*ARLENE’s POV*
Everything happened so fast. One minute, we were parking, and the next, we were walking toward the room he’d rented. My mind was racing, desperately trying to figure out what to do. As soon as we stepped inside, I bolted for the bathroom, locking the door behind me. My heart pounded as I dialed Patricia.
"Okay," I whispered when she picked up. "What do I do now?"
Patricia’s voice was calm, almost too calm. "Here’s what you’re going to do: send your clothes to be laundered. Then lie next to him. Naked."
I almost dropped the phone. "What? Are you out of your mind? He’ll—he’ll—"
"Relax," Patricia interrupted, her tone practical. "Remember when you were drunk and nothing happened? He won’t touch you unless you want him to."
"But that was different!" I protested, gripping the phone tighter. "I was drunk then. Now I’m fully aware. Every nerve in my bo
*MAGO's POV*I thought I had everything perfectly planned. I saw the storm coming long before it hit, and I knew exactly how to use it to my advantage. Bring her to a place where we’d inevitably get soaked, then casually find ourselves needing a place to stay. As a businessman, I’m always ahead of the curve. Checking the latest news, anticipating what’s coming—whether it’s for business or something more personal, like this. The moment I saw the weather forecast, the strategy fell into place. It was all too easy.Though we were drenched from the rain, I didn’t feel cold. How could I, with the thought of being alone with her in this tiny, private room? It was one thing having her in my house earlier, but this? A secluded motel room with no distractions? It was a temptation even I was finding hard to resist. Sure, I’d always said I didn’t do virgins, but in this situation, with her so close, I wasn’t m
*ARLENE’s POV*I tossed and turned, but sleep was a distant memory. My heart was racing like a horse on derby day, and I had to remind myself every three seconds:‘Arlene, you’re here to teach him a lesson—not to turn into a puddle of mush at the first sign of that infuriating smirk.’ Mago’s shower finally stopped, a terrifying sound cue that he would soon emerge, glistening and probably smirking. I threw myself under the covers, hoping that divine intervention would help me keep it together.“Dear God, don’t let me melt into a blabbering fool. I have a point to prove!” I whispered in desperate prayer.The mattress dipped as Mago sat down beside me, his voice a low, tantalizing purr. “Arlene?” He cleared his throat. “Arlene, are you really asleep?”‘Stay still, woman’, I commanded myself, tightening my grip on the sheets. ‘You are a fortress of composure. You are unshakable.’But then he leaned closer. His breath, warm against my ear, felt like it was dripping with some kind of super
*Mago’s POV*The moment she stepped out of that bathroom, I felt my entire reality shift. Gone was the shy, hesitant Arlene. Instead, standing in the dim light, she looked like some kind of goddess—no, two goddesses. There was Aphrodite, all beauty and temptation, with that impossible glow that made every inch of her magnetic. But there was Eris too, lurking in her smirk, the unmistakable glint of mischief that told me she was here to play, and I was the target.My first thought? Run. But did I move? Nope. Instead, I froze like an idiot, staring as if she’d cast some spell on me. She hadn't even said a word, but it was already torture.‘Alright, Mago’, I thought, taking a shaky breath, ‘she’s just testing you. You can handle this. You’re the king of cool. She's an amateur. There’s no way she’s getting to you.’But as soon as I thought that, she di
*Arlene’s POV*I woke to the sound of the doorbell, the realization hitting me with a sleepy jolt: Mago was still handcuffed to the bed.‘Right, I left the notorious playboy tied up like some kind of Greek tragedy gone wrong.’ With a smirk, I went to check the door.“Here are your clothes, ma’am,” the bellboy said, giving me a polite nod.“Thank you,” I replied, clutching the bundle and retreating to the bathroom to change. When I stepped back out, Mago looked blissfully asleep, like a tamed lion, until I took a few steps too close to him. Big mistake.Before I knew it, his legs had locked around me, trapping me in place. “MAGO!” I shrieked, struggling against his grip.His eyes gleamed with that dangerous charm. “You’ll pay for this, Arlene.”I gave him my most innocent smile, hoping to wiggle out of his grasp. “Oh,
*Mago’s POV*I was cruising down the road, savoring every second of my quiet little revenge plot, letting ideas drift in and out, each more devious than the last. Oh, I had options.The first idea? Subtle, direct—an innocent “accidental” brush against her hand, just enough to get under her skin.‘Simple, but effective,’ I thought, mentally tucking it away.Then, a second plan popped up—one with a bit more nerve. I’d act completely aloof, dropping in a casual, absurd comment that would leave her speechless and blushing. Just the thought of it made me grin. ‘That’ll really make her squirm.’And then, I thought, ‘Why not combine the best of both worlds?’ I’d mix in a bit of teasing, let her think she had the upper hand, and just when she was completely thrown off, I’d pull something out of left field. The thought of her
*Arlene's POV*The ride to the bar felt longer than usual, every moment building the tension. Mago had gone in ahead, as we’d agreed, and I waited in the car, watching his figure disappear inside. Keeping things low-key was essential, and entering separately was one of those little tricks we had up our sleeves to avoid suspicion. I took a deep breath, gave myself a moment to steady my nerves, and finally stepped out.Inside, the dim lights glinted off rows of shot glasses, and Dessa was already busy polishing one as I approached. She glanced up, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. “Well, well,” she said, her voice thick with amusement. “You and Mago seem... cozy.”I forced a laugh, aiming for innocence. “What do you mean?”“Oh, cut the act, Arlene,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “I know Mago better than that. Walking in a few minutes apart isn’t exactly subtle.”
