Taming A Billionaire

The third point of view :

"Okay, where are we going?" Pedro asked his girlfriend Isabella unsure. All he knew was that she had come out of nowhere and whisked him from his mother.

Isabella smiled up at him, "You'd see when we get there," She continued to lead him to the unknown destination.

Pedro was confused, all he kept seeing were bushes, they were going deeper into the woods that provided good camouflage for the base. 

The large arc of lands seemed to stretch on forever and it was private and restricted from the very entrance, hence people unfamiliar with the terrain could get lost if they dared to get in. Even with that, there was enough hidden surveillance up among the trees that one couldn't see no matter what. That way, Sakuzi has been able to monitor the activities of trespassers - and enemies.

"Isabella, are you sure you know the way?" Pedro was beginning to fear for his safety. He had forgotten his cellphone back at the base and they had walked so deep enough into the woods he swore he couldn't find his way back. 

"Don't worry, I have toured this area once," she told him but Pedro was far from being assured. 

"Just once?!" He cried out, unbelieving what he just heard. Isabella was taking him to the heart of this forest after touring it just once? Once!

"I have a photographic memory, you're in safe hands," She winked at him, continuing their journey.

"Babe," Pedro stopped, drawing her back as he began, "Is not that I don't trust you, but we're in the middle of a forest. What if you mistakenly forget your way back?"

"I have my phone," She waved it at his face smugly.

"What if there's no network and you're unable to place a call? Or even worse, the battery dies?" he pointed out everything that could go wrong.

Isabella pursed her lips, reasoning it, "I guess we'd get lost then,"

"It's not funny," Pedro tried not to laugh - she was tempting him, "There could be wild animals in here who wouldn't hesitate to use us as their meal,"

"Baby," Isabella stepped closer and then wrapped her hands around his neck, "Don't be afraid, I'll protect you,"

"I'm the one supposed to protect you," Pedro corrected her.

"What a man can do, a woman can do better," She grinned at him.

"You're unbelievable," He laughed.

"Well, even if we get lost, this doesn't seem like a bad place to start our future together," she looked around at the tall canopies of trees, "We could be like Tarzan and Jane, build a local hut there," she pointed.

"We'd live a simple life different from the frenzied everyday urban lifestyle," Isabella continued speaking with dreamlike fascination," We'd make clothes out of plants and animal skins and I'm sure we'd stumble upon a waterfall somewhere if we search well. Then we'd have children - a boy and a girl - she would take after you while the boy takes after me. Together, we'd live happily until civilization finds us. How does that sound? "

Pedro stared at her emotionlessly at first before a smile broke out on his face, "You have quite an active imagination," 

She looked him straight in the eyes saying, "It means planning for the future. Our life is dynamic and unpredictable, we have to be prepared if push comes to shove," 

"Have I told you I love you before," Pedro asked out of nowhere. 

"Nope, kind of been waiting for that," She answered truthfully. 

Pedro leaned his forehead on hers, "I love you, Isabella,"

"Forever and ever kind of love?"

"Nope,"

Stunned by his answer, she glanced up at him questioningly.

"Forever and ever is a fairytale, ours would be real - the kind of love I would wake up to fighting for every day," He confessed and then kissed her on the lips.

It was gentle and tentative at first but it gained passion and she drew him closer, burying and pulling the locks of his hair while his hand pressed her closer as if he wanted to merge their body as one.

"We should go," Isabella broke away.

"Yes, we should," He agreed and let her take his hand, leading him onward once again.

They walked on until she suddenly said, "Stop,"

He did. 

"Do you trust me?" She asked him out of nowhere. 

"Of course, I do," 

"Then close your eyes,"

His brows quirked up

"Just do it," She groaned.

"Fine," Pedro obeyed and closed his eyes. However, not less than a second, he tried to see through peered eyes.

"No peeping!" Isabella scolded him.

"Fine," He squeezed them shut.

"Alright, now follow my lead," She began to lead him carefully over the shrubs and uneven ground.

"Stop," Was the order Pedro heard and he halted instantly, knowing better than to disobey her order.

