Chapter 2 2

Aling Consuelo took me to a two-story nipa house. I think it's a private beach resort.

"Hija, put on my clothes first. You might get cold because you've been soaking in the water for a long time."

"Thank you." I reached for a floral dress that is often worn by the elderly. Mayordoma Sally always wears this when she goes to sleep.

I looked inside the hut and could say that it is clean and not much used. It's also cold inside because the whole house is made of wood, and it's next to the sea.

I entered what I thought was the bathroom. I was happy because the door was still sliding but also made of bamboo. I first checked if it was safe to dress. When I saw that it was fine and there were no holes, I changed. The problem is that I don't have underwear. So I opened the door a little.

"Which Consuelo! Which Consuelo!"

I heard its footsteps and its climbing. He has a towel.

"Why?"

"Which Consuelo, how is it? I don't have any underwear, uncle."

"Take your clothes off first, and I'll wash them. There's a dryer in the rest house. I'll wash them first and dry them so your clothes can dry quickly."

"Is that so? Go ahead, thank you." I closed the door and fixed the tie of the dress. Awkward. My body is made of cloth. But Aling Consuelo is the only one with me so that's fine.

I left the bathroom and gave Aling Consuelo my wet clothes. He reached for the towel, so I put it on my body to somehow cover my scarred body.

"I'll leave you for now, Hija. You come here first and don't go out. My boss doesn't want people showing up at his beach resort when he's planning an operation."

I nodded and watched him leave the hut. I took a deep breath and sat on a hard bed. I wonder what happened to mommy? All I saw was the chopper exploding?

But I know that Daddy will not leave Mommy. And I knew that they had jumped before exploding. But what about now? How can I get out of here?

I stood up and walked around. I approached the window that was just raised with a wooden pole. I went down and felt the nice breeze. The sandy soil and a rest house are clearly visible here.

I was shocked to see men with huge bodies while wearing only army pants. Wow. Their bodies are beautiful, and they have packs of abs. I'm sure when Zylene and Alisson are here, the two must be very happy.

They seem to be warming up. And when I saw Atreo Ripler Alvarez, I was healed. He was wearing black army pants while wearing a black shirt, so his rock-hard biceps were clearly visible. His hair is also tied, which makes him more handsome.

"Escueta, 1000 push-ups. Ferer, 500 sit-ups."

I watched how he could be commanded by what seemed to be his staff. His face was serious while watching the warm-up of his staff.

I saw Aling Consuelo pass by them. I also saw Atreo calling her, and he seemed to be asking Aling Consuelo something. When they were about to look at the hut, I immediately hid. I don't know why I get nervous when he catches me looking.

I shook my head and bit my lip because I felt like an idiot. When did I learn to be shy?

I took a deep breath and amused myself by looking at the displays at Aling Consuelo's house. I held the seashell that still had beads on it, and the string was nylon so it could be a door curtain.

I took it off and went down the stairs also made of bamboo. I saw the very kitchen of the house and also close to the living room. It's simple but cozy. Maybe Aling Consuelo likes designing. The designs of his house are almost entirely made of seashells. And inferness, the design of his house is beautiful.

I nodded as I looked around his entire house. I thought about going out of the house even though I was barefoot.

I took the road where Atreo's group was exercising. I saw a large and long smooth wooden chair. I sat there and watched them warm up.

Some looked at me until everyone was looking at me. I sat up when I saw him looking at me too. My heart beat faster for reasons unknown to me.

"Focus, Vipers!"

The men immediately looked away from me because of Atreo's authoritative disobedience. Why is that, even though he is angry, his impact on me is still very strong? The tension of his jaw. The redness of his face. Even the meeting of his eyebrows was very sexy before.

My god. I have a crush on him right away. It's like I fell in love at first sight.

"Hija, why are you there?"

I looked at Aling Consuelo, who I didn't realize was already here. He was carrying what appeared to be clothes.

"I was bored inside, so I went out, Aling Consuelo."

"That's right. Come inside. I put your underwear in the dryer to dry immediately. Put it on when you're comfortable in what you're wearing."

"Oh, thank you." I took my underwear that Aling Consuelo had put in plastic. He walked first, so I followed.

