Chapter 8: The Wedding Deal

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mas nakakakaba—ang malaman kung ano ang nangyari sa lumang Monteverde construction project o ang umamin sa sarili kong nagsisimula na akong magduda sa lalaking pakakasalan ko.

Habang nakaupo ako sa passenger seat ng kotse ni Adrian, paulit-ulit kong binabasa ang anonymous message sa cellphone ko.

You should ask your father what really happened on the old Monteverde construction project. Before your marriage becomes a mistake you can't undo.

Hindi ko alam kung sino ang nagpadala nito. Pero isang bagay ang malinaw: may taong ayaw na matuloy ang kasal namin.

“Something wrong?” tanong ni Adrian habang nagmamaneho.

I locked my phone. “Wala.”

“Amara.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Bakit parang pangalan ko lang, interrogation na agad?”

“Because you've been staring at your phone for ten minutes, and you've barely spoken since we left the building.”

“Maybe I'm tired.”

“Or maybe someone told you something you don't want me to know.”

Napakuyom ako ng kamay.

How could he always make me feel as if he could see through every excuse I made?

“Adrian, may itatanong ako.”

“Go ahead.”

“May alam ka ba tungkol sa nangyari sa construction project na konektado sa tatay ko?”

Biglang tumahimik ang loob ng kotse.Hindi siya agad sumagot. Nakatuon lamang ang kanyang mga mata sa kalsada, ngunit nakita ko ang bahagyang pagtigas ng kanyang panga.

“Why are you asking?”

“Just answer the question.”

“I know that your father was listed as a supplier for a project that suffered serious financial irregularities years ago.”

“Financial irregularities? That's all?”

“That's all I can confirm.”

“Or that's all you want to tell me?”

He pulled the car to the side of the road and turned toward me.

“Listen carefully. I won't accuse your father without evidence. But I won't pretend the records don't exist, either.”

“Someone sent me a message warning me about him.”

His expression changed.

“Show me.”

I hesitated before handing him my phone.

He read the message once, then again. The calmness in his face disappeared, replaced by something colder.

“When did you receive this?”

“During the announcement.”

“Why didn't you tell me immediately?”

“Because I don't know if I can trust you.”

The words escaped before I could stop them.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Adrian handed my phone back.

“That's fair.”

I wasn't expecting that answer.

“I'm not asking you to trust me blindly,” he continued. “But if someone is threatening you, I need to know. Whoever sent that message may be trying to manipulate both of us.”

“Then help me find out the truth.”

“I will.”

“Promise?”

His eyes met mine.

“I promise I won't hide evidence from you that directly concerns your family.”

It wasn't the perfect answer I wanted, but it was the first honest agreement that felt different from the contract we had signed.

And somehow, that frightened me more.

That evening, Camille Reyes arrived at the Monteverde mansion carrying a thick folder and a tablet.

I had barely finished dinner when Adrian summoned me to his private study.

“Is this about the message?” I asked as I entered.

“Partly,” Camille answered. “We also need to finalize the marriage arrangements.”

She placed the folder on the desk.

Inside were documents outlining the civil wedding, property protections, medical arrangements for my father, and the final version of our marriage agreement.

Everything was organized, precise, and frighteningly real.

“Your civil wedding is scheduled for Friday morning,” Camille explained. “The public reception will take place the following week. The legal agreement will remain separate from the marriage certificate.”

“Friday?” I repeated. “That's only three days away!”

Adrian leaned against his desk. “The board meeting is scheduled for next Monday. I need the marriage completed before then.”Of course. Heaven forbid your shareholders experience a minor inconvenience.”

“Amara.”

“No, seriously. Three days? I haven't even told my parents what kind of wedding I'm supposed to have!”

“You can invite your family.”

“That's not the point.”

“Then tell me what is.”

I stared at him.

The truth was embarrassing.

I didn't want a grand wedding. I didn't need a diamond bigger than my future. I didn't even expect romance.

But I had never imagined getting married in a room where everything was decided by lawyers, deadlines, and financial obligations.

Even a fake marriage deserved a moment that belonged to the people getting married.

I want to choose my own dress,” I said quietly. “I want my parents there. And I don't want your family treating my wedding like another business presentation.”

Adrian's expression softened slightly.

“Agreed.”

I blinked. “Just like that?”

“Your parents will be invited. Choose your dress. Camille will arrange a private civil ceremony so the press can't turn it into a circus.”

“And my father’s medical expenses?”

“The hospital has received the payment.”

I looked down at the documents.

“And if I change my mind?”

Camille stopped turning the pages.

Adrian answered without hesitation.

“You can withdraw before the wedding. The financial assistance already provided to your family will not become a personal debt you owe me. We'll follow the protections written into our agreement.”

I searched his face for a hidden condition.

“Even if that means losing the trust?”

“Yes.”

“Even if Sebastian takes your position?”

His silence lasted a second too long.

“Even then.”

For the first time, I wondered whether Adrian's coldness was hiding something other than arrogance.

Maybe he was a man who had spent so long treating every decision as a calculation that he had forgotten how to admit what it cost him.

Or maybe I was simply looking for something good in a situation that had never been good to begin with.After Camille left, Adrian walked me to the mansion's front entrance.

“There's one more thing,” he said.

I sighed. “Another document?”

“No.”

He held out a small velvet box.

My heart gave an unexpected jump.

“What's that?”

“An engagement ring.”

I opened it.

Inside rested a simple platinum ring with a small, elegant diamond. It wasn't enormous or flashy. It was beautiful in a quiet way, like something chosen by someone who had actually paid attention.

“It's lovely,” I whispered.

“My mother chose it years ago. She intended it for the woman I would marry.”I looked up. “And you decided to give it to me?”

“The ring belongs to the family. But whether you wear it is your choice.”

I studied the diamond.

“Does your mother know?”

“She passed away when I was twenty.”

The words were delivered without emotion, but something in his eyes made me stop.

“I'm sorry,” I said.

He nodded once.

For a moment, the distance between us seemed smaller.

Then I slipped the ring onto my finger.

“It's only for appearances,” I reminded him.

“Of course.”

“No romantic expectations.”I remember.”

“And no pretending this means something it doesn't.”

Adrian looked at the ring on my hand.

“Understood.”

Yet neither of us moved away immediately.

His gaze lifted to mine, and I became suddenly aware of how close we were standing.

I took a step back.

“Friday,” I said, forcing a smile. “Let's get this over with.”

“Friday,” he agreed.

I turned toward the door, but his voice stopped me.

“Amara?”

I looked back.Whatever happens after we get married, you won't have to face my family alone.”

For once, I had no clever reply.

I simply nodded and left.

That night, I called my father and asked him about the old construction project.

At first, he said nothing.

Then I heard him take a shaky breath.

“Anak,” he whispered, “there are things about the Monteverde family that I should have told you a long time ago.”

My fingers tightened around the phone.

“What things, Pa?”

His answer made my blood run cold.

“Before you marry Adrian, you need to know that his family wasn't the only one responsible for what happened.”

And suddenly, Friday couldn't come fast enough—or soon enough.