Vera’s Point of View
As I opened the door, I was greeted by an array of clothing neatly arranged, each outfit seemingly tailored to its proper place.
"What style are you aiming for?" I asked, peeking at the branded polo shirts one by one. You really feel like saying 'I wish I had it all' when you see Ares' clothes and belongings up close.
"That polo shirt you're holding, is that good?" he inquired about a particular polo shirt I had in my hands.
It was navy blue, so I took it and walked closer to him, shielding my eyes from his bare upper body that was on full display.
"Yes, that one's good. Go ahead and put it on," I said, feeling my cheeks warming slightly as he chuckled again.
Is he teasing me?!
"Surely you have underwear, right?" I retorted in mild annoyance while grabbing a khaki shorts for him to wear.
That attire was perfect. They're just here at Clara's house, so he doesn't need to put on fancy clothes.
"Of course, I won't call you in here while I'm half-naked," he responded, making me breathe a sigh of relief.
I approached him, handing over the khaki shorts. He didn't make any comment, simply accepting them with ease.
"I'll wait for you outside," I informed him, and he raised his gaze to meet mine. Our eyes locked for a moment before he nodded in acknowledgment.
It's good that things are slowly improving between us. It's a relief that he's not being unfriendly to me anymore, unlike when I first arrived at their house.
Stepping onto the floor of his room, I closed the door of his walk-in closet and made my way to his slightly messy bed. I couldn't blame him; he's still recovering from the accident.
Being kind-hearted, I straightened his bed, fixing his displaced pillow.
Once I was done, he finished changing. He was wearing the outfit I'd picked for him. He had just slippers on his lower half, which was appropriate since I might worsen his injury if he tried to wear shoes.
"Well... how do I look?" he asked, curiosity lacing his tone, and I nodded.
"You look fine," I replied briefly, giving him a subtle smile.
He rolled his wheelchair toward me, and I met him halfway to make it easier for him. Just as I was gripping the wheelchair handle, his room door swung open, revealing Olivia. She raised an eyebrow at me before fully stepping inside.
I can really feel that she doesn't like me. Well, I have no problem with that. I don't need her approval, as I won't be with them forever.
"Madam Mila asked me to call you because you've been taking too long for breakfast. And Ares, Clara is here..." she declared, but as soon as those words left her lips, she quickly vanished from my sight, as she never even appeared."She is here?" Ares double-checked, one eyebrow raised. Even without telling the name, I knew whom he was pertaining to.
"Yes, why?" I asked, as I let out a sigh.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I would've hurried!" He seemed to be reverting to his grumpy self.
"Well, you didn't ask, duh. How would I know if you wanted me to spoil it for you by telling you they're already here?" I retorted, and he rolled his eyes at me, causing my jaw to drop.
So sassy! He even rolled his wheelchair on his own and left me behind. Look at this!
"Hey, wait for me!" I called out, lengthening my strides to catch up with him.
When I reached the wheelchair's handle, he finally gave in and let me push it. Seriously, he's raising his pride even though he always looks for me whenever he needs help.
"Does Olivia also know Clara?" I inquired as I pushed his wheelchair.
"Yeah, and she also knows about me and Clara," he replied casually, making my eyebrows shoot up as I fixed my gaze on him.
"Why didn't she tell your parents when they informed you about our planned marriage?" I asked, my tone filled with bewilderment.
"It's as simple as she knows her limit so well. Olivia may be talkative, but she knows how to keep secrets that should stay hidden," he stated in a calm tone.
"You two must be really close," I commented upon hearing his response. He didn't reply further, letting me guide him to the dining room.
Upon arriving at the dining room, Clara took him from me, and Sandra followed her lead. Breakfast began with the four of them sitting side by side: Sandra, Clara, Ares, and Olivia.
I was the only one on the opposite side of the table, facing Sandra. Judging by this child's demeanor, she seems talkative and restless. Taking care of her must be quite a challenge.
Breakfast ended smoothly, and, of course, Ares and Clara had their moment in the garden and by the pool. I kept a watchful eye from a distance, sitting on a stone chair with a stone table in front of me. I had my juice on the table along with the chips I'd been munching on but couldn't seem to finish.
