Verania's Point of View"Are you surprised, Verania?"I couldn't speak. I couldn't even open my lips to let out a weak sound.I couldn't even blink my eyes. I never expected him to betray us like this. It's shocking to see him.I was expecting Mayor Asuncion because I somehow found him suspicious. But, the one in front of me now? I never thought about him!Mayor Asuncion is always invited to parties along with Uncle Stan; they are the only mayors present. It's really strange, especially since most of the parties I attend are attended by the councilors in our town and of course, Uncle Stan.Add to that the trembling of the person I caught when Ares was abducted upon seeing the Mayor. That incident was puzzling; he shouldn't be scared because he knows he's facing the mayor, as if that was his fear, he wouldn't be a criminal."You seem unable to blink, Verania," he said with a smirk as he slowly sat in front of me, reaching for the cup of coffee and sipping from it.I swallowed hard and
Verania’s Point of ViewI noticed Cristoforo's eyes on me, as if pitying my current situation. I ignored it and waited for Gustavo, his father, to respond."Ah, don't worry, he's not here," he replied with a smirk, which somehow calmed me down a bit."And I want to tell you something..." Gustavo paused to glance at Cristoforo, whose eyes were still fixed on me."What? What do you want to say?" I asked, not breaking eye contact with Cristoforo."Cristoforo is the gunner of Ares' car. Cris told me you saw his eyes that night."My blood boiled upon hearing what he said.He did what?He's the one who shot? No wonder I felt something off when I saw him. I also tried to analyze his eyes now and that night of Ares' accident. Why didn't I notice? Why didn't I notice they were the same? Why did I blame Alder for this?I'm so stupid!Even though tightly bound, I tried to break free while glaring intensely at Cristoforo."Calm down, Vera. I didn't bring you here to hurt anyone," Gustavo said wit
Third Person's Point of View "Why are you doing this?" Vera's voice trembled with anxiety as she asked Gustavo, who was smiling.One by one, more members of the enemy's group entered the room, increasing the pounding in Vera's chest. She didn't know what could be done about them."Why?" Vera's question came out weakly."I've really wanted to tell you everything since earlier, I just waited for my surprises to arrive," Gustavo said, and Verania remained nervously attentive."Because you seem very interested, I expect you to listen eagerly to every detail I'll say," Gustavo added sincerely, and Vera took a deep breath and nodded, prompting Gustavo to start.This thing happened years ago.It all began with a boy named Ares, nine years old and currently in the third grade.That day was one of the happiest events in his life, perhaps the day he made a friend at school who wasn't his cousin.The boy who became his friend was named Alder, and he was even happier when he found out that their
Third Person's Point of ViewHe nodded at her, indicating his confidence had eased Ares' heart, so he slowly approached them and attempted to listen to their conversation, for in the eyes of the young Ares, there seemed to be something peculiar there, and like something he delighted in doing, he took out a small notebook from his pocket and a recording pen."What are you doing?" Tirso whispered, but instead of answering, he just gave his friend a very wicked look.He sharpened his ears and earnestly listened to the conversation. Though he couldn't understand it internally, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed this kind of conversation, as many things were revealed.Another dream of the boy's heart was to become a detective like he had read in his mother's book.Indeed, Ares started listing down the things he heard, but instead of using the Filipino Alphabet, he used a code that only he could crack for sure, of course, because he was the only one who knew it since he made it himself.Never
Third Person's Point of View"Boss, someone found us!" a man shouted loudly to Gustavo, causing Verania's face to brighten, as whoever it was could surely save Ares."And how did they find us? Only we know about this place!" Gustavo held his grip firmly as he spoke, his eyes shifting back to the man who informed him of the situation outside."Create a distraction, block whoever they are!" Gustavo shouted again, and the man who had just been there quickly disappeared from sight."Don't let them get here!" he added, prompting the others who were just inside to quickly rush out of the room they were in, likely to confront the people outside.Now, Gustavo's gaze fell on his son, Cristoforo, so Vera did the same. She directed her eyes to Cristoforo."Ares and Vera, we'll take them to the other headquarters where our other comrades are," Gustavo calmly instructed his son Cristoforo, who quickly went to where Verania was sitting.The noise o
The road is quiet, perhaps the night is getting deeper. A motorcycle parked in front of a convenience store, and from the motorcycle emerged a girl named Verania Portier. As she took off her helmet, her beautiful face appeared, with her hair flowing after being freed from the helmet.But if you sense this girl, you'll know she's not just an ordinary girl. Even just by her attire, you can tell. She's wearing military boots and black pants, with a gray racerback top covered by a leather jacket. Her posture exudes a certain toughness.After arranging her motorbike, she went straight into the convenience store and grabbed a gallon of ice cream from the freezer, taking it to the counter. After paying, she hurriedly left the store and gasped when her phone in her pocket rang. It was her friend calling.The caller was Ares Montero, the son of the current Mayor who was running for Governor of their province. "Oh, you called? It's late," the girl said gently, but weariness could be heard in he
Vera's Point of View"Currently, the Mayor's son is looking for someone to be his bodyguard," Captain said to us, as he just came from the hospital to talk to the Mayor.I immediately stood up upon hearing that, and his gaze quickly fell on me."First Lieutenant?" he asked, seeming surprised by my reaction."I volunteer for this mission," I said, raising an eyebrow. As I thought, he was indeed surprised."Are you sure? I was planning to give you a better mission," he said, but I shook my head to decline his offer."I need to do this, Captain," I said, taking a deep breath before he nodded and took a deep breath as well before responding."Well, if you insist," he replied, handing me some papers that I needed to study."The meeting is now dismissed. Verania, stay for a moment. I need to talk to you," Captain said, and my colleagues left while I stayed behind."Verania, this work isn't what you think it is," Captain began when he sat down not far from me."Yes, Captain. I already know t
Vera's Point of View "Mayor, uh, I mean Tito, does Madam Charlotte know about this?" I asked, referring to his wife."Just call her Tita too. Anyway, she doesn't know either. Only I and your colleagues at work, and now you, are aware of this," Tito Stan explained."Oh, I see. How did you tell Tita Charlotte about the fake wedding?" I asked curiously."At first, she was hesitant, but eventually agreed because she said Ares is getting older, and he needs to meet someone he can marry. So I told her that this day is when the woman I chose will come. I didn't mention a name because I thought it would be someone else. I only found out earlier that it was you, hija," Tito Stan said, nodding at me.Tita Charlotte came out first, wearing casual home attire. As soon as she spotted me, she furrowed her brow, clearly wondering why she saw me here.Well, she knows me too because we're friends with my parents, and her son Ares is also my friend."Verania? You're the one Stanley chose?" Tita Charlo