*Mago’s POV*As Arlene handed me the journal, I could feel a storm brewing inside me—a mess of anger, disbelief, and something close to resentment.‘Why on earth would she think I’d want to read Ailene’s final thoughts?’This was the woman who’d lied to me, toyed with my emotions, and then disappeared without a word. I could still feel the sting of betrayal, sharp and bitter, every time her name crossed my mind.“Why are you giving me this, Arlene?” I muttered, my voice tense as I looked down at the journal. “I don’t need her ‘final thoughts’ to know exactly who she was. She used me, and now I’m supposed to feel sorry for her?”Arlene looked at me, her gaze steady, almost pleading. “Mago, I know you don’t want to hear it, but there’s more to her story than you realize. I’m not saying it’ll make up f
*Arlene’s POV*I thought Ailene’s journal would offer Mago some peace, a clear way to mend his heart and perhaps even change his view on love. But I was wrong. Watching him suffer as he tried to process the truth about Ailene was harder than I’d ever imagined."Mago, that’s enough,” I said softly, trying to coax him into putting the bottle down, my hand resting on his arm. It had practically become my evening mantra, whispered in the hopes that he’d listen.But he just lifted the glass again, staring off, lost in thought. ‘This is tearing him apart.’Dessa came up behind me, her voice low with concern. “Is he drunk again?”“He’s been at it since noon,” I sighed, rubbing my temples. “I tried taking all the beers from his fridge, but he just pulled out his wine collection instead.” My heart twisted, seeing him this way.“You’d better
“Hmmmph,” the pain was unbearable. Every inch of him felt like a foreign invasion, pushing into places that were never meant to be touched this way. I gasped, biting my lip, trying to hold back the scream, but the sharp sting forced it out “Aaargh!”“Just relax, Arlene,” he murmured, his voice trying to soothe me, but it only made the situation worse.“I-I can’t,” I sobbed, my voice breaking, fragile like the very core of my being.“Don’t fight it,” he said again, his hand lifting to cup my face, guiding my gaze to meet his, “Arelene, look at me.”I did not want to look. I did not want to see the intensity in his eyes, the purpose in his every movement. But I couldn’t look away. His gaze held me, trapping me in a silence that felt like it was both suffocating and electric“M-Mago,” I heard myself cry his name, almost a
*Mago*“Hmmmph,” she whimpered, her body tense beneath me as she fought to endure the pain. But the moment I moved again, she screamed, her cry sharp and raw. “Aaargh!”“Just relax, Arlene,” I urged her, my voice strained with worry.“I-I can’t,” she sobbed, her tears flowing freely now.“Don’t fight it,” I said softly, trying to keep my own emotions in check, though the sound of her cries twisted something deep inside me.“Arlene, look at me,” I said, my tone filled with both worry and determination.“No,” she choked out, turning her face away from me as her body shook with quiet sobs. “I don’t want to do it anymore,” she added, her small hands pressing against my chest in an attempt to push me away.My chest tightened at her words. She wasn’t just in pain—she was terrified, vulnerable, and br
*Arlene*The room felt heavy with anticipation, the air almost stifling as I paced back and forth, trying to calm the storm of emotions surging through me. My heart pounded against my ribcage, loud and unrelenting. From the moment Mago and I decided today would be the day we finally consummate our marriage, I had been a trembling mess. It sounded simple—dinner first, then intimacy—but nothing about this felt simple.I’d already taken three baths since 2 p.m., unable to decide on the perfect perfume to wear. My bed was a chaotic sea of discarded lingerie, each one scrutinized before being rejected. Eventually, I settled on a red lace strapless set—seductive yet classy—hidden beneath a black Venetian-cut ballgown.“Should I wear makeup?” I’d asked Janine earlier, my voice trembling with nerves. “Or would it just smudge off anyway?”“You’re clueless,” she teased wi
*Mago*Marco’s office was alive with the usual energy—cigar smoke curling in the air, beer bottles clinking on the wooden table, and the sound of good-natured ribbing echoing off the walls. It was our sacred space, a haven where we could tackle life’s heavier problems and then lighten the mood with relentless teasing. Tonight, we’d gathered to lend support to Angelo, who looked more stressed than I’d ever seen him.Angelo leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, absently spinning his beer bottle. “Thanks for coming, guys. I need this.”Marco waved him off. “You don’t need to thank us. We’re your brothers. What’s going on?”Angelo exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “It’s Cerise. She’s been… struggling. She’s got a lot of doubts about us, and it’s hard to get through to her.”Stuart frowned. “Doubts? Like what?”
