CHAPTER 1

Vera's Point of View

"Currently, the Mayor's son is looking for someone to be his bodyguard," Captain said to us, as he just came from the hospital to talk to the Mayor.

I immediately stood up upon hearing that, and his gaze quickly fell on me.

"First Lieutenant?" he asked, seeming surprised by my reaction.

"I volunteer for this mission," I said, raising an eyebrow. As I thought, he was indeed surprised.

"Are you sure? I was planning to give you a better mission," he said, but I shook my head to decline his offer.

"I need to do this, Captain," I said, taking a deep breath before he nodded and took a deep breath as well before responding.

"Well, if you insist," he replied, handing me some papers that I needed to study.

"The meeting is now dismissed. Verania, stay for a moment. I need to talk to you," Captain said, and my colleagues left while I stayed behind.

"Verania, this work isn't what you think it is," Captain began when he sat down not far from me.

"Yes, Captain. I already know this mission will be hard," I replied, but he chuckled and raised an eyebrow.

"No, I know you know it's dangerous. We've never had a mission that wasn't dangerous. What I'm saying is that you won't only be a bodyguard," he said.

I furrowed my brow upon hearing that.

"I will be a nurse for him, I bet?" I guessed because of his current condition. I was sure he needed a nurse, and I am a nurse myself.

"Yeah, that's right, First Lieutenant. But you will also become his personal driver. Since he can't move his legs yet, he will need a driver. You should be the one because it's safer, and you'll know all his destinations since you'll be with him," Captain explained.

"Is that all, Captain? No problem if that's the case. Everything will be just fine—" I was about to say more, but the Captain raised his hand to stop me.

"There's one more thing, Verania. I know this part might be challenging for you..." Captain said seriously, cutting off my words.

I wanted to hear clearly what he was about to tell me so I could be prepared.

"You will also become his fake fiancée." Those words came out of Captain's mouth, and they took me by surprise.

Those words echoed in my ears, and it took a moment for me to fully realize what Captain said.

"Huh, Captain? Are you serious?" I asked, shocked and slowly nodding.

It seemed impossible, who came up with such a plan? It's like something out of a TV drama!

"I am serious, Verania. That's the reason why I said you'll face difficulties in this job. We need a plan that will change the enemy's target. Since their current target is Ares, you'll have to join the picture."

"So I'll become the bait, right? You'll use me as bait, making the enemy think that Ares loves me as his fiancée, and they'll target me instead. And if that happens, we can trace them because of me. Is that correct, Captain?" I gasped, my hand covering my mouth.

"Exactly."

"But what if they find out I'm working here? The plan won't work if they discover my role," I said, smiling at Captain again.

"They will never know anything about you; trust me, we have everything under control. No one will get caught."

"Okay, if you say so, Captain!" I replied, feeling relieved as it seemed I had no reason to worry.

"Unless..." Captain added, wiping the happiness away.

"Unless?" I asked.

"Unless you reveal that you're part of our team, then the plan will be compromised."

"No problem with that!" I eagerly answered, and the Captain nodded, seemingly trusting me.

"Does anyone else know about the fake fiancée thing?" I asked, as I took a deep breath.

"Yeah, the Mayor and some of our workmates know that part, so when you get to them, he'll immediately announce that you and Ares are getting married."

"Wow... that's fast." I shook my head slowly while looking at Captain.

"Yes, it is fast, but we really need to act quickly because the enemy is already making moves."

"So, I will be a bodyguard, nurse, driver, and a fake fiancée, so that means I will have to lie, right?" Captain just nodded in response.

"Yes, even to Ares. I know he is your friend, but we should be professionals here," Captain said, tapping his foot on the floor as he walked closer to me, patting my shoulder and handing me an envelope that I was sure contained information about my new mission.

It's just a job; I need to stay calm even though something about the person who shot Ares' car feels so familiar to me.

I wasted no time and immediately went home to pack and inform my family about my new mission.

Since I need to be on constant guard for Ares, I will have to stay at their house temporarily, hehe. I couldn't say goodbye to Mama and Papa because they weren't at home; they were at work, so I sent them a text message instead. I was sure that once they read my message, I'd receive a long lecture over the phone, and they wouldn't easily forgive me.

The gate of Ares' house opened as I arrived in my car. I brought my car because I had quite a few things with me, and they wouldn't fit on my motorcycle; they were heavy and large.

"Miss Verania, they're waiting for you inside," one of the household staff greeted me, so I nodded and went straight to the car's compartment to get my belongings. However, the household staff insisted on carrying my things to my room. I couldn't do anything about their insistence, so I let them carry my things.

It is pointless to insist on something to someone who doesn't want it or has refused many times. It's just a simple thing.

"Verania, I mean First Lieutenant!" Mayor Stanley greeted me, and I respectfully curtsied to him. He's close to my parents, and that's what I've been used to doing whenever I see him.

"Just call me Verania, Mayor," I said, smiling.

"You too, just call me Tito," he said, stepping closer to whisper.

"Another reason, it's like you're going to be my fake in-law, so Tito is just fine," he said, and we both laughed.

"Okay, Tito!" I cheerfully replied.

"Aunt Lita, please call Charlotte and my two kids. I need to introduce our brand new guest," Tito said, smiling at the household staff.

Fake fiancée, why does it have to be like this? It feels like I'm getting married, which hasn't even crossed my mind yet. I don't want to get married yet, but because of what I have to do now, it looks like I have to pretend to be engaged. Anyway, I need to finish this quickly, especially since I already have a person in mind whom I suspect. If it's really 'that person,' then I'll deal with it next time. What's important now is finding out who's behind all these events.

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