Prologue

Terrence dropped his body tiredly on the couch in his office.  He just came from a meeting for his new project. At the age of twenty-nine, he was now acting as the CEO and engineer of Saavedra Construction Corporation. Many things have changed over the past few years but not his feelings for the woman he loves, Lara Alcaraz.

Lara still occupies his heart even when there are plenty of women out there who willingly fall on their knees begging for his affection. His body may be unfaithful but his heart is steadfast while waiting for her return after she left eight years ago to chase her dreams of becoming a famous supermodel.

Upon growing up, he realized how selfish he was for holding Lara tightly, not realizing he was already chaining her in his cage. Now, he is willing to wait for her even if it will take forever…A call from his phone had awakened his floating reverie.  He frowned when he saw Therese's number, his youngest sister was the one calling him.

"Hey brat..." He greeted her.

"Hello dear brother," Therese's slang accent answered followed by her giggle.

Terrence stared at his cellphone. He's wondering what's making his sister so hyper today.  "What are you up to, Therese?"

"Hmm, you're so unfair. You didn't tell me you're getting married!" His sister exclaimed that surprised him.

What the hell! Did he hear it right?  He's getting married?

"Am I what?!"

"Oh em Gee! You don't know yet?"

He massaged his nose bridge at what Therese said "...I don't know what marriage you're talking about Therese and if you're joking, this isn't a good one so stop this," he reprimanded her with authority. He hates this kind of prank because he only wants to marry one woman and right now, that woman isn't ready yet.

"I'm not joking brother, Mommy is already working on the papers for your wedding!"

"What?!"

"You better get home so you can talk to Mom," Therese suggested before hanging up the phone.

Anger starts to invade his heart once again. He hates it when she starts manipulating everything about him. Why does she need to intervene instead of letting him decide on his own?

Terrence immediately stood up from his seat.  He can't stay in his office and sit while waiting for his mother's call. He himself will talk to her and stop whatever she is planning.  He'll fly to Mindanao tonight and go home after eight long years to their hacienda.

"Cancel all my meetings and appointments in the next two days, Addie," Terrence ordered his secretary.

"But Sir, I can't—"

"Find a way to make it possible." Terrence said, cutting her off.

Addie was about to say something but he already turned his back on the woman and continued his way to the elevator.  He needed to catch Storm, his friend who owns an airline who is also a pilot so that he can take him to Davao immediately.

 ……

"What the fuck man, I can't send you there tonight. I have a date!"  Storm frowned.

He washed his face with his hands in frustration.  This is the fastest way he knows so that he can anticipate what his mother will do. "C'mon Storm, my mother is going to marry me off and I have to get to Davao immediately to stop her."

"What?! You're getting married?"

Terrence stared at Storm with full desperation in his eyes.  Storm did nothing but send him to Davao.  He didn't waste any minute and immediately made his way to their mansion.  Outside, he saw his younger brother, Tyrone who was managing Casa Saavedra, a ranch owned by their family who supplies livestock in and out of the Philippines. Tyrone's place was supposed to be his but he left this place years ago after Lara left him too.

"Where's Mom, Tyrone?"

Tyrone's face was displeased upon seeing him which made him confused. They used to be close. What made him change?

"She's inside," he replied and immediately turned his back on him.

Terrence stared at his brother's back as he walked away but later on sighed and shook his head. He can't pay attention to him at this moment because he has his own problem to solve too. When he entered the mansion, their butler, Salome, greeted him.

"Where's Mom, Salome?"

"Doña Luisa is in the study room with your father, Señorito Terrence," politely, Salome answered.

Terrence walked towards his father's study room and opened the door.  There, he saw his parents happily talking to each other.  When they felt his presence, both of them turned around at the same time.

"Terrence son! You're finally home!"  Luisa, his mother, happily exclaimed.

