CHAPTER TWO

THIRD PERSON:

“Where is it? I swear I left it here!”

Lexien muttered to herself, her things scattered all over the place. All that mess—just to find the key to her apartment. She couldn’t remember where she had put it.

“Oh my gosh, bestie! What happened here? Why is the place such a mess?”

Her friend Carla had just arrived, eyes wide in surprise.

“I can’t believe this! My apartment key is missing, and now I'm already late!”

“You forgot… again. I’m not even surprised anymore.”Carla rolled her eyes but joined in the search.

“Something feels off, but I can’t even explain it. Maybe I’m just overwhelmed.”

“Girl, you’re running on fumes. Ask for a day off talk to your boss and rest up. before you burn out. And look at me—I’m not even trying and still looking better than you today!”

“Crazy....Break? I wish. Ma’am Esmeralda just handed me another project, that's why I’m drowning in stress.”

“Bestie, you seriously need to rest. Life isn’t all about work. We haven’t even bonded in forever! It’s the weekend—we should be out somewhere. The last time we went out. That was ages ago!” Carla pouted in protest.

Lexien paused, realizing she honestly couldn’t remember their last hangout. She let out a quiet sigh, guilt settling in.

“Alright, alright—I get it! You’re mad. Let me make it up to you. Wherever you wanna go, it’s on me!”

Carla’s eyes lit up as she stepped closer.

“For real? Promise?!”

She hugged her in excitement.

“Yes, seriously! But can you please help me find the key first? I’m already super late!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

They continued searching.

“Did you check the pants you wore yesterday? It might still be in the pocket. Try checking there,”

Lexien froze for a second, thinking. Then it hit her. “Oh, right!” She darted off, grabbed the pants, and dug into the pockets.

“Here it is! You’re amazing, bestie. Haha!”

“See? I told you! You’re so forgetful, Lexien, should I be worried you’ll forget me next?”

“You’re too much. I would never forget you! Okay, I’m off now. I’m so late already. Love you! Mwah!”

She hugged her friend tight, planting a kiss on her cheek before rushing out.

“Take care! And thanks for the disaster you left behind!”

“Ah, sorry! I’ll clean it later!”

“Don’t bother. I’ll take care of it. Just don’t forget anything else!”

“Thank you! You’re the best. Okay, I’m going! Byeee!”

Lexien rushed off, while Carla stood there shaking her head with a fond smile.

....

Lexien’s POV.

I raced through the hallway, heart pounding, breath shallow—anything to avoid being late. I reached the door to Doña Esmeralda’s office,my hand just inches from the doorknob… when I heard a voice—angry and all too familiar.

“No! I can’t marry that woman!”

It was Sir Marco. I froze. My hand flew to my mouth as panic crept in. "Oh no... she’s really doing it. She’s actually going through with the plan."

She’d already talked to me about it—Ma’am Esmeralda’s plan for me to marry Sir Marco—to pull him away from Ma’am Natalie. Everyone in the office still remembered how badly things went last year when he proposed. It was a grand, extravagant moment… and the rejection? It went viral. Painfully viral.

I was there. I saw everything. How he begged her not to leave.

And now, they’re saying he’s planning to propose again.

But Ma’am Esmeralda won’t let it happen. She says marrying me is the only way to stop him from throwing himself at Ma’am Natalie again.

“Son, I’m sick.”

That made me freeze even more.

“I don’t have much time left. So I’ve made a choice—you’ll marry Lexien. She’s the only one I trust to stay by your side. But if you’re stubborn enough to propose to Natalie again, go ahead. Just know that when she rejects you again—and she will—you’ll marry Lexien. No arguments.”

Then the door opened—and there she was, right in front of me.

“Let’s go,” she said calmly.

“Y-Yes, Ma’am…”

I stammered.

I couldn’t focus on the presentation at all. The voices around me faded into the background, the words meaningless. My mind was elsewhere—a whirlwind of thoughts I couldn’t silence.

“What do I do now? My head hurts,” I whispered, rubbing my temples. I didn’t even realize Ma’am Esmeralda was watching me.

“Are you okay, Lexien?”

Her voice had a tinge of concern.

“Huh? Y-Yes, Ma’am.”

She stood and walked over to me.

“Are you sure?”

I lowered my head and nodded.

"You look really tired. Go home and get some rest. I’ll ask Mang Jasfer to drive you home."

“Oh no, it’s fine, Ma’am. I’m okay, really.” I said shyly.

She looked thoughtful as she stared at me.

“Is it because of what you heard earlier?”

“W-What? N-Not really…”

I answered awkwardly.

“You heard our conversation, didn’t you?”

I nodded slowly, eyes downcast.

“Well… be ready, Lexien. If Marco fails again, our plan continues. You’ll be with my son.”

“But Ma’am Esme—”

"My only wish is that your love for him stays strong, hija. Even when it gets difficult."

There was sadness in her voice that caught me off guard.

How did she know?

I’ve had feelings for Sir Marco for so long. Maybe it started as a crush, but now… it feels deeper. Maybe it’s love. But whenever our eyes meet, there’s a kind of sadness in his that makes me freeze. As if my heart knows—it’s not the right time.

“Lexien, are you okay?” she asked again.

“Huh? O-Oh, yes. But… I was wondering if maybe we shouldn't go through with it…”

“Please, Lexien. I hope you understand why I’m doing this. I just want what’s best for my son. He’s completely lost in this obsession with Natalie. Honestly, I should’ve just arranged your wedding from the start, but—”

“What if… it still doesn’t work?”

Her brows furrowed.

“What do you mean?”

How do I explain it?

“What if he never changes, Ma’am? What if he stays the same?”

“Then let’s try. If Marco still won’t change…”

She let out a deep sigh. “…then it’s all up to him.”

I looked at her, helpless.

“Lord, I surrender it all to You,” I prayed silently.

"By the way—have you told your dad about the wedding yet?”

“N-Not yet, Ma’am.”

Oh God, how will I even bring that up?

“Good. Don’t tell him yet. We’re still giving Marco one more chance. If he fails again—then the plan proceeds.”

“O-Okay…”