Prologue

WARNING: This story contains mature content, depicting themes of an age gap and forced marriage.

LYLIA’S POV

As I served the customers from the cockfighting arena, I noticed Lira and Love whispering and giggling, glancing out the window of the eatery.

So, I was wondering, what were they whispering about?

I followed their gaze and took a step back when I saw the captain of our barangay. What was he doing here?

"Miss beautiful, are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost," Keano, one of our regular customers, asked.

"Oh, nothing," I replied, quickly shifting my gaze away when our eyes met. "Anything else you'd like to order?"

"Nothing, we're already full from your beauty," he joked, causing his companions to laugh.

"You're such a flirt. Just eat your food," I retorted, brandishing the tray I was carrying.

"Come on, you're so grumpy—hey Captain! Over here! There's a beautiful lady here!" He grinned as he waved in the Captain's direction.

"You're crazy!" I quickly walked away when I noticed the Captain heading towards us.

Keano was always trouble.

"Miss beautiful! Come back here! We'll introduce you to the Captain!" Keano shouted.

I closed my eyes tightly and shook my head vehemently. "I'm busy! Stop teasing me!" I shouted back.

As I approached the counter, my brow furrowed when Lira and Love suddenly came to me, grinning.

"What's with you two? Why are you grinning like that?" I asked and grimaced.

They exchanged a glance and giggled like children. "You and the Captain would make a good couple," they said in unison.

"I thought I was seeing things the other day when I saw him in the barangay hall, but I guess not. He's staying for good," Love said, still grinning.

"I don't know what's gotten into you two. Just get back to work—"

"Miss beautiful! Two orders of lumpiang shanghai and sisig please!" Keano shouted, leaving me no choice but to return to their table.

I didn't know why I was nervous as I walked towards their table. Keano was being annoying again.

It's been a while since I saw the Captain in person, and he looked so much more mature now.

The last time I saw him, he was thin. But now, muscles rippled beneath his skin. He obviously worked out. He looked sexy and hot with his braided hair.

"Miss beautiful?" Keano snapped.

I blinked and looked at him, only to realize that I had reached their table and was staring at the Captain. How embarrassing!

"Oh, here you go!" I fumbled as I placed the food down, noticing the Captain's gaze following me.

My hands trembled at the tension knowing that he was staring at me.

"Careful!" The Captain quickly grabbed my hand when I almost spilled the hot soup on myself. "Are you hurt? Did you get burned?"

"N-No," I replied, a bit shy.

I saw the corner of his lips lift as if he was trying to suppress a smile.

He looked up at me, so I quickly averted my gaze. I pulled my hand back and turned away.

"E-Enjoy," I mumbled.

Before I could walk back, I heard them chuckle softly, making me even more embarrassed.

"Her name is Lylia, right?" I heard the Captain ask. "I like the softness of her hand."

I froze. Me? Soft hands? With all the work I do here at the eatery? Impossible!

—

It was six in the evening when the cockfighting ended, so we started cleaning up.

"Sis, isn't the Captain going home?" Lira asked, wiping down a table while I gathered the dishes.

"I don't know. They seem to be having a good time."

I continued cleaning until I reached their table.

"Excuse me, I'll just take these," I said, referring to the plates on the table.

I ignored the Captain's stare and was about to take the plates when he helped me to it.

"Let me," he said coldly.

I let him, and once he had placed everything on the tray, I turned my back on them.

"She didn't even say thank you?" I heard one of his companions mutter.

"Let it go. That's just her personality," Keano added. "Grumpy, but kind."

"She's kinda rude, bro. She ignored the Captain earlier, and now she's not even saying thank you? Tch. The amount of disrespect.”

My blóôd boiled at the man's words.

I took a deep breath and turned to face them.

I slammed the tray on the table and glared at the man.

"It’s you, right? Why are you complaining? Are you the Captain?" I asked calmly, but deep down, I wanted to punch him.

"Yeah, it was me," he admitted, as if challenging me. "He helped you, and you didn't even say thank you?"

I laughed. "Why do you care? Are you the Captain? And actually, we're closing up. What are you still doing here? Talking about me behind my back?" I turned to the Captain, who was staring intently at me. "Thank you for helping me, Captain, but I wish you hadn't because I could have handled it. Look, you're making your companion's temper flare up," I added sarcastically.

The man stood up, and I think he was getting angry at me. "Such an ungrateful woman. Why don't you tell her, Raze? That you're here for her debt!" the man blurted out.

The moment I processed his words, my world stopped.

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

"Hey, hey, Ashel, calm down—"

"Not now, Keano. I'm annoyed with this woman."

"I'm even more annoyed to you!" 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 turn away from them when someone grabbed my hand, and when I turned around, my heart stopped for a moment when I saw the Captain.

"W-What else do you want?"

"I am here to demolish your house," he said directly, emotionlessly. "As of this moment."

"Y-You have no right to do that." I stammered.

He smirked. "Sad to say, I can since this is my property," he said casually, putting his hands in his pockets. "But I would like to make a deal."

I took a step back when he brought his face closer to mine.

"W-What kind of deal?" I stammered.

"Be my wife."