CHAPTER 4

     CHARITY groggily woke up the next morning, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar room. She furrowed her brows, trying to recall why she was there. As the events of the previous day replayed in her mind, she let out a sigh. She had made an agreement with Cameron Silvestre. Her hand instinctively brushed her lips at the thought of the kiss they had shared. It had been brief, almost fleeting, yet it lingered in her memory as if it had left a permanent mark.

     "That's it. We sealed the deal. You will bear my child, Charity."

      Cameron’s voice echoed in her mind as she remembered his words after the kiss. He had walked away so nonchalantly, leaving her utterly stunned. Charity never imagined herself in such a situation, but desperation to escape her struggles had led her here. It’s too late for her to regret getting into the situation she's trapped in.

       A soft knock broke her thoughts.

     “Miss Charity, please prepare. We will leave in thirty minutes,” came the voice of Servant Kim from behind the door, and in a moment, the distant footsteps of him echoed.

       She wanted to run and ask him what she should wear, as she hadn’t brought anything, but her gaze soon fell to a paper bag and a shoebox near the foot of the bed. Those must be for her, she realized. With a nervous sigh, she approached the bag and peeked inside. It contained a pink floral boho dress and a pair of white beach sandals. Judging by the outfit, they were headed to a beach. The thought sparked excitement in Charity; she had never been to a luxurious beach resort before.

      Quickly, she showered and slipped into the dress. She let her short hair fall naturally and skipped makeup since she hadn’t brought her cosmetics, but anyway, she feels more comfortable without wearing makeup. Standing before the mirror, she felt plain but decided it would have to do.

      Thirty minutes later, another knock came at the door.

     “Wow, they’re really counting the minutes, huh?” she muttered before opening it to find Servant Kim smiling at her.

     “Let us go, Miss Charity,” he said politely, wearing the familiar smile that never left his lips

      Charity nervously smiled back and nodded, suppressing her curiosity about their destination, and followed him without question. As they exited through the mansion’s back, her eyes widened in surprise. In the sprawling backyard was a helicopter waiting for them. Servant Kim assisted her in climbing aboard. Her nerves spiked, but she forced herself to comply.

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     “WELCOME to El Nido. This is Isla Silvestre, Miss Charity.”

       Charity’s breath caught as the view from the helicopter unfolded before her. A stunning private island stretched below—a paradise with white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a grand white house nestled at the center. Surrounding it were a few nipa-style cottages and towering coconut trees swaying in the breeze.

As the helicopter descended, Charity couldn’t take her eyes off the scenery. She had never seen anything like it in her life. It felt like she had been transported into a dream. A dream she never imagined she would attain.

     “You will stay here, Miss Charity,” Servant Kim informed her.

      She turned to him, her smile faltering. “W-where is Cameron? How about him?” she asked hesitantly.

     “He will join you once his meetings are over,” Servant Kim replied.

     “So, you’re saying… I’ll be left here? Alone? On this island?!” Panic crept into her voice. Oh yes, it's paradise, but hell, she couldn't bear being left alone there like Eve!

      Servant Kim chuckled kindly. “You won’t be alone, Miss Charity. We will stay with you until Sir Cameron returns.” then smiled gently and tapped her shoulder, as if it was his way of calming her down.

       Relief washed over her, and she let out a breath. Following Servant Kim, she marveled at the serene surroundings—the rhythmic sound of waves lapping at the shore and the gentle breeze caressing her skin. It was peaceful, almost magical. She was falling in love with the island already.

    “This will be your room,” Servant Kim announced, leading her into a spacious and elegantly decorated bedroom. Charity glanced around in awe. She wouldn’t be sharing a room with Cameron, it seemed—not that she had expected to. After all, their arrangement wasn’t about love.

    “The room is fully equipped with everything you might need,” Servant Kim continued.

     Charity nodded, silently impressed. Money truly could make the impossible happen in an instant. She had only struck the deal with Cameron yesterday, and now she was here, in a luxurious paradise.

    “By the way, do you have a phone I could borrow?” Charity asked. She wanted to call Milet to assure her she was fine.

     “I’m sorry, Miss Charity. Only Sir Cameron can decide if you’ll have access to a phone. If there’s nothing else, may I leave?”

    “Leave?” Her voice trembled slightly.

     Servant Kim chuckled. “I mean, I’ll head to our cottage now.”

     “Oh…” Charity felt embarrassed. “Alright, you may go.”

      Once alone, Charity walked over to the window and opened it, letting the fresh island breeze drift in. She then ran to the massive bed, flopping down like a carefree child. She had never slept on anything so soft and luxurious.

The room was beautiful—painted a soft blush pink, exuding a feminine yet chic vibe. It had a flat-screen TV, a built-in closet, and stunning paintings that complemented the decor. Charity couldn’t believe she was here, living a life she had only seen in movies.

      This was the life she had dreamed of—comfortable, free from the struggles of her past. She had always wanted to become a nurse and have a happy family, but those dreams had seemed so far out of reach. Now, through her deal with Cameron, she would finally secure financial stability. She lay down on the bed, her body sinking into the plush mattress. The soothing sound of the waves and the fresh air from the open window lulled her into a peaceful sleep. For the first time in a long while, Charity felt truly at ease, but no one knows until when...

     What kind of life will she face with the dangerous Cameron Silvestre?