Chapter 4

Days swiftly moved on and the news about me and Kadmiel being in a relationship grew wider. People from that club saw us and even captured us secretly. I still receive harsh and bitter comments from some people and it doesn't affect me at all. I know they're just jealous of me! They fantasize about Kadmiel so much and they hate the fact that I got him.

"We will hold a conference next week. We'll announce your engagement with Kadmiel. I think it's time, since your issues died down and there are a lot of people who believe that you two are in a serious relationship."

I just silently ate my burger while listening to Mommy. I honestly don't care about their plan anymore. I just hope for a smooth journey until we reach the end of everything.

"Will Kadmiel go here today?"

I didn't answer Dad nor even looked at him because at first, I thought it wasn't me he was talking. I just found out when he called my name sternly.

"Katriel."

"Huh?" I blinked my eyes. "I don't know? He didn't say anything and… what do we have today?"

Dad looked away. "Nothing. I just thought he'd pay a visit."

"Ah…" I just nodded.

I went inside my room after eating with my parents. I have to keep up with my school backlogs. My head aches literally whenever I think of my academic responsibilities. I can't really wait to graduate and be stressed with work but at least with a motivation of earning money!

I showered first and wore a comfortable oversized shirt. I didn't wear shorts. Just underwear since my shirt looks completely like a dress. And besides, it's hot! No one would see me. It's just me inside my room and if ever I'd go out, of course I would wear shorts.

I sighed and sat on my swivel chair. I just stared at my big computer. Gosh… being a student is an everyday struggle. And more extra struggles if you're an accountancy student!

I opened my playlist of songs for studying and put the volume up to the highest as I plugged my earphones on both of my ears. 

I was madly focused on finishing my requirements and didn't notice I'd been there for three hours straight. I unplugged the earphones from my ears and stretched my back and neck.

Slow knocks on my door caught my attention. I stood up and didn't bother to fix myself, it's just probably a maid. Or Mom and Dad.

I opened the door and almost jumped back to where I came from when I saw Kadmiel standing behind the door. He looks so divine while wearing his usual office attire! He's also holding a cup of a famous coffee brand. I saw him scan my body. My cheeks heated when I remembered what I was only wearing.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed as I tried to cover up my shame.

"I just passed by to give you this coffee but your parents told me to go up here because they said you're studying," he answered while creases on his forehead are evident. He doesn't look pleased with my look today.

"Do I look ugly?" I asked out of nowhere.

"What?" He looked confused.

"You look at me as if I'm ugly. Do I look ugly today?" I asked one more time. "I won't get upset if you'd say yes. I know I get ugly when I get stressed over school—"

Kadmiel grunted. He held my waist and pulled me inside my room as he closed the door behind me. He put the coffee on my study table, still holding me. I just blinked a few times as I watched him sit on my swivel chair. I got tense when he pulled me and made me sit on his lap!

"H-Hey," I called.

He didn't mind me. He just pulled me closer to him and buried his face on my neck. I gulped when I felt a voltage of sensation with his touches. I closed my eyes tightly when his hand ran down my thigh. My cheeks flushed when he stopped and realized something.

Kadmiel grunted.

"You're not wearing shorts?" he called. He moved away a bit from me to look at my face.

I looked away. "It's hot and… my shirt is long. Besides, I don't plan on going out with just this."

"Still…" he sighed and pulled me closer again.

We stayed like that for a minute when Kadmiel fixed my position on his lap. He made me straddle him, his arms immediately locked around my waist. I gasped when I felt his aroused member behind his slacks.

"You're turned on!" I accused him.

He just smirked. He dipped his face on my neck and started planting wet kisses there. I gripped on his arms as my center started to throb. It didn't help when Kadmiel's hands started to wander inside my shirt. His hot palms traced the curve of my waist.

I crumpled my hand on his sleeves when his hand purposely touched my center but immediately left it to get back his touches on my thigh.

"Fuck you…" I cussed him in annoyance.

He laughed and held my jaw to plant a kiss on my lips.

"I would like to but we can't do it here. Your parents are just downstairs, hmm…"

But contrary to what he just said, I felt him pull me closer again as if our distance isn't still enough yet. I groaned as his erect member touched my throbbing center again. Damn it! So close yet so far!

"T-They… won't know," I gasped at my own suggestion. Freak. I'm getting drunk with his wet kisses and hot touches!

"Hmm?" Kadmiel's lips traced my sharp jaw. 

I bit my lips when I couldn't finally help but grind on top of him. Kadmiel held my hips and glared at me.

"Stop."

