Chapter 5

Alyssa quietly stared at the man in front of her.

 "Not yet. Until I know who sent you."

 That was all he said. There was no extra explanation. There was also no change in his cold expression.

 Alyssa's lips parted slightly but she closed them again. She felt like it was useless to speak anyway. Just from the way the man stared, she knew he had already made a decision. So why would she waste her breath if his mind was really closed.

 She breathed slowly and faced the man. His handsomeness was really a waste because he seemed too inconsiderate. It was not her fault why she ended up in this place.

 "Okay, sir." Her voice was soft.

 Thinking about it, she really had no choice. She could not go inside. She also could not leave because she did not know how to go home. And most of all, she also wanted to know why she was there.

 She slowly looked down while looking at her own shoes. She still could not believe it. Just yesterday she was taking a last call from an angry customer. Now she was standing on an island that seemed to be only for billionaires.

 Sometimes, life is really good at joking. But could it be that she was not the one being played with? Could life just play with the person in front of her, since he is already rich anyway. Then her, who already lost her job, was even chosen to be played by life.

 It is really great, so great!

 "Chief Ramos."

 Her thoughts were cut off when someone suddenly spoke.

 "Sir."

 "Escort Miss Reyes to the waiting lounge."

 The head of security nodded. "Right away, sir."

 He approached her and politely bowed a little.

 "This way, Miss."

 She first looked at the black card that was still in Chief Ramos's hand.

 That damn black card, it brings trouble!

 "Ah..." She hesitated a little. "Can I..."

 She stopped walking and the two men were both looking at her now.

 "My card, sir..." She scratched her head again. "It will not get lost, right?"

 The surroundings were quiet for a few seconds.

 She grimaced. Oops!

 Her question seemed embarrassing. The people here were probably not thieves.

 Chief Ramos smiled politely. "It will remain under our custody for the meantime, Miss."

 She nodded. "Okay, sir."

 She could not do anything anyway. Come to think of it, that card was the only evidence that she did not just ride the van carelessly earlier. She sighed before completely following Chief Ramos.

 ~

 Upon entering the lobby, Alyssa's steps naturally slowed down. She could not stop looking around. Earlier she only saw up to the entrance but now she was even more amazed at what she was seeing.

 The ceiling was very high. There were big crystal chandeliers hanging in the middle and sparkling with every hit of light. The white marble floor was so clear she could almost see her own reflection.

 On both sides, there were indoor fountains where water slowly fell on big gray rocks. There were plants whose names she did not know but it was obvious they were cared for every day.

 Even the air felt different. There was a fresh smell mixed with the sea and some perfume that she could not explain. She felt like she was no longer in the Philippines. Or maybe she was just really not used to this kind of world. Who would also think that there is a place like this in the Philippines?

 What if she is really not in the Philippines? My God! She did not know how she would go home if that was the case, what happened was just extra stress and problems.

 She walked quietly while looking at every corner. There were men in customized suits. There were women wearing long summer dresses that were obviously expensive. There was even a little girl running while being followed by two nannies.

 She blinked. So there are children here too. She thought she would only see old millionaires.

 While they were walking, she noticed some people glancing at her. They did not stare for a long time. Just a quick look and then they would continue with what they were doing again.

 She looked down, maybe it was really obvious that she did not belong in this place.

 She glanced at herself. With what she was wearing it was really obvious that she was not rich but she did not care anymore.

 The glass doors opened automatically. She stopped even more. Wide glass covered the whole place so the sparkling sea was very visible. There were white sofas that looked very soft. There was a bookshelf in one corner. There was a grand piano at the other end. And in the middle, there was a small coffee bar made of white marble.

 The whole lounge was quiet. There were only a few people sitting while reading newspapers or quietly drinking coffee.

 "Please wait here, Miss."

 She looked at Chief Ramos while a lot of questions were flying in her brain.

 But one of her questions was how could she convince the man from earlier to let her stay in this place first? Because if she went out, she did not know where she would end up. It seemed better to live here, who knows everything might be free right? Then, she would be very lucky.

 She nodded at Chief Ramos.

 "Okay, sir."

 "Someone will assist you shortly."

 After saying that, he bowed a little before completely leaving. She was left alone so she slowly walked towards the empty sofa near the glass.

 She sat slowly on the sofa and her body almost sank immediately because it was so soft. Her eyes got big and she even looked at the sofa.

 Are the sofas of rich people really this soft? It was like it did not want to let her stand up anymore.

 She smiled at her own thoughts. Later on, her eyes went to the sea.

 The water was very clear. Even the white sand could be seen from where she was sitting. Not far away, there was a big yacht slowly docking at the private port.

 She did not realize that she sighed. The place was very quiet. Very far from the noise of the production floor that she was used to for five years. No continuous ringtones. No complaining customers. No supervisor checking the metrics.

 Just the sea and silence, but instead of feeling lighter, she felt even more nervous.

 She still did not know why she was there. She did not know who sent the Black Card. And she especially did not know what was waiting for her inside Isla Verde.

 She slowly tightened her grip on the strap of the tote bag on her lap. For the first time since she arrived on the island, she felt like she opened a door that she might never be able to close again.

 Alyssa quietly flinched when the glass door of the lounge suddenly opened.

 She looked back and saw Damien Montenegro walking inside once again. His steps were straight until he stopped in front of her. He was still holding the matte black card, while his cold eyes were focused only on her.

 "Miss Reyes." His voice was calm but heavier than earlier. "Come with me." He stopped for a moment before speaking again. "I think it is time you tell me the truth."

 Alyssa frowned.

 "The Black Card you presented is authentic." He slowly placed the card on the table between them. "Now tell me..." His look became slightly sharper at her. "From whom did you steal this card?"

 Alyssa just stared at the man. She felt like her breathing also stopped for a few seconds before she finally gasped.

 What? Stolen? She did not know if she should laugh or get annoyed. But in the way Damien stared, it was clear that he was not asking just to guess. He believed that she was hiding something.