FOR SISTERS Vivian and Vanessa, marrying a wealthy man would be the biggest favor they could do for their father, Virgil. They did not have to hear it from Virgil’s lips. After being swindled by his best friend and trusted business partner, they had no choice but to move to the countryside and start again.
It was hard to start from scratch after hitting rock bottom. Vivian’s engagement was called off. For her former betrothed, it was a shame to push through with the wedding. Just what would other people say? Vivian and her family had no place in high society anymore.
Vanessa, the younger daughter, was the elusive type. Despite losing her family’s status, her suitors remained. They said they were after her heart and what mattered most was on the inside. Cliché but true.
Vanessa intended to marry for true love. But that was not the case for now. She only wanted to help her father. He was still devastated. She saw how he was trying his best to stay strong for her and Vivian.
They used their remaining savings to settle and put up a small pub, serving cheap and expensive wine for farmers, laborers, hunters, young and old, male and female, rich and poor alike.
Vanessa helped raise chickens, ducks, and goats so they’d make a perfect main dish to offer to their customers when the time was right. They had also started a vegetable garden as another source of food. When Virgil had free time, he would wander into the woods and hunt for wild boars, deer, or rabbits. Then the pub would be jam-packed as if every night was a feast.
Vivian rarely helped, but she loved to entertain guests, marking potential husbands from time to time. She was pretty good at it. She was beautiful and could be mistaken as a woman in her mid-twenties when in truth, she was already thirty-one. Vanessa was five years younger.
There were a dozen handsome, young bachelors in Villa Verde, but the ones who stood out in Vivian and Vanessa’s eyes were brothers Ernest and Earl del Valle. Vanessa did not tell her sister that she also found the two attractive. Vivian would not like it. She could not help talking about them, especially Ernest. Ernest was more suited for her taste. He was thirty-five, tan, muscular, and tall. Rumors said that he could have already gotten married six months ago, but his lover was found hanging on a tree by their backyard. It looked like she died from suicide, but many people believed she was murdered.
Vanessa wanted to pry more, but nobody wanted to tell her further. Ernest did not want to talk about it out of respect for Celine—that was her name.
Ernest was mysterious. Just like Vivian, she was more interested in him than Earl. Earl was a ladies’ man, and he had a reputation. If Vivian would end up with Ernest, they could redeem their wealth and status in society.
But Vanessa did not want to go back to her former life. She realized living in the countryside was not that bad after all. She could endure the hard work. She also found real friends in Villa Verde.
Vanessa was very pleased to be introduced to Ernest when their pub first opened. She was shy and embarrassed, but Ernest smiled at her sincerely and stared at her face a little longer than Vivian’s and told her she reminded him of someone from his past. Since then, she could not get him off her mind.
Her attraction toward him grew as each day passed. She would find Ernest staring at her from the crowd. He would smile unapologetically, and Vanessa would smile back timidly.
Maybe she stood a chance. Maybe Vivian would not mind. She had other wealthy suitors, anyway.
Vanessa had already memorized Ernest’s routine. He would come to the pub every other day. When he wanted to drink alone, he would rent a room upstairs, and a server or Vivian would bring his food and wine. Vivian had not succeeded in sleeping with him yet.
VANESSA watched Ernest as he ascended the wooden stairs after talking to the waiter. She was at the counter while Vivian entertained Earl and his friends.
She straightened her back when the waiter approached the counter.
“Mr. del Valle asked for a bottle of red wine, Madam Vanessa.”
“You must be tired, Arnel. I’ll take the wine to Ernest’s room myself.”
Arnel looked surprised and grateful at the same time.
“Are you sure, Madam?”
“Yes. But I need you to stay here at the counter.”
“That won’t be a problem, Madam,” Arnel replied enthusiastically.
Vanessa smiled and turned to grab their bestselling wine.
She was already anxious when she started on the stairs, holding a bottle and a glass in her hands. She glanced at Vivian, and she was laughing and flirting with Earl again.
Vanessa took a deep breath and shrugged.
She drew another breath as she finally stood in front of Ernest’s room. She knocked softly, but it was enough to get a response from him.
She pushed the door slowly and found Ernest sitting on the bed, his back facing her. He was staring into the open window. Vanessa could only see the dark woods. There was nothing spectacular to it. The candle on the nightstand illuminated his half-naked body.
She put the wine and the glass on the table and pulled another candle from the drawer.
“Do you still need anything?” she asked.
Ernest turned to her, completely surprised.
“Vanessa, you shouldn’t have…”
“It’s my job,” she said simply. She popped the bottle and poured his glass.
Ernest stood up and rolled to her side.
“Here.”
Ernest grabbed her hand, holding the glass. Vanessa’s chest pounded as she met his smoldering gaze.
“D-do you still need anything?”
“Can you stay a little longer?” he said ever softly.
Vanessa swallowed. She quietly sat beside him on the bed.
“You really remind me of her,” Ernest said as he studied her face through the candlelight.
“Who was she? Do we really look like each other?”
“The woman I used to love. No, you don’t look like each other, but you were as charming as her, innocent, shy, and very lovely. Too bad you can’t meet her. She’s already gone.”
“I-I’m…” Vanessa choked. “I’m sorry to hear that. It must be hard for you to see me as you are always reminded of her.”
