I heaved a sigh. Well, I couldn’t blame her. She has a reason for herself. And it was my grandfather’s mistake.
I couldn’t help but notice her appearance. She wore very simple clothes. Unlike the grandmothers of rich billionaires in the news, she seemed too simple and classy. Well, not in a bad way.
Just then, Phoenix appeared to us and gave us the coffee that Lola Nanding ordered him to make.
His hair was dripping wet, looking like it had just taken a bath. He was wearing a black shirt and blue shorts, different from earlier outside picking up grass and dirt.
Now that he's clean, I could smell his scent, his strong perfume. It was a clean, airy scent. He has dark brown eyes and thin lips. Its nose is pointed and its eyebrows are thick.
Thick lashes and sharp jaw. Muscular and tall. It is not white, he has tanned skin.
I diverted my eyes from him, realizing I just checked him out. He smirked at my reaction. I then looked at the coffee he made and hesitantly took one.
Gosh, I suddenly realized it. The mafia boss I thought yesterday turned out to be an heir billionaire was serving me coffee right at this moment.
It’s not that big a deal for someone, but it is for me. Should it be me serving him?
Phoenix was just standing beside me and waited for me to drink it. “What are you hesitating for? I didn’t poison it.”
I chuckled nervously. Haha. Lola Nanding scolded her grandson. “Stop it, Phoenix, you’re scaring her.”
Phoenix just shrugged and sat across from me. “So, why did you want to talk with my grandmother now?” He asked me, ignoring his grandmother who was giving him a look from beside me.
Lola Nanding sent me a small smile, looking at the both of us. “I think you two already know each other, am I right?”
We nodded our heads.
“Then that’s good. I don’t have to introduce you both.” Facing me, she cleared her throat, turning serious now.
"If you ask me, Sereia, I'm willing to sell it back to you. I know how important this land is to you. I know how much courage you mustered to come here personally about this matter.”
She then paused, before continuing. “But I already registered the title to the land with my Phoenix, my grandson. I think you should ask him about that, not me." She sighed and stood up, patting me on the shoulder. “I'll let you two talk alone. I need to go now to supervise my mini-mart."
With the two of us left alone with each other now, silence fell. Dead silence. Phoenix just stared at me, reading me and analyzing me like a specimen.
“Sereia.” He called out after a minute of just staring at each other, breaking the silence.
"Yes?” I responded to him. “What is it?”
"About this land…forgive me but I won't allow it." He said out loud, and I turned to him, finishing the coffee he just gave us. “I figured you’d say that,” I commented.
"This land is mine, Sereia, I know Lola Nanding already told this about you but let me be clear." He firmly said.
I nodded, clasping my hands in front of me. "I know it. But I'm not asking to buy it. Instead, I’m proposing that I will buy it, even without your approval.”
His jaw clenched, and I could feel him getting angrier. "That's not what I'm referring to."
I gritted my teeth, thinking of another proposal. There is no way I will lose this. "I can double my payment. I'll only buy the land. If you still want, the mansion is yours, but I need the whole land.”
He crossed his arms in front of him and leaned closer. "You’re not making any sense. Isn’t it obvious that if you buy the land, you’ll also buy the mansion?” He asked.
“And I have already planned out my business here and it's starting to grow. So if I were you, I would mind my own business."
Mind my own business? I winced at that. What is this guy's problem?
"Why do you want to buy my land again?" He asked.
I contemplated what to answer. I clearly know the answer, I just don't want to explain it.
"This is precious to me. There are many memories that happened here. Plus, I already had a plan. I want to cultivate this land and form it into my own farm and resting house."
He raised his eyebrows. "Just that?"
My eyebrows met. "What? I’m sure you know my grandfather is the past owner of this land and now, I want it back."
At this moment, both of us were standing up now. His eyes were turning dark now. "Well, princess. It's unlikely to happen because as far as I know, I didn't put a 'For Sale sign outside this house. It's mine and I'll decide whether to sell it or not."
