Verania's Point of ViewAres and I were currently in his car, en route to the mall. He mentioned that he needed to buy something for a dessert he planned to make, although he didn't tell me what it was called.His legs had considerably healed, so he could handle longer walks and navigate the mall with ease. But I insisted that he simply ask me to purchase the ingredients he needed for the dessert. I emphasized the importance of him not going out alone, even with me. However, he got angry with my suggestion. He said it was crucial for him to personally select the ingredients and went on to explain why, and I just let him be. There was no arguing with a chef, after all.Days went by, and I found myself busy with Ares, just as he informed Alder last time. At first, I thought it was just a temporary phase, but it turned out to be real. I had wanted to chill out a bit, but it seemed that Ares had a never-ending list of tasks for me.He asked for massages every time he thought of it, even t
Verania’s Point of View "Come on, Ares," I urged him, and he obediently followed."Why do you need to hold my hand?" Ares inquired, a serious yet curious look in his eyes as we reached the entrance."I can't let you walk alone; it's better if we stay together," I responded. He didn't press the issue and remained silent.Once inside the mall, we quickly looked for a place to have lunch."Fast food?" he suggested."Go ahead; it's fine with me," I consented, and he entered a fast-food restaurant.We placed our orders and waited at a table. While waiting, I turned my attention back to Ares."Earlier..." he began, his serious eyes fixed on mine."I saw you looking so irritated with that cashier. What led you to do that?" he inquired, his curiosity evident as he raised an eyebrow."Nothing, I just felt like annoying her," I confessed, quickly averting my gaze from Ares. I sighed inwardly; he had a keen sense of observation, and it was challenging to keep things from him."Why would I belie
Verania's Point of View"Gabriella, be careful!" Captain reminded before Gab and Ares left.After saying that, my attention automatically shifted to the man we caught. I didn't turn back to Ares and Gab because I knew they were safe with the number of guards around.I quickly joined Captain Victorino (my Captain who planned all my missions)."It seems you're getting closer to the discovery, Verania," Captain said with a gentle tone, sitting in the front seat now.My gaze immediately shifted to Charles, our colleague who was driving. After doing that, I focused on Captain."Not yet, Cap. It looks like it's still far," I replied disappointedly and sighed, then glanced out the window.As my eyes scanned the surroundings, I noticed another car following us."Captain, it seems like we have a lot of backup?" I asked, referring to the car following us."We were supposed to be alone, but Captain Sid insisted on helping," Captain calmly explained, so I glanced out again.Tss, why did he have t
Gabriella's Point of ViewI winced when we arrived at Mayor Stanley's house and saw that Ares had a gash on his neck.He said he got cut, probably from a knife held to his neck, so I did my best to tend to it, even though I wasn't entirely sure if I was doing it right."I hope First Lieutenant arrives soon to treat this," I commented while applying a bandage to his neck wound."Does she always act like that?" Ares suddenly asked, making my eyes immediately focus on him.What is he talking about?"Huh? Always like what?" I asked with genuine confusion."The way Vera acted earlier. Does she always do that?" he repeated, and I had to pause."Huh! What do you mean, 'always like that'?" I asked, genuinely puzzled."No, I wasn't talking about that. I'm not scared; I know she won't do that to me. But, is she really like that when she's extremely angry?" he asked again, causing me to stop and stare at the sky to give a thoughtful response."Hmm..." I pondered.I tried to recall if there had b
Verania's Point of View"So what if it's like that? Tell me, Verania. What's your reason?" Ares said, his voice filled with frustration, confronting me directly.I paused, closed my eyes briefly, and took a deep breath before I answered. I tried to contain my emotions, but it seemed impossible at this point."Fine! The thing I hate the most is that I worry about you! I am freaking worried about you, Ares! Just hearing your voice earlier while that person was holding you, it felt like my muscles were trembling with fear! And now you're still insisting on what you want? You're really something!" I exclaimed, my tone raised significantly.After I said that, he stared at me in disbelief, and I found myself surprised by the words that had escaped my lips. His lips parted, and his eyes remained fixed on me. Several seconds seemed to pass before he could recover. He let out a sigh and then turned back to me."I'm going ahead," he said coldly and walked away from me.I closed my eyes and sigh
Verania’s Point of View "What are you doing here?" Ares immediately asked as I entered his room, with him seated on the couch, eyes fixed on the large television. He didn't bother to look at me, so I took that as an opportunity to approach him."I... I came in to s-say sorry. I got a bit hot-headed earlier, and I'm really sorry about it," I began, staying a few feet away while standing behind the couch he was sitting on."Hmm, and?" he responded indifferently."Uh, about the party tomorrow with Congressman, aren't we attending that together?" I asked, my heart pounding hard in my chest. I was nervous!"I thought we weren't allowed to go out?" he said, his tone showing no concern."W-Well, for important events, it's o-okay, right?""Go alone, then," he ordered, causing me to purse my lips in frustration.Did he really think I could leave him alone? Was he crazy?"No, I can't do that. If you want, we can pick up Clara together," I suggested, but he remained silent.What did he want, an