Ernest finished his glass and set it aside on the table.
“No, that’s not that case. You make me happy. That’s the truth. I’m sure wherever Celine was, she’s at peace.”
“Well… I suppose that’s good to hear. But you still love her, don’t you?”
The side of Ernest’s mouth twitched into a smile that looked like a smirk.
“I don’t think I could ever love a woman as much as I loved her.” He stared at her face. “What about you, Vanessa? Have you ever loved a man to madness?”
She slowly shook her head.
“Not yet. But I want to. I know it’s a scary risk, but maybe I’ll find someone who is worth it.”
“Wow. Whoever that bastard is, he is very lucky. Just look at you.”
Vanessa noticed that Ernest’s face was moving closer. She made no attempt to move or escape. Instead, she patiently waited. She met his gaze before she closed her eyes and parted her lips.
Ernest caught the back of her head as he pressed his lips into hers. Vanessa felt like melting as her heart went wild. She parted her lips a little wider, and he deepened the kiss.
ERNEST pushed her to the bed without breaking the kiss. The taste of wine in his mouth made it more intoxicating. She could not get enough of him.
She let out a soft gasp as his hand slipped under the thin fabric of her dress. His hand left a burning sensation everywhere he touched. He caressed her waist, her stomach and spent some time fondling her taut breasts. Vanessa’s thighs moistened as her navel tightened in sweet pressure. Her toes curled as she pressed her thighs together.
Ernest had to break the kiss for a moment to remove her clothing and for Vanessa to catch her breath. His hand slipped inside her panties, and Vanessa whimpered in mixed surprise and embarrassment. At first, she hesitated.
“First time?” Ernest asked as he showered her face with butterfly kisses.
“Y-yes,” she whispered. “No one’s ever touched me there before.”
“Oh, goodness,” he groaned. “The little seductress is a virgin.” Then, he chuckled.
Vanessa could only bite her lip, her face burning.
“I’m sorry, darling. I meant it as a compliment.” He kissed her lips once more. “If you trust me tonight, you’ll walk out of this room as a woman.”
Vanessa stared at his face for a moment before sighing and loosening a bit. Ernest slipped his fingers between her thighs and caressed her wetness. Vanessa moaned and jerked at the sensation.
“Do you like it?” he asked teasingly.
“Hmm.” Vanessa found herself opening a little wider as she grabbed the sheets beneath her. “Oh!”
Ernest rubbed and stroked her clit with his skillful fingers, making her lose her mind every single time.
“E-Ernest!” She froze and winced at the pain when she realized what he was trying to do.
He paused.
“Is it that painful? Do you want me to stop?”
“N-no. Go on. I’ll be all right.”
“Vanessa, you sweet little thing.” Ernest claimed her mouth as he pushed one finger inside.
Vanessa jerked and froze, but it only lasted for a quick moment.
“You all right?”
“Yes.” Vanessa smiled and caressed his face. “I feel wonderful.”
“I HAVE TO go.”
“It’s still early,” Ernest protested.
“Yes, but Father wakes up early, and I don’t want to get caught. Besides, I have to prepare breakfast for you and other guests.”
“Will you join me?” he asked in an almost boyish tone.
“Aren’t you in a hurry to go back to your farm?” Vanessa asked in amusement. The fact that Ernest wanted to spend more time with her flattered her.
“I’m not. Do you want to send me away so bad?”
“Of course not. You’re a regular customer. You are my family’s favorite customer, actually.”
Ernest sighed in surrender.
“All right. But before you leave, can we have another turn? You’ve woken up the little fellow down there.”
Vanessa giggled as Ernest pushed the blanket away from their naked bodies. He pulled her on top of him. Vanessa brushed her long hair with her hand as she got penetrated by Ernest once again.
“You’re beautiful,” he declared as she began to rock her hips against him.
Vanessa smiled in delight as pleasure began to crack their bodies once again.
“WHERE were you last night, sister?” Vivian asked. Her tone was laced with a bit of suspicion.
“What do you mean? I was at the counter last night.” Vanessa dropped the pail in the well and pulled it afterward.
“Yes, but you disappeared, and I only saw Arnel.”
Vanessa poured the water into another bucket, grateful she did not have to look her sister in the face as she lied.
“Well, I went to bed early because I was tired. You know I have to wake up early because there’s just too much work in the garden. And you’re not helping me.”
Vivian frowned.
“Gardening will only ruin my skin. I will never find a rich husband if my hands get wrinkled.”
Vanessa could only roll her eye in secret. That’s not very surprising with Vivian at all.
“So, what happened with Earl last night?” Vanessa asked.
Vivian shrugged. “He’s nice, but he’s obviously not settling down for a couple of years. But it doesn’t matter. I met some wealthy travelers last night. They’re from the next town. It depends.”
“What about Ernest?”
“I think he’s playing hard to get.” Her sister pouted her lips. “There’s so many fish in the sea, sister. I was actually surprised they were way better than Alfred. I have finally realized what an idiot he was.”
“I’m happy for you. I mean it.”
“Thanks.” Vivian crinkled her eyes as she smiled.
“Villa Verde is not a bad place after all.”
“I agree. Except for the rumors about a beast lurking in the forest.”
“What?” Vanessa stared.
“That’s what I heard from the people at the market.” Vivian shrugged.