“You’ve been hiding from me.” Theon started as we sat by the coffee shop. He ordered a cappuccino while I ordered caramel macchiato.
I almost spit out my drink as he said that
“No.” I rebutted.
“Then what do you call that?”
“I was running away from my family,” I admitted. “I apologize if that affected you too.”
“Yes, I was waiting for you to return, postponing the planned wedding.”
I sighed, “Stop blaming it on me. I refused your proposal, didn’t I?”
“But why?”
“Why you ask? Of course, it was because of my family. I was suffering from them. I needed to get out.”
“If you were suffering all this time then you should have told me. I could have helped you.”
I took a sip from my drink, recollecting my thoughts. I never expected things to turn out this way. It's like fate slapping me with reality and laughing as she watched me struggle and meet these twins again.
“No, it is not something that anyone could help me with. I needed to do something for myself.”
“That you needed to leave the state, go to a remote area, and study premed while working your ass off on your own?” He asked. “I have to say, you have guts. I admire that.”
I rolled my eyes. I do not know if he’s being sarcastic.
“What do you want? Just say it so we could be finished now.”
He took a sip of his drink. “You.”
I cringed, “Excuse me?”
“Yes, you. You heard me. I want you. To be Arson’s nanny. You don’t have to be my wife since you seem to have a past with Matheo. He seemed angry and delighted to see you here…I do not know what happened between you for him to call you his woman but please, I still won’t give up for Arson.”
I groaned, giving up, “Why can’t you find another woman to be his nanny? Why me? Do I look like I have the time to be messing with you?”
“He prefers you after all this time. Now quit your life here and be with me. Please.” I watched him. The way his blue eyes drooped and softened as he asked me for the favor.
I bit my lip, I worked hard to build my life here, and now they are destroying it?
Damn. They think that money could solve anything.
“No.”
“Please, What do you want? I can fund you a hospital.”
“No thanks. I am still studying my premed.” I refused again.
“Then a house? A car?” He was still motivated to offer anything to me.
“I left that extravagant life behind. You can have your house to yourself.”
“You’re not easily swayed. Or do you like my twin more?”
I didn’t dare respond. Instead, I just stood up, “I have to go and study now.”
“Fine. I’ll let you leave for now. But I won’t give up. Not for Arson.” He said as I walked away and headed to my apartment.
***
“Your apartment is paid for the four years.” Said the landlady as I was about to hand in my hard-earned money.
“Your tuition is paid. You don’t have to be a scholar.” Said the college as I contacted them for a notice.
“You don’t have to work for now.” Said the owner of the restaurant I worked at as I was about to head there.
I sighed. Knowing these strange occurrences, I do not have to guess who paid it all.
It was Theon. So I only have to attend my lectures and the last practicals.
My phone suddenly rang and I answered it, “Hello?”
“Good Afternoon Ms. Uy. I am calling to let you know that Master Venesian had woken up. He requests to see you.”
I instantly stood up and left my lectures after hearing that call. I grabbed a taxi in a hurry and was shocked to see what greeted me in the waiting room.
A very beautiful woman who looked like a goddess was watching me.
She had a button small nose, cheeks flushed, almond eyes, and pale skin. Her hair was luscious and it was not obvious that she had any wrinkles.
She was speaking in a language that I only watched in dramas. She was wearing a trendy coat and skirt with high heels on.
She looked so young and her eyes looked up and down, seemingly judging me.
“이게 그녀야? 관심있는 여자는? (This is her?” The woman he’s interested in?”)
Her girly voice and sharp tone tell me that she is not pleased with my appearance.
I looked at Jeric, the bodyguard who called me here.
“Damn. Master told us not to tell her! We’re doomed!” One of them whispered to Jeric.
“We’ll be doomed if we don’t answer her.” They were trembling in fear at the woman.
And I instantly knew who she is without asking them.
It must be Theon, Matheo, and Rameo’s mother.
I bowed, knowing that this is a sign of respect for them. I studied communication and arts as a minor and thank goodness we had tackled the Korean culture.
“What’s your name, child?” Asked Rameo’s mom.
“Annyeong! Uhm…good day, madam. I am Saphira.” I said, my hand trembling but I stood my ground. I felt nervous knowing these are all powerful and wealthy people I am facing. One wrong move and I’ll be killed…
“그녀가 이렇게 젊을 줄은 몰랐어” (I didn’t expect her to be this young.” She massaged her temples, as if very stressed.
“Anyway, it's nice meeting you.” She said and turned when Rameo’s father, appeared.
“Honey, you are here.” He went to kiss her on the lips.
She smiled gently, “Of course. I flew in a hurry from my Paris fashion week. I have to be here for my son.”
I notice the triplets have their mother’s smile. They may look like their father…but each of them has different personalities.
“You don’t have to. It's nothing serious.” Said their father.
“Nothing serious that made you fly instantly here along with his twins?”
Jeric instantly pulled me to the side, “Let them be.”
He then opened the door of Rameo’s private room and let me inside.
Once I got inside, I saw Rameo sleeping peacefully. I stayed silent, watching him when he seemed to wake up from my stare.
“Z-Ziara. You’re here.”
I smiled. “Yes.”
“Are you feeling well now?”
“Oh, this? I am fine. No need to worry.”
I blinked, he’s hiding his pain. “I saw you fell on your wheelchair last time. Don’t dare lie to me. I know it is painful.”
I want to ask what is his condition when he suddenly changed the topic, “You must have met my mom.”
I nodded, “Yes. And your other twins.”
That made him stiffen. “And? What did they tell you? Were they hard on you?”
“They think we have something going on. Like I am your girlfriend.”
“Well, you are.”
“No.”
“A girlfriend. A friend of mine is a girl.”
I rolled my eyes. “You know what? Just take a rest.”
“No, I want to see you more. Please stay…”
I nodded, “I will. But I’ll leave for our lab exams tomorrow.”
He instantly gasped, “Oh, You have lab exams. This is finals week! Go and study.”
“You are worried about me, are you?”