Tamed by Deceit

CHAPTER 1

Minsan, naiisip ko… ano kaya ang pakiramdam ng mabuhay para sa sarili mo? Yung wala kang iniintinding ibang expectations. Yung wala kang kailangang patunayan sa kahit sino.

Pero ako si Serena Alcantara. Anak ng socialite queen na si Adelina Alcantara at ng business tycoon na si Henry Alcantara. And unfortunately, I was never allowed to live for myself.

“Cheers to our future attorney!” sigaw ng isa sa mga tita kong naka-designer dress habang hawak ang kanyang champagne glass.

I smiled—polite, practiced, perfect. Katulad ng itinuro sa akin.

Ang ballroom ng Alcantara Tower ay punô ng mga bisita: mga negosyante, pulitiko, elite lawyers, at ang mga plastic na kaibigan ng mama ko. Lahat sila nakatingin sa akin ngayon, parang trophy na nanalo ng isang prestigious award.

Hindi dahil mahal nila ako. Pero dahil ako ang produkto ng Alcantara name.

“Serena, darling, stand straight. Chin up.”

Boses ni Mama sa likod ko, malamig, pormal.

Sumunod ako agad. I knew better than to question her, lalo na in front of these people. Isa lang ang pagkakamali ko—at mawawala agad ang ngiti niya. At ang pride niya.

“Congratulations, Serena. I knew you’d pass.”

Lumapit si Papa, pinatong ang kamay sa balikat ko. Mahina, parang nag-aalangan. Hindi kagaya ng ibang tatay na yakap agad ang anak sa sobrang tuwa.

“Thank you, Dad,” mahina kong sagot.

“Hindi lang basta pumasa, topnotcher pa,” dagdag ni Mama with her usual proud smile—pero sa likod ng ngiting ‘yon, alam kong hindi dahil masaya siya para sa’kin. Masaya siyang may bagong rason para ipagmalaki ako sa buong social circle niya.

Para akong premyong ipinapakitang muli’t muli.

Sa gilid ng ballroom, may spotlight para sa photo ops. Isang staff ang lumapit.

“Ma’am Serena, for your solo photo?”

Ngumiti ako kahit pagod na ang pisngi ko. Ilang oras na akong nakatayo sa heels, suot ang custom-made na white silk gown na pinili ni Mama para sa gabi ng “tagumpay” ko.

I stood in front of the camera, smiling like I meant it.

Pero sa loob-loob ko, wala akong nararamdaman kundi… pagod. Hindi lang physical. Pero emotional.

Pagod na akong maging perfect.

Pagod na akong sumunod.

Pagod na akong maging "The Good Daughter."

Pagkababa ko ng entablado matapos ang photo op, halos hindi ko na maramdaman ang talampakan ko. Ilang oras na akong nakangiti, nakatayo, nagsasalita sa mga taong hindi ko naman talaga kilala.

Umupo ako sa gilid ng ballroom, sinikap magtago ng pagkairita. Sa ilalim ng mesa, palihim kong tinanggal ang heels ko. God, finally.

Pero ang konting ginhawa na naramdaman ko, agad ding nawala nang lumapit si Mama.

Nakasuot siya ng emerald green gown na kasing talim ng mga mata niya. Immaculate as always, poised like royalty. Laging kontrolado ang kilos, ang tono, ang lahat.

“Serena,” she said, her voice calm but commanding. “We need to talk.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya, pagod pero nagpipigil ng inis. “Ma, ngayon ba talaga? Can’t it wait? I just want to sit for a while.”

“Hindi,” sagot niya agad, without even blinking. “This is important.”

Tumayo siya at kumindat sa isang waiter. Ilang saglit lang, may dumating na champagne flute sa harap ko. Tinulak niya ito palapit, halos hindi man lang ako tinanong kung gusto ko ba.

“I’ve secured your placement,” she began, eyes gleaming. “You’ll be joining Montenegro Law next week. The elite associate mentorship program—they only pick three candidates per year. And you’re one of them.”

My stomach dropped.

Montenegro Law.

