Arranged Marriage With The Ruthless Billionaire

Akasia’s Point Of View

Loud noises, the arousing smell of alcohol, and shared laughter. I was enjoying the night with Lucila, one of my friends who has always been there for me since school days. We are currently in a club where we usually go during weekends.

Most of the time we were out shopping for stuff, but tonight is different. We want to lure ourselves in with alcohol.

“Are you having fun?” Lucila asked me while she took a shot of Black Label.

“Of course! Next week pa ang uwi ni Dad, so I can do what I want! The night is still young!” I shouted in glee.

“Girl? You're an adult, pero takot ka pa rin sa Dad mo?” She asked me. I simply nodded and took a shot too. Everyone’s scared of Dad, even my older brother is scared of him too.

We were about to dance on the dance floor when my phone suddenly received a text.

It was a text from my brother telling me to go home because Dad just came back from his flight.

“Shit! I need to go!” Sabi ko kay Lucila. Nagtaka naman siya pero nag-thumbs up naman kaagad. I drove my car straight home and decided to drink a lot of water and spray perfume so that he won't notice that I came back from the club.

Nadatnan ko siyang nakaupo lang sa sala at mukhang maraming inaasikaso. I greeted him, and he closed his laptop.

“Where were you?” He asked me. His voice is really intimidating.

“I was out with Lucila, you know, girl stuff.” Pagpapalusot ko. Gumana naman dahil tumango siya.

“Okay, fix your clothes, and you are coming with me.” He ordered. Proprotesta na sana ako kaso lumabas na siya.

Are we going out for dinner? Because I saw Akai wearing formal attire. He did not utter a word and followed Dad outside. I changed my clothes to a formal and decent one that was still captivating.

While we were in Dad’s car, he kept asking me questions.

“Do you still remember Caleb?” He asked.

“Who?” Nagtatakang tanong ko pabalik. Marami akong kakilala at hindi ko na sila maalala isa-isa kapag pangalan lang.

“Caleb Fajardo, your childhood friend?” He cleared. I tried to remember a man named Caleb Fajardo, but I got nothing in my mind.

“So? What’s with him?” I asked. Hindi na sumagot si Dad at binilisan na lang ang pagpapatakbo ng sasakyan. Wala akong ideya sa tinutukoy niya at wala rin akong ideya sa pupuntahan namin.

Kung ano man ‘to, sana ay mabilis lang dahil nakakaramdam na ako ng antok.

And this better be important! I left Lucila having fun in the club while I was stuck with my father and my brother in this car going somewhere I am not familiar with.

We stopped in a huge building, and when we got in, we were welcomed by a chill ambiance and a huge chandelier on the ceiling.

Glad that someone offered us a champagne, so I took a glass and drank it while I followed my father.

As far as I can see, the people in here are businessmenand women, business tycoons, and everything that Dad has connections with.

We stopped in the middle, and Dad shook his hands with someone.

“It’s nice to see you again, Carlo.” Dad said as he shook this random man’s hand. He smiled at my Dad and looked at me.

“Is this Akasia?” That man asked my Dad.

Sino ‘to? Bakit kilala niya ako pero hindi ko siya kilala? Kahit hindi ko siya maalala, kinamayan ko na lang siya.

“I’ll just check their patio.” I said it to my Dad and he agreed. He told me to come back immediately.

Business meeting lang pala ‘to, sinama pa kami. Edi, sana nasa kwarto na lang ako at natutulog.

I was standing on their broad patio and looked at the nice view.

How nice life is. I love my life, my friends, and everything. I am free to do whatever I want, and sometimes my dad is just the hindrance, nothing else.

I was about to go back when I bumped into someone, causing my champagne to spill.

“Shi—sorry!” I hurriedly grabbed my handkerchief and wiped the man’s necktie. He stopped my hands from wiping him, and I winced a bit because he was holding them tight.

When I looked at his face, he seemed familiar, and his eyebrows met. His cold hazel eyes met mine.

“Stupida,” He uttered.

Ano?! Hindi ko nga sinasadya!

Iniwan ko na siya na nakatayo dahil baka kung ano ang magawa ko sa inis. Pinuntahan ko na kung saan yung puwesto kanina nila Dad at sakto raw ang pagdating ko.

“Oh, there he is,” That man said as he was looking from behind us.

Nakaharap ko nanaman yung nabuhusan ko ng champagne kanina.

“Oh, what happened to you, Caleb?” My Dad asked him as he saw his suit wet.

“Some random girl stupidly threw her champagne on me.” He said.

Grabe! Hindi ko nga sinasadya! Mali-mali rin ang kwento nito ah!

“This is Akasia, do you remember her?” That man asked Caleb and looked at me.

Caleb then looked at me. He inspected my face quietly and shook his head.

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko nang maalala kung sino siya. Siya yung kalaro ko dati nung sobrang bata pa ako! Naalala ko dahil doon sa mga mata niya. Kaya pala tinatanong ako ni Dad kung naalala ko siya!

“Don’t worry, maalala rin nila ang isa’t-isa. Let’s announce it.” Tito Carlo said. Pinaalala na sa akin ni Dad kung sino siya.

“Announce what?” That Caleb asked while his brows were furrowed.

Lagi ba ‘tong galit? Pinaglihi siguro ‘to sa sama ng loob.

“This party is for your engagement with Akasia.”

Parang pumintig ang tenga ko nang marinig ‘yon.

I was holding my breath and curiously looking at my Dad waiting for him to tell everything.

Dad looked at me and said those words.

“You are getting married to him.”