While I was gazing at the pool, lost in thought, I heard Ares' voice calling my name. Despite my reluctance to break away from my trance, I stopped and walked over to Ares."Verania, can you watch over Sandra for a bit?" Ares asked, making my eyes widen as I glanced at Sandra, who was darting around under the scorching sun.
"Ares, I told you it's fine for me to watch over my sister—" Clara objected, but Ares silenced her, then turned to me.
"Alright, just continue with your lovey-dovey moment there," I responded with an inward sigh, masking my true feelings.
"Are you really okay with this, Vera? My sister can be quite a handful. And you might be busy," Clara questioned, and I nodded, giving her a big fake smile.
"She's not causing any trouble," Ares interjected, causing me to grit my teeth in frustration as Clara diverted her gaze to Sandra. This allowed me to relax my defiant gaze.
"Sandra, come here!" Clara said, calling her sister.
Clara had to call her a few more times before Sandra finally listened and followed her. This caused me to wince internally. You're in for it later, Ares. I struggle with all the child-related work, and you had to put me through this? I’m going to put my revenge upon you later!
"Sandra, this is Ate Vera. She'll be looking after you, okay?" Clara introduced me to her sister.
Sandra simply nodded and ran off again. Ares and I exchanged glances. He gave me an annoyed look, while I shot him a glare. How dare he look at me that way, when he’s making me do this thing?
I rolled my eyes and went to the kid I am babysitting. I followed Sandra to the edge of the pool, where she ran into.
"Hey, Sandra, don't go there!" I warned her, but as she turned to face me, a wide grin formed on her face, and she pushed me into the pool.
"Old Sister Vera, let's swim hihihi!" she giggled as water splashed everywhere, as I felt my whole body being slapped by the water.
I wiped my face as I resurfaced and immediately directed an annoyed gaze towards Ares, who wore a surprised expression.
"You Montero, you're in trouble later!" I muttered just loud enough for me to hear, followed by Sandra jumping into the pool, beside where I fell.
Ugh! Why did I agree to babysit a kid who was not even related to me? This is all Ares Montero’s fault!
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Verania's Point of ViewSince I was pushed into the pool by Clara's sibling, I had no choice but to join that child in frolicking in the water. Fortunately, I had double cycling shorts on, or else I'd be splashing around in my jogging pants."It's good that you know how to swim," I complimented Sandra, who was expertly floating in the water."Ate Vera, do you live around here?" she asked me in a snarky tone."Yes, why?" I raised an eyebrow as I threw back my slightly annoyed response. Why is she acting so sassy..."You're not going to steal a boyfriend, right?" she asked, dropping a bombshell.Well, she's quite young to know about such things!"No, of course not!" I quickly defended myself, making her gasp."Really? Are you sure? Ares is my sister’s boyfriend and you seem to be quite close. Are you really sure?" she added, causing my jaw to drop that a fly could enter my mouth freely. "Yes, of course, what would I want with Ares? I'm just working here, a nurse, driver, bodyguard..."
Verania's Point of ViewTwo months ago, the death threats against Ares started, yet he still goes out alone? This person is really persistent! I'll have a serious talk with him later."Anyway, you and Alder are cousins, right?" I asked, and she immediately nodded while drawing a card."Yes Old sister, he's my cousin. He is handsome, isn't he? How did you meet him?" she replied with a cocky tone after the initial statement."Oh, he's a friend," I answered briefly, placing my card down, which she quickly grabbed and almost choked on when she tried to place it lower than I had."Friend? So he's handsome, then?" Sandra asked."Well, what if he is?" I responded sharply, and she chuckled."Do you have a crush on Old Brother Alder?" she asked, making me sweat a bit as she suddenly inquired."Huh, no way! I just had a question," I said, but her eyes narrowed as if suspicious."Okay, Old Sister," she said, not entirely convinced, so I just shrugged."Have you been to their house?" I asked, arr
Verania's Point of View"It's Archer's birthday today, he's our cousin. There's a party at their resort. We're all going, are you coming?" Olivia asked me straightforwardly with her snobbish tone."Of course, Vera would join us. She's going to be a part of this family soon, so she should get used to being with us..." Uncle Stanley chimed in, patting me on the shoulder.I was caught off guard by what I heard and simply smiled faintly."Tsk, it's a swimming birthday party, maybe you'd like to bring a swimsuit," Olivia said in a pretentious tone when she mentioned that.I was about to ignore it when Ares spoke up."She won't wear a swimsuit. There will be a lot of people there, she won't like it," Ares stated, causing my eyebrow to raise and I had to suppress my laughter, especially when I exchanged a glance with Uncle Stanley.He shrugged and got into his car with many bodyguards."Ares, don't be like that. Ask Verania what she wants too," Aunt Charlotte said before following Uncle Stan
