Chapter 3

Café Verona.

That one fancy café sa kanto kung saan puro flower shops at mamahaling bakery ang katabi.

The kind of place na kahit naka-best outfit ka na, somehow you still feel underdressed. Everything smelled like espresso, perfume, and money.

Ang holy trinity ng mga mayayaman.

Naka-upo ako sa table malapit sa bintana, latte in hand, pretending na may inaantay akong “meeting.” Technically, totoo naman. Hindi lang siya normal meeting. Kasi apparently, my life has turned into a corporate rom-com na walang sense pero may legal team.

My reflection on the glass looked like it wanted to go home. ‘Same, bestie. Same.’

Bakit nga ba ako nandito ulit?

Right. My fake engagement.

My latest act of self-sabotage disguised as “strategy.” Love that for me.

He was late. Of course he was.

Kasi bakit naman hindi, ‘di ba?

Classic CEO move: keep them waiting para mas intimidating.

I was halfway through my cup nang may biglang pumasok na main character energy sa pintuan.

And yep, Callisto Maxim.

In all his black-suit glory. Sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy in a way that screamed intentional, and that expressionless face na parang may sariling timezone ng mood.

The second he walked in, the air changed.

I swear, pati barista natulala.

May isang girl nga na muntik matapon ‘yung kape niya habang nakatitig sa kanya.

Because of course he had that kind of face, ‘yung tipong kahit masama ugali, mapapatawad mo na lang pag napatingin ka sa facecard nya.

He scanned the room, then his eyes found me. And heto na naman.

That stupid, invisible spotlight na laging umiilaw kapag dumadating siya.

“You’re early,” he said calmly, as if hindi siya twenty minutes late.

“You’re late,” I shot back, crossing my arms. “CEO power move ba ‘yan?”

“Had to finalize something with my lawyer,” he said, settling into the chair across me. Like he didn’t just trigger my trust issues with punctuality.

“Wow,” I said. “Ganyan pala ka-exciting ang fake marriage, may legal team agad.”

He didn’t even flinch. “You wanted this fast, didn’t you?”

“Congratulations, then,” I said, stirring my coffee with unnecessary intensity. “You’re officially my fastest fake fiancé.”

Bahagyang umangat ang labi niya, na parang nang -aasar.

“You say that like you’ve had others.”

“Not that I can remember,” sagot ko, sabay higop ng kape. “So, shall we talk rules?”

Tumango lang siya. “Start with yours.”

Binuksan ko ‘yung maliit kong notebook, ‘yung isa sa mga pang-professional mode kuno kong props.

“Rule one: no unnecessary touching. Public displays only, pang-appearances lang. Nothing more.”

“Define unnecessary,” tanong niya, that teasing glint in his eyes that should honestly be illegal.

“Alam mo na ‘yung ibig kong sabihin,” I said, raising a brow. “Don’t play dumb. Hindi bagay sa’yo.”

“Fine,” he said, still smirking. “My rule: no leaks. Like you said yesterday, no one in our circle finds out. I hate unnecessary drama.”

“Obvious naman ‘yan,” sagot ko. “Mas konti ang nakakaalam, mas konti ang tsismis. Less chaos, less headache.”

His gaze softened slightly. “Good. Then we understand each other.”

“Rule two,” I continued, flipping my notebook dramatically. “No personal questions. You stay out of my past, I stay out of yours.”

“Kasama ba ‘yung feelings doon?” pang-aasar nya pa.

‘Napapadalas ka sa pang-aasar ah.’

“Especially feelings.” sabi ko habang nakangisi.

“Noted,” he said flatly.

Of course. Feelings aren’t exactly his brand.

Then may kinuha siyang folder sa bag niya at ini-slide sa harap ko.

“What’s this?” tanong ko, skeptical.

“Preliminary terms,” sabi niya. “We’ll need signatures before applying for the license.”

“You typed an actual contract?”

“You wanted efficiency.”

Sinulyapan ko ‘yung laman. Puro clauses, deadlines, and behavioral conditions.

Parang corporate merger, hindi kasal.

“Ginawa mo ‘to kagabi?” tanong ko.

“Yes. I plan everything.”

“You’re really something else, Maxim.”

He looked up, calm but smug. “You’ll get used to it.”

Before I could reply, nag-vibrate phone ko.

Tessa. Great. The chaos coordinator herself.

I sighed and picked up. “Hey.”

“Nasaan ka?” tanong niya. “Sabi ni Luca, you’ve been ghosting the group chat.”

“Sa Café Verona. Having coffee.”

“With who?”

