Chapter 1

LYLIA'S POV

I narrowed my eyes at him before stepping back. "Are you crazy?"

He stared at me seriously, and a moment later, the corner of his lips lifted as if he was trying to suppress a smile.

"Would you believe me if I said yes?"

"Yeah, he’s crazy," I said, almost like a whisper.

"I heard that, miss." He chuckled softly.

I caught him staring at my sweating chest, so he quickly averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

Even I felt embarrassed because I only noticed then that my cleavage was showing.

"Look, I'm offering you a deal. The demolition should have started hours ago, but because I'm kind—"

I laughed. "Wow! Kind? You're being kind now, Captain?" I asked sarcastically.

His brow furrowed as he crossed his arms, challenging me with his gaze.

"Aren't I? So, maybe I shouldn't have told you?” A playful smirk danced on his lips, further irritating me. "Very well..."

He reached for his phone in his pocket, but I quickly snatched it away when he seemed about to make a call.

I glared at him when he burst into laughter.

"What's so funny?"

I brazenly showed him his phone hidden in my jeans pocket.

"You." He pointed at me, still laughing, making his eyes small. Well, he's handsome.

But not because he was a handsome man doesn’t mean he could turn the situation around. I wouldn't give in right away. I was still annoyed by the fact that he was going to demolish our house and this eatery.

"Just tell me straight, Captain, what do you really want? I'm not in the mood for your games," I said, staring intently at him. "Stop fooling around."

"I'm not fooling around," the smirk vanished from his lips. "I'll ask you then, do you have anything to pay me now? That's two million."

I fell silent. If I paid him now, it wouldn't be enough, and we wouldn't have anything left. I needed to buy medicine for my sister. We couldn't stop selling at the eatery either because I still owed my aunt, who had lent me the capital.

What would she say? That I ate the money she lent me? She will kîll me if she knows about this.

"I'm here to do you a favor, Lyl," he said softly. But I vehemently shook my head, refusing his offer.

"Favor, you say? Do you know how that sounds to me? Like I'm selling myself to you once we get married—"

"Lylia! Lira is having an asthma attack!" Love shouted.

I immediately turned away from Raze and ran frantically towards my sister.

I knelt beside her, gently stroking her face.

"Lira! Lira!" I said in a panic, not knowing what to do. "Where's your inhaler?" I asked frantically. "Where is it?!"

I panicked even more when I couldn't find the inhaler in the bag we brought. It was here! I packed it myself earlier!

“L-Lylia..." my sister called out to me, hardly gasping for breath.

Tears streamed down my face when I felt her hand getting cold.

"Lira! Don't close your eyes!" I cried out. "Lira! Lira!"

"S-Sorry..."

I felt like I was doused with cold water when she slowly closed her eyes.

"Help—"

"Let me!"

I looked up at the man who carried my sister.

"C-Captain..."

"Ashel, the car!" he shouted at the man and looked back at me. "Come with me. My men will take care of everything here."

Love helped me to stand up as we followed Raze to his car outside.

—

"Your sister is stable now, but make sure that whenever you go somewhere, don't forget to bring a paper bag or an inhaler because you never know when she might have an asthma attack. Also, I added some medicine for her vitamins and maintenance. Don't let her run out of oxygen, okay? We all know her asthma is moderate." Doctor Carlos explained. "I know it's hard, but I'm always here to help."

He gently patted my shoulder. "Thank you, Doc." I said, biting my lower lip because my eyes were starting to blur with tears.

"Always welcome, Lylia. Here, you can go to the pharmacy for her medicine." He handed me a small piece of paper, which I immediately accepted. "By the way, the one who was with you earlier, was that Raze? The barangay chairman?" he asked curiously.

I nodded. “Yes, doc.” I replied.

"Good to know. He paid the bills, including your sister's medicine and oxygen. Call me when you need anything. I'll leave you now, okay? I have other patients."

"O-Okay, Doc, thank you." I replied, dazed.

I was left alone in the hallway, thinking about what he'd said. The chairman paid for everything? Why didn't he tell me?

"Are you okay?"

Startled, I quickly turned to the speaker.

"C-Captain..." my voice barely whispered as tears streamed down my face.

He was shocked and worried when I started sobbing, so he quickly approached me.

"What’s wrong? Did something happen to your sister? Tell me..." He cupped my cheek as I shook my head. "Did she have another—"

He gasped when I pulled him into a tight hug.

"Thank you, Captain."

I felt his body tensed, but eventually softened, and he hugged me back.

Silence reigned until I felt embarrassed because we were arguing just a while ago, and now I was the one initiating the hug.

"About the deal, though—"

"Don't pressure yourself. I'll give you time to think—"

I broke the hug and looked up at him. "There's no need. I already have an answer."

His eyes twinkled, amused. "And?"