3

Izzy was almost about to pee from nervousness as she sat waiting inside the taxi she had taken. She had been staring at the message from Seth Santiago for so long that she might have memorized every letter after reading it multiple times.

“K-kuya, are we still far?”

Izzy asked the taxi driver. She winced slightly when she heard him sigh. She couldn't blame him, though—she had asked the same question barely two minutes ago.

“Just five more minutes, ma’am. The traffic is heavy, so the trip is taking longer. It looks like you're visiting someone very important.”

Izzy winced again at the driver’s nosiness. Because of her extreme nervousness, she couldn't help but be irritable. She shot him a sharp glare, making him immediately look away.

“You’re not a gossip, are you, sir?”

“Sorry, ma’am. I just couldn't help but ask. You look like you're about to meet someone very important. Just a reminder to be careful—things aren't as safe as they used to be.”

The driver said seriously, and Izzy gave him a bitter smile.

“D-do you still have a mother, sir?”

“Yes, I do. She’s old but still strong, though she gets sick sometimes—probably because of her age. Why do you ask?”

Izzy smiled to herself, her eyes welling up with tears as she chose to stare out the window instead.

“Then you're lucky, sir. Let me ask you, how far would you go for your mother?”

“I’d do anything, ma’am. We only have one mother. I’d give her everything to repay all her sacrifices for me.”

The driver answered proudly. Izzy nodded before turning to look at him.

“You’re right. I feel the same way, sir. I’d do anything for my mother, no matter what.”

She took a deep breath before continuing.

“If you’re wondering why I’m going there, I’m doing it for my mother’s life.”

Izzy took a sharp breath the moment she spotted the person she had come to see, stepping out of a large building.

He was wearing business attire, as if he was heading to an important meeting. She couldn’t help but feel small in comparison—she was still in her black coffee shop uniform, which had coffee stains and who knew what else.

“Ma’am, we’re here.”

The taxi driver’s voice snapped her out of her daze. She swallowed hard before handing over her fare. She took a few more moments to gather her courage before stepping out of the car.

Unsure of how to fix herself up, she simply ran her fingers through her messy hair and gave herself a bitter smile. No matter what she did, she would still look like a servant next to him.

“Isabel Vergara, it’s nice to see you again.”

Izzy felt her heart leap out of her chest when the man she had been watching suddenly spoke behind her.

“S-sir Seth Santiago, g-good evening.”

She greeted him nervously, biting her lower lip when she realized he wasn’t smiling. He remained serious and expressionless.

“I-I apologize for calling you out of the blue. I-I just needed to ask for a f-favor—”

“Let’s not talk here.”

He cut her off, making her freeze.

“P-pardon?”

“I said, let’s not discuss whatever you need here. We are in public, and I refuse to have this conversation here. If you don’t mind, please come with me.”

Though his tone was stern, it remained formal. Izzy could only nod in response.

“Very well. Follow me, then.”

Izzy was on the verge of peeing herself from nervousness as she quietly followed Seth Santiago.

She wondered if he even knew how to smile. From his posture and presence, he looked like someone who would punch anyone who dared to joke with him.

‘Is this what wealth does to a person? Turns them into emotionless statues?’

She thought to herself. Despite her anxiety, she couldn't help but smirk slightly at the idea.

Her smirk disappeared instantly, replaced by an even greater sense of dread when he stopped in front of a grand door.

“Relax, Isabel. I’m not going to do anything bad to you. I can feel your nervousness in every pore of your skin.”

His voice carried a hint of irritation before he opened the door. She was momentarily amazed that he didn't use a key—just his thumb.

She suddenly felt like a country girl lost in the city.

“Are you just going to stand there?”

His impatient voice made her snap out of it. She quickly stepped inside, nearly tripping from how much her legs were shaking.

“Sit over there and wait for me.”

He instructed in a cold tone before disappearing into another room. Izzy nodded mutely and took a seat, her eyes roaming around the luxurious house.

‘Just how rich is this man?’

She wondered, glancing around again.

“Good evening, ma’am. Would you like something to drink?”

Izzy quickly sat up straight at the sound of a woman’s voice. The woman, dressed in a maid’s uniform, looked only a few years older than her but seemed more put-together.

“J-just water, please. Thank you.”

“Would you like juice or coffee instead?”

The woman asked with a smile, but Izzy shook her head shyly. The maid left and returned moments later with a glass of water, which Izzy accepted gratefully.

Her throat was so dry from nervousness that she downed the entire glass in one go—only to choke when Seth Santiago suddenly appeared in front of her.

Now wearing a fitted white tank top and black joggers, he looked even more intimidating.

‘Damn… is this guy even human?’

She thought, swallowing hard. She had just finished her water, but she suddenly felt thirsty again.

“Stop staring at me.”

His voice, devoid of emotion, snapped her out of her daze.

“H-huh? I-I wasn’t staring at you.”

“Also, drop the ‘sir.’ I know I’m older than you, but there’s no need to make me feel ancient. You’re 22, and I’m 35—not a huge difference, is it?”

He said as he sat down on the single-seater across from her.

A moment of silence passed before Izzy realized something.

“H-how do you know my age?”

She asked, full of suspicion. Her heart pounded harder when she saw him smirk.

“Lucky guess…”

He replied coldly.

“But we’re not here to talk about age. State your business, Isabel Vergara.”

He got straight to the point. If Izzy was already feeling breathless from nerves before, now she felt like she couldn’t breathe at all.

She took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut. When she opened them, she met his calculating, icy gaze.

“I-I know we don’t know each other, sir. I’m just the foolish girl you bumped into earlier today, b-but I… I need a big favor from you. M-my mother is in the hospital—”

“How much, Isabel?”

He interrupted. His gaze was unreadable, but Izzy held it firmly.

For my mother…

She reminded herself.

“I-it’s a huge amount, sir. I-I can’t ask for it as a gift—”

“How much does your mother need, Isabel?”

He interrupted again, his voice firm.

Izzy took a deep breath and whispered,

“O-one and a half million, s-sir.”

Seth remained silent, studying her.

“Money is not a problem for me, Isabel. I could earn that amount in a few weeks, maybe a month. I’m not concerned about the money. In fact, I can cover all your mother’s medical expenses. However…”

Izzy held her breath, waiting for his next words.

“What can you do to pay me back, Isabel Vergara?”

“I-I’ll do anything, s-sir Seth. Anything, as long as you help my mother.”

His gaze sharpened.

“Anything, huh? That means you’ll do whatever I want?”

Izzy quickly nodded.

“Hm… I don’t need anything. But tell me, what can you give a man who already has everything?”

Swallowing hard, Izzy met his intense gaze.

“O-one night, Seth Santiago… One night with you. I have nothing else to offer but myself.”

She declared, despite not being sure herself.

“I-I’ll let you have me for one night—just help my mother.”