5

V E R A : P O V

“Ma’am, right this way please,” a staff member politely called to me, pointing to a rack of expensive clothes inside the boutique. “Please feel free to choose any outfit you’d like to wear.”

I blinked and immediately turned to look at Sir Brooklyn.

“But… Sir,” I said softly, feeling nervous, “I don't have the money to pay for this, and I’ve only just started working—”

“Shhh…” he interrupted, smiling slightly. “Go on and pick one. This is my treat.”

It felt like my world suddenly came to a standstill at his words. I didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or happy. In my entire life, this was the first time I had ever set foot in a store like this. Every outfit hanging there seemed to cost more than several months of my earnings.

Hours passed as I carefully made my choices, until my eyes landed on a simple dress. It wasn't the most grand, but to me, it was the most expensive piece of clothing I had ever held in my life.

When I put it on, I could hardly believe the woman looking back at me in the mirror.

It was a breathtakingly beautiful dress that suited me perfectly.

The staff carefully did my hair and styling. From my hair and light makeup down to the smallest details of my appearance, they fixed everything to match what I was wearing. Bit by bit, the simple Vera I was used to seeing every day seemed to disappear.

“You look so gorgeous, Vera…” Sir Brooklyn whispered softly yet clearly, his eyes fixed on me.

My cheeks suddenly flushed warm.

Even my overall look was entrusted to the dress shop, making everything blend together effortlessly. I looked like a wealthy woman in what I was wearing. I never imagined I would reach a point where I could witness a beauty I never expected of myself.

And for the very first time, I felt… as though I, too, was a woman capable of lighting up an entire room.

—-----------------------------------

AT THE AIRPORT…

“Draven… honey, it’s been a year now. We’re finally back in the Philippines, and I’m ready to become Mrs. Villareal,” the woman said happily, clinging tightly to Draven’s arm. The excitement was obvious in her eyes after their long stay abroad.

“Of course, honey,” Draven replied softly, smiling at her as they walked slowly out of the airport.

Minutes passed…

“Honey… where is your father? I thought he was picking us up himself instead of his staff? Why isn't he here yet—

Savannah wasn't able to finish her sentence when a luxury car suddenly pulled up right in front of them. The door opened immediately, prompting both of them to look over.

“Oh, my father is here after all,” Draven said politely, adjusting his coat.

Inside the car, Vera could clearly see Brooklyn. But she couldn't help staring even more at Draven.

He was completely different now. He was no longer like the man she used to know, who had almost nothing and was willing to exhaust himself just to give her a proper life.

Was I the only reason why he couldn't return to his family while we were living together? What was the reason? If he was rich all along, why did he struggle alongside me back then and—

“VERA…” Brooklyn suddenly called from inside the car, snapping her out of her deep train of thought.

Vera froze for a moment, staring at Brooklyn.

“I’M SORRY, SIR…” she said softly, bowing her head slightly. She forced her face to remain calm, even though she could feel her hands trembling.

She took a deep breath before adjusting her dress, then slowly stepped out of the car to fetch the luggage for the newly arrived Draven and Savannah.

She slightly averted her gaze as she approached the back of the vehicle, wanting to hide the anxiety she was trying hard to conceal behind her composed movements.

I-I can do this… He probably won't recognize me with my new look anyway. How I look right now is so far from how I used to look before… she whispered softly to herself before finally opening the car door.

Yet despite forcing herself to stay calm, she couldn't stop her heart from beating wildly as she drew closer to Draven.

The moment Vera stepped out of the vehicle, she immediately bowed to them to hide the panic rising in her chest.

“Welcome back, Ma’am… Sir,” she greeted politely, reaching for the suitcases.

“Wait…” Draven spoke up.

Vera stopped dead in her tracks. It felt as though the air around them suddenly grew heavy as Draven slowly turned his head toward her.

Did he recognize me? she whispered softly to herself, forcing her face to remain composed.

“What happened, honey? Is there a problem with her?” Savannah asked, clinging to Draven’s arm.

Draven looked her up and down from head to toe before letting out a slight smirk.

“It just annoys me. I feel like she’s trying to get my attention,” Draven said coldly, judging Vera instantly despite her having done nothing wrong.

Vera’s eyes widened slightly at his words. She quickly lowered her head so her reaction wouldn't show.

“O-oh… that’s not true at all. I was just taking the—

“Are you seducing my fiancé? Don’t tell me you’re trying to get his attention?” Savannah asked haughtily, her eyebrow raised as she glared intensely at Vera.

Vera froze for a second. She hadn't expected the woman to treat her that way right off the bat. But instead of answering, she only tightened her grip on the luggage while swallowing the heavy weight building up in her chest.