CHAPTER 1

Nasa mall si Aurelia, the happiest place on earth para sa kanya. Pero hindi nya na-e-enjoy, why? Dahil kaya naman sya nag-shopping dahil mamaya makikipag-dinner sya sa lalaking mapapangasawa nya na in-arrange ng kanyang mga magulang. Bugtong hininga ang namumutawi sa kanya.

“Ary, it’s fine. It will be fine. Okay? Mabait naman si Samuel eh,” ani kaibigan na si Glea sa katahimikan nya. “Let's go shopping. Let's enjoy ourselves. ‘Wag kana mag-drama dyan, pretty please?” dagdag nito na may kasama pang-puppy eyes.

“How can you be so sure that it will be Samuel?” may kuryosito sa tono ni Aurelia. “Mamaya yung bastard whore yun eh.” Protesta nya at pinag-krus ang kanyang mga braso. “Easy kasi you and Samuel are the same age. Easy, right?” untag nito sa kanya. “Bitch, you’re right. Samuel and I are the same age,” she agreed to gaslighting herself. “Gosh, how can’t I think of that,” mutawi nya na para bang hindi sya makapaniwala sa ideya ng kaibigan.

“Come on, let's go buy some clothes. I need to be pretty.” may pag hagikhik na sabi nya. Well, she has a crush for Samuel for the longest time. Their fathers are good politicians buddy kaya madalas sila nagkikita kita. Samuel is a nice man, while his brother, Xavier is the exact opposite.

They went shopping for hours. She found clothes that would make Samuel fall on his jaw. This is her chance to seduce the man she likes, hindi na sya makapaghintay na makita ito. She and Samuel never talked a lot dahil hindi ito madalas sumasama kapag usaping pulitika na. Hindi nya rin naman ito masisisi, kung siya din naman ay may choice hindi sya sasama pero wala sya non.

When she arrived at home she quickly went up straight to her room. She bathed herself and prepared herself. She’s wearing a silk wine red dress with a thin strap, a black heeled sandals, a black clutch bag, and some jewelry. She tied her hair into an elegant bun and wore a vivid red lipstick.

She looked at the mirror. She looks seductive. Her dress is hugging her curves tightly. It makes her more curvy, and the red dress made her skin tone more flawless. She smiled at herself. “You’re gonna be mine Samuel. I’ll make sure of it.” She said and giggled. She drove herself to the restaurant. She entered with an elegant presence, all eyes on her.

One waiter came up to her. “Ma’am, may I help you?” tanong nito sa kanya. “Table of Mr. Andrada.” tugon nya sa waiter. “This way po ma’am.” Atsaka siya iginiya sa loob. She thanked the waiter nang ituro nito sa kanya ang lamesa. Huminga muna sya ng malalim bago naglakad. Malapit na sya sa lamesa nang makita nya na hindi si Samuel ang nakaupo dito, kundi si Xavier!

Fuck this can’t be happening! Bakit siya ang nandyan!?! Fuck this shit! Tugon ng mga boses sa kanyang isipan. Tatalikod na sana sya paalis nang tawagin sya nito. “Ary, I’ve waited here for more than an hour tapos aalis ka lang?” tanong nito sa baritono nitong boses. “Have a seat.” Tumayo ito at lumapit sa kanya, hinila sya nito ng mahina papunta sa lamesa nila.

She sighed in disbelief. She can’t believe this! “Disappointed? Si Samuel ang inaasahan mo na nandito, right?” tanong nito sa kanya. “Yes and?” tanong niya sa iritableng tono. “Actually, hindi tayo kakain dito. Pupunta tayo sa bahay. Your parents are there. Doon sila dumeretso after their flight from Malaysia, kaya dun tayo magdi-dinner,” pag-explain nito sa kanya. “Then what’s the point of being here?” malditang tanong niya dito. “For show, para kunyari sinundo kita,” simpleng sagot nito. “Nice show.” Sarkastikong sabi nya at tumayo na sa upuan.

Pumunta sya sa kotse nya nang harangin sya nito. He’s towering her with his masculine aura. She can’t explain, but she feels like there's electricity inside her. She wouldn’t deny, his lips are kissable. His jaw is giving like a fictional character in her books.

“You and I will be in the same car. Ihahatid ulit kita dito kapag tapos na ang delubyo,” mahinang sabi nito pero sa naniniguradong tono. Buong byahe ay wala silang imikan, hanggang sa nakarating sila sa bahay ng mga Andrada.

Sinalubong sya ng mga magulang. “How are you anak?” panganga musta ng ina nya. Hindi niya sinagot ito at bumuntong hininga lang. “Let’s go? Let’s eat, shall we?” untag ng ina ni Xavier. Nagtungo sila sa isang mahabang lamesa na puno ng pagkain.

Umupo sya sa tabi ng ina habang kaharap naman nya ang damuhong si Xavier. Nag-umpisa ang lahat na kumain pero sya ay tila wala sa mood at nilalaro lang ang pagkain. “Don’t torture the steak.” untag nito sa kanya. Tinignan nya lang ito ng masama at hindi na pinansin.

“Can we go now?" Aurelia asked in a plain tone. "I'm tired and... Just tired.” She added while playing with her utensils. "Aurelia, honey, don't you want to talk to Xavier first and get to know him?" her mother, Selene Miller asked. "Nope. I already know him." She looked at him. His lips are curved with a cocky smile. "You already know him? Great! How did you know him?" his father, Thomas Andrada asked. "I met him with some sluts stories on how he fuck different women." She said while looking at him.

"I see that's how you met me." Shaking his head as if there’s something to laugh at. It's like he's proud of himself. Aurelia just rolled her eyes and stared at her father again, her eyes asking to go home. "No, we need to finish the food. Besides, what's the rush? We're not in a rush," her father said with a firm tone. "And we will talk about your wedding for next week," her mother said proudly.

Her eyes widened. "Next week!?!" she said with a high tone.