HER COLLATERAL HUSBAND

"Whose husband is this? He's so handsome," Zelena admired a large picture frame hanging inside the room.

She smiled even more.

"Oh, I forgot, he's my husband," she laughed.

She jumped slightly when the door opened.

She immediately looked over, and both she and Dylan were surprised.

"What are you doing in my room?" he asked, frowning.

She greeted him with a smile.

She was about to speak, but he passed by her and placed his bag on the table.

He squinted and looked around the entire room.

She hurried to her office, which was connected to her own room.

"Where are my papers?" he shouted from there.

Zelena followed, flustered.

"They're in your desk drawer. There were too many, so I put the rest in the drawers. Don’t worry, they’re organized—"

"I told you not to mess with my stuff! Can’t you understand? I’m tired from work, and then I come home to find my room all messed up?" Dylan said, restraining his irritation.

Zelena took a small step back, surprised by his reaction—it was the first time she had seen him like this.

His treatment of her was cold, unlike the cheerful way he acted with others.

He used to be a womanizer, and she was avoiding her husband.

"I just want to help, because guess what? This is our first month together as a married couple, and I wanted to fix your room so you can rest better."

Zelena forced a smile, hoping to ease his annoyance.

He gave her a stern look.

"Are you forgetting that you're only my wife on paper?"

Zelena’s smile faded, and she was silent.

"We got married so we wouldn’t leave here while we’re paying off your family's debt. And you—you’re enjoying all of this because you’re not the one struggling!" he said.

She swallowed hard.

"I-I'm sorry, I thought it was okay—"

"Just get out. I don't want to waste my energy on you. I'm too tired to argue with a self-centered person," Dylan said, turning away and pulling out papers from the drawers.

Zelena clenched her fists tightly and walked away.

She went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Oh. Are you okay, dear?" their nanny, Tina, asked.

Zelena took a deep breath and sat at the countertop.

"I was just organizing Dylan's room, Nay. I didn’t know he would get angry. His papers were all over the place. I just wanted to help," she explained.

[Nanay/'Nay' means 'mother,' or a sweet term for a woman older than you.]

Tina handed her a glass of water.

"What you did wasn’t wrong, Zelena, but you know your husband—he doesn’t like anyone meddling in his things," she said gently.

Zelena nodded repeatedly.

"I don’t feel like he’s my husband. What if they pay off their 200 million debt? Maybe he won’t come back here anymore, ‘Nay," she said sadly.

"Isn’t there interest on that? And, dear, you can’t change how other people feel," Tina reminded her.

Zelena sighed again.

"But, ‘Nay, I love him. Even if he doesn’t love me, can’t he at least be kind to me? They’re the ones with the debt, and he’s the one who’s angry."

"He feels like he’s a sacrifice, like he’s collateral. So hopefully, you can understand him too, dear."

Zelena took a deep breath.

"Collateral? Just in case they can’t pay, he really becomes mine? For what? He doesn’t even pay attention to me. And they’re determined to pay. Once they clear the debt, maybe he’ll divorce me, ‘Nay."

Tina sighed.

"By the way, I’m leaving for a bit. I won’t be here for dinner, Nay. I’m meeting friends. Please tell Dylan."

"Alright, dear. If he asks," Tina replied.

Zelena sighed again.

"Actually, never mind. He doesn’t care about me."

Zelena adjusted her black shades as she entered a bar. A bouncer immediately opened the way for her into a VIP area upstairs, where ordinary people couldn’t enter.

She smiled when she saw her friends.

"Hi, girls!" she greeted and sat beside Lily.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Katee asked.

Katee was quieter compared to Lily and Zelena.

"Why? What’s wrong with her blue backless dress?" Lily asked, looking at Zelena’s outfit.

Zelena posed.

"With a high slit," Katee added.

"So?" Lily asked.

"She doesn’t look married," their friend commented.

Zelena laughed.

"You mean I don’t look like Mrs. Zelena Havens Arivelez-Romano?"

Katee nodded.

"You should’ve worn a shawl."

Lily laughed.

"You’re more conservative than his wife."

"Of course. Maybe no matter what she wears, Dylan wouldn’t care," Katee said.

Pretending to be hurt, Zelena held her chest.

"Ouch! But that’s true. Actually, I invited you here because we had a fight."

Both of them frowned.

"You fought? You mean, you argued? But doesn’t he sometimes ignore you?" Lily asked.

