Chapter 5 PAY BACK TIME

Author POV:

Sa loob ng VIP lounge ng The Underground Bar, ang usok ng sigarilyo ay humahalo sa amoy ng mamahaling bourbon. Kalix sat back, his dark eyes fixed on the empty chair Hailey just left. Kahit pumayag na siya sa kasal, may kung anong bigat pa rin sa kanyang dibdib.

Samantala, sa tapat ng malaking salamin sa restroom, Hailey was staring at her reflection. She wiped a stray, fake tear and reapplied her red lipstick. She looked perfect the perfect bride, the perfect victim.

Hailey POV:

I looked at my phone screen. Ang reply ni Mom ay maikli lang "Excellent. Don't let him slip away tonight. Make sure the engagement is public by tomorrow."

I smirked. I know exactly how to handle Kalix. He’s a man of honor, and honor is a very easy thing to weaponize. Lumabas ako ng restroom at bumalik sa booth namin, pero bago pa ako tuluyang makalapit, nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa labas, tila malalim ang iniisip.

I softened my features again. I walked slowly, making sure the clicking of my heels sounded tired, not excited.

"Kalix." I said softly as I sat down. I didn't reach for my drink. I just looked at him with vulnerable eyes. "I’m sorry if I overreacted. Masyado lang akong naging emosyonal. I’ve been holding this in for years, trying to be the perfect daughter for Dad and the perfect partner for you."

Kalix looked at me, his gaze unreadable. "It’s fine, Hailey. Let’s just focus on the merger papers. My lawyer will send the drafts tomorrow."

"Terms and papers... is that all we are?" tanong ko, bahagyang gumaralgal ang boses ko. "I know you still think of her. I know Grace is always between us. But please, Kalix... for once, can you look at me not as the replacement? Just for tonight?"

I reached for his hand on the table, my fingers trembling a calculated move. "Let’s start over. No more business talk tonight. Let’s just be Kalix and Hailey. Kahit ngayon lang."

Kalix POV:

I looked at her hand on mine. Hailey looked so fragile, so different from the arrogant woman who usually barked orders at the servants. Is it possible that the guilt of Grace's death changed her? Or am I just seeing what I want to see because I’m tired of fighting?

"Okay." I said, my voice tight. "No business talk tonight."

"Thank you." she whispered, a small, sad smile playing on her lips. "Alam mo, Kalix, despite everything, I really did care for Grace. Even if she was my step sister. Ang sakit na kailangang ganito ang mangyari para lang mapansin mo ako."

Ang bawat salita niya ay parang karayom na tumutusok sa konsensya ko. I hated how she mentioned Grace like they were close, but I remained silent

"I ordered another bottle." Hailey said, her mood shifting to something more cheerful but still grounded. "Let’s toast to the Caliz and Desmond future. Para sa kumpanya, at para sa atin."

Author POV:

Kinabukasan, ang main hall ng Caliz Diamond Hotel ay puno ng mga mamamahayag, flash ng camera, at mga business tycoon. Nakahilera ang mga upuan sa harap kung saan nakapaskil ang mga logo ng Caliz family at Desmond family. Ito ang araw na hinihintay ng lahat ang opisyal na paganunsyo ng pagiisang dibdib nina Kalix at Hailey.

Sa backstage, abala ang mga stylist sa pag aayos kay Hailey. She was wearing a sophisticated, creamcolored miri dress that made her look elegant and innocent. Sa kabilang banda, si Kalix ay nakatayo sa isang sulok, suot ang kanyang charcoal suit. Hawak niya ang isang baso ng tubig, pilit na iwinawaksi ang bahagyang hilo na nararamdaman pa rin mula kagabi.

Hailey POV:

I checked my reflection one last time. This is it. Ang araw na opisyal ko nang makukuha ang titulong matagal ko nang pinangarap. No more stepsister, no more lsecond choice. Today, I am the main character.

Lumapit ako kay Kalix at inayos ang kanyang necktie. I could feel him stiffen, but he didn't pull away. Not in front of the staff.

"Smile, honey." bulong ko sa kanya, looking up with my best 'loving' gaze. "The whole country is watching. Let’s give them the fairytale they want to see."

"Let's just get this over with, Hailey." malamig niyang sagot.

Nginitian ko lang siya. Alam kong labag sa loob niya ito, pero wala na siyang magagawa. The cameras are waiting.

Author POV:

Paglabas nina Kalix at Hailey sa stage, halos mabingi ang lahat sa tunog ng mga camera flashes. Magkahawak ang kanilang mga kamay isang imahe ng perpektong pagkakaisa. Umupo sila sa gitna, katabi ang ama ni Kalix at si Teresa, na mukhang napakaproud na ina.

"Good morning, everyone." simula ni Teresa sa podium. "Today is a celebration of two families becoming one. Despite the tragedies we’ve faced in the past, love and resilience have brought us here. It is our honor to officially announce the engagement of Kalix Cross Desmond and my daughter, Hailey Caliz."

Nagsimulang magtanong ang mga reporters.

"Mr. Desmond, there were rumors before that you were deeply in love with the late Grace Fiona Caliz. Is this marriage a way to move on, or was it always Hailey?" tanong ng isang matapang na reporter.

Kalix POV:

The mention of Grace name felt like a punch to my gut. The room went silent, waiting for my answer. I felt Hailey hand tighten on mine under the table a warning.

I cleared my throat, my voice deep and controlled. "Grace will always be a part of the Caliz history. But as we look toward the future of our companies, I believe that Hailey is the partner I need to lead the empire to new heights. This marriage is about strength and commitment."

Author POV:

The press conference ended with a lot of clapping. Hailey leaned in to kiss Kalix cheek so the cameras could get a good photo. It was the perfect picture for tomorrow's news.

But Kalix looked away from the cameras. He looked at the back of the room. He felt a sudden chill, like someone was watching him. For a second, he thought he saw someone in the dark a person who made his heart stop. But when he blinked, no one was there. Just the empty walls.

"Is something wrong, honey?" Hailey asked. She noticed he was distracted.

"Nothing." Kalix said. He pulled his hand away as soon as the cameras stopped. "Just the air."