Chapter 1- My 5 Million Contract With My Enemy

"Bea Reyes, you really have some nerve, don't you? You're just a scholar, yet you act like you own this place, as if you're someone important here at De La U?"

Clarisse Montenegro's voice echoed throughout the entire cafeteria like an exploding bomb.

I was still holding my food tray when every student turned to look at me. Clarisse stood right in front of me, wearing her designer uniform and carrying a Louis Vuitton bag, even though we were inside the university.

She was the daughter of the university's owner, and she had been my second-place rival ever since our first year.

I was Bea Reyes. Twenty-one years old, a working student, and a scholar. I had been the top student from my first year until now.

And that was exactly why Clarisse hated me.

She couldn't stand the fact that someone as poor as me always managed to outrank her.

"What's your problem this time, Clarisse?" I asked calmly, although my hands were already trembling with anger. "Did you lose another exam? Is that why you're throwing a tantrum?"

"Wow! Look who's suddenly brave!"

She stepped closer, almost pressing her face against mine.

"You think you're so smart? You think being Top 1 will make you successful in life? You're just a scholar, Bea. A poor scholar whose education is being paid for by my family!"

Her wealthy friends standing behind her burst into laughter.

"And besides," she continued, raising her voice even louder, "everyone knows you're only after money! That's why you keep getting close to my brother, right? That's why you keep trying to get Lucian's attention!"

Lucian Montenegro.

Clarisse's older brother.

And the man I hated most in the entire world.

We had been enemies since high school. Back then, I was Top 1, and he was Top 2. He was always making fun of me, claiming that all my achievements were bought rather than earned.

Arrogant. Conceited. And someone who looked down on scholars like me, believing we were nothing but gold diggers.

"Don't drag me into your arrogant brother's business," I snapped. "I'm not interested in him. I never was."

"Really? Then why did our driver catch the two of you together in the parking lot last night?"

I froze.

The parking lot? Last night?

I was in my dorm studying all evening!

Before I could even defend myself, Clarisse suddenly raised the iced coffee in her hand.

"This one's for someone who has absolutely no shame!"

SPLASH!

She poured it all over me.

From my hair to my face, down to my white uniform, the cold, sticky coffee soaked every inch of me. Even the ice cubes hit my cheek.

The entire cafeteria fell silent.

Then came the laughter.

Some students started recording. Others took pictures.

I wanted to slap her back. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs.

But I didn't.

If I fought back, I could lose my scholarship. And if I lost my scholarship, what would happen to Grandma Miling?

I simply stood there, completely drenched, fighting back my tears.

Clarisse was about to laugh again when a cold, furious voice suddenly interrupted everything.

"What the hell is happening here?"

It was Lucian.

He was standing at the cafeteria entrance, dressed in a black suit, apparently coming straight from a meeting.

Twenty-eight years old. Already the CEO of Montenegro Corporation, yet still pursuing his master's degree at De La U.

Tall. Handsome. But his expression looked as though he could kill someone with just a glance.

Everyone turned toward him.

Even Clarisse suddenly looked nervous.

"Brother! It's because Bea—" Clarisse quickly tried to explain.

"Clarisse, I told you to stop this childish behavior," Lucian said coldly, not even bothering to look at me. "How many times do I have to tell you not to embarrass the Montenegro name in public?"

"But, Brother, she's the one—"

"Clean this mess. Now."

He paused.

"And apologize."

"WHAT? I'm supposed to apologize to her? To that poor scholar?"

Lucian gave her a cold glare.

Reluctantly, Clarisse slowly approached me.

"Sorry," she muttered, barely loud enough for me to hear.

I didn't respond.

I simply looked at Lucian.

I thought he would defend me. But instead, he looked me up and down, his gaze making me feel as though I were nothing more than dirt beneath his shoes.

"You," he said coldly.

"My office. 5 PM. We need to talk."

Then he walked away, with Clarisse following behind him, looking close to tears.

What did he want to talk about?

And why me?

5:00 PM — MONTENEGRO CORPORATION BUILDING, 50TH FLOOR

I stood in front of Lucian's office.

I had already changed my clothes, but my hair was still slightly damp.

I was nervous.

Perhaps he was planning to have me expelled because of the incident in the cafeteria.

"Come in," a cold voice called from inside.

I entered.

He was seated behind his massive desk, staring at his laptop. He didn't even bother to look at me.

"Do you know why you're here, Bea Reyes?" he asked without looking up.

"If this is about your sister, it wasn't my fault—"

"It's not about Clarisse."

He finally looked at me.

His dark brown eyes were unbearably cold.

"It's about my mother. And your grandmother."

He stood up and walked toward me.

I could smell his expensive cologne as he approached, making me even more nervous.

"My mother told me your Grandma Miling needs heart surgery. Five hundred thousand pesos. Within two weeks. Am I correct?"

My eyes widened.

How did he know?

"How did you—"

"I know everything about my scholars, Bea. Especially you."

He returned to his desk and picked up a folder and a check.

"My mother wants me to get married. For business purposes. I need a wife for one year. You need money. So, let's make a deal."

He handed me the folder.

When I opened it, I found a contract.

And beside it was a check.

₱5,000,000.

Five million pesos.

"Marry me. A contract marriage. One year. After that, we'll get divorced. The five million will be yours, along with a monthly allowance of one hundred thousand pesos."

He paused before continuing.

"All you have to do is pretend to be my wife in front of my family and business partners. No love. No complications."

I felt as though I had forgotten how to breathe.

"Me? You're going to marry me? But you hate me! You called me a gold digger! You said I was nothing but a poor girl!"

"Exactly."

He flashed that irritating smile I had hated since high school.

"That's why you're perfect for this arrangement. I know you'll never fall in love with me. And I know I'll never fall in love with you. No drama. No feelings. Pure business."

It hurt.

But he was right.

I hated him.

And he hated me.

But then I thought about Grandma Miling.

Five hundred thousand pesos.

If she didn't get the operation, she might die.

My eyes shifted toward the check, then toward the contract already signed by Doña Victoria.

"Where do I sign?" I whispered, tears beginning to fall.

Lucian smiled, but the expression never reached his eyes.

"Good girl. Welcome to hell, Mrs. Montenegro."

He picked up a pen and handed it to me.

And right there, I signed the contract that would change my entire life.

Tomorrow, I would officially marry Lucian Montenegro.

My mortal enemy.

And I had absolutely no idea that this was only the beginning of all the slapping, jealousy, unexpected romance, and chaos that would soon turn my world upside down.