Chapter 3

After they've spent more than two hours mending my entire body from head to toe, I am now finally standing in front of a gigantic door.

When we arrived, I had heard that this was the home where the Madrigal family lived.

I am honestly not so surprised because this castle-like mansion obviously screams wealth and royalty. This place is so huge that even before we got inside, I had already seen more than twenty staff.

I once again threw a glance at the red dress I was wearing. I have no idea why this is the color they chose for me to wear, and why it has to be exceedingly revealing at the back.

The dinner that we are attending is a wedding celebration, so I don’t get why I am dressed like this. Red is the least color a person should wear to this kind of occasion because it might bring bad luck to the celebrants.

Or I guess, they really meant for this to happen.

But anyway, I didn’t even try to whine about what I am wearing. It is crystal clear to me that I just have to fulfill the job given to me, and after that, I could already take my mother and Charles home.

Also, after this night, this man and I will never get to see each other again.

“Remember everything that I told you. Tonight, you are my girlfriend.” He took my hand in his and hung it on his arm, whispering to me.

I can hardly count how many times he has reminded me of that.

We were about to enter when I suddenly screeched to a halt because of something I remembered.

“Wait a second,” I stopped him. “What's your name again? You know, it will be hard for me to pretend that I am in love with you if I don't even know your name.”

“Jaxson. But, you can just call me Jax.” He said. “Or, you can call me babe if you want to be more convincing-”

“Jax.”

A smile flashed on his lips the moment he heard my response.

Before speaking again, I paused for a moment.

I feel like the smiles he’s giving me are so silly that they smother the rest of the air in my body.

“I am Cattleya. You can call me Catt.”

“I love cats.”

I merely gave him a rough smile because that joke wasn't really fresh to me. While this man right beside me nearly tore his lip with a proud grin.

I’m not sure if he has been brain damaged because of the weight of problems he’s going through right now.

His personality just shifts in the blink of an eye.

“Let's go.”

I nodded slightly before clinging to Jax's arm again.

I should give all my best pretending tonight because I am afraid that if his plan fails, he might not pay me enough money to cover Charles' hospital bills.

“Jaxson, my son! You came.” We were greeted by a woman who seemed to be only a few years older than me.

Son? She is Jax's mother? For real?

I just watched them as she kissed the man next to me on the cheek as a greeting.

At a first glance, no one would ever think that she is already a mother of a grown man. I wonder how she manages to look really young.

“Why would I not be here for this very important night?”

I hid the slight frown of my forehead in wonder why Jaxson acted like that to his mother.

“— I mean, come on! This is a wedding celebration of my beloved brother and ex-fiance, so why wouldn't I be here?” Jaxson blurted.

The sarcasm in his voice reverberated.

“Well anyway, Catt,” he then turned to me with a smile. “This is my step-mother.”

“Catt?”

His step-mother asked as she shifted her eyes at me, confused, as if she had just seen me.

His son didn't even let go of my hands even before she greeted him.

Jaxson's smiles caught my attention, it doesn't seem real. It gives off a completely different feeling from the smiles he showed me earlier.

“Hello, ma’am. Good evening.” I kindly greeted her with a smile but she's just standing still in front of me like a statue with her lips parted, as if she had seen a ghost.

“Emily, this is Cattleya, my girlfriend.” Jaxson simply added, emphasizing that I am his new woman.

Their relationship is undoubtedly not in fine feather. He didn't give any respect to her, or even call Emily his mom.

I only realized we were in front of the rest of the Madrigal family when Jaxson's step-mother, Emily, stepped back a little.

Their reactions were almost identical as if I was a ghost ascended from the grave.

Perhaps they just can't believe how Jaxson found a new girlfriend right after what happened to his ex-fiance and step-brother.

Little did they know that this was all his plan to avoid being an embarrassment.

Their family is peculiar, and I don't feel even a slight amount of affection from them. There's no empathy lingering, just plain high-class people sitting on one lavish table.

As we moved towards our chairs, I stopped in front of a muscular man seated at the far end of the table. He has an intimidating aura around him, and appears to be a respectable personality.

“Good evening, Mr. Madrigal. I am Cattleya Santos, Jax's girlfriend. It was nice to meet you, sir.” I greeted him politely, without a doubt that he is Jaxson's father.

It took him a few seconds before turning to me with a heartily smile.

“Welcome to the family, hija. Please take a seat and make yourself at home.”

I returned his kind smiles before following Jaxson as he gently pulled me toward a seat.

I tried to hide my embarrassment by smiling, even though I was uncomfortable to sit with them in this red dress that was ascending to their nude and plain white attires. I'm used to pretending, so it's only a minor issue for me.

When I finally sat down, my eyes immediately searched for Jaxson's claimed ex-fiancee, who was pregnant by his step-brother and is now getting married.

I found her close to Jaxson’s step-mother.

Now I see that there's a valid reason why the guy next to me nearly drowned in liquor that night at the club. He is smitten by a stunning woman.

