Chapter 2

Cinderella sat at the corner of the dimly lit restaurant, the soft clink of silverware and the murmur of voices around her fading into the background as she checked her watch—again. It was already 8:15 PM, and Nero Vergara was nowhere in sight. Her patience, which she had been holding onto with a thread, was starting to snap.

She had dressed up for this dinner. She had shown up early, tried to put on a smile, pretended to be the perfect fiancée that the world expected. But where was he? His secretary had sent a message earlier in the evening, saying that he would be late. But an hour late? That was pushing it.

Her jaw tightened as she glanced at her phone. No new messages. No apology. Not even a “I’m running late” text. Just silence from Nero.

Pilit niyang nilalabanan ang inis, pero hindi maikakailang unti-unti nang sumisikip ang kanyang dibdib sa pagkainip. Mula sa gilid ng kanyang mata ay napansin niya ang waitress na palihim na sumusulyap sa kanya. Nahihiya tuloy siyang umorder ng isa pang inumin dahil pakiramdam niya'y nagmumukha na siyang kaawa-awa. Ano ba 'to, Cinderella? Iniwan ka na sa ere?

She shook her head. Hindi. Darating siya. Pero habang lumilipas ang bawat minuto ay hindi niya maiwasang magduda.

Nagpasya siyang tumayo, hinigpitan niya ang kapit sa kanyang bag at tinungo ang kinaroroonan ng sekretarya ni Nero na nag aabang na malapit sa entrance ng restaurant. Her heels clicked sharply against the polished floor as she approached him. She didn’t waste time with pleasantries.

“Where is he?” 

Hindi ito tanong—ito ay isang utos. Ang boses niya ay kasing tigas ng bakal at walang bahid ng pag-aalinlangan o pakiusap. Hindi siya narito para maghintay. Hindi siya narito para sa mga palusot. Kung may balak siyang itago si Nero ay mas mabuting mag-isip siya ulit dahil hindi siya aalis hangga’t hindi niya ito nahahanap.

The secretary, a young man in his mid-30s with tired eyes, did not immediately respond.  He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, obviously uncomfortable under her stare.

“Where is he?” she repeated again, her tone now dangerous but still composed. The anger simmering beneath her calm exterior was starting to seep through.

Nagkatinginan ang sekretarya at ang ilang empleyadong nakarinig ng kanyang malamig na tinig. Halatang nag-aalangan ang lalaki sa harapan niya pero hindi siya natinag. Itinaas niya ang isang kilay at hinihintay ang sagot na hindi siya dapat paghintayin. 

He hesitated, glancing away for a moment, then back at her. “I’m sorry, Miss Fuentabella. Mr. Vergara is—he’s still caught up with a meeting," sagot ng sekretarya at pilit na pinapanatili ang pormalidad sa kabila ng tensyon na nangyayari ngayon.

“Still?” she snapped. “A meeting? It’s past eight o’clock, and I’ve been waiting for over an hour. What kind of meeting could he possibly have that’s more important than this dinner? More important than showing up for the woman he’s supposed to marry?”

The secretary shifted uneasily. “Miss Fuentabella, I can’t give you that information. I was just informed he’s—” he paused and clearly trying to find the right words, “—he’s… involved in something else at the moment. I’ve been instructed not to disturb him.”

"I am asking you again," mariin niyang sabi. "Where the hell is he?" Bahagyang napangiti si Cinderella, hindi dahil sa tuwa kundi sa matinding inis na pilit niyang pinipigil. Dahan-dahan siyang yumuko at inilapit ang mukha sa lalaki at bumulong nang matalim na sapat lang para marinig nito.

"Subukan mong hindi sumagot ng tama sa tanong ko at titiyakin kong ikaw ang mawawalan ng trabaho bago matapos ang araw na 'to."

Halos naramdaman niya ang kaba sa katawan ng sekretarya, lalo na nang bumakas ang alinlangan sa mukha nito.

Pero sa wakas, bumuntong-hininga ang lalaki at halatang tinatalo na siya ng tensyon. Napansin ni Cinderella ang bahagyang panginginig ng kanyang balikat na isang senyales ng pagsuko.

"Fine," mahina ngunit garalgal niyang sagot na parang pilit na nilulunok ang sariling pag-aalinlangan. "Nasa underground car racing arena siya."

