Chapter 2

“MAY I have your attention, please?” he said loudly to capture everyone’s attention at the dinner table. The guests fell silent, and all eyes turned back to him. He smiled at them. His mother, however, looked confused as he stood up, holding a small box.

“Oh my! I think I know what’s in there, Big Brother! Let me guess—” Andy, his little sister with chubby cheeks, seemed determined to spoil his surprise. In the past, she had been thin, but now she has gained weight rapidly, giving her cheeks an adorable plumpness, leading him to tease her by calling her ‘Chabita.’

“Stop will you, Chabita!” he cut her off, shooting her a side look. She had a habit of getting him into trouble with Laura.

“Andy, let him speak first. Alright?” his father said, winking at him. That was one thing he loved about his dad—he was always supportive.

“Hmp!” Andy pouted her lips and gave him a side look, which made him smile. Everyone chuckled at her action.

He turned back to Laura, who was a bit puzzled while glancing at the box he was holding.

The people at the table teased them as he kneeled before her. This was it. No turning back. He was grateful that the people around him were giving him courage.

He took a deep breath before speaking, gently holding Laura’s hand and kissing it. He smiled when he heard her gasp and then began to express his thoughts.

“I know it’s not the right time, my love, because you are still studying, but I can’t take it anymore. I can’t wait any longer, Laura. Really. It’s unbearable to see other men near you,” he paused. “You are so dear to me. That's obvious, right? I want you as my wife.” His voice shook with nerves as he continued, “I promise to give you everything—just say you’ll marry me.” He looked at her, waiting for her response, though she still seemed confused and didn't know how to answer, which made him anxious. 

“Marry me, please? My Laura? Please?” he said, opening the box to reveal the ring inside, which sparkled and made the guest amazed and stunned.  It was a marquise diamond ring he had bought in the U.S.

Laura seemed taken aback, at a loss for words, which made him even more nervous. She glanced at him briefly and looked at his parents and the others around them. Everyone was smiling, except his mother, who looked worried, perhaps feeling pity for him.

He knew it was a long shot, but this was his only way for now. He couldn't let another man win her.

“Astin,” Laura said, looking right at him.

Was that it? Nothing more to say?

It seemed like it would lead to nothing. He was about to stand up when she held him back.

She closed her eyes, then looked at him with a blank expression. “Yes, Astin. I’ll go along with your wishes,” she said, her response sounding forced, lacking any sincerity. But for him, her agreement was what mattered.

They looked at his mother, who spoke up.

“Laura, my dear, you don’t have to force yourself with Astin. Didn’t I always tell you not to feel pressured by him? You know my son is often impulsive. If this is about us letting you live with us and supporting your studies, it was just help, okay? I consider you my third child. You don’t have to accept my son’s proposal,” his mother said.

“Ma—” He was about to respond, but she cut him off.

“Stop this nonsense, Astin! Marriage isn’t something you can take lightly.”

“It’s okay, Tita. I’ll marry Astin. I accept your son. He’s not hard to love,” Laura said seriously to his mother.

Hearing this, he hugged her and quickly kissed her on the lips. The guests around them gave applause as they clapped their hands.

His mother liked Laura for him but often reminded him that he might end up hurt. She knew Laura didn’t have any special feelings for him.

“If that’s what you want, my dear, then so be it. My son may be persistent, but I know he’s been devoted to you since then. He will never hurt you, Laura. The Hernandez's, when they say they love you, it’s true—no lies. That’s proven,” she said, then looked at his father, who smiled warmly at her.

“Welcome to the family Hernandez, Laura,” his mother said, hugging her tightly afterwards. She smiled at him and said, "Congratulations, son, your persistence finally paid off!” She laughed, filling the dining area with laughter.

He quickly slipped the ring onto Laura's finger. He hadn’t expected her to say yes. He didn’t care if it was out of gratitude. What mattered was that she would marry him, not the man named Gael.

Meanwhile, Laura forced a smile as Astin held her hand.

She couldn’t believe he’d propose in front of so many people. She suspected that he knew about her boyfriend, Gael.

After dinner, some guests, led by Astin’s father, Tito Kent, decided to have drinks by the pool for a "double celebration.” Now, they were by the pool with Astin’s entire family, joined by his father’s friends.

Laura sighed, feeling sorry for herself. Wrapped up in what Astin had done, she couldn't help but feel sad. As a result, she just went along with it. It seemed that everyone around them was having such a good time, especially the Hernandez couple. Perhaps this is the price she and her father had to repay their debts to the Hernandez family.

