CHAPTER TWO: THE DEAL

The steady beeping of the hospital monitor was the only sound in the room, echoing in the quiet like a cruel reminder of how fragile life was.

I sat on the uncomfortable chair beside my grandmother’s bed, holding her thin, wrinkled hand.

Her skin felt cold, her grip weaker than I’d ever felt before.

“Grandma…” I whispered, fighting back tears. Her face looked so pale, so tired.

The woman who had raised me, who had always been strong for me, now looked so fragile that my heart felt like it was breaking into pieces.

Earlier, the doctor had told me, She’s under too much stress.

If this continues, her health will get worse.

His words kept ringing in my ears, drilling fear into my chest.

I wiped the tears forming in my eyes, forcing myself to stay strong. “I promise, I’ll fix this,” I murmured, my voice breaking. “I’ll make everything right.”

Her eyes fluttered open slowly, and she gave me a weak smile. “Luci…” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

“Yes, Grandma. I’m here.” I squeezed her hand gently, afraid to let go.

“Don’t… don’t let go of the house,” she said softly, her eyes wet with tears. “It’s all we have left… the memories… of your parents… of our life…”

My throat tightened, and I nodded quickly. “I won’t. I’ll save it. I swear, Grandma. You just rest.”

She closed her eyes again, drifting back to sleep, but her words stabbed at my heart like a knife.

The house wasn’t just walls and a roof. It was every memory we had left of my parents.

Every laugh, every tear, every meal we had shared.

I remembered running through its small hallways as a little girl, laughing while Grandma clapped her hands.

Losing it would be like losing them all over again.

I stayed there a little longer, brushing her hair gently and whispering promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.

Then, with a heavy heart, I stood and left the hospital.

By the time I reached Illustre Enterprises again, the sun was already low in the sky.

The glass tower rose high above me, its windows gleaming in gold from the setting sun, shining as if mocking how small and powerless I felt.

My legs trembled as I stared up at it, clutching my bag strap tightly.

This is the only way, I told myself.

For Grandma. For the house.

Inside, the lobby was busy with people in sleek suits and polished shoes, walking quickly like they had somewhere important to be.

Their perfumes lingered in the air, mixing with the faint scent of coffee.

I felt their eyes on me, judging my simple dress and worn-out flats.

Few whispered, some smirked, but I forced myself to keep walking.

I didn’t belong here, but I had no time for shame.

The receptionist frowned the moment she saw me. “Miss, I told you yesterday—”

“Please,” I cut in, my voice trembling. “I need to see Mr. Illustre. Just once more. Please.”

Before she could answer, I spotted Gino, Mr. Illustre’s secretary, walking past with a stack of files.

My chest tightened, and I rushed toward him, nearly tripping on my own feet.

“Sir,” I begged, desperation lacing my words. “Please, just give me five minutes with him. I’ll do anything.”

He stopped, his sharp eyes scanning my face. For a moment, I thought he would scold me, but his expression softened just slightly. After a long pause, he sighed. “Wait here. I’ll see what I can do.”

I sank onto the edge of a leather chair in the lobby, clutching my bag against my chest.

My heart hammered wildly as I waited. Every tick of the clock above the reception desk felt like a blow against my patience.

People passed by, whispering and throwing me curious looks, like I was a lost stray who had wandered into the wrong world.

My palms were sweaty, and I rubbed them against my skirt, whispering a silent prayer.

Finally, Gino returned. “Follow me,” he said simply.

The elevator ride felt like a climb toward my fate. I stared at my reflection in the metal doors, hardly recognizing the girl staring back.

My lips were pale, my eyes red from crying. With every ding of the elevator, my chest grew tighter, until I thought I might faint.

The doors opened to the top floor. I stepped out, my legs shaking beneath me.

The enormous office made me catch my breath. The floor-to-ceiling windows displayed the whole city bathed in golden light from the setting sun.

Everything inside gleamed — expensive furniture, shelves lined with books, a massive desk that screamed of power.

