Chapter 19

We were heading into their house in Makati after we landed fifteen minutes ago at the Manila International Airport. I still couldn't believe I was in the Philippines. I've heard it from my parents and seen them online. I really wanted to go here, but I don't have enough money and if I have, what else do I have to do?

If this wasn't temporary, I could live like this, but I know I couldn't live a life with a Galluccio. That was super hectic.

I knew he noticed how I entertained myself by watching all the places we passed by. He could say what he wanted to say to me, it was my first time to set foot in this country. He told me he had been here before, which was good for him, but I hoped he wouldn't take away the experience I was getting. But if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here.

I wasn't sure if I should be grateful for him or not because I knew at the end of the day, he would push it to my face and he would get all the credit. I should be thanking his parents and not him. So much hate.

"We're closer to our house, keep yourself steady," he ordered, and I stayed sitting upright in my seat.

The car entered an exclusive village which said was Forbes Park. I haven't heard of it before so I don't know what to expect. As we were traversing down the streets, it slowly got into me, and finding out that this wasn't just a normal and exclusive village because all I could see were mansions and they were all gorgeous—looking all so expensive like the ones in Beverly Hills, which I've never been into as well. Just a little comparison.

"Does your family really live here?" I asked Konstantin.

"You shouldn't be surprised," he said, and I immediately got annoyed by his arrogant response. "Of course, our family lives here. There wouldn't be any other places. I'm going to look after you, Miss Aramouni."

My brow raised when he said those words. "And why? I don't think you should."

"A lot of rich families are living in this village. I don't want to see you roaming around. Someone like you who make a living out of stealing, it wouldn't be a good thing for a Galluccio to bring one in this place."

It was kind of repetitive and offensive when he kept bringing that subject into our conversation. I just tried to act like it didn't hurt me because I was doing it for some reason. I wasn't doing it just because I needed to have fun. He doesn't know that. Of course, he doesn't know that. He doesn't care about me and my life. He only brought me into this country so he could show everyone how good of a man he is—which is the total opposite of what I was seeing.

I didn't comment or react to what he said. I let it go because if I rebutted his argument, that subject wouldn't end.

"Do you understand me, Miss Aramouni?" he asked, snapping his fingers to make me look into his eyes.

I shifted my eyes to see his face. "I don't have to understand it. I know what I'm doing."

"Well, we'll see that." He smirked. Unbelievable. I just knew he didn't trust me. Well, ditto.

It didn't take us too long when we reached the Galluccio Mansion. The car entered through the huge metal gate and we headed straight into the driveway which was wide enough to fill more than ten cars. 

As soon as the car stopped in front of the mansion's entrance, staff opened the door on my side, the same as Konstantin's door. I went out of the car and I was greeted by the staff. I wasn't used to this kind of treatment so I waited for Konstantin, and I just followed him as we walked inside the house. We weren't in the public eye so basically he doesn't care about me. He wouldn't hold my hand, open the door for me, or what does a good gentleman do. I just don't think he was that kind of person. Far from what everybody thinks about him.

Inside their mansion, a staff offered us some glasses of wine which I took because it was free. Konstantin didn't get one. As I looked around, this mansion was bigger than the mansion in Mykonos. I think it doubled the size since there was so much space like I could run without bumping into anyone, well except for expensive things placed in every corner of the room.

"Miss Aramouni, this is Serg and he will take you to your room," he said.

I looked at the person he was referring to. I think it was one of his staff. He was wearing a vest and looking so formal. He was smiling at me. Konstantin told me a few words before he patted his shoulder and walked away.

"Hey, where are you going?" I shouted, calling his attention, but he didn't look back at me. Fuck you, Konstantin.

The man who's named Serg came to me and introduced himself once again. I wasn't listening to what he was saying as I was pissed off from Konstantin. The next thing I knew, Serg repeated what he was telling me and he said he would show me the way to my room. I didn't realize I would be getting my room. I was kind of excited to see what it would be like.

We went to the second floor where Serg started telling me some of the areas I could go into. Long before we could reach another room, we stopped at the end of the hallway where he told me we were at the room where I would be staying. He opened the door for me and invited me inside. He switched the lights on and there I saw how huge the room was. It was even bigger than what I stayed in their mansion in Mykonos.

Serge continued telling me things about to me which I barely understood because I wasn't focusing on what he was saying.

"I'm sorry, what is it again?"

"If you need something else, you can call us through the telephone and our staff will get in touch with you."

"Okay, sure thing. . . Thanks for letting me know," I said. "And what about my bags?"

"It will be brought here at any moment, Ma'am. For now, do you need anything else?"

I shook my head. "No, nothing, thanks. I'll let you know when I need something."

