Chapter 1

"Once you sign the paper, you are already bound by him. There's no escape, only death." I impatiently took out the ballpoint pen to sign the papers to make everything legal.

 

I will do everything for my brother's surgery. That's what always sticks in my mind. Indeed, I was bound by him.

 

"Congratulations, Lorelay. You are now officially married to Mr. Shein." Those were the words the mayor said that I couldn't celebrate. It’s my wedding day to a man that I haven’t seen. I'm married to a man who some say is an old man who lives in a haunted mansion. 

 

“You don't have to worry because Mr. Shein will take care of your brother's hospital fee." This was the last thing he said before leaving.

 

"Bes, is this the right decision for you?" asked my friend Shiela. Is this my right decision in life? The answer is that I don't know either.

 

What is important to me now is to save Dave- my brother.

 

"Oh, your luggage is ready. When are you leaving?" When I looked at the luggage I was holding, I feel like I wanted to take back the marriage contract I signed earlier.

 

How can I be married to a man I haven’t meet? It would be great if he was young and kind, but what I've heard is that he's an old man. Oh God! I'm dead.

 

"Well, why did I agree?" I asked my best friend, crying.

"Because you don't have any money and you need half a million for your brother's surgery." I held my breath. God! What should I do now?

 

 

"Alright then, I'll leave you for now and I'll go to mom to tell her I'm leaving."

 

"All right. Be careful," I nodded and walked away.

 

I went to the hospital to visit my mother and brother. When I got there, I saw Dave, our youngest, was being moved to the OR.

 

"Mom, how are you?"

 

"Darling, someone has already paid for the operation for your brother. Is that from you? Where did you get the money?"

 

"Mom, I asked my boss for an advance payment, so later I have to leave. I need to go to work." I bit my bottom lip because I had to lie to my mother.

 

I know she won't agree with my decision to Mr. Shein's wife. I have no other choice but to do this.

 

"Is that so, Lorelay? Be careful then," she said.

"Take care of yourself, Mom, and always be careful. Tell Dave when he wakes up that I love him."

 

I hugged my mother tightly because I don’t know if I would be able to go back to them. I admit I was scared, but there was no turning back.

 

I immediately returned home to get my suitcases. We talked with Mayor Gacus and he said that Mr. Shein's men will pick me up later at home around seven o'clock at night.

 

It's six thirty, so they will be coming soon.

 

"Well, just call me again if you married to a drug dealer or mafia boss and I'll call a lawyer to annul your marriage," Shiela said.

 

 

I gasped in horror. What if Mr. Shein is a drug dealer? Oh my God! What am I supposed to do?

 

But what if he turns out to be a mafia boss who is also an old man? I'm doomed.

 

But what if he’s kind but then an old man?

 

"You're not listening!"

 

"Okay, that's enough, Let’s stop this, bes. Have mercy on me. I don’t want to overthink."

 

She even did a zip sign in her lips while I was here nervous about what she had just said, because what if what she was saying was true?

 

I startled when I heard the horn of the car outside our house. Men in black suits came in and immediately took my suitcases from the floor without a word.

"Lady Lay, Mr. Shein is in his mansion." I looked at Shiela. I’m so freaking nervous. My friend seemed to feel the same way. She's sympathizing my unlucky life.

"Well, there's still time to run," Shiela whispered to me. I want to run, but I have nowhere to go this time. Everything is too late.

"Goodbye, bes," my friend said sadly. She was opposed to my decision. But, where are we going to find half a million for my brother's hospital bill? I don't have any choice but to apply as the wife of Mr. Shein, hoping that I'll be the one to be chosen. 

When I left the house, many of my neighbors were looking at me with pity in their eyes. They seem to sympathize with my misfortune in life. I didn't even know that many people cared about me only for today.

"Be careful, Lay," Nene said, the great marites (a Filipino word to describe the person who loves to gossip) in our area.

 

"We will miss you, Lay," Joana said, and she’s marites number 2.

