I MARRIED A PSYCHO (TAG-LISH)

CHAPTER 3

Warning: This story may not be suitable for a very young age due to some unscripted words...

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DUKE

"Teri," I said, calling for my artificial intelligent secretary.

I sat on my swivel chair. "Good morning, Duke! Today is July 05, Wednesday, 8:30 AM. The weather for today in NCR is sunny with partly cloudy skies—" Teri, the AI answered monotonously.

"Teri, what are my scheduled appointments for today?" I asked.

"Duke, your appointments for today will start at 9:30 AM, a short meeting with the Legal Department's Division; At 1:00 PM, you with be attending the inauguration of the Estrella Heights at Alabang; And lastly, at 7:00 PM, you will be having a dinner meeting with the Del Prado's."

"Good morning, son!" My dad greeted me upon entering my office. Kasunod niya sa likod si Jane, my executive assistant.

"Good morning, Sir Duke!" Jane greeted me, and then put a coffee on my table.

"Son, are you ready for the dinner with the Del Prado's later? I'm expecting you to come earlier at the La Casa Imperial, nakakahiya naman kung paghihintayin natin ang mga Del Prado." He said, my dad values the Del Prado family so much; kahit magkakumpitensya ang pamilya namin sa negosyo ay mataas pa rin ang respeto niya sa pamilya ng mga Del Prado, our family has a very great bond and relationship with them.

"Of course, dad. Kailan ba kita binigo?"

My dad proudly smiled at me. "That is why I'm so proud of you, ikaw ang nagbibigay karangalan sa pamilya natin." Bumuntong hininga si dad at saka ako inakbayan.

"Sana, katulad ka din ng kapatid mong si Jaden. That kid never brings honor to our family. He always disappoints us."

"Come on, dad, Jaden is just not into managing our business, just let him do what he wants."

Jaden, my younger brother loves music and sports which my dad totally disagrees.

"He's great at music and sports, dad. You just don't see it because you can't accept what he ready wanted to pursue. I'm sure, someday, you'll be proud of him too, just give him chance, he's still young."

My dad just let out a heavy sigh.

"Masiyado mo kasing pinagbibigayan ang kapatid mo, kaya nakakampante siya at mas lalong pinapabayaan ang responsibilidad niya sa kumpanya natin pag dating ng panahon, kayo ang magmamana nitong lahat. What would you expect from your brother kung ikaw lang lagi ang namamahala?"

"I can handle this, dad. Don't worry."

My dad smiled once more. "I'm so proud of you, son."

Ever since I was young, my parents and the entire Galdonez and Imperial family have very high expectations of me. I always wanted to prove something to them, even sometimes they asked me things which is against my will, I would always end up saying yes or do the things they ask me, just to make them proud. Never did I disobeyed nor say no to them.

At a very young age, I have already proven everyone with my great achievements. When I was in elementary, I have that great ego that I must know everything; not only academically intellectual, but also, I must learn arts, music, sports, different languages, and a lot more. I have this craving for knowledge and learning because I believe that intelligence brings you to great success. When I reached high school, I had already started learning how to manage our business— Teri, my Artificial Intelligence, was my first successful project and within just a month that project became the talk of the town, that was my first achievement that I had established in our family business. I was only fourteen at that time.

I am twenty-four now and my dad will soon retire as the president because he told me that he is very confident to pass the responsibility to me as the next chairman of our company. Yes, twenty-four is still young, but believe I am better than what people expect from me. I am better than all the veteran officials in our company and I deserve it.

I have this cold and distant personality, I don't know how to have fun because fun is just a waste of time, and I am very meticulous in spending every single second of my time, I would only use them in many important matters and that is to make people look up at me and respect me—Respect, Honor, and Reputation are the only things that only matter to me, that is why I will do everything to maintain that. I will never let anyone mess the perfect world that I had built.

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After the short meeting with the Legal Department's team, I went straight to Alabang for the grand opening of my newly opened developed residential business—Estrella Heights, a residential property that focuses only on the elite market.

"We are here, Sir," Jane said who was sitting at the passenger's seat, beside the driver.

My people were already, waiting for my arrival. One of the security personnel politely opens the door for me, and then they all bowed down and greeted me the moment they saw me comes out from my car.

"Sir, Mr. Ylvania and Mr. Iquiredo are already waiting for you," Jane, my always busy EA said while scanning her iPad, walking beside me with her heels knocking against na ground.