Verania's Point of ViewShe's crazy! When she's close to me, she really shows me how much she dislikes me! Most likely she'll hate me even more when she finds out that Ares and I are getting married (which is not true since it's all just a show)."So what about this dress of mine? Am I going to wear this for a whole day? I hope I won't start smelling like dirt?" I remarked, hearing Ares's faint laughter."Probably not... and don't you plan on going home to get your clothes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow."Do you think I'd leave you? Do you think I will leave you out of my sight just when right now, you're in a wheelchair and will be unable to move once someone comes to you and threatens your life? Do you want me to lose my job?" I went on with a string of statements, only to hear him sigh."There's a night market later, you can buy some clothes there," he suggested after a brief pause."Oh yeah, might check it out later," I replied lazily, as I sighed and rubbed my temples. We finall
Verania's Point of View"Are you okay?" Ares asked. I almost jumped as he took my hand, redirecting my gaze towards him."Huh? Yeah, I'm fine!" I replied, blinking as our eyes met again.I placed my purchases in our hotel room and now we were at the actual venue of the party at the resort. People were enjoying the food, so Ares and I were doing the same.At first, it was just the two of us at the table until Ares's cousin sat down. If I am not mistaken his name is Apollo. He's quite serious and I can feel his sternness. Uh, he's like the girl version of Olivia when it comes to being snappy."Finally got yourself a girlfriend, dude?" Apollo sarcastically asked Ares, causing Ares to roll his eyes before taking a bite of the chocolate cake I got for him. It was his preferred dessert along with the other food he requested."Hey you, you're familiar. What's your name?" Apollo asked me, raising an eyebrow.I was about to answer when Ares lowered his hand, holding the fork, making a loud cli
Verania's Point of View"Okay, sir, to our destination!" I said, sounding like a computer program speaking."Tsk, what is that for?" he asked before I pushed his wheelchair faster than before."Oh, nothing, I just felt like speaking that way," I said, and we fell silent.We arrived back in our hotel room on the fourth floor, and that's where we resumed our conversation."I'll go to the bathroom," he informed me, and I gave him permission as I sat down on the sofa. There's a small living room area in the hotel room, beside the bed, complete with a television. I thought about turning it on but decided against it.
Verania's Point of ViewAfter Mama's initial reaction, despite Ares being ready to sleep, he returned to his wheelchair and went to the mini-living room to talk to Mama, with me in tow. My presence is necessary in this conversation as well.As I discreetly stole glances at Ares, I noticed that he seemed somewhat tense. I also saw a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead, despite the strong air conditioning in the room.I couldn't help but stifle a chuckle at what I observed, but I quickly suppressed it when Mama's gaze shifted in my direction."So, who's going to explain this?" Mama began, her eyes locked onto mine."Verania? Will you please elaborate on the situation?" she continued, and I forced a smile onto my lips despite feeling a little nervous."Confidential, Ma, for work," I responded, maintaining my strained smile while Mama regarded me with suspicion."Confidential again? You always say that," Mama's tone turned a bit stern as she voiced her skepticism."Promise! Ares is just
Verania's Point of ViewI immediately walked back to the bathroom to take a shower. After I finished bathing, I picked out my clothes.Only a few outfits were left here. One dress and three sets of clothing, which are shorts and a t-shirt. Since I don't really want to wear a dress, especially when I'm busy with outdoor activities, I didn't have a choice but to choose the cream-colored shorts and t-shirt, along with denim shorts. Not too short, but not too long either, just the right length. But I felt a bit tall in these shorts, so I sighed. It's been a while since I've worn something like this outside.Once I was completely ready, Ares and I headed to the restaurant for breakfast. We had slightly fancy pancakes before heading back to the cottage near the boat rental area. T