Amore’s Hidden Identity(English)

Chapter 6

AMORE and Liam had a wonderful time on the island. Amore’s anger toward the man disappeared as he accompanied her swimming and bathing.

"Am, aren’t you hungry? It’s late at night—maybe we should head out and eat. The water’s getting colder, and you might get cramps from soaking. Let’s go—let’s get up," Liam said to her.

"Okay. My feet are numb. All right—let’s light a fire right away to warm up," she agreed.

They climbed up and set about starting a fire, gathering dry wood from around the area.

"All right, I’ll light it—I have a lighter, so it’ll be quick. Get dressed first, then I’ll change. It’s cold, especially with the wind," he said.

"Okay. Thank you."

The woman complied immediately and went into her tent. She changed clothes and washed her wet ones. She was wearing a blouse and shorts—they were all she had with her, so even if she felt cold, there was nothing she could do. She had forgotten to bring a jacket.

She returned to Liam and told him to change his clothes too.

"Liam, get dressed. I’ll prepare the food—I’ll cook it. I brought pork and plenty of other supplies, so I’ll be fine here. Come back soon so we can eat."

"Okay," he agreed.

Amore smiled unexpectedly.

Liam? What’s gotten into you? You understand me so well and follow everything I say," she whispered to herself.

She was trembling, her thoughts wandering back to the man again.

Tsk. Stop it. Focus on planning how to overthrow Regor, she told herself, pushing away the distracting thoughts.

"Hey—are you thinking about something? You look miles away, and it shows on your face!" Liam said. He had been watching her, but she hadn’t noticed, lost in her own head.

"Ah—nothing. Here, the food’s ready," she replied quickly, snapping back to her senses.

"Thanks. By the way, is your plan to return to Manila after three months really true? How can I help you?"

"Yes, it’s true. Didn’t I tell you to stay here and keep an eye on Uncle Gusting? You won’t be safe coming to Manila with me—you’ll only be putting yourself in danger."

"Why? Aren’t you afraid of my half-brother Regor? I’m not. I lost to him once when we were young, but he wasn’t like this back then. I don’t know what changed him."

"Greed. If I can prove he killed my father, I’ll kill him too. An eye for an eye, a life for a life," Amore said with a sharp, sarcastic smile.

"What? You’d do that? From what I’ve seen, Am, you’re not the type to kill someone. You have a gentle face and a good heart—you know how to forgive. Don’t take justice into your own hands."

"What are you talking about? Kind? Hell, I’m not!"

"Then why did you show me so much kindness? If you hadn’t helped me the first time, and if you hadn’t brought me with you when you escaped, I’d be in trouble. Why didn’t you leave me behind?"

"Tsk. You’re being dramatic. I just didn’t want my conscience to bother me for abandoning you. Now’s not the time to talk about this—eat up. Or here, open your mouth," she said, lifting a piece of roast pork to his lips.

"Why are you doing this? If you treated me like this every day, I’d get used to it. I’d start wanting it all the time. You know, Am—I want someone to take care of me like this."

She smiled. "Hmm. We can do that while we’re here on Sulo. Since we’re pretending to be married, I’ll look after you—but with one condition: don’t fall for me. You’ll only get hurt. It’s just a pretense, so be smart about it," she said with a smirk.

"You’re serious? Okay—no falling in love. I know Lysander is the one you really have in your heart and mind."

"Yeah, exactly. I’m done eating—do you want more?"

"No, I’m full too."

As Liam spoke, he reached for the food tray. Their hands touched, and Amore felt the warmth and softness of his palm against hers. Both of them froze for a moment, feeling a strange spark pass between them. Amore pulled her hand away quickly.

"Ah—I’ll wash these dishes. Stay by the fire so you don’t get cold," Liam said.

"All right, Liam."

Even sitting by the fire, Amore still felt cold, but she tried to bear it. Liam soon returned from washing up and saw her huddled, hugging herself tightly.

"Cold? Just wait—I have a jacket I can lend you. Let me go get it."

"No need—I’m going to sleep," she said, standing up.

"Are you sure? It’s still chilly. Just wait—I’ll be right back," Liam insisted, heading toward his things.

The girl didn’t argue—he was already gone before she could speak. He returned quickly with the jacket.

"Here," he said, handing it to her.

"Thanks."

"But you’ll have to forgive me—I haven’t washed it yet. You gave it to me back at your place. Even so, it still smells okay. I hope you don’t mind the scent—it’s the same perfume I’ve always used, and it’s still on the fabric."

"It’s okay," she said, sniffing the jacket. "Hmm—it’s fine. It smells like you—manly but nice. Thanks again."

"You’re welcome. Now go into your tent—I’ll sleep out here. I made a hammock earlier, so I’ll use that. All right—I’m heading over there."

"Hmm? I’m not driving you away—I was just going to sleep. Are you sure about the hammock? It’ll be cold out there now that I have your jacket."

"It’s okay—I’ll be fine. Go inside."

"Okay!"

Liam waited until Amore was in her tent, then went to his hammock. He added more wood to the fire to keep it burning through the night.

Amore lay down on her makeshift bed but couldn’t fall asleep. She kept thinking about Liam and the moment their hands had touched—she couldn’t shake the feeling of electricity that had shot through her fingers.

She tossed and turned, sitting up and lying back down again, but her mind wouldn’t let go of what had happened. Memories of the first time she’d helped him also came flooding back.

"Argh! This is so annoying. Let me sleep already. I’m not falling for you, Liam—so stay out of my head. You’re such a bother. I don’t care about you—argh!" she muttered in frustration.

Just as Amore couldn’t sleep, Liam was also awake. The same moment kept replaying in his mind.

Even when he closed his eyes, he could see Amore’s face. He didn’t know why, but being with her made him feel at ease—from the moment they’d met, he’d felt drawn to her.

"Why, Amore? Why do you keep occupying my thoughts, even when I try to rest? What are you to me?" he wondered aloud, getting up from the hammock and heading toward the beach.

He waded into the water and swam, hoping to tire himself out enough to sleep. He went out to the deeper parts before turning back to the shallows—he didn’t want to risk cramping up.

MEANWHILE, Amore also got up and walked along the beach. She’d missed the island terribly—it had been over a year since she’d last visited, as she’d been too busy keeping tabs on Regor.

She’d also missed wading in the water, so she kicked off her slippers and left them in the sand.

A smile spread across her face as she waded in. She used to come here often with Lysander—they’d paddle in the sea whenever his family brought them out. They’d play together as if they were the only two people in the world.

"Hey, Am—what are you doing here? Can’t sleep either? It’s almost morning—I can feel it," Liam called out to her from the water.

"Huh? Oh—why are you here too? You couldn’t sleep either?"

"Nope. That’s why I came back for a swim. Don’t get in—you don’t have extra clothes, and you’ll just get cold again."

"I wasn’t planning to swim—I’m too lazy to get wet, and once I start soaking, I’ll never want to leave. Come on up—I have beer I completely forgot about. It might help us sleep. I brought four bottles—deal?"

"Sure!"

Liam climbed out and changed his clothes. They used the leftover food from dinner as snacks and happily shared the beer together.