'The Innocent Mistress

Chapter 1

"Good job, Models. And also to you, Grace," I smiled at Derek, the photographer of Lux Calisse Model Agency.

I sat on a high chair in front of a large mirror. I smiled at Won as he draped a shawl over my shoulders.

"Thanks, Won," I expressed gratitude and grabbed my bag to retrieve my phone.

"Grace, do you have plans for today?"

"Yes, I do. Daddy invited us for a vacation in Palawan."

Where is that again? Ugh. My phone always goes missing. Will I have to buy a new one?

"Is that so."

Ignoring Won, I focused on searching for my phone.

"Hey, Won, you have a call!" I heard Benny, the gay stylist, say in his painful voice.

"Wait, Grace," I gestured to him, smiling when I finally spotted my phone. Daddy left my bag in a mess.

I quickly texted Dad that I'm done. He doesn't like it when I don't text him once I'm finished. It can be quite scary when he unleashes his protective father mode.

After texting Dad, I looked at the mirror, fixing my hair. I glanced at Won, who seemed uneasy, sitting beside me.

He's been my friend since I started modeling in this agency. He was the one who approached me first, guiding me on how to begin. My fellow models tease me, thinking Won has feelings for me. But for me, it's just nothing.

"What's bothering you, Won?" I asked him. He sighed deeply and massaged his temples.

"My brother is now here."

"Oh, that's good. Is he the general in the army from another country you mentioned?" He nodded, holding his hand, which seemed sore from clenching too hard.

"Yes, that's him. I just hope he doesn't stay. He'll surely bring nothing but trouble."

"You're so harsh on your brother. What if he's here to help with the current issues in the Philippines?"

"He won't involve himself in Philippine issues. He has his own army in America, and he plans to bring them here. A private agency hired them to swiftly catch criminals in the country."

I rested my elbow on my knee and propped my chin on the back of my hand. I looked at him closely, sensing his anger.

"You seem really upset with him. Isn't he your eldest brother?"

"He's just my half-brother. His mother has Greek blood, and his father is also my father. There's a reason why I despise him. He takes everything from me, even my ex-girlfriend."

I fell silent after what he said. I never expected he carried such resentment.

My phone pinged, so I grabbed it from my bag. Zylene and Alisson, my two friends from my previous all-girls school, messaged me.

From Zylene: Hey, Bitches, want to go to a bar? They say there are handsome guys tonight.

From Alisson: God, bitches! I had a one-night stand. He's yummy. He wants to meet you too.

I learned how to flirt from them. But I can't do it for real since Daddy always accompanies me. So, the two of them are the ones who go to bars.

Me: Can't go with you two, bitches. I'm going somewhere with my parents. Sorry. :(

"Here we are."

I looked outside as Dad spoke. We were at an airstrip. I put my phone back into my bag. Dad's staff welcomed us as we got out of the car. I walked towards the chopper and checked my surroundings.

There were many planes and choppers parked. One chopper was ready for takeoff, causing a strong gust of wind to hit us.

Good thing I wore black shorts. My top was a spaghetti strap with a white leather jacket. For footwear, I had on black ankle boots. I'm glad I didn't wear a skirt; it would've been a hassle.

Mommy and I were assisted to board the chopper. We went ahead of Dad because he had some instructions for his staff.

"Mom, aren't Daddy's bodyguards coming with us?"

"No, dear. Your dad said we're going on vacation to Palawan, and he'll take care of us while we're there. He wants us to be safe in case anything happens."

I nodded and looked inside the chopper. I smiled as I took the earphone set for my ears.

"Mom, do I look good? Can I be a pilot now?"

She laughed at my question and nodded, making me smile.

"Do you want to be a flight attendant?"

"No, I want to be a star. A shining star. But Dad will never let me be a celebrity."

"Grace, your dad isn't stopping you. He just doesn't want you to be too exposed to the media. You know that there are dangers waiting for our family. That's why he agreed to your modeling, so you wouldn't get upset."

