Chapter 2 1

Chapter One

Karen and her companions were on their way back to Manila when the van they were riding suddenly broke down on the way to the airport. They had spent a week in the town of San Isidro providing medical assistance to those affected by the war in the neighboring city.

She is a registered nurse currently working at Banchero's Medical Center in Manila. Part of her job involves volunteering whenever the Banchero's Foundation holds a Medical Mission. The town of San Isidro was chosen by the owner of the hospital and foundation to receive assistance, so that's where they were.

"Take your time here. I'll just fix the van," the driver told them before he started working on the vehicle.

Her companions dispersed to find temporary resting spots, while she took a leisurely walk. It was already ten in the evening, the air was cool, and she could smell the sea. She continued to walk until she could see the vast ocean.

She had no intention of going there, but there were two figures that compelled her feet to investigate.

"Fucking wake up Colton!" She was jolted by the angry voice of a man kneeling on the sand, and there was another man lying in front of him. "Colton!" He was giving him CPR.

She hurried over and intervened. Though the man seemed alarmed by her presence, she paid him no mind. She knelt in the sand.

"How long has he been unconscious?" She asked the man.

"One to two minutes."

She quickly tilted the man's head to hear his heartbeat while gently checking his pulse. It was still beating.

"He's unconscious," she declared.

She attempted to revive the man in the black rush guard, but there was no response to her CPR. It seemed like his body was yearning for something else.

Without hesitation, using her slightly trembling fingers, she opened the man's mouth. Maybe, and she's hoping that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation will help him.

She blew air into his mouth, her virgin lips gently touching his, but she didn't care even though a strange sensation ran through her body at the contact.

"Colton!" Said the man at her side. "Fucker! This is not yet your time! You better wake up!"

She continued giving him breaths before she felt the man's lips move, as if he was kissing her. Her eyes slowly roamed all over his face to see if he's awake.

In the midst of the dark surroundings, the crashing of waves in the sea, and the scant moonlight, she had a chance to observe the man who was kissing her.

His deep-set eyes were as dark as the night, sharp in their gaze, but she could tell he was in pain. The tip of his nose almost touched hers. His lips were so soft and delicious.

"Ummm..." He moaned deliciously against her lips.

She quickly pulled away when she felt his tongue trying to enter her mouth. All the hairs on her body stood on end from what the man did.

"We have to go! We fucking need to go!" The other man was now in a hurry.

He helped the man up, but a string of loud curses escaped his lips.

"Fucking shit! My body is in pain! Fuck! Fuck! My legs! Fuck-" She covered his mouth with her hand.

A mixture of annoyance and awe crossed his face. Suddenly, she felt embarrassed about the situation.

"You cursed too much-"

"Am I not allowed to curse, Miss!?"

"We need to go." The other man muttered, interrupting them.

She took in the whole man. It wasn't very clear, but she could tell he had wounds, and he was wearing an all-black outfit.

"We need to bring him to the nearest hospital," she suggested. "Fifteen minutes away from here."

"No, thanks." The two of them began walking towards the large trees. "By the way, thanks for kissing me, Miss! You brought me back to consciousness!"

"I didn't kiss you! You kissed me-oh Jesus!"

She sat down and covered her ears when a loud explosion erupted in the middle of the ocean. When she looked, a large fire was consuming a ship. The smoke was dark.

She quickly ran away from that place. She didn't even think about where the two men were because of fear.

"Do you think you'll see that guy again?" Her friend Gelicah asked her after she recounted the man she helped, who had stuck in her mind. They were in a coffee shop. "The guy who kissed your lips!" She laughed, making her cheeks turn warm.

She realized later that he didn't just kiss her, but he also licked her lips. It was extremely rude, but that scene was the subject of her dreams quite often!

That man sensually and deliciously licked her lips!

"I don't know. Hmm, it could be yes, it could also be no," she said, taking a sip of her coffee, not really expecting to see the man again. "Let's not dwell on that guy."

