Chapter 03

"What?! He offered you marriage for 365 days?! I mean, one person—" Suzie gasped, her voice full of disbelief.

Manuela quickly covered Suzie's mouth, glancing nervously towards the office door. "Lower your voice! If anyone hears you, your salary's getting docked," she hissed, removing her hand and leaning back in her chair.

"Sorry, I'm just shocked. It's unbelievable that Mr. Urquio came here to propose marriage. So, what did you say?" Suzie asked, her curiosity barely contained.

"You're such a gossip, Suzie."

"Gossip? I'm just curious!"

Manuela sighed, still grappling with the revelations of the previous day: her father's six-million-peso debt and Uno's shocking offer. She wondered if her father had known the true nature of the man he'd borrowed from—a mafia boss—to fund his dream business.

"Aren't you going to tell me anything, Manuela?" Suzie pressed, her impatience growing.

"Of course, I didn't answer immediately. Marriage isn't something to be taken lightly."

"So, why did he propose? Maybe he's known you for a while and secretly has feelings for you—"

"—Stop it, Suzie. That's pure fantasy," Manuela interrupted, cutting off Suzie's fanciful speculations.

"Then why did he propose? Did he just suddenly decide he wants a wife, and specifically you? Did he even know you?"

"He knew my father. He proposed a 365-day marriage to settle my father's massive debt to him," Manuela explained, causing Suzie's eyes to widen in astonishment.

"What?! Seriously?! Your dad owed him that much?"

"Suzie, try to keep your voice down," Manuela cautioned, as Suzie instinctively covered her mouth.

"Leave me alone for a bit, Suzie, and please, keep this confidential."

"I'm not a gossip. This is safe with me. Want some coffee?"

"No coffee for now. I'm already on edge." Manuela joked, and Suzie laughed softly before leaving.

Alone, Manuela stared at the ceiling. "How did you even know that man, Dad? Did you know he was a mafia boss?" she whispered, her voice thick with a mix of anger and grief.

Uno had given her a week to decide, but she knew there was only one viable option. Refusal meant she couldn't pay her father's debt, putting both her and Lucas at risk. Agreement, however, meant dragging her brother into Uno's dangerous world.

"I don't know what to think. Either way, my peaceful life with Lucas is over, regardless of my decision," she sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on her.

"Wife of a mafia boss for 365 days...no matter how I look at it, it's trouble. He's a mafia boss; they're criminals, operating outside the law, wielding power and wealth. People like that are dangerous, especially with enemies. My brother and I would be risking our lives, but what choice do I have? I feel like I have to say yes," she murmured, feeling utterly helpless.

After work, Manuela left early, giving Suzie instructions and a playful "zip it" gesture. The drive home was filled with Uno's ultimatum.

"You're home early," Susan greeted her, watching Lucas.

"I wanted to come home early. How's Lucas?"

"He's in the living room, watching TV. Dinner's ready."

"Thank you, Susan."

"I'll be going now."

Manuela entered the house and found Lucas engrossed in a science program. Unlike other children his age, he preferred educational shows to cartoons.

"I'm home," she said, sitting beside him.

"How was school?"

"Good," Lucas replied, eyes glued to the screen.

"I'll change, then we can eat—" Manuela began, but a knock interrupted her.

It was only 5 PM. She had no idea who it could be. Opening the door, she found Peter standing there.

"Peter? What are you doing here?"

"I heard from Suzie that you left early, so I came to ask you out to dinner, with Lucas, of course," Peter said, undeterred by her previous rejections.

"Thanks, Peter, but Susan already made dinner, and I have a lot to do."

"You've rejected me several times, Manuela, but I told you I wouldn't give up unless you introduce me to a boyfriend. It's my birthday next week; I hope you'll accept my invitation. Say hi to Lucas for me," Peter said before leaving, his persistence unwavering.

Manuela couldn't deny Peter's kindness; he might be boyfriend material for others, but she could only offer friendship. Besides, she had bigger things to worry about.

Closing the door, she returned to Lucas.

"He's creepy for forcing himself on you, he's bothering you?" Lucas observed, looking up from his show.

"What do you know about 'creepy,' Lucas?" Manuela asked, amused.

"Creepy means something that gives you an uneasy or unsettling feeling, often because it's strange, mysterious, or threatening," Lucas replied innocently.

"Where did you learn that?"

"I'm hungry," Lucas said, smiling. Manuela stood up.

"I'll get dinner ready." She paused, looking back at Lucas. "Lucas, what if I suddenly got married? Would that be okay?"

"Yes, but if you get married, make sure he loves you like Dad loved Mom," Lucas replied. Manuela smiled and went to the kitchen.

"I still have a week to prepare, but whatever I do, I'll have to consider Mr. Urquio's offer. I know getting involved with someone like him is dangerous for me and Lucas, but I have no choice. I need to be his wife for 365 days to pay my father's debt," she murmured, taking a deep breath.

"It's only 365 days, a year. I can endure it. But behind that contract, to pay my father's debt to that dangerous man, we'll be lying to his grandfather. Isn't that even more dangerous if we get caught?" she added, turning to see Lucas entering the kitchen.

"I'll set the table."

"We have a family activity at school this Friday; they need a mom and a dad. I told the teacher I don't have parents, so she said an older sibling can go instead. Will you come?" Lucas announced.

"Of course, I'll go to your school event. We'll win all the games!" Manuela declared, noticing Lucas sigh.

"Oh? Why the sigh?"

"We can't win all the games. Most need a dad. I don't have one, and you don't have a boyfriend to take his place. How can we play?" Lucas explained.

"Then we'll win all the games that don't require a dad," Manuela said, smiling. Lucas nodded and left the kitchen.

"Is my brother really only seven?" Manuela chuckled, preparing their dinner.

The next morning, Manuela took Lucas to school. Susan would be there later, so she left instructions with Lucas. After school, Manuela went straight to IFC.

Her employees greeted her warmly, and she returned their smiles. Before she could sit down in her office, Suzie entered.

"Good morning, boss!"

"Good morning, Suzie. What's my schedule today?"

"You have some applicants to interview for production, and then a visit to JJ Lumbers to discuss them becoming suppliers for non-mahogany furniture. That's it." Suzie replied, while Manuela organized her files.

"My schedule's not too hectic today. I can pick up Lucas from school and take him out."

"Actually, Manuela, I don't know how to tell you this, but after JJ Lumbers, you have another appointment." Suzie said hesitantly.

"Another one? I thought the JJ Lumbers visit was the last one."

"I don't know how to say this, but it's really your last appointment." Suzie said, wringing her hands.

"What appointment is it?"

"Mr. Urquio scheduled a luncheon with you. I couldn't decline; he said it was urgent."

"What? Did he forget something yesterday? My week hasn't even started yet!" Manuela complained, annoyed at the prospect of another encounter with Uno.

"I'm sorry, Manuela. He went through the proper channels, so I couldn't refuse."

"Don't apologize; you did your job. Just assist the applicants later," Manuela said, and Suzie nodded before leaving.

"What does that mafia boss want now? Did he miss something yesterday?" Manuela muttered, already dreading her upcoming luncheon.

"Do I really have to meet him? Aish!" she sighed, pushing aside her personal problems to focus on work.