I sighed deeply and leaned on her shoulder. I don't know if being the daughter of a mafia is a good thing. It's been a tradition in our family since Grandpa. But sometimes, I wish their work wasn't like this. People often think negatively about the mafia, associating them with illegal syndicates.

I become silent when I hear gossip from my classmates and some fellow models. Sometimes, I can tell that some models are just pretending to be friends with me. They know I'm the daughter of the mafia, and they fear what my Dad might do.

But when I hear stories about innocent people being victimized by the actions of evil individuals, I can't help but agree with the nature of Dad's work. His agency is legal, a private agency often sought after by rich businessmen, and some are even governors and senators. Dad has extensive connections, making him the go-to person for help, even for ordinary citizens.

"Mark, let's go," Dad said as he boarded, sitting beside Mommy. The chopper's door closed, and in a moment, it ascended.

I looked out the window, smiling at the beauty. It feels amazing to be up here. Every building and house in Clark, Pampanga looks like tiny ant hills.

"Baby, you want a drink?"

I looked at Dad and nodded. He moved to the front seat and took something from there. I smiled as I saw he brought some food.

"Thanks, Dad." I handed the milkshake, bottled by Mommy. I shook it before opening the lid where a straw was attached.

"Wow. Your milkshakes are the best, Mom. So delicious."

"Of course, I'm an expert at that. It's your favorite, baby."

I smiled at Mom for what she said. There's also a cheese pie. I grabbed one and tasted it. I'm on a bit of a diet. Derek will scold me if I gain weight.

"How many more hours until we arrive, Dad?"

"Just an hour more from Palawan."

I nodded, thinking it wouldn't take long. We took advantage of every view we saw. I wasn't scared at all, thanks to Mommy's enthusiasm when she sees something beautiful.

"You know, dear, I've been to Palawan before. I had friends there, Tito Chris and Tita Junior."

"Oh really? They lived in Palawan before, Mom?"

She nodded and smiled. I didn't expect Tito Chris and Tita Junior used to live there. Tito Junior is abroad now, becoming a famous stylist, while Tito Chris, I heard, is already married.

"Roger, one minute before we land in Palawan port."

"What's that, Dad?" I asked.

"We're here in Palawan." I nodded at his words and looked out the window.

Suddenly, we heard a thud on the chopper we were riding, and Dad cursed.

"Fuck. Mark, what's happening?" Dad asked through his mic in his headset.

"Someone hit us with a machine gun, Lord. The chopper will crash in one minute."

When Mark said that, both Mom and I couldn't stay calm. Dad quickly moved closer to us, holding a life vest.

"Grace, sweetheart, wear this," he said in a hurry, making us both panic while putting it on.

Once we wore them, Dad opened the chopper door, letting the wind in.

"Grace, come here."

"But Dad, I'm scared." I shook my head because I was nervous about what Dad wanted.

"Grace, we don't have time. Hurry."

I looked at Mom, who nodded while her face showed fear from her paling complexion. My knees trembled as I approached Dad.

"Whatever happens, remember that I love you so much, baby."

"Dad, let's go together." I cried, but he shook his head.

"You first, my child. Your mom and I will follow."

"Lord, I can't control it!"

When Mark said that, I was surprised when Dad pushed me. I screamed and closed my eyes, seeing the chopper explode. I cried but immediately shut my eyes when I fell into the water.

I couldn't breathe as I fell to the bottom of the water. I struggled to breathe and swim to the surface. But when I looked at the life vest I was wearing, I saw something hooked, preventing me from leaving. I tried to pull the life vest, flailing my legs because I couldn't breathe.

I gasped for air, almost drinking water. My vision blurred underwater, but I saw a man falling into the water.

"Please, help me!" I hoped he heard me.

"I closed my eyes when I saw him swimming towards me. I felt his strong arms around my waist. I tried to open my eyes and only saw the tension in his jaw. I closed my eyes completely, running out of breath.