"Alright, if you say so," Gelicah shrugged. "So, are you really leaving the country after your contract at Banchero's Medical Center?"

"Yes, if..." She emphasized the last word. "...they don't renew my contract. Let's wait and see."

"But I'm hoping that they will give you another year. You've been doing well at the hospital."

"I'm hoping and praying. Working abroad is not easy, after all. We all know that."

And what about her siblings? She couldn't bear being so far away from them. Not now. So, she'll work hard to secure a job.

Karen was about to take another sip of her coffee when her phone rang. It was an unregistered number. Despite that, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, may I speak to Miss Karen Pescador?"

"Speaking."

"Alright, Miss Karen, we would like to invite you tomorrow for an interview about the renewal of your contract at Banchero's Medical Center. This is Miss J at HR Department."

A wide smile spread across her face as she listened to the voice on the other end. The heavens were truly kind to her, not leaving her behind.

"I will be there, Ma'am. Thank you." And the line was cut off. "Geez!" She couldn't help but let out a triumphant scream at the good news. "This is it!"

"What was that for?" Gelicah curiously asked.

"I think, I will still be part of Banchero's Medical Center. HR just called me." She winked at her friend who was smiling at her, equally happy.

Karen felt nervous as she waited for the appointed time to speak with the head of the HR Department. She hoped they would extend her contract at the hospital for another two years. She'd rather choose to work here than abroad.

A staff member came out of the HR Office and approached her.

"Miss Karen Pescador?"

"Yes."

"Follow me."

She followed the woman and sat in the visitor's chair facing the HR head. The head smiled at her, and she was truly nervous.

"I won't beat around the bush, Miss Pescador. We decided to renew your contract at Banchero's Medical Center for another two years..." The news filled her with joy.

Why work abroad when you can work here? Not that far from your family. She couldn't bear being too far from her siblings, especially now. So, she'll strive to get a job here.

"Thank you, Madam!"

"But we are not going to assign you at BMC,"

"W-where will I be assigned?"

"We will assign you at Villa Altaraza." Her answer puzzled her. The name Villa Altaraza sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she had heard or read it before. "One of the sons of Mrs. and Mr. Altaraza needs a private nurse. I am asking you now, is it okay with you?"

She nodded. "Yes! Yes Ma'am."

"I just want you to know that Mrs. and Mr. Altaraza's youngest son is not easy to deal with. You'll be the tenth nurse we're sending, and I hope you'll be the last."

"Is he very difficult to handle?"

"That's what they said. He's rude. Very hard to please and he has a rough attitude. Can you handle that?" She scrutinized Karen, testing her.

"I can handle it!" She was determined to do the job. She would do anything, no exceptions.

"Review this." The HR head handed her a brown envelope, which she promptly accepted. "That's all about the patient's medical background. He's recovering now but he still needs someone to look after him because he can't do things without someone's help. So, you'll be there to help him and take care of him. Understand?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"You're leaving tomorrow. Your plane ticket and the address of Villa Altaraza are inside the envelope."

No matter how difficult the patient may be, and no matter how rough his demeanor, she'll handle it. As long as she's not harmed and she can leave if needed.

When she arrived at her apartment, she immediately started packing her belongings and the clothes she would bring with her. She went to bed early because her flight was in the morning. She'll read the patient's medical background on the plane.

The sun was scorching when Karen was dropped off by the taxi from the airport on a vast estate. The arch they passed through earlier before entering the main gate had the words "Villa Altaraza" written on it. This was it.

She approached the guard stationed there.

"Good morning. I'm the nurse sent by Banchero's Medical Center," she told him, showing her appointment letter.

"So you're the new nurse for the boss."

"Yes."

"This way, Ma'am."

The guard called over a staff member who quickly approached her and took her bags.