Zelena nodded and took a sip of the drink Katee ordered.

"We didn’t have a big argument. He just yelled at me because I touched his things."

"Red flag. You know he doesn’t like you. I mean, who would be happy marrying someone whose family owes money?" Katee said.

"You’re blind too, sis. Haven’t you gotten used to it?" Lily asked.

"I’m used to it, but I want us to be able to talk properly. I just don’t get why he’s so mad at me," Zelena said, frustrated.

Lily sighed.

"Well, you’re pretty, smart, a bit high-maintenance, but kind."

Zelena smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I know," she said playfully.

"Almost everyone likes you. Who wouldn’t, right?" Lily teased.

Zelena flipped her hair.

"Dylan," Katee answered, drinking.

Zelena’s smile vanished immediately.

"I know that too. It’s annoying, right? He was a womanizer before, but I’m the only woman he rejects. What do you guys think? Is he still cheating?" she asked.

"He’s professional, and almost everyone knows he’s married. Maybe he’s settled down," Katee said.

"That is if he wears your wedding ring," Lily added.

Zelena sighed.

"I haven’t noticed."

She stood and watched the dancers below.

‘What can I do to make him notice me?’

Katee and Lily continued drinking.

Even though the lights were dim and the music loud, Zelena still scanned the crowd.

As usual, many people were there because the bar’s owner was their classmate with influential parents.

She returned to their table, grabbed a bottle of beer, and went back.

She took a sip before leaning her arms on the railing.

Her brow furrowed as she noticed a familiar face at the bar counter downstairs. He was sitting and talking to a woman with a smile.

"Dylan?"

After arguing with me, he comes here too.

Her expression grew serious as she finished her drink.

She returned to their table and set the bottle down.

"I’ll just dance downstairs," she said.

The two looked at her.

"We’ll go with you. You never know who might come up to you," Katee said.

Zelena smiled and shook her head.

They left their things behind and headed to the dance floor.

They danced with the crowd. It was so crowded they were pressed close together, and almost everyone was talking to them.

Zelena quietly moved away from Katee and went toward Dylan.

She glanced while dancing and saw the woman still there. Dylan was with two friends standing behind her.

Her heart raced as she saw the woman holding her husband’s arm.

She stopped dancing and bravely approached behind Dylan, where there was an empty seat.

She smiled at the bartender.

"Nice to see you here, Miss Zelena! What would you like to drink? It’s on the house," he said with a smile.

She noticed Dylan stop talking and glance slightly her way.

She deliberately brushed her hair back and let it fall over her left shoulder.

"One shot of whiskey," she said firmly.

From her peripheral vision, she saw Dylan adjust his seat and face the counter, but the woman was still beside him.

While the bartender prepared the whiskey, Zelena secretly looked at Dylan’s hands on the counter.

She swallowed hard when she noticed he wasn’t wearing a ring.

She quickly took the whiskey as the bartender placed it in front of her.

"Miss Zelena Arivelez?"

She turned when a man on her right called her.

She forced a smile when she saw he was one of Dylan’s friends.

"Yes?"

"So, you drink here too. Are you with someone?" the man asked.

She adjusted her seat and deliberately leaned her back against Dylan’s arm.

"I’m with my friends," she answered and signaled the bartender for another whiskey.

"By the way, I’m Lucas, and this is Bryan," the man said, standing to introduce himself and his companion.

‘Of course I know you. When you were in college, I already knew Dylan’s friends.’

She nodded.

"And the guy behind you is Dylan. Do you know him?" Bryan asked.

Zelena glanced over at Dylan, who was sitting quietly beside her.

“Of course I know him. He’s famous, especially with the ladies,” she replied with a laugh.

They both chuckled.

Dylan didn’t look her way.

“Hey, Dylan,” Lucas called out.

Dylan turned and looked at him seriously.

Their eyes met briefly, but Zelena quickly looked away and focused on Bryan instead.

“What? ” Dylan asked bluntly.

“Do you know Miss Zelena? We went to the same college; we were just a year ahead of her,” Lucas explained.

Dylan nodded and took a sip of his beer.

Zelena smiled subtly.

‘Of course he knows his own wife.’

“Hi, Zelena! ”

Her smile disappeared when the woman with Dylan greeted her.

“Hi.”

She forced a smile.

“I’m Honey,” the woman introduced herself, extending her hand toward Zelena.

Dylan was between them as Honey awkwardly reached out.

