Chapter 4. Unexpected

* Miranda *

The phone rang while I was still sitting on the edge of the bed, it stopped me from thinking about the encounter with Lorenzo De Luca. I flinched at the sound at first, because my heart was still racing from the anger and resentment that he showed me. The man was a handsome devil, despite being a brute I couldn't fail to notice his appearance.

For a second, I thought it might be him. Or worse, his father. I hope not! I need some peace of mind.

But when I looked at the telephone screen beside the bed, my breath hitched. The number is familiar, it is from Yolly my younger sister, who is currently in her second year of college.

I answered immediately. "Hello?"

"Miranda." My sister's voice cracked the moment she said it. The background noise told me everything, students talking, footsteps echoing, the hollow sound of a university hallway. "I'm sorry to call you like this, sis."

My chest tightened. "What's wrong, Yolly?"

There was a pause. Too long. My heartbeat raced; I hoped she was not affected by this problem. Oh God!

Keep my sister safe.

"They posted the final list today," she said softly. "I... I still have a balance. They won't let me enroll next semester unless it's paid by Friday."

Her tuition. Thank God, I thought it was the De Lucases. I felt a sigh of relief that she did not know about my current situation, since she lives in the school dorm. It slipped my mind that I need to send her some money.

I swallowed. "How much?"

She hesitated. "A lot. I already talked to the office. I tried asking for an extension but—" Her voice broke. "I know you don't have it, Miranda. Or rather I just... I didn't know who else to tell. Dad said he doesn't have a single cent.

Of course, he doesn't have! The room blurred. For months, and years, it had always been like this. Me calculating, stretching, borrowing, lying awake at night counting what little I had and deciding which bill could wait, which hunger could be ignored.

"I'll figure something out," I said automatically, the way older sisters always do. "Don't worry Yolly, and concentrate on your studies."

But when I said it, my eyes drifted to the mobile phone still in my hand, and something in me paused. Slowly, almost afraid of what I'd see, I opened my banking app.

The screen loaded. Once, my profile showed. Then the number appeared. I stared at it in disbelief.

₱1,000,000.00 My fingers went numb. I blinked. Refreshed the screen. I close the app then opened it again. Still the money is there.

A million is in my bank account. How did this happen?

I was sure I had none. My breath came out in a sharp, broken sound. My hand started shaking so badly that I had to grip the edge of the bed.

"Miranda?" Yolly asked. "Are you okay, are you still there?"

"I—" My throat closed. I couldn't tell her yet. The weight of it pressed down on my chest, heavy and unreal. Lorenzo's cold voice echoed in my head. Then the old man's face.

Contracts and money do. This was it. This was the money. The price, the old man must have put in my account.

"I'm fine," I said finally, forcing my voice steady. "How much is your tuition?"

She told me the amount, apologetic and, embarrassed.

I almost laughed. Almost cried because I could afford it.

"I'll send it tonight," I said.

Silence passed. "What?" she whispered.

"I said I'll send it tonight," I repeated. "Everything. You won't have to worry about it anymore."

"Miranda, that's impossible," she said quickly. "You don't have that kind of money and Dad mentioned you stopped working at the bank that's why I hesitate to call."

I looked around the suite, the thick curtains, the polished floors, the luxury that still felt like a cage. It started to feel a little bit better.

"I do now."

Her breath caught. "Miranda, where did it come from? Did you get a new job? Oh, have you taken a salary advance?"

I closed my eyes.

"Don't ask," I said gently. "Just promise me you'll focus on your studies. Graduate then live a better life than this. Remember not to mention this to Dad. Tell her you got a student loan to pay for your tuition."

"Oh! Buy why? Should I lie to Dad Miranda?"

I took a deep breath. "Yes, just do as I say Yolly."

My tone was a bit higher than normal. I am not ready to tell her my situation and Dad did not spill the beans so it must be better to hide everything for now.

"Alright, I can do that, and thank you," she whispered. "I promise Miranda. I'll make you and Dad proud."

After the call ended, I sat there in silence, phone limp in my hand. A million, this was the first time my account had something like this since our mother died.

It is enough to save my sister. Enough to bind me to a family that would never see me as anything more than leverage. Or a tool that the old man could use.

Lorenzo's face flashed in my mind again, cold blue eyes, clenched jaw, the way he looked at me like I was both a mistake and a temptation for his father.

This is the last kindness you'll ever get from me. His words echoed in my ears until now.

I let out a shaky breath and stared at the contract copy still lying on the table. His words still linger in my mind.

If this were the price of keeping Yolly safe, then I would pay it. But somewhere deep inside, a quiet, dangerous thought took root. I couldn't even picture myself kissing the old man. But if this money comes from him then maybe I should be thankful.

Then there were three small knocks on my door. I gulp down a lump in my throat and stand up to open it.

"How are you doing mi a more?"

Salvatore De Luca, wearing a white suit with a gold cane in his hand, stood outside my room. I gather my strength to force a smile on my lips. Of course it is about time that he should come visit me.

"Mister De Luca, oh! Please come in."

I step aside and notice that he doesn't seem to wear a serious look on his face. So different from when he was talking to my father. Maybe the old man has a different side to him. Which made me think of the money again. Upon closing the door, I saw the security guard who signaled to stay outside along with the men who are guarding my room.

"You have half an hour to get ready Miranda, the family is getting a private invitation from the Brussels. A business friend. I intend to let my friends know you are going to be my wife."

He casually spoke before sitting on the couch. The old man won't take no for an answer, the way he sat there and crossed his legs. And I can't refuse either.

"Please let me change into something formal then."

His eyes glance at me head to toe. "Wear something sexy Miranda, everyone in the business will be there bringing their escorts. I intend to show off, I have transferred some money into your bank account so you can buy what you need to look pretty. I am going to transfer again after a few days. I know pretty women isn't cheap."

My eyes widened, and I turned around to face the dressing room. Without saying anything I scanned my luggage and looked for the best dress that I owned. My hands still shaking, money is so easy to find now.