Breaking His Law (English)

Chapter 11 - Dance

He's shameless, he's arrogant, he's a... he's nothing but a scumbag!

I kept cursing Isles in my head as I paced back and forth beside the pool of our mansion. That guy is really getting on my nerves.

Alfred rubbed his temple. He had been standing a few feet away from me the whole time. I didn't need him here, but Dad insisted that he keep an eye on me. He had assigned him to watch me.

So no matter what I do, whenever I'm not with Isles, Alfred is the one watching me, or the staff whom I used to think were my friends and allies in situations like this. I just forgot that I'm not the one paying their salaries!

"Can't you see it, Alfred? It's obvious. I've never hated anyone this much my whole life, but he's really pushing me to my limit. He's rude and has no respect!"

Alfred still didn't answer. He didn't want to get involved.

"If someone did that to your daughter, would you be happy about it?" I asked, my eyes beginning to sting with tears.

"Ma'am Nathalia... I don't have a wife yet," he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

My face soured. I took a sip of water as I continued pacing along the edge of the pool. "Never mind. Just leave."

"Just don't go outside, Ma'am. Sir Stan will have my head if something happens."

I didn't answer anymore and simply stared at the swimming pool. I feel so helpless. I have no one to talk to about this. Not even someone I can ask for advice.

Dad strictly warned me that this wasn't the right time to tell anyone about my arranged marriage to Isles. He said he was tired of my rebellious behavior and that it was time for me to straighten up. What he doesn't know is that he's handing me over to someone who might drive me even crazier instead of changing me.

I tried calling Mauve, but the moment I was about to tap her name in my contacts, I stopped. Ace is busy. Just thinking about calling Jade was already stressing me out. Before she'd even give me advice, I'd first get slapped with a dose of reality.

I know I'm the one who made the mistake. If I hadn't gotten lost, none of this would've happened. But I never wanted any of it!

He's just too rude, and I can't take it.

I let out a sigh and forced myself to think clearly. I need to find a way to end this madness.

Two days passed quickly. I didn't hear a single word from Isles. Not even a text. I should've been happy that my problem had left me alone for two days, but I guess I forgot that Dad is the one I'm really up against here.

"Woah! Let's party!" Esekia shouted drunkenly as she danced along with the music inside the nightclub.

I stayed seated on the couch. They had been dragging me to the dance floor for a while now, but I kept saying I had a headache. Every now and then, people came over to approach me and start a conversation.

What's going on? Dad hasn't said a word to me or even given me a dirty look for two days, even though I've been staying at the mansion. I haven't heard anything from Mom either, and most importantly, from Isles.

After our first breakfast together, I left and went home. He let me. And now... everything feels strangely quiet.

"Nathalia Amaris! Come on, let's dance! Don't waste the night. Have some fun!" Esekia said as she pulled me toward the dance floor.

I had no choice after all of them dragged me away from the couch. I just sighed and smiled, accepting the hard drinks they kept handing me.

"I noticed you've been distant these past few days, Thalia. What's wrong?" Esekia asked curiously.

Vannie smirked. "It started after something happened between you and Matt. Did you two fight? Or did you both just find someone else more interesting?"

Esekia laughed and shoved Vannie. "Do you even have to ask? It's obvious they barely talk anymore! So what is it, Thalia? Tell us the truth. Didn't you satisfy Matteo?" Esekia asked with a teasing grin.

I went pale at the question. Up until now, they still thought Matt was the one I was with that night. They had no idea I made a mistake and... it wasn't Matteo at all.

"I... well..." Before they noticed how anxious I was getting, I smiled. "I think he enjoyed it, Sek... it's just that we're b-busy."

They looked convinced. I secretly let out a sigh of relief while Esekia simply shrugged it off and immediately changed the subject.

"Anyway, I have this new crush I saw last time... that same night," Esekia said as we stepped off to the side to have a drink while listening to her story.

"Really? Who?" Charri asked, making me raise a brow at her.

Esekia grinned widely as she took out her phone. She tapped on it, probably looking for a picture of the guy she was talking about.

"Here! He's hot, right?!" Esekia said as she held out her phone. Vannie leaned in first to look, so I didn't bother. Instead, I took another sip of my whiskey.

"Come here, Nathalia! Look. Isn't he handsome? And... seriously! He's nice too!"

The moment she turned the phone toward me and I looked at the picture, I almost choked on my drink. My eyes widened.

It was a photo of a guy. He was sitting somewhere, looking off to the side, making his jawline look even more defined. His hair was slightly messy, probably because of the wind. He was wearing sunglasses and smoking. The top buttons of his black shirt were undone, with a black coat draped over it. His belt was also visible in the photo.

My face flushed at the sight of that all-too-familiar appearance and posture...

"He's hot, right? I found his account thanks to Matt's friend. His name is Isles Gaise Privello, a law student from Ateneo! Can you imagine what a catch he is?" Esekia said, unable to hide her excitement.

I swallowed hard and took another long drink. So now she knows Isles too?

"Oh, I know this guy, Sek! Please, he's a playboy! He's made a lot of girls cry! Forget him and find someone else!" another one of our classmates said, shaking her head as she snatched the phone away.

Zero posts, but hundreds of thousands of followers.

He doesn't even have any posts. Why does he have so many followers? Did one of his videos go viral or something? Was it a thirst trap?

He has almost as many followers as I do, and I actually have posts! How dare he?