Napatingin ako kay Callisto.

He was watching me, again.

That tiny smirk on his face screamed say my name, I dare you.

“No one,” I said quickly. “Ako lang. Why?”

“Mhmm. Funny, kasi Luca swore he saw Callisto heading there too.”

I choked. “W-What? No. Coincidence lang ‘yon, this is a public place, Tessa.”

“Sure, Alex. Blink twice next time I see you if you’re lying.”

Then she hung up.

I groaned and dropped my phone back into my bag.

“Great. She’s on to me. Again.”

Callisto leaned back, looking amused. “Smooth.”

“Stop,” sabi ko, rolling my eyes.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face said enough.”

He chuckled softly, that low kind of laugh that made my brain short-circuit.

“We’ll have to be careful. Nagdududa na agad siya.”

“Tessa’s always suspicious,” sagot ko. “Last time nga, akala niya may tinatagong secret girlfriend si Luca.”

“Meron ba?”

“Nope. Skincare routine lang.”

That made him actually laugh. It’s quiet, real, and way too attractive for my peace of mind.

‘God, Alex. Focus. This man probably eats emotions for breakfast.’

“So,” I said, trying to recover. “How long are we doing this circus?”

“A year,” he said simply. “Enough for you to secure your inheritance, and for me to finalize my board transition. Then we part ways.”

I nodded slowly. “A clean divorce. Wow. How romantic.”

“It’s not about romance.”

“Good. Finally, something we agree on.”

He took a calm sip of his coffee. “You’ll also need to move in.”

My brain: Error 404.

Akala ko nagka-problem sa pandinig ko.

“Sorry, what?”

“If we want people to believe it, you’ll live with me. The media, the board, your grandmother’s lawyer. They’ll all be watching.”

“Teka lang,” sabi ko, blinking fast. “As in live, like, sa bahay mo?!”

He looked at me like I just asked if water was wet. “Yes.”

“Callisto, hindi ba pwedeng mag-fake marriage lang na may healthy distance? Like, 15 kilometers apart?”

“No,” he said simply. “Too risky.”

Huminga ako nang malalim. “You’re unbelievable.”

“It’s called planning.”

“It’s called control issues.”

“Same thing.”

“Hindi ‘yon same thing, Maxim. Isa pang ganito, makakatikim ka na talaga sakin. ”

He laughed quietly, almost proud.

Meanwhile, ako, internally nagpa-panic.

Paano ako titira sa bahay niya? Baka nga may rule din ultimo sa paghinga doon.

At anong isusuot ko pag breakfast? Pajamas o corporate wear?

Pero kahit anong rant ng utak ko, may isang part sa loob ko na nagsasabing:

You started this, Alex. Deal’s a deal. Kaya mo ‘to.

Napapikit ako sandali. “Fine,” I said at last. “I’ll move in. Pero I’m bringing my own coffee machine.”

He tilted his head, amused. “You think I don’t have one?”

“You probably have one na kailangan ng manual and WiFi. I don’t trust it.”

“Then bring yours,” he said, smiling. “Whatever helps you survive me.”

“I will.”

At least kung malulunod ako sa gulo, may kape akong kakampi.

He watched me for a moment, studying me like a business problem he already solved. “No second thoughts?”

I smiled faintly. “Second thoughts don’t change anything. This isn’t love. It’s strategy.”

May kung anong kumislap sa mga mata niya, something between understanding and warning.

And that scared me more than I wanted to admit.

“Good,” he said, standing up. “Then it’s settled.”

He stood, buttoning his jacket like some character straight out of a corporate romance fever dream.

“I’ll have my assistant send the forms tonight. You’ll move in before the weekend.”

“Bossy,” sabi ko.

“Efficient,” sagot niya agad.

“Uulitin mo pa talaga ‘yan, no?”

He smirked. “It’s a lifestyle.”

He turned to leave, then paused and glanced back.

“Alex.”

“What?”

“Welcome to married life.”

Napaangat ako ng kilay. “Buy me a croissant next time. That’s what husbands do.”

That earned me a soft chuckle. “Noted.”

Pagkaalis niya, bumagsak ako sa upuan.

Parang ngayon lang ako nakahinga ng maayos.

Sa labas ng café, nakita ko siyang naglalakad, phone in hand, probably juggling five crises before lunch.

He didn’t look back. And I didn’t expect him to.

Because this wasn’t love. It was just a deal.

A practical disaster waiting to happen.

And maybe… a part of me was stupid enough to be excited about it.

“Congrats, Alex,” bulong ko sa sarili ko. “You’ve officially lost it.”