PROLOGUE

[ PROLOGUE ]

"You're a what?!" I gasped unbelievably.

I even put my palm in my chest to let him know that what he said was unbelievable. At least for me. 

"Yes, babe. You heard it right."

He winked at me that made me want to punch his face. He's so arrogant! So annoying!

I bit my lip hard to control myself from bursting out.

I saw him smirked annoyingly. "So..." he trailed.

I stopped biting my lip and looked at him, clearly, annoyed.

I raised my eyebrow when he didn't continue what he said and just smirked while staring at me. 

I don't know but, out of nowhere, I suddenly felt conscious of how I look. I feel like I Iook haggard because I was stress with him!

But, wait. Since when did I became conscious of the way I look? 

"What?" I asked, annoyed, when it took how many seconds but he's still not talking. 

I raised my eyebrow at him and rolled my eyes afterwards. So annoying!

He bit his lower lip. "You are so mean," he chuckled, clearly annoying me again. 

God, I can't believe he's a Ferrer.

I crossed my two arms in front of my chest and look at him challengingly. "Well, “Mr. I am a Ferrer”, I don't care about your opinion."

"Besides," I trailed.

I looked at him from head to toe. Well, if we are going to talk about his looks and aura, I can't deny the fact that it screams Ferrer. But, the attitude? I don't think so. 

The Ferrers are known for their wealth and God-like features and Goddess beauty. Aside from that, they are also known for having a kind attitude, each one of them. 

I have seen and talked to some of the Ferrer everytime my Daddy invites me to one of their parties so it seems impossible for me that he is a Ferrer because number one, he is rude, annoying and arrogant! 

"I don't believe you. You said that you are one of the Ferrer, am I right?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, I did," he replied boringly while his busy doing something in his phone.

I took a peek from it. I gasped loudly. He's playing that damn game called Piano Tiles!

"Could you please listen to me first?!" I exclaimed annoyingly and then grab his phone. 

His eyebrows furrowed, and, damn, girl, he looked hot for a split second. 

Wait, what am I even thinking? Erase. 

"I am paying attention. I even answered your question. Stop being a brat."

I became silent. He was right. What am I doing?! 

He spread his palm in front of me. "My phone, please? I almost got the third crown but you snatched it away. Now, I have to start all over again," he said as if making me guilty.

Annoyed, I returned his cellphone to him.

I was just stared at him seriously as he played. I didn't utter a word. 

He keeps on looking at me from time to time. 

He sighed. He turned his phone off and slid it inside his pocket. "Alright, babe. You're not mad, aren't you?" he asked as he scratched his neck.

I still hadn’t spoken and just looked at him seriously.

He let out another deep breath. "Okay, okay. I'll be serious now."

"I really am a Ferrer. Hmm, wait, how can I prove it?" he asked himself while looking up.

He snapped. "Uhuh!" 

I sighed and rolled my eyes when he went to his car and motioned me to follow him. 

I just followed him so that my head wouldn't hurt because of this man again.

He opened the car and its compartment before taking something in there. I waited for him while crossing my arms.

My eyebrows met when I saw that he was holding a paper. What is that?

He definitely noticed the astonishment written on my face. "My birth certificate."

"What will I do with that?" I wondered.

He sighed. He grabbed my arm and slid his hand onto my wrist. 

I feel like my hair stood at what he did. His palm is warm but it literally sent chills down my spine. I remained silent and acted like I wasn't bothered with what he did.

He placed the paper in my hand. My attention immediately shifted to the paper.

I scanned it and my eyes were glued at his name. 

Acanthus Jarvis Ferrer.

Son of Lyca Ferrer and Argus Ferrer. 

He has a very beautiful name. It's obvious that he's rich.

"Oh?" I said.

I looked at him. He also looked back at me.

"What? Do you believe me now?" he asked.

I raised a brow. "How can I be sure that you don't just have the same last name?" I ask seriously.

He let out a deep breath. He scratched his neck, seemingly running out of patience.

I bit my lower lip. 

I didn't know that this one would be impatient.

"Get in the car," he commanded.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I said, get in the car. I'll show you something you'll love." He repeated what he had said in an annoyed tone.

I quietly went to the other side of the car before opening it. When I entered, I immediately put on a seatbelt.

"So stubborn." I heard him whispered, forehead creased.

"I heard it," I informed him.

He turned to me. "Oh, congrats because you're not deaf?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Geez, stop being sarcastic!"

He glanced at me sideways while his busy driving. "My patience isn't as long as your hair, brat."

"It's Ely."

"Whatever, Fely."

Annoyed, I turned my gaze to him. He was smirking. Ugh, this guy.

"And, for your information, I only have long hair but my patience is even shorter than my eyelashes," I rebutted.