He felt Isabella draw him closer and then came to his side to announce, "You can open your eyes now,"

Slowly, Pedro peeled his eyes open, having a high expectation for whatever surprise she has in store for him.

"Wow," Pedro gasped when he saw the small clearing in front of them. The small bush around the clearing was filled with rose flowers as if someone had intentionally cultivated them there.

"I sat down and learned we haven't gotten to spent time together as a real couple without conflict, interference from our parents and 'siblings'..." she said that one a little too hard.

"So I decided to prepare this little picnic. How is it?" she glanced up with anticipation of a positive reply. 

"Wow," Pedro laughed, "This is unbelievable. How did you even find it here? It's something out of this world," He admired the wildflowers. 

"Well, while I was looking around, I heard the men talking about some romantic spot in the forest where they could take their girlfriend for a fun time," She whispered, "So I decided to lay claim to it first," 

"You're amazing," He pecked her on the lips. 

At that moment, Isabella felt joy in her heart like never before. The smile on his face made her contented - she was proud to know she was the one responsible for that smile. 

"We should start the picnic before the food gets cold," she informed him, going ahead to remove the material she had draped over the basket to prevent those annoying rodents and insects from getting in.

The large basket contained food flasks which she had used to store the foods, flask mug and water, and of course, cutlery.

"You cooked?" Pedro asked, unsure. 

He could have asked if she had the workers make the food but the way Isabella was so meticulous with the arrangement, he had an inkling she might have cooked even though he has never seen her in the kitchen. And for that reason alone, Pedro wished she would say no - he doesn't want to die from food poisoning.

"Yes, I did," Isabella announced excitedly.

"Yeah?" Pedro was stunned yet struggled to show appreciation for her even attempting to cook. He was torn.

"Crazy, right?" Isabella grinned. This was her first experimental cooking and she hoped he likes it.

"Yea," He forced a smile on his face even though he was nervous inside. 

Well, what could happen? Isabella wouldn't hurt him - intentionally. Pedro watched his girlfriend begin to set up the dishes and in no time it was time to eat. 

Pedro stabbed his fork into the elegant-looking fish and brought it to his face, "What is this?"

"Salsa-verde-slather salmon," Isabella said. 

His brow raised questioningly, "What?" 

"I saw it on the internet, it should taste good, I suppose," Isabella shrug. 

She suppose? Pedro felt like crying - she wasn't even sure. Didn't she care for his life? He stared at the golden brown, luscious, pan-seared salmon and gulped. Well, the fish didn't look that bad and this was all for love. 

With determination, Pedro took a bite and chewed with uncertainty. At first, it tasted tangy until the rich taste exploded in his mouth. 

"Umm," his eyes widened with surprise as he turned to Isabella, "This tastes so good. It's so delicious," He complimented her. 

A smile flashed across Isabella's face and she began to feed him, motivated by his comment. 

"Thank you," Pedro accepted the food and when he had chewed enough, said to her, "You're incredible,"

"How so?" Isabella asked, still feeding him. 

"You're smart and beautiful and -" 

"You're a sweet talker," she concluded, feeding him another bite. 

"It just amazes me how you make things that seem difficult to others easy," He confessed, "I kind of envy you,"

Isabella paused, they stared at each other for a while and he said, "I'm not perfect. I got flaws too,"

"Beautiful flaws," He smiled at her.

Isabella looked away, a blush creeping up her face. 

"I just love the fact…." Pedro suddenly paused, an uneasy feeling in his stomach. 

"What is it?" Isabella noticed the change in his demeanor. 

"I feel weird," Pedro said with a crease on his face, rubbing his stomach. 

"Weird?" 

"What did you put in the food," He suddenly asked. 

"Everything as described on the recipe," 

"Ugh," Pedro groaned, realization dawning on him. "It's the spice," he revealed, clutching his stomach, "I think I need the toilet," 

"Toilet?" Isabella panicked, "But there's no toilet around here," She searched the forest. 

Without as much word to her, Pedro sprinted into the forest before he does the first in his pants. 

Isabella stood baffled. The picnic wasn't supposed to end this way. So much for trying to be romantic.