Zelena just glanced at her, nodded, and took a sip.

Embarrassed, Honey slowly withdrew her hand.

“Are you Dylan’s girlfriend? ” Zelena asked bluntly, looking at Honey.

The woman fell silent for a moment, her gaze shifting between Zelena and Dylan.

“W-What—”

“Dylan’s already married,” Lucas cut off Honey’s words.

Zelena smirked and signaled the bartender again.

‘But you don’t know who his wife is.’

Their wedding had been intimate, with only close family invited.

“Really? You’re married? You look so young,” Honey said, turning to Dylan.

Bryan and others laughed.

“Yeah, I know. He’s handsome and friendly,” Honey replied.

Zelena stopped herself from rolling her eyes.

“Ah, friendly. That’s why I thought you two were a couple,” she said.

She noticed Dylan gripping his bottle tighter.

Honey laughed exaggeratedly.

“Really? We’re not there yet. I mean, we’re just friends.”

Zelena hid her clenched hands on her lap.

“Are you sure? You look good together. It’s impossible you’re not fooling around,” Zelena joked, laughing.

She got even more annoyed when Lucas laughed loudly.

“Cut it out,” Dylan said, looking at her.

She smiled because he noticed.

“Oh, sorry. Haven’t you reached that part yet? ” she teased.

He didn’t answer and looked back at his beer.

“Why are you curious? Because you’ve heard he’s good? ” Honey asked, laughing.

Zelena wasn’t sure whether to laugh or get annoyed.

“No. I mean, he’s popular. Even in college, he was known among the girls. I don’t know if the rumors about him being ‘good’ are true,” she said innocently.

“He’s good. Really good—”

“Oh, so you’ve tried him? Wow. He’s married, but—”

“Can you stop? Dylan looked at her seriously, his expression like when he was holding back anger earlier”.

She grinned and shook her head.

“Cut him some slack, Miss Zelena. Maybe his wife just hasn’t given him the chance,” Lucas joked.

‘He hasn’t even kissed me yet.’

Zelena grabbed her whiskey, took a drink, and signaled the bartender for another round.

“Hey. Are you mad? ” Honey asked Dylan arrogantly.

Zelena turned around and saw Dylan smile at Honey and shake his head.

She took another sip of her whiskey and thanked the bartender.

Lucas was about to say something, but Zelena stood up.

She returned to the dance floor and resumed dancing.

She noticed Lucas following and inviting Dylan.

She smiled, thinking to get her husband’s attention.

Many men were dancing with her, but she moved closer to Dylan. She made sure Honey was watching, who was busy dancing with Lucas, but her eyes stayed on Dylan.

Their bodies were almost touching on the crowded dance floor.

She pressed her body close to Dylan and danced more skillfully, but not provocatively.

Her eyes widened when someone suddenly pushed her from behind, causing her lips to brush against Dylan’s left cheek.

Her heart raced, and she stopped dancing.

Dylan didn't care because he didn't even look at her and moved away slightly.

Zelena smiled and then closed her eyes while dancing.

She immediately flinched when she felt someone grab her waist.

"Dylan, why are you—"

She pulled away when she saw that it wasn't Dylan.

A tall man with glasses was smiling at her.

She frowned.

"Put your body on me," he said. The man's voice was deep.

He came closer to her again and quickly grabbed Zelena's bulging ass.

Zelena's mouth dropped open, and she quickly slapped him.

The man grabbed her cheek and glared at her.

"You bitch!" she shouted.

Several of them looked over, including Dylan.

"Pervert!" Zelena replied.

Lucas immediately approached.

The man was about to grab her when Lucas stopped him. Dylan just looked at them.

"Security, get this out!" Zelena said.

The music stopped.

"Zelena."

Katee and Lily approached him. They were still a little surprised to see Dylan.

"Come with me!" the man said and pulled Zelena.

His eyes widened, and he grabbed Dylan's arm. He withdrew his hand and hid behind Dylan.

"Get out of there if you don't want to get involved," the man threatened Dylan.

Dylan was taller and bigger.

He didn't say anything and just looked at the man.

"That's enough, bro," Bryan told the man.

"Ah, so you have a lot of men," he said to Zelena.

"Just please, get out," Dylan ordered gently.

Zelena held back a smile as she hid behind her husband.

The man grinned and in an instant punched Dylan in the face.

Zelena covered her mouth, and her eyes widened.

Dylan pulled back and cursed at him.

