CHAPTER 1.2

I've realized he could be a way to escape this princess life. The only offer is to marry him and not to live with him.

That morning, I already planned to marry him and escape. It's a dream come true to be able to live in the middle of nowhere and earn my own money. I'm going to sell my artwork and put on an exhibition.

I smirked widely as I went down, running into the living room. But then, my feet automatically stopped when my eyes met the dark stares of the man that I painted last night. 

He's there, sitting and leaning against the backrest of the sofa, as if he owned the freaking mansion. His lips moved a little, and he intriguingly scanned my whole being. I was tongue-tied, and at that moment, my confidence was nowhere to be found. When a sinful smirk appeared on his sinful lips as he stared deeply into my eyes, I felt ashamed and wanted to flee.

I almost had goosebumps and felt my face go bloodless.

"Did you paint again, Sage? How many times do I have to tell you to stop that nonsense and work on your degree? If you took a business course, then do business and not that kindergarten coloring game," Daddy's voice was disappointed, and even threw the newspaper on the center table. 

I swallowed hard and felt more ashamed. I immediately wiped the stain of paint on my cheek. But it was the man's stare at me that really put me on the spot and made my cheeks flush. When I glanced at him, I met his stern gaze and that he didn't even dare to look away as I raised my brow at him. He wore too much confidence.I swallowed hard, feeling even more embarrassed. I wiped the paint stain off my cheek right away. But it was the man's stare that truly caught me off guard and made my cheeks flush. I met his stern gaze when I took a glance at him, and he didn't dare to look away as I raised my brow. He wore too much confidence!

I tried to clear my throat so I could find my voice again. 

"I studied the new designs for the sofa set," I lied just to make them at peace, because I never spent my precious time turning pages for those designs.

"And uhm, I only painted for an hour-"

"And yet your eyes tells otherwise, Miss," he butted.

He smirked knowingly and cocked his head to the side. His boastful act made my blood boil. 

How dare he meddle with my family conversation? Oh, yeah right, he might think he belongs even though we aren't married yet.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenient and unpleasant morning, Attorney. Is it okay if Sage washes her face and changes her clothes first before we talk about the arrangement?" It was Mom who had an embarrassed smile.

"There's no need for that, Mrs. Valencia. For as long as she agrees, everything will be settled," he said that with pride as he wore his subtle smile.

I was bewildered by what he said and wanted to roll my eyes at him, but I stopped myself from doing so. I moved a step closer, wanting so badly to give him a slap, but then Mom asked me something that made me hide my hand. 

"Sage, what's your decision? Please, do not disappoint us," her voice was soothing with a bit of authority.

I closed my eyes tightly, and like what I had planned last night, I'll go for it.

"I'll marry him, Parents," I strongly said.

When I opened my eyes, a fresh looking Delton was what I saw. Did he even blink or he didn't want to believe my decision?

"But in one condition," I strongly added.

"What is it, Sage? Be wise, Darling," Mom reminded me like as if I am after the wealth of the man.

Tss. I doubt if he is truly a billionaire, or maybe he really wants our wealth. That's why he's making sure we will marry each other.

I took a glance at Mom before I looked back at him. He doesn't even mind if I am looking at him dangerously, and that makes him a threat.

"I don't want a church wedding nor a civil marriage," I coldly stated.

I have already thought about this matter. It's better to not have a physical wedding so that there will be no media coverage and no news. That only means freedom. I have the freedom to run whenever I want, to fully escape from this mess.

"What do you want then, Savvy?" he asked, sweetly.

And fuck his endearment! I should shut down the butterfly in my stomach. Even if he said it sweetly, Savvy is not pleasant to my ears.

But then, I bit my lower lip and tried so hard to not give him a glare for ruining the coolness of my name. 

"I will only sign the marriage contract. That's all." My lip lifted when I saw how his brow furrowed. 

I was aware when his stare went down on my fingers before he looked up at my lips. 

"So you don't want a ring, Savvy?" he seriously asked, but a smirk was creeping on his lips. 

"That's not my dream wedding for you, Sage! I want a grand wedding for you. All of my amigas will attend!" Mom protested but I don't fucking care. 

"I'm already saving you, Parents. Let me do this on my way. I don't want a wedding. Signing of mariage contract will do."

My eyes automatically found his lips when his smirk was already visible. 

"Signing of marriage contract?" he questioned with mockery, as if he doesn't really believe me at all.

"So you don't want to kiss me, Savvy? You don't want that kiss the bride thing, Baby?" he added.

I squinted my eyes and wanted so badly to curse him for being an asshole. Who in their right mind will kiss someone else's lips that have been ravaged by different women? Of course, not me! The lips that I want are the lips of Andres, but sadly, that will never happen. Tsk!

"You are too full of yourself, Mr. Carancho. Not all girls will bow down to you. Not me. If you don't want the deal, then just put my parents in jail-"

"Sage! What are you saying?!" Mom shouted.

I looked at them coldly, trying to waken my evil side, but then, I didn't want to see them behind bars, especially if I knew that they were innocent.

I sighed and shot the man in front of me with death glares, "No wedding. Just signing of papers. That's final. And yes, I don't want your lips, Mr. Your lips looks so cheap." I simpered to show my claim, but honestly, his thin lips are beautifully made, look so lucious and hydrated, and I won't tell him that!

It's possible that lots of girls have already feasted on those, so better share it with them alone.

I saw his jaw move tightly and shoot me squinting glances as he arched his brow a little. He looked offended, and yet he managed to look cool.

"Did you get what I said?" I raised my brow, and yet, he stood firm and fixed his grey loongsleeve.

He expertly took his coat from the armrest of the sofa and faced me confidently. And damn! I just want him to sit down again because he's so tall. I think that my head can only be level with his chest.

"Fine. I'll bring the marriage contract next week and probably buy you a new lipstick. I hate your pinkish lips. They look childish. Be mature and color it red," he said, and that made me tongue-tied.

I wanted to throw the throw-pillow on his back out of annoyance, but he turned to me again.

"Oh, and I think I would probably buy you a push-up brassiere since I can't see anything of your..." He stopped, then looked at my chest before smirking. 

My cheeks burned with irritation when I realized what he meant. I wanted to curse so badly!