"By the way, Hija, where are you from, and did you end up here at Villa Alvarez?"

"What place is this? My parents and I were going to Palawan, but there was a tragedy in the chopper we were riding. I don't know how my parents are doing."

I can see that he can't believe what I said.

"You fell far away, Hija. You are here in La Carlota, Negros Occidental." He sat on the chair, so I sat too.

"Is there a plane here back to Manila or an airport going to Clark Pampanga Airport?"

"There is no other boat here, Hija. This is General Alvarez's private island. So only a few residents live here who have lived here themselves. So no public boats reach here."

My shoulders slumped because of what he said. If I can't find a car here...I should probably call home to get one. But I was even more depressed when I remembered that I didn't memorize one of my family's contact numbers.

If only I had known that this would happen, I would have mastered it. Because, my phone is always lost, so I'm too lazy to memorize numbers in my contacts.

"If you want, I will ask the General what day he will return to Manila. Just go home with him."

It's like my cheeks got hot from what Aling Consuelo said. But I didn't show it here.

"Is he just here for a while? Can I go home right away?"

"I still don't know, dear. Later, I'll ask him. We shouldn't disturb him when he's busy with something serious, especially work-related. Let's talk to him later."

I nodded in agreement. It seemed like Atreo was indeed serious about his work, and he didn't appreciate his staff losing focus by looking at me.

"Mrs. Consuelo, how old is Atreo?"

She paused as I asked. I noticed her eyes squinting at me, but I didn't show any sign of interest.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Well, maybe I can talk to him on the way home. I just want to know so I can show respect."

Mrs. Consuelo nodded, seemingly convinced. She stood up and approached a shelf.

"The general is twenty-seven years old."

Twenty-seven. That means there's a nine-year age gap between us. He's almost like an older brother. I was surprised by the age difference.

"Why do you address him as 'general'?"

"As far as I know, he is a general in the army from another country."

Wow. That explains his disciplined posture. He moves like a soldier, and his physique is intimidating.

"Why does it seem like you're not sure?"

She approached me, holding a hairpin. She turned her back to me, so I followed suit.

"I've only known him since he bought this land when he was just starting. He bought it to be away from the city and to have a training area for his work. The general doesn't talk much about himself. I only know limited information about him."

I nodded as she skillfully fixed my hair. I smiled, realizing she was like a mother figure.

"You know, I dream of having a daughter I can fix up like this."

"Really? Do you have a husband and children?"

"I have a husband, Feliciano. But we were not blessed with children because we're already old when we got together... There, all done."

After she finished arranging my hair, I faced her.

"If you want, while I'm here, I can be your temporary daughter."

Her face lit up, and she smiled.

"You're so kind, dear. You're also very beautiful."

"Not really," I said, pretending to be shy, tucking my hair behind my ear as she laughed.

"You are beautiful, dear. You look like you have foreign blood."

"I think my Daddy has Australian and American ancestry."

"That's why your eyes are blue. It's fascinating to look at. And your nose is perfectly shaped, and your face is beautiful."

"You're flattering me too much, Mrs. Consuelo. I agreed to be your temporary daughter, not to be flattered."

She laughed, and I laughed along. Mrs. Consuelo was delightful to talk to. I could sense her genuineness.

We stood up, and she said she would bring the laundry to her and Mr. Feliciano's room. I headed to the bathroom to put on my innerwear and adjusted the hem of the dress for a better fit.

"Dear, I'm going to the rest house to cook. Can you stay here alone for a while?"

I quickly came out of the bathroom at her words. She had a basket with her.

"Can I come with you? I might get lost here alone."

"Are you sure? I'm going to get vegetables from the garden."

I got even more excited. I nodded, and she smiled. She put an extra pair of slippers on me. They were big, but at least I had something to wear.

We went out of the house, and I felt nervous because we would pass by Atreo's group. I held onto Mrs. Consuelo's arm, and she looked at me, but I just smiled, and she smiled back before looking ahead.

I glanced at Atreo's group, and they looked at us as we passed. Even him.

"Hi!" I greeted them. They all seemed surprised, and Atreo had a serious expression.

"General, I'm just going to help with cooking. Also, I wanted to ask when you'll be back in Manila."