CHAPTER 3 THE GATHERING STORM

Third Person POV

The next two weeks inside the Villareal Mansion became a quiet, torturous game of cat and mouse. Elena tried her absolute best to blend into the shadows, but no matter where she went, she could feel Zachary’s piercing, heavy gaze burning into her skin.

Whether she was serving breakfast in the grand dining hall or polishing the antique vases in the living room, he was always there—watching. He didn't speak much, but the sheer intensity of his presence was enough to leave Elena completely breathless and flustered.

"Elena, pakihatid naman itong bagong selyadong envelope sa kwarto ni Sir Zachary," utos ni Manang Josie isang gabi habang nag-aayos sila sa kusina. "Kararating lang galing sa kumpanya. Importante yata."

"O-Opo, Manang," sagot ni Elena, kahit agad na kumaba ang dibdib niya.

Iniiwasan niya hangga't maaari ang private quarters ng bilyonaryo, lalo na kapag ganitong gabi na. Pero wala siyang magagawa. Bitbit ang envelope, dahan-dahan siyang umakyat sa grand staircase patungo sa master bedroom sa dulo ng pasilyo.

Pagdating sa harap ng malaking double doors, huminga muna siya nang malalim bago kumatok. "Sir Zachary? May personal delivery po para sa inyo."

Walang sumagot. Kumatok siya ulit, ngunit nanatiling tahimik ang loob. Napansin ni Elena na bahagyang nakabukas ang pinto, kaya marahan niya itong itinulak. "Sir?"

The room was vast and dim, illuminated only by the faint light coming from his massive balcony. The scent of premium whiskey and masculine musk hung heavy in the air. As Elena stepped inside to place the envelope on his desk, her eyes accidentally caught a stack of documents left wide open under a paperweight.

At the very top of the page, bold corporate letters stared back at her: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT: INFRASTRUCTURE & SHAREHOLDER DISTRIBUTION. Below it, a specific clause was heavily highlighted in yellow ink: "...absolute transfer of maximum shares shall only take effect upon the legal marriage of the designated heir, Zachary Villareal, before the end of the current fiscal year."

Elena gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth. “Kaya pala...” bulong niya sa sarili. Kaya pala ganoon na lamang ang pressure dito ng pamilya at ng mga board members ng kumpanya. Ang buong buhay at imperyo ng lalaki ay nakasalalay sa isang kasal.

"Are you snooping around my room, Elena?"

The cold, dangerously deep voice made Elena jump in sheer terror. She whipped around, her heart leaping into her throat.

Zachary was standing by the open balcony doors. He had just stepped inside, holding a half-empty glass of bourbon. His black hair was chaotic, his expensive suit jacket was nowhere to be seen, and his white dress shirt was unbuttoned halfway down his chest, revealing his hard, sweat-glistening skin. He looked absolutely exhausted, his jaw clenched so tight the muscles in his face were trembling.

The pressure from the business gathering he had just attended earlier that evening was clearly tearing him apart.

"S-Sir... hindi po!" Elena stammered, stepping back until her hips pressed against the edge of the mahogany desk. "May inihatid lang po akong sulat. Patawad po, aalis na ako—"

"Stop right there," Zachary commanded, his voice vibrating with raw, unchecked dominance.

He didn't just walk toward her; he cornered her. In three large strides, Zachary closed the distance between them. He slammed his free hand onto the desk right next to her waist, trapping her completely within his space. The intoxicating heat radiating from his massive frame completely overwhelmed Elena’s senses, making her knees tremble beneath her plain uniform.

"Sir Zachary..." Elena whispered, her large, innocent eyes wide with fear as she looked up at his tormented, handsome face.

Zachary didn't speak immediately. His dark, clouded eyes dropped to her trembling lips, then down to how her chest heaved heavily against her shirt. The pure vanilla scent of her skin was driving him insane, breaking down whatever little self-control he had left after a night of corporate hell.

"Tell me, Elena..." Zachary whispered, his voice dangerously low, his breath hot against her face. "How much do you love your family?"