CHAPTER SEVEN
1041 Words
The morning sun was already high in the sky when Emerald stepped onto the university grounds, still feeling drained from last night’s dinner. Matapos ang gabing puno ng revelations—at isang napakalaking plot twist—wala siyang nagawa kundi ang mag-reflect habang nakatulala sa kisame ng kwarto niya kagabi.
She was engaged. To Adrian Montenegro.
Mr. Reckless Driver. Mr. Stalker. Mr. Annoying-As-Hell.
Just remembering the smirk on his face when he walked into her house made her want to pull her hair out. How was this even real? How could the universe hate her this much?
But before she could lose herself in her thoughts, a loud voice snapped her back to reality.
"Bes!!”
Emerald barely had time to react before Pamela practically launched herself at her, hugging her tightly. “Beshie! Bakit hindi ka nagrereply sa chat ko? Anong nangyari sa family dinner?! Don’t tell me—” she gasped dramatically, “—buntis ka na?!”
Emerald groaned, pushing Pamela away. “Ikaw talaga! Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?! Of course not!”
Pamela pouted. “Eh bakit parang ang bigat ng aura mo?”
“Sino bang ‘di mabibigatan kung ang fiancé mo ay…” She paused, struggling to find the right words.
“Ay?” Pamela prompted, eyes wide with curiosity.
Emerald exhaled sharply. “Si Adrian Montenegro.”
For a moment, Pamela just blinked. And then—
"ANO?!"
Heads turned in their direction, but Pamela couldn’t care less. She grabbed Emerald’s shoulders, shaking her slightly. “Ulitin mo nga?! Si Adrian Montenegro—yung Adrian Montenegro na sinuntok mo? Yung Adrian Montenegro na kaibigan nila Marcus? Yung Adrian Montenegro na mukhang gusto kang inisin sa bawat pagkakataon?”
Emerald nodded miserably. “The one and only.”
Pamela let out a loud squeal before dramatically fanning herself. “Oh my God. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako o maaawa sa’yo.”
“Well, I feel miserable,” Emerald muttered. “Do you have any idea how hard it was to sit through dinner knowing that he is the guy I’m supposed to marry?”
Pamela smirked. “Gurl, let’s be honest. Kahit hate mo siya, ang swerte mo pa rin.”
Emerald shot her a glare. “Excuse me?”
“Adrian Montenegro, bes. The definition of tall, dark, and dangerous. Mayaman. Gwapo. Hot.”
Emerald groaned. “I don’t care if he’s rich or good-looking. He’s insufferable.”
“Insufferably hot,” Pamela teased, winking.
“PAMELA.”
Pamela burst out laughing. “Okay, okay, pero seryoso—ano bang sinabi niya? How did he react?”
Emerald huffed. “Of course, he was enjoying it. He looked so amused—parang nagpi-feeding time sa amusement park.”
Pamela raised an eyebrow. “So… he’s into you?”
Emerald froze. “What? No! I mean—ugh! Hindi ko alam! He’s just annoying! Parang gusto lang niya akong asarin palagi.”
Pamela smirked knowingly. “Right. ‘Gusto ka lang niyang asarin.’ Pero paano kung gusto ka rin niyang ligawan?”
Emerald nearly choked on air. “Ligawan? Him? No way.”
Pamela shrugged. “Ewan ko sa’yo, bes. Pero kung ako sa’yo, I’d keep my guard up. Baka hindi mo namamalayan, nahuhulog ka na.”
Emerald scoffed. “Impossible.”
Pamela just grinned. “We’ll see.”
---
The rest of the school day went by in a blur. Emerald did her best to focus on her classes, but her mind kept wandering back to last night.
She could still hear Adrian’s teasing voice, see his arrogant smirk, and remember the way his eyes seemed to linger on her for just a second too long.
And the worst part?
A tiny, tiny part of her was wondering what he was thinking now.
Was he even affected by this whole arranged marriage? Did he care at all? Or was he just enjoying the fact that he now had unlimited chances to annoy her?
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts.
Unknown Number: Don’t tell me you’re already thinking about me, sweetheart.
Emerald’s heart nearly stopped.
How the hell did he get her number?!
Her grip tightened on the phone as she furiously typed back.
Emerald: How did you get my number?!
A response came almost instantly.
Unknown Number (Adrian): I have my ways.
Emerald let out a frustrated groan.
Emerald: Lose them.
Adrian: Why would I? You’re my fiancée, after all.
She wanted to throw her phone across the room.
Pamela, who was watching her closely, leaned in. “Bes, bakit namumula ka? Is that… him?”
Emerald shoved her phone into her bag. “HINDI.”
Pamela smirked. “Ohhh, defensive.”
“Shut up.”
Pamela just laughed.
---
Later that evening, Emerald was in her room, trying to unwind after a long day. But her peace was short-lived when her phone rang again.
She checked the caller ID.
Adrian Montenegro.
For a moment, she debated ignoring it. Pero alam niyang hindi siya titigilan nito.
With a sigh, she picked up. “What do you want?”
“Good evening to you too, sweetheart,” Adrian’s smooth voice came through the line.
Emerald rolled her eyes. “Cut to the chase.”
He chuckled. “Feisty as ever. I like that.”
“Adrian—”
“I just wanted to remind you,” he interrupted, “we have another family gathering this weekend. This time, you’re coming with me.”
Emerald frowned. “Didn’t they already meet me?”
“They did,” Adrian admitted, “but they want to spend more time with you. Para mas makilala ka nila nang husto. And since ikaw ang pakakasalan ko, I think it’s only fair.”
Emerald scoffed. “Pakakasalan daw—assuming ka masyado.”
“Reality lang, sweetheart,” he said smoothly. “So, be ready by Saturday night. I’ll pick you up.”
“I—wait—no! Who said I agreed to this?!”
Adrian chuckled. “Oh, sweetheart, you don’t have a choice.”
Then he hung up.
Emerald stared at her phone in disbelief.
Did he… did he just command her to go?
Her blood boiled.
Oh, hell no.
Adrian Montenegro was in for a fight.
- Writer