Tumigil ng sandali ang lalaki sa pagsasalita na waring nag-aalangan kung dapat pa niyang ituloy pero nang makita niyang hindi umaalis ang nanlilisik na tingin ni Cinderella ay napilitan siyang magpatuloy.

"’Yun ang lugar na madalas niyang puntahan… kapag kailangan niyang maglabas ng inis," dagdag niya na halos pabulong na parang iniisip pa rin kung tama bang sinabi niya ito.

 The underground car racing arena. She’d heard of it before, but it wasn’t just any racing event. It was notorious, a hidden world where the rich, powerful, and reckless gathered to demonstrate their dominance—where only the brave or foolish dared to enter. It was the kind of place where rules didn’t exist, and everyone had something to prove.

Alam na niya ang lahat ng kailangan niyang malaman. She didn’t even think twice. Without another word, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number she hadn’t called in years. 

Her finger hovered over the screen for a brief moment, then, with a sharp breath, she pressed the call button.

The rings echoed in the silence, each serving as a reminder of how long it had been. When the connection clicked, his voice came through, scratchy but familiar.

“Yeah?”

“Hey Chase,” Cinderella said with her voice steady but filled with determination. “I need your help.”

"What's going on, C?" he said, his tone becoming more concerned.

“Chase,” Cinderella said. "I need you to do something for me. I need you to set up a race."

There was a long pause. She could almost hear the disbelief on the other end, but she didn’t give him time to respond. “A race between me... and Nero Vergara,” she declared.

Sa kabilang linya ay wala siyang narinig na sagot. Pero ramdam niya ang bigat ng katahimikan. It wasn’t hesitation—no, it was realization. Chase knew exactly what she was asking for, and he knew the kind of chaos it would bring.

“Cinderella…” Chase’s voice dropped with something between disbelief and warning.  "Are you out of your damn mind? Do you even realize what you're asking for?" 

Napangiti siya na marining niya ang tanong ni Chase sa kanya pero wala nang atrasan ito. "I know exactly what I’m asking for. Okay?" natatawang sambit niya. "I’m going to the underground car racing arena now. I need to get in fast, and I need you to make sure no one gets in my way."

 The world she was walking into was dangerous, unpredictable, and full of people who wouldn’t think twice about crossing her. But she wasn’t afraid. Not anymore.

Isang nakakabinging katahimikan ang namayani ulit.

"Cinderella…" mahinang sambit ni Chase na may kasamang hindi maipaliwanag na tensyon. "Sigurado ka ba sa pinapasok mo?"

Napangisi siya. "Hindi ako nagbibiro, Chase. Set it up. I want to face him. I want to make him eat dust."

Muli siyang nakarinig ng buntong-hininga sa kabilang linya, pero alam niyang hindi na ito dahil sa pagdududa—ito ay dahil alam na ni Chase na wala na siyang pagpipilian.

"Shit, Cinderella," malalim ang boses niya at ramdam ang bigat ng sitwasyon. "Alam mo bang delikado 'yan? Hindi lang basta karera ang mga ganito. Hindi lang ito laro—lalo na kung si Nero ang kalaban mo."

Ngunit sa mga salitang iyon ay mas lalo lang siyang nakadama ng excitement. Hindi siya natatakot. Actually, mas lalong sumidhi ang kanyang pananabik sa paghaharap nila ni Nero.

"Good," sagot niya, ang tinig niya'y walang bahid ng pangamba. "Mas maganda kung gano'n. Mas gusto kong makita ang itsura niya habang natatalo."

Tahimik na humugot ng hininga si Chase. Alam niyang nag-iisip ito ng paraan kung paano gagawin ang imposible pero hindi na siya maghihintay para sa kasiguraduhan. Naisip na ni Chase ang lahat ng posibleng mangyari at sa wakas ay binitiwan nito ang isang mabigat na sagot na puno ng kaseryosohan at hindi pwedeng balewalain.

"Fine," sabi ni Chase, ang tono ay puno ng kaseryosohan. "Pero ‘pag nagsimula na ‘to, wala nang atrasan, Cinderella."

"Never akong umatras, Chase," malamig niyang sagot. "At lalo na hindi para sa isang katulad niya."

