After her boyfriend of five years betrays her, leaving Amanda with her father's crippling debt and the threat of losing her childhood home, she's forced into a desperate situation. Quinn McCullough, a young billionaire, sees an opportunity and offers to settle her debts in exchange for her hand in marriage. Desperate to save her family home, Amanda agrees, unaware of Quinn's ulterior motives. But as their marriage unfolds, Amanda discovers shocking truths about Quinn, including a dark familial connection that threatens to tear them apart. Will their union survive the secrets and betrayals lurking beneath the surface?
View MoreMaagang dumating si Mira sa Primera Hotel event’s place, suot ang puting corporate dress at nakatali ang kanyang buhok. Tulad ng dati, organized siya at kalmado, siya ang ever reliable assistant ni Kyle Alvarado, ang CEO ng Megawide Corporation sa loob ng limang taon. Pati kasal ng boss ay siya ang nag-asikaso sa sobrang busy nito.
“Okay, flowers arranged, catering checked, music is ready,” bulong niya sa sarili habang nakatingin sa checklist.
Isa-isa nang nagsidatingan ang mga bisitang pawang kilalang personalidad, investors, at mga business partner. Elegante ang ayos ang lugar, mga puting bulaklak, gintong dekorasyon, at magarbong mesa. Lahat ay excited makita ang pag-iisang dibdib ni Kyle at Sofie, isang modelo.
Pero may isang problema. Wala pa si Sofie.
“Where is the bride?” tanong sa kanya ng wedding coordinator, palihim na nagpa-panic.
“Nasaan na ba siya? Hindi ba dapat nandito na siya kanina pa?” usisa ng makeup artist.
Mabilis na kinuha ni Mira ang kanyang phone at tinawagan si Sofie. Tatlong beses. Wala pa ring sagot.
Nakakunot ang noo ni Kyle habang papalapit. Suot ang classic black tuxedo, gwapo at makisig. Tila ito Greek god na nakalabas sa libro. Ipinilig niya ang ulo. Ikakasal na ang boss niya, dapat na niyang tigilan ang lihim na pagtingin dito.
“Mira,” malamig ang tono ni Kyle. "Anong nangyayari?”
“S-Sir, hindi pa po dumarating si Miss Sofie. I’ve tried calling her, multiple times, pero hindi po siya sumasagot.”
Suminghap si Kyle. Tumalikod saglit, tumingin sa altar, saka bumaling kay Mira.
“She’s coming, baka na-traffic lang.”
Tumango siya. He’s very particular with time. Wala ni isang empleyado ng Megawide ang nale-late. Pero pagdating kay Sofie, talagang nagiging soft ang cold-hearted na CEO.
Lumipas pa ang isang oras. Nasa altar na din ang pari. Nakahanda na ang lahat. Nagsisimula na ang bulungan ng mga tao sa paligid. Sino ba naman kasing matinong babae ang hindi sisipot sa kasal kung si Kyle Alvarado ang groom? Ito ang pinakamayamang business tycoon sa bansa bukod sa napakagwapo at kisig nito.
Tumunog ang cellphone nitong hawak niya. Nakita niya ang notification. Mensahe mula kay Sofie. Tila napugto ang hininga niya ng makita ang message.
“I’m sorry, Kyle. I can’t give up my career. Please forgive me,” nanginig ang kamay niya sa nabasa.
Nakita niyang palapit ang binata.
“Sir, m-may message po galing kay Ms. Sofie. Sir, huwag po kayong --”
Hindi na siya pinatapos ni Kyle. Bigla nitong hinablot ang cellphone at binasa ang message. Nakita niya ang paggalaw ng panga nito.
Humakbang ito palapit at marahas siyang hinila sa pulso. Halos mabitawan niya ang cellphone sa gulat.
“S-Sir?!” sigaw ni Mira habang binabagtas nila ang red carpet.
“Well, ngayon, kailangan ko ng bride. Inuutusan kitang pakasalan ako,” malamig pero nag-uutos ang tinig ni Kyle
“H-Ha? Sir, ano pong sinasabi ninyo?”
“Ikaw na ang ikakasal sa akin.”
Tila gusto niyang kurutin ang sarili dahil baka ang lahat ng ito ay panaginip lamang. Kagabi lang ay nasa delulu land siya at ini-imagine na siya ang bride ni Kyle. Mukhang nakinig ang universe sa kahilingan niya!
