Chapter 6

What.the.h*ck.

As far I remember wala akong naging kaibigan noon kahit na kakilala. So, why does he know about me? And, come again? Gold d*gger clan? Does he mean the Serrano Clan? Excuse me, I do not belong to that clan.

I raised an eyebrow, refusing to let his condescending tone affect me.

"Excuse me, but I don't recall asking for your opinion, and I certainly didn't invite your judgment. And don't talk like you know everything. Otherwise, this is my own money and I suggest you mind your own business."

I could feel the tension rising, but I refused to back down. His arrogance and presumptuousness didn't sit well with me, especially when he knew nothing about my circumstances or intentions.

He's handsome. A devil*lish handsome. I can't deny that.

As I met his intense black eyes, I couldn't help but acknowledge his striking appearance. He stood tall at around 6'5, towering over most people in the vicinity. His commanding presence demanded attention, despite the disheveled, jet-black hair that seemed to have a mind of its own. The unruly locks added a touch of ruggedness to his otherwise pristine appearance. His sharp jawline and chiseled features accentuated the strong lines of his face, and there was no denying the attractiveness of his rugged masculinity.

He leaned in closer, a mocking smile on his face.

"Don't act like you don't f*cking know me, Margaret Lacson. I'm glad that I met you here before the meeting between our family. Don't assume everything. I'll marry you for the sake of my grandma's request. Don't expect everything from me and tell your father to f*ck off." He said dryly, his cold eyes buried into my dull brown eyes.

My heart skipped a beat as his words sank in. This was absurd. Speaking of marry- ibig sabihin he is an Azcárraga? I didn't expect this encounter between us. Pinagmasdan ko siya and I found out he's familiar. Ang tindig at ayos niya. Sumingkit ang mga mata ko maalala ang mga lalaking nakabusiness suit kanina. He's one of them. Hindi ko alam kung sino siya dun but I can figure it out because of his business suit. Siya yung isa sa mga sumilip sa kanilang relo habang walang buhay ang mukha.

I took a step back, creating some distance between us, trying to process what he had just said. This was not how I had envisioned this encounter going, and I struggled to find the right words to respond. I need to calm down. He only knows me with my name, Margaret Lacson. The weak, fragile, and manipulable one. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang paper bags at sinalubong ang malamig niyang mga mata.

"I see. You're the man that my grandma arranged marriage with me. You don't need to worry, I know the drill. I know my place. And seriously, I don't have interest to know your name. Besides you don't need to have a contract wedding, it's just a deal. And I know, you have a reason why you accept this arranged marriage and I have no plans to know it. It's a win-win between the two of us."

His expression remained dark. Wala akong pakialam kung maniwala ba siya o hindi sa akin. Ang mahalaga ay nasabi ko na ang nais ko between us. Yan naman ang gusto niya in the first place. Someone like him, hates commitments lalo na ang arranged marriage but if you are greedy for money and lumago ang business, you will grab it without hesitation. He's one of them, I am sure.

"You're taking this rather calmly. Most people would have thrown a fit or burst into tears by now," he remarked.

I maintained my composure, determined not to let him see any weakness. "There's no point in getting upset. We're both stuck in this situation, and whether we like it or not, we're going to have to deal with it. Besides, it's not as if I have much of a choice."

He chuckled, a low, almost mocking sound. "You're a lot stronger than you appear, Margaret Lacson."

I held his gaze firmly. "Strength comes from adapting to circumstances, not from avoiding them. And in this case, I choose to face it head-on."

His lips curled into a wry smile, and for a moment, the tension between us seemed to ease. "You're quite the enigma, Margaret. I can't say I expected this response."

"Well, you know what they say about assumptions," I replied, offering a small smirk of my own. "Now, if we're done with the dramatic revelations, let's see each other in the meeting between our family."

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya at inilibot ang tingin. Napansin ko rin na gabi na pala at kaunti nalang ang tao sa daan. Huminga ako ng malalim at tumingala sa buwan. Bilog na bilog ito at maraming bituin sa langit. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang paper bags at muling tumingin sa lalaking nasa harapan ko ngayon. To find out na nakatitig pala ito sakin kaya kinunutan ko ng noo. He cleared his throat at mariin akong tinitigan. We are still on the left side of DIOR Boutique, nakatayo na tila mga statues.

"No. We need to tackle our deal. And, I'm hoping you will keep this between us. Our family doesn't need to know that we've met already."

Hindi ako tanga para ipagkalat sa angkan ito. Baka kung ano pa ang gagawin nila lalo na ang ama ko. S****p pa naman yun. Mas lalong tataas ang buntot at s*ngay nun when he will know our coincidence meet up.

