5 Let's Talk About Marriage

Standing six feet tall in front of me is a man who possesses unlawful beauty that screams masculinity with deep and fascinating eyes. An expressive set of night sky black orbs that were like two deep pools- drowning and tantalizing but at the same time dark, intimidating, and piercing.

We're about five feet apart. But I could perfectly describe the feature of his face that seems sculpted to define the word perfection. He is a gorgeous man, a dangerously gorgeous man. Although he is not saying anything, his mere presence is screaming with danger and roughness. The way he looked at me spoke of unyielding authority and dominance as if he is silently asking me two choices for tonight- take the risk or turn around and back down. 

"Czar Ildefonso..." I utter in a low tone almost like a whisper. 

He's finally here just a few steps away from my grasp. Too close enough yet seems so far from me. 

I fisted my hand.

He lifted a brow and that's when I notice the slit on his right eyebrow that made him more rugged and antagonistic.

"So, is it me?" His tone is demanding an answer as he strides closer.

His tall powerful frame bowed over me. I lift my head to look at him and my brows furrowed when I felt so small compared to his gigantic figure. I can't believe how he possesses a strong presence and how it feels like it's belittling me. Standing close to him is like a strange assault on my system sending chill and heat down to my nerves.

Is this really how it feels like to meet an Ildefonso?

"Woman," he drawled. "I am asking you"

I frown.

"Who do you think could it be?" I retorted, tilting my head and recollecting my senses.

The corner of his lips twitches as the glint of amusement flashes in his eyes.

Looking at him this close, I appreciate his handsomeness and manliness even more. I think it's not surprising that he is known for being a womanizer. With that unlawful beauty and charisma, it would be easy for him to change his woman whenever he pleased. With his look, his status in society, and not to mention his wealth, and the influence of his name- women are more than willing to worship him. Insane woman, because he's a man that every sane woman should avoid.

"I think we should take our seats now for us to discuss what needs to be discussed" I withdrew my gaze, couldn't handle the intensity of his stare.

I didn't wait for him to pull a chair for me and just settle down.

I carefully look at Czar Ildefonso who occupies the chair across from mine. He signals something to the man standing right behind him as if he is requesting something before that man left, leaving us alone inside the room. 

Sitting this close to him never come to my mind nor my imagination. I loathed Ildefonso. And the last thing I would do is to sit and have a casual conversation with an Ildefonso like him. But I guess we're really not in control of everything because here I am.

"You stare at me like you were planning something against me" he has a slight crease on his forehead.

I blink my eyes. 

I am Selena Asli Castania starting from now on, I must keep that to my mind. I should set aside my personal emotion as Herravie for the sake of this mission.

I fake a small laugh and shake my head.

"What do you think this woman can do to you? You're an Ildefonso," I stated precisely.

I casually look away can't help to feel intimidated because of his intense stare that will really make you think twice. He's a man you will never dare to provoke, a man you will avoid if you don't want to die. The way he looks at me seems like he is looking at everything about me. His sharp gaze is piercing deeper into my skin and I am afraid it will reach my soul and find out everything.

"Then let's get to business," he said in a calm yet authoritative voice and loosen his tie.

I lick my lower lip unconsciously nodding my head. 

"I'm all ears," I reply gazing down my cold hands under the table.

Why does it seem so hard to keep my cool in front of him? Is it because of my anger towards an Ildefonso or because-.

"Eyes on me, honey" I flinch and immediately lift my gaze at him frowning.

"What?" 

"I prefer you, looking at me" he utters in a low baritone voice while seriously looking at me.

"Right," I hesitantly nodded.

He crosses his arms as he adjusts himself to sit comfortably looking like a notorious tyrant king. 

"Do you know me?" He asks out of nowhere in a monotone voice.

Is he curious about it? But his voice doesn't sound curious at all. He is more like interrogating me as if I am some kind of a criminal under his custody. 

What the hell?

"I only know two things about you and that is your name and you're the man I'm going to marry-"

"You can't marry me, woman" he cut me off. 

Low, firm, and chilling. That's the sound of his voice to my ears that put two thin lines on my forehead.

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused with the sudden turn of the situation. 

What is this? My father doesn't mention that Czar Ildefonso is against this marriage.

"I mean it the way it sounded" 

He clicks his tongue and his hands move to remove the tie that seems to bother him a while ago and place it on our empty table. 

"You can't marry me, Miss Castania" he repeated.

I am taken aback but he remains calm and unbothered. He sat ramrod straight while emanating arrogance. His handsome face says it all, he is the great Sain Czar Ildefonso, the living devil from Ildefonso's clan and he's not fooling around. He's freaking serious. He doesn't want to marry me!

"W-Why?" I fisted my hand when I heard myself stuttering.

This is not what I am expecting from him. This is not what my father told me to happen. 

"I don't think I need to explain myself. This is my life, after all, I think that's enough reason for me to decide on my own" he pauses, and an odd emotion crosses his eyes.

"No" I shake my head. "I thought everything was alright? Why are you saying this to me?"

"I don't want this marriage-"

"But I want this marriage" I cut him off in a firm tone.

He chuckles.

"Perhaps it was your parents who wanted it" 

       

My forehead creased. Was that an insult?

"You need to explain yourself, as far as I know, it was your father who started this" I hissed.

He can't say no to this marriage. I won't let him.

"I am an Ildefonso. A fragile woman like you must not seek shelter from me" he smirks arrogantly and leans to the table. "I am not the living definition of my name. I only bring danger, you should be aware of that babe"

The creases on my forehead deepened.

"Do I look fragile to you?" My voice almost hinted sarcasm, good thing I was able to control myself.

Fragile woman? That's absurd.

I saw how he open the first two buttons of his shirt which made me blink my eyes.

"Yeah" he nods. "A delicate flower to be compared"  he huskily mutters.

My heart skips a beat as I look at him with a surprise on my face. 

A delicate flower? Did he really compare me to a flower?  A woman like me who killed many people? I mentally laughed.

He's not good at judging people, I guess.

"But I want to marry you" It unconsciously slips into my mouth, drowning in his gaze.

Amusement dances in his eyes as I saw how the corner of his lips move up a bit. That reaction was so quick that it was immediately replaced by his serious face, giving me an emotionless stare.

"How could you want to marry a man you don't even know?" He challenges me. 

"My parents want you for me," I fire back keeping my composure.

He tilts his head and once again crosses his arms over his chest. He looks at me intently as if he's trying to solve an intricate puzzle. His dark night eyes look brutal but ironically suit him well.

But can't he look at me more nicely? I mean, can't he try to look friendly even just for now? This is our first meeting for Pete's sake! Or he is really trying to intimidate me because he doesn't want this marriage?

"Are you just gonna stare at me?" I said uncomfortable with him, gawking.

"I'm still thinking, darling. I didn't know you're impatient" he grin.

"Do you really have to?"

This marriage was decided two years ago. His father already arranges this. It was his father who asked the Castania couple in the first place. 

"Of course, I'm weighing what I would regret less- letting you be my wife or forcing you to cool off our wedding" he utters in a low husky voice causing my eyes to narrow.

What does he mean by that?

He smirks seeing the puzzle reaction on my face and leans on the table once again not withdrawing his gaze at me. Before I could speak his lips move.

"I don't want it to be a losing game, Miss Castania." 

"Losing game? What?" I confusingly ask.

"Our marriage..."