CHAPTER 5

Vera’s Point of View

Today is Saturday. I lay gasping for breath on the floor of my room after 8 minutes of jumping rope, 3 minutes of push-ups, 5 minutes of squat thrusts, and 5 minutes of hip dips.

Struggling to my feet, I reached for water and drank it down. I headed straight to the bathroom and took a quick shower. It was 6:00 in the morning, and Clara was set to visit at 7:00. She's now Ares' girlfriend, she told me herself. She also mentioned that I should not be late in getting ready, as she had something for me to do.

After a few minutes, I finished showering and quickly got dressed. I wore my blue fitted t-shirt and gray track pants. I also put on my white cap and indoor slippers.

At exactly six-thirty, I stepped out of my room and headed to Ares' room, which was just across from mine.

"Ares," I called as I knocked on his door. I grasped the doorknob and was surprised to find it unlocked. I opened it to see Ares Montero lying freely on his bed. Can you believe it? I'm the one who shouldn't be late, yet there he was, still lying down.

I shook his shoulder, and his eyes slowly opened.

"If you're scolding me, I'm sorry right away. I didn't really mean to interrupt your beautiful dream, but I'm not like other people who are always on "Filipino time." For me, time is gold," I said, flashing a peace sign at him.

"Go take a shower, Ares."

"Who are you to dictate to me? Are you my mother?" he snapped, getting up from his lying position.

"Get out. I'll get ready," he said, so I left with a smile.

He's actually quite nice when he first wakes up, following orders without being grumpy. I went to the kitchen and helped the other household members with their tasks. Of course, I'm familiar with Madam Mila, who's the kindest of all the household staff in my opinion. She's taught me how to cook even though I'm often a failure.

"Hi Madam Mila! Good morning!" I greeted her with a smile, taking the plates from her hands to place them on the table.

Tito Stanley and Tita Charlotte are not here again. I don't know where they went, but I know they're safe because of the number of bodyguards with them.

I was surprised when Clara approached me to take the plates. Why is she here so soon?

"Hi Vera," she greeted, causing me to blink in surprise.

"Hello, have you been here long?" I asked as I followed her. She was heading to the dining room to arrange the plates.

I counted them, five. Who else will be joining us for breakfast?

"I brought my sister Sandra with me. She didn't have anything to do at home and didn't have work, so I brought her along. Besides, I'm on leave for two days, so it's not a problem for me," she said, and then I heard a voice of a child, who seemed to be shouting all her vocal chords out.

"Ate!" she shouted loudly, making me wince. The noise was so intense, it felt like my eardrums might burst.

"Sandra, keep it down, we might get kicked out of here..." Clara said with a laugh, causing Sandra, her sister, to smile.

"Hihi Sister, I want to go swimming in the pool here," Sandra giggled.

"Later, okay? Let's have breakfast first," Clara replied.

"And we're not familiar with your brother Ares' house yet, so don't be too restless," Clara added, so I left them and went back to help with the preparations.

"Verania, I heard she's Ares' girlfriend," Madam Mila mentioned, and I nodded in response.

"Aren't you going to marry Ares?" Madam Mila whispered, causing me to choke upon hearing those words.

"Yes, but let's keep it a secret, and please tell others not to report it to Tito Stanley or Tita Charlotte," I reminded her, and Madam Mila just nodded, although she seemed puzzled by my request.

"Do you already know Clara?" I asked, watching her as she fried some nuggets.

"Yes, whenever Ares has a party at home, I see Clara. She's a friend of Ares, but I didn't know she's his girlfriend now. You, dear, I've heard you're also a friend of Ares, but I don't think I've ever seen you at his house before," Madam Mila replied.

"Oh, I rarely attend parties because I'm busy with work. Ares and I just became friends when we were younger, and we were schoolmates in high school. Sometimes I join their parties, but they're often held at the Montero resort," I explained.

"I see, dear. But you know, you and Ares make a good pair," she said, making me choke again.

"R-really?" I asked, trying not to burst into laughter at Madam Mila's comment.

I know there are people I can only be friends with, and Ares is one of them. It's quite amusing to hear from others that we're supposedly a 'thing.'

"Yes, indeed," she retorted as she took out the cooked nuggets.

My phone rang, and I saw that it was Ares calling, so I quickly picked it up and answered.

"In my room, hurry!" he ordered as soon as I put the phone beside my ears. I couldn't even say a word before he hung up. Oh, how rude this guy is… just kidding! I have to put up to whatever he wants. 

"Alright, I'll go see Ares," I told Madam Mila before dashing off.

I quickly reached Ares' room, and when I opened the door, I was almost startled by what I saw.

"Oh my horse! What the heck!" I exclaimed in utter surprise as he was only wrapped in a towel around his waist, completely topless. He had just finished showering. It's impressive how, even after being in a wheelchair for a few weeks, he's managed to learn to do various things on his own.

"I can't decide what to wear. Help me out," he lazily stated, causing me to cringe.

"Help you choose?" I asked in alarm, afraid he might add more requests I wouldn't like.

"Yeah, why? Do you want to dress me?" he asked, staring at me. My cheeks burned from the inside, so I furrowed my eyebrows.

He really said that right to my face! Is he reverting to his old self? But if that's the case, it seems like he's been quite playful with his words. He wasn't like this before! Oh, our good and kind Creator, please take the naughtiness away from this guy. It’s making me crazy. 

"N-No way! Gross," I stuttered in defense, as I rolled my eyes and crossed both of my arms in front of my chest.

"Gross? I'm just asking for help with my clothes, what's gross about that?" he said, and my heart skipped a beat as he rolled his wheelchair closer to me.

"Unless, you're being a bit green-minded and thinking something else?" he added with a smirk, causing me to chuckle, easing my nerves.

"Ha Ha Ha, no way! I'm not green-minded, you just surprised me. Move away, where's your closet anyway? I'll dig through it so you can pick out an outfit for you," I shifted the topic, distancing myself from the teasing.

"Uh-huh?" he teased, so I shot him a glare in return.

"Whatever, you better come out dressed decently!" I retorted playfully, about to leave, but he laughed, making me turn back as my conscience kicked in. It might be my fault if he ends up coming out without clothes.

"Looks like you'll come back after all," he said with a smile, still lounging back, his gaze locked onto me.

"That's the closet, by the way," he pointed, indicating a sky-blue door.

He has a walk-in closet. I only have a cupboard, and it even has cockroaches. Of course I’m just joking! My room is clean, since I have a lot of storage for my stuff.

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