Chapter 02

"What?! You want me to be your wife?!" Manuela exclaimed, her voice sharp with shock and disbelief. She stared at Uno, who remained impassive, his gaze unwavering.

"I guess you understand now what I want."

Manuela wasn't sure if he was joking, but his seriousness was undeniable. She couldn't comprehend why he'd come to her company with such a bizarre proposition.

"Repeat that."

"Fuck! Are you deaf? Can't you understand something so clearly stated? I had no idea Mr. Ibañez's eldest daughter could be so obtuse," Uno snapped, his irritation flaring. Manuela, simmering with anger, sat back, trying to regain her composure.

"For your information, Mr. Urquio, I'm neither deaf nor stupid. It's perfectly natural to react this way to your absurd proposal. Seriously? You're offering me a chance to be your wife for 365 days? To marry you...for what? You came to my company, not to discuss business, but to propose marriage? Are you serious, Mr. Urquio?" Manuela's incredulity was palpable. Uno simply raised an eyebrow.

"You heard me. I don't need to repeat myself, and is it my handsome face that makes you think I'm joking?" he retorted, his expression unchanging.

"I think, Mr. Urquio, you've approached the wrong person with this ridiculous idea. We barely know each other. You don't know me personally, and I certainly don't know you..."

"--I know you. Eldest daughter of Mr. Ibañez, twenty-five years old, with a seven-year-old brother. His name is Lucas, right? I know all about you. Should I list everything?" Uno interrupted, his words chilling Manuela to the bone. He knew her brother's name.

"H-how do you know me? How did you learn my brother's name?" Manuela asked, anxiety tightening her chest. Uno sighed.

"I guess you're unaware of your father's debt to me. He apparently kept it from you."

"What are you talking about? You knew my father? What debt?" Manuela's confusion was evident.

"Your father owes me a substantial amount of money, and the payment date has long passed. Since he's deceased, I need to collect."

"I-impossible! How could my father owe you money? Are you a scammer? I'm calling security if---"

"--aish! I know you won't believe me, but calling me a scammer? What the hell, woman." Uno cut her off, placing a brown envelope on the table beside the ring box. Manuela's gaze immediately went to it.

"This is the contract your father signed before borrowing the money. It's authentic; it bears his signature. You can have it verified," Uno stated. Manuela swallowed hard.

Doubt gnawed at her, but a deep-seated feeling told her he wasn't lying. She slowly opened the envelope and unfolded the contract, her eyes widening as she read.

"Six million pesos?! My father owed you this much?!" Manuela gasped, staring at her father's signature.

"Indeed. You read the contract, didn't you?" Uno replied. Manuela couldn't comprehend such a massive debt.

"H-how did my father accrue such a large debt?" she murmured, a memory suddenly surfacing.

FLASHBACK

"This building is huge, Dad! Is this really going to be our business?" Manuela asked incredulously, standing with her father at the construction site of their future company.

"It's real, anak. This building, this business, is ours. This is the start of a better life for us. I can finally provide for you both. A furniture company offering high-quality pieces," her father replied, his voice filled with pride. Though excited, Manuela wondered how he'd financed such a large undertaking.

"Where did you get the money to build this, Dad? It must have cost a fortune."

"I borrowed the money. Once the business is successful and we start seeing significant profits, I'll repay the loan. The man who lent me the money is young, about your age, but he already owns his own company, even while still in college."

END OF FLASHBACK

The memory struck Manuela with force. She remembered her father mentioning a loan to build IFC. She looked back at Uno, realizing he might be the man her father had spoken of.

"B-but my father is dead. He passed away a few months ago..."

"--I know. I was there at his burial. I waited out of respect for your mourning, and now it's time to collect," Uno interrupted, sitting up straight, his gaze intense.

"W-what does my father's debt have to do with your offer, Mr. Urquio? He owed you six million, yet you're not here to collect, but to propose marriage?" Manuela's confusion was total.

"Do you have six million pesos to pay me?"

"I-I don't have that kind of money---"

"--then be my wife, Ms. Ibañez. That's my offer in exchange for your father's debt. Accept, and the debt is settled." Uno cut her off again.

"Even if my father owed you money, I still don't understand why you want me to be your wife for a year. To pay off my father's debt, you want me to marry you? Please explain, Mr. Urquio, because I don't understand. Why do I need to be your wife for 365 days to settle my father's debt?" Manuela asked, noticing a flicker of irritation in Uno's expression.

"Let's just say you need to be my wife for 365 days so my grandfather will transfer his wealth to me before he dies. One of his conditions is that I have a wife, and that's your role, as payment for your father's debt. A win-win, right? I'll forget the debt, and I get what I want," Uno explained, his tone lacking warmth.

"But why me?" Manuela asked.

"There are many women I could choose, but in your case, Ms. Ibañez, can you offer anything else to pay your father's debt? If you refuse my offer, you'll have to pay the full amount, plus late fees. What do you choose?" Uno's tone was serious, his words sinking in slowly.

"Why do you need your grandfather's wealth? I looked into your business, and you're already a billionaire. Why do you still covet his wealth?"

"--fucked that! Do I really need to explain everything? It's a simple yes or no, Ms. Ibañez." Uno snapped, his irritation rising. Manuela, though intimidated, pressed on.

"I need to know the reason. This isn't a trivial matter, Mr. Urquio. Being your wife to pay my father's debt is absurd. You clearly have everything; why do you still want your grandfather's wealth?"

Uno massaged his temples. "Because wealth brings power, and for your information, Ms. Ibañez, I'm not just a businessman. I'm a mafia boss, and to reach the top, I need my grandfather's wealth. Understand? That should clarify things." Manuela's eyes widened.

"Y-you're a mafia boss?!"

"Tss! Do I need to explain that too? Your answer is all I need. Be my wife for 365 days, and I'll forget your father's debt. Be Mrs. Urquio for one year, and you and your brother are free. Refuse, and expect consequences for you and your brother," Uno stated, his words hanging heavy in the air. Manuela raised her hands in protest.

"Wait! You think this is simple? Marriage is involved, and you're asking me to be your wife just to inherit your grandfather's wealth. Is this a contract marriage? This isn't something to be decided lightly."

Manuela couldn't believe she was negotiating with a mafia boss.

"So, what's your point?" Uno asked, his tone cold.

"G-give me time to think, or give me time to raise the mone--"

"--I'll give you until the end of the day to pay in cash, Ms. Ibañez. But I'll give you a week to decide on my offer. Think carefully. What will it be?" Uno interrupted, his voice cutting through the air. The first option was impossible.

"J-just give me a week..."

"I expect your answer then. And don't think you can escape me. I'll find you," Uno said, retrieving the red box and tucking it away before turning and leaving.

Manuela stared blankly at the open door as Suzie rushed in, her concern evident.

"What did you two talk about? Why did he come to see you? Tell me everything." Suzie pressed, but Manuela only collapsed onto the floor, pulling at her hair in frustration.

"What have you done, Dad!" she cried, her anguished scream echoing through the office, followed by a deep sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world. The elevator doors closed with a soft ding, leaving Manuela alone with the crushing weight of her father's secret and Uno's impossible offer.