Pinatay niya ang tawag bago pa ito makasagot. Wala nang ibang tanong at hindi na niya kailangan ng sagot. Ang laro ay nagsimula na at wala nang makakapigil sa kanya.

Meanwhile, at the Underground Racing Arena. Nero sat in his black sports car, revving the engine while his gaze focused on the race ahead.  His focus was razor-sharp, and his competitive spirit was on fire.  He was a tough businessman, undoubtedly, but on the track, he was something else entirely—a predator, ready to devour whatever challenge awaited him.

He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the roar of the engine under him as it responded to his every command. It was everything he needed right now: power, control, and the kind of excitement that made him forget about everything else.

But he had made a huge mistake tonight—underestimating Cinderella. His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a text from his secretary.

“Miss Fuentabella is furious. She’s waiting at the restaurant.”

He knew this was coming. He had lost track of time, too consumed by his own desires. Alam niyang hindi na niya puwedeng ipagpaliban ang mga responsibilidad, ngunit ang laro sa track ay mas mahalaga sa kanya kaysa sa anumang bagay.

"I'll handle it later," he muttered, his voice low and ruthless, dismissing the thought as if it were nothing more than an annoying distraction. His eyes never left the track, a silent promise to himself that nothing—not even a woman waiting at a restaurant—could come between him and what he craved the most.

Paglabas ni Nero mula sa kanyang sports car, sinalubong siya ni Stone ng isang glass ng mamahaling whiskey. "Here you go, Nero," sabi ni Stone, habang iniabot ang baso. "And by the way, kanina pa raw naghihintay si fiancée mo sa Vergara Hotel, ha. She’s getting restless."

"She can wait," he replied, his tone dark and indifferent. “I’ve got something more important to deal with," at patuloy lang siya sa pag-inom ng alak, tila hindi alintana ang mga biro ni Stone. Mataas ang pagtingin ni Nero sa sarili at walang bagay ang makakapagpabago ng konsentrasyon niya. Ang mga mata niya ay nakatutok sa mga kaibigan na nakatambay sa paligid ng underground racing arena, walang pakialam sa mga komentaryo.

Ngunit dahil sa sinabi ni Stone ay nagsimulang magtanong ang iba pang mga kaibigan ni Nero, mga pamilyar na mukha sa mundo ng negosyo at karera tungkol sa misteryosong fiancée niya.

“I’ve never really heard you talk much about your fiancée. Sino ba siya talaga? Anong klaseng babae?” curious na tanong ni Zenon.

Hinila ni Nero ang isang upuan at umupo nang may kalmado habang ang iba niyang kaibigan ay nag-uusap-usap. Hindi siya nag-react kundi nakatambad na parang may nakatagong lihim na walang gustong ipaalam.

Samantalang si Stone ay matinding curiosity ang kanyang nararamdaman, tumango at nagsimulang magsalita. "Honestly, I don’t really know who she is either," sabi niya. “Nalaman ko lang kanina nang tumawag ang secretary ni Nero. Sabi lang niya, ‘Ms. Fuentabella’.”

“Fuentabella?” tanong ni Axel na isa sa mga kaibigan ni Nero, ang tono ay puno ng curiosity. “The Fuentabellas? Shit, you’re serious, Nero? I mean, those people are big, but they stay so low-profile. Ang galing nilang magtago sa limelight.”

“Oo nga, malaki ang pangalan nila sa mga business circles, pero they keep it quiet, no?” sabi ni Zenon na tumingin kay Nero na naghihintay ng reaksyon. “They’re not exactly the type to go flaunting their wealth. I’ve heard rumors about their influence... but why her? Why her of all people?”

Hindi agad sumagot si Nero, kundi itinuon lang ang paningin sa baso niya, tila nagpapakita ng indifference. Ang mga Fuentabellas ay palaging nasa likod ng mga anino, hindi napapansin ng publiko pero may hawak na malaking kapangyarihan. It was a chess move, at alam niyang may halaga ang kanyang fiancee sa laro ng buhay niyang iyon.

“The Fuentabellas…” natatawang wika ni Stone na may kaseryosohan sa kanyang mukha. “Sabi nga, they know how to keep things lowkey. Pero I never imagined you’d be involved with someone from that family.”