"Hey Miss, wake up!" A cough escaped my lips as air rushed into my mouth. I held my neck and opened my eyes. A face was above me, but my vision was still blurry. Yet, I heard his deep, smooth, masculine voice.

I closed my eyes again, gradually opening them to reveal his face. His intense brown eyes stared at me like a fierce eagle. He had fair skin, long wet hair down his neck, a well-defined nose, and red lips. His face had a beautiful shape with a cleft chin.

He stood up, causing me to blink as he disappeared from my view. I sat up and looked around. I was on white sand with a deep blue sea. I glanced at the man who helped me, now walking away. I noticed his muscular upper body with a gun tattoo on his back, a snake coiled around it. Broad shoulders, solid biceps – similar build to Kuya Jam and Gab.

"Are you okay, dear?" A slightly older woman appeared. She helped me stand and draped her towel over my shoulders.

"Who is he?" I asked, looking at the man who rescued me.

"That's General Atreo Ripler Alvarez. He sped across the entire ocean when he spotted you. What happened, dear?" she inquired.

Atreo Ripler Alvarez. A beautiful name. A handsome man. I've seen many handsome faces, but he's different. There's something powerful about him. For the first time, someone has caught my interest.

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."

"No permanent day. Why, Aling Consuelo?" a smooth voice asked, enticing. "Here, Grace wants to catch a ride to Manila because there's no transportation from your resort."

Atreo looked at me, making me gulp nervously as his gaze felt intense.

"I'm not sure about that. I just arrived, so it might take a while before I leave."

Take a while? Oh no! What about me? Surely, Kuya and Dad will worry. Are they safe, at least? I hope so, to pick me up.

"Grace, don't you know your family's number? Let's call them."

I pondered, struggling to remember. "No, Aling Consuelo," I sighed deeply.

"Alright, General. Maybe Grace can stay here while you're around."

Aling Consuelo invited me, and I followed her to a two-story rest house with almost pristine white paint. It looked beautiful and spacious, equipped with brand-new appliances.

"How are you holding up, Hija? General might stay here for a few months."

I glanced at Aling Consuelo, who had placed a basket on the kitchen bar. I looked around the American-style kitchen; the house seemed somewhat melancholic, perhaps rarely inhabited.

"I'm fine, Aling Consuelo. What matters is I get a ride back home."

I sat on a high chair while she prepared with a sharp knife. She smiled at me and handed me a knife.

"Let's pick some vegetables before it gets dark. General might eat once they finish their work."

I nodded, excited to get off the high chair. I was about to experience vegetable picking for the first time.

We went outside and joined Atreo's group again. He sat on a beach chair, observing his men. When he saw me, he smiled, but when I smiled back, he averted his gaze. How aloof!

I looked at Aling Consuelo, who led the way. I hurried to keep up, realizing I had slowed down when I glanced at Atreo.

Behind Aling Consuelo's house, we walked a path with bamboo fences on either side, guiding our way. We walked along a long path surrounded by various plants.

As we walked, I noticed different kinds of vegetables growing. "Wow, there are so many vegetables, Aling Consuelo."

She laughed at my reaction, placing the basket on the ground. "We have plenty because these are what Feliciano and I always eat... Put the vegetables you pick here."

"How will I know which ones to pick?"

Approaching the eggplant area, she said, "If it's smooth, moderately sized, and free from animal bites, you can pick it." I nodded as she explained for other vegetables. Remembering everything, I went to the tomato section. I love tomatoes.

I enthusiastically picked, not realizing I had gathered a lot. Aling Consuelo chuckled. "Aling Consuelo, what do you call this?" I saw a long, chubby vegetable with a smooth, light green surface.

"Oh, that's... squash! Hija, don't wander too far; you might get hurt!" she warned.

Unsure if it was ready to harvest, I passed by. I noticed a grove of orange trees, and my eyes lit up. I walked towards it, smiling broadly.

