Fire Today, Engaged Tomorrow II
1117 Words
The silence in the living room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Rhea stood frozen, the soft echo of her mother’s words still ringing in her ears.
“You’re getting married, sweetheart.”
Married.
To who?
“What... what do you mean I’m getting married?” Rhea’s voice cracked, her gaze darting between her parents’ unreadable expressions. She clutched the strap of her handbag, heartbeat pounding like war drums in her chest.
Just then, the calm voice of a stranger answered. “To my son.”
Rhea turned sharply. A woman in a perfectly tailored navy-blue suit stood in the doorway, poised with regal grace. Her salt-and-pepper hair was swept into a bun, pearl earrings glinting as she stepped forward with practiced elegance.
“I’m Isadora Cruz,” she said, offering a hand and a smile that didn't reach her sharp eyes. “And I must say—you’re even more beautiful in person.”
Rhea didn’t take her hand. “What the hell is going on?”
Her mother rose, nervously smoothing her apron. “Sweetheart, please... just hear her out.”
Isadora sat on the couch like she owned it, crossing one leg over the other. “I’ve come with a proposal. Your parents and I believe it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. You and my son, Zayden, will marry. Just for one year. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Rhea blinked. “You believe what?”
“You’ll help him become the man he’s supposed to be. I’ll compensate you well. After the year, you’re free—divorced, independent, and with a glowing recommendation from me personally.”
“Wait—you agreed to this?” Rhea turned on her parents, betrayal slicing through her voice like glass. “Mom? Dad?”
Her father looked away. Her mother reached for her hand, but Rhea jerked back.
“You sold me off like I’m some antique you’re too tired to clean!”
“Rhea, it’s not like that—”
“Then what is it like?” she snapped. “Because from where I’m standing, this looks like a desperate plan cooked up by two families who don’t care what I want!”
Isadora’s expression didn’t flicker. “You don’t have to decide now. I’ll give you three days. If you choose to accept, meet me at this address.” She slid a sleek card across the coffee table and stood, smoothing her skirt. “I do hope you make the smart choice, Ms. Lin.”
And just like that, she was gone.
Meanwhile...
Zayden Cruz was on his fifth drink. The lights at Ignite—one of Manila’s hottest rooftop clubs—spilled gold and violet across his face as he laughed with his friends, shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest.
“To the prince of Cruz!” someone shouted, raising a glass.
Zay stood on the edge of the booth, arms stretched wide. “More drinks! On me!” he roared.
“You spoil us, Zay!” a guy laughed.
Zay grinned. “That’s because I’m f***ing rich.”
Laughter erupted around him. A group of girls wandered near, one of them eyeing him like candy. He leaned down, flashing his infamous crooked smile. “Hey, gorgeous. How about we ditch this place and have a little... afterparty at mine?”
She giggled. “Lead the way.”
The Next Morning...
Sunlight pierced through blackout curtains. Zay groaned, rolling over as his phone buzzed for the fifth time.
MOM: Come to the office. Now.
He groaned louder and chucked the phone across the room, pulling the covers over his head. “Later…”
In the Cruz Boardroom...
The air was sharp with tension.
Board members sat around the long, oval table. Isadora Cruz, at the head, looked every inch the steel-backed matriarch she was known to be.
“We need to decide,” one board member said. “Who will take over as CEO of Golden Age Corp?”
“We should consider Zayden,” another said hesitantly.
“Zayden?” scoffed a third. “He’s a playboy! A walking scandal. The boy missed ten board meetings this year alone.”
“I vote for Michel,” said another, older man. “He’s focused. Polished. Ready.”
Michel Cruz, Zayden’s cousin, flashed a polite, smug smile. “I’d be honored to serve our legacy.”
Isadora stood slowly. “This company was founded by my husband and me. It will not fall into the hands of an ambitious relative with nothing but a silver spoon and smooth talk.”
Michel’s face twitched.
One board member frowned. “With respect, Mrs. Cruz, Zayden has done nothing to prove himself capable. Your son is a liability.”
“Then we’ll give them a chance to prove who deserves it,” Isadora said coolly. “A competition. Four months from now. Zayden versus Michel. The winner becomes CEO. Until then, I’ll act as interim regent.”
Later...
Zay slouched into his mother’s office, putting his feet on her polished desk. “Mom, I need cash.”
Isadora didn’t look up. “Of course you do.”
“You know me so well.”
She finally looked at him. “Zayden. You need to grow up. Your cousin is gunning for your title.”
Zay leaned back. “Let him. I don’t care about suits and meetings.”
“You should care. Your father worked his whole life for this.”
“I just want to have fun and forget,” he said, quieter.
Isadora’s gaze softened for half a second. “You’re smart, Zay. But you’re wasting it. And if you keep this up, you’ll lose everything.”
He shrugged, stood, and walked out without another word.
Left alone, Isadora whispered, “I hope this Rhea girl agrees. She might be the only one who can wake you up.”
Back at Rhea’s...
She stared at the card in her hands, the address gleaming in gold print.
Three days. Two were gone.
Tomorrow, she had to decide.
No job. No future. No peace.
She picked up her phone, her hands trembling as she typed in a familiar name.
Tyler Page.
There it was—his profile, his smug face.
And next to him?
Her boss’s daughter. Arms around his neck. Lips locked in a kiss.
Her breath left her in a sharp exhale.
“Unbelievable…” Her voice cracked.
Stole her promotion. Stole her job. Stole her heart.
Rage burned like gasoline in her chest.
“Fine,” she muttered, grabbing her phone.
She hit dial.
“Mrs. Cruz? This is Rhea Lin. I’ll marry your son.”
A pause.
“When can we meet?”
- Writer
