BILLIONAIRE PRETENDS TO HAVE A STROKE AND IS UNCONSCIOUS TO TEST HIS EMPLOYEES — HE THOUGHT HE WAS ROBBING, BUT HE BROKE TEARS WHEN HE SAW WHAT HIS NEW ASSISTANT DID IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
THE OLD MAN’S TRIAL
Don Eduardo, 70 years old, owns a vast hacienda and chain of hotels. Despite his wealth, he is lonely. He no longer has a wife and children. He is surrounded by people who only say “Yes, Sir” and “Opo, Sir,” but he feels that they are only after money.

One day, he felt dizzy. He thought this was his chance to find out who he really is.

He talked to his Private Doctor, Dr. Santos.

“Doc, we’re going to pretend I’m in a coma because of a stroke,” Don Eduardo ordered. “No one knows I’m awake except you. I want to see what they’ll do when they think I’m useless.”

Don Eduardo was taken to his room in the mansion. He was lying down, his eyes closed, and he had dextrose and a monitor attached.

THE VULTURES
Gary, his Personal Assistant who had been with him for ten years, entered first. With him was Nurse Betty, the private nurse with a large salary.

Don Eduardo thought they would be worried.

“Thank you,” Gary sighed as he took an expensive wine from the old man’s cabinet. “Finally, the old man fell silent.”

“That’s right,” laughed Nurse Betty. “The grumpy one! It’s a good thing he’s asleep. I can use my cellphone all night.”

“Betty,” whispered Gary. “Take the ring off his finger. Let’s sell it. He won’t know. He’s almost dead.”

Don Eduardo felt Betty grab the gold ring from his finger violently. Eduardo wanted to open his eyes and scream in anger, but he restrained himself. Wait, he thought.

The two left to party in the living room, leaving Don Eduardo thirsty, his pillow uncomfortable, and cold because they had turned on the air conditioner before going out.

THE ANGEL IN THE DARK
It was two in the morning.

Don Eduardo was already shivering from the cold. His throat was dry.

The door opened slowly.

Clara entered. She was the newest maid. She had only been here a month. She was poor, from the countryside, and Gary often yelled at her.

Clara approached the bed.

Eduardo was nervous. What would this woman take? My wallet? My watch?

But he felt a warm hand caress his forehead.

“Sir Eduardo…” Clara whispered. “You’re so cold… why did you turn on the air conditioner?”

Clara turned off the air conditioner. She took a basin of warm water and a sponge. Slowly, she wiped the old man’s face and arms.

“Excuse me, Sir, Nurse Betty is not here,” Clara said to the “sleeping” boss. “I’ll just clean you so you feel fresh.”

After wiping, Clara noticed the old man’s dry lips. She took a cotton ball soaked in water and gently patted Eduardo’s mouth.

Eduardo breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you…

But it wasn’t over yet.

Clara knelt on the edge of the bed. She took Don Eduardo’s hand and placed it on his forehead.

Eduardo heard the maid’s sobs.

“Lord…” Clara prayed while crying. “You take care of Sir Eduardo. Don’t hire him for now. He’s a very good person. He gave me a job so I could treat my mother.”

“If you need something in return… just take my life away, add it to his. He has no family here, Lord. I’ll be the one to watch over him.”

Don Eduardo’s chest tightened. In his entire life, no one had ever prayed like that for him. This woman, who was just a newbie and had a small salary, was ready to give her life for her boss who she thought was going to die.

Clara arranged the old man’s blanket, kissed his hand, and sat on the floor next to the bed to keep watch.

THE LION’S AWAKENING
The next day, Gary and Nurse Betty came in again with Don Eduardo’s lawyer. They said they were going to sign a Power of Attorney using the thumbprint of the “sleeping” billionaire to get his money.

“Clara! Get out of there!” Gary shouted when he saw the maid on the floor. “You smell of sweat! You’re disgusting!”

“Sir, I was just watching Sir Eduardo…”

“Guard? Maybe you’re stealing!” Nurse Betty accused. “Check his pocket!”

While they were pointing at Clara, a deep voice suddenly spoke.

“Don’t touch her.”

Everyone was stunned.

Don Eduardo slowly got up. He removed the dextrose from his hand. He sat up straight on the bed and stared at Gary and Betty sharply.

“S-Sir?!” Gary turned pale. “W-You’re awake! Miracle! Thank God!”

“Don’t use God’s name, Gary,” Eduardo shouted. “Because last night, I heard who the real devil is in this room!”

“I heard your plan to steal the sin

I woke up! I heard you laughing while I was freezing! And you Betty, where is your nurse license? You are worthless!”

Eduardo approached Gary.

“I trusted you for ten years. But one night, I found out that you are a snake.”

“S-Sir… sorry… we were just joking…”

“Guard!” Eduardo shouted. “Send these two to jail for Attempted Theft and Negligence. Right now!”

The guards dragged Gary and Betty away while begging.

THE REWARD
Clara was left in the corner, trembling with fear. She thought she would be scolded too.

Don Eduardo approached Clara.

Clara bowed. “Sir… sorry if I fell asleep on the floor…”

Eduardo touched Clara’s shoulder.

“Clara,” the old man said softly. “Why are you sorry? You were the one who gave me a drink when I was thirsty. You were the one who covered me when I was cold. And you were the only one… you were the only one who prayed for my life.”

“Sir…” Clara cried.

“Because I don’t have a child,” Eduardo said. “And because you proved that your heart is pure…”

Eduardo turned to the lawyer who had been standing there.

“Attorney, change my Last Will and Testament right now.”

“Po?” the lawyer was shocked.

“Put Clara De Jesus’ name as Sole Heiress (sole heir) of all my assets. And from now on, I will raise her salary. She will no longer be an assistant. She will be my Personal Companion and Child.”

Clara’s jaw dropped. “Sir… that’s too much… I can’t accept…”

“Accept it,” Eduardo smiled as he wiped the girl’s tears. “Because I have found the treasure that money cannot buy—true caring.”

From then on, Don Eduardo was no longer lonely. He had a family in the person of Clara, the maid who saved his heart the night he thought he was alone.

END