Chapter 3

“Yiee! Lylia’s getting flirty now! You were arguing just a while ago, and now there’s kissing involved? What kind of stunt is this?” Love teased.

I figured I’d tell them about it later.

“Stop making an issue out of nothing. It’s not like that,” I snapped. “What were you talking about earlier? Why did you suddenly go quiet?”

Love and Lira exchanged knowing looks. “We were just curious about what’s really going on between you and Captain. I mean, we’re in a VIP room now, and I heard the doctor say earlier that he paid for Lira’s bills and medicines, and now he’s even buying our food. Spill the tea,” Love teased, nudging Lira as they giggled.

I let out a long sigh. Might as well just tell them and get it over with.

I told them about the deal Raze and I made. Both of them stared at me, mouths hanging open in disbelief.

“Shocks!” Love exclaimed. “You actually agreed?”

“I had no choice,” I said, scratching my head.

There was no point hiding it from them anyway. They’d find out eventually. It was better they knew from the start than assume I was really in a relationship with him, when in fact, I wasn’t.

“What if you fall for him? What happens then? Will he catch you? Or will he just let you fall and get hurt in the end?” Love said. That question stayed with me the whole night.

“My only advice, sis,” Lira added, “don’t fall in love if you know you’ll end up losing. Stop yourself if you have to.” I etched her words into my mind.

I was groggy the next day because of everything they said.

I really thought hard about whether I made the right decision with Raze’s deal, but I couldn’t take it back anymore. I had already said yes. Besides, he did help me, even though we owed him a huge amount.

Whatever happens with this deal, it’s all on me. I was the one who decided.

I didn’t even manage to wash my face properly because we were discharged from the hospital early.

We didn’t wait for Raze to pick us up either, since Ashel didn’t say anything last night when he was the one who delivered the food, when it was supposed to be Raze.

I didn’t know where that man went, and honestly, I don't care. This was just a deal, nothing more.

We took a tricycle home because I still had to go to the market to buy ingredients to sell today, it was cockfighting day again.

There weren’t many people yet. They usually ate in the afternoon since they’d be busy conditioning their roosters.

“Lylia! Can I borrow some viand? I’ll pay later!” Buboy greeted me.

“I haven’t gone to the market yet, so there’s no food.”

“Aw, that's sad.” He scratched his head, grimacing.

“You have a tricycle, right? Come with me to the market and you’ll get free food for today—”

“Sure—hey, it’s the Captain!”

I quickly followed his gaze, and when I saw that it really was Raze, I instinctively pulled down the eatery’s metal cover—

“Aw!”

I shut it at the wrong time and panicked as I grabbed his hand. Good thing he caught the cover quickly, or it would’ve fallen on my head.

“Does it hurt?” I asked worriedly when I saw blood. It looked like his hand got pinched.

“Yes,” he said. I ignored the way he was staring at me and focused on examining his wound. “Are you mad—ow, Lylia! Don’t squeeze it. Be gentle.”

“Does it hurt?” I asked sarcastically as I looked up at him. “Where did you come from?”

He grinned. “You want to know?”

I shot him a sharp look. “Obviously. Why would I ask otherwise?”

“From the church, where we’re getting married.”

I froze. “Huh?”

“I was arranging where we’ll get married,” he explained. “That’s why I didn’t come back last night. Didn’t Ashel tell you?” he asked, frowning.

I shook my head. “He didn’t say anything.”

I heard him curse, so I covered his mouth. “No cursing, Captain. Why didn’t you just tell me directly? Ashel? He really hates me, and I don’t think he agrees with us getting married,” I said, lowering my hand.

“Do you want to?” he asked after my hand dropped.

“Go back to my answer yesterday,” I said, turning my back on him.

“Why are you so grumpy? I already explained myself, Lyl,” he said, trying to turn me toward him by holding my hand, but I quickly pulled away.

“I’m busy,” I said curtly. “I need to go to the market.”

“Then we’ll go. I’ll come with you,” he insisted.

“No need. I can handle it,” I replied, even though I had a lot to buy.

“Why are you so stubborn, Lylia?”

“I'm not, Raze.”

I heard him let out a deep sigh. I almost wished he’d just take back his offer and let me pay monthly instead.

“What do you want, huh? Are you mad because I didn’t come back last night? I’ll make it up to you, Lyl,” he coaxed.

“No,” I said coldly. “This is just a deal, right? So it’s fine. I have my own life, you have yours, we’re good.”

He went quiet. “Do you want us to make it real?”

This time, I was the one who fell silent. “N-No. You’re not my type.”

“Face me and say that,” he challenged. “Look at me, Lyl, and say it to my face.”

“Whatever, Raze!” I marched out of the eatery and headed downhill. “Don’t follow me—Raze!”

“You’re really stubborn, Lylia.” He pulled me toward his car. I almost forgot how to breathe when he buckled my seatbelt, and once again, I couldn’t help inhaling his scent. “Smells good?” he asked, staring at me.

“Yes—no!” I looked away, flustered.

“Then why are you sniffing? And you’re blushing,” he said mischievously.

“What blushing?! It’s just hot!” I said defensively. “A-And I’m not sniffing you! You’re so full of yourself!”

“Don’t you want a taste?”

My eyes widened. “Pervert!” I pushed him, and he just laughed.

“What are you thinking about?”

My face grew even hotter. “W-What’s there to taste from you anyway?! Nothing, right?!”

“There is. Two, actually. Want to know?” He leaned even closer, making me go cross-eyed from how near his face was.

“One more word, Raze,” I warned, but he only grinned wickedly.

“One on top, one down below. Want to see?”

“What are you even saying?” I tried to push him again, but he didn’t budge.

“One is long, the other is curved.”

What on earth was he talking about? Stupid!