As she finally entered the villa, she realized there were swimming pools and rooms that resembled a mini hotel. It looked like a private, expensive resort. The place was so peaceful and clean; this kind of place truly relaxed her.

They passed by the resort and entered another large gate. It was dizzying. There was a guard waiting there too.

"New nurse for the boss," the staff introduced her to the guard.

"Come in," he then opened the gate.

She wanted to gape when the beautiful mansion came into view. The household staff all wore similar uniforms, and an older one approached them.

"Miss Karen Pescador?" he guessed, expecting her arrival.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"Come. The boss has been waiting for you."

Why did her heart seem to skip a beat at the thought of her employer waiting for her?

And it pounded harder when they reached the back of the mansion, at the swimming pool area, and she saw the man facing away from them, sitting in a wheelchair.

From what she had read about his medical conditions, his wounds had mostly healed. His arms, shoulders, and back, all from a gunshot. His right leg was the only one still not completely healed, still in a cast.

"Boss, Miss Karen is here," the woman informed him.

"Leave us alone." His deep baritone voice sent shivers down her spine.

She couldn't help but bite her lower lip and grip her blouse's hem. Why was her heart racing like this, as if she were both excited and nervous?

She felt like a bird wanting to escape its cage, abandoned by the household staff. Her anxiety in her chest was growing.

"G-good morning, boss-"

"Tell me, what's good in the morning, Miss Pescador?"

She swallowed hard at his smooth yet commanding voice. She composed herself, struggling to breathe normally because of the unexpected emotions her body was showing.

Her gaze lingered on his broad shoulders and back; they were undoubtedly strong. They looked pleasant to touch but also intimidating to clash with. She could see the hard muscles in both of his arms, moving and pressing against the sleeves of his cotton shirt.

"M-morning, boss," she stammered, opting to respond rather than explaining why her morning was good.

The veins on his arms flexed slightly as he rested an elbow on the armrest of his wheelchair, gently clenching his jaw.

Her face warmed at the thought of his eyes secretly feasting on her. What would she feel when he finally faced her? She couldn't sit still; she wanted to see her boss's full face.

"I am from Banchero's Medical Center. I worked there as a registered nurse for two years. I renewed my contract for another year, and our HR assigned me here. It's my pleasure to look after you, boss," she continued, as he remained silent. "I am Karen Pescador, your new nurse-"

"I know. You don't need to introduce yourself," he cut her off. She sighed in frustration. He really was brusque and rude. "I am giving you the freedom to leave now."

"What?" she blurted.

"Yes, leave. What's your problem?"

"You're the one with the problem." Her nervousness suddenly turned into irritation towards him. "I flew here from Manila-"

"Oh, hope to see your wings," he sarcastically remarked, causing her to roll her eyes.

"What I mean, boss, is that I flew from Manila to get here. I don't want to waste this opportunity that BMC gave me. I badly need this job, so please, have mercy on me. Please don't ask me to leave right away; my feet haven't even warmed up in your Villa yet."

"The door is always open if you want to leave me once you get tired of helping me every time I need assistance."

She swallowed her annoyance. She had to be patient. She needed this job so she wouldn't have to leave the country.

"I will do my best to help you. I promise you that, boss."

"Don't promise me! Take back what you said!"

She sighed. "A promise is a promise, Mr. Altaraza."

She saw his hands move slightly towards the side, near the wheels of the wheelchair, trying to turn around to face her.

She took a step closer to support him, but she suddenly stopped when an unexpected face met hers.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the man.

His growing beard and sharp jawline made him look rugged and intense. His sharp eyes bore into hers, adding to the pounding in her chest. His reddish lips reminded her of the man who often starred in her dreams.

"Colton, that's my name. Stop calling me Mr. Altaraza. It feels like you're calling my dad."

"Y-you..." she stammered.

She saw the corner of his lips twitch, keeping the cool demeanor on his handsome face.

"What?"

"You're the man who... who licked my lips!"