And there he was. Lorenzo Matteo Illustre.

He sat behind his massive desk, pen in hand, his eyes sharp and unreadable as they locked onto mine. His presence filled the room.

“You came back,” he said smoothly, his deep voice steady and calm.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry, my palms sweaty. “Yes.” My voice shook, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. “I’ll accept… whatever you want. Just please, give us back our house. My grandmother—she can’t lose it. She’ll die.”

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin, studying me like I was an investment. “So you’re willing to do anything?”

The word anything sent shivers down my spine, but I nodded. “Anything.”

Faint smirk appeared on his lips. He opened a drawer and pulled out a folder, placing it on the desk. Gino set it right in front of me.

“Read it carefully,” Lorenzo said, his tone firm.

With trembling hands, I opened the folder. My eyes skimmed the first page, and I felt my heart sink lower with every line.

Live in his penthouse.

Not allowed to leave without a bodyguard.

Mandatory medical exams — including proof of virginity.

Expected to sleep with him until I conceived.

Once pregnant, I would receive money every month.

My grandmother would receive financial support as well.

After giving birth, the child would belong to him.

I would never see my baby again.

The words blurred as tears filled my eyes. My lips trembled. “You… you want me to…”

His eyes met mine, steady and cold. “Yes. I want you to carry my child. In simple words, Miss Bautista—you’ll be my baby maker.”

The words cut me like a blade. My breath caught, and my chest ached.

He continued as if it was nothing more than a business deal. “Once you’re pregnant, you’ll have everything I promised. Your grandmother will never worry again. The house will be yours. But once the child is born, it will be mine. You will not see it, nor claim it.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them. “This… this is cruel.”

“It’s a choice,” he replied calmly. “Sign it, and you’ll get what you want. Refuse, and you walk away with nothing.”

I thought of Grandma’s weak smile earlier, of her whisper asking me not to let go of the house.

I thought of the garden she loved, of the memories of my parents in every corner of that home.

My chest tightened as guilt and desperation swallowed me whole.

With a trembling hand, I picked up the pen. “Forgive me, Grandma,” I whispered as I signed my name.

When I set the pen down, Lorenzo’s lips curved slightly, though his eyes remained unreadable.

“Good,” he said. “Gino will take you to the hospital today. The test must be done before tonight.”

My stomach dropped. “T-tonight?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “You said you were willing to do anything. That starts tonight.”

“I’ve never…” My voice cracked, and I couldn’t finish the sentence.

Lorenzo’s eyes darkened, and he leaned back in his chair. “Then you’ll be giving yourself to me first.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks. My whole life, I had been careful — no boyfriends, no dates, no kisses.

At twenty-three, I was still a virgin, saving myself for the man I would love one day.

But instead of love, I was about to give myself away because I had no other choice.

The hospital visit was humiliating. I lay on the cold examination table, staring at the ceiling as my cheeks burned with shame.

The nurse was kind, speaking softly, but nothing could ease the humiliation I felt as my purity was confirmed like a transaction.

When it was over, I walked out with my head lowered, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.

That night, inside his penthouse, I sat on the edge of the massive bed, my heart racing so hard I could barely breathe.

The city lights glimmered outside the tall windows, but all I felt was the crushing weight of what I had agreed to.

I touched my chest, whispering to myself, This is for Grandma. This is for the house.

Then, the door opened.

Lorenzo stepped inside, his tall frame filling the doorway. His eyes locked on me, calm but intense, like he already owned me.

He set his coat on the chair and walked closer, every step sending shivers through my body.

I clutched the sheets with trembling hands, my chest rising and falling in panic.

“This is the life you agreed to, Miss Bautista,” his deep voice murmured, steady and unyielding. He stopped just inches away, his gaze pinning me in place. “From tonight on, you’re mine.”

My lips parted, but no words came out. My whole body froze.

Just as he reached for me, the lights flickered — and the room went dark.