Chapter 211 - Some Huge Misconceptions

"I heard someone brought the ranch we stayed in," Irene, the girl who didn't seem to like her, said. She had been throwing daggers at Persephone when she thought she wasn't looking her way. But who was Persephone if she couldn't even decipher if she was liked by a certain person or not? 

Roy nodded sadly. He was reminded of the sad news he had heard a few weeks ago. "The couple who used to run the ranch passed away not long ago. I heard everyone lost jobs once the Ranch was closed. I wonder what they are doing now?"

He couldn't imagine that the man who threatened them not to have orgies in the ground a few months ago was no more in this world. He had his wife share such a beautiful bond. 

Persephone suddenly felt bad for them. "What happened to them?"

Although she didn't remember who they were talking about, still she felt terrible hearing how they passed away. 

"Pandemic," Roy told her. 

It wasn't just the Mayes couple who lost their lives in the pandemic. Many people in that part of the country lost their lives. If the political situation wasn't so bad, if people cared more about their health than the death of the former prime minister, the situation would have been different. The King did what he could for his people but it was the people who didn't appreciate his efforts. 

The prime minister was dead and so were the people who participated in agitation especially when the pandemic was on rise. 

"It's such sad news," Persephone expressed her heartfelt sadness. She wondered if other people were doing good. "Then, what about the ranch? Is it still there?"

Irene nodded in reply. "Someone acquired the ranch and several acres of land surrounding it not long ago." She paused and then looked at her friends to share a confidential piece of news in a low voice. "I heard from my dad that they are going to rebuild the whole province and make that place into an environmentally sustainable site. He said that the place after rebuilding will attract a lot of tourists across the world. And it will also give a lot of people jobs who aren't educated and skilled." 

"Wait," Roy looked at her in disbelief. And then added, "Could the rebuilder be the same man who is rebuilding the island Persephone?" 

Persephone choked on her drink as she heard him. "Island what?"

She swore that she heard her name being said. 

"Island Persephone," Roy said as it was his favourite topic to talk about. He was an architecture student and how could he not love to talk about one of the most magnificent sites his country was building. He thought that since Persephone didn't know about the current trending topic, then why not tell her? 

"It was private property a few months ago," Roy told her with overwhelming excitement. "But now it's being rebuilt to be used as a huge tourist site. Well, the third fourth of the island will have sites to visit in a year or two. And the rest of the area will be the private property of the owner. It's said that it has a gorgeous ocean villa and private beach. I heard that the island is literally the paradise on earth."

"This project attracted investors across the world," Irene said like a business student that she was. 

"Our country will have our own Disney. But in water," Anne squealed in excitement. 

"This project must cost a lot of money, "Persephone couldn't help but add. Such a huge project must involve a lot of capital investment too. 

"Several Billion," Irene muttered. She knew a plain Jane like this woman couldn't understand how many zeroes that the word billion had in itself. 

Again, why would Santiago Vitello see a woman like her? He could have any socialites here? 

Why would an American woman like her even know? 

Persephone was shocked and impressed by the knowledge of the whole project. She wondered if an island such as that even exists or if it's just a topic of myths. 

She was immersed in thoughts when she heard Santiago's voice, "I left you alone for a few minutes and you got people to buy you food? Red, are you trying to kill me with your antics?"

Never had Santiago ever fathomed that this silly wife of his would charm people to buy her junk food. She clearly knew that it wasn't good for her yet she insisted on eating all these unhealthy things. 

Persephone pouted her lips and glared at him. "This is your fault for ordering the waiter to not serve me food." 

She would see him at home. If she didn't punish him for ordering the waiter to not give her food, she wouldn't be punished. 

Irene heard a low and mellow chuckle. Her face turned rosy as she turned her gaze to see Santiago smiling. 

It was a shame that such a beautiful smile wasn't for her. 

Why he was that bitch's?

Why couldn't he be hers? 

Santiago paused in his foot steps when he saw some familiar people sitting across Persephone. 

"Mr Vito?" Roy stood up. He wasn't ashamed to say that he was still afraid of this man. Well, who wouldn't t be? His demeanour spoke don't approach him. 

Only someone like him could be his Majesty's Right hand. 

"Mr V will do," Santiago said. Vito was an alias be used earlier and since his identity wasn't any secret now he didn't like to be called Vito. He turned his gaze to look at Persephone. "Did you have a good time?"

He could see that she was enjoying her time with all these people. He didn't know if she remembered meeting any of them, but he didn't have anything to hide now. As long as he asked him any question, he would do his best to answer. 

Persephone nodded her head at him and said, "We talked about some tourist sites." 

Santiago caressed her cheek and signalled the waiter for the tab. 

When he saw that he didn't add the bill of all other food items Persephone ate, he furrowed his brow in confusion. 

"You forget to add these," Santiago said, pointing at the empty dishes on the table. 

"Oh Mr V, it's added in my tab," Roy told him. 

"I can't have someone pay for my wife's food," Santiago said asked the waiter to add it in his tab. 

Irene frowned at him. She had believed all along that they were faking to be a couple. But now that she saw Persephone's hand, she found a sparkling diamond on her finger, glaring at her. 

It was a wedding band. And there was one on Santiago's ring finger too. 

She suddenly felt breathless. How could they do this to her? 

This man was supposed to be hers and hers only. 

"I need to use the washroom, "Persephone said to Santiago and bid goodbye to them. He held her hand and helped her stand. 

Irene gasped as she saw Persephone's bulging belly. She wanted to stop them but no words left her mouth. 

"This is what happens when you spend your honeymoon cooped up inside your room," Roy commented and Anne burst into laughter. 

"They are my favourite couple," Anna said won't loud with a smile. "I am so glad that they still love each other too much." 

… 

Persephone was washing her hands when she felt someone standing close to her. This flowery nauseating perfume belonged to the Irene girl. She turned her head to see Irene staring at her, unblinking. 

"I see you are still clinging to him," Irene commented with apparent hate. 

"And I see, you are still eyeing someone's husband," Persephone rolled her eyes at him. 

"You…." Irene pointed her finger but kept it down as she eyed her protruding belly. "If you think you can trap him with this child in your belly, you are wrong. He doesn't belong to you. And this baby in your belly won't make him yours." 

"If he doesn't belong to me, then who does he belong?" Persephone questioned her with a smile forming on her lips. "You? The girl he didn't even bother looking at?" 

With this said, Persephone left the washroom and saw Santiago waiting for her. 

"I told you I will meet you in the parking lot. Why did you come?" Persephone couldn't help but ask him with a frown?

"Don't be angry," Santiago said, pulling her into his arms. He eased her frown and pecked her lips. "I was afraid that you might slip or worse forget the way home. So, I came to take you with me." 

Persephone laughed. "I won't forget the way home. I finally found a home and how could I forget the way to it?" 

Santiago gazed at her intensely, not knowing what to say. 

"Santiago?"

"Hmm?"

"She said you don't belong to me," Persephone couldn't help but tell him. 

Suddenly, Santiago ended up laughing.. "Ah, baby she has some huge misconceptions."