It was dark and pouring outside when Marianne arrived at the street near their house, and she was soaking wet. Mariane noticed from the outside that they didn’t have light. At first, she thought it was just a blackout, but as she went through other houses, only theirs had no lights, which made her sigh exasperatingly.
‘Oh, God. Our electricity has been cut out again. Maybe mom did not pay the bills.’
Mariane slowly opened the door entrance, afraid she might wake them up. Mariane got surprised when she saw her mother, Anastacia Ramos, holding a cupcake she bought from the mini grocery in front of their house. She chuckled when she saw the candle they always use when they don't have electricity. Anastacia put the candle on top of the cupcake and almost smashed it because it was huge enough for the cupcake.
“Oh, alright… I’ll just hold it.” Anastacia chuckled. “Come here, baby. Make a wish and blow your candle.” Her mom smiled at her.
She closed her eyes to make a wish. “I wish to have a better life with my mom,” she thought before blowing out her candle.
Mariane and Anastacia laughed after realizing that they didn’t have a light and it was too dark. Anastacia immediately lit the candle again.
“I’m sorry, dear. I have not paid for the electricity yet.” She said apologetically.
“It’s alright, mom. I have- what happened to your face?” She looked at her mom with a bright smile, but Mariane’s smile faded and turned to a frown when she noticed the bruises on her mother’s lips. She was about to caress her bruise, but Anastacia won’t let her. A rage suddenly urged into her.
‘It’s probably dad. He’s always hitting mom. And I hate him.’
“Did he hit you again?” Mariane asked worriedly.
“Don’t worry about this. It’s nothing,” Anastacia said and smiled, reassuring her daughter that everything was alright.
But Mariane did not buy it. “Why has he always been like that to you?” She was mad and disappointed.
Her mom was too kind to fight with her dad. And she can’t even leave him. ‘Argh. I hate what I am seeing now.’ Mariane clenched.
“Where is he?” Mariane asked.
“Hey… It’s your birthday, remember? Let’s just forget about this. I don’t want to spoil the mood. We should celebrate your birthday.” Anastacia cheered her up.
“But-”
“No more buts, dear. I want us to celebrate your birthday. So forget about this and let’s have dinner. I’m starving,” Anastacia said as she slowly pushed her into their dining area.
“But you’re wet. Maybe change your clothes first. I’ll prepare the table.” Anastacia said.
They stopped at the door in front of their room. Mariane stared at her mother and sighed. ‘Probably dad beat her because mom did not give him money. My poor mom… He’s always thinking of mom as his punching bag.’ Mariane thought and sighed in defeat.
She took out her wallet to get some money. Luckily, she got tips from her workplace.
“Here, take this. I think this is enough to pay for the electricity.” Mariane gave her mom the money, but her mom shook her head and refused to receive the money.
“No. Don’t give that to me. You should keep it. I don’t want your father to find out that you have money. You know him.” Anastacia reminded her.
“Alright… Then give me the disconnection notice, and I will pay for it myself.” Mariane told her.
Anastacia sighed in defeat and agreed to what she had just said. “Alright… Alright… I’ll give it to you later. Now, change your clothes, honey. Before, you’ll catch a cold,” she reminded her.
Mariane went to their room and changed her clothes.
Mariane and her family were informal settlers who lived in a small house, but it was not theirs. They just rented it at the lowest price. Their house has one bedroom, where the three of them sleep together. As you entered their house… there was a small living room with two wooden chairs. The other chair was long and could occupy three people. The other chair was suitable for one person only. A few steps from the living room were the dining area and dirty kitchen. They don’t have a CR inside and only use the common CR nearby.
Mariane’s mom, Anastacia, came from a wealthy family, but when she got pregnant, her parents disowned her. As they don’t want Diego for her. And that Mariane’s dad. But now, Mariane gets why they don’t like her dad. Simply because Diego was irresponsible, even until now. Her dad became addicted to gambling. Every day, Diego went home drunk. And beats her mom to a pulp, especially whenever he loses.
“Mariane, are you done changing your clothes?” Anastacia asked.
“Let’s have dinner before the food gets cold,” she added.
Mariane went out and saw her sitting on the chair already. She stood up and pulled the chair for her. “Sit right here,” Anastacia said and smiled.
They ate dinner happily and peacefully together before someone interrupted their dinner. Mariane jolted as she heard someone kick the door open.
“Was it dad?” Mariane turned her eyes to the door, waiting for the person who interrupted their meal. ‘Will he beat my mom again?’ She clenched at her thought.