Nero leaned back in his chair, his gaze narrowing slightly as he observed them.  His voice was low, almost contemplative,  but it held a sense of finality. “This marriage...,” he began, his tone steady, “It’s not something born out of love or any emotional whim. It’s an arrangement between our families.”

The words landed heavy in the room, each friend processing the admission. There was a collective pause as they exchanged surprised glances. They had always known that Nero’s world was one of power, but hearing him admit that his engagement was purely strategic—something orchestrated between families—left them momentarily speechless.

"Wait, an arranged marriage?" Axel asked, a mixture of curiosity and disbelief in his voice. "Pinagkasunduan ng pamilya? So, hindi ito personal, Nero?"

Nero's eyes remained unwavering as he spoke, his voice as cold and calculated as ever.  "Yes," he responded. "This isn't about me finding love or anything like that.  It is about securing a place and gaining power. My family and the Fuentabellas... we have reached an agreement. This marriage will improve both of our global standings—"

Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita na makita niyang palapit si Chase—ang may-ari ng Underground Racing Arena.

“Hey Nero,” bati ni Chase. Halata sa boses niya ang  bigat at puno ng kaseryosohan. “May gustong mag-challenge sa’yo.”

Nahihiwagahan si Nero sa  ekspresyon ng mukha ni Chase na puno ng kabigatan at tensyon. Isang tensyon na parang may malalim na lihim na nais itago ngunit hindi magawang ikubli. Dahil dito ay nagkaroon ng hindi inaasahang interes si Nero sa kanya. Karaniwan ay hindi siya nagpapakita ng interes sa mga ganitong uri ng hamon. Para sa kanya, ang mga karera ay para lamang sa mga tao na hindi nauunawaan ang tunay na halaga ng tagumpay. Ngunit sa pagkakataong ito ay mayroong isang bagay na hindi niya kayang ipaliwanag na nag-udyok sa kanya para magtanong... para maghanap ng kasagutan kung bakit ganoon ang reaksyon ng kanyang matagal nang kaibigan.

Isang matalim na tingin ang ibinato ni Nero kay Chase. Hindi ito ang uri ng karera na karaniwang iniisip ni Nero. Ang ganitong uri ng hamon ay bihirang mangyari sa mundo na  kinabibilangan nila. “Sino?” tanong ni Nero na may tonong kalmado ngunit puno ng pagsusuri at interes.

“Babae,” sagot ni Chase, ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito ay hindi kayang ipaliwanag ng simpleng biro o walang kwentang usapan. 

Nagtawanan ang mga kaibigan ni Nero pero siya ay sinusuri niyang mabuti si Chase at kitang-kita niya ang kaseryosohan sa mukha nito.

"Babae?"

"Are you serious, Chase?" kunot-noong tanong ni Stone.

“Yeah I'm serious. Babae ang makakalaban ni Nero,” ulit ni Chase, ang boses ay naglalaman ng higit pang timbang. “But she’s not just any racer. She’s ruthless. She’s dangerous. I’m telling you, this isn’t like the other races.”

Si Nero ay ngumisi ngunit hindi ito ang ngisi ng isang taong natatakot. Sa halip ay isang ngisi ng isang taong nakakaramdam ng isang hamon na higit pa sa kung anong inaasahan. “Good,” sagot ni Nero na puno ng kalmado. “I like a challenge.”

But amidst all of this, there was a kind of curiosity that Nero couldn’t shake off. Why was Chase reacting this way? Nero was well-versed in playing the power games, but this time, there seemed to be something different about it.

“I’m warning you, Nero,” sabi ni Chase na puno ng kabigatan, “This is no ordinary race. This woman is not someone to take lightly.”

Ang mata ni Nero ay nanatiling matalim, ngunit ang tinig niya ay malinaw at puno ng paninindigan. "I never take anything lightly," sagot niya. "Let her come."

Walang alinlangan sa mga mata ni Nero. Hindi ito isang laro; isang pagsubok ito na magsasabi kung sino ang tunay na may hawak ng kapangyarihan. Ang mga mata ni Chase ay puno ng isang hindi matukoy na babala, ngunit alam niyang wala nang atrasan ito. It wasn’t about fear, but a secret desire for the race—something that only Nero could truly understand and feel.

Chase fell silent, providing no further words. He understood that Nero's desire could not be halted. The next few hours would tell who would win the harsh game of Underground Racing Arena.