“ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO A WOMAN HE DIDN’T KNOW—THUS HE ACCEPTED HARD TO FIND WHO WOULD LOVE HIS LESS WEALTH.”

Lucas Dela Vega is the son of one of the richest families in the country — a clan that has businesses in real estate, banking, and almost half of the buildings in Makati that they own.

He grew up in a luxurious life, but despite everything, he felt like he was trapped in gold.

Whenever he sat at the dining table, he heard not food but his parents’ plans.

“Lucas, get ready. You are marrying Senator Villanueva’s daughter. It will be a beautiful party.”

He remained silent, but deep down, a question kept popping up in his mind:

“When will I experience loving freely?”

He didn’t answer at the time.

But one night, while looking out the window of his high-rise condo,
he made a decision.

THE DECISION THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

The next day, he called his best friend.

“Miguel, I’m leaving for now. I want to see if you can love me without me.”

A few days later, Lucas disappeared from the eyes of his parents, friends, and the media.
No one knew where he was.

But in reality, Lucas was in a small village in Batangas,
wearing an old t-shirt, and applying as a helper at a small cafeteria.

The name he used: “Louie.”

No car, no money, no last name.

A new beginning.

THE WOMAN WHO SHOWED THE REAL WORLD

On his first day at the cafeteria, he met Althea, a twenty-two-year-old girl, a simple saleswoman, but with eyes like stars — bright, gentle, and full of life.

“Are you a newbie?” Althea asked as she arranged the dishes.

“Yes,” Lucas replied. “They say it’s good to work here if you’re hungry.”

“That’s right,” Althea said with a laugh. “Here, smiles are free, but vinegar is expensive.”

They laughed, and that’s where an unexpected friendship began.

Every day, they cooked together, offered food, and whenever they took a break, they just laughed under an old umbrella.

But every time Lucas returned home to his small rented house,
he stared at the photo of his parents in his wallet.

He knew that the day would come when he would have to go back.

LOVE WITHOUT A MASK

Two months passed.

His friendship with Althea deepened.

As they walked along the beach one night, Althea opened up.
“You know, Louie, I don’t know why I feel comfortable with you. Even though you’re quiet, you seem to understand me.”

Lucas smiled.

“Maybe it’s because we’re not looking for wealth, but for peace.”

“Rich? Haha! If I were rich, I’d buy nice shoes. But you know, Louie, even though we’re like this… I’m happy.”

And that night, as they watched the waves, Lucas felt something he’d never experienced before— the feeling that he was enough, even though he didn’t have a name.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF TRUTH

One day, a convoy of cars arrived in the village.

Bodyguards and a woman in high heels and an expensive dress came out— Lucas’ fiancée, whom his parents had arranged for, Monique Villanueva.

“Lucas Dela Vega!” the woman shouted. “What are you doing?
Your whole family is looking for you! Your Daddy is on his way!”

Everyone in the cafeteria stopped.

Lucas was silent, not knowing how to explain.

He turned to Althea—her eyes were full of shock and pain.

“Is that true, Louie? You’re Lucas?”

“Althea, you don’t understand. I was just trying…”

“You were just trying? You fooled me!”

Althea ran off, while Lucas was left behind, holding the old apron she had given him.

THE DAY OF THE REVELATION

Two weeks later, Lucas and Monique’s engagement party was held at a large hotel in Makati.

But as Lucas held a glass of champagne, he saw himself in the mirror— a man wearing a mask again.

He couldn’t take it anymore.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said into the microphone, “I’m sorry. I can’t marry a woman I don’t love. The truth is, I loved someone else—
a woman who taught me how to be real even without money,
and how to love life even without luxury.”

Everyone was silent.

He left, without looking back.

THE RETURN TO REALITY

Lucas returned to Batangas, carrying a small flower and Althea’s old apron.

But when he arrived at the cafeteria, Althea was gone.

It was closed.

He asked the neighbors,

“Where is Althea?”

“She left, son. She applied to be a nurse in the province. But before she left, she left this.”

An envelope was handed to her.

She opened it.

“Louie—or Lucas, whoever you really are.

I don’t know if I’m angry or sad.

But thank you, because in your company, I learned to love people, not the state.

If your love is true, find me—not as Dela Vega, but as you.”

Lucas fell silent.

And for the first time, he walked away from the car, towards the bus station—carrying only his heart and his real name.

THE REUNION

A year passed.

At an outreach program of Dela Vega’s company, Lucas arrived—now simply dressed, without jewelry.

While he was handing out free medicines to patients, he saw a woman in a white uniform.

She smiled at him.

“You’re here too, Louie.”

He smiled back, went over, and hugged the woman tightly.

“I’m no longer Lucas Dela Vega.

I’m still the man who cleaned your table at the cafeteria.

And now, I want to work my whole life—just to make you happy.”

Althea’s tears flowed, and in the middle of a simple village, two hearts separated by wealth met— now joined by true love.

Moral of the Story:

True love is never measured by last name or possessions.

Because in the end, no matter how luxurious your world is—
gold is worthless if you’re not loved for who you are.