She had many wishes in life. She wished her mom were still alive, that her dad was with her, that their lives would return to what they once were, and that she wasn’t in this complicated situation now.

Actually, it wasn’t hard to love Astin. He was kind, though a bit pushy. In terms of looks, he was handsome. When she was a child, she had been infatuated with him, but he was too cocky, which turned her off. She grew tired of him because he always flaunted his good looks. He might as well have been a member of the ‘GGSS Club’—gwapong-gwapo sa sarili (too confident in his looks).

Astin had a tan skin tone that suited him well. In terms of fitness, he could rival models with his flat, toned stomach, as he frequently hit the gym. His thick eyebrows matched his captivating eyes and naturally red lips.

Many women fanned over him, but he paid no attention. He had fans who cheered for him whenever he was on the court, always flirting with the female audience as a former varsity player. He’d even been approached by modelling agencies, but he wasn’t interested.

Now, his secretaries were regularly dismissed for showing interest, trying to win his favor. The entire company knew his mother was a former secretary of his father. That is why they likely hoped for a chance to get close to him. Currently, his secretary reports to his personal assistant, Romel, rather than directly to him, to avoid them.

She jumped as her phone vibrated in her pocket again. It had been buzzing multiple times, but she hadn’t checked it.

She was sure it was Gael. She wasn’t sure how to tell her boyfriend. She loved Gael, and he knew she felt no special affection for Astin, considering him more like a brother. But he might not understand why she’d agreed to Astin’s proposal. She had to figure something out.

She wanted to have a serious conversation with Astin about her relationship with Gael but was waiting for the right moment, as he was currently drinking. She planned to ask him to call off the wedding.

When Astin escorted her to her room, she confronted him seriously in her bedroom.

“Why did you do that, Astin? I know you know I only agreed because I didn’t want to embarrass you or your parents,” she said seriously.

“I know, Laura. But it was the only way to make you mine. I know I’m selfish, but I can’t stand seeing you with that man! Damn it! Don’t you understand? Can’t you love me? Didn’t I say you were mine?” He said, his voice trembling with anger.

She felt frustrated by his words and raised her voice.

“You have no right to claim me, Astin. I don’t love you! I love Gael. So you should wake up and realise we can’t get married. Gael and I are about to celebrate our first anniversary—”

Astin’s handsome face darkened, and she stopped speaking, noticing his shock. Yes, her anniversary with her boyfriend was approaching.

Then anger replaced his surprise. He quickly moved closer to her and roughly pulled her into his arms. She could see the fury in his eyes. He tightened his grip on her waist, making her feel his rapid breathing. She could even smell his breath, which, despite the alcohol, still smelt fresh.

“Let go of me, Astin! You’re hurting me! Let me go! I told you, I don’t want to marry you!” She shouted, trying to break free from his embrace.

But her eyes widened when he kissed her aggressively. She could tell he was furious from how he claimed her lips. She didn’t like it, so she kept resisting. His kiss grew more intense as time passed, but a part of her body wanted to respond to it.

Astin’s kiss softened, making her want to close her eyes and respond. His hands roamed over her back and down to her lower body. She felt an electric sensation coursing through her. The room was cold, but she felt warm because of his intoxicating kiss. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, her body seemed to enjoy what he was doing to her now.

She couldn’t quite understand why she was starting to like the way he kissed and touched her. It had started when he kissed her on her birthday, and she felt the same way now—but she didn’t want to admit it to herself until now. She was confused; this feeling was unfamiliar, but a part of her even wanted more to happen between them.

Before she could fully give in to the strange sensation spreading through her, she bit his lip, forcing him to let go. The spot she bit started bleeding, and he touched his lips, wiping away the blood with his fingers before looking at it.

She felt a pang of guilt upon seeing his wince.

But then he let out a bitter laugh, making her feel annoyed all over again.

“You’re mine, Laura. I absolutely won’t let this wedding not happen. So, start saying goodbye to your man! Or, if you can’t handle it, I’ll talk to Gael myself,” he said angrily, releasing her.

As he was about to open her door to leave, he glanced back at her.

“I’ll be picking you up and dropping you off tomorrow. I don’t want to hear about you meeting up with your man. I have my own eyes, remember?!”   he said, reminding her. “And remember, you made that promise in front of my parents, so please stay true to your word,” he said firmly to her, then walked out.