Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Cataleya

“There will be someone to pick you up. A black van. He’ll introduce himself as Timoteo. Remember—you’re already paid. We know who you are… and we know your father. In two weeks, you have to gain Fabien’s trust. His love. Everything. After that, you’re free.”

The words looped in my mind like a broken record.

I stood by the roadside, arms wrapped around myself as if that could somehow hold me together. The night air was thick, clinging to my skin, and the distant hum of passing vehicles only made the silence around me feel heavier.

A black van.

That was what they said.

So why was there none?

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, my heels digging painfully into the pavement. I wasn’t used to shoes like these—too high, too thin, too impractical for someone who had spent most of her life running errands in worn-out slippers.

What have I gotten myself into?

Two hundred thousand pesos.

That was all it took to drag me into this mess. The remaining balance of my father’s hospital bill. The price of keeping him alive.

Four hundred thousand.

That was the total. The number that haunted me every time I closed my eyes. Blood transfusions, surgery, ICU—everything stacked up until it felt like I was suffocating under the weight of it.

And the hospital wouldn’t budge.

Pay, or your father stays.

Simple as that.

I clenched my fists.

So I paid.

Or at least, I let someone else pay for me.

In exchange… I didn’t even fully understand what I had agreed to.

“Two weeks,” I whispered to myself, letting out a shaky breath. “Just two weeks.”

Two weeks to make a man fall in love with me.

I let out a humorless laugh.

Do they think I’m Cleopatra or something?

I was trained, yes. They taught me how to look at a man, how to speak, how to touch without really touching. How to make someone feel wanted—even if it was all a lie.

But that was for a night.

One night.

A stranger behind a screen.

This? This was real. This was dangerous.

And I didn’t even know who Fabien was.

No photo. No background. No warning.

Just a name.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling over.

“Brother…” I muttered under my breath, my jaw tightening. “I swear, when you come back, I’m going to kill you.”

The words were half anger, half desperation.

There were only two of us, and he still left.

Three weeks.

Three weeks without a single message. Not even a sign that he was alive.

After everything our father sacrificed just so he could become a police officer…

After I stopped going to school for two years to help…

He just disappeared.

And now I was here.

Alone.

Handling everything.

I exhaled sharply and glanced at the road again.

Still nothing.

“Where is he…” I muttered, swatting at a mosquito that had just bitten my arm. “I’m getting eaten alive here.”

Then—

Headlights.

My heart skipped.

A black vehicle sped toward me, faster than it should’ve, before coming to a sharp stop right in front of me.

I blinked.

That’s not a van.

Before I could even process it, the passenger door opened.

And then he stepped out.

I swallowed.

Okay… no one warned me about this.

He wasn’t just good-looking.

He was the kind of man that made you forget what you were about to say.

Tall—too tall. I had to tilt my head slightly just to meet his eyes. His hair brushed the nape of his neck, slightly longer than usual, with soft bangs framing his face. Three small earrings lined one ear, catching the faint light.

And his face— God.

Sharp nose. Defined jaw. The kind of features you only see in magazines. His nose alone can lift up the economy of the Philippines.

“Catie?” he said, his voice deep and steady.

My spine straightened instantly.

“C-Code… poison ivy… two—two—” My mind blanked. “Damn it! I forgot. 269!”

Smooth, Catie. Very smooth.

He smirked.

And I swear, that smirk alone could ruin lives.

“T-Timoteo?” I stammered.

“No.”

I blinked.

No?

My brows furrowed.

No… what?

No as in—no, he’s not Timoteo?

Or… No is his name?

Does he have a last name? No… Body?

What kind of name is that?!

Before I could embarrass myself further, he opened the passenger door and glanced at me.

“Hop in.”

I hesitated.

This wasn’t right.

This wasn’t the plan.

Someone else was supposed to pick me up. Someone named Timoteo. And this man, I didn’t even know who he was.

My mission was Fabien de Ravelo.

That was it.

That was all I was given.

No face. No details. No anything.

So how am I supposed to trust this guy?

“I—”

The words died in my throat.

Because suddenly a vehicle screeched from the left.

Too fast.

Too sudden.

My eyes widened as a man climbed halfway out of its roof, holding an armalite.

My blood ran cold.

“Down! Get down!” I screamed instinctively, my body already moving before my mind could catch up.

Gunshots exploded in the air.

Deafening.