“Your dad will not kick our door. He may be violent towards me, but he never broke things inside our house.” Anastacia said, which made Mariane frown.
‘Who could it be, then?’ She wondered.
“Mom, stay right behind me,” Mariane instructed her mom as she stood up.
Mariane took a knife from the kitchen. Before she went to their living room. She looked at their broken door and the man standing at the entrance.
Marian looked up as the man was tall, and she was just below his shoulders. He’s handsome. Grayish eye color, with growing stables, which made him look like her idol from Hollywood, Zac Efron. He was wearing a three-piece suit that made him look more dazzling. Mariane shook her head. 'Get on your feet, Marian. He's an intruder. You should be mad and not drool over him.' She reminded herself.
“Who are you?!” Mariane pointed the knife toward him, but he seemed unbothered.
“What do you want from us?! How dare you break our door.” Mariane glared at the guy as she gnashed her teeth, but the guy in front of her smirked.
He even put his hands inside his pockets and shrugged. "Don't worry. I will pay for the damage,” he said as he glanced at the broken door beside him.
“Did your father inform you?” he asked, which made Mariane frown in confusion.
‘Inform? About what? He was talking to me as if we knew each other. Did he know me?’ Mariane wondered.
“My father was not here. And I don’t know what you are talking about. If you have business with him, go tell him yourself. Maybe he’s in the gambling den by now. So, please get out now before I stab you with my knife.” She warned him, but he just chuckled.
“I did not come for him. I came for you,” he said.
‘This guy is getting on my nerves. Who is he? Why did he come for me?’ She wondered.
The guy seemed to read her mind, and he spoke.
“Mariane Ramos, who just turned twenty-one now. I came here to give you a present,” he said.
Mariane was astounded by what he just said.“Do I know you? How did you know my name and my birthday? Who are you?”
“Me? Well, I am David Cruz. And I am your husband.” Her eyes widened in surprise.
“Husband?! Are you nuts? I don’t even have a boyfriend. How come I became your wife?” She asked in disbelief.
"I own you now, Miss Mariane Ramos." He showed the agreement paper with her father's signature.
Mariane took the paper and read the agreement letter David gave her. Even Anastacia was confused about what was happening. How dare her husband bargained her daughter to a stranger… Just for what? Money? Just to fill his vices?
"Your father made you be his collateral to pay off his debt to me." He said, which made her and her mother stunned.
“W-what are you talking about?” Anastacia butted in. Tears pooled down on her face as she grabbed the knife from Mariane, who was still stunned. She went forward and pulled her daughter into her back. “M-my daughter… she’s not a thing that you’ll just get whenever you want. My daughter is not her father’s collateral!!! Do you understand that?!” Anastacia exclaimed, as her breathing became heavy with anger. Her hands were shaking, but she still pointed the knife toward the uninvited visitor. “You better go now before I stab this knife directly in your heart.” Gritting her teeth, Anastacia warned them. David raised his hands, surrendering. “Look here, Mrs. Ramos… I came here to inform you just for formality. But this agreement has been sealed. If you want to argue with this matter, you can talk to my lawyer. This agreement is legal and with the consent of both parties.” David explained calmly. “Parties? That’s nonsense! But what about my daughter? She should include in this agreemen
‘In my 21 years living in this world... I never thought that my life was like a movie. There are so many unexpected plot twists. And there are untold truths, and it gradually revealing.’ Mariane snorted at her thought.‘I should have written my story. Maybe there’s a chance that directors will notice it, and probably they will film my life.’ She wiped her face out of her frustration and groaned.After hearing the truth about her identity from Anastacia, Mariane ran away from their house and went to the convenience store. She bought a soju and stayed outside the convenience store where there was a table with an umbrella where you could sit and eat.Mariane needed some time to process the things she found out today. And now she completely understood why Diego didn’t look her in the eyes. And he was treating her coldly. Now Mariane was confused about what she should feel for Diego. Will she despise him? Or grateful? Or will she pity him? But maybe she'll feel the latter. It wasn't easy t
“If it’s okay. I also have something to tell you.” Mariane abruptly said.“Oh. Alright. Why don’t we stop by at the coffee shop to talk?” He asked.David looked at his men and ordered them to get the car and secure the coffee shop they planned to go to. As soon as they arrived at the coffee shop, Marianne frowned when she noticed David’s men spread outside the said shop like they were securing the parameter for their safety. She even noticed that only the staffs of the coffee shop were there and no customers were eating in the area, which made Mariko frown.“Why are there no customers other than us?” She asked.David ordered the crew to prepare their orders as they sat in the seat.“I reserve the entire area,” David nonchalantly said, which made Mariane’s jaw drop as she looked at him in disbelief.“Why?” Mariane snorted. “I mean… Are you that wealthy to waste money just for our simple conversation?”Later, the coffee and cake that David ordered for them arrived. David asked her what
