A Wild Turn: THE SECRET CEO’S CONTRACT GIRLFRIEND

Akala ko kapag iniwan mo na ang taong nanakit sa'yo, gagaan na ang pakiramdam mo nang ganon ganon na lang.Pero hindi pala.It's been three days since I walked out on Jared, and yet here I am-nakahiga pa rin sa kama, walang gana kumain, and feeling like trash. Nakatingin lang ako sa kisame habang paulit-ulit na tumutugtog sa utak ko ang sinabi niya."I love her, Ellyn. Minahal ko na siya kesa sa'yo."Bullshit.Pumikit ako at pilit na pinipigilan ang pagbagsak ng luha sa mga mata ko. I shouldn't cry. I told myself that I wouldn't. Pero bakit ganito? Bakit parang ako pa rin ang talo?My phone buzzed for the fourth time today. I ignored it, but curiosity got the best of me. Hinila ko ang kumot pababa, bumangon, at tinignan kung sino ang nag-message.[12 messages from Jared]Delete.Nanginginig ang daliri ko pero pinilit kong pindutin ang delete. I cannot let myself fall into that trap again. I deserve better. And I won't let this man have access to me again.Bigla namang nag-pop up ang m

Kinabukasan, naghintay ako sa may gym kung saan madalas mag-break si Red. Nakatayo siya sa pader, umiinom ng iced coffee habang nagso-scroll lang naman ng cellphone.Here goes nothing."Hi," I said.Red looked up, eyes filled with recognition as he saw me. "Ellyn, right?"He remembers me."Yeah. Do you have a minute?"He slid his phone into his pocket. "Sure."I motioned toward the empty bench near the gym doors. He followed."I'm going to be honest," I began, fiddling with my fingers. "This will probably sound crazy."He gave a small chuckle. "I like crazy."I blinked. "Okay... good. So, here it is. I want to ask you for a favor."He tilted his head. "Go on."I swallowed hard. "I want to fake a relationship with you.”Silence.Red blinked slowly. "Okay. That's not what I was expecting.""I know, I know," I said quickly. "But just hear me out."He raised a brow. "I'm listening."I licked my lips, steadying my voice. "I just broke up with Jared. I'm sure you know what happened."He nod

The next morning, nag-meet kami sa library and damn, I think I am in the worse situation than I thought.Red showed up with glasses. Reading glasses. Para siyang isang main character sa isang drama. Like the male lead author sa Chicago Typewriter. Yep. The vibe is like that right now. And the fact that he's even holding a mystery book tucked between his right now doesn't even make my situation much better.“Stop looking at me like that,” sabi niya habang paupo sa tabing upuan ko.“I can’t help it. You’re so... theatrical," pagsabi ko ng totoo habang nakatitig pa rin sa kanya.He smirked. “Thanks." Nakita ang mga mata niya nang may tinignan sa likod ko at mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti niya. "Just wait. The show will begin in three... two...”Bigla siyang nag-lean in sa upuan at nilagay ang braso sa mga balikat ko. My heart skipped a beat again.“You smell like strawberries,” he said, not even whispering.I almost snorted. “You’re ridiculous. I'm not."“You love it,” he shot back, eyes t

“Let’s talk.” “Ayoko nga,” agad kong tanggi sa kanya at yumakap kay Red. “Tignan mo busy kami ng hubby ko eh.” “I know your relationship is fake. Cut the act, Ellyn,” sabi niya. Wow, sino siya para sabihan ako? Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. “Excuse me? This is not an act. Boyfriend ko talaga si Red.” Tumawa si Jared. “Talaga? Eh, bagong transferee nga lang siya eh. And did you know who he fucking is? He’s my cousin. Do you know what that means?” “Yes. It means I can still get your last name. Hindi nga lang galing na sa’yo,” I retorted back. There are many oohs and positive cheers being heard all around the cafeteria. Mas lalo kong nakikita na nati-trigger na si Jared. Lumingon siya kay Red. “Bro, are you fucking kidding me? You know she’s my ex. Why would you have a relationship with her? You know what happened to us.” “Yeah, I know.” Naramdaman ko ang kamay niya ay humaplos sa beywang ko. “I know what you really did to her.” Another oohs ang narinig namin mula sa ka

---ELLYN'S POV---"Ano?!" Napatayo ako sa aking upuan nang marinig ko ang sinabi ng tatay ko sa akin.Naghahapunan kami ng maaga dahil may sasabihin na importante daw si Daddy sa amin but I never thought it was all about a freakin' arranged marriage! At ang napiling ipapakasal? Ako!"Hindi ako papayag. Dad, you know I have a boyfriend!" Hindi ko lubusan na mapigilan ang aking sarili na magtaas ng boses. Paano ba naman at apaka-unfair ang gagawin niya sa akin. "My older brother still doesn't have a wife and he's almost gonna be thirty in a few years, bakit ako?""We need to further expand our connections with other companies, hija," sagot niya sa akin. "Our hospital isn't making enough money. We need modern equipments for innovated conditions. We are the most prestigious hospital in our place. If hindi 'to maaagapan, all will be gone."And their plan is to sell me off as a wife of what? The richest guy in town? Ano 'to, telenovela? No way I would marry off someone I don't know!"Father