Playing Dumb

Lily was the little sister of my fiancé’s best friend. She was a mistress to a mafia Don—a sugar daddy—until his wife found out, and the clip of Lily getting beaten up ended up on the local news. Yet, somehow, everyone thought the woman getting dragged on TV was me. People at work who never liked me jumped at the chance to pile on. One of them even pointed right at my face and called me shameless. I tried to explain, “My fiancé is Sam Johnson, the CEO of Johnson Group. He’s handsome and ranked third on the Forbes list. Why would I become a mistress to a sugar daddy?” However, no one believed me. If anything, they looked at me like I was even more pathetic. One coworker sneered and pointed to the TV. “You’re not just morally bankrupt; you’re a liar. The CEO’s fiancée? That’s not you.” The TV was playing a breaking news segment titled: First Appearance of Johnson Group CEO’s Fiancée. And there Sam was, arm in arm with Lily, officially announcing their relationship.

“Get out of my life, I do not need a woman like you” Thomas said as he threw the divorce papers at me after I had caught him with his ex-girlfriend a few times. My life was turned upside down when my husband rejected me and his unborn child in front of his ex-girlfriend, and I had to lose my child. When life crumbles, sometimes the only way is an unexpected offer. I found myself staring at a proposal from the last man I ever imagined, the youngest billionaire. Cold, calculating, he promises me everything I need to rebuild in exchange for a simple arrangement; Bear me a child within a year and leave after. A simple arrangement, or so it seemed. But as I step into his world, I quickly realize nothing is as it seems. The power, the desire, the dangerous game we’re playing… it all becomes far too real. Can I keep my heart intact and leave once the arrangement is fulfilled? Or will I find myself entangled in a way I never expected?

Ang first love ng asawa ko ay nag-post ng isang video sa kanyang social media. Sa video, nagpapasa silang dalawa ng playing card gamit ang kanilang mga labi. Nang mahulog ang card ay nagtagpo ang kanilang mga labi sa isang halik. Hindi sila huminto—parang nawala sa sandaling iyon, mapusok silang naghalikan sa loob ng isang minuto. Ang caption niya: [Still the same clumsy piggy! PS: Ang mga skills ni Steve ay kasing galing tulad ng dati!] Tahimik kong ni-like ang post at nag-iwan ng komento: [Congrats.] Sa sumunod na segundo, tumawag ang asawa ko, galit na galit na sumigaw, "Walang ibang babaeng kasing drama mo! Nakipaglaro lang ako kay Lanie. Bakit naman ummakto ka na parang baliw?" Noon ko napagtanto na ang pitong taon ng pag-ibig ay walang kahulugan. Oras na para umalis ako.

Danilo Ramos has always known how to survive—by staying invisible. At school, he’s the quiet, smart kid with just enough charm to ghost his way through hallways, avoid the spotlight, and bury every truth that might expose him. Carter Hayes, on the other hand, is all danger and detachment, a bad boy, and the last person Danilo should even be looking at. But Danilo couldn't stop himself. He craved him. Always has. And when Carter rescues Danilo one night in an alleyway, everything changes. Lines blur. Glances linger. "You keep looking at me like that, Ramos, and I might start thinking you want something." "And if I do?" "Then you better be ready for it." “I am ready.” But Danilo’s father—wealthy, cold, and homophobic—can never find out the truth about his son. In a world where one wrong move could mean losing everything, Danilo must choose: keep playing the part everyone expects… or step into the spotlight and finally live the truth he’s been hiding.

At the wedding banquet, my fiancé arrived late with his first love in a best man's outfit, while the groom's suit was thrown on the sofa in a mess. "Quentin, today is our wedding..." "Natalie!" Quentin interrupted me sharply, his eyes full of warnings. "I think you should know what to say and what not to say. Be accommodating and don't make me hate you." I laughed bitterly. Just because Quentin's first love lost her memory, everyone was playing a game of finding memories with her, so we had to hide it from her and coax her, and not overwhelm her. In order to comfort me, Quentin came forward and hugged me, and whispered in my ear, "Nat, you can understand me, right?" I nodded to show my understanding, turned around, and took the hand of the real best man to join in holy matrimony. Later, when I was shopping in the mall while pregnat, he stopped me with tears in his eyes: "Nat, we were all acting, weren't we? How did you get pregnant?"

