Chapter 4: The tension

The silence in the Del Fierro mansion was suffocating.

Mirabelle stood by the massive window of the guestroom which is now her room, for now, gazing out at the immaculately trimmed garden. Everything about this place screamed power and control. From the high ceilings down to the marble tiles, it was a palace fit for a king… or in this case, a billionaire kingpin like Jiro Del Fierro.

She exhaled sharply, the contract weighing heavily on her shoulders. She didn't expect this coming.

Maya-maya pa ay may kumatok mula sa pintuan.

"Come in," she said.

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang isang matangkad na babae na naka uniporme ng itim. "Good morning, Ma’am Mirabelle. Sir Jiro instructed me to prepare you for your first public appearance as his fiancée. There’s a charity gala this evening.”

Napatayo si Mirabelle at tila gulat na gulat. “Tonight? I didn’t know we were already—”

“Mr. Del Fierro said it's time to make the engagement public.”

Her stomach twisted. Nagsimula na naman siyang kabahan. She wasn’t ready for that.

But she nodded anyway. “Okay. Thank you.”

The maid offered a small smile. “Darating ho maya-maya ang hairstylist niyo ma'am.

Jiro arrived in his signature black suit. Sharp jawline, his intimidating eyes, every step exuding dominance. Sa tabi niya nakatayo si Mirabelle wearing a crimson gown, her hair styled in soft waves, her lips painted a matching shade of red. Malayong-malayo sa dating Mirabelle.

They looked perfect. But beneath the glamour was tension.

Habang patuloy ang pag flash ng mga camera, mas lalong dumidikit si Jiro kay Mirabelle, whispering through clenched teeth, “Smile. You’re supposed to be in love with me.”

Mirabelle gave a stiff smile, angling her face toward the cameras. Sa katunayan, hindi siya sanay sa mga camera. Ayaw niyang kinukuhaan siya ng litrato, but jow, she has no choice. “Oh, believe me. I’m overflowing with affection.”

Jiro’s jaw ticked, but he said nothing more. They both posed, and waved to their visitors. And at the whole time, Mirabelle’s heart thudded in her chest like a trapped bird that has no freedom.

Lihim na nag oobserba si Mirabelle sa mga taong dumalo. She also noticed that Jiro played the role of a charming untouchable billionaire effortlessly. But Mirabelle? Para siyang isda na biglang napadpad sa lupa. Hindi siya makasabay sa mga galaw ng mayayaman.

“You must be Jiro’s fiancée.” A woman with curled blonde hair approached her. Her smile was sharp.

“Yes,” tugon ni Mirabelle at ngumiti din siya.

“I’m Trina Estrella. Childhood friend of Jiro. We all thought he’d end up with my cousin, Samantha. But I suppose surprises happen.”

Mirabelle kept her composure. “Life is full of unexpected turns.”

Trina’s eyes scanned her from head to toe. “Indeed. Like a mysterious girl from nowhere suddenly becoming the Del Fierro bride.”

Bago pa man siya makasagot, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.

“She’s not from nowhere,” Jiro’s voice cut in, low and smooth. “She’s from San Martin. Ang nag iisang babaeng pakakasalan ko."

Mirabelle stiffened, her pulse racing at how easily he turned on the charm. Jiro met Trina’s gaze with a warning edge. Kaagad naman ng nagpaalam si Trina na aalis saglit.

Nang maka alis na ito, bumulong si Mirabelle, “You didn’t have to defend me.”

“I wasn’t defending you,” Jiro said, sipping his champagne. “I was defending my image. Remember that.”

Hatinggabi ba nang matapos ang event nila. Habang nakasakay sa kotse at binabaybay ang daan pauwi, pareho silang tahimik, pagod at walang may naglalakas loob na magsalita.

Sumandal si Mirabelle sa bintana at pumikit. But Jiro’s next words caught her off guard.

“You handled yourself well.”

Tiningnan niya ito. “Isa ba yang compliment, Jiro?”

"Parang ganoon na nga, siguro."

Mirabelle let out a tired laugh. “You’re insufferable.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

She turned to him, curious. “Why do you act like that?”

“Like what?”

“Cold. Ruthless. Like you’ve never felt anything real.”

Jiro’s face turned to stone. He didn’t answer for a long time. Then finally, he said, “Feelings make you weak. And weakness gets people killed.”

Parang kakaiba ang pagkasabi niya nito. It's too bitter. Para bang may masalimoot siyang nakaraan.

“What happened to you, Jiro? I mean, sa past,” she asked softly.

He didn’t respond. Just stared out the

window as the city lights blurred past.

Dahil sa naging pag uusap nila ni Jiro, biglang sumagi sa isip niya ang flash drive na napulot niya kagabi. Nais niyang alamin kung ano ang laman ng drive, subalit natatakot siyang malaman ang katotohanan.

Pagkarating nila sa mansion, kaagad na nagbihis si Mirabelle. Nangangati na ang kaniyang balat dala ng kaniyang damit na hindi siya sanay magsuot sa ganoong uri ng tela.

Tahimik na nagtungo si Jiro sa ka iyang silid. He left Mirabelle with no word.

Habang naglalakad sa hallway, hindi maiwasan ni Mirabelle na napamura na lang. Napakaraming lihim na tila nagiging problema na niya. Too many walls. And she was trapped in the center.

She walked to the garden, seeking air. The moonlight bathed the marble statues, making everything look dreamlike. Naupo siya sa bench at tumigala aa mga butuin.

What was she really doing here? Was this all worth it? And why, despite his arrogance and cruelty, did Jiro Del Fierro’s pain look too familiar?

Sa itaas, pinagmamasdan siya ni Jiro ng palihim. His eyes fixed on the woman sitting alone in the garden. She looked lost… yet beautiful.

He didn’t want to admit it, but Mirabelle was different. She didn’t flinch in front of him. Didn’t cower or cling. And that scared him more than he cared to admit. Because the last time someone looked at him like that…

She ended up dead.

Jiro turned from the window and poured himself a drink. Feelings make you weak. That’s what his father had drilled into him.

He couldn’t afford to care.

Not again.

But even as he told himself that, his eyes found the garden once more, drawn to the woman na walang ka alam alam kung ano ang buhay na pinasok niya.

And maybe… no idea how close she already was to burning him, too.