Verania's Point of View My eyes seemed to be drawn to Ares' face. I couldn't understand why he was so angry. I couldn't see any reason for it. It's not possible that the reason is our engagement because, first of all, he didn't acknowledge that I'm his fiancée. Well, I don't really care about that because there's no truth in it anyway. I wanted to open my mouth and say something, but I couldn't. My lips remained sealed as my eyes stayed fixed on them. I couldn't understand myself in this situation. Actually, I didn't need to pay attention to Ares' reaction, but look at me, I was too focused on his face. He was like a magnet, and I couldn't seem to look away. "Verania..." I jumped when I heard Alder call my name. So, my focus on Ares earlier shifted immediately to Alder. "Can I court you?" he asked, and I felt like a complete idiot as my lips remained open, unable to give a response. I really looked like a fool, literally. I quickly closed my mouth when Alder touched my chin an
Clara's Point of View"It's partly my fault why he couldn't find me," I replied with embarrassment, making her laugh."We were sitting with Mommy and Daddy at the end because Mommy didn't want to attract too much attention. She's not a fan of social gatherings, and she doesn't really enjoy conversations, which is why Dad chose that spot.""Oh, I didn't know that. Anyway, you remind me of a friend.""Ah, hehe, really?""Yeah, that's how he was during our first long conversation, a bit shy. I miss him, hahaha," I said as I took a sip of wine."Where is he?" she asked immediately."Oh, he went home. I don't know if he'll come back here. Well, let's not talk about that. Just wait here for my brother; I'm sure he'll find his way here," Olivia replied, so I nodded and smiled, then turned to Sandra."Are you okay here?""Hehe, yes, Sis.""Just let me know if you get bored, and I'll take you to Mommy," I said, and she nodded.I wonder where Ares is. I don't see him often. I'm starting to miss
Third Person's Point of ViewThe time and hour of Ares' departure has indeed come. He was accompanied by his grandfather, Thaddeus Montero.Just like what Verania thought during the times she tried to convince Ares, he did not join her.Ares texted her that he'll wait at the airport for her before he finally leaves, but Verania didn't even think about going.She knows that she'll ruin everything again once she goes to him. That's why instead of heading straight to the airport, he went to Olivia's bar. It was noon, so there were no people inside, just Verania and of course Olivia, who was serving drinks to the young woman."I didn't think you would choose to drink rather than take Kuya home," Olivia said to Verania, who was playing with the ice in her drink.She's drinking non-alcoholic beverages, which is why she has the confidence to down each glass without hesitation."Is that a joke?" Verania raised an eyebrow when asked that.Olivia couldn't help but laugh when Vera asked such a q
Verania's Point of ViewIt has been a month since the culprit responsible for the harm to the lives of Tito Stan and Ares was caught.I also haven't really noticed the swift passage of the months. Even my feelings, I didn't notice the change.I have missed many things because of the amount of attention I give to what I'm doing, especially at work. Sometimes I fail, but I don't dwell on it and often use those experiences as motivation for what I'm currently doing and for what I will do in the near future.Of course, the elections just finished, and who won the governorship? It's none other than Tito Stan, and it seems that the one who took over the position of Congressman is also quite decent.He is often busy now because of the many things he has to take care of, but even so, his worries have lessened, especially since those who wanted to harm them are no longer free.As for Tita Charlotte, she managed their other sources of income while Olivia stayed in charge of managing their main
Third Person’s Point of View "Glad you asked me that, First Lieutenant," Sid said happily as he turned to Gustavo beside him. "Can I be the one to shoot one of them?" Sid said goodbye with a broad smile, while Gustavo grimaced at Sid's question. "Who among them?" Is Ares there? The tone of the Congressman’s question is lazy. "Oh, I wish it were possible." "Go ahead, before I change my mind," Gustavo responded lazily as he lowered his gun. Meanwhile, Sid tightly gripped the gun and cocked it. He slowly raised his arm and aimed the gun at Ares, startling Verania. Verania's eyes widened and her heart began to race. She didn't know what to do to stop Sid from going through with what he was about to do to the young man next to her. She wanted to run and approach Sid to snatch the gun from him, but with Ares's tight grip on her hand, she hesitated whether to leave his side. That's why, when she saw that Sid was ready to pull the trigger, she blocked her body in front of the young man
