Chapter 4

I UNDERSTAND. I understand why it has come to this. I've been involved in many controversies from high school until now. Recently, before the cocaine scandal, I got caught up in an ecstasy scandal because some of my college friends got into trouble!

I understand where my brother is coming from when he expressed his concern for me. I was photographed dead drunk and in a very unbecoming state at an international party. It circulated with the tagline "Morata princess in ecstasy." After that, we were on a yacht with my friends, and while drunk and smoking, I was photographed again, kissing Luis wildly.

Before all of this, my dad confronted me, and I chose to leave for Cebu after ordering a limited edition Bulgari. He was so angry at me that I used it as an excuse not to go home and to stay in Cebu. I only returned because of the scandal involving Luis and cocaine.

They continued comforting, explaining, and persuading me until the secretary came in, indicating that my dad was needed in the conference room. I continued crying and started ranting again, but Dad excused himself.

"We'll talk again later."

Damon stood up, seemingly waiting for what my dad wanted, expecting to be needed in the conference room.

"Damon, I'll take her. Stay here and accompany Ysay," Mom said.

I glared at my mom, but she didn't notice. She only looked at Damon before pushing Dad away from the dining table. Dad lingered a bit, looking at me with a pleading expression.

I closed my eyes when they left. Tears flowed down my cheeks; I didn't care what Damon thought of me. I wiped my tears when I heard his chair, indicating he had sat down again.

I glared at him through my tears. He looked at me seriously, the mocking expression gone.

"You planned all of this?!" I spat.

He sighed and shook his head. "No, I didn't—"

"Liar! You like me and you're stalking me! You want to trap me into marriage!"

He chuckled without humor. "No."

"Shut up!" I said, frustrated. "Maybe you really do like me; that's why you found me last night and made all this happen! You're disgusting and evil!"

He remained serious as he looked at me. His jaw moved a bit, probably struggling to control his feelings. In my anger, I wanted to continue.

"You want to marry me so your name looks good! Besides, you really do like me!"

He chuckled a bit and closed his eyes before cutting me off. "Isn't that the other way around? You're marrying me to clean your very stained name? And hasn't your family's company already gone under, and you've only managed to climb up, which is why you're here?"

I couldn't respond, catching my breath.

"And now that we're in this conversation, maybe we should make things clear for both of us, shall we?"

I was so irritated by his arrogance and everything happening to me that I glared at him.

"I am in great debt to your father. He believed in my potential, and that's why I'm here now, to help your family this time. He asked for a favor, and I cannot take back my word. He wanted me to marry you to save your name, and I agreed—"

"You agreed because you like me, you disgusting asshole!"

He smirked slightly. "Don't be so full of yourself; I don't like you. In fact, the more we talk, the more you irritate me. You're very immature. And from what I can tell from what happened to us last night, it seems you can't handle being mature. You still have a lot to learn."

I gasped at his hurtful words. He smiled.

"You act as if this burden is only yours, Miss Morata. Shouldn't you also think that I'm marrying someone like you...?" he shrugged, like I'm such a disappointment.

"Then don't marry me!"

"I said I'm not going to take back my word to your father. Besides, it's not like we can't get an annulment. Once your name is cleared and you're definitely not taking illegal drugs—"

"You asshole! I am not an addict!" I fired at him.

He pursed his lips. "Well then, after a grand wedding that will surely clean your name, we'll file for our annulment. That's it."

I couldn't speak, unsure if I should believe him. I know I can't escape, especially if my dad mentions removing the inheritance from my siblings if I don't comply. I also know that no matter how much I plead now, the conversation and argument will just drag on; they are sure of their decision.

"And you really made my dad believe you're honorable when it's clear you're not?"

He glared at me and didn't say a word.

What was I expecting from him? A man willing to marry a stranger—why did I expect him to be as honest as my dad thought? Didn't he see that? It's clear they are using each other; is that how life works in the business world?

"You are a disgusting piece of shit!"

He closed his eyes tightly and massaged his temples briefly before finally facing me. "Whatever you want to believe, go ahead. Just follow your father's wishes, and I promise you the annulment after all the news about your drug activities dies down."

I wanted to scream. "How can I believe you when all your honor is nothing but bullshit?"

He smiled without humor, watching me intently. "Do you really think I want to be trapped in a miserable marriage with you?"

I was stunned and speechless.

"I'll be the one to file for our annulment, as soon as possible. Our marriage will end before it even begins, Miss Morata."

He noticed my shock. He became formal.

"Now it is your choice to agree with your father. I just can't promise that if you don't agree, I won't find a way, because as I said, I can't take back my promise to your father. I'm just repaying a debt of gratitude to him for helping us when we were down in business. This is a small price to pay for all the help he has given me until now. Marriage is nothing to me, and besides, we'll end it before we could even begin."

I despise him. I also hate my parents. I feel like I'm so difficult to deal with, which is why I despise my life. I want to talk to my siblings, but I can't bring myself to because I'm also angry at them.

When my siblings visited, my resolve melted. It was my last straw before I finally accepted my fate for the next few days.

The night I agreed to my father's wishes was also the night the media released statements. I realized the articles were pre-fabricated. He expected this and wanted everything to be publicized!

I blamed Dad again and wanted a quiet wedding, especially since it's all fake and I don't like Damon. However, it was part of cleaning my name. It was also the first step to boosting the company's sales again. The spread of my sudden desire to be committed meant the end of my party girl era and my scandals.