I gritted my teeth. Damn this man. Annoying! I thought he was reasonable enough!
I sighed. Calm down, you are an elegant young lady. You are Sereia Philomena Hudson Isolde. You can do everything. Face this.
I blinked and heaved deeply. When I was calmed enough, I asked again, "You're really not going to sell it to me?"
He shook his head. "No."
I met his gaze, not daring to back down. His hazel eyes clashed against my brown eyes. I almost drowned in his gaze, feeling a bit intimidated. He then blinked, and I hatched a plan.
“What should I do for you to sell it? You’re a billionaire, right? You’re wealthy and can afford any land you want. Can’t you just give this up?”
I asked. I swear, I’ll do anything, except selling my body or fake pretending to be his wife or something because I’ll strongly reject that idea.
He paused, considering my request for a second before grinning. “Well, there is a way…”
My ears perked up at that. “What is it?”
He pointed at his lips, smirking as he looked at my lips. “A kiss…How about you kiss me?
I thought about it for a second before agreeing, “Okay.”
His eyebrows raised at that, surprised at my answer. “Wow, you’re really agreeing just like that? That easy?”
“I’m not easy. I’m just desperate right now.” I interjected him.
He shook his head. “I see. So you’re really that desperate to regain your land. You’ll really do it right?”
“Yes,” I answered and without thinking, I leaned into him and smashed my lips on his.
A gasp escapes from his lips, watching me do all of that. He really couldn’t believe it.
The kiss lasted for only a few seconds and I pulled away from him quickly.
I smirked at him, then winked. “What about now?”
I leaned into him and smashed my lips on his.A gasp escapes from his lips, watching me do all of that. He really couldn’t believe it.The kiss lasted for only a few seconds and I pulled away from him quickly.I smirked at him, then winked. “What about now?”I already gave my first kiss away anyway. It’s not like I’m losing anything. And I don’t care anymore.Phoenix blinked, pulled from a trance. He sighed dreamily, touching his lips “That was…quick.” He commented. “Can you do it again?”I jabbed him in the stomach at his comment. He yelped in pain. “Damn woman, why are you hitting me? Haha, it was just a joke.”I just rolled my eyes at him. Right in time, my phone rang and saw my mom calling. I turned to Phoenix for a second to excuse myself and stepped out of the mansion to answer my mom’s call.The
I jumped at the sound. I turned around and saw Phoenix standing by the door, his eyebrows creased that looks like he’s surprised to see me here."This was my room last time when this house was still ours,” I informed him. “I just want to take a look, see if it has changed. Then I’ll leave now.” Walking to the door to get out, I gasped as Phoenix quickly closed it and locked it.I gulped, feeling a bit nervous now. Damn, was it this man planning on doing now?Phoenix sent me a smile as he approached me."Well, you can look around more. I don’t mind.” He said, then curled his eyebrows questioningly. “Do you still want me to sell this land to you?""Yeah." Why am I nervous? Sereia Philomena Hudson Isolde should not be nervous!"You won't give up?" He asked again, now crossing his arms in front of him as if testing me."No." I firmly said, standing my ground.It&
Saying that he chuckled and went back to his room. I just shake my head, pressing my lips together.Lola Nanding turned to me, checking my expression. “I’m sorry, please get used to my grandson. He’s a bit flirty.”"It's okay, grandma. I’m used to dealing with boys like him."Lola Nanding laughed at that."Good morning, grandma." Phoenix returned now fully clothed and he sat down next to me."Good morning grandson." Lola Nanding greeted back to him.Phoenix then turned to me, "Goodmorning, Ms. Sereia.""Morning," I answer sparingly."All right let's eat." Lola Nanding announced. Our breakfast consisted of hotdogs and eggs and we ate in silence, with Lola Nanding asking a few questions about my mother."By the way, how many days are you going to stay here, Sereia?" Lola Nanding asked.I quickly swallowed the food in my mouth, drank water, and g