The name alone carried power. Authority. Control. A legal empire feared and respected not just in the Philippines, but globally. Kadalasang pangarap ng mga abogado na makapasok doon… pero para sa akin, pakiramdam ko parang… bitag.

“Wait,” bulong ko. “Yung Montenegro Legal Mentorship Program?”

She nodded proudly, clearly expecting gratitude.

“Ma… that program is highly selective. I didn’t even apply yet. How—?”

“I made a call,” she interrupted smoothly. “The Montenegro family owes me favors. Especially Lucas.”

Lucas Montenegro. Ang ama ni Leonardo. Matagal nang konektado ang pamilya namin sa kanila—through business, through social events, through secrets na hindi ko pa lubos na nauunawaan.

I felt my chest tighten.

“You arranged this?” tanong ko ulit. My voice was soft, stunned.

“Of course. Hindi kita pinaghirapan para lang magtrabaho sa kung saan-saan. Montenegro Law is where you belong.”

Where I belong.

O kung saan niya ako gustong iparada.

Para na naman akong chess piece sa kamay niya.

“Serena,” dagdag niya, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a hush, “this isn’t just about career. This is about power. Position. And opportunity. Leo Montenegro himself is overseeing this year’s mentees.”

Leo.

The cold, untouchable heir.

Maraming kwento tungkol sa kanya—none of them wholesome. Brilliant in the courtroom, merciless in negotiations, and dangerously magnetic. No photos online ever did him justice, pero balita ko, once you meet him in person… you never forget.

“He doesn’t date. He doesn’t mingle. Pero kung mapalapit ka sa kanya—if you can gain his trust… imagine what doors that could open,” dagdag ni Mama, eyes calculating.

“You’re pushing me toward him?” tanong ko, barely concealing the shock. “Ma, I’m not some pawn you can use for corporate leverage.”

Tumawa siya—malamig. Walang emosyon. “Don’t be dramatic. I’m securing your future. Isa lang ang hinihingi ko: make yourself indispensable. Impress him. He likes control, but he respects brilliance.”

Control.

Of course.

“Does Papa know about this?” I asked, kahit alam ko na ang sagot.

“Your father supports whatever I believe is best for you,” she answered quickly. “He doesn’t interfere in matters like this. And you shouldn’t either.”

My throat went dry.

I wanted to argue. To scream. To walk away. Pero hindi puwede. Not here. Not tonight. The spotlight was still on me. The perfect daughter. The flawless Alcantara jewel.

So I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.

“I see,” sabi ko, kahit hindi ko talaga naiintindihan ang lahat.

O mas tama siguro… ayoko nang intindihin.

“There’s a private dinner tomorrow,” she added. “Lucas Montenegro will be there. Along with his son. Wear something elegant. Not too revealing. You’ll make a good impression.”

I bit my tongue.

Hindi na ako nagtanong. Wala rin namang saysay.

She left me with her untouched champagne, walking away as if she hadn’t just handed me my fate in a crystal glass.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal nakaupo ro’n, staring blankly at the glass of untouched champagne sa harap ko. Parang biglang lumamig ang paligid kahit punô ng tao ang ballroom. The music, the chatter, the clinking of glasses—lahat naging background noise na lang.

"Hey."

A voice I knew too well.

I turned. And there he was.

Rafael Del Rosario.

Raf.

My best friend since freshman year in law school. The only person in my life who ever made me feel seen—not just looked at. Ang tanging boses na tahimik pero may timbang. Tahimik pero totoo.

Suot niya ang dark gray suit na palaging hindi niya type pero bagay pa rin sa kanya. His hair was neatly styled, but his eyes… they were soft. Always soft when they looked at me.

“You okay?” tanong niya, umupo sa tabi ko kahit hindi ko pa siya inaalok.

I gave him a small smile. “Define ‘okay.’”

“Nakita ko ‘yung usapan n’yo ng mom mo,” he said, gently. “Let me guess. Another brilliant plan for your future?”

“More like another brilliant plan for her future,” I muttered, sighing as I leaned back. “Montenegro Law. Exclusive mentorship. Dinner with the devil himself.”

Raf chuckled, pero walang saya sa tawa niya. “Let me guess again. Si Leo?”

I nodded.