Who would you choose when your left between the two of them? The one which you've been best friends forever and suggests playing lovers to make the other one jealous? Or the bad vampire who is impatient to take his mate from this world? They don't care. They own the world they live in. Ruthless prices in different worlds. For them, nothing is far in love and war. Who's gonna beat the other? What about the girl standing between the two lovers? Which one is she gonna choose? .... " How drunk are you?" He said as his eyes fell to my lips again. " Scale of one to ten? Solid twelve." I don't know when I got so out of breath, but I felt like all the oxygen that was once in my lungs had escaped without me even noticing. " You?" " Thirteen and a half." He responded not taking his eyes off my lips." How much are you going to regret in the morning?" " A lot." " Want to make it more?" " Yes!" I responded not even thinking.

Kairo Evel Monoxo has always been used to the life that he wants. Playing, non-committing, nagagawa niya ang lahat ng gusto niya. Nakukuha ang lahat ng nais. Until one day, he met an untamable, feisty wave along the way. He was mesmerized by it. He was challenged. He wants to hold her and have a grasp on her world. But she doesn't... A few years later and he found himself still chasing it endlessly. Still whipped and damned crazy for the thing that he has already been pursuing for years. It was the only thing that he still can't have. The only one that he can't manipulate or control. Sa patuloy na pagdami ng pagsubok sa buhay, magagawa ba niyang kamtan ang ninanais? Can trust allow you to risk yourself even when all odds are stacked against you? Kagaya ng ulan na madalas ay banayad, magagawa ba niyang hintaying tumila ito? Kahit na hindi alam kung bahaghari ba ang nasa dulo?

Noah left me at the altar three times—for his precious Freya. First time? She threatened to jump off a building. Second? Said she was moving abroad. Third? Sent a text saying she was getting forced into some arranged marriage. Noah, usually Mr. Cool, freaked. Left a packed venue and turned me into a total joke. Again. I called him. "If you don't come back today, I'm marrying someone else." He laughed. "Freya's young. You're too old to be playing games, aren't you?" I clutched my phone, heart sinking. He knew Freya was bluffing. Still picked her. That's when I finally gave up. Later, after he'd calmed her down, he came looking for me. "Pick a new wedding date," he said, like it was no big deal. "It'll be even grander this time." A guy's voice cut through, smiling. "Sorry, man. Gotta get my wife on the plane."

I'd been engaged to Ivan since we were kids. When he went off to the military, I stayed behind—ten years of caring for his paralyzed mom, putting my whole life on pause. By the time he came back, I was at the age where most women were settling down. And he showed up with someone else. Ivan laid it out, stone cold: "Nadia's my comrade's widow. If you want to marry me, you'll have to accept her too. Most of my pay goes to her. I promised I'd take care of her. She gets first pick of everything in the house. Don't like it? Then forget about getting married." I looked past him. Nadia stood there, tears dripping down her cheeks, playing the poor little victim. Right then, I ended it. No drama. No regrets. Signed up for the Rural Teaching Support Program the same day. Left love behind. Threw everything I had into teaching.

Braving a downpour, I delivered a lavish food order, anticipating the hefty commission and a $100 tip. Laughter suddenly echoed from the villa. Someone started, "He really believes your car crash left you paralyzed? He's hustling deliveries to support you and even pawned his dad's heirloom?" Another said, "What if he discovers you're actually a billionaire heiress, just playing poor? He'd probably break down in tears." Jessica Stark toyed with her wine glass. "Guys like him are wired to serve, especially since he always outshone Mark in our school days. This is his comeuppance." I stood in the relentless rain, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips. Turned out, her two-year charade of paralysis was merely to avenge her childhood sweetheart. Her broken legs, deceased parents, and helpless tears were all meticulously crafted lies. Disillusioned, I dialed my estranged tycoon mother. "You win. I'll go through with the arranged marriage."