"Aling Consuelo, there's an orange tree here." I turned back, realizing she was gone.

Where am I? I tried retracing my steps, but it seemed different. I might be heading into the forest.

"Aling Consuelo! Where are you? Ouch!" I sat down after slipping on a slippery rock.

I held my throbbing bottom, but my attention was drawn to a long creature slowly approaching me. I paled, unable to move when I realized what it was.

A snake!

"Aling Consuelo! Help! Please help me!"

I cried in fear, especially as the snake slithered towards my foot. I heard a gunshot, and I froze.

"Tsk."

I quickly opened my eyes upon hearing that hiss. Glancing around, I saw Atreo holding a gun. I looked at the snake and breathed a sigh of relief as it lay lifeless. I stood up, raising my hands along with my sitting mat.

"Thank you," I smiled at him.

"Next time, don't wander too far if you can't protect yourself. You even worry Aling Consuelo," he remarked.

After saying that, he turned away, leaving me slightly annoyed by his brusque tone. I promptly followed him.

"How did you find me?" I asked as I trailed behind him. He didn't answer, making me more curious. I looked back at him, noticing his tattoo through the black tank top. The lines on his body were distinct and seemed firm when touched.

"Seriously, where are your clothes from?"

I glanced at Aling Consuelo, who approached me when we got back. "Thank you, General. Sorry for the trouble."

Atreo patted Aling Consuelo on the shoulder, assuring her it was fine. He glanced at me before turning away.

"Aling Consuelo, I almost got bitten by a snake. Good thing he arrived."

"I told you not to wander too far. The forest is next, and there are surely wild snakes there."

"I'm sorry. I saw an orange tree."

"You should've told me, and I would've gotten it. Next time, don't go far; it's dangerous."

I nodded and walked with her towards the basket. I helped her carry the full basket and walked back.

As we passed by where Atreo and his men were warming up, I didn't see him there. I ignored his men and joined Aling Consuelo on the way to the rest house.

Upon entering, I was surprised to find Atreo inside, sitting on the sofa with his head against the backrest. He had his eyes closed, and I could freely observe his face. When he opened his eyes, I averted my gaze.

"Aling Consuelo, I want your adobo chicken."

Aling Consuelo stopped talking, and I stopped too, looking at him. He looked at me, and we locked eyes deeply.

"Alright, General. I'll cook it for you." I looked away so Aling Consuelo wouldn't notice. I glanced at him once more, but he wasn't looking.

When we reached the kitchen, I sighed. I was really going crazy. Shocks. I really like him. He's handsome, and I admired him even more for saving me.

"Hija, get the chicken from the fridge."

I lay back, smiling, imagining his handsome face.

"Aling Consuelo, does Atreo have a girlfriend?"

"Why are you asking? Don't tell me you have a crush on the general? Oh, you're still young."

"No, it's just that he's at the right age. Maybe he already has a girlfriend."

Aling Consuelo's eyes twinkled as she looked at me. She took a deep breath and answered.

"I haven't seen him bring a woman here. I don't know if he has a girlfriend or a wife."

Maybe he doesn't have one yet. But with his looks, it's impossible that he hasn't had a girlfriend. Annoying. What if he already has a girlfriend?

I looked at the fridge to find the chicken. I checked the lower part, but it wasn't there. So, I looked up and saw the frozen chicken along with some frozen food. I took it and faced Aling Consuelo, ready to give it to her. But I was surprised when I bumped into a solid body. I looked up and saw Atreo's lips twitch.

He grabbed something beside me, and I gasped as he pulled me towards him. I looked at him, and he had a serious expression.

"Such a waste of electricity," he said, and that's when I realized he closed the refrigerator, which was why he pulled me closer.

He let me go and left in front of me, carrying a small bottle of mineral water. I blinked and swallowed, stunned. I felt the strong beats of my heart as I caught a whiff of his very manly scent.