“You don’t want to do it?” tanong niya, kahit alam ko nang alam na niya ang sagot.

I shook my head slowly. “I don’t even know what I want anymore, Raf. Honestly, I’m so tired of pretending na gusto ko lahat ng to. Na proud ako. Na masaya ako.”

Tahimik siya sandali. Tumingin lang sa akin na parang may gustong sabihin pero pinipigilan.

Then finally, he sighed. Deeply.

“Serena… I’ve been holding this in for a long time,” he started, voice low, nervous. “Pero siguro… it’s time.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya, brow furrowed. “Raf?”

“Alam ko na matagal na tayong magkaibigan. And maybe that’s all I’ll ever be to you. Pero hindi ko na kayang itago. Lalo na’t… baka mawala ka na sa ‘kin.”

My heart skipped.

Time stopped.

No.

Not now.

“I’m in love with you, Serena,” he said, eyes searching mine. “I’ve been in love with you since second year. And I tried to wait. To respect your space. Pero every time na nasasaktan ka, gusto kong ako ‘yung sumalo. Ako ‘yung dahilan kung bakit ka ngingiti. Hindi siya. Hindi kahit sinong Montenegro.”

I stared at him. Sa mga mata niyang totoo. Familiar. Safe. Warm.

And yet… walang spark. Walang apoy.

“Raf…” I began, placing my hand over his. “You’re… amazing. You know you are. Ikaw lang ‘yung taong hindi ako kailangang pagsinungalingan. Pero…”

He pulled back, smile already cracking.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I just… don’t feel the same. I don’t want to ruin what we have. I need you. Just not in the way you want me to.”

He nodded, slowly. “I know. I kind of knew this was coming.”

“Raf…”

“No, it’s okay,” he said, voice breaking a little. “I just… had to try. Before someone else takes that chance.”

Before he takes that chance.

Tumingin siya sa akin, this time with a smile na bittersweet. “Whatever happens, Serena… I’ll be here. Kahit hindi ako ang pipiliin mo.”

I wanted to hug him. To say thank you. Pero alam kong may hangganan na kami. May pader na hindi ko pwedeng tawirin.

And that hurt more than I expected.

Kinabukasan, mahigit tatlumpung minuto akong nakatayo sa harap ng salamin. Hindi dahil hindi ako ready. Hindi dahil wala akong damit.

Pero dahil hindi ko alam kung sino ang tinitingnan ko.

I was wearing a deep wine-colored dress Mama picked from her private stylist. Fitted bodice, open back, long slit up the thigh. Classy. Seductive. Controlled. Parang sinadya talagang ipakita ang balat pero hindi sobra—enough to tease. Enough to tempt.

Like bait.

"Serena, we’re late. Let’s go," tawag ni Mama mula sa baba.

Hinga. Isa pa.

Smile. Isa pa.

Let’s play the role.

Pagdating namin sa Montenegro private estate, parang biglang lumiit ang mundo ko.

The place was intimidating. Walang karatula. Walang pangalan. Just a high gate with guards, a long, tree-lined driveway, and a massive, modern mansion in the heart of Alabang Hills. It felt more like a fortress than a home.

Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan, agad akong sinalubong ng malamig na hangin at mga matang sumusuri. May mga bisita sa loob—legal elites, political allies, tycoons. But I wasn’t looking at them.

Hindi sila ang dahilan kung bakit mas mabilis ang t***k ng puso ko.

I felt it—before I saw him.

The tension. The pull. The shift in the air.

Parang may pumasok sa kwarto, at lahat ng ilaw ay tumutok sa kanya kahit walang spotlight.

Then I saw him.

Leo Montenegro.

Standing by the bar, half-turned toward the room. Tall, sharp-suited in black-on-black, no tie, just a few buttons undone. The hint of his throat visible, his jaw sharp enough to cut glass.

His eyes—dark, unreadable—scanned the room like he was bored. Or worse—calculating.

He held a glass of scotch in one hand, the other tucked in his pocket. Everyone else seemed to shrink around him, kahit mas matanda pa ‘yung iba. Parang siya ang sentro ng gravity sa kwartong ‘to.