"Get that man out of here!" she shouted while pointing at the man.

The security guards quickly dragged the man away while he threatened Dylan and Zelena.

Zelena was shaking when Katee approached.

"L-Let's go, let's go," Katee said and helped Zelena up.

Lily was holding Zelena's things.

"L-Dylan—"

"Let him go," Katee scolded, then pulled him away.

Zelena looked at Dylan and saw Honey wiping her mouth because it was injured by the man's punch.

Because of the dizziness, she let Katee and Lily help her.

When they reached the parking lot, Katee checked on her.

"What happened? You were gone for a few minutes, and then we saw you with an enemy," Katee said worriedly.

She took a deep breath.

"I saw Dylan with a woman, so I approached them. I talked to them. I also had a drink. Then we just danced on the dance floor, and all of a sudden, someone touched me."

"What? Eh, what did Dylan do before we arrived?" Lily asked in disbelief.

She looked away.

"N-Nothing. But I hid behind him, you saw. He saved me—"

"What did you do?"

The three of them turned to the speaker.

Dylan.

Zelena swallowed when she saw him being serious.

"Why is Mr. Alejandro so angry?" he asked again.

"Do you know him? He was so rude. He touched me—"

"How could he not touch you? You're in a bar, and you're dancing like there's no tomorrow," Dylan said, frowning.

"What? I only danced with you. Do I know that he is attracted to me?"

"He's the son of our client, and I don't know if he knows me. And if he knows me, it's your fault if his father gets out of our business," he threatened.

His mouth dropped open.

"You're really bad, aren't you? Are you really going to defend that maniac more than your wife?" Katee couldn't help but blurt out.

Dylan looked at Zelena's friend.

"He is our client's son. His father plays a big role—"

"And Zelena is your wife. Even if you fight him as your wife, I hope you defend her as a woman, just like you do to those you become women with," Katee admonished.

Zelena grabbed her friend's arm to stop her.

Dylan looked at Zelena.

"She's not my girl," she said firmly and then left.

"See? That's your wife?" Katee frowned as she turned to him.

"H-He's just... upset," she defended.

Lily sighed and shook her head.

"I support you for him, but I didn't know he was that bad to you."

"Let it go. At least I'm safe. I just want to go home," she said softly.

Katee stroked his arm and looked at him as if he was still worried.

"We're really going home. Just be careful on the way home; you've been drinking," Lily said.

He nodded.

"Be careful too."

He took his things and got into his car first. Lily told him to leave first because the two of them were only going home to the same house. Katee lives at Lily's house.

When she got home, she found Dylan's car in the garage.

‘He came home earlier than me.’

She took a deep breath and went inside.

She couldn't get what had happened earlier out of her mind, especially what Dylan had said.

"I can even buy that for Mr. Alejandro if he wants, so it won't be a loss for him," she said and lay down on her bed after taking a shower.

Because her head hurt, she chose to sleep.

"Mommy, you called me so early," Zelena said, yawning as she sat down in the living room of their house.

She looked at her watch and saw that it was almost nine in the morning.

"Early? It's already late. Were you drunk all night?" Arlene, her mother, asked with a frown. She had short hair and high eyebrows.

"Not really. I know you drink better than me, Mom. By the way, why did you call me? I was supposed to be going to my shop."

She leaned her back against the sofa.

"How's your relationship with Dylan?" Arlene asked.

She looked away and crossed her arms.

"He's still the same. What about him, Mom? Have they paid yet?"

"It would be good if they could pay, but they've only paid about two million," her father, Alex, replied.

She nodded.

"Are you having a hard time with him? I mean, don't make it difficult for him," Arlene said seriously.

She frowned.

"I don't understand you, Mom."

Her mother was strict, and she always obeyed her. Zelena couldn't do anything because she was the only child.

"You need to endure everything he does to you," Arlene replied.

"What? Why?" she asked, confused.

"Even if they pay off their debts, that's not enough. I want to own their wealth," Arlene replied and took a sip of wine.

Zelena laughed and adjusted her seat.

"Mom, we're richer than them. Why do you still want their wealth? And what does it have to do with me enduring everything he does with me?"

"Their clients in their furniture business are famous people, and I also plan to build such a business. And you, I need you to make that happen," she said.

She shook her head, then poured wine into a wine glass and clinked it.

"Dylan must get you pregnant so that we can gradually acquire their wealth," Arlene ordered authoritatively.

Zelena choked, and her eyes widened.