So you're not the only one who chickens out," he grinned. "I wanna see Lolo go full Vito Corleone in real life."

Andi shook her head, giggling as she reached over and flicked his forehead.

"Cut it out with your mafia drama obsession."

"Sorry," Gesly said, still laughing. "It's just… kinda fun watching someone else get roasted for once."

Andi raised a brow. "Give it a week. You'll be next again."

"…True."

Later that night, Gesly posted a meme.

Caption:

"Kuya Alonzo after meeting Lolo Dela Vuega: 'No thoughts. Just fear.'"

Alonzo replied:

"I'm blocking you."

Andi reacted with a heart. ❤️