CHAPTER 6

Adela's Point of View

"What? You're going to borrow her sandals for your feet? How dirty are your soles that you can't walk on the ground? Moreover, it's your fault she has to walk barefoot!" Olivia angrily retorted at Catherine.

"Sis, chill! Adela is used to it, right?" Catherine arrogantly asked me, making my forehead crease in confusion.

What is she trying to imply?

I'm getting increasingly annoyed, but I still need to stay calm.

"Don't you have any spare shoes or slippers in your bag?" I inquired.

"Oh, no. I put my slippers in my sister's bag because I bought Comfoot sandals," she boasted, but I didn't pay attention to her arrogance, as if she was proud that those slippers were cheap for her from that expensive brand.

I just remembered what Daddy told me before, that if someone needs something I have, I should let go of it as long as I can give it. It seems she needs my sandals more.

I glanced at her feet, which seemed well-taken care of.

I'm somewhat used to the ground since I used to help with planting rice. My family owns a farm, and we grow various crops, including rice.

I sighed and sat down, then took off my sandals.

I'll just lend it to her for now, and I'll get it back later when we reach our camping spot, as she said her slippers are in her sister's bag, and she can probably change there, right?

"What the hell are you doing, Adela!" Olivia exclaimed angrily at me.

"It's fine."

"Fine? Tsk! Whatever, do as you wish!"

She quickly walked ahead, leaving me gasping for breath, and I handed my sandals to Catherine and left my own feet bare.

"Comfoot," she read the brand of my sandals.

"Is this real? Not fake?" she asked in a snarky tone while examining my sporty sandals.

"Ah, no, it's not fake. It's original."

"Did the Montero's buy it for you?" she asked with an arrogant tone, but I shook my head.

"I bought it myself," I replied as she put it on, and we continued walking.

"Whatever."

"Living a luxurious life feels good, right?" she asked again.

"Well, it's okay!" I answered, even though I didn't quite understand what she meant.

"I heard your parents are farmers. Is that true?"

"Yes, Dad is skilled in farming!"

"How's your stay in the mansion? Are you enjoying it?" she asked further, raising her eyebrows and having a disgust look in her face.

"It's fine."

"You're Kuya Archer's fiancée, but I wonder how that happened. And your mom, what does she do?"

She didn't mention she wanted a Q&A session.

"Mom often accompanies Dad," I replied.

I don't give out private information. My family prefers to keep things private, so we're not that well-known. Our business and farm are known, but not the people who manage them.

"K, by the way, these sandals are pretty, but they don't suit you, making them look cheap," she said, but I ignored her comment.

We reached the camping venue, and Olivia immediately pulled me to her side as I set Catherine's stuff in the tent she pointed to.

"Your feet are so dirty," Olivia told me, and I just smiled and shook my head.

"Sorry for leaving you earlier. I was really annoyed, I might have done something to that girl. I might have just hit her with my heels," she said, and I laughed.

Olivia pointed to a large tent supposedly for just the two of us. If I hadn't come, she would have been alone. She doesn't like having other people with her, even if some of her friends are here.

The girls' and boys' tents are far apart.

Olivia briefly excused herself, saying she'll put the brownies I made on the long table for others to try.

I was surprised when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

The damn kid is here. What does he want now?

"Oh, good thing you came."

"Do you miss me already?" he asked.

"No, I came because Olivia invited me," I replied, and he laughed, glancing at my feet.

"Why aren't you wearing any slippers? Is that a new trend? Going to the forest barefoot?"

"No, I just helped your girlfriend."

"Catherine, why?"

"Her heels broke, so she borrowed my sandals because she's not used to walking without footwear. She didn't have any spare slippers in her bag because she said she put them in Quincy's bag."

"You let her do that?" he asked coldly.

"Yes, she seemed pitiful," I added, and he sighed.

"My baby is so kind-hearted. But she shouldn't have done that," he whispered, audible only to me. He sounded so serious when he said that.

I felt my heart race again, so I sighed, pretending not to feel anything.

"Call Demeter, tell her to bring your stuff and Olivia's here. Olivia said you both didn't bring anything," he said, and I nodded. He left, and I grabbed my phone, calling Demeter and relaying the message.

Catherine returned my sandals, so I washed my feet before putting them on again.

Thankfully, there's a water source here, so I could wash my feet.

It was probably around five in the afternoon when Olivia's stuff arrived.

Maybe around 5:00 PM?

Shortly, the activities prepared by their group of friends will begin. They called for the signal to start the activity.

"So for the first activity, we need groups of three," Ben, one of their friends, started.

"Since there are 30 of us here minus 3, I won't be included, as well as John and Primo, since we organized this activity. We have 27 left, so let's count 1 to 9 to form the groups of three." he said, and we followed his instruction.

It seemed like they often do this, so they were excited.

Unfortunately, I ended up with Quincy and Catherine. I guess I'm really lucky.

"The rule of the game is to find the green-colored banners. There are three banners. The first three groups to find them will be partners in the last round. The last round is exciting, so you should be thrilled," he explained, and everyone cheered.

I was surprised when someone attached a sticker note on my arm, and I read it:

Good luck, I love you.

-Primo

That's what was written, and my eyes widened.

He already has a girlfriend, yet he still says "I love you" to someone else! Wow, what a certified womanizer.

I know he's still studying, but he already finished a certain course. Maybe he even graduated with Latin honors.

Bachelor of Science Major in Flirting.

I folded the note into a tiny crease and put it in my pocket to throw away later.

I looked for my group, but instead of finding them, I saw Primo looking serious.

But when he turned to look at me, he gave me a slight smile and winked!

I averted my gaze because my heart was acting up again.

Olivia tapped me, and I was slightly surprised.

"Good luck with your teammates, even if they're bad luck for you," she said, and we both laughed.

"Good luck to you too!" I said, and she gave me a thumbs-up before going to her group.

I saw Catherine and had no choice but to join them.

"The time limit for this activity is 1 hour and 30 minutes, so bring a phone that can be used as a timer. The time starts now! See you after an hour and a half!" she announced, and we began searching.

At first, it was quiet, but as time passed and we moved farther away, I didn't like what was happening.

I was walking ahead of the siblings when one of them suddenly grabbed my arm tightly.

"Good thing we finally have you all to ourselves," Catherine said, causing me to stop.

"We still have 1 hour and 17 minutes left, so who are you and why does the peasant child of your parents have an arranged marriage with Archer?" Quincy asked, and I frowned.

"Excuse me? What's wrong with farming? Maybe you forgot that the rice you eat is planted by farmers?" I said irritably.

"I don't care. The point that both Cath and I are making is, why is a landless peasant dreaming of a Montero?" Quincy said with emphasis in every word.

What are they saying?

What landless peasant? Who are they calling that? Me? What the f*ck? No one deserves to be called that!

Arrogant just because they're wealthy!

"I never dreamed of marrying him. They planned it, not me. Why are you complaining to me?" I retorted.

"Cut the bullsh*ts, that's not the only thing you're guilty of!" Catherine said, and I furrowed my brows.

"Guilty? Since when did getting engaged become a crime? Do you even have a brain?" I said irritably, feeling like they're dismissing me.

"You're stealing Primo away from me! You're also a flirt, right? You found out that Kuya Archer has a girlfriend, so you turned to his brother? Is your need for money that great that you'll go after his sibling?" Catherine said angrily, leaving me dumbfounded.

What nonsense is she talking about?

I don't understand!

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