"R.I.P." It was like all the blood returned to my face when I heard what Taleyang, the marites number 3 in our village, said.

"What R.I.P? Hey!! you monsters! Can you leave now? Stop being so annoying. My Goodness!!" My friend defended me.

I let out a deep breath and got into Mr. Shein's car.

 

I hugged myself as we made our way to the mountain. I also don't know why his house is in top of the hills. No wonder people call it the Haunted Mansion.

When we arrived at the place where the house stood, I immediately looked around. The atmosphere is really scary. There are many dead trees outside; it is so dirty.

 

Inside the mansion, the curtains are black. I don't know how many days I will remain in this world if I live in this house.

"Come in, lady Lay," someone said, his entire staff dressed in black, from shoes to clothes, including shades, all black.

 

I tried to step on my feet. I feel the tremors on it. I almost fainted.

 

When I almost inside, a woman came out. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that she was wearing a white shirt even though the bottom was black.

 

She was wearing a maid attire.

"Good day, Lady Lay. Mr. Shein is waiting for you."

 

Here it is. This is the day I don't want to happen, to face Mr. Shein. Why is he looking for a wife? Is he so ugly that no one wants to date him? Or is he just going to wobble?

I went inside while my heart didn't stop beating. It was so loud, I could barely hear anything.

As soon as I stepped inside, I almost fell in love with Mr. Shein's things at home. Each one shines and is obviously valuable. I'm sure it can all be pawned in a pawn shop.

His tiles and marbles are exquisite, as is the chandelier. His house speaks dollars, even though it looks like a haunted mansion on the outside.

"This way lady Lay," I immediately followed the maid who greeted me earlier. I don't want to be left behind, and I might even lose. Since his house is so big, it's possible that I will get lost.

 

 

"Excuse me, where are we going?" I nervously asked the maid.

 

 

"You need to eat first lady Lay. You might be hungry," she said. Wait! Why are they calling me like that?

When I saw what was served on the table, I was suddenly hungry. I never thought that the food prepared by Mr. Shein at their house would be like this. There are many different dishes on the table. Shit! I wanted to try some.

"The table is yours, Lady Lay." I looked around, but there was no sign of Mr. Shein's revolt. I thought he was here waiting for me.

 

I immediately sat down and started taking food from the table. First, I took the ones that are rarely served to us, such as lobsters and other steak. Because it's expensive, we can't afford it every day.

 

I filled my plate with food while still looking around. I really want to see Mr. Shein to find out what he looks like.

 

"Manang (A Filipino word to call an old woman), is she here?" My heart suddenly pounded when I heard that voice. I don't know who it is, but I'm sure it's a man. Maybe Mr. Shein? Is that him? I can't wait to see him.

I quickly finish my food. I panicked when I heard his footsteps coming my way. I almost choked. That's why I drank water in my glass.

 

"She's here, sir."

 

I immediately stood up and bowed in front of him. Is he Mr. Shein?

 

"Good evening."

 

“Good evening," he replied, I was shocked to hear his voice. It's something like; he's still in his thirties and not in his seventies.

I slowly raise my head. I swallowed when I saw his face. If you’re asking, if he’s he a drug dealer who is and also an old man? No, he's far from that.

 

Perhaps a mafia boss? Definitely not.

 

Old man? No, because the man in front of me now is a handsome man who is like a God. He’s too handsome.

I just gaped in front of him while watching him. The eyes are narrow, and the skin is smooth and white. I'm already tall, but he's taller than me.

 

Is it possible that someone be as handsome as he is?

 

"Mr. Shein, it's nice to meet you." I extended my hand in front of him. Everyone's guess is wrong because this Mr. Shein is very handsome. But I was surprised to hear his laugh. Why is he laughing? Is there something wrong?

 

 

“Miss Lorelay, I believe we have a misunderstanding here. I'm not your husband. I'm not Mr. Shein."

 

 

What the!