For the past three months, every night I have been smelling a strange smell. It’s not a typical body odor. It was like the smell of mold mixed with a strong, pungent smell clinging to the blankets, to the bedsheet, and especially to the part of the bed where Miguel was sleeping.

I shuddered when I opened it…

My hand trembled as I slowly opened the plastic.

A strong smell of mold and old paper evaporated out.

I was a little bit behind.

But I was forced to keep going.

I slowly pulled out the contents of the bag.

I first saw bundles of money.

There is a lot of money.

Thick bundles of weight, wrapped in rubber bands. Others are already wet and have mold spots.

I couldn’t believe it.

“Why… “Why is there so much money in my pocket?” he muttered to himself.

Next I saw some thick envelopes.

There are documents inside.

Mga resibo.

Mga contract.

And a small notebook.

I opened it.

From the very first page, my whole body felt like it was stiffening.

There is a list of dates.

Values of Money.

and company names.

It’s like a record of secret transactions.

Suddenly, my heart pounded.

“Oh my God… “What is Michael doing?”

But as I continued to read, I noticed something different.

At the end of each page, there is a small mark.

It is a symbol.

It is a simple cross.

I don’t understand.

When I opened the next envelope, I saw a few pictures.

Children’s Pictures.

Skinny kids, dressed in old clothes.

There are a few pictures of a small building.

It is a school.

On the back of the picture, it reads:

“San Pedro Community School – Cebu.”

My brow furrowed.

I’m getting more and more confused.

I opened another envelope next.

Inside was a letter.

The handwriting is familiar.

Kay Miguel.

I took a deep breath.

And then I started reading.

“Ana,

If you’re reading this right now, that means you’ve discovered the secret I’ve been keeping for a long time.