"Hija, what happened to you? And why are you hugging the chicken? You got wet."

I looked at the chicken I was holding tightly, my face heating up.

God. How embarrassing!

"I nodded and stood up to help Aling Consuelo. I carefully lifted the dishes containing the remaining food one by one to avoid dropping anything.

"Hija, after you're done there, could you please take this to the hut? Go ahead; I'm sure my husband is already there."

"Sure." I quickly responded, placing the last plate on the kitchen bar. I took the plate with the remaining adobo and vegetables. I walked carefully out of the kitchen, carrying the two plates.

When I reached the living room, Atreo emerged from a room. I paused, and so did he, but he walked away first, carrying a towel. I followed him immediately. Upon exiting, I saw him turn. I was about to follow, but when I looked at the plates I was carrying, I sighed.

I just brought them to the hut. Upon entering Aling Consuelo's house, I saw an elderly man sitting in front of a table with a glass of water in front of him.

"Who are you, Hija?"

"Are you Mang Feliciano? Aling Consuelo's husband?"

He nodded, and I smiled, excitedly approaching him.

"There's some food left in the big house. They said it's our meal for now."

"Huh?" I knew he was confused about why I was with him. So, when I placed the plate with food in front of him, I sat on a long wooden chair facing him.

"Earlier, around noon, my parents and I were headed to Palawan for vacation. Unfortunately, something happened, and I ended up here and was saved by Atreo... I mean General. Now, I'll be staying with you temporarily. Is that okay?"

"Oh, that's not a problem, Hija. Our door is open to you."

I smiled even more at his words and clapped my hands.

"Thank you, Mang Feliciano." He nodded and smiled.

"No problem, Hija. But how will you get back home? Do you have contact with your family?"

I shook my head and sighed, expressing sadness about being separated from my family. But the truth is, I seem to like it here. I like the sea, the hospitality of the people, and Atreo. So, it's more fun to stay here. I hope my family takes a while to find me, and I hope Atreo stays here for a long time. I don't know; it feels like I'm captivated by him. Even though he's serious and aloof, it's more challenging for me. I feel like he doesn't have a girlfriend because if he did, she would be with him. Right?

"I'll just accompany General back to Manila. I don't know my family's contact number."

He nodded, stood up, but I stopped him.

"Let me do it, Mang Feliciano. You seem tired from your work."

I left the table and approached the plate stand. I took three plates and placed one in front of Mang Feliciano, and the other two on either side. Then, I took a spoon and fork and neatly placed them on his plate.

"Oh, Hija, it's fine for me to eat with my hands." He said.

"Huh? Hands? Why would you eat with your hands? Aren't your hands dirty? You might get bacteria."

He laughed at my reaction.

"It seems you're not used to ordinary life, Hija. But for us provincianos, it's more enjoyable to eat with our hands. Our hands aren't dirty when we eat because we wash them well. See?"

He stood up and approached the tap, so I went closer and watched him. I nodded because he was right. Wash hands and soap. After thoroughly washing his hands, he shook them gently before returning to the table.

"Like this. Rice and viand. Mix them and squeeze them between your fingers. Like this."

I watched him, even how he took a bite. I was amazed, so I went to the tap and washed my hands. Then I sat in front of the table and tried what he was doing. I took some rice and viand, struggling a bit, and some rice grains fell.

"It's more enjoyable to savor the food this way, right?" he said with a laugh, watching me.

"Yes. Plus, it saves on washing."

We both laughed and continued eating.

"Oh. Oh. Looks like you're having fun there."

We turned to the door as Aling Consuelo spoke. But I almost choked when I saw Atreo behind her, also looking at us. I quickly faced my food, feeling my cheeks heat up. What did I look like earlier?

"I'm just teaching this young lady. It's amusing how quickly she learns to eat with her hands." Aling Consuelo said with a smile. "Oh General, you're here." Mang Feliciano stood up when he noticed Atreo. I wiped my lips; I hope I didn't look like a child.