Ang daming babae sa paligid niya. Elegant. Poised. Lahat nakangiti, naghihintay ng kahit anong sulyap mula sa kanya.

Pero ni isa, hindi niya pinansin.

And then…

His eyes landed on me.

Parang nawala ang ingay. Ang ilaw. Ang buong paligid.

That stare—sharp, still, heavy. As if he could see through my dress, my bones, my soul. Walang ngiti. Walang kilay na umangat. Just... a look. But it pinned me to the floor.

I tried to look away.

I couldn’t.

Gusto kong umatras. Gusto kong lumingon para tiyaking ako nga ‘yung tinitingnan niya. Pero sigurado ako. Kasi biglang kumirot ang tiyan ko. Parang kinurot ng malamig na apoy.

Then he looked away.

Just like that.

As if I was nothing.

As if I imagined it.

"That’s Leo Montenegro," bulong ng isang babaeng nasa tabi ko, siguro isa sa mga legal wives ng kung sinong business tycoon. “Dangerous man, that one. Cold as ice. Broke my niece’s heart like it was nothing. Wala raw siyang pake kahit kanino. Except maybe his law books.”

Binalingan ko siya, at ngumiti lang ako.

But inside…

My heart was still racing.

And I didn’t know why.

Gusto ko lang mawala sa paningin niya.

Pero kahit nakatalikod na ako, I still felt his eyes—like a burn on the back of my neck. Or maybe it was just in my head. Either way, I couldn’t breathe right.

“Serena.”

Voice ni Mama sa kanan ko, her arm gently wrapping around mine as she smiled at the people passing by. “We’ll make our rounds. Be charming.”

Be charming.

Parang script na ni-recite ko na buong buhay ko.

We moved from one cluster of elites to another. Politicians. Partners. Retired justices. All congratulating me for topping the bar exam, asking about my plans, pretending to be interested. Lahat may halong agenda, lahat may halong judgment sa mga mata.

But none of them made me feel as exposed as he did.

Sa likod ng ballroom, malapit sa garden doors, tumigil kami sa isang mesa. Nandoon ang isang matandang babae, eleganteng naka-upo with a long string of pearls around her neck.

“Serena, this is Atty. Ysabel Arriola,” sabi ni Mama. “She’s a retired Supreme Court Associate Justice. She mentored Lucas and Leo Montenegro when they were still in law school.”

“Ma’am,” I said, bowing slightly, “it’s an honor to meet you.”

She looked up slowly, her sharp gray eyes meeting mine.

“Ah, so you’re the Alcantara girl,” she said, voice deep and no-nonsense. “I’ve heard your name more times than I care to count. Topnotcher. Elegant. Obedient. Just the kind of girl Adelina would mold.”

I swallowed hard. I didn’t know whether that was a compliment or a slap.

Her gaze flicked past me, toward the bar. “And I assume you’ve already met Leo.”

I blinked. “Not… personally.”

“Well,” she said, sipping her wine, “be careful.”

Napakunot ang noo ko. “Po?”

“Be careful with him,” she repeated, as if I were slow. “Leo is not the kind of man you get to keep. He’s the kind of man who tastes, tears apart, and leaves the bones.”

“Mama,” sabat ni Mama, halatang naasiwa. “Let’s not ruin the evening with old drama.”

Atty. Ysabel smirked. “Truth is never drama, Adelina.”

Tumingin siya ulit sa akin. “You seem smart, Serena. Don’t let beauty make you blind. That boy carries his mother’s rage and his father’s ruthlessness. Combine that with charm and control? That’s not a man. That’s a hurricane wearing a suit.”

I didn’t know what to say.

Her words hung in the air like smoke. Lason na matamis sa simula… pero tiyak ang tama.

Later that evening, habang nasa gilid ako ng fountain sa garden, trying to breathe, may lumapit pa.

“Alcantara?”

I turned.

Belle.

My sister.

Wearing a sleek black dress, red lips, cigarette between her fingers like she belonged in a French noir film. Hindi ko in-expect na darating siya. She wasn’t even invited.

“Belle?” tanong ko, shocked. “Anong ginagawa mo dito?”