He just shrugged and smirked again. "Whatever, Fely."

"It's Ely," I emphasize.

He didn't answer and just focused on driving.

"Are we almost there?" I asked impatiently.

We've been traveling for almost three hours but we still haven't stopped. I don't know if this man is just fooling me.

He looked me. "Why? Are you hungry?"

Exactly when he asked that I felt hungry.

I nodded at him.

"Alright. Let's look for a drive thru or nearby restaurant."

I sighed and just waited. Minutes had passed and we're still looking for a restaurant or a drive thru.

I searched for a nearby coffee shop since I'm craving for coffee. Luckily, we found one.

"You want to go inside together or you'll stay here?" he asked, both thick eyebrows raised while there was a playful smile on his reddened lips.

I didn’t speak for a few seconds before deciding to just go inside. I want to see the menu.

"Good morning, ma'am, sir! Welcome to Astro Cafe. What can I get you?" the girl with a cute wavy brown hair asked, smiling.

My attention immediately moved to the menu posted at the top. They have quite a good combination here, huh?

I turned to my companion and saw that, like me, he was also looking up, examining the menu.

Maybe he felt someone looking at him so his eyes immediately shifted to me.

I gasped quietly. I immediately looked away.

I cleared my throat. "Uhm, one order of... Aes-tea-tic Sprinkle, please."

It's a cup of tea and three slices of cupcake with a very cute sprinkles.

She turned his gaze to Acanthus. Until now, my mind and tongue are still not used to pronouncing his name.

"How about you, sir?" Ashanti asked, smiling.

That was the name written on the name plate that hung on the upper right part of her dress.

"I'll have one order of Black Forest."

I looked at the menu again. Black Forest. It's a black coffee and a slice of dark chocolate cake.

Hmm, not bad.

She wrote it down on a piece of paper. "Is that all, ma'am, sir?" 

We both nodded. I was about to take my wallet from my handbag when he preceded me. 

"My treat," he said, smiling.

I shook my head. "No, I'll pay for mine," I said as I handed over the cash.

He immediately handed his card to the cashier who was awkwardly smiling at us as I was forcing her to take my payment.

"Uhm," she said, scratching her cheeks. She chuckled awkwardly.

"Just do rock, paper, scissors," she suggested shyly.

I arched my eyebrow and looked sideways. He did the same.

"Okay," he replied. 

He prepared his clenched fist in front of me. What? Is he gonna do it for real?

My eyes rolled at what he had done. "What do you think am I? A child?" I asked insultingly.

He just shrugged his shoulders while still holding out his clenched hand in front of me.

"Miss, I'll pay for my order," I said.

She looks hesitant. She looked back and forth at me and this broccoli.

I hate broccolis so that means I hate him too because his hair is like broccoli.

"Come on, babe. Afraid you'll lose?" he asked teasingly while the smirk on his lips stays.

"What? Annoying broccoli!" I hissed.

I gave in. 

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Mine was paper and his was scissors.

He had this victorious smirk plastered on his lips. So annoying.

"Huh. Guess I'm good at everything, after all," he boasted.

He paid for our foods and ate in silence. After we ate we immediately traveled again. 

I looked at every road we passed. I tried not to sleep because I wasn't sure where this man would take me.

My eyebrows furrowed. We entered a property. An exclusive property?

We stopped at a large and fancy gate that was unfamiliar.

I looked at him. "Where are we? If you're planning to kill me or kidnap me, don't even think about it!" 

He shot me an unbelievable look. "What? Seriously? You watched too much crime documentation, brat."

"Don't you 'brat' me!"

He just laughed. A guard approached and immediately knocked on the car window.

"Remember, be kind to me. Or at least, act like you are."

I gulped. Gone the annoying jerk, I'm looking at a serious broccoli right now.

I nodded.

"Good."

He rolled down the window. "Hello, Mr. Janus!" he greeted the guard warmly.

"Hey, Sir Canth! You haven't visited in a long time, eh? "

"Yeah, got busy. Oh, by the way, this is Ely, my wife. Ely this Mr. Janus. He's the one I always tell you about, our handsome bodyguard. "

Wait, what? Wife? Telling me about?

I raised an eyebrow, confused. "What?"

"Oh, no, sir! It's embarrassing. And, when did you get married? Does ma'am Lyca know this? "He asked one after another.

He chuckled. "That's why we're here. Come on, open the gate. Let us in first."

He saluted. "Sir, yes, sir!"

He immediately went to the gate and opened it while I'm left confused and speechless.

He waved at the old guard before driving in.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" I immediately shouted.

He held his right ear. "Can you please stop shouting? You're disturbing other people."