"I don't care. I’ll take Instagram pictures there so I have to be in a dress." I responded confidently, positioning my shades properly. I looked at the wall clock located at the wall to see that it was quarter to four in the afternoon."Come on, should we go now before the sky turns dark?” I suggested.He sighed, mumbling something and I just rolled my eyes at him. He then motioned for me to follow him and when we were outside, I spotted a carabao."Meet Brownie. My cute pet." Phoenix introduced as he petted the carabao's head. "C'mon, pet her." The carabao then moved."Her?" I asked, a bit cautious. I mean, of course, I had encountered animals like this. I am a veterinarian for goodness sake."Yeah, Brownie's a girl. C'mon, hold her. She's not going to bite you."I gulped, taking a step hesitantly. I’m a veterinarian for goodness sake. Why am I nervous now? Beside me, Phoenix seems to enjoy my nervo
I nodded, “Yes.” Really, mom was famous here. I guess it's a small town. Everyone knows everyone.She gently smiled at me as her eyes lit up as if remembering something, “I think I remember you, dear. You were running around here when you were young. Time really flies by so fast, you grew up so beautiful like your mom.” I laughed nervously at that, not sure what I should reply.“That’s why I was sad when your family moved from here. Can I ask where she is now?”Phoenix interjected, “Aunt Gabriela is back at our mansion for a visit. And Sereia here came to check on things, right Sereia?”I nodded.A farmer near where we were standing whispered in Phoenix's ears. "Boss. Is she your girlfriend?""No.""Yes."We said simultaneously. I glared at Phoenix as I saw that there was a silly smile on his face. He then attempted to put his arm on my sh
I looked at Phoenix’s reaction, seeing him chuckling at the woman. So, the two of them are close...Hmmm...It seemed like Phoenix forgot that I was also here beside him for a minute as they chatted for a bit until the woman darted her eyes on me and blinked.She raised her eyebrows at Phoenix, “And who is this girl?”“She’s my friend. Her name is Sereia.” Phoenix answered and looked at me, “And Sereia, this is my childhood friend Maria.”Maria gulped, looked at me with something in her eyes before offering her hands for me to shake, “Hello, Sereia. I am Maria.” She said with a smile, but I felt her hands tightening her grip on me, “It’s good to meet you.”I smiled back, “Yes, it’s good to meet you too, Maria.”Aling Nora now arrived, holding a t-shirt and some shorts, and handed it to me. I thanked her and asked where I cou
He asked. “You could wake up the whole neighborhood from all that snoring.”I sat upright and stared at him. I wiped my face first to remove any drool on my face and brushed my hair with my fingers. I cleared my throat, feeling it was dry. “I don’t snore. And have you heard of the saying ‘stop making jokes like that to a person who just woke up? You don’t know what will happen if you continue.”He just chuckled at me, still peeling on the mangoes."What time is it?"He looked at his wristwatch. "It’s two in the afternoon"I blinked at that, "I thought you'd arrive at three o'clock?""Yes, I thought too. But I wanted to arrive earlier so I drove faster.” He responded and I nodded."Why didn't you wake me up?"He shrugged, "Well, I don’t want to wake you up. You know you look innocent and peaceful to look at when you sleep. I think I much pr
The rest of our walk to the paddy field of his farm was spent in silence and before we knew it, we arrived now. Just like what happened yesterday, Phoenix grabbed the snacks from me and gave it to the farmers who were now on break.They said they happened to miss something so they have to work extra hard today. After eating, they instantly went back to work."Now stay there. One two three, smile." I heard Phoenix muttering beside me and instantly, a flash from his phone was there. I was shocked when someone flashed in my eye. My mouth fell open and I gnashed on my teeth. I turned to Phoenix to see him grinning while holding his phone.I blinked at him, "What's that Phoenix?""Uhm, isn't it obvious? I'm taking Instagram photos for you." He answered."Why?"He put his hands on his lip, facing me, "Because you said you wanted to take a picture yesterday,”"Oh, but that was only yeste