Adela's Point of View
I reluctantly sat in front of Primo's car as he grinned widely at me.
"Erase that smile from your face, it's not amusing," I calmly said, and he grinned even more before turning to the driver's seat.
"Why? Am I too handsome when I smile? Can't you stare at me for long?" he replied, starting his car.
It's impressive that his parents already allowed him to drive, while I'm of the right age, but still not allowed to drive.
"No, you're not handsome."
"Is my face still not handsome to you? What do you call someone with a more average face like mine? A monkey?" he said, making me raise an eyebrow, his arrogance!
I just don't like his smile; it reminds me of Archer being so happy with Margareth. I wish I could become Margareth so that Archer might like me. Just kidding, they deserve each other if they love each other, so I have no right to interfere, even in my dreams.
"I thought Olivia was coming with us? Where is she?" I asked, wondering, because Olivia was the one who invited us today.
It's Ares' birthday, Primo's cousin, two days from now, and Olivia wants to buy a gift for her brother.
I'll buy a gift too, just like Primo, so we decided to go together since we're buying the same gift for Ares.
I'm not close to Ares, so I need to ask them what's a good gift for his birthday.
We were quiet during the trip to Olivia's house. It's nice that Primo didn't bother me anymore. He was singing along to random songs while driving, and when he got a bit bored, he played various songs. While he's doing that, I was busy observing each place. I just want to be familiar with this area, so I won't get lost.
We finally arrived in front of Olivia's house. Their house looks beautiful, and you can immediately notice its European style from the outside.
Olivia approached us with a frown, wearing casual clothes and no bag.
"Why haven't you changed yet? I thought you were coming with me? I mean, you invited me," Primo said, and Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Ares asked me to do a job for him, so I'm busy now. You two just enjoy, okay?" Olivia said, excusing herself.
"Seems like you're stuck with me," Primo said, flashing a very charming smile.
"Yeah, whatever. This day is so unlucky," I said, and he chuckled.
"Don't worry, honey. I will make it your happiest unlucky day," Primo said, and I just shook my head.
"What the? So annoying! Come on, let's go to the mall!" I said, and he quickly started his car.
We were quiet during the trip until we reached the mall.
"Too bad Olivia isn't here," I said, and Primo glanced at me with a frown.
He got out of his car, and I rolled my eyes. Imagine leaving me here with this kid.
I unbuckled my seatbelt, but before I could fully take it off, Primo had already opened his car door.
I looked over and saw him waiting, his jaw clenched when our eyes met. I got out, and he closed the door.
"Where are we going to buy?" I asked as we walked together towards the mall's entrance.
As usual, I was wearing gray wool twill shorts and a black ¾ sleeves top with a turtle neck, tucked in the shorts. I had casual black sneaker shoes on and carried a sling bag. My long black hair was tied in a ponytail.
Primo, on the other hand, wore a navy blue polo shirt and khaki shorts, with rubber shoes.
"It depends," he replied shortly.
"I don't know what to give Ares. I thought Olivia was coming, so I didn't bother thinking about it."
We remained silent until we entered the mall.
"I should have just gone to the convenience store to buy a gift," he said, scratching his head and scanning the mall.
Convenience store? What gift could he possibly get there? Mineral water?
"Convenience store, are you sure?" I asked, meeting his gaze. I cringed in my mind as I felt the unpleasant pounding of my heart. He nodded as an answer to my confirmation.
"What gift are you going to buy there for him? Shake? Mineral water? Junk foods? Sisig?" I asked in astonishment because I couldn't figure it out.
Maybe he was just joking about going to the convenience store?
"Tss, none of those. I was going to buy condoms for Ares," he replied with a grin, making my eyes widen, and I looked around to see if anyone heard him.
He's saying things so loudly!
"Co-condom? Are you serious?"
"It will help him. Who knows, maybe he doesn't want to have kids yet. Don't you want that? Safety!" he arrogantly said, so I smacked his arm hard. But it only hurt me.
"You're not like Ares!" I said, and he raised an eyebrow.
"How would you know? Have you met him?"
"Yes, I have. Unlike you, he acts far from the behavior of a professional womanizer like you," I said calmly, and he sighed and clenched his jaw again. He looks like he's holding back. If he's going to say something rude to me, why doesn't he just do it?
He walked silently, and I followed, and we stopped at a fashion store. He went in, and I followed suit.