"What do you think, Nat? Do you know him? Maybe you have mutual friends? Please, I really like this guy! I want to get to know him," Esekia said, clinging to my arm.

I smiled. After finishing my drink, I nodded at her. "Sure! If you want, I'll even set you two up on a date!" I laughed.

Could this be the opportunity I've been waiting for? Maybe if I introduce Isles to other girls, my problem will finally be solved. Just like usual!

Esekia was obviously thrilled that I offered to help her get to know Isles and get closer to him. I couldn't stop smiling myself. I was happy too because this problem would finally be over.

Esekia is a good catch too. She has a bit of an attitude problem, but that guy has an attitude too, so they'll be perfect together!

While we were all having fun, I caught sight of Matt. That's when I realized he and his friends were here too.

He was with his friends, except Eros Costalejo wasn't with them. They were probably here to relax after their band's gig.

I couldn't decide whether I should go talk to him. I caught him looking in our direction, and so were his friends, nudging him on the shoulder. Matteo just sighed and said something I couldn't hear because they were too far away before taking another drink and glancing our way again.

Our eyes met. I don't know why I suddenly felt nervous. Maybe I felt guilty because I was still using him as my cover story with Esekia just because I couldn't admit my mistake.

"Matt's coming. We'll go," Vannie said before they all left me when they saw Matteo walking over.

I didn't get the chance to say anything. I was about to go with them when Matt reached me.

"Nat? It's been a while..." he greeted me with a small smile.

I smiled and nodded. I shrugged. "Uh... yeah... long time! Did you guys have a gig today?" I asked awkwardly.

He looked at me, smiled, then laughed. "Nope. Why are you nervous? Don't you want to see me anymore?"

I simply shook my head. I've never been this embarrassed in my entire life, and it's all... it's all Isles' fault.

"No. It's just that..." I couldn't finish my sentence. I sighed. "I've just been busy."

Matt nodded and walked with me toward the counter. To ease the awkwardness, I just smiled and went along with it. Matt's a good friend. I don't remember him ever hurting me or any of our friends.

"How have you been? I heard you got sick. Are you feeling better now?" he asked.

"Yeah. It wasn't that bad. Just a fever," I answered.

"That's good. I was looking for you the last time we were here, but you were gone the whole night. Did you go home?" he asked, referring to that night.

I paused for a second before simply nodding. Matt grinned. "Let me guess. Cielo picked you up?" he asked, referring to my brother.

I just smiled and nodded again. Some of them know that Kuya Cielo is a little strict when it comes to my late-night adventures. He parties too. Well, not as often as my friends and I do.

Matt and I talked the whole night. He said he wasn't mad or anything. We had both just been busy.

We ended up on the dance floor. Now I could really feel that I was free! Finally, I got rid of that Privello!

I smiled at the thought, thinking of nothing else but my beloved freedom.

"Hey, Nathalia, come on, you're drunk..."

He was already leading me away from the dance floor because we were both drunk and tired, but I was too caught up in the music to leave with Matt.

"Later, Matt! I'm still having fun here!"

I swayed my body, turning my head from side to side with the music.

"You're drunk... come on... I'll take you home," Matt said as he tried to stop me from dancing.

I pouted and looked at my other friends. They were all having fun. Why can't I?

I thought he was going to leave and rejoin his friends, but he stayed. Matt and I looked at each other. His half-lidded eyes told me he was just as drunk as I was. I felt nervous as he slowly leaned his face closer to mine as if he were about to kiss me.

I swallowed hard and froze where I stood. People continued dancing around us. We were the only two who had stopped, and almost no one noticed the little scene unfolding between us in the middle of the noisy crowd.

"Why? Don't you wanna kiss?" Matt asked, his drunken eyes fixed on mine.

For a reason I couldn't explain, I took a step back. I swallowed hard and pressed a hand to my aching head from all the alcohol I'd had.

"S-Sorry, I have to go to the restroom," I said absentmindedly.

The moment there was some distance between Matt and me, I immediately slipped into the sea of people on the dance floor to leave, just as the DJ suddenly killed the lights across the entire dance floor.

A few moments later, before I could get far, someone stopped me from behind. Someone gently held my arm to keep me from leaving the dance floor.

I felt someone behind me pull me close. I caught a familiar masculine scent. Strong, veined hands rested on my waist. I froze, immediately assuming it was Matteo.

"S-Sorry, Matt," I muttered, feeling guilty.

It took him a few seconds to answer. His voice blended with the noise of the dance floor.

"Never mind that. Just dance with me?" he whispered softly, his voice close enough for me to hear.

I didn't continue toward the restroom. Matt was right. I shouldn't be thinking about Isles. It's not like we're together. I'm not cheating. We're not in a relationship, and this ring is fake... just part of an act. Why should I feel guilty for being with Matt?

He's just a mistake, after all.

He guided me more as we danced. People on the dance floor were going wild. The DJ dropped the beat. Colorful lights flashed all over the club. Darkness swallowed us whenever the moving lights weren't shining on us.

I was about to turn around to face him, but his firm grip stopped me from moving. He stepped closer from behind. I felt his strong, masculine chest against my back while his hand rested on my waist.

We danced to the dreamy, hypnotic club music playing. The beat of the song made me feel even dizzier, fueled by this man's hands on my waist, slowly rocking me to the rhythm. With every sway of our bodies, I could feel his hot breath against my skin from behind.

"Damn, I didn't know you could dance," he whispered in a deep voice, and I was too high to even realize it wasn't Matt I was dancing with.