"No need to worry, I'm not st*pid to tell this to my loveable family." tugon ko at inayos ang buhok ko nang biglang humangin.

The wind was cold but hindi ko ininda. Sanay ako sa Europe.

"It settles then.." he said.

Hinintay ko siyang magsalita pero wala ng lumabas sa bibig niya kundi tumutig lang sa akin. And with that, iniwan ko siyang nakatayo sa gilid ng DIOR. Bahala siya. Sumakit na ang paa ko sa kakatayo. I rather walk around than stand for long minutes.

Medyo malayo na ako sa DIOR Boutique kaya huminga ako ng malalim. He's an intimidating person. A tough one. Yung tipong nakakatakot siyang banggain sa mundo ng business industry and outside business. I saw a lot of handsome faces but he's different from them. May kakaiba sa kanya na hindi ko maipaliwanag kung ano yun.

But still, I don't know his name. Napailing nalang ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Madaming dumadaan ng mga sasakyan and most of them ay sunod-sunod with different brands of car. Different style of car. May bumusina malapit sa akin pero hindi ko pinansin. Bakit naman ako bubusinahan kung nasa walking area ako?

And again, he beeps twice. Naasar akong nilingon ito at laking gulat ko na nasa tabi ko pala ito sinabayan ang lakad ko. Kumunot ang noo ko hanggang sa binaba ang kanyang bintana. Sumilip ako ng kaunti sa loob but I can't see his face pero sana hindi ko nalang ginawa dahil nagsalita siya and I finally know who is he.

"Walking? Where is your d*mn car? Grounded? Tsk!"

Napairap ako sa kawalan at hindi ko siya pinansin. Nagyayabang na naman. Sinulyapan ko ang kotse niya na isang Lamborghini pala. The latest Lamborghini one, the Revuelto. A mid-engine plug-in hybrid sports car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini.

Napairap ako at napanguso. I can't use Lamborghini because it's forbidden for me. Masyadong mabilis para sa akin. Lahat pala ng expensive cars like Porsche and Ferrari or even the Bugatti. Kaya nakatingga lang sila sa garage. I have my driver and he used my SUV.

Tahimik akong naglalakad while roaming around the streets of BAC. Nagsimulang magbukasan ang mga bars dito kaya nagsidatingan na rin ang mga taong ginawang bahay ang bar. Napangiwi ko mapansin na I need to pass a bar to continue leading my way to the hotel. Hindi ko namalayan na huminto pala ako kaya napahinto rin ang nagbubwesit sa akin.

"Hey."

"What?" mariin kong tanong sa kanya at nilingon siya.

Nakasandal ito sa kanyang sasakyan habang nakakunot nakatitig sakin. Mas magulo ang buhok niya ngayon kesa kanina. Hindi na rin ayos ang necktie niya pero hindi ko pinansin instead I'm staring at the road. Iniisip ko kung paano ko lalampasan ang bar. It also crowded outside dahil sinisita pa sila ng bouncer. The bouncer was looking for their membership card.

"Margaret." he almost shouts my name kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Stop calling me, Margaret. Leave me alone, Azcárraga. Umuwi ka na lang." I exclaimed.

Hindi niya naman ito pinansin instead lumapit sa akin at hinila ako papalapit sa sasakyan niya sabay bukas dito. Itinulak niya ako ng mahina papasok sa sasakyan niya habang inaalalayan niya ako with his dark aura. Sistahin ko sana siya dahil it was rude pero pinilit kong manahimik dahil masama talaga ang aura niya. Inayos ko ang mga paper bags and I check if I still have my pouch. Napahinga ako ng malalim dahil nakita ko ito sa loob ng paper bag.

"I thought naiwan ko ang pouch ko." I murmured and checked my pouch.

Tinignan ko kung I have still three credit cards and my phone. Napangiti naman akong tatlo pa rin ang credit cards kung dala at hindi sinasadyang napalingon sa katabi ko.

Nakahalukipkip itong nakatitig sa akin kaya humigpit ang hawak ko sa credit cards ko. Kung saan ay sumilip pa siya dun. Mabilis ko itong itinago sa loob ng pouch at ipinasok sa loob ng paper bag matapos ko itong isinirado.

"What?" mahina kong tanong sa kanya.

Umayos siya ng upo at inayos ang seatbelt. Inayos ko ang paper bags sa hita ko at inayos ko rin ang seatbelt kahit nagtataka ako sa mga nangyari.

He maneuvered his car while silence still involved us. Pero sinira niya ang katahimikan nang magsalita siya.

"We need to discuss our deal. Our contract," he said in his cold tone.

