CHAPTER NINE
1274 Words
Emerald let out a deep sigh as she stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror the next morning. The events of last night still weighed heavily on her mind.
The Montenegro family was… intense.
Sure, Adrian’s parents were kind, but the rest of his relatives? They acted as if she was an outsider who needed to prove herself worthy. The questions, the judging stares, the subtle tension—it was exhausting.
And then there was Adrian.
That moment at the dinner table, when he held her hand and spoke with such quiet authority, was still replaying in her mind. He was so sure, so confident—like he had already decided her place in his life.
“Ugh!” She groaned, shaking her head. “Why am I even thinking about this?”
Kailangan niyang mag-focus sa buhay niya. This arranged marriage was just a deal—nothing more. She refused to let Adrian Montenegro mess with her mind.
With one final deep breath, she grabbed her bag and headed to school.
—
By the time she arrived at the university, her mood had slightly improved. At least here, she was in her element.
“Bes!!”
Emerald turned just in time for Pamela to throw herself at her, clutching her arms dramatically.
“Beshie, bakit hindi ka nag-update sa akin?!” Pamela wailed. “Anong nangyari sa Montenegro mansion? Sinaktan ka ba nila? Ginawang hostage? Pinakain sa aso?!”
Emerald sighed. “Pam, kalma.”
Pamela crossed her arms. “Hindi ako kakalma hangga’t hindi mo sinasabi kung anong nangyari!”
Emerald sighed again and gave her a quick summary of the dinner.
Pamela’s jaw dropped. “Grabe! Parang may initiation ka sa mafia!”
Emerald groaned. “Exactly what I was thinking.”
Pamela gasped. “Wait. Does this mean… mafia talaga sila?!”
“Pamela, seryoso ka ba?” Emerald shook her head. “Wala tayong ebidensya, so wag kang gumawa ng conspiracy theories.”
“Hmm…” Pamela tapped her chin. “Pero possible, diba?”
“Ugh, hindi ko na ‘to papatulan.”
Just then, the bell rang.
“Ugh, klase na,” Pamela groaned. “Okay, pero pagkatapos nito, we’re discussing this further.”
Emerald just rolled her eyes and walked to class.
—
The day passed in a blur, with Emerald doing her best to keep her mind off Adrian and his family. But of course, the universe had other plans.
Because just as she was about to head home, her phone buzzed.
Adrian: I’m picking you up.
Her brows furrowed. What?
Emerald: Sino may sabi na pwede mo akong sunduin?!
Adrian: Ako.
Emerald: Sino may sabi na boss kita?!
Adrian: Ako rin.
She gritted her teeth. This guy was unbelievable!
Before she could type another furious reply, a sleek black car pulled up right in front of her. The window rolled down, revealing Adrian’s ever-smug face.
“Get in, sweetheart.”
Emerald crossed her arms. “No.”
Adrian raised a brow. “You sure?”
Just then, she noticed the stares. Students were already whispering, some pointing in their direction. Her face heated up.
“Ugh, I hate you,” she muttered before slipping into the passenger seat.
Adrian smirked as he started the car. “No, you don’t.”
She shot him a glare. “Saan mo ako dadalhin?”
He shrugged. “You’ll see.”
—
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at an upscale restaurant.
Emerald frowned as she stepped out of the car. “Anong ginagawa natin dito?”
Adrian placed a hand on her back, guiding her inside. “Dinner.”
“Ano?!” She turned to him. “Bakit?!”
“My parents wanted us to have more time together.”
She groaned. “Seryoso ba ‘yan? Akala ko tapos na ako sa interrogation ng pamilya mo!”
Adrian chuckled. “No interrogations this time. Just you and me.”
That didn’t make her feel any better.
—
Inside, they were led to a private table. Emerald looked around warily.
“So… wala talagang kasamang relatives?” she asked.
Adrian smirked. “Disappointed?”
“Shut up.”
As the waiter handed them menus, Emerald couldn’t help but glance at Adrian. He looked completely at ease, casually scanning the menu like this was an ordinary date.
Wait. Date?
No. This was NOT a date.
Adrian suddenly looked up. “What?”
She quickly looked away. “Nothing.”
“Hmm.” He smirked. “You were staring.”
“I was NOT.”
“You were.”
Emerald scowled. “Ugh, can we just order?”
He chuckled but let it go.
—
As their food arrived, Emerald braced herself for more annoying comments from Adrian. But to her surprise, he was quiet.
Too quiet.
She glanced up and found him watching her.
“What?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
Adrian rested his chin on his hand. “I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“You.”
Her fork froze mid-air.
He smirked at her reaction. “You really don’t like this arrangement, huh?”
Emerald frowned. “Obviously.”
Adrian leaned back. “You’re not even a little curious about me?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
She huffed. “Why would I be curious? Alam ko na ang lahat ng kailangan kong malaman. Ikaw si Adrian Montenegro—mayabang, annoying, at may hobby na inisin ako.”
He laughed. “Flattered, really.”
She rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Adrian. Ano bang gusto mo?”
His smirk faded slightly. “I just want to know you better.”
She blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“I know you don’t like me. And I know you don’t want this. But if we’re stuck in this together, might as well get to know each other, right?”
Emerald was silent for a moment.
This was… unexpected.
Did he really mean that? Or was he just playing games again?
She sighed. “Fine. But no weird questions.”
Adrian grinned. “Deal.”
—
As the night went on, Emerald found herself… relaxing.
It was strange. She expected this dinner to be another battlefield, but Adrian was surprisingly—dare she say—decent. He didn’t tease her (much). He didn’t act like an arrogant ass (too much).
For the first time, they actually talked.
She learned that he liked black coffee but hated sweets. That he once tried to cook but almost burned the kitchen. That despite his tough image, he actually liked watching old action movies.
And he learned things about her, too.
“That’s unexpected,” Adrian mused after she told him about her love for baking.
Emerald raised a brow. “Why?”
“I just didn’t expect someone as feisty as you to like something so… delicate.”
She smirked. “I can bake and still punch you in the face.”
He chuckled. “Noted.”
—
By the time they left the restaurant, Emerald was… confused.
This was the longest time she had spent with Adrian without wanting to strangle him.
Was she… getting used to him?
She shook her head. No. That couldn’t be it.
“Thinking about me again?” Adrian’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She scowled. “No.”
He smirked. “Too bad. I was thinking about you.”
“Ugh.” She turned away to hide her blush.
Adrian just laughed as they drove off into the night.
And for the first time since this whole mess started…
Emerald wasn’t entirely sure if she still hated him.
- Writer