"I wonder what's a good gift," I said, looking around.
"Miss!" I called a sales lady, and she quickly approached me.
"What's a good gift for a guy celebrating his birthday?" I asked, and her eyes widened. She probably didn't expect my question.
"Is it for Mr. Montero ma'am?" she asked.
She knows him? How?
"Do you know him?" I asked, and she nodded.
"Yes, ma'am. The Monteros are well-known here. You're probably not from around here, right?" she asked, and I nodded.
"I'm from Baguio. Just on vacation here," I said, swallowing the lie. I can't spread the news that I'm Archer's fiancée, or else he might become a dragon, and I'll leave their house without explaining anything to his Mom.
"Wow, that's quite far," she said.
"Are you Sir Primo's girlfriend?" she asked, stumbling over her words. Her cheeks started to turn red.
I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at Primo who was busy choosing clothes.
Me? His girlfriend? Will never happen.
"Nope, do you like him?" I asked her directly.
She didn't answer and blushed even more.
"Miss, by the way, he's not the one I'm buying a gift for. You know Ares Montero? He's the one I'm buying a gift for," I said, and she nodded.
"Ah, Sir Ares then," she said and led me to the hoodies section.
"Sir Ares likes hoodies. Try picking one here," she suggested while following me.
"Do they have this reputation here because of their business? Or is there another reason?" I asked as I looked at the hoodies.
"Ah, their grandfather, Mr. Thaddeus Montero, is one of the best businessmen, and he teaches a lot of people how to manage all his businesses. Sir Thaddeus is respected, and he's really kind!" she happily said, and I nodded.
"Is this okay?" I asked, facing her with a hoodie in hand.
"Yes, but I know he already has many like that. You might want to look around; he might find something else he likes," she suggested, so I nodded.
"So that's one of the reasons, business?" I asked, putting back the hoodie.
"One of the reasons, ma'am. The other reason is because of Madam Dorothy Buendia-Montero, Sir Thaddeus' wife."
"Madam Dorothy Buendia? Are they the same person?" I asked, and she touched her chin.
"Yes! That's the name she used even after marrying Sir Thaddeus. I heard Sir Thaddeus asked her to do that."
"Wow, I didn't know that! One of the best landscape architects is one of the Monteros," I said in surprise.
"I am a landscape designer myself," I added.
"I also design indoor gardens," I continued, but she seemed uninterested in plants, so I stopped talking about it.
"How did you get to know them all? I mean, you seem to know a lot about the Monteros," I asked her, curious about how she had so much information about them.
"My father works at their resort," she replied, and I nodded.
"How old are you? You seem quite young," I inquired.
"Ah, I'm only eighteen," she answered.
"Eighteen? Are you saving up for college?" I asked, as she seemed too young to be working.
She nodded.
I found a hoodie that I liked and glanced at Primo. He and Ares are almost the same build, so I looked at Primo to see if it would suit him. I sighed in relief when I saw it would.
"I'll get this one," I said, and she took it, smiling at me.
I walked over to Primo, and when I looked at him, I was surprised to find him staring directly at me. It felt like he was studying my every move, so I quickly looked away.
I hate to admit it, but my heart was racing. I couldn't help but be affected by his gaze. It was just a stare, but my heart was racing so fast.
"Done shopping?" he asked as I approached him, and I nodded in response.
"D-did you buy something too?" I asked, stumbling over my words.
Why am I stumbling over my words? There's no reason for me to be nervous!
'Calm down, Adela, you don't need to think about that,' I told myself.
"Yeah, I bought pants."
"Let's have lunch here," he suggested, and I nodded.
When I paid for the item I bought, I followed Primo as he walked ahead of me.
The mall was quite crowded, so I didn't take my eyes off Primo. The mall is so vast and confusing; I don't want to get lost.
During our first visit here with Olivia, I didn't try to familiarize myself with the place because it's too confusing with all the twists and turns.
"There are getting more people," Primo commented, glancing at me.
"Where are we going to eat?" I asked, giving him a brief look.
"At Olivia's restaurant branch here in the mall."
"They have one here?"
He nodded, and I was surprised when he reached for the paper bag containing the gift I bought. My lips slightly parted when he held my hand that was holding the paper bag.
I gulped as I felt my heart race faster. This is bad, he's just holding my hand!
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