A cough from nowhere got our attention."Excuse me, Kier?"I pushed him as if I was getting burned. I pretended to fix my t-shirt. I simply looked at him, his hands were in the pockets of his slack pants–a sign that he was also tense at those moments.Gosh!My eyes widened when I saw the man standing near the office door."Draven?" I was surprised. I didn't know that Kier's cousin had also returned to the Philippines. "When did you return to the Philippines?""Last month," he replied. He stepped closer to us. "You look great, Fatima. I hardly know you!"I smiled at him even though I was embarrassed.He looked at Kier. "Kier, I guess you forgot to mention that you and Fatima are getting along well?""No. You are wrong," I replied to Draven. "That will never happen.""What I saw a while ago, what does that mean?""Draven, you saw nothing," he threatened. "I repeat, you didn't see anything.""I have eyes, Fatima," he said with a grinning face."Don't you dare tell anybody about this!" I
I pull the string. If I can't control myself, maybe right now, I'll bury him in the annoyance I feel."What are you doing here? And can it be? Don't call me your wifey and I might make you my target!"Kim pinched me and whispered. "Lower the bow and maybe you can release the arrow and hit Kier in the heart and he will fall in love with you.""Duh...you're not funny, Kim."Kier just laughed. He stepped closer to me as if he didn't care about the arrow aimed at him. "We need to go somewhere now, I'm here to pick you up."I raised an eyebrow at him. "And who said I'm coming with you, huh?""I'm sorry, wifey, but you don't have a choice but to come with me," he replied and winked at me.Damn this man! I want to flick his eyes!This man is really exhausting my patience. Even though my understanding is as wide as the Pacific Ocean, when it comes to Kier it becomes as short as a pin."You better put down that bow and arrow if you don’t want to get arrested, Miss Madrid, for attempted murder
Kier took me to his parents ’house. When we entered the living room our parents were already there and seemed to be waiting for us. According to Kier, we have something important to talk about.I don’t have to ask what we’re going to talk about. My parents told me what they planned a few days ago, that’s why I was so stressed out.Even my work has been affected. I can’t concentrate on the sales reports I’m reviewing.As our parents talked my tongue itched to protest what they were saying. They also talked about what month and date our wedding will be. I tried to open my mouth to speak but Kier immediately stopped me. He would speak and pretend to ask me something.I really wanted to walk out but I controlled myself."Let's talk!" I pulled Kier into the garden when our parents were already busy talking about the wedding reception."I should be the one holding your hand but it feels nice you're the one holding mine."I stopped walking. I looked at our hands. I looked up and stared at h
IT was past seven in the evening when I got home. I laid my tired body on the bed. I haven't eaten dinner yet because I have no appetite. Kier and I will have our engagement party in a few days. I got up when I heard a knock on the door outside my room. "Dad?" My father was the one I saw when I opened the door. "Luisa," my father turned to the maid. It was only then that I noticed her standing behind my dad. "Put those in your Ma'am's room." "What are those for?" I asked curiously. I saw two boxes in our maid's hand. "Where have you been?" instead that’s what my dad said. "Why? Must I report everything to you?" I replied nonchalantly. "Don’t go too far, Fatima. I might not be able to control myself," he roared, obviously controlling his anger. "I'm warning you." I looked away. "Can't you see, I'm in an office uniform?" "I'm not blind," he replied angrily. "Why did you come home late?" "I worked overtime at my job, Dad." His father took a deep breath. "I don’t want to find ou
I know that my father would be very angry with me for the plan I had in mind, but I would rather do that than marry Kier. I took a deep breath before picking up my cell phone and dialing a number."Hello? Is everything okay, Kim?" I ask."Yes. My cousin will take you to Baguio. Just be careful, Fatima," Kim said."Thank you for the help, Kim. I can really count on you in times of need.""I really don't like the idea you came up with." I heard her sigh on the other line.I sigh. "I will call you later, bye."Last night, I called my best friend and asked for help. There is only one solution I know for not continuing the marriage; the bride has to disappear.I impishly grinned.I got up from the hanging chair I was sitting in. I peeked at my bedroom door before finally going out and coming down."Good morning, Dad," I greeted my father. He was watching television in the living room."Good morning. Have you made a choice yet?" he said in a formal voice. "Have a seat."I resisted the urg
"YOU Know, it's your fault. I told you, just pick from one of your girls so we don't have any problems," I blamed Kier."Then what, my father will disown me?""Coward," I taunted.He folded his arms and looked at me. "Why don't you just find a man to introduce them as your lover?"I was stunned. Suddenly Drix came to my mind–Ma’am Cora’s younger brother and also my friend Kim’s cousin.Drix is gay, but when he acts he looks like a real man. I also considered him a friend. But I thought that he might betray me when he saw Kier. He was attracted to handsome men! But I don't know any other man, who can be asked to pretend to be my lover.Hmm… Drix can do it! Nodding I said in my mind. I smiled."Why are you smiling?" he asked stubbornly."You know, you’re right. Why didn’t I think of that? I guess I should call Drix." I was glad. I walked closer to the bed. "Wait, where's my bag?""Our fathers are not stupid to forget to take our cellphones.""What?" Annoyed, I stomped on the floor. "W
THEY were startled when they suddenly heard a telephone ring. Surprisingly they looked at each other. They never noticed a phone inside the room."Where does that sound come from?" Kier asked.I shrugged. "Let's just find it," I suggested.We stood up and headed to the cabinet near the bed. That’s where the sound comes from. Kier opened it and we saw a black wireless phone."Hello?" Kier answered.I quickly approached him. I pressed my ear to the phone he was holding. I tried to ignore his teasing look. We were in an intimate position. And he seemed to find it amusing. I showed him my fist when I saw his mischievous smile on his lips.He laughed as he moved closer so I could get closer to the phone–I almost kissed the phone."How was your sleep?"Kier and I looked at each other when we heard that familiar voice. My father is on the other line."Give me the phone!" But I had already snatched it from Kier's hand.As I did, we switched positions. He was now listening to the phone I was ho
"WOW!" Kier wipes his mouth and looks at me. He took the glass filled with water and drank it. "When did you learn to cook?""I just followed the instructions in the cookbook," I replied. I am very hungry. This is my third plate of rice. "Do you want more rice?"He shook his head. "I'm full. I certainly won't be hungry when you become my wife.""There's no charge for illusion," I whispered. I didn’t pay attention to what he said. I saw Kier open his mouth so I pointed the fork in his face. "Let me finish eating first before you speak and I might lose my appetite."He listened and kept his mouth shut. But while I was eating, he was watching. I just didn't look at him anymore. I ignored him even though I almost choked because I couldn't chew the food in my mouth properly.*****WHEN I woke up I felt very thirsty. I groaned. Why do I feel so hot? I feel like I'm getting burned. Moaning, I opened my eyes. I was stunned to notice that the surroundings were dark.I remember falling asleep