The Substitute Wife

Chapter Three

"Welcome back, Hijo. I nearly forgot what you look like." Sandy silently looked at the aged woman in front of Alexander. She was behind his back, and unable to take a clearer glance at her.

"Nanny Freya, how are you doing now? Is the ranch in good condition?" He spoke with manners after hugging the old woman. After hearing him say nanny, she realized that she was the one who took care of him when he was a kid. And it also explains the closure they had. Her man wouldn't just do that gesture if it wasn't someone important.

"Amara, sweety. It's a relief to see you in good health. Come, come. I had the place all settled." Her face went into a question mark. She tried to get Alexander's attention but he was too busy and occupied talking to her. And countless times. Her mind was left wondering why his nanny called the same name he used for her. She started to find it creepy and weird. But she doesn't want to interrupt their bonding just to interrogate him about the matter. There was plenty of time to do that.

As he said earlier, the place was really breathtaking. It turned out it was one of his properties and was being taken care of by Freya. She left him on the balcony, still catching up with the absent-minded old woman. She felt out of place and found herself sitting in the grass field. Watching the sun's light hit her skin, while it gives comfort to her bothered thoughts. It was a five minute walk from the ranch and there were palm trees planted on each side of the way. Of course, the wild flowers never failed to add some mesmerizing sight to the scenery. They were lively and dancing happily as the morning breeze crept into the place. She did not know what was being planted down the hill. But it looks very healthy from how green it was.

"Tita Amara? Is that really you?! Oh my God it is!" Her head instantly turned on her back after hearing the voice. And she saw this girl, a teenager, running in her direction. She quickly stood up and watched her run out of excitement. While her mind was the one that bothered the most.

" Is it really you? You are so beautiful as ever! I missed you so much!" The girl hugged her tightly. She was trying not to be obviously surprised at her sudden appearance. But the way she spoke seemed like they had known each other for a long time. Sandy was unable to process what was going on. Wherever she was, it seemed like everyone knew her for being Amara. Which created a big confusion for her.

"There you are, Amara. I've been looking for you. And you finally met Cheska," Alexander appeared behind her. The teen named Cheska let go of the hug.

"Tito Xander," the girl muttered, and she gave him a quick hug. The man patted her shoulder afterwards.

"Your grandmother was looking for you," he added, which made her nod her head. Later on, Cheska fled out of the grass field. There were two of them left, sitting freely as they watched the view. But Sandy's thought was very far, farther than the mountains down the hills.

" I don't like it when you become this silent, something you want to talk about?" She gazed at him and looked back far away again. There are plenty of questions running around her head. But seeing him worried made her want to slip those confusion temporarily. Now is not the time for interrogation, she thought before putting on her sweetest smile.

"The place was really breathtaking, I couldn't find any words to speak." She rested her head on his chest while his hands clasped together with hers. With just a few seconds, she started to feel better and happy. He never fails to ease her bothered mind.

"We can't stay longer here, the sun's light will burn you. We could watch the sunset later. How would you like it?" Alexander caressed her hair gently, he planted a few kisses on her head after. While she was busy listening to his heartbeat.

"That would be great, can I ask you something?" She suddenly asked a random question. His hands stopped moving but continued afterward. He lowered his head and smelled her nape, which gave a tingling sensation to her skin.

"Go on, mi amore. I'm listening," He mumbled after a few seconds, burying his head in her slender neck.

"Have you been here countlessly before?" Perhaps he was enjoying her scents, which took him a long time to respond.

"Occasionally, that was before. My schedule has been very busy since then, until I rarely get to visit the ranch." That was understandable. She knew how busy he was, but had no idea what it was all about. Funny story. She did not meet nor see one of his family. And she was too dumb not to notice it before.

" Anything else? " This time he was staring at her face. Very close and clear. The man's lips formed a smile when she looked at him with awe. Seriously, she couldn't hide her amusement towards him.

"I'll take that as a no. Should we go back to the ranch? That's enough for the sun's vitamins today." She was just about to open her lips when he kissed her. Longer and passionate, capturing her lips gently. The kiss ended when both of them started to be breathless. Alexander gestured his hands for her to hold him. The next thing she realized, he was already carrying her petite body out of the field. With her right hand to his nape.

"How did they know the name you called me by the way?" It was unexpected in her mouth. Not just was she surprised, but also the man who was carrying her. He was locked in his position as his expression was unreadable. That's when Sandy's instinct was right, that something was wrong. In fact, her guts say that everything was wrong. But she was too blinded by him to realize it.

"I informed nanny Freya about our visit, mi amore. Don't overthink anything, okay?" He placed his lips on her head, he then tightened his embrace as he continued to walk. But his response did not meet the answer she was looking for.