Napakurap-kurap akong lumingon sa kanya. Agad-agad? I need to go back to my suite.

I shake my head. "No. Next time na lang. I need to go back to my suite. And kulang ang pahinga ko ngayon tapos nagwalking pa ako kanina from my hotel suite to DIOR Boutique. Nadaanan ko pa yung ZHS Bazaar. So, spare me for now. Kahit ngayon lang."

Sumulyap siya sakin. "I don't need your opinion and it's not my fault if you're tired. This is my car. My rule."

I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling up inside me. This guy was seriously testing my patience. I knew I had to tread carefully to navigate this situation.

"Look," I began, my voice steady but firm. "I get it, this is your car, your rule, but it's also my life, my choices. You can't force me into discussing our contract right now. I need some time to process everything that's happened tonight. So, unless you want to have a pointless conversation with a tired and irritable version of me, I suggest we table this discussion for a more suitable time."

He shot me a glare, clearly not used to being told no. "You're awfully stubborn, aren't you?"

I met his glare with one of my own. "Stubbornness is a survival skill in my world."

We drove on in silence after that, the tension in the car so thick you could cut it with a kn*fe until we reached our destination.

"Here we are," he said, his tone curt as he pulled up to the entrance.

I wasted no time unbuckling my seatbelt and grabbing my bags. Sumilip ako sa labas at tinignan ang paligid. Kumunot ang noo ko when I found out the place wasn't familiar to me.

"Nasaan tayo? I told you, I need to go back to my ho-."

"You didn't tell me what hotel you were staying at," he interrupted me, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "And besides, I've decided we need to discuss our contract now. So, whether you like it or not, you're coming with me."

I felt my frustration mounting, but I knew arguing further would be futile. He was determined to have this discussion.

"Fine," I muttered, giving in. "But I better know where we're going."

He didn't respond, just gestured for me to follow him as he got out of the car. I reluctantly followed him entering the hotel, holding my paper bags. Tumingala ako para tignan kung ano ang pangalan ng hotel.

Mikaelson Elite Residences

Kumurap-kurap ako at nanlaki ang mga mata mapagtanto na this hotel is also one of the branches the of Mikaelson Empire.

"Are you going to stand there and stare at the hotel forever?" I blinked twice when I heard him mocking me.

Umirap ako ng palihim at humakbang papalapit sa kanya. Nagulat pa akong kinuha niya ang bitbit kong mga dalang paper bags habang nakakunot ang noo. Kumurap ako ng dalawang beses at tumabi sa kanya while roaming my eyes around.

As we entered the building, my heels clicking on the marble floors, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. This was a place I had only heard of in passing, and now I found myself walking through its opulent halls with a man I barely knew. Nakita kong napatingin sa amin lalo na sakin ang receptionists at kita ko ang pagkagulat ng kanyang mukha. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

They bowed their head when we passed by as he led me to a private elevator. Doon ko rin napansin ang pagkakaiba ng dalawang hotel. The Mikaelson Real Estate and Mikaelson Elite Residences.

The Mikaelson Real Estate was known for its grandeur and exclusivity, but Mikaelson Elite Residences was on a whole other level. The design and decor exuded luxury, and it was clear that no expense had been spared in creating this lavish environment.

The private elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. It was just the two of us, and the silence inside the elevator was almost suffocating. I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me on the other side of this elevator.

The elevator ascended smoothly, and I stole a glance at him. He was still wearing that air of aloofness, his eyes fixed on the digital display showing the floor numbers. I knew we needed to discuss our arrangement, but the atmosphere was so tense and I was so tired. Nagsisisi na ako kung bakit naglalakad ako kanina with my stiletto. Kung alam ko lang na nandito ang ZHS Bazaar edi sana hindi ko nalang yun dinaanan.

Finally, the elevator doors opened, revealing a corridor that looked like it belonged in a palace. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow. We walked down the corridor, and he pushed open a set of double doors, revealing a luxuriously appointed suite.

The suite was a sight to behold. A spacious living area with plush furnishings, a dining area fit for a royal banquet, and I know there's a bedroom that was nothing short of opulent. I couldn't help but feel out of place in such extravagant surroundings.

"Make yourself comfortable," he said, gesturing to one of the armchairs in the living area. "We have things to discuss."

I nodded and took a seat, tinanggal ko muna ang suot kong stiletto at dahan-dahan hinilot ang ankle ko while he set my paper bags beside me. He settled into another chair, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something other than cold indifference in his eyes.

"Now," he began, his voice darkening than before. "Let's talk about our arrangement, Margaret. But first, your cl*avage is distracting me. Use this coat to f*cking hide that."