“Ano?! Sir, hindi po, hindi puwede tayong ikasal,” aniyang malapit ng himatayin.
“Wala akong bride, I need one,” matigas nitong sabi na tila nauubusan na ang pasensya. Ayaw pa naman nito ng makulit.
“Pero, Sir, ako po ay isang hamak na assistant lang,” aniyang napayuko. Nawala ang puso niya sa kinalalagyan.
“Exactly. Kasal lang ‘to sa papel. Babayaran kita ng malaking halaga. Sofie will come back sa sandaling malaman niyang ikinasal ako sa iba.”
Hindi na siya nakapagsalita pa at tumango na lamang. Payag siya kahit kasal-kasalan lamang ito. Hindi na niya namalayan kung paano siya nakarating sa room upang isuot ang wedding gown.
Nilamon siya ng kaba, takot, at excitement. Tulala siyang sumunod sa glam team.
Nagsimula na ang seremonyas sa hudyat ni Kyle. Tumutugtog ang klasikong instrumental wedding song habang unti-unting nagbukas ang malalaking pinto ng grand ballroom. Napalingon ang lahat sa dulo ng aisle, at halos sabay-sabay ang bulungan ng mga bisita sa gulat at pagtataka.
At sa harap ng daan-daang bisita, siya ang biglang naging bride. Umepekto na ang pagtutulos niya ng kandila sa simbahan. Pati ang prayer request niya sa log book ng chapel at Simbang gabi tuwing Disyembre. Wishes do come true.
Dahan-dahang lumakad si Mira, suot ang wedding gown na orihinal na para kay Sofie. Ang damit ay bumagay sa kanya sa paraang ni hindi niya naisip na posible, elegante ang damit na sakto ang sukat sa kanya. May kakaibang alindog siya na hindi niya sinasadyang maipamalas sa mamahaling gown. Nanginginig ang kamay niya habang hawak ang bouquet, at halos hindi siya makahinga. Ni hindi alam ng pamilya niya na ikinakasal siya.
Hindi ito dapat mangyari. Pero sinungaling siya kung sasabihin niyang ayaw niya ang makasal sa CEO na matagal na niyang iniibig na nasa sa dulo ng altar, nakatayo nang matikas at gwapo sa kanyang tuxedo. Ang mga mata nito ay nakatuon sa kanya at doon siya nakahanap ng lakas upang ipagpatuloy ang bawat hakbang. Kailangan siya ng boss.
Pagdating niya sa altar, inabot ni Kyle ang kamay niya. Init ng palad nito ang pumawi sa nanlalamig at naginginig niyang katawan.
Tahimik ang buong bulwagan. Pati ang pari ay sandaling natigilan, bago sinimulan ang seremonya. Walang nakakaalam kung ano ang nangyari kay Sofie. Walang paliwanag ngunit walang tumutol.
Lahat ay tulalang nakamasid sa bagong bride. Nagsimula ang pari na magsalita.
“Sa hirap at ginhawa…Sa sakit at kalusugan…Hanggang kamatayan...”
Isa-isang binigkas ni Kyle ang mga salita. Diretso ang tinig at walang alinlangan.
Ngunit nang siya na ang kailangang magsalita, sandali siyang namutla. Nanginginig ang boses niya habang inuulit ang mga salita ng pari.
“...tatanggapin kita… sa hirap at ginhawa…”
Napatingin siya kay Kyle. Nalunod na naman siya sa kulay tsokolateng mata ng kanyang boss.
“...at mamahalin habambuhay.”
“By the power vested in me,” sabi ng pari, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Mabilis ang tibok ng kanyang puso. Legal na asawa na siya ng CEO ng Megawide Corporation. Parang panaginip. Parang eksena sa pelikula at nobela.
“You may now kiss the bride,” anang pari.
