Jade's Nightmare
1244 Words
JADE VENTURA’S POV
I clenched my fists as the cheers of the audience echoed around me. Standing under the bright stage lights with André Young smirking beside me, this lottery was a Christmas nightmare come to life.
Oh, how I’d love to punch his face—if only I could. But I had to be professional.
“This is… wow,” I muttered, forcing myself to keep a neutral expression.
“Wow?” André repeated, tilting his head. “You’ve got me at a loss for words, Jade.”
I shot him a glare. “Don’t flatter yourself. I wasn’t expecting to be part of this circus.”
“Ah, so you’re saying it’s fate?” He smirked.
“More like a bad joke.”
We were speaking in hushed tones, but the audience probably mistook our obvious hostility for playful banter.
Apple clapped her hands together. “Ohh, you two already have chemistry! I can feel the sparks flying.”
Sparks? More like the urge to set something on fire.
I took a deep breath. This was for charity. I just needed to get through this moment, then I could disappear.
Apple handed us the microphone. “Why don’t you two tell the audience a little bit about yourselves?” she suggested with a wink. “Get to know each other, maybe?”
I wanted to puke.
No need. I already knew this jerk.
I had to do something—anything—before I found myself stuck with this Satanás for another day.
“Actually, I think… I think there’s been a mistake,” I tried to say.
Apple looked at me in disbelief, her eyes practically screaming:
“Huy, gaga! Nababaliw ka ba?!” (Hey, i***t! Have you lost your mind?!)
André’s voice rang out through the microphone. “A mistake?”
He chuckled. “I don’t think so, Jade. Looks like you’re stuck with me, sweetheart.”
The crowd laughed. But in my mind? I wanted to kick this man—or smash his head with the microphone.
Asa ka, Satanás ka. (You wish, Devil.)
Chill. Relax, Jade. Fake it till you make it.
I forced a laugh and played along.
Apple cleared her throat. “Okay, let’s wrap this up! Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give it up for our Christmas Date Auction winner and our mystery bachelor!”
The audience clapped and cheered, clearly entertained by whatever unholy chemistry they thought we had.
I forced a tight-lipped smile, ignoring the cameras flashing in our direction. The second Apple lowered the microphone, I turned to her and hissed, “Apple, what the hell?!”
She batted her lashes innocently. “What?”
Before I could say more, André leaned in closer and whispered,
“Good to see you again, sweetheart.”
A shiver crawled up my spine—not the good kind.
***
By the time the event was finally winding down, I was already plotting my escape. Most of the guests had left, and volunteers were packing up decorations.
I cornered Apple near the registration table.
“Apple,” I hissed. “Mag-usap muna tayo. (Let's talk.)”
She gave me an innocent smile. “Oh, is this about your date? Excited?”
I scowled. “No. I’m not going.”
Apple blinked. “What do you mean you’re not going? You won.”
“Yeah, and I’d like to return my prize, please.”
“That’s not how raffles work, Jade.”
I exhaled sharply. “Apple, come on. You know I never win raffles. This is some sick cosmic mistake.”
She crossed her arms. “You’re overreacting. It’s just one date. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Spontaneous combustion? A sudden urge to strangle him? An actual apocalypse?”
Apple rolled her eyes. “You’re being dramatic. It’s just dinner.”
“Then I’ll pay for the dinner, and he can eat alone. Problem solved.”
Actually… yes. Yes! He could eat alone. A romantic candlelit dinner… for one. Him, sitting across from an empty chair, twiddling his thumbs, making awkward eye contact with the waiter. Maybe even ordering two meals just to pretend someone was coming. Brilliant.
Apple pursed her lips, clearly unconvinced. “Jade, come on. It’s just a date, not a marriage contract.”
“No.” I shook my head, crossing my arms. “Absolutely not.”
She sighed. “Jade—”
“Apple, please.” I leaned in, lowering my voice. “I will do your paperwork for a month. I’ll take over your morning duties. I will even—” I hesitated, “—volunteer for the school Christmas caroling.”
Her eyes widened. “You hate caroling.”
“Exactly.”
Apple pressed her lips together, considering it. Then she sighed. “Jade, I’d love to help, but…”
I narrowed my eyes. “But?”
She gave me an apologetic smile. “I can’t back out of a signed contract.”
“WHAT CONTRACT?!”
“The one that says you agree to the date.”
I froze.
Apple pulled a piece of paper from the clipboard and handed it to me. It had my name on it—with my freaking signature.
My hands clenched the paper. “I never signed this.”
Apple smiled sheepishly. “You kind of did. Remember when I told you to sign some paperwork for the event last week?”
I felt my soul leave my body. “That was a TRAP?!”
Apple patted my shoulder. “Think of it as a Christmas surprise.”
I was going to faint. Or explode. Or both.
“Jade, it’s just dinner,” Apple reasoned. “Besides, he donated a lot for the fundraiser. He’s basically a hero.”
“A villain,” I corrected.
Apple sighed dramatically. “You’re impossible.”
Then she tilted her head, studying me. “Wait… why do you hate him so much, anyway? He’s good-looking, he’s rich, and he’s literally helping our school. What’s your problem with him?”
I stiffened. “No need to know.”
Apple’s eyes lit up. “OH. This is personal.”
“It’s not.”
She gasped. “Did something happen between you two?”
“No.”
She squinted at me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Apple opened her mouth to pry further, but I shot her a look. “Apple.”
She pouted. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”
I let out a breath.
But of course, Apple wasn’t done.
“Still,” she mused, “you have to admit, he is good-looking.”
I scowled. “I don’t have to admit anything.”
She giggled. “Right, right. Totally believable.”
I shot her a glare. “You know what? Fine. If you’re so sure, then you go in my place.”
Apple gasped. “Buang! I’m happily engaged!”
I rolled my eyes. “Then just go on the date, and we’ll call it a girls’ night out.”
She giggled. “Nice try.”
Before I could argue more, her phone buzzed. She checked it and gasped. “Oh! My fiancé is here!”
I scowled. “Wait—so you’re leaving me alone with him?!”
She winked. “You’ll survive.”
And then, like the traitor she was, she left.
I clenched my fists. I was not going on this date.
- Writer
