Chapter 2 - Debt of a Stranger

Zachary Wright was a notorious playboy. Blessed with irresistible charm, striking good looks, and immense wealth, he had never lacked female attention. Countless women had fallen for him, and he had dated more than he cared to remember. Yet despite his endless string of relationships, he had never once taken love seriously. To him, romance was nothing more than a fleeting amusement, and no woman had ever managed to claim his heart.

Now, however, he found himself silently studying the woman clinging to his arm.

She was breathtaking.

Her delicate features were flawless, her bright eyes shimmered with life, and her graceful smile carried a warmth capable of melting even the coldest heart. At first glance, she appeared calm and confident. But beneath that composed exterior, Zachary caught a fleeting glimpse of desperation hidden deep within her eyes.

His gaze drifted over her attire.

She wore an elegant yellow dress with a simple, refined design, yet the quality of its fabric spoke volumes. It was unmistakably a luxury piece. The jewelry adorning her was equally understated, but every gemstone and every detail had been crafted with exquisite precision. To most people, they were merely tasteful accessories.

To Zachary, they were worth millions.

Everything about the woman screamed wealth and privilege. She was clearly someone born into high society—someone who had likely never struggled a day in her life.

Which made her behavior all the more bewildering.

Why would a woman of her status suddenly throw herself at a complete stranger and boldly claim him as her fiancé?

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Zachary's lips.

"Do I know you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

He was certain they had never met. He had no connection to the woman whatsoever, yet here she was, holding onto his arm as though they had been lovers for years.

Instead of answering, the woman flashed him a dazzling smile.

Before he could pull away, she gently slipped her hand into his.

Her fingers were soft and warm, a stark contrast to the coolness of his skin.

The unexpected touch sent an unfamiliar sensation coursing through him, like a tiny spark traveling from her fingertips to the center of his chest. His heartbeat skipped ever so slightly.

It was a feeling he had never experienced before.

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, the bustling department store seemed to disappear.

Still smiling, the woman leaned closer until only he could hear her.

"Please..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Help me."

Her plea was soft, almost fragile.

For reasons he couldn't explain, walking away suddenly became impossible.

Perhaps it was the desperation in her eyes.

Perhaps it was the warmth of her touch.

Or perhaps it was something else entirely.

Whatever the reason, Zachary did something completely out of character.

He agreed.

Without a word, he took out his black card and handed it to the cashier.

The payment was processed within seconds.

The woman who had been making a scene moments earlier could only stare in disbelief. Clenching her shopping bags, she stormed away without another word.

Only then did the stranger finally release the breath she had been holding.

A bright smile spread across her face as she turned toward Zachary.

"Thank you, handsome!" she said cheerfully, as though asking a complete stranger to spend two hundred fifty thousand pesos was the most natural thing in the world.

She gave him a grateful nod before turning to leave.

"That's it?" His deep voice stopped her in her tracks.

Megan slowly turned back.

Zachary stood with one hand tucked into his pocket, his sharp eyes fixed on her. A faint, amused smile played on his lips.

"A simple 'thank you'?" he asked. "You're not planning to return the favor?"

Her smile faltered.

She blinked once, suddenly realizing that walking away so casually might not be as easy as she had hoped.

Turning to face him fully, she clasped her hands together and offered him a slightly awkward smile. "How can I repay your kindness?" she asked politely.

Zachary's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he studied her.

For the first time in years, he found himself genuinely interested in a woman—not because of her beauty, but because of her identity.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest. Megan instinctively tilted her head up to meet his gaze. Their faces were now only an inch apart.

"W-What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Her heart pounded rapidly against her chest as the warmth of his embrace sent a shiver down her spine, leaving her entire body tense.

Zachary gently rubbed his reddened cheek before a slow smirk spread across his face.

"Interesting..." he murmured, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Megan glared at him, still fuming.

"You didn't even let me finish," he said calmly. "I was going to say... I want you to pay me back tomorrow."

His gaze swept leisurely from head to toe, taking in her elegant appearance.

"You don't exactly look poor," he added.

Megan's expression stiffened.

"But I..." she began, only for the words to catch in her throat.

How could she possibly repay him when she didn't have a single peso to her name?

Without another word, Zachary turned around and walked away.

Before following him, his assistant, dressed in a neatly tailored black suit, approached Megan and handed her a business card.

"Please give me your phone number," the assistant said politely. "Mr. Wright will send you the details tomorrow."

Still stunned by everything that had happened, Megan quietly gave him her number.

She remained standing there, watching as Zachary disappeared into the crowd, wondering how a simple trip to the department store had turned her life completely upside down.

The next morning, Megan was still curled up in bed when her phone began ringing nonstop.

She let out a sleepy groan, reached for the phone on her bedside table, and answered the call without even checking the caller ID.

"Hello..." she mumbled drowsily.

"Where are you now?" The deep, authoritative voice on the other end instantly caught her attention.

"I need my payment."

Her eyes flew open.

In an instant, every trace of sleep vanished. She shot upright in bed, her heart pounding as she finally recognized the caller.

"Oh no!"

It was Zachary.