*Arlene*I marched into Janine’s mansion, nerves tying my stomach into knots. Stuart had just proposed to Patricia, and now my own marriage to Mago was on a fast track to… consummation. Even the word made my chest tighten. I was desperate for advice and moral support.“The ladies are waiting for you in the entertainment room, ma’am,” the butler informed me with a polite nod.“Thanks,” I said, already making my way there. I didn’t need directions—I knew this house like the back of my hand.As soon as I entered, Janine waved at me from the oversized couch. “Budz! You look stressed. Sit down and spill.”I collapsed onto the couch with a sigh. “I need help. Like, serious help.”Patricia raised a perfectly arched brow. “Wait, you haven’t done it yet, have you?”“Not yet,” I admitted, covering my face. &ldqu
*Mago*I don’t know what came over me when I stopped by the jeweler where our wedding rings were made a year ago. Back then, I had been a fool—a man blinded by love and hope. I thought Arlene was my fresh start, the one who could heal the wounds of my past. What I didn’t realize was that she would be the one to rip those wounds open, exposing every scar I’d tried to bury.“Wear this,” I said as I handed her the ring, my expression blank, and explained, “Naina asked about the rings earlier. So, I decided we should have them.”Her lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile crossing her face. It wasn’t just a smile—it was hope. Quiet, stubborn, dangerous hope.“Don’t read too much into it,” I added, my voice sharp enough to sever any illusions. “This is just to keep Naina from asking questions. That’s all.”She said nothing, just quietly s
*Arlene*I spent the entire day alone in the house. Mago had taken Naina to the doctor, explaining briefly that she had fainted when she saw him at the cemetery, and he wanted to make sure she was okay. The house felt empty and unnervingly quiet, but I used the time to follow through with our agreement.I moved my things into Mago’s room—a task I’d been both dreading and looking forward to. Each trip felt like I was intruding on his space, yet claiming it at the same time. This was what I wanted, after all.As agreed, I began removing the pictures I had hung around his room. Pictures of me. Carefully chosen, perfectly staged, deliberately seductive. Each image had been placed with one goal in mind: to break through Mago’s walls and remind him that I wasn’t just his wife on paper—I was a woman who wanted him.Now, as I removed them one by one, I couldn’t help but feel a small, amused triumph. He ha
*Arlene*“Naina, this is Arlene, my wife,” Mago said, his voice calm, almost detached.The words still felt foreign coming from him, but a small flicker of happiness warmed my chest. He had introduced me as his wife. He could have easily avoided it, brushed it aside, or simply said my name. But he didn’t.Naina’s face lit up as she turned to me, her eyes warm and curious. “I am so happy to finally meet you, Mrs. Concepcion.”“Just call me Arlene,” I said quickly, feeling a twinge of awkwardness at the title.“Well then, it’s nice to meet you, Arlene. Have you eaten breakfast yet?” she asked kindly, her motherly tone softening the edges of the tension I carried.“We haven’t,” Mago replied before I could.“Well, I’ll prepare breakfast for you,” Naina offered, already moving toward the kitchen. “Would you like me t
*Arlene*I woke to the weight of Mago’s body against mine, his arm draped over my waist, his leg tangled with mine. His steady breaths warmed the back of my neck, and I felt his chest rise and fall in rhythm against me. For a moment, I didn’t move, savoring the rare closeness. My heart hammered, caught between joy and anxiety.I glanced down, relieved and oddly disappointed to see that I was still fully clothed in the same outfit from last night. Nothing had happened. But this—waking up in his arms—was still more than I’d dared to hope for. How long had it been since I’d felt his warmth like this? Since I’d been trapped, willingly, in his embrace?I didn’t want to lose this moment, so I stayed still, pretending to sleep. I knew this was fragile, temporary. I wasn’t sure it would ever happen again.Minutes passed, and then I felt him stir. His hand flexed on my waist, and instead of pul