My ears rang as fear shot through me, sharp and paralyzing.

This is it.

This is how I die.

I stumbled toward the car, my heels nearly giving out beneath me, as the man beside me pulled out a gun of his own.

Gold.

That was the first thing I noticed.

His gun was gold.

Who even carries a gold gun?!

For a split second, my brain betrayed me.

Is that real gold? Can that be sold?

Focus, idiot!

More gunfire rang out.

I flinched, ducking lower as bullets seemed to tear through the air around us.

I glanced back and my heart nearly stopped.

The vehicle that had driven past us… was turning around.

They’re coming back.

A groan pulled my attention back to the man.

He was gripping his side, his face twisted in pain.

“H-Hey! You’re hit!” I blurted out as he swayed.

He was about to fall.

Without thinking, I rushed forward and caught him.

Or at least, I tried to.

He was heavy.

Unfairly heavy.

“Run!” he snapped, his voice strained.

But I didn’t listen.

I couldn’t.

If I ran, he’d die.

And if he died I didn’t even want to think about what would happen to me.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to move, dragging him toward the car with every ounce of strength I had.

“Why are you so heavy?!” I hissed under my breath, struggling.

Somehow I managed to shove him into the backseat.

My heels were killing me.

Without hesitation, I kicked them off and threw them inside.

My skirt rode up as I moved, the hem barely covering anything anymore—but I didn’t care.

Survival first.

Dignity later.

“Keys!” I muttered frantically as I slammed the door shut.

The keys were still there.

Thank God.

My hands shook as I started the engine.

The other car was getting closer.

No time.

I stepped on the gas.

The car jerked forward, swerving slightly before I managed to straighten it out.

“W-What was that?!” I blurted, my voice trembling. “Why are they trying to kill you?!”

No answer.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.

Good thing my brother taught me how to drive.

Even if this…this car felt nothing like the ones I was used to. The steering wheel was too smooth. Too sensitive.

A slight movement, and the whole car responded immediately. Not like the old vehicles I’d driven before, where you had to wrestle the wheel just to turn.

How is the man? Is he still alive?

I glanced at the rearview mirror. Nothing.

The car that had been chasing us… was gone.

“How…?” I whispered.

This car…

It’s insane. This is so good.

“D-Do you have a driver’s license?” the man asked weakly from the backseat, his breathing uneven.

I almost choked.

“Are you serious? You’re dying and that’s what you’re worried about?! Pray we survive first!”

Unbelievable.

Of all the things— I shook my head, focusing back on the road.

Luxury car or not, I was driving like my life depended on it.

Because it did.

“Where do I take you?” I asked, glancing back briefly. “Please don’t die.”

“I’m not dying,” he muttered. “Just… keep driving.”

So I did.

I drove fast.

Faster than I ever had.

Taking turns, slipping into empty roads, choosing routes that looked deserted based on the car’s monitor.

It felt unreal.

Like I was inside a movie.

“Press the blue button,” he said suddenly.

I obeyed without thinking.

The screen changed.

“Route to de Ravelo mansion,” he added.

My breath hitched.

De Ravelo.

That name again.

So this is where I’m supposed to go.

A map appeared, guiding me.

A calm voice followed.

“Please follow the route to de Ravelo mansion. Estimated time: thirty-five minutes at 60 kph. At 100 kph, the estimated time is—”

“Will you even make it there alive?” I cut in, my voice tight.

“I will,” he said simply.

Then he closed his eyes.

My heart dropped.

His phone slipped from his hand and fell to the seat.

“No… no, no—” Panic surged through me. “Hey! You said you wouldn’t die!”

Silence.

Oh my God.

Is he dead?!

“Hey!” I snapped, my voice rising. “You said no one’s dying! Stay alive or I swear I’ll kill you myself!”

A beat.

Then—

“I’m alive,” he muttered weakly. “Who would die with how loud you are?”

My jaw dropped.

This—

This idiot.

“You—!” I gripped the wheel tighter. “Fine! I’ll keep talking then! I’ll sing if I have to!”

And before I could stop myself—

“🎵 Old Macdonald had a farm ei ya— 🎵”

“Jesus…” he groaned.

I froze.

“H-Hey… do you see Him already?” I asked nervously. “Don’t go yet, please. I still have dreams. You can die later—just not while I’m here!”

A click.

I heard it clearly.

The unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked.

I snapped my mouth shut.

Okay.

Silence it is.