As I stare at her, it's as if I'm looking at a well-known movie star. Her porcelain-like complexion was enhanced by her pitch black long hair. She seemed to be immaculately groomed, with her nose and other facial features chiseled by a brilliant artist.

I couldn't help but stare at her mesmerizing round eyes as she stares directly at Jaxson next to me. Her eyes have a glistening appearance and resemble the eye of a lost kitten. I may sound gay, but I think her face and body is flawless.

It's a pity she got pregnant by another man while being engaged.

Can I count that as her flaw?

Come to think of it, if she didn't cheat on him and they finally ended up together, they would have a perfect family.

“Alright. Since we're all here. We may now begin the celebration for the upcoming wedding of Lance and Daniella! And of course, the new Madrigal that we are expecting!” Jaxson's step-mother ecstatically exclaimed.

My lower lip twitched as I shifted my gaze to Jaxson, who was sitting beside me. I was curious to see how he reacted to his stepmother's words.

He comes from a family that appears to be more insensitive than I imagine. They're all smiling, completely oblivious to how Jaxson is feeling.

Don't they see how much Jaxson is suffering now as a result of everything that has happened?

As I brought back my attention to his family, I noticed his father's gaze fixed on me. We were both engulfed for a brief moment before I withdrew my eyes.

When everyone began to eat, I focused on the plate that had been placed in front of me. I'm aware that this dish is known as T-Bone steak, but I have no idea how to eat it.

I merely observed others to see how they were doing. I don't want to embarrass myself by eating in front of the elite class!

“Why aren't you eating?” Jaxson asked loudly, which made me panic for a second.

Why does he have to shout while we're only sitting next to each other? I have yet to see how they eat this t-bone.

I would have picked this meat with my hands and eaten it if I were alone. But I'm not!

I locked my gaze on Jax and attempted to communicate with him through my eyes. I was dismayed when he simply returned my stare with raised eyebrows and a perplexed frown.

I leaned closer slightly, bringing my lips to his ear. "How should I eat this, Jax?" "This is my first time eating a steak," I said quietly, afraid that they would hear me.

I caught a glimpse of his weak laugh. He murmured back to me, “Follow me,” and then gently took the fork and knife in his right hand.

He squeezed the meat before cutting it with a knife. I was watching Jax's every move, and as we finished slicing the steak together, I just wanted to rush out the door and vanish.

The steak simply slid away from my plate, and was not sliced as Jax.

It was as if a trigger was pulled inside Jaxson that bursted out his guffawed laugh that echoed across the room, drawing everyone's attention to us.

I just shut my eyes tight in shame of what I've done. Instead of helping me, this man just keeps on laughing at me as if this is my own war.

What if I didn’t convince his father? What will I have to pay for the hospital?

“Cattleya, you don't know how to eat a steak?”

That was the kind of question I expected from someone who was born into luxury.

I opened my eyes gently and looked at Jaxson's mother.

“Yes ma'am,” I uttered, feigning a smile before rescuing the steak and returning it to my plate. It made Jaxson laugh again, so I stared at him to stop, but it was impossible.

“My god, why? Are you a vegan?” she asked, sassily. “Or are you… Where are you from? What’s your family name, by the way?”

I was taken aback by her question, but I attempted to remain composed so that I could respond properly.

“S-Santos, ma'am. I'm from Tondo Mani-”

“I mean, your family's status.” She cut my words.

“U-Uh?” I opened my mouth as I raised my eyebrow. “A-Ah, my mother doesn't work anymore to take care of my brother. I have been working for our family since my father passed away. ”

“What? And you said you're Jaxson's new-”

“That's enough.” Mr. Madrigal exclaimed, that stopped Jaxson's step-mother. “Aren't we all here to celebrate Lance's engagement, and not to get to know my son's new girlfriend?”

“Right, and your plan for Ruegold Corp.” The guy next to Jaxson's ex-fiance mentioned.

I think he was the step-brother they were referring to on that night at the club.

His smiles reached his ears as he looked at their father. “Now that I am having a successor, I can now take care of the corporation. Besides, I have been studying how to run our business for the past 18 years. I am confident about continuing our family's legacy, father.”

I could see out of the corner of my eye that Jaxson's fist clenched as his jaw sharpened.

His friend was right on that night. This is exactly what will happen next.

“Since you are now expecting your own family with Daniella, whose father is a big contributor to our business. I am thinking of transferring the entire assets of Ruegold to you Lance. Which is originally for my son, Jax.” Mr. Madrigal uttered.

I couldn't stop gnashing my teeth because I felt annoyed and sympathetic for Jaxson.

“My decision will not diminish. Unless, Jaxson marries his new girlfriend Cattleya, as soon as possible.”

I felt my eyes gradually widen as my heartbeat dropped.

“Only then will my selection for the Madrigal inheritor alter.”

Have I heard him right? What marriage is his father talking about?

I only have a one night agreement with this man!