Maria Hernandez is a charcoal maker who dreams of making furniture in her own shop, much like her mother Sandra, who died years ago in a fire leaving Maria orphaned. Maria grows up with Sandra's best friend Casilda in barrio Munting Ilog. When Casilda falls ill, Maria is forced to seek help from Father Honorio for added work. This leads her to meet Fernando de la Vega, the owner of Amore Design, one of the country’s top furniture companies. Fernando takes Maria to work for his family as a maid.