"Okay, ma'am. We will let you know once your bags are here. Thank you."

Serg left the room and lay down on the bed thinking what else I could do. I looked at the time, it was four in the afternoon and I felt so sleepy. I climbed up to the bed and got myself under the blanket. The air conditioner made the room chill quickly. I closed my eyes and I was ready to take a rest when I heard the door slammed open. I didn't get up because I knew who would it be and when I turned around to see who it was, I wasn't wrong when I found out that it was Konstantin.

"Get up there, Miss Aramouni. We're leaving."

I sat on the bed frowning and crossing my arms just to make him see that I wasn't pleased with what he did. "Did we just arrive? Why are we leaving? Where are we going? Can we just take a moment and rest for now? We've been flying for more than fifteen hours. You should get some sleep and I don't want to come with you."

"No. You're coming with me," he said, very determined. I went back to positioning myself by lying down, but he grabbed the blanket over me and pulled it away. I rolled my eyes and my shoulder dropped. "Why would it have to be me? Could you just bring someone else? Franklin should be here so he would be the one you would be dragging elsewhere."

"Come on, don't be hard-headed."

I grunted. I felt like whatever reason I would say, he wouldn't let it go. "Okay, fine. Where are we going?"

"You've asked too many questions. Just get up from the bed and come with me."

"You didn't even answer my question!"

"Come on, don't make me wait, Miss Aramouni. I hate tardy people."

I rolled my eyes as he made that statement and turned around from me. I've got no other choice, but to do what he said. The good thing here is that my bags arrived in my room, but Konstantin just told Serg to leave them there because we were leaving. I thought I could get away with it, but hell no, not a single chance he said.

I followed him as we went downstairs. He just told a few people that we were leaving and once we got out of the house, a car was already waiting for us. He walked inside first and didn't even wait for me. The staff closed the door for me as I settled inside. I looked at Konstantin and I think he was having a good time in treating me like this. It wasn't even fun.

Konstantin told the driver to go to a seaside shopping mall and hotel in Pasay. I wasn't familiar with it, but wherever he wanted us to go, I've got no choice. I was crossing my arms throughout the ride and I wasn't even talking to him when he asked some questions. I was giving him the silent treatment which I thought he deserved.

Time flies so fast even when we are in traffic. I didn't expect how busy the highways were in Manila. I felt like this would be the last time I would set foot in this place and made me fly back to Mykonos. 

When we reached our destination, the driver dropped us off in front of the S Maison building. I have no idea what it was and what we were doing here. From what I've noticed, it seemed like it was a shopping mall and a hotel. I was kind of confused, so when Konstantin grabbed my hand, it made me more confused. We were holding our hands as we walked inside the premises and I wasn't wrong when I figured out that it was a shopping mall, but Konstantin corrected me that it was also a hotel. Well, I wasn't wrong, too, because I've thought of that.

"What are we doing here?" I asked him, almost a whisper. "And why do you have to hold my hand? I don't think anyone would care about it. Some of these people might not even know us so who cares?"

He looked at me, his eyes straight to mine. "Just hold my hand. You'll be fine. Just don't say anything stupid, alright?"

I rolled my eyes at him. He smirked as if he had already gotten used to that kind of reaction from me. One thing I noticed was that he was carrying a small paper bag. I'm not sure if it was for me or whatever. 

We went straight to a restaurant and there he asked for the reservation he made. A staff assisted us inside and he told the restaurant staff that there was still one more guest that would arrive so whoever mentioned his name, they should get into our table as well. I was about to ask him who we were about to meet, but his phone rang so he answered it.

Later on, he was looking right into the restaurant's entrance and there was a girl behind the staff who walked us in earlier. I watched Konstantin excitedly get up on his chair and meet the girl. I don't know what to do. I remained in my seat while he gave her kisses on both cheeks. Earlier, he was holding my hands and now, he was kissing other girls' cheeks. What the fuck, Konstantin?

But this girl seemed so nice and simple, she was wearing a dress and wavy long brown hair suited her. She wasn't tall as she only stood by Konstantin below his shoulder. What surprised me was the paper bag he was carrying was for her. He handed it over to her and she was so happy to receive it. I felt like I wasn't needed here. 

She was so grateful until her eyes shifted to me and made a little gasp.

"Oh, Miss Aramouni. This is my good friend whom I met in Cape Town. . . Meet Xiomara. Xiomara, meet Atissa." It wasn't special as he introduced me to her, but I stood up on my chair to greet her formally. I hugged her and I noticed she couldn't stop looking at me. I thought it was weird, but I let it go.

Am I third-wheeling now? Oh, fuck.

***