Isabella Santos's world revolves around saving her sister Jenny from a rare blood disorder. Working multiple jobs in BGC barely covers the hospital bills. One fateful morning, her trembling hands spill hot coffee on Alexander Del Rosario's ₱50,000 suit. Instead of anger, his eyes hold an intriguing proposition. Xander's mother, Regina keeps arranging matches with socialites he can't stand. When he meets the fiery barista who stands up to him despite her mistake, he sees an opportunity. He offers Isa a one-year marriage contract worth ₱10 million - enough to save Jenny. But their undeniable chemistry challenges the contract's "no feelings" clause. During a company retreat in El Nido, one passionate night changes everything. Their fake relationship starts feeling real until Isa discovers documents linking Del Rosario Industries to her father's death. The shock triggers a panic attack, leading to her hospitalization where she learns she's six weeks pregnant. "Hindi ko kaya 'to. I need to protect my baby from them," she decides, disappearing without a trace. Three years later, fate reunites them at a charity gala. But Xander meets his daughter Sofia, the spitting image of him. "Paano mo nagawa 'to sa akin?" he confronts Isa. Before they can reconcile, and clear out everything, Marco emerges claiming to be Sofia's real father. Regina orchestrates DNA tests and custody battles. Through investigating his father's old records, Xander uncovers Regina's manipulation in destroying the Santos construction company. He confronts his mother: "Pinili mong sirain ang buhay nila dahil lang sa pride mo?!" Meanwhile, Isa faces kidnapping attempts and corporate espionage. The truth about Marco's involvement with rival companies comes to light. During a dramatic confrontation at the Del Rosario's mansion, Xander chooses Isa and Sofia over his empire. "Wala akong pakialam sa company. Kayo ang mahalaga sa akin."
View More"Ate, inom ka muna ng tubig. Namumutla ka na."
Pinunasan ko ang pawis sa noo habang nakaupo sa plastic chair sa tabi ng hospital bed ni Jenny. Three hours na akong tulala dito, nakatitig sa reseta at hospital bill na nasa table. The numbers kept swimming before my eyes: ₱89,456 for this week's treatment alone. "Jenny, paano ba natin—" Naputol ang sasabihin ko nang makita kong tulog na pala siya. Even in sleep, kitang-kita ko ang pagod sa mukha ng kapatid ko. Seventeen years old pero ang dami nang pinagdaanan. Life's unfair that way. My phone buzzed. Text from my online ESL student canceling our 6 AM class. Great. That's another ₱500 gone. Tumayo ako at kinuha ang coffee shop uniform ko. At least may shift pa ako sa The Daily Grind later. Baka kung maaga ako dumating, payagan akong mag-overtime. "'Te..." Jenny stirred slightly. "Wag ka mag-overwork ha?" "Matulog ka na nga." I kissed her forehead. "Text mo ko kung may kailangan ka." The morning air was crisp as I walked to the coffee shop in BGC. Manila was just waking up, pero ang dami nang corporate employees na nagmamadaling pumasok. Must be nice, having stable 9-to-5 jobs with benefits. Not that I'm complaining. Between my barista work and online teaching gigs, I was making ends meet. Barely. "Good morning, Isa!" bati ni Tita Baby, our shop manager, as I entered through the back door. "Aga mo yata?" "Morning po, Tita. Puwede po bang mag-extra shift?" She gave me a concerned look. "Naku, anak. Over 40 hours ka na this week. Baka—" "Please po?" I tried not to sound desperate. "Kay Jenny po kasi..." Her eyes softened. "Sige na nga. Pero promise me kakain ka ng proper lunch today ha?" I nodded quickly, already tying my apron. The morning rush was intense as usual. Executives wanting their caffeine fix, varied orders flying left and right. I was in my zone, efficiently making drink after drink. "One Americano!" called out my co-worker. "Got it!" I grabbed a cup, careful not to make mistakes despite my exhaustion. The shop was packed, and I could feel my hands