Chapter 81 - Night Out

Isabelle knew that he wasn't lying. But she knew this already. She needed to learn something else. Something that happened after that. 

Albert continued in his broken voice much to her comfort," However, when that couple died… that girl was fostered by another family...she was a teenager then...I secretly funded her education until she was eighteen. After that, I never bothered to find her. But I heard that she got married in college and perhaps she is a mother now…" 

He was afraid that if Don Marino got to know that he was funding a girl, he would be caught red handed. So, he did everything in his power to hide this truth. However, he still made sure that she would receive the education she deserved. 

Even though her family was murdered in the cold-blood, the girl got a good life compared to her parents. She was alive, what else did she need? 

"Who did she marry?" Isabelle asked anxiously. "And where is she now?"

"I don't know… there is just no trace when I tried to look for her...it's like she never existed." Even Albert who had his eyes on her was left bewildered when he found that the girl disappeared without a trace. 

"What's the name she uses now?"Isabelle tried to asked him. 

Albert opened his mouth to say something but the beeping noise increased…

"Doctor!!" 

" You can't die!"

"Don't you dare die on me!"

Doctors came running and saw Isabelle shouting at her husband. They didn't know she w

Didn't want him to die without giving her answers. 

And just like that Albert died leaving Isabelle with more questions than answers. 

She realized one thing: Alicia Palmero was bigger of the mystery than she initially thought. That girl wouldn't be a simpleton. 

_____

When the Scuderi family was scattering like petals, Persephone and Santiago had peaceful days because they were able to sleep serenely at night without being worried about getting caught or anything worse. Both of them didn't leave the room and ordered everything they needed from their rooms. 

No one found anything weird with them as they had initially told the owner couple of the ranch that they were actually on their honeymoon when the sudden curfew thing happened in between the talks. So, the elder couple understood that the young love birds were cooped in the room making up for the lost days of their honeymoon period. 

It was their fourth day at the ranch when someone knocked on the door. As usual it was Persephone who opened the door. She was sleeping until late as Santiago had a minor fever again last night and she was 'forced' to look after him again just like previous nights but who was she to complain?

Currently, her hair was disheveled, she was still wearing her sleepwears when she opened the door. 

Maria blushed when studying Persephone and she could guess what had transpired in the room given the messy condition of it. Young people these days are too energetic. However, it was their honeymoon period and their being super energetic was understood. 

"Ah, good morning, Mrs. Mayes," Persephone aka Juliet smiled at the older woman. 

Maria chuckled at her. "Young lady! It's almost noon. But since you are just waking up now, I will accept your greeting." Teasing her a little bit, Maria continued,"Where is the handsome lad?"

Persephone turned her head to find Santiago but she didn't find him anywhere. Shrugging innocently, she said,"Perhaps, he has gone out." 

Maria shook her head as if she was disappointed with her. "Listen to me, girl. You must not let your husband away from your eyesight. The new girls that arrived the same day as you have their cunning eyes set on your husband. I noticed them giggling to each other as they passed through your corridor." 

In an instant, the expressions on Persephone's face changed. Some vixens had eyes on her husband? Let them come and see how she would deal with each of them! 

"Mrs. Mayes, you tell me their names, I will beat each of them with your spatula," Persephone said, making a resolve to teach them a lesson soon. "I will show them what it means to set your eyes on Juliet Giovanni's man." 

Maria was naturally happy with her attitude. It seemed like she made a good decision by telling her about those girls. 

On top of everything, she must keep an eye on that handsome husband of hers. It was a serious hassle for the wife one the husband was as tempting as Vito Ginovanni. She wondered how many vixens this girl had to deal with because of her tempting husband. 

So, while the two of them were enveloped in their thoughts for how to deal with vixend, Santiago, the root cause of the problem arrived. He frowned when he saw two women deep in thought. He didn't know why but he wasn't getting good vibes from both of them. 

"Umm… everything alright?" Santiago couldn't help but ask. 

The women turned their eyes to find a ridiculously handsome Santiago standing behind Persephone. For a moment, she was startled as to where did this captor of her came from? But soon, she calmed down or feigned it to convince Maria that they were indeed a real couple. 

Maria facepalmed when she recalled why she came to their room in the first place. Smiling at Santiago, she informed, "Dear, we are arranging a bonfire in the evening. You both have to come." 

Persephone frowned, "Bonfire and in this weather?" 

Maria smiled in a teasing manner,"You may not have noticed but it gets super cold here in the evening."

Persephone blushed as realized what Maria meant. 

Continuing, Maria said," All the other kids were complaining how they were getting bored as they can't even go out to get rid of their boredom. So, Tito suggested having a bonfire and a little party. Those kids are looking after the arrangements and they asked me to inform all of the lodgers. So, love birds you gotta come!!"

Before Persephone could refuse her on account of Santiago's health, Santiago spoke,"Don't worry, Mrs. Mayes, we will be there." 

Persephone opened her mouth to say something but closed it again as she felt being pushed into his arms and then, she heard him saying,"I really wish for my wife to enjoy a night out with people her age." 

Maria chuckled. These two are so in love. She was worrying in vain. Waving at them, she soon left. 

Just as the door was closed behind, Persephone turned to look at Santiago. She put her hands on her hips and said in a roguish manner,"What do you think you are doing?" 

Santiago shook his head and heaved a sigh of relief while pulling her into his arms. Taking advantage of her blinking continuously at him, he whispered in her ear,"She is suspecting us. It would be better if we go to whatever she is talking about." He pretended to care a lot about the thoughts running in the landlady's mind when it wasn't the case.

Although it was true that Maria was auspecting her, it was not wrong to say that Santiago wanted Persephone to go out for the night and enjoy. He knew she didn't sign up for whatever was happening to them. 

"So, you only said yes to keep pretending we are a couple?" Persephone asked in an exceptionally small voice.

Santiago couldn't see her crestfallen expressions as her face was placed on his chest. 

"Why else?" Santiago said, burrowing his brows. 

Persephone bit her lips and then, gently pushed him while saying,"It's not good for you to hug me when you are still wounded." 

Just as Persephone got out of his hold, he felt his arms empty and a void was forged in his heart. It was such a weird and uncomfortable feeling. 

He watched her back heading to the washroom and couldn't decide if she was upset or anything. 

Later in the evening, Santiago found Persephone applying gloss over her chapped lips. She was wearing jeans and a knitted margin colored full sleeves top. Her hair was let loose as if they were yet to be made. He could tell because he knew he hates untangling her unruly hair. And if he knew her right, she would tie them in a simple bun to solve the hassle of combing them. This was how lazy she was sometimes. 

Persephone met his eyes in the mirror but it was him who took the initiative to speak up, "Are you again not planning to comb your hair? It's been four days…" 

Her face turned ugly all of a sudden as she said, "Are you saying that I am unkempt and messy?"

Santiago grabbed the comb which was lying on the counter and started untangling her hair gently.. "No, I am just saying that for a super energetic girl, you are too lazy to comb your hair."