Chapter 3

"Whoever gave you that card made a mistake."

The man's voice was cold as he spoke to Alyssa. There was no hint of apology in the voice of the man standing in front of her.

Alyssa kept her hand raised for a few seconds. Her mind could not immediately understand what she just heard. Then, she slowly accepted the matte black card he was handing back.

She blinked. She no longer understood what was happening. Why didn't he want to believe that someone actually invited her? What was he trying to say? That she stole this card?

What the heck? Hey, she knew she was not rich, but she did not take things that were not hers. She did not even know an island like this existed.

It felt like the world stopped for a moment. Okay, there was nothing she could do if this man did not want to believe her. He thinks he is so handsome. He probably thinks that just because he is rich, he is already good-looking. Ew!

She looked down at the card she was holding tightly. It was exactly the same. It was matte black, with the gold logo of Isla Verde engraved in the middle, and it felt heavy in her hand. It had not changed since it was given to her. It was still very black.

If so, why was it suddenly a mistake?

She slowly looked up. It was only now that she took a good look at the man in front of her.

He was tall, and she almost had to tilt her head up just so their eyes could meet. But she did not care even if he was tall.

His black suit was perfectly ironed, as if not a single wrinkle was allowed to touch the expensive fabric. His silver watch sparkled when it was hit by the sunlight passing through the glass ceiling of the entrance. But she still did not care.

But the most noticeable thing about him was his expression.

He was staring at her coldly, as if he still could not believe she had a black card for the island. Was it really a big deal on this island if poor people like her had a black card?

But what was the point of being dramatic in her head? It seemed like no matter what she said, he would not change his decision. She did not know if he was the CEO, a manager, or whatever his position was on the island.

But with just one look, it was obvious that he was used to being obeyed. He was used to people on the island following his orders.

Behind him, several security guards stood quietly in their places. Even the passing employees slowed down their walking while secretly looking at them.

Alyssa felt like she suddenly became a show in the middle of the lobby. She felt like an instant celebrity because so many eyes were looking at them. But it also seemed like the people did not care about what she did. Once they passed their spot, it was like they had their own worlds and could no longer see her.

She took a deep breath. She would not allow herself to look like the one at fault.

"Excuse me?"

She shook her head slightly as she faced the man who really did not want to let her in.

"I'm sorry..." She looked at the card she was holding for a moment before focusing her eyes back on the man. "...but I don't think I am the one you should be saying that to, right?"

One of his eyebrows went up slightly. It seemed like he did not expect her to talk back. Well, of course, she was already here. This island even bothered to pick her up, only to tell her that a mistake happened. Oh no! That is not right, she just wasted her time if that was the case, right? And besides, she did not want to go home to her apartment yet, especially now that she had not found a new job.

"You are the ones with the problem." Alyssa's voice was calm, but there was force in every word. "I did not make this card." She raised the black card between them. "You are the ones saying Isla Verde is exclusive, and you are also the ones saying the card I am holding is real."

"If so..." She shrugged slightly. "...why does it feel like it is my fault?"

The place went quiet. Even without looking around, she could feel eyes staring at her.

The people there probably thought she was crazy. Who would have the courage to argue with this man? She did not know either. But she also had no plans of losing if she knew she did nothing wrong.

The man looked down again at the black card she was holding. He did not speak right away. That made Alyssa even more nervous.

She swallowed hard for a moment. She hoped they would not think the card was fake. She did not just pick it up somewhere. Someone really gave it to her.

"Miss Reyes." The man's tone became more formal. "I understand your frustration, but I am afraid I still cannot let you in."

It felt like cold water was poured over Alyssa's head. She let out a soft sigh.

"Sir..." she called out softly. "I just have a question to ask."

He nodded slightly.

"If you are going to send me away..." She paused for a moment. "...that is okay."

She saw him frown slightly. He probably did not expect her answer.

"It is really okay." She grimaced and scratched the back of her neck. "But..." She smiled hesitantly. "...could you please pay for my fare home first?"

The whole entrance went quiet. She felt like even the wind suddenly stopped.

It was embarrassing, but she really had no money. She did not even know which corner of the Philippines Isla Verde was in. For all she knew, this could be in Mindanao. How would she get home then? They really just added to her life problems.

"What?" That was the only answer the man gave.

"Well, because..." She scratched her head even more. "You picked me up. Then you said it was free. I just resigned yesterday, so I do not have a job right now."

She slightly lifted the large canvas tote bag hanging on her shoulder. She did not care if what she was doing was embarrassing. It was not her fault she ended up in this place, right?

"And honestly, I do not have much money left either."

She felt the eyes focused on her. Someone seemed to gasp. Another person seemed to hold back a cough.

She just closed her eyes for a moment.

Oh no. They were probably thinking all sorts of things about her. But what could she do? It was the truth.

If they had not picked her up, she would not have ended up on the island. Her grip on the tote bag strap tightened. The zipper was slightly open, so some of its contents peeked through.

Her small sunflower bouquet that she was planning to give as a gift. A box of chocolates wrapped with a simple birthday ribbon, a planner, and a small stuffed toy that was almost falling out of the bag.

She sighed. It seemed like all her plans for today would not push through. All she wanted was to get inside. But it looked like even before she could get inside Isla Verde...

She was already being sent home.