starting to shake from fatigue. That's when I heard it. A commanding voice that seemed to make everyone else's chatter fade into background noise. "Black coffee. No sugar." I looked up and nearly dropped the cup I was holding. Standing at the counter was quite possibly the most intimidating man I'd ever seen. Tall, impeccably dressed in what looked like a hand-tailored suit. His features were sharp, aristocratic – half-Filipino, half-European maybe? But it was his eyes that caught my attention. Dark, intense, and completely devoid of warmth. "Sir?" my co-worker squeaked. "Your name po?" "Alexander." His tone made it clear he wasn't interested in small talk. I forced myself to focus on making his drink. Just another customer, Isa. Kahit mukhang may-ari ng building na 'to. My hands were still shaking as I carefully poured the hot coffee. Then everything happened in slow motion. My grip slipped. The cup tilted. Hot liquid splashed. Right onto his pristine suit. "Oh my god!" I gasped. "Sir, sorry po! Patay ako nito!" The entire shop went dead silent. I grabbed napkins frantically, trying to dab at the growing stain on his jacket. From the fabric alone, alam kong mas mahal pa 'to sa isang buwan kong sweldo. "Stop." His voice was eerily calm. I froze, napkins suspended mid-air. "Sir, I'm really sorry po. I can—" "This suit," he said slowly, "costs fifty thousand pesos." My heart stopped. Fifty thousand? Lord, paano ko babayaran 'to? "I-I'll pay for it po," I stammered, knowing full well that was impossible. "Monthly installment po pwede?" To my surprise, instead of anger, something else flickered in his eyes. Interest? Amusement? "Monthly installment?" He actually smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "And how long exactly do you plan to pay me back?" I did quick mental math. "Mga... ten years po?" He raised an eyebrow. "Ten years." "Five po kung mag-donate ako ng isang kidney?" I wanted to smack myself. Bakit ganun ang nasabi ko? But to my shock, he let out a short laugh. It transformed his whole face, making him look younger, almost... human. "What's your name?" he asked. "Isabella po. Isabella Santos." Something changed in his expression at the mention of my surname. He studied me more intently. "Santos... Any relation to Eduardo Santos of Santos Construction?" I stiffened. "He was my father po." "Was?" "He passed away po. Five years ago." He was quiet for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. "Come to this address at 2 PM today. We'll discuss your... payment terms." I read the card: Alexander Del Rosario, CEO, Del Rosario Industries. "But sir, my shift—" "I'll speak with your manager." He turned to leave, then paused. "Don't be late, Miss Santos. I hate waiting." As he walked away, leaving coffee drips in his wake, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change dramatically. Hindi ko lang alam kung para sa ikabubuti o ikasasama ko. Little did I know, that spilled coffee would lead to the most complicated deal of my life."Ate naman!" Frustrated na si Jenny. "Ilang araw ka nang nagtatago!" Nakahiga ako sa hospital bed niya, nakataklob ang kumot sa mukha. "Hindi ako nagtatago!" defensive kong sagot. "Busy lang!" "Busy?" She pulled the blanket off. "O bakit ka nga dito natutulog sa hospital?" "Kasi..." Napakamot ako ng ulo. "Miss na kita?" "Ulol!" Binato niya ako ng unan. "Ilang araw ka nang umiiwas kay Kuya X no?" Napabuntong hininga ako. Three days na nga since 'yung kiss. Three days na kong nagtatago. "Mali ba ko?" bulong ko. "Sa pagtatago? Oo naman!" "Pero Jenny..." Napaupo ako. "Nahihiya ako eh!" "Bakit naman?" "Kasi..." Namula ako. "First kiss ko yun eh." "HA?!" Napasigaw si Jenny. "FIRST KISS MO YUN?!" "Shhh!" Tinakpan ko bibig niya. "Dahan dahan!" "Sorry!" She whispered excitedly. "Pero Ate... first kiss mo talaga?" Tumango ako. "Oh my god!" She squealed. "Ang romantic! Sa High Street pa! Tapos trending pa!" "Jenny naman!" Pero namula ako. "Hindi romantic yun!"
