THREE
1296 Words
NELLIE
“Grandpa, what wedding are you even talking about?”
Lolo let out a sharp breath, clearly annoyed. “Nellie, sweetheart, you’re getting older and yet you still don’t have a husband. Your Lolo isn’t getting any younger either. I might not even get to meet my grandchild from you.”
I exhaled loudly at that. “Lolo, we’ve talked about this. I don’t plan on getting into a relationship… remember?”
“I’m starting to think you’re into girls, Nellie. Your last boyfriend was back in your first year of college. Why don’t you want to be in a relationship?”
I heard Isaac stifle a laugh beside me, so I kicked his foot without looking away from Lolo.
“’Lo, I don’t need a husband or a child. I’m fine living here with you in the hacienda,” I said firmly.
“In a few more years, you’ll be off the calendar age, apo. You need someone to spend your life with,” he insisted, making me sigh even harder.
“But Lolo, why would you marry me off to Isaac? I don’t like him, and I’m sure he doesn’t like me. If I ever get married, I want to be the one who chooses the man.”
I glanced at Isaac, but he only raised a brow at me. Of course. Why would this man ever speak when I needed him to?
“We already agreed with Isaac’s parents to marry the two of you,” Lolo continued, “since neither of you seem interested in marriage and neither of you have partners—”
“Nellie already has a boyfriend, Don Protacio!”
My eyes went wide at Isaac suddenly shouting that. I shot him a murderous glare and pointed to myself.
“Why me?” I mouthed, but he only rolled his eyes at me.
“Isaac, hijo, you can’t fool me. I know my granddaughter, and she’s never brought a single man home,” Lolo said, clearly doubtful.
Isaac widened his eyes at me, practically begging for help in his stupid lie. Damn it.
“I—I’m actually married already, ’Lo!”
Everyone gasped—Lolo and even Mamang Ichi—so I immediately covered my mouth. Damn it, Nellie! Married? Isaac only said boyfriend!
“Is that true, sweetheart?” Lolo’s face lit up with so much excitement that I had no choice but to swallow and… nod.
“H-He’s in… he’s in… he’s in Manila. Yes. He lives in Manila,” I lied, face burning in embarrassment.
At that point, I wanted to slap myself. Who on earth would believe that? I didn’t even want a boyfriend… how would I suddenly have a whole husband?
“Really? No wonder you love visiting Manila, apo. Well then, bring him here soon so I can meet him,” Lolo said, laughing heartily.
My jaw practically dropped. Did he seriously believe that?
I jolted when Isaac kicked my foot again, staring at me like fix this mess you made. With nothing left to lose, I let out a deep breath.
“F-Fine, Lolo. I’ll bring him here,” I agreed weakly.
Lunch went quiet after that. I didn’t speak at all. My mind was spiraling.
Fucking s**t. Where the hell am I supposed to get a husband?
“Come to my room. Now.” I stood up and marched out the moment Lolo left the dining area.
Isaac and Mamang Ichi followed me into my room, where Mamang Ichi immediately locked the door while Isaac plopped down on my bed like he owned it.
“Why the hell did you say I had a boyfriend, Isaac?” I snapped.
He raised a brow. “Excuse me, I only said boyfriend. You’re the one who decided to level it up to husband.”
“Are you stupid? It just slipped out!”
“The real question is, where will you get a husband, Nellie? You know how your Lolo is—he believes every word you say,” Mamang Ichi chimed in, arms crossed.
I groaned. “Honestly? I have no idea…”
Then I looked at Isaac. “What if we just get married?”
“Oh my gosh, Nellie girl. I’m not interested in you!” he exclaimed dramatically.
I grimaced. “Believe me, I know. Do you seriously think I’d marry you?”
“Then why did you even suggest it? Ew! Yuck! I like boys, Nellie. We have the same type, remember.”
I threw a pillow at him. “As if anyone would even want you! Thick-faced!”
“If I had a straight man’s heart, sure, I’d say yes. But unfortunately, Nellie, I’m with Mamang Ichi’s species. I’m not straight—I’m proudly gay!” he declared.
I rolled my eyes. “Even if you were straight, I still wouldn’t want you.”
“Ay wow! You’re hurting my feelings, Nellie girl! Didn’t you have a crush on me back in elementary? Duh! So fast to forget,” he whined dramatically. So I threw another pillow at his face.
“Instead of talking nonsense, help me find someone who can pretend to be my husband. You know Lolo—he’s going to nag me every single day.”
“Don’t you have any guy friends, Iska?” Mamang Ichi asked, making me roll my eyes at the nickname.
“Please, Mamang Ichi. All my friends are gay,” Isaac said with a flick of his wrist. I grimaced again. Lolo really wanted me to marry this man? He moves more feminine than I ever will.
Mamang Ichi sighed and shook his head before turning to me. He cleared his throat. “How about you, Nellie? Out of all the men you’ve dated before, is there no one who can pretend to be your husband? Someone we can pay. You know, someone who actually needs money?”
I scoffed. “Mamang Ichi, I don’t date cheap men—”
“f**k. I really might get disowned at this point…”
My eyes widened as I suddenly remembered the handsome stranger from last night.
“Oh my gosh! I know someone!”
Mamang Ichi frowned. “Who?”
I grinned and stood up, stepping closer to him with mischief bubbling in my chest.
“Go back to Manila and check where I stayed last night, Mamang Ichi. Look for the guy I was with,” I instructed.
Isaac gasped. “Wow! You’re with a guy last night?” he teased. I rolled my eyes but ignored him.
“Hurry, please?” I added.
“Ay, Nellie… it’s a four-hour drive to Manila…” he complained.
“Please? Please?” I begged, batting my eyelashes.
In the end, he had no choice but to go. Isaac stayed at the mansion with me as we anxiously waited for an update.
Five hours later, my phone rang. Finally. This better be good, because I was out of ideas and definitely out of husbands to manufacture out of thin air.
“Do you have news, Mamang Ichi?” I asked right away.
“Dwayne Fontanilla. Thirty years old. Lives in the Fontanilla mansion. Business Management graduate from Ateneo de Manila University. No attachments,” he reported in one breath.
A slow, triumphant smile spread across my lips.
Gotcha.
“Find out exactly where he lives, Mamang Ichi. Wait for us there,” I said before ending the call.
Isaac stood there, brows raised, waiting for my next move.
“Get your car ready, Isaac. We’re going to Manila to pick up my soon-to-be husband. Right now,” I ordered.
He didn’t even argue—he ran.
I couldn’t help but smirk.
So the mystery man was Dwayne Fontanilla, huh?
Nice.
- Writer