Third Person's Point of View"You are so many!" Gabriella's complaint is that she has already tied up and brought down quite a number of their opponents."Miss Gab, we still can't find First Lieutenant Sir Ares, and the same goes for Greg," Tristan said as he approached Gab, who was currently stretching."Search carefully, I know this place is big and has many twists and turns, but you will find them, just hurry up, it's exhausting to avoid the attacks from the enemies here!" The young woman complained, and Tristan quickly saluted and followed Gab's instructions; he informed his colleagues of the young woman's orders to speed things up."Second Lieutenant," called Josefa, one of Verania's group, to Gabriella, who immediately turned around. "Where is Captain Vic?" Ask him about this further."Maybe she was dealing with something more important, perhaps the alleged mastermind has escaped and that's what she's following now," Gabriella replied, forcefully bringing down a man rushing towa
Third Person's Point of View"You're being released," he replied curtly, Verania released a sarcastic laugh that echoed throughout the room."Are you kidding me?" Verania asked angrily, her sarcasm still evident."I'm kidding if I said I'm letting you go and then I tighten the bonds on you." Verania fell silent when she heard Cristoforo's reply, as if she had been doused with cold ice by what he said to her.She couldn't believe it, she didn't know why he would want to let her go when her father, Gustavo Donatelli, was on his side?Verania's mind started to think that maybe Cristoforo was going crazy."Why are you doing this?" Verania asked without restraint when he finally removed the chain from her foot. There were many padlocks there, so it was no wonder it took so long to remove."I'm a double agent," he stopped removing the chain to look up at Verania. "I am under my father but, I am also under someone from your side and I am more loyal to him than to Dad, who I know has only a f
Third Person's Point of View"Boss, someone found us!" a man shouted loudly to Gustavo, causing Verania's face to brighten, as whoever it was could surely save Ares."And how did they find us? Only we know about this place!" Gustavo held his grip firmly as he spoke, his eyes shifting back to the man who informed him of the situation outside."Create a distraction, block whoever they are!" Gustavo shouted again, and the man who had just been there quickly disappeared from sight."Don't let them get here!" he added, prompting the others who were just inside to quickly rush out of the room they were in, likely to confront the people outside.Now, Gustavo's gaze fell on his son, Cristoforo, so Vera did the same. She directed her eyes to Cristoforo."Ares and Vera, we'll take them to the other headquarters where our other comrades are," Gustavo calmly instructed his son Cristoforo, who quickly went to where Verania was sitting.The noise o
Third Person's Point of ViewHe nodded at her, indicating his confidence had eased Ares' heart, so he slowly approached them and attempted to listen to their conversation, for in the eyes of the young Ares, there seemed to be something peculiar there, and like something he delighted in doing, he took out a small notebook from his pocket and a recording pen."What are you doing?" Tirso whispered, but instead of answering, he just gave his friend a very wicked look.He sharpened his ears and earnestly listened to the conversation. Though he couldn't understand it internally, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed this kind of conversation, as many things were revealed.Another dream of the boy's heart was to become a detective like he had read in his mother's book.Indeed, Ares started listing down the things he heard, but instead of using the Filipino Alphabet, he used a code that only he could crack for sure, of course, because he was the only one who knew it since he made it himself.Never
Third Person's Point of View "Why are you doing this?" Vera's voice trembled with anxiety as she asked Gustavo, who was smiling.One by one, more members of the enemy's group entered the room, increasing the pounding in Vera's chest. She didn't know what could be done about them."Why?" Vera's question came out weakly."I've really wanted to tell you everything since earlier, I just waited for my surprises to arrive," Gustavo said, and Verania remained nervously attentive."Because you seem very interested, I expect you to listen eagerly to every detail I'll say," Gustavo added sincerely, and Vera took a deep breath and nodded, prompting Gustavo to start.This thing happened years ago.It all began with a boy named Ares, nine years old and currently in the third grade.That day was one of the happiest events in his life, perhaps the day he made a friend at school who wasn't his cousin.The boy who became his friend was named Alder, and he was even happier when he found out that their
Verania’s Point of ViewI noticed Cristoforo's eyes on me, as if pitying my current situation. I ignored it and waited for Gustavo, his father, to respond."Ah, don't worry, he's not here," he replied with a smirk, which somehow calmed me down a bit."And I want to tell you something..." Gustavo paused to glance at Cristoforo, whose eyes were still fixed on me."What? What do you want to say?" I asked, not breaking eye contact with Cristoforo."Cristoforo is the gunner of Ares' car. Cris told me you saw his eyes that night."My blood boiled upon hearing what he said.He did what?He's the one who shot? No wonder I felt something off when I saw him. I also tried to analyze his eyes now and that night of Ares' accident. Why didn't I notice? Why didn't I notice they were the same? Why did I blame Alder for this?I'm so stupid!Even though tightly bound, I tried to break free while glaring intensely at Cristoforo."Calm down, Vera. I didn't bring you here to hurt anyone," Gustavo said wit