Chapter 3

“Stop.”

Dark’s command was quick but cold. He never raised his voice, yet the weight in his tone was enough to make the world pause.

The car stopped immediately, even after honking several times at the two women standing absentmindedly in the middle of the road leading to Vellamonte.

“Holy crap! Roxane, we’re doomed! That might be the Villamonte family’s car—or worse, the Villamonte heir from America!” Lyka whispered, barely breathing from panic as she clutched her friend’s arm.

But despite everything, there wasn’t a hint of fear on Roxane’s face.

“Relax, Lyka. We’re not criminals. We’re just… walking in the wrong place. At the wrong time. In the wrong direction. But that doesn’t mean they’ll sue us, okay?” she said, trying to calm herself by fixing her hair, which had become messy after tripping earlier while they were playfully hurrying toward the Villamonte Palace.

“Relax?! Girl, the way he’s looking at us—it’s like we’re a walking traffic violation!” Lyka hissed under her breath, subtly hopping out of the road.

The car door opened. Out stepped a tall man in a black suit, hair neatly styled, carrying himself with the aura of someone who probably had classical music constantly playing in his head.

He looked at the two women, his face serious.

“Ladies…” he said in a flat, emotionless voice, though a faint irritation laced his tone. “You’re blocking the road. I advise you to move to the sidewalk… unless you’d rather be escorted by traffic officers.”

“Wow. Escorted? How fancy,” Roxane whispered, then smiled at the man, assuming he was just a bodyguard of whoever owned the luxurious car.

“Noted, sir,” she said, giving him a small bow like she was in a Korean drama.

From inside the car, Dark smiled faintly as he quietly observed Roxane teasing his bodyguard.

Behind his cold expression, a flicker of amusement appeared in his eyes. There was something captivating about the girl’s casual confidence—fearless, unbothered, and seemingly comfortable enough to joke around with anyone, even someone like him.

Dark stayed silent in his seat, still watching the girl who had caught his attention.

He didn’t speak, but in his mind, one thought was clear: This woman isn’t ordinary. And deep down, something stirred in his chest.

“Could it be her? The woman I’ve been searching for… the one destined to fulfill the agreement with my mother?”

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when his mother stepped out of the car behind his. He had completely forgotten that his parents were following in the second vehicle.

So absorbed was he in watching the scene unfold that he didn’t notice his mother now standing right in front of his car—with his bodyguard and the woman who had just caught his attention.

“Young lady… do you not know who we are for you to block this road?!” Mrs. Villamonte snapped at Roxane.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I don’t. This is actually my first time here on Vellamonte Village Highway,” Roxane replied politely, meeting the sharp, authoritative gaze of the powerful woman.

(“This girl’s unbelievable!”) whispered a few elderly onlookers, forcing awkward smiles as they exchanged glances. Could it be true that she really didn’t know the Villamontes? Such a brave young woman! Everyone else had their heads bowed—Roxane seemed invisible to them amid the tension. They feared being expelled from the Villamontes’ land.

Suddenly, Roxane’s mother rushed forward, pinching her daughter’s arm and nearly tripping in her haste. She immediately bowed low before Mrs. Villamonte, her voice trembling as sweat beaded on her forehead.

“I’m so sorry, Madam Vella! My daughter didn’t mean any harm,” she pleaded, trying desperately to defuse the situation while gripping Roxane’s arm tightly.

Mrs. Villamonte rubbed her temple in exasperation, visibly annoyed but keeping her composure. Instead of lashing out, she simply gestured for everyone to move aside and leave before her mood completely soured.

Dark, meanwhile, was quietly laughing inside the car. He couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement as he watched Roxane’s expression—pouting while enduring her mother’s scolding. It looked like a scene straight out of a soap opera, only this one was unfolding right before his eyes.

As their car drove away, Dark’s gaze remained fixed on Roxane. There was something electric—something he couldn’t quite explain—that drew him to her. Of all people, why her? The woman who had dared face Mrs. Villamonte… but now stood looking like a little girl caught misbehaving.

“I like her. I want to know her,” he said softly but with conviction.

His bodyguard heard him and glanced at the rearview mirror, almost unable to believe what he’d just heard from the usually stoic and reserved Dark.

“Should I, uh… kidnap her for you, Señor? I can bring her right away—even if she’s still in her house clothes! Just say the word, Señor, and I’ll bag her up for you!”

“Stop your nonsense! There you go again with your foolishness. Why can’t you act that confident in front of women? Honestly, you’re pathetic—one woman shows up and you melt like a puppy sniffing its owner’s shoe!” the bodyguard teased, laughing for the first time in ages.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Dark gave a slow, sarcastic applause, and the bodyguard immediately stopped laughing, his eyes darkening as his face turned serious again.

Dark turned his gaze back to the window. In the side mirror, he could still see her—the woman who had just left a mark on his mind.

“When will I meet her again?” he wondered silently.

He closed his eyes slowly, picturing her beautiful face—the face that, for the first time in years, made him feel something close to hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, he’d found the woman he was meant to marry within those two short weeks.