"Just at least allow me to dry hump! You started this." I groaned in so much annoyance. He's been telling me that we can't but he still touches and kisses me sensually!

"Damn it," he cursed under his breath as he pulled me for a kiss. He kissed me hungrily while his right hand continued doing wonders inside my shirt. I also continued dry humping on top of him.

Making out with Kadmiel has become normal as days passed by. We usually make out in his car, or in my room whenever he visits me at home. But we never did anything beyond that. He doesn't want to and I think I'm also not ready to do it again with him.

When the day of the press conference finally arrived, I went to the venue with my parents. We all rode the same car going there. Kadmiel just texted me that he's also on the way too when I texted him that we're near the venue.

We arrived first. The media that my parents only allowed to cover the conference were already there. 

My parents went up to the stage in front and took their seats but I told them I'd wait for Kadmiel first. I saw a ghost of a smile from mommy's lips before nodding and leaving me on the side.

I was just casually tapping my feet on the floor while waiting for Kad. When I finally spotted him, I jumped like a kid. I ran to him and welcomed him with a hug. He just chuckled and hugged me back. He even slightly nuzzled my hair before he walked me to the stage.

I gulped when realization hit me. Why did I act like that? We just saw each other yesterday but I acted like I missed him so much! 

Well at least… the media would think that… we're really in love with each other. That was good acting. Right?

"I won't beat around the bush. I called you here to announce the engagement of my only daughter to the wealthiest young bachelor of the country, Kadmiel Candelon."

Dad started his speech with those sentences. Kadmiel was just casually resting his hand on my thigh while we're both listening to my father.

"I know my daughter's reputation before. She never settled with a man seriously. She switches them like some sort of worn clothes," Dad sighed. I winced. Why does he need to bring that up? I thought we're clearing my name here? "But I observed her changes when she met Kadmiel. As a father, I know when my daughter is serious."

Cringe.

"Same goes to Kadmiel who never pursued a woman before but dared to do it to my daughter. I'm happy to see them being happy with each other." Dad paused a bit and gave us a refreshing smile. "When Kadmiel asked my daughter's hand for marriage, I thought of it as rushing since my daughter hasn't even finished college yet. But both of them are serious about tying knots with each other. Who am I to forbid them? They're of age."

I almost scoffed. My Dad could've been a great author if he didn't pursue business. He makes it look so easy to create such cringeworthy scenarios.

"So now, I am announcing the merging of Josson and Candelon. Not for business, but for love that will flourish eternity."

The conference ended and the news about it immediately broke out. I couldn't help but laugh at some comments. Girls are crying upon knowing that Kadmiel is not just taken. He is getting married too, making it for other girls to fully lose a chance to be with him.

Ha! I win and you lose, girls.

Students in my school can't even tone down their voices whenever they would talk about the engagement even when I'm around. I would just pretend that I didn't hear them. I need to project as the unbothered queen!

One busy afternoon, after my Intermediate Accounting 4 class, I was just casually walking to the gate exit to wait for Kadmiel when Anna grabbed my elbow. I hissed and glared at her.

"What again?"

She smirked. "I know it's not true. Everything about the news is pure lie. You can't enter a relationship that fast then immediately decide to marry each other. This is purely for business! Your parents know how much money Kadmiel earns in a year."

"Really?" I chuckled sarcastically. "Sorry but my parents just earn as much as how Kadmiel earns. We don't need anyone to sustain our financial situation because in the first place, we don't have any problem with it. And we don't need anyone to get more money because we can hardly even think about where to spend our money. Ugh, rich people things."

Anna gasped in disbelief. 

"You're so full of yourself!" She pointed at me. "Kadmiel doesn't love you. He will immediately dump you and get himself a better girl!"

"And who's better than me?" I looked at her insultingly. "You?"

Her lips parted and had a hard time to answer back. "S-Someone who would really love Kadmiel and not use him!"

"She's not using me."

Anna and I both looked at the person who owned that deep, thick voice. I immediately smiled viciously when I saw Kadmiel behind me. I chuckled sensually and wrapped myself around him.

"Love!" I pouted. "That bitch has been telling me that we don't love each other. You love me… right?"

Kadmiel looked down on me, holding my gaze intently. His hand slipped through my waist and pulled me closer to him as he usually does. His tongue ran on his lower lip before he moved his head for a nod.

"I love you…" he told me as if it was true. As if everything about us isn't fake. He said it like it came out of his heart. That he really meant to tell it to me.

I looked away when my heart raced. I don't like how my system reacted to those three words from his mouth.

This is bad.