Chapter 1

Nangunot ang noo ko nang masulyapan ang matandang lalaki na may bilugang katawan na papalapit sa amin ni Daddy. Nakasuot ito ng magarang suit at may hawak na tungkod na sumusuporta sa paika-ika nitong paglalakad na dulot ng katandaan. Bali-balita na biyudo na ang nasabing lalaki.

"You will marry him," my father gestured his hand toward him.

Is Dad really serious? Ang akala ko pa naman ay ipakikilala niya na ako bilang susunod na leader ng Dayron Organization kaya niya ako inutusang maghanda para sa party na ‘to—pero nagkamali ako.

"No, I won't. Dad naman!" mariin kong sambit sa kanya. "Nakikita mo ba ang agwat ng edad naming dalawa?" inis kong dagdag.

"It doesn’t matter. The most important thing is saving our business," pangangatwiran nito.

My father's words stunned me, leaving me speechless.

"But I am not a thing you can just use so that you can pay your debts! " I yelled at him. "How could my own dad do this to me?"

"How could we pay all the debts if you don't do this?!" galit niyang bulyaw. “Ikaw lang ang makakalutas sa problema natin,” dagdag pa niya sabay buntong-hininga.

"I’m leaving," galit kong sabi.

I walked out in front of him because I was so angry and disappointed. "You're free to go, but keep in mind that we'll cross paths again!" While I was walking, he said it in an angry tone, and I chose to ignore him.

I went to the bar where all the mobsters go to unwind and deal with tough times. This is a social club, private and exclusive to mafias.

"Hindi ako papayag sa gusto niyang mangyari," sambit ko sa sarili.

I ordered an espresso martini while I continued to deal with the situation. Taking a deep breath, I decided to call the mobsters in my group who might want to join me.

I dialed their number. "Hello, Miss Airah?" one of the members answered.

"Come to the social club and decide whether you want to join me, because I’m quitting," I said, gritting my teeth as I spoke, my frustration clear in my voice.

Habang naghihintay ako sa kanila at umiinom ng alak ay may lumapit sa aking lalaki. Biglang hinawakan ang balikat ko na ikinagulat ko naman at agad ko itong nakilala dahil tauhan siya ng matanda.

Nagpupumiglas ako habang kinakadlakad nila ako at pinipilit na sumama sa kanila. May mga hawak silang baril. "Sumama ka na lang kung ayaw mong may masamang mangyari sa ‘yo," pagbabanta pa ng isa.

Napansin ko na nasa amin lahat ang atensiyon nilang lahat hanggang sa may nakita akong lalaking tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo nang mapansin ang sitwasyon at naglakad palapit sa direksyon namin.

"Hands off her," he commanded calmly, but the men holding my hand just laughed.

I gazed into his deep brown eyes and his furrowed eyebrows, which seemed to show he was losing his temper. His full, pink lips and perfectly straight nose added to his intense expression.

"Ikaw ba ang amo namin para sundin ka namin?" mayabang na sambit ng isang lalaking nakahawak sa akin.

He directly confronts them with a firm, authoritative tone. "Step away from her now," he says, making it clear he's in charge. "You heard me. Leave her alone, now." Steps between me and the mobsters, standing firm.

His serious expression and strong stance show he means business. The crowd goes quiet, sensing that something important is happening.

Tututukan na sana siya nila ng baril ngunit nakita nila kung gaano karami ang mga tauhan nito sa likod niya samantalang lima lang silang inutusan ng matanda. Agad, silang nakaramdam ng takot sa isiping iyon dahil imbes na makuha nila ako at dalhin sa matanda ay maaga silang papanaw sa mundo.

Nervously looks around, realizing their out numbered.

"Alright, we’re leaving since we’re in danger, but remember, we’ll find you again," one of the mobsters said before leaving.

He turned to me, his tone softening. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, visibly shaken but relieved. "Yes, thank you for saving me."

Moments later, while we were talking, the mobsters from my group arrived and found me with the man.

"What happened?" one of them asked.

The stranger glanced at me and gently led me away from the scene. "Let’s get her to a quieter place," he suggested. "You’re safe now," he added.

We walked outside to a quieter area. "By the way, my name is Ronald Navarra," he introduced himself, extending his hand for a handshake.

"I’m Airah Jhoanne Dayron," tugon ko, habang iniabot ang kamay para sa isang mabilis na handshake bago ito bawiin.

I felt a spark of attraction towards the stranger who had saved me. I believed he could help me and potentially add valuable support to my group.

"Why are they forcing you to go with them?" bigla niyang tanong sa akin.

"Nais kasi akong ipakasal ng aking ama sa isang matanda ngunit hindi ako pumayag at tumakas ako," sagot ko naman. "Tauhan rin iyon ng matandang ipapakasal ng aking ama," dagdag ko pa.

"Dahil ba ito sa negosyo?" tanong niya.

"Oo, at mababa rin ang tingin ng aking ama sa babaeng katulad ko," sagot ko habang nagmamasid naman sa paligid ang mga tauhan ko.

"Don’t worry, I’ll help you," he said with a smile. "I’ll also teach you some basic self-defense and protect you for now," he added, which surprised me.

Lumambot ang mga tingin ko habang tinitingnan ko siya. Hindi ko inaasahan na sasabihin niya iyon, ngunit napagtanto ko na talagang kailangan ko ang tulong niya.