CHAPTER 2

"I'M SORRY miss, but we have already hired someone."

I don't know if I'm having bad luck again today. I went to three interviews and I wasn't even late, but gosh! I just started saying my full name and they immediately cut me off. Their eyes widen when I answer their question about who my parents are.

Just the mention of my mom's name makes them cringe, especially when I say my dad's name.

Fine! We've already reached the part of my life where I'm not ashamed of who my parents are, but seriously! Can't anyone hire me for a job in their company just because I'm their child?!

I've told them several times that my parents are the wealthy ones, not me! Why don't they take me seriously? What do they think? That I'm just here for fun? I'm already broke! I'm running out of money soon.

I was about to kick a stray can when my phone vibrated in the pocket of my blazer. I stopped walking and stepped aside.

I calmed myself down and raised my voice a bit when I saw the name of my close friend on the screen of my cellphone.

"How's life, Diana Jane? Why did you suddenly call? Any problem?" I immediately asked my friend.

There are only two reasons why my good friend would call me, first is to invite me for a drink and the second is to share her drama in life.

Just like me, Diana also came from a wealthy family. We were classmates and friends in the States, especially when I found out that she was also a Filipina.

The only difference between us since we returned to the Philippines was that she chose to stay under the control of her family and do everything she wants. She can have any luxurious thing she wants because she's the only daughter of her parents.

"I need you, Krys! I fucking need you. I don't know what to do-"

"Hey! Minimize your voice, where are you?" I asked and looked around.

Here I am again with this feeling. It feels like someone is following me. I've been feeling this for a few days now, so as much as possible, I don't go out of the apartment. I thought it would stop last time, but here it is again.

"I'm in my condo! Please come here-"

"I'm coming. Feed me, okay? My stomach's been empty since this morning-"

"What?! Is my beautiful friend going broke?" Diana asked on the other line and I can clearly hear her loud and crisp laugh.

I secretly rolled my eyes in the air. What use is my family's wealth if they'll just confine me within their fence for life? It's better to be poor if it means I'm free and happy doing what I want in life.

"Stop laughing, Diana Jane, or you will not see me ever again," I threatened and looked around once again.

I'm annoyed! Who is following me again?! If my guess is right, this is one of the people my dad ordered. My parents are crazy! I'm already twenty-four years old, yet they treat me as if I'm still their little girl!

"Okay, I'm sorry, Krystel Ann..." I winced as my friend said my full name. I prefer to be called Krys, not Krystel or Ann, especially not Krystel Ann. "...hurry up and come, I've been worrying about this for a while. I'll just order some food. You know that your beautiful friend has no future in the kitchen. I'm just pretty, but I don't know how to cook-"

"Okay, okay, why are you so hyper right now? Did something good happen?" I wondered out loud to my friend and decided to move from my spot since I could feel the pair of eyes staring at me, but every time I turned around, I couldn't catch anyone looking at me.

"I'll tell you here, Krys, so you better hurry up, okay?" Diana said in a posh tone on the other line.

I didn't respond and immediately hung up the call. I put my cellphone back in my blazer pocket and took a deep breath. I didn't pay any attention to the guy who kept following me. I have so many things to do right now, and finding out who's stalking me isn't on my to-do list.

I walked around until I saw a coffee shop and decided to go in. I suddenly felt like peeing. I was about to enter the coffee shop when I bumped into something. It smelled good, it was hard, and it was captivating.

I closed my eyes and held my forehead since my head hit whatever it was with a little force. What was it?

I quickly looked up, and my eyes met a man who was now furrowing his brows. He's glaring at me as if he's going to skin me alive! I was scared, so I secretly swallowed and quickly looked away.

"Stupid," the guy said simply, and it immediately furrowed my brows. How dare he call me stupid just because he's handsome and smells good! I graduated with honors in the States!

"Sorry, I was just mesmerized by your hard abs..." I said, rolling my eyes and turning away.

I realized too late the words that came out of my mouth. Shit, how embarrassing! I felt even more ashamed when I heard the guy's faint but attractive laugh.

"Miss--"

I didn't wait for him to say anything else since I quickly ran away. Even the urge to pee suddenly disappeared from my mind.

I immediately hailed a taxi and got in. I felt my heart racing as I sat inside the taxi. Shit, did I just embarrass myself in front of that stranger? It's so embarrassing! Thank goodness I won't see him again.

I quickly paid the taxi driver. My wallet was empty. There was no more money in it, not even a peso.

I entered the building where Diana's condo was and quickly pressed the button for the floor I was going to. I was about to ring the doorbell when the door opened, and Diana greeted me with a smile.

"Why are you smiling like that? Did you trick your parents again?" I teased as I went inside.

"Hey, I don't trick anyone! My parents just love me so much, and they give me everything I want. Oh, by the way, I ordered all of your favorites."

