Chapter 2

Three years later, since the humiliating day I ruined Lawrence's wedding, I finally graduated from college, and Grandpa is now healthy and strong.

“Miss Del Vega, Madam is calling you to her office. She said it’s something important.”

I nodded at Chelsey and smiled at her.

What could Madam want from me this time? Hopefully, she’s not going to ask me to meet another CEO again.

“Good morning, Madam.”

She smiled the moment she saw me, immediately stood up, and eagerly approached me. She looked like she had exciting news to share.

“Great news for our company, Kath. Just this morning, Mr. Llego approved the collaboration contract I offered him. He specifically asked for you to bring the contract to his office so he can sign it,” Madam Luz shared cheerfully.

It felt like someone had poured a bucket of ice water on me. I couldn't respond right away.

Mr. Llego? As in Kurt Lawrence Llego?

“Are you okay, Kath? You look pale. Are you sick?” Madam touched my forehead, snapping me back to reality.

“I’m fine, Madam. I’m happy with your news,” I said.

She frowned and flicked my forehead.

“Happy? With a face like that, you look like you’re about to cry!”

“Tears of joy. And I’m not frowning, just surprised… I mean, how did you manage to convince him?” I replied.

“He just asked if you were one of my employees. After that, he didn’t hesitate to say yes,” she said kindly, clapping her hands.

“Do you know each other?” she asked, curious.

“No, of course not,” I quickly replied.

“Oh, someone’s being defensive,” she teased and laughed.

“Well, here’s the contract. Go to his office directly. My driver will take you,” she added, patting my shoulder.

“The company is counting on you.”

I had no choice but to follow orders. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I instinctively made the sign of the cross out of nervousness. I walked straight ahead, and the security guard opened the door for me.

“You are Miss Katherine Del Vega?” a tall woman greeted me. I nodded.

“Follow me, Miss.”

We stopped in front of the CEO’s office.

“Boss is inside,” she said and left me there.

I knocked three times.

“Come in.”

His cold voice responded.

I slowly stepped inside and almost dropped the envelope I was holding when I nearly bumped into him, he was standing right by the door, waiting for me to enter.

“So, it’s really you,” he said, staring intensely. He barely blinked, and his gaze felt like it pierced right through me.

“I’m here for the contract signing, sir,” I said nervously, handing him the envelope.

Instead of taking it, he held my hand.

“Are you nervous? Come on, I don’t bite,” he whispered near my ear.

“Relax, love.”

I bit my lip and instinctively stepped back. If he keeps acting like this, I might faint any minute. His aura was terrifying, completely different from the man I ran away from years ago.

“Sir, are you signing or not? Because if not, I’ll just leave,” I said boldly.

“No one’s leaving. Do you really think you can escape again, like the last time you ran from me?

You’re wrong, Miss Del Vega,” he said with a smirk, touching my cheek.

“This face. I could never forget it. You brought back the trauma of my past. Now that I’ve found you again, I’m never letting you go.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I only did what I did because I was desperate,” I tried to explain.

“And I’m desperate now too. That’s why I won’t let you go. I’ll sign the contract—if you agree to marry me,” he said, and I froze in disbelief.

“What if I don’t want to?”

Honestly, I already had a feeling why he wanted to marry me. Maybe he was trying to get revenge, or maybe there was something more.

As they say, if the ground can still hold yo, run.

But how can I run from this situation? The company’s future depends on me.

“If you don’t marry me, you’ll lose your job, and I’ll make sure no one hires you, no matter where you go,” he said seriously, with a threatening tone.

“Then just kill me.”

“I won’t kill you that easily… I’ll kill you with pleasure,” he whispered in my ear, making my skin crawl.

“Why do you even want to marry me?”

“Because you… you killed my fiancé."