"I mean..." I backtracked. "Like... yung situation natin...""Right." His voice was strange. "The situation. Our situation."Pagkatapos nanaman nun ay nagkaroon ng awkward silence. Kaya ako na ang unang nagsalita."Um..." I stood up. "Matutulog na ko-""Wait." He grabbed my wrist. "About the reporters...""Okay lang yun! Ano ka ba!" I forced a laugh. "Parte lang 'yon ng job 'di ba?""Still." Napakunot siya ng tuluyan. "I don't like them harassing you.""Sus, sanay na ko!" "You shouldn't have to get used to it.""Xander..." I sat back down. "Parte to ng deal natin, right? Ang press coverage, public appearances... Kaya ginagawa ko lang kung ano ang nasa kasunduan natin""I know, I know. Pero..." He ran a hand through his hair. "The pregnancy rumors..."I laughed. Naalala ko nanaman 'yung tungkol sa issue na iyon. "Ang wild no? As if namang mangyayari 'yun!"Hindi siya ngumiti. Napangiwi na lang tuloy ako."Um..." Kinakabahan na ko. "May problema ba?""My grandmother. Mama called."Ay p
"Welcome to your new home!"Nakatayo ako sa lobby ng pinakamataas na floor ng BGC's most exclusive residential tower, hawak-hawak ang isang maleta at backpack lang. Lahat ng gamit ko for one year, kasya sa dalawang bag. "Ma'am, good evening po!" bati ng guard. "Sir Xander informed us about you po. Welcome to The Penthouse!"The Penthouse. Parang title lang ng teleserye. Except ngayon, ako 'yung bida. Ako 'yung mahirap na babae na mapupunta sa mundo ng mayayaman. Pero unlike sa TV, walang forever dito. May countdown clock."This way po," sabi ng guard. "Sa private elevator po ni Sir."Wow. May private elevator si Xander. Of course, bilyonaryo siya. Pagbukas ng pinto sa taas, muntik na akong mahulog sa kinatatayuan ko."Grabe..." bulong ko.Floor to ceiling windows showing the entire Metro Manila skyline. Italian marble floors. Modern furniture na mukhang galing sa magazine. At sa gitna, isang spiral staircase leading to the second floor."This is your home for the next year."Napalin
"Isabella!" bati ni Madame Regina, suddenly all smiles. "Come meet Chiara Chen! Chiara, this is Alexander's fiancée." "Oh!" Her smile was dazzling. "The... barista, right?" Ouch. Round one pa lang, supalpal na. "Yes!" Proud na sagot ko. "That's how I met Xander eh. Destiny talaga!" "Destiny..." She laughed musically. "Well, that's one way to put it." Double ouch. "Actually," singit ni Victoria. "How's Marco, Chiara? Still together?" Chiara's smile faltered slightly. "We... decided to take a break." "Oh? Kailan pa?" inosenteng tanong ni Miguel. "Before or after malaman mong engaged na si Kuya?" Triple ouch - pero sa kanya naman this time! Hahaha. "Miguel," warning tone ni Madame Regina. "Be nice." "Sorry, Lola!" But he winked at me. "Isabella." Napalingon ako. Si Xander, looking devastatingly handsome in his tux. Without a word, he took my hand and pulled me close. "Hi," I whispered. "Xander!" bati ni Chiara. "It's been so long!" "Chiara." His tone was co
"Naku, ang sweet ni Sir Xander!" kilig na kilig na sabi ng nurse habang binabantayan si Jenny. "Every night na po ba siya bumibisita?"Nahihiyang tumango ako. One week na since 'yung disastrous family dinner, at talagang gabi-gabi na siyang dumadalaw kay Jenny. Minsan may dala pang pagkain, minsan gadgets para hindi ma-bored ang kapatid ko."Grabe, sana all!" tawa ng nurse. "Mabuti at nakahanap ka ng ganyang klaseng CEO, Ma'am Isa!""Nako, wag ka masyadong maniwala diyan kay Ate Claire!" singit ni Jenny. "Marketing strategy lang 'yan ng future brother-in-law ko!""Jenny!" Pinandilatan ko siya."Joke lang!" Pero kita kong nag-aalala siya. "Oh siya, balik na ko sa modules ko. Dami pang homework!"Pagkaalis ng nurse, hinampas ko ng unan si Jenny. "Ikaw ha, kung ano-ano sinasabi mo!""Bakit? Totoo naman ah!" She looked at me seriously. "Ate... sigurado ka talagang hindi ka...""Hindi ako ano?""Na-fa-fall?"Natigilan ako. "Jenny naman. Alam mo namang may kontrata lang kami.""Oo nga." She
"Ate, sure ka ba sa suot mo?"Napatingin ako sa salamin. Naka-simple lang akong midi dress at flat shoes. "Bakit, mukha ba akong katulong?"Tumawa si Jenny mula sa video call. "Hindi naman! Pero diba sa mansyon ng future mother-in-law mo 'yung dinner?""Hay naku, mas gusto ko ngang mag-jeans eh." Inayos ko ang shoulder bag ko. "Kung pwede lang.""Grabe ka. High society na 'to, Ate! Main branch ng Del Rosario family!""Kaya nga kinakabahan ako eh..." Napaupo ako sa kama. Thirty minutes nalang bago sunduin ako ni Xander. "Paano kung hindi nila ako magustuhan?""Imposible 'yun!" protesta ni Jenny. "Maganda ka, matalino, may work-""Na barista?""At ESL teacher!" dagdag niya. "Tsaka may breeding ka kaya. Si Mama at Papa, kahit mahirap tayo, pinalaki tayong maayos."Napangiti ako. Tama siya. Proud ako sa pagpapalaki sa'min nina Mama at Papa.Knock knock!Napatalon ako. "Nandyan na siya!""Go na!" excited na sabi ni Jenny. "Text mo ko kung ano mangyayari ha?"Pagbukas ko ng pinto, natigilan
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