My jaw almost dropped when I saw the many types of food on Diana's dining room table. She ordered fries, pizza, chicken, pasta, and even lasagna! My favorite.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at my friend. I suddenly felt doubtful about her actions. I smell something fishy, and I want to know what it is.

"You're asking for a favor, don't you?" I asked, maintaining my squinted eyes.

Diana smiled nervously and started to look elsewhere. I could also hear her loud cough.

"Ehhh you know that I love you, right Krys-"

"Stop beating around the bush and say it straight to my face, Diana Jane," I secretly grinned as my friend's once-smiling face suddenly turned into a frown.

Like me, she also gets annoyed when her full name is mentioned. Well, we're best friends after all.

"My parents want me to pursue this certain guy-"

"What?! Are you crazy? I mean, you're insane if you agree to their wish," I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

My eyes widened even more when my brilliant friend slowly nodded her head.

That's the kind of attitude I sometimes hate about her. She can't say no to her parents. Whatever they say or ask her to do, she'll just follow without questioning.

"My parents said that I will have a one-month staycation in Siargao if this guy agrees to be my boyfriend-"

"Are you out of your mind?! You're a girl, Diana! Why should you be the one to pursue and chase after the guy?!" I exclaimed and couldn't help but roll my eyes.

I got even more irritated when she just smiled sweetly, as if not taking me seriously.

She shrugged before answering again. I just shook my head and walked over to the food, starting to devour it there. I'm just stressed out about my friend.

Rich people have different problems, out-of-this-world problems. It's insane!

"For a change! Besides, I'm also excited to do this-"

"Are you sure that your parents only want you to make the guy agree to be your boyfriend? Maybe there's more to it, and you're just embarrassed to tell me-"

"They want us to settle for an arranged marriage."

I accidentally spit out the pizza I was eating. Diana just laughed and immediately gave me a tissue to wipe my mouth.

"You're unbelievable! Don't tell me you agreed?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Her awkward smile made me realize what her answer was. "...you're really crazy!" I shouted at her and tried to hit her thighs, but she immediately ran away from me.

"What's wrong with that? I'm single, and I think the guy is also single, and I have nothing else going on in my life. Why not engage in something serious and romantic-"

"You're putting your heart at risk, you idiot! Do you think this is just a joke? What if in your pursuit of this guy, you fall for him? Then you'll end up heartbroken because of your foolishness!" I said angrily to my friend, but she just smiled and shook her head at me.

She seemed so sure that it wouldn't happen.

A few minutes passed before I calmed down and the anger that Diana had given me dissipated. Now she was sitting in front of me, eating her ordered food. She was sharing it with me.

"If you've already made a decision, what else is there to worry about? Did you just want me to come over here so that I could give you my advance congratulations?" I sarcastically said while raising an eyebrow.

Diana aggressively grabbed the tissue paper in front of her and wiped the side of her mouth. She smiled at me again before answering.

"You're still unemployed, right?"

My eyebrows automatically furrowed at her question.

"So? What does that have to do with you pursuing your guy-"

"It happens that I have to attend this job interview for tomorrow. The company is quite strict and reserved, so they rarely give opportunities to people."

"What kind of company is it? A gold factory? Are all their office equipment made of pure gold?" I interrupted with a sarcastic tone.

Diana didn't directly address what my contribution to her was. Did I come here just to eat at her condo? I felt so shameless.

"Ssh, what's wrong with you Krys? Are you on your red days?" she asked me with a small smile.

"Red alert! My wallet is empty, and my savings are running out! I don't know, it's hard to be poor," I complained.

"Then this opportunity is really for you!" Diana exclaimed while pointing to her temple. I frowned.

"What?!"

"Since I'll be busy chasing after my future husband, whom I don't know where he is right now, you will be the one who will go to the job interview for me. You will pretend to be me for that day. Please, Krys?" Diana begged while holding my arm and making cute faces.

She became like a cute little puppy all of a sudden. Maybe that's what she does to her parents to get what she wants?

"You can just simply ditch the interview if you know you won't have time for it-"

"I can't, Krys! They might give me a bad record, and who knows where that could lead. You just have to go to the interview, you don't have to pass. Just please help me out," she begged again and made puppy eyes.

It felt like my eyes suddenly got itchy.

"What will I gain from doing that?" I raised an eyebrow.

As long as Diana doesn't say that she'll pay for my one-month expenses, I won't agree to what she wants. I'm still struggling financially.

"I'll be the one who will pay for your one month expenses. As in everything-"

"Okay, deal!" I didn't wait for her to say anything else and immediately agreed. Her mouth hung open as she stared at me. "...what?" I asked her when I noticed her staring at me for a while.

"You really are struggling," she commented.

"Whatever!" I snapped and focused my full attention on the food in front of me. I'll do anything as long as I don't have to go back to my parents. Even if it means indulging in my friend's foolishness and whims.