David Cruz is the youngest billionaire bachelor in their generation. David owned different businesses, such as a five-star hotel and restaurant, one of the most famous malls in the country, and a law firm. At a young age, David managed to build his own empire, making him the most influential and popular bachelor.Aside from that, in the underground world, David was called a Mafia Lord. He also has a shark loan business. Everyone feared David because of his viciousness. He was also cunning and short-tempered. But before that, David was gentle, understanding, and sweet. But it fades away after his break up with his long-time girlfriend.David proposed to her girl. But the woman rejected his proposal and embarrassed him in front of many people. She left David while he was on his knees.David thought, ‘Maybe she was just pressured. I should have asked her hand in private.’The other day, David went to Stacey’s house. He planned to propose to his girlfriend again and will ask her hand in m
Mariane woke up early as she heard someone whispering as if they were talking about something and they didn’t want to let her hear their conversation. Mariane leaned her ears on the wall that parted their room from the dining.“How could you do that to our daughter? I thought you accepted her and think as your own? What happened to you, Diego? Is money really important to you?” Anastacia asked.“I have no choice, okay? Lucas wanted to kill me. Fortunately, Master David was there to save me. He paid my debts in exchange for Mariane. I don’t have a choice because if I will sign the agreement, he will kill us both. Besides, he will marry her. What’s the big deal with that? Isn’t she glad someone like David Cruz wanted to marry your daughter? We might be rich in an instant. I heard he had plenty of business, not only in this city but all over the country.” Diego informed Anastacia.Anastacia sighed exasperatingly. “What happened to you, Diego?” She shook her head in disappointment. “I don
Mariane woke up when she felt something wet on her hand. While holding it caused his forehead to furrow. When Mariane opened her eyes, she saw the person who caused her hand to get wet. Anastacia held her hands while silently crying.“Mom? Why are you crying?” Mariane asked. She sat up on her bed and wiped her mother’s tears.Anastacia sniffed. “N-nothing.” Anastacia’s voice broke.“It’s just that… Today, you’ll be marrying a stranger. You can not blame me for worrying you. What if he’ll mistreat you? What if he’ll abuse you?” Anastacia stated.Mariane heaved a sigh. “Mom… You already knew me. Did I let them bully me?” she asked, which made Anastacia shake her head. “So, you don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself.” Mariane reassures her mother that nothing will happen to her.***On the other hand, David woke up early to prepare for his reunion with Mariane. He was eating his breakfast while reading the file with a piece of information about the person Mariane wanted
David and Mariane were riding in a car as they were heading to the mall. “What kind of wedding do you want?” David asked suddenly, which made Mariane frown. “What are you talking about?” Mariane wrinkled her nose as if she found him ridiculous at his question. “I mean... What kind of wedding do you want? Intimate, simple, fancy? Do you want us to televise our wedding?” David asked again. Mariane laughed in disbelief at David's question. “If you ask me, it would be better if there was no marriage. And I don't want my name attached to you. If you intend to tell the world that I am your possession, then don't be. I want a quiet life. So I can walk freely.” She stated. “That is not possible, my lady. You will marry me whether you like it or not.” David sternly said. “I know. That’s why I came here with you. Because I don’t have a choice.” Mariane said as a matter of fact. “Okay then. Let’s go to the mall first to buy you clothes, then will head after to the civil registrar’s office.
“Here we are. Welcome to your new palace, my lady.” David informed Mariane.Mariane couldn’t help but awe while staring at the gigantic mansion owned by none other than David Cruz.‘Wow… This guy I married is really rich. I couldn’t imagine staying at this kind of house.’ The size of this 30,000-square-meter mansion is staggering. After entering the gate, a park lawn will immediately greet you with a circular path for cars leading to the entrance. In the middle of the circle, there was a golden fountain fish design that catches Mariane's attention. Because of the light coming from the LED lights attached to the ground and focused on the fish, the fountain shines as if it were brilliant gold. “Is it made of gold?” Mariane asked, pointing to the fountain behind them.David turned to look at what Mariane was talking about. “How’d you know? Well, it was a mix of gold and cement. There’s a part of the fish that has gold. Can you guess which part of the fish has gold?” David challenged h