Prologue

LYLIA’S POV

While I was serving customers from the cockpit arena, I noticed Lira and Love nudging each other like they were eyeing something outside the eatery.

Moments later, they started whispering and giggling like giddy girls. What were those two whispering about?

I followed their line of sight, and instinctively stepped back when I saw the District Captain. What was he doing here?

“Hey, miss pretty, are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost,” Keano, one of our regular customers, teased.

“Oh, nothing,” I replied, quickly looking away when my eyes met the Captain’s. “Do you still want to order anything?”

“Nope, we’re already full, from your beauty,” he joked, earning laughter from his friends.

“You’re so corny. Just eat already.” I shot back, playfully threatening him with the tray in my hands.

“Ooh, feisty! Hey, Captain! Over here! There’s a beautiful lady here!” he waved in the captain’s direction.

“Crazy!” I hurried away when I noticed the captain heading toward us.

That Keano was always a trouble.

“Miss pretty! Come back here! We’ll introduce you to the captain!”

I shut my eyes tightly and shook my head. “I’m busy! You guys are unbelievable! Leave me alone!” I shouted back.

When I reached the counter, I frowned as my sister and my friend suddenly approached me, both grinning.

“What’s with those smiles?” I asked.

They looked at each other and giggled like kids. “You and the captain would look good together,” they said in unison.

“I thought I was just imagining it when he came to the district hall, but apparently not. He’s staying for good,” Love said, still smiling.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with you two. Just get back to work—”

“Miss pretty! Two servings of lumpiang shanghai and sisig, please!” Keano shouted, forcing me to return to their table.

I didn’t know why my heart was pounding as I walked toward them. Of course, Keano had to tease again.

It had been a long time since I last saw the captain in person, and now he looked… different. More mature.

The last time I saw him, he was thin. Now his body was solid, obviously built from working out. He looked sexy and hot with his braided hair.

“Miss pretty?” Keano snapped his fingers.

I blinked and looked at him. Only then did I realize I was already at their table, staring straight at the captain. How embarrassing!

“Oh, here!” I placed the food down in a panic, noticing that the captain’s eyes hadn’t left me.

“Careful!” He quickly grabbed my hand when the hot soup nearly spilled onto it. “Are you hurt? Did it spill on you?”

“N-No,” I replied softly, suddenly shy.

I saw the corner of his lips lift, as if he were holding back a smile.

When he looked up at me, I immediately averted my gaze. I pulled my hand away and turned around.

“Enjoy,” was all I managed to say.

As I walked back, I heard them laugh quietly, making my embarrassment deepen.

“Her name is Lylia, right?” I heard the captain ask. “I like how soft her hand is.”

I froze.

Me? Soft hands? With all the work I do in this eatery? Impossible.

—

It was around six in the evening when the cockfight ended, so we began cleaning up.

“Sis, aren’t they leaving yet?” Lira asked while wiping down the tables as I gathered the dishes.

“I don’t know. Looks like they’re enjoying their conversation.”

I continued working until I reached the captain’s table.

“Excuse me, I’ll just take these,” I said, pointing to the plates.

I ignored the captain’s stare and was about to take the dishes when he beat me to it.

“Let me,” he said coldly.

I let him. When he finished placing everything on the tray, I turned my back on them.

“She didn’t even say thank you,” one of his companions remarked.

“Let it go. That’s how miss pretty is,” Keano added. “Grumpy, but kind.”

“That’s kinda rude, bro. She already ignored the captain earlier, and now she didn’t even say thanks? Women,” the guy scoffed.

My ears burned at what he said.

I took a deep breath and turned back to them.

I slammed the tray onto the table and looked at the man with furrowed brows.

“You were the one talking, right? Why are you the one complaining? Are you the captain?” I asked calmly, though deep inside, I wanted to punch him.

“Yes, I am,” he admitted provocatively. “He helped you, and you couldn’t even say thank you?”

I laughed. “You’re funny. Are you the captain? And actually, we’re closing now. What are you still doing here? Talking about me behind my back?” I turned to the captain, who was watching me intently. “Thank you very much for helping, Captain, but you didn’t have to. I could’ve handled it myself. Look at your friend, he’s already puffing up like a steamed bun,” I added sarcastically.

The man stood up, clearly irritated. “Why don’t you tell her, Raze? That you’re here because of her debt!” he blurted out, stopping my world entirely.

So… the captain was the one my parents owed money to?

“Hey, hey, Ashel, calm down—”

“Not now, Keano. That woman is getting on my nerves.”

“So am I!” I shouted. “You’re here for my debt, right? Fine. I’ll pay!”

But the truth was, I had nothing to pay them with.

I was about to walk away when someone grabbed my hand. When I turned around, my heart stopped when I saw it was the captain.

“W-What do you want now?”

“I am here to demolish your house,” he said flatly, without a trace of emotion. “As of this moment.”

“Y-You don’t have the right to do that,” I stammered.

He smirked. “Sad to say, I do, since this is my property,” he said casually, slipping his hands into his pockets. “But I’d like to make you an offer.”

I stepped back when he leaned closer to me.

“A-And what is it?”

“Be my wife.”