She shrugged. “Nabalitaan kong may prized puppet na raw si Mama. Ikaw ‘yon, ‘di ba?”

“Stop.”

“No, really. Look at you. Dress ni Mama. Ngiti ni Mama. Even your damn future is chosen by her. And now she’s handing you over to Leo Montenegro like a lamb to the slaughter.”

I frowned. “You don’t even know him.”

She let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, I know men like him. Rich. Broken. Addicted to control. The ones who look at girls like you and think I want to own that. Not love. Not protect. Own.”

“Belle…” I whispered, uncertain. “Why are you telling me this?”

She stepped closer, her tone softening just slightly. “Because I was you once. And no one warned me.”

Then she turned around and walked away, the scent of smoke and perfume lingering long after she was gone.

I stared at the night sky above the Montenegro estate. The stars were barely visible.

Too much light.

Too much distraction.

Too many eyes watching.

And somewhere inside that mansion, he was still there.

Leo.

Danger in a tailored suit.

And every warning in the world didn’t stop my heart from racing.

The dining hall of the Montenegro estate looked more like a presidential banquet than a dinner. Long mahogany table. Gold-trimmed wine glasses. Fresh orchids on every corner. A ten-course meal being served by waiters in black gloves.

Everything screamed control.

At the center of the head table sat Lucas Montenegro—powerful, intimidating, the patriarch of the empire. Mama was seated beside him, her laugh polished and practiced. The rest of the guests were high society regulars, each one carefully placed like chess pieces.

Ako? Nasa dulo. Beside an empty chair.

Until he walked in.

Leo.

Late. Confidently late.

Everyone looked. Everyone noticed.

He entered in a perfectly tailored dark navy suit, no tie, two buttons undone. His presence alone swallowed the air. A quiet predator walking into his territory.

And just like that… he sat beside me.

My heart skipped. My skin prickled.

He didn’t speak. Didn’t greet. Just poured himself a glass of wine and leaned back like he owned the world.

“Mr. Montenegro,” I said softly, turning slightly toward him. “Congratulations on the firm’s latest win. The Tercero case was brilliant.”

He glanced at me.

Slow.

As if he was just now acknowledging my existence.

“Call me Leo,” he said, voice low. Velvet with an edge of iron.

I nodded, swallowing.

He didn’t say thank you. Didn’t smile. But his eyes lingered—longer than necessary—tracing the line of my neck down to the bare skin of my shoulder.

“Alcantara,” he murmured, like testing the sound of my name. “The obedient daughter.”

Napapitlag ako. “Excuse me?”

“You wear the title well,” he said, swirling his wine lazily. “Quiet. Controlled. Groomed.”

My jaw clenched. “Is that an insult or an observation?”

He smirked—barely there. “Whichever stings more.”

I looked away, heat rising to my cheeks. He was testing me. Playing a game I didn’t know how to win.

“Tell me,” he continued, voice still dangerously low. “Do you ever do anything you're not told?”

I faced him again, lips pressed tightly. “I’m here because your firm offered me a position.”

“And you accepted because your mother told you to,” he said without blinking.

I wanted to argue. Pero hindi ko kaya. Because he was right.

“Do you always make assumptions about people you just met?” I challenged, lifting my chin.

He leaned in slowly, ang mainit niyang hininga halos tumama sa pisngi ko. “No,” he whispered. “But you… I’ve heard of you long before tonight.”

My stomach dropped.

“What exactly have you heard?”

He pulled back, eyes unreadable, then took a slow sip of wine.

“That you don’t belong to yourself.”

Silence.

No words. Just the thudding of my heart in my ears.

Then he looked away—just like that.

As if the moment didn’t shake me to the core. As if he didn’t just unravel something in me I’ve tried so hard to keep tied.

All throughout dinner, he didn’t speak again.

But he watched.

Every time I laughed politely at someone’s joke, his eyes were there.

Every time I cut my steak, his gaze lingered on my hands.

And when my knee accidentally brushed against his under the table, he didn’t move away.

Neither did I.

By the time dessert was served, I could barely taste anything.

Because his voice echoed in my head like a dare:

“Do you ever do anything you're not told?”

And for the first time in my life…

I wanted to.