Ylvania and Izquierdo, the two noble gentle young men greeted me wearing their designer's suits which make them look even nobler.

"Good morning, gentlemen," I said. In collaboration with these two successful men, we came up with this bright idea—the Estrella Heights.

These two men were known for being great rivals since they were young, Travis, was always at the top in their class while Lucas was the second best, but I'm the best among anyone else; If only Travis was at the same age as mine, he would have been only the second-best. I'm two years ahead than they are.

Look at them, I was able to unite the two great rivals in the business for my own benefits. I'm wiser than they are.

"Good morning!" Travis cheerfully greeted me. One of my eyebrows raised, it was the first time I saw him act like that; he was known for being ruthless that is why seeing him act like that was new to me.

"What is happening to you? are in love?" Lucas said, teasing him.

Travis' face crumpled in annoyance. "Shut the f**k up, you s**t!" Lucas smirked, feeling victorious in teasing Travis.

"I heard, you slept with a stripper last night. Is that true?" Travis said, teasing him back. Lucas' face suddenly turned pale.

"Stop it, you two," I said. These two noblemen may be seen dignified, but when they are together they are losing their decencies. They can't help their selves from competing with each other; they have this great indignation towards each other. I felt proud that I made them become one with this great business idea that we are engaging, but at times like this, sometimes it made me regret. I sighed.

"Sir, everyone's waiting for the ribbon-cutting ceremony," Jane interrupted us with finessed etiquette.

We heard claps from the guesses waiting for us outside. The huge ribbon was hanging at the center. The tree of us stood up in front of the ribbon, and then Jane and the other coordinators gave each scissor to the three of us.

We are about to cut the ribbon when a sudden loud crash interrupted our ceremony which causes an alarming commotion.

"What the?" the three of us, all together cursed out in disbelief.

We saw two smashed sports cars at the empty guard's post— a Bugatti Chiron and a Chevrolet Camaro. Fortunately, no one was hurt from our guesses. There are two teenage boys who came out from the Chevrolet Camaro and a very familiar girl came out from the Bugatti Chiron. Then two boys creamed for help, almost crying. "Help us!" abi ng isa sa mga lalake.

"Tarantado kayo!" Napansin kong sinugod ng babae na lumabas sa Bugatti sports car ang mga lalake na puno ng galos ang katawan.

"Come on, stop it! we're injured," the boys begged for their life, but the sadistic teenage girl was unstoppable, she endlessly punched the poor boys.

I look at the stubborn girl; she was wearing a black The Beatles T-shirt, a 3/4 pant's, and pair of sneakers. She looks injured too but that doesn't stop her from beating the boys. A blood was slowly dripping down her left temple.

Dumating ang mga security at pinigilan sila kasunod nito ay narinig namin ang ingay na nagmula sa sirena ng mga sasakyan pampulis.

My eyes widen when I recognized the familiar girl. "Vlance, tama na!" pagmamakaawa ng mga kawawang lalake.

It was Vlance, the psycho monster.

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VLANCE

I was sent to the detention office because of what I did earlier to Martin. I got scolded by the dean and the guidance couselors, they even punished me bu staying there for almost three hours, I actually enjoyed it because I got the opprotunity to continue my sleep, peacefully for straight three hours. Matapos no'n ay pinauwi nila ako dahil bawal daw magdala ng kahit na anong uri ng hayop, they are cruel to my Ace. Sabi pa nila makakarating daw sa dad ko ang nagawa ko nanamang gulo, as if I cared.

"Let's go to the studio, Ace." I said, talking to my frog pet. Siguradong naghihintay na sa akin ang manager ko. I am a rockstar artist, and behind all the troubles and issues that I made, my fans still loves and supports me. I have this huge fandom not only in the country but also internationally.

Pagdating ko si parking lot, nadatnan ko ang sasakyan ko na puno ng pintura at kung ano-ano ang nakasulat—Psycho, Monster, Evil, Jackass, and so on. Nakita ko din na nawasak ang side mirron ng sasakyan ko.

"Childish morons!" I said without giving a f**k, it's just a freaking car and I still got two more cars.

Narinig ko ang halakhak ng dalawang lalake sa likod ko palapit sa akin, I turned my gaze at them; one of the was holding a baseball bat; with that for sure they were behind the vandalism on car.

"The Ledesma cousins. How was Jacod? Is he still in coma?" I heard Jacob was comatose after I beat him at the famous pub at BGC.