Luisa immediately stood up and greeted him with a warm hug that he couldn't reciprocate.  He can still remember what this woman had done to him before.  If he hadn't become the CEO, he would have been blacklisted from international flights for the rest of his life, which made Lara feel even more angry with him because he couldn't follow her nor visit her before.

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see us?" Luisa's expression was hurt.

"Do you really think I will be happy after what Therese told me mom?" Coldly, he asked.

"Oh, so that was the only thing that will make you go home?" Luisa shook her head.

"I really came home to tell you to stop this nonsense Mom. I won't be marrying unless it will be Lara." He firmly said.

From the gentle face, Luisa's expression immediately turned dull.  "Then you're giving me more reason to marry you off to another woman Terrence."

Terrence combed his hair in frustration. "...can you please stop manipulating my life? Can I make decisions for myself alone? This is my life Mom and I will marry whoever I want!" His voice slightly raised.

"Don't raise your voice Terrence! You must have forgotten that you're talking to your mother and not just a random person out there!"  Don Thiago, his father, reprimanded him.

Terrence stared at his mother who was now sobbing. Don Thiago immediately approached Luisa and consoled her.

 

"You're really disrespecting me because of that woman, Terrence?" Luisa asked, almost can't believe his reaction.

Terrence shut his eyes tightly. Things won't be like this if only his parents treated the woman he loves well. He could see no reason why they hated Lara.  Lara saved him from drowning in the lake twelve years ago.  At first, everything was fine, but when they found out about their relationship, her parents suddenly became cold and distant to Lara, especially his mother.

"I love her Ma, and she's the only one I want to be with, that's why I'm waiting for her. I know you already know that."  Frustratedly, he reminded her.

"And you think I'd want you to marry a woman who knows nothing about life but to strip and ramp on stage? I won't let you marry that indecent woman!" Luisa shouted.

"She's not an indecent woman Mom!"

"She is a result of an affair Terrence, that's why she's indecent! What will others say when you marry the daughter of the Villaluna's maid? A woman as poor as a rat and a daughter of a hooker? She will never be a part of our family! You will marry a decent and pure woman Terrence." Luisa is now very furious.

Terrence bit his lower lip while staring at his mother.  He can't believe how disdainful she is.  Yes, Lara is a product of an affair but that is never her fault.  She didn't ask for it in the first place. She was fucking innocent!

"And whom will I be marrying?"  He asked, containing his anger.

"You will marry Corazon Villaluna, Terrence, she's the perfect woman for you!"

Terrence shook his head.  "I will stand firm on my decision, I won't marry whoever that woman is," he firmly refused.

"Try me son. Marry Corazon or I will ruin Lara's career! You know what I'm capable of." Luisa threatened him and turned her back on him.

After asking Salome where Corazon was, he immediately went to the place. Upon reaching the farm, he could see a woman with long black hair wearing jeans and a white long sleeve paired with brown boots. Corazon didn't change at all. She still looks like a gorgeous enchantress.  As far as he remembers, he was five years older than her. Corazon was Lara's cousin that made him know her too.

"Corazon?" Terrence called the woman's attention.

Corazon turned to his direction as he saw the surprised look in her round eyes mixed with happiness.

 

"T—terrence!"

"I won't beat around the bush, Corazon. I came here to ask you to back off from the wedding. You know I love your cousin and you even witness our love story. This marriage won't work so please, let's stop this." Terrence pleaded as this is his last resort left to not affect Lara's career once Corazon was the one who will refuse to marry.

Corazon's eyes, which were sparkling with happiness a while ago, turned sad. She went silent for a while and stared at a distance. When she turned her head in his direction, he was expecting her to agree with him but he was wrong!

"I am not backing off from our wedding Terrence. The marriage will continue whether you oppose it or not." Determination was written on her face.

Terrence shut his eyes upon hearing Corazon's response. Guess he made a wrong choice of approaching her then. "Fine, let's get married but I swear you will regret this day onward Corazon.. I will make your life a living hell."