"What? Do you know— "

He cut me off. "Shh. Look at your right."

"Why would I?"

"I said look at your right," he repeated, now more serious.

I swallowed. I did what he told me. I was amazed at what I saw.

It was a sign. Paraiso de la Ferrer.

Fuck. He is indeed a Ferrer. 

I immediately looked around and gasped as I paid attention to the elegant and towering mansions around.

"What the..." I whispered in amazement.

He went straight to a mansion and ignored me. He fiddled with his phone and suddenly the gate opened.

He drive inside the gate at dumiretso sa garage. I was still speechless when he got out of the car.

"Will you just stare there or will you come out? "He asked with a raised eyebrow.

I blinked and glared at him. He just chuckled.

Tss. Annoying broccoli!

I went out and followed him. I was amaze by the elegant surrounding. Wow, just wow.

I followed AB. Short for Annoying Broccoli. 

He placed his thumb on the scanner and the door opened automatically.

He turned on the light just by clapping. This mansion is fucking amazing!

"Welcome to my house!" he greeted after looking back at me.

"What if it's blackout?" I asked curiously.

Astonished, he looked at me at my sudden question. 

"What..." 

"I mean, what if there's a blackout? How can you get into your house? Yes, it's amazing but what if there's a blackout or a power outage?" I stated.

He looked at me, completely amazed. "What the hell are you talking about?" 

He laughed out loud, holding his stomach. "You're funny."

"I'm serious!"

He wiped his imaginary tears. "Whatever. But, that's a weird question. Of course, not everything in this mansion is electric, we're not that dumb. "

"I didn't said you were," I said quickly.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Come with me," he said, raising his hands like he gave up.

I rolled my eyes but still followed him.

We went up to the second floor and he opened a room. An office, his office. 

He approached the table and opened the drawer. I watched him carefully as he get something from the drawer. I stayed alert. 

how do I know that he will pull out a gun and suddenly point it at me?

"Oh, here it is!"

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that it was just a piece of paper.

He motioned me to get closer and sit on the chair infront of him. I did what he asked me to do.

"What now?" I asked with a frown.

"Sign this." He handed me the paper and a pen.

What is this? I lower my gaze to examine the paper.

Marriage... Contract?!

"What the hell?! Why would I sign this?!" Annoyed, I asked him. I stood up in annoyance.

He crossed his two palms and placed them under his jaw.

And, damn. He looked hot, can't deny it.

"Read the other paper first," he demanded.

I shifted my gaze to the paper. What does he mean by other paper?

I scanned the thing on my hand and I realized that there were two papers. I took it and examined.

It's an agreement. I just have to sign the marriage contract and be his wife in paper, act infront of his family and I get the chance to live in his mansion. He seems to be giving me a chance to stay here in Paraiso de la Ferrer but I have to be his wife.

"This is crazy. You're crazy," I blurted out.

He scoffed. "Oh, come on, brat. I know you want to go here but you can't. Because you are not a Ferrer, so I'm making you one. All you have to do is sign that contract and act like a good wife infront of my family. That's all. We can make our agreement and rules later. We're having a dinner later at my parents' place, so, better think fast, brat."

"What?" My mind is in a mess. Part of me is saying that I should not accept his offer. However, my desire to stay in this paradise prevailed. I haven't walk around yet!

"So?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me. "What's your decision?"

"Let me think! Can I? "I asked annoyed.

"Alright. Just so you know, if you're my wife, I'll give you anything you want. Designer clothes? Bags? A property? A mansion? Name it all. All you have to do is sign it. "

He's tempting me. He knew I was luxurious. I swallowed.

He took something out of his pocket. "If you're going to be my wife, wear this," he said and placed an elegant ring in front of me.

My eyes almost popped out at the size of the diamond placed there!

"But, if you don't want to, I'd be happy to let the guards drag you out," he made a serious statement. 

I took a deep breath before picking up the ballpen and signing the two papers. 

Here goes nothing.

After I signed it I looked up at him. He had a wide smile. "Good girl."

I gritted my teeth. I was pissed by his smile! 

He reached for the ring and my hand. I shuddered when our hand hit.

He seamlessly wore the elegant wedding ring on my finger.

"There you go. Welcome to Paraiso de la Ferrer, Mrs. Eletheria Ferrer," he said while smirking.

"Gross." 

He laughed. "My wife is so mean."

I covered my ears. "Geez, stop that!"

"Alright. I need to rehearse you for the dinner later... my wife," he added teasingly.

I massaged my head and let out a deep sigh.

This is really the biggest problem of the luxurious like me, easily fooled!

I groaned frustratedly. 

"I left and moved away because I ran away from my marriage. Then, what? Suddenly, I'm married?!"