We reached the mansion in a while, and I decided to get rest. I didn’t have a phone, that’s why I couldn’t call Ian. When I woke up, it was almost dinner time. Silence prevailed inside my room, and all I could think about was food inside my tummy.

I stood up from the bed and checked the time on my bedside table. Five pm, huh? Sighing, I opened the door, and the silent hallway faced me. I could not hear the voice of Karlo from anywhere. I was still spacing out just because I was newly awakened when a housemaid emerged from the end of the staircase. She saw me from my doorway, which made her alert in her stance.

“Madame,” she acknowledged my presence. “I am asked by Sir Diego to call you for dinner.”

“Oh, you’re done cooking?” I curiously asked.

“No, madame. Sir Diego was the one who cooked for both of you. He just made me clean the living room.”

I furrowed my eyebrows and blinked. “Does he always cook or just now?”

“Most of the time, yes, madame.”

Hmmmm, so all of the delicious meals I have been eating for the past months were cooked by him? This talented man never failed to impress me.

“Okay, thanks,” I said lastly, dismissing the maid in front of me.

“You’re welcome, madame.”

My yawns were a series, reckoning that I slept for a long time. But I must admit that I am relaxed after stressing over the Red Cartel thingy Karlo introduced to me, with its headquarters and Gaidel simping over him. I chuckled because of it.

Even before I could reach the kitchen, the smell of Afritada was already tempting my nostrils. It’s my favorite family dish! Like a kid, I tiptoed towards the kitchen and peeked over the counter. My eyes found Diego’s back. He was facing the stove while stirring something in a hot casserole, wearing a black shirt, shorts, and a pair of home slippers. His broad shoulders were flexing themselves the more he moved, and I could distinguish the power of his workout routine because of the muscles escaping from the hems of his shirt.

When I slightly fell from where I stood, I consciously noticed that I was already hanging my jaw and not blinking, just to assess this man of Adonis. Snap out of it, Minerva! What are you even doing?! Just act normal. It’s not like he is attractive or something. It’s just new to you to see him cooking!

After I berated myself, I composed my body and stood straight before walking towards him. I cleared my throat so he would notice me. Karlo looked at me, who was licking his lower lip, and hovered his gaze over me.

“What are you doing?” I asked, trying to act cool even though I was mesmerized by his presence here in the kitchen.

“Cooking,” he simply stated the obvious, and scooped an amount of sauce from the Afritada. He slowly offered the ladle with sauce to my face. “Have some taste. I want to hear your opinion.”

My eyes squinted, while he remained excited and curious. His hand was gently supporting the ladle, as if the sauce would fall if I didn't taste it sooner. He blew it and then neared it to my mouth, urging me to taste.

Oh, shit. It tastes magnificent. I thought it was our maid cooking the Afritada that I always request because I don’t really go to the kitchen unless it’s about time to have dinner.

“It’s… It’s okay,” I commented and avoided my gaze. “Can you just get over it? I’m hungry.”

He grinned. “Yes, madame. As you wish.”

I was glaring at him, but when I turned my back, a small smile crept onto my lips. He’s handsome and cute at the same time. I hate it. I hate him. I rolled my eyes.

“Is this why you don’t want a divorce? Because you ought to train me as the next Red Cartel queen?” I said in the middle of eating my dinner.

Karlo raised his head while chewing the meat in his mouth. “No. I was supposed to only protect you at first. I was in charge of running the organization. But because the enemies started to know your identity, I went down to no choice but to train you to protect yourself.”

“Well, well, I know that. You have already told me a million times that you just don’t have a choice,” I said and sighed. “I just thought… There might be another reason…”

He furrowed his eyebrows and tilted his head in confusion. “Like what?”

I stared at him and then shook my head, refusing to reveal what I thought all this time. “Never mind. It was just in my mind,” I answered.

I must admit that I thought he really liked me, that’s why he could not let me go despite knowing that I have a boyfriend. I mean, who would not like me? I am beautiful, rich, well-educated, and famous on social media! Well, I would be very disappointed if Karlo were not attracted to me.

“A token for your thoughts, then,” Karlo subtly demanded.

“No, no, it’s nonsense…” I still refused and continued eating.

“I swore to your parents that I will protect you at all costs. They did not tell me to care for you, but I do care for you, Minerva,” he said, which made me look up to him again. “That’s why I didn’t like to divorce you, because you are somewhat special to me.”

Damn, he was saying that without taking his eyes off me. He might not have directly told me that he likes me, but I am special to him. It’s scratching my brain. I wanted to open my mouth to say something back, but I could not, so I just slid my eyes down to my food. I heard him clear his throat, and then his cutlery moved again, indicating that he was eating like me.

After dinner, I did not go back to my room. I decided I want to watch television. My Netflix account is connected to any devices in our mansion, anyway. But before I could even dismiss the national TV channel, a senator was talking on the news and explaining projects and plans for the country. I could not help but listen, but despite his smile, which he was bestowing on the television, there was something in his eyes. Something evil. Something disgusting. I don’t even know why I sensed that from the screen.

“That’s the father of Helen Palma, your former friend who attacked you at the social party.”

I jumped when Karlo spoke behind me. I glared at him.

“Will you please give me a heads up when you are going to be behind me?” I said in annoyance.

Karlo was in his black pajamas now. He was crossing his arms behind the sofa where I am sitting. His eyes were fixated on the television. He sighed and looked my way.

“He’s one of the powerful enemies of your father. I think he is the mastermind of the deaths of your parents, but I still have no evidence to prove that he and his organization are the suspects. But witnessing his unica hija attacking you, that can be a factor.”

He started walking towards the sofa. I followed him with my eyes while he was still focused on the television. Can’t he just look at me at least when he is talking to me? He sat at the corner of the sofa, opposite to where I was leaning. I was annoyed a minute ago that he was not even glancing at me, but when he did, I abruptly avoided my gaze and cleared my throat awkwardly.

“U-Uhhh…” I stammered and swallowed hard. “I did not expect Helen to be someone who would fight and hold a gun. She seemed sweet, intelligent, and gentle. I really liked her in college, that’s why I let her tag along whenever I have parties and hangouts outside. I treated her as one of my best friends. If I had known that she would be my enemy…”

“You didn’t, because you were supposed not to know. She is your friend. A friendship betrayal might hurt, but if you both were close for a long time, maybe she also didn’t know. Maybe like you, she just knew recently, and her father brainwashed her to treat you as an enemy, since your fathers are nemesis to each other.”

I stared back at him and found comfort in his eyes. The senator was still doing his monologue in between our silence. He is so near, and yet so far to hold.

“I understand,” I said. “When can I start training?”

“After your MBA,” he answered confidently, as if he had already thought about this for a long time. “We will go to the USA next week. I’ll train you personally first there while you are studying. After that, I will introduce you to the general training in the headquarters of the Red Cartel without revealing your identity until you hone your skills and abilities to fight.”