"Tarantado ka!" Bwelta nila.

I chuckled. "Ako, tarantado? Coming from people like you? What I did, serves him well." I said, mocking.

Jacob and his fellow losser friends was harrassing a poor helpless girls, porque janitress lang ang walang kalaban-laban na babae, babastusin na nila. Hindi ako pumapayag na nakakakita ako nang mga ganoong bagay. Porque alam nilang kayang-kaya nila ito. Most young people from the elite class are just some sort of immatured, spoiled losser brats, that is why I took the initiative to stand for the common people, those who are not blessed enough to live a life bounty life like we have, kahit sa ganoong paraan man lang ay maipagtangol ko sila.

Jack, the one who was holding the baseball bat stroke the wind shield my car using his bat. "Are you guys happy now?" I said. Ni hindi ako nanlumo sa ginawa nila sa sasakyan ko.

"Grrr! Bwisit ka!" Jack exclaimed in annoyance.

Justin pushed me, and was about to punch me. "I am warning you," I said without blinking, waiting for his fist to land on my face. He read in between the lines of my warnings, alam niya ang maaaring kahahantungan nito kapag tinuloy niya. The Ledesma family has a good reputation because they are from a family of politicians. They have to take good care of that Image. I'm sure they'll get in trouble if they choose to mess up with me.

Pinigilan niya ang sarili na 'wag ituloy ang pagsuntok sa akin. "Pasalamat ka babae ka." I laugh from his coward reason, they are just using my gender as an excuse.

They left me and entered their car. Naunan lumabas ang sasakyan nila sa gate, I was following them.

Marahan akong napapreno nang mapansin kong mabanga nila ang tulak-tulak na kariton ng matandang lalake na naglalakad sa gilid ng kalsada. Nagkalat ang mga paninda niyang niyog at buko juice. "Stupid old man!" They yelled at him, and then rudely spit on his direction.

My I clenched my hands on the steering wheel when I saw how badly they treated the old man. "Those brainless morons!"

Pinaharurot nila ang sasakyan nila at ni hindi man lang nila binayaran ang mga nabanga nilang paninda. Lumabas ako sa sasakyan ko at nilapintan ko ang matandang lalake, he looks so depressed. I help him fix what he was selling, "Manong, magkano po ang lahat ng paninda niyo? Bibilhin ko na lahat 'yan."

"Sigurado ka ba ma'am? Wala ka na pong mapapakinabangan sa mga paninda ko."

"'wag kayong mag-alala, mapakinabangan ko po 'yan."

"Diyos ko po, maraming salamat." Laking tuwa niya nang sabihin ko 'yon.

Dinukot ko ang wallet sa bulsa ko at kinuha ang lahat ng laman. I only bring enough cash with me all the time because, I spend using cards most of the time, but I need cash for me to buy something at stores like food carts at the streets because I love eating street foods, but they don't accept cards, so I started to bring cash with me.

Inabot ko ang lahat ng pera sa loob ng wallet ko. "Nako ho, ma'am! Sobrang laki nito, tatlong libo lang po ang lahat ng ito pero sampung-libo po ang binigay niyo, sobra-sobra na po ito!"

"Kunin niyo na ho 'yan, para mapaatis niyo ang nasirang kariton niyo." Tumalikod na ako at bumalik sa sasakyan.

"Nako, maraming salamat po ma'am, 'yong mga pinamili niyo hindi niyo pa nakukuha—"

"Sa inyo na rin po 'yan." sabi ko at saka pinaharurot ko ang sasakyan. Sigurado akong hindi pa nakakalayo ang mga tarantadong walang utak na mga 'yon. I will teach them a lesson.

Nang mahabol ko sila ay malakas kong binangga ang likod ng sasakyan nila, doon na kami nag simulang magkarera sa kalsada hangang sa namalayan ko na lang bumanga na ang sasakyan namin sa hindi ko alam kung saan.

I checked on Ace, ang alaga ko at napanatag naman ako nang makitang ayos lang siya. Mabilis akong lumabas sa sasakyan ko kahit ramdam kong medyo may bali ang buto ko sa binti at may kaunting sugat sa sentido ko.

Sinugod ko ang dalawang ugok at doon ko silang pinagsusuntok.

"Tarantado kayo!" Pinaulanan ko sila nang suntok at hindi ko sila tinigilan kahit na nagmamakaawa na sila. They didn't get much injury from the car