A Dangerous Fire

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Younger Son

"Amanda, magiingat ka sa iyong lakad I know you can do it." A warm smile appeared on Tita Cath face.

"Thank you po Tita, ikaw na po mag sabi kay Mama na aalis po muna ako." I smile a little bit and nod slowly to her.

She just nod.

While driving I suddenly felt nervous I don't know kase I heard Don Valerique is very strict and intimidating.

They're very close friend of my Dad he is a senior citizen already but he still strong enough to live in his 86 years of his life.

I also heard that he has 5 son but all of them has a family already I mean the 4 of the other has a family and the Youngest one still a bachelor and helping his father to manage their Business here in Amadeo.

One hour and thirty minutes have passed I already see their big gate. But before I beep my car horn I see a Man riding a horse and this Mansion In front of me is his direction.

He stop in front of my Car and get down to his horse. He walks towards me and knocks at my window.

"Yes?" I said softly but I slowly arch my eyebrows up when I noticed his topless.

"Baba" maikli pero firm na ang pagkakasabi niya.

I quietly follow him kasi sino ba ang mag refuse sa gorgeous man in front of me? Right?

"Are you Amanda Seravine?" Ang baritono niyang boses ay naghahatid ng kiliti sa aking tyan.

Nagugutom ba ako?

"Yes, and you are?"

He just nod. And then get something on his pocket, a small remote he click it and then boom the gate is already opening.

Tinitigan ko lang siya ng naglakad siya pabalik sa kabayo niya at sumakay. Muli siyang lumingon sa akin. "Get inside" he said then left.

Walang pag da-dalawang isip ay sumakay ako muli sa aking kotse at pinaandar Ito papasok.

Nasa bungad palang ako ng gate pero nakita kuna agad ang b****a ng Mansion ng mga Valerique at nandun si Don Valerique at and kanyang assistant sa bungad ng pintuan ng bahay nila.

"It's good to see you here finally Amanda" nagulat ako sa bungad sa akin ni Don Valerique

I don't remember na nag kita na Kami nuon at parang kilala niya ako sa kanyang pagbati.

"Good Morning also Don Valerique it's also nice to seeing you." I gently say and bow my head a little.

He smiled at me.

"Ang iyong yumaong ama ay lagi kang kinukwento sa akin, pero bago tayo mag kwentuhan ay pumasok muna tayo sa loob." He said while gesturing me to follow him

I thought he is intimidating? I mean he is so warm and cool person, I don't see any trace of Strict and intimidating to him.

As we sat down to their sofa, he sigh a little and look to me again.

"I'm very sorry for your loss iha.." he said. "I'm so sorry na Hindi ako nakadalaw sa huling mga araw ng lamay ng iyong ama."

Umiling ako "No. No. You don't need to sorry po I understand." I assure him.

"I know why are you here and I was really expecting you here cause I have something to tell you." He said. Nagulat ako sa pag babago ng simoy ng hangin at bigla nalang siyang naging seryoso.

May inabot na brown Envelope sa akin ang secretary niya. I puzzled look at him.

"Open it, your Dad and I have agreement." He sigh a little. "Bago siya umalis nung araw na Yun ay nag usap kame, We talk about the merging of our business and of course marriage."

I gulp.

"W-what? Marriage?"

Binuksan ko ang envelope to see what's inside of it, I was even more shocked to read what's inside of the paper.

It's the last testament of Dad and this is a real one cause my seal pa and sign niya.

"We talk about Marriage for you and to my youngest son." Dagdag pa ni Don Valerique. "He wanted to arrange a marriage for you and to my son at first I was shocked to know what he was asking for kase I know you are his only daughter but he only said that we are the only family he can trust his only daughter. "

I felt my hands shaking slightly as I held the envelope, my eyes glued to the papers inside. The words blurred for a moment—I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

Marriage… to his youngest son?

I looked up at Don Valerique, still sitting across from me, calm, composed, and somehow… unshakable.

"I… I don’t know what to say," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I mean… I’ve never even met him. How… how can I just… agree to this?"

Don Valerique gave a small, patient sigh. "Amanda, I understand your hesitation. Believe me, this isn’t easy for anyone. But your father trusted me… and now it’s my responsibility to see it through."

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing heart. "And… your youngest son? Where is he now?"

A brief silence filled the sala. My eyes wandered, taking in the grand furniture, the towering windows letting in the afternoon light, the portraits of the Valerique family lining the walls.

Everything felt… imposing, overwhelming, yet strangely elegant.

Then I noticed him. Standing quietly near the hallway, tall, broad-shouldered, moving with quiet confidence. His expression… cold. Unreadable. Not a single emotion betrayed him.

I couldn’t tell if he was curious, judging, or indifferent. Every movement was precise, measured. My heart skipped a beat, a chill running down my spine.

I wanted to speak, but my voice caught. My eyes stayed on him, trying to read even a hint of what he was thinking, but there was nothing. Absolute control. Absolute calm.

And though he said nothing, I somehow felt… he had been expecting me.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. What have I gotten myself into?

Before I could even process it, he

stepped closer, his gaze locking on mine for the first time. My chest tightened, my pulse racing. His unreadable expression… and that quiet intensity… made the room feel smaller, tighter, heavier.

I could feel it: this was only the beginning.

To be Continued...