AmandaI could not understand, for the life of me, how and why Luke was here in the first place. I had so many questions to ask him. He stood there staring at me for a few moments before walking forward."Hello, Camila. Finally I get to see you."I couldn't think of what to say, but I also couldn't leave him standing outside. That was even worse because he could easily be spotted. I had no choice but to invite him inside. At least he would be away from prying eyes until he had to leave. Surprisingly, Luke did not decline when I asked him to come in. I thought he would be angry at the fact that he found me here. Not like his opinion mattered, anyway. Hating that I had to deal with this coupled with what was already going on, I sobbed and led him into the mansion, walking straight to the living room and offering him a seat. I couldn't just leave him there regardless of how I felt. He was still a guest here, and guests had to be entertained. So I headed to the fridge and took out water
Amanda’s POV A secret? He killed my father because of some silly secrets? And my mother kept all this from me?My head was in my palm as a strong headache overcame me. It was as if the more I thought about it the more it throbbed, pulsated. I could hardly comprehend it.How could she keep this away from me, knowing this much. I married the son of the man that killed my own father. I think what was more shocking amongst all this was the fact that she watched me get married with him without so much as an eye bat.Call it what you might but I felt betrayed. I know she wanted to bury in the past, not scale out old wounds but she should have tried. She should have warned.Some part of me blamed myself as well. I should have listened to that little chipping voice that was whispering at me to turn back. To not work in that company. To not agree to the contract…..but without that, Quinn.Gods!I fisted my hair.The more I stayed here, the more my head swarmed with different thoughts. Accusat
Amanda’s POV Quinn was preparing for work. I immediately kicked up from the bed and ran into the bathroom. I wanted to join him to work. I loved the feeling of him driving me to work. It was cute and hot.I dashed into the bathroom and started showering. I skipped most of my routines. Just had a quick shower then sprinted out with the towel tied around my chest.Thumbling through racks of clothes, I fished out a white chiffon top with a fizzle at the hand. I brought out plain pants, a belt and my heels and a purse.I laid them out and began dressing briskly when Quinn turned to me. He stared, arched brow at me. “What are you doing?” His hand halted on his tie as he held my form in question.“What does it look like I’m doing?” As I asked I threw on my shirt, fastening my button. “I’m dressing so that I can join you for work.” I said like it wasn't the obvious.His hand dropped from his tie to his side and he faced me. “Work? Didn’t I tell you during last night’s date not to worry abo
Amanda’s POV After Quinn left, I was by myself, smiling like an idiot before I caught myself. I shook my head and palmed my cheeks. “Get a grip girl!” I reprimanded myself and snorted, and then I was grinning again.I groaned, there was no helping this. I might as well just let it be.While smiling, I reminisce the look of rapt shock on Mrs. Rosaline’s face. Then I suddenly remembered that Candace wasn’t present for breakfast.It’s been four days now and I hadn’t set eyes on her. The woman part of me felt bad for her. And to crown it all, she was pregnant after all the humiliation and there was her husband to be, swarming around me like a damn bee.I didn’t know what I was feeling, maybe call it, feeling euphoric, and stupid. But I wanted to check up on her. My feet moved on their own accords, and before I knew it, I was towing towards her room. Without so much as a ponder.I rapped on the door and she called in, thinking it was probably a servant or a maid. When she saw me her eyes
Quinn’s POV “You should have told me before you told them about our baby.” Amanda said, coming after me. She shut the door and sat on the bed with a bounce. She had her hand behind her whilst she looked up at me. The position suddenly ignited something feral inside of me.“You know your Aunty didn’t seem happy, only Granny was happy for us.”I leaned in, giving in a tad bit to the voice in my head. “I was just happy, feeling too in the moment,” I kissed her, a little deeper than I anticipated. Breaking away, I used my thumb on her cheeks to measure gaze with her. “I’m sorry, next time I’ll consult you before I take any action next time.”She waves it off, “it’s okay. I liked the look of surprise on their faces. Did you see the look on Miranda’s face?”“No, I didn’t,” I pulled her close, “I was too happy to notice anyone, honestly.” She brushed the hair that fell to my face back. “I just hope our baby will be safe.” The genuine worry on her face and her tone made me sit down rather
Amanda’s POV I woke up feeling a burst of euphoric excitement all over the air. The bed was still warm from Quinn’s presence. Lying on the bed, I grinned and spread my legs and arms wide on the bed. Everything felt right, felt in place. “Mmm,” I turned to the side of Quinn’s bed and tapped gently by his side. Grinning like I won the lottery. Inside me felt so light, like I could float to the sky, to the heavenss or better to the fucking galaxy.It was refreshing finally describing what we were. Putting a label to us. It felt like a breath of fresh air knowing my place. My indefinite place.All the questioning, all the unanswered questions and the burning fear was discarded. All that was left in its wake were colourful butterflies fluttering in the bosom of my stomach.What made me leave the bed was my phone by the bed stand. Next to the alarm clock. I grabbed it and rolled on my back putting a call through to Vanessa. My one and only fan. The fan of our ship since day one.“Hellooo
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