ESMERALDA lined up all the clothes she had sewn. Jeremy personally chose her outfit for the beach outing tomorrow. He wanted to make sure that she would look beautiful and she would wear something nice. He liked the dresses which she had sewn and designed herself. But she hesitated on wearing them because Amadeus might think she was dressing up for him.
Esmeralda caught her cheeks and looked at her reflection in the dresser as she sat on the bed. Amadeus was in the next room while having a conversation with Jeremy. He and her neighbors stayed at her place the whole day, planning to build shelters and Amadeus helping the houses that were damaged by the typhoon. After that, Jeremy, who was craving for attention, left him alone.
She did not know how to deal with Amadeus. Just when she thought he had turned his attention to other women, he followed her to San Luis to torture her. He showed nothing but kindness to everyone. If she said something against Amadeus, no one would believe her because her neighbors thought he was an angel.
What am I going to do with him? What should I say? What if he suddenly kisses me? She could refuse him, but she was not sure how long she could deny Amadeus. Even if they had an agreement, Esmeralda must build herself up when he left. Amadeus was so infuriated Esmeralda was sure he would leave her with nothing.
It was around nine in the evening when Esmeralda knocked on Jeremy's room. Amadeus rubbing his eyes, opened the door. "Sorry. I fell asleep after reading a book to Jeremy."
She went inside her brother's room and made sure his blanket was fixed. Jeremy was sleeping soundly and with a smile on his face. Maybe because he could finally do the things that he only used to read from the books.
“Why is his private nurse not around?” Amadeus asked.
“I can take care of him myself,” Esmeralda replied in a cold tone.
"You should have brought the nurse her for better care. He still needs a private nurse. I'll pay. If you don't want to confuse his former nurse, I'll get a new one."
“I-it’s up to you.” She would never win over him anyway. “I’ll call Topher to let him know you’re on your way.” Amadeus will stay at his place.
Amadeus caught her shoulders. “There’s something else I want to tell you.”
Her eyebrow arched. “What is it? Will you ask for the payment now?” she asked and pulled him to her room.
“W-what do you mean?”
“Stop acting innocent, will you? Should we do it now?”
She took her dress off and threw it on the dresser. She was only wearing her underwear. The conversation would take longer if she resisted. She had already accepted her fate. She was a slave to Amadeus, and she will never escape him. She had to follow the deal. He already owned her.
“Just tell me what you want me to do. I know you are the adventurous type when it comes to this. I’m your slave, remember?” she said casually as if she would just cook or do the laundry and not have sex with him.
To her amusement, Amadeus picked her clothes and handed them to her. "Wear it."
Esmeralda froze. “What?”
He put the clothes on her head as she was a child. “I did not come here for that.”
“What did you come here for?”
"I just want to tell you goodnight, and I am glad you are joining the tour tomorrow. I know you and Jeremy have been through a lot for the past months. You deserve a break." He caught her shoulders and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Take a rest. See you tomorrow. Lock the door when I leave."
Esmeralda was left stunned. What did just happen? She looked like a fool who was offering herself and got rejected in return. He was not after 'that.' Who was he fooling? Or maybe he just wanted to embarrass her.
But she did not feel that Amadeus shamed her for throwing herself at him. He did not make fun of her. She felt that he respected her. He was treating her differently than before.
She quickly went down after putting her clothes back. He needed to clarify what he really wanted from her.
When she reached the stairs, the door was already closed. When she peaked at the window, Amadeus was already outside, starting his car.
Esmeralda gnashed her teeth. What was his real plan for returning to San Luis? What was her intention toward her?
Amadeus dela Merced was such a nuisance in her life.