"Sorry for the disturbance, Mang Feliciano. I'm just here to ask if you'll be using the boat."

"No problem, General. I'll rest tomorrow. You can use it."

"Okay then. I'll go ahead." That's all he said, and I secretly sighed.

"Have you met Grace, Feliciano?" Aling Consuelo approached us, and I turned to the door, but Atreo was gone. God. This is embarrassing. What did I look like earlier?

"Grace is her name, Hija. A beautiful name, suits you."

"Thank you. Come on, Aling Consuelo, let's shake hands together."

We laughed at what I said. It feels good to be like this. Simple. It's boring when I have everything I want. But now, I want something, and it seems hard to reach. But at least now, I won't be bumped here. Because I'll make sure to get what I want."

To help ease the fullness from eating, I decided to take a stroll along the beach. I've eaten a lot, and I'm in trouble with Derek if I gain weight. I rubbed my stomach, feeling the satisfaction of being full. Oh well, it will go away quickly. At least I tried eating properly-no more just bread and vegetable salad. Brown rice and tuna. Sometimes I skip meals to stick to my daily diet and maintain fitness. There were times I fainted from not eating, coupled with exercise. My parents don't know because Dad would probably kick me out of modeling if he found out I'm dieting.

I sat on a beach chair and enjoyed the breeze from the sea. It feels so good to swim now. Unfortunately, I don't have extra underwear if I get wet. But whatever, the important thing is that I feel comfortable.

I stood up, took off my dress, placing it on the chair before removing my slippers and walking towards the sea. I smiled when I felt the cool and slightly chilly water on my feet. I quickly submerged myself when I reached a somewhat deeper part.

I resurfaced and ran my fingers through my hair to remove the water. I looked up and closed my eyes; it felt so good.

I did a backstroke and saw the bright moon. I went underwater again and did a vertical dive. When I was running out of breath, I resurfaced.

"Refreshing!" I shouted and laughed. I stayed a long time in the water before finally getting out, thoroughly enjoying the feeling. I twisted my hair as I approached the shore.

I adjusted my bikini bra while walking towards the beach chair. But I stopped when I saw that my dress was missing.

I looked around, but it was nowhere to be found. I scratched my head and squinted, wondering where I had placed it. I know I left it on the beach chair.

I took a deep breath and put on my slippers before walking back to Aling Consuelo's house. I just hope she won't scold me when I tell her that her dress is missing.

I'm used to walking in a bikini, so I don't care if someone sees me like this. I glanced at Atreo's house. And I don't know if I'm just seeing things or what, but it seems like someone is standing by the sliding door on the veranda. I just shrugged and continued walking.

"Aling Consuelo!"

"Oh dear... my goodness, why are you like that? Where's the dress you were wearing?" she exclaimed, so I smiled.

"I just went swimming in the sea, and I placed your dress on the beach chair, but when I came back, it was gone."

"Come here. Goodness. I might faint with your appearance." she said hysterically, making me laugh because Aling Consuelo is apparently too conservative.

She lent me her clothes again, and although she had no choice, she lent me the underwear she hadn't used yet. Aling Consuelo is thin, so I guess it fits me.

After bathing and changing into a flowery yet short dress, I was all set. I love it. It looks trendy. My shoulders are visible, and it fits me perfectly.

"Aling Consuelo, why does this seem small? Is this really yours?" I asked as I approached her, folding the clothes.

"I've had that for a long time, Hija. It's good that it fits you. It's not as big as it was earlier. I have more old clothes; I'll give them to you for replacements."

"Oh, thank you very much. But where do you buy your clothes and underwear?"

"When Feliciano goes to the other island, he buys clothes there. Let it be, and tomorrow I'll buy you some underwear so that I don't have to keep washing your worn ones repeatedly."

"Thank you so much. Let it be, I'll repay you someday."

"Don't mention it, Hija. What matters is that we, as a couple, were able to help you in some way. Okay, lie down here, and my husband and I will be in the other room."

"Okay. Good night, Aling Consuelo," I said, waving. She smiled and shook her head while carrying the folded clothes.

I fixed my hair using the towel. Then I lay down on the firm bed with thin padding. It's a bit painful on the back, but it's fine.

The next morning, I woke up early. And when I remembered Atreo's training, I quickly went to the window with bamboo slats. I raised it and propped it up with a piece of wood. I looked outside, but silence greeted me. I frowned and left the window.

"Aling Consuelo, where are the people at the rest house?" I asked Aling Consuelo, who was cooking breakfast.

She briefly glanced at me and returned her gaze to what she was cooking.

"The General and his men are not there. They have an operation on the other island, so they might return late."

I felt disappointed because I won't be able to see Atreo all day.

"Aren't you going to the other island? Can I come with you?"

"I asked Feliciano to take you, Hija. We can't leave the resort empty if all of us leave."

I became even more disheartened because there's no way I can catch a glimpse of Atreo this morning.

Instead of idling away the afternoon, I helped Aling Consuelo with her chores. After finishing lunch, she taught me how to make decorations from seashells and beads.

"I've enjoyed doing this since I was a child. Ever since Feliciano and I moved here and started living together, this has been my pastime."

"That explains all the decorations in your house. They're beautifully made," I said, focused on threading beads onto the nylon string.

"That's why when you learn this, you might not get bored here while you're still around."

I paused in making the decoration and looked at Aling Consuelo.

"When I go back to Manila, I'll proudly showcase your work. Many stores in Manila buy these."

"Really?"

"Yes. And you can also take pictures and upload them on social media. If you want to make some extra money, we can sell your creations through social media."

"I didn't know about that. I thought I'd only do this here. I didn't know I could sell them... Thank you, dear."

I smiled at her, tucked my hair behind my ear, and went back to my work.

By late afternoon, I hadn't stopped making decorations. I had settled into the beach chair because it was cool and comfortable to work on decorations for the house and body. I was making an anklet; beads on the feet look beautiful. And I have someone in mind to give it to.

After finishing, I lifted it to admire. I didn't expect that I could make something like this. It's challenging for beginners, but with perseverance, you can become an expert.

I looked at the ocean when I heard them coming. From afar, I saw Atreo's group wearing military attire. I smiled and tidied up the decorations. I fixed my hair and clothes before waiting for their boat to land.

When their boat reached the shore, they disembarked one by one, led by Atreo. So when he walked away from the beach, I walked towards him.

He stopped when he saw me, causing his group to halt as well due to his sudden stop.

"Hello to all of you," I greeted.

"Hello little kid," greeted the guy with a mohawk whose name I couldn't remember. I frowned at him before looking at Atreo, who had no discernible emotion on his face but was looking at me.

I presented the anklet I made, but he didn't take it.

"For you..."

His men whistled and made teasing sounds. I was getting tired because Atreo still didn't accept it.

"Tsk. It's so childish," he said and walked past me without taking it. I sighed at what he said and looked at the anklet he deemed childish.

"How pretentious," I muttered, then looked at the youngest among them. He's cute, so I smiled at him, took his hand, and said, "You can have it. Cutie-cutie." I patted his head before turning away from them. I glanced at Atreo, who stopped, so I smirked at him before approaching the container of decorations.

After grabbing my belongings from the decorations, I walked away and gave Atreo a sly look as I passed by. When he looked at me, I flipped my hair and walked ahead of him.

"Tsss, she's so pretentious. Huhu, I'll make something else."

I found myself sitting on a chair in Aling Consuelo's living room. My back was aching from bending while making the anklet, but he didn't take it. I stretched my legs on the chair with my back against the pillow.

I wanted to take a short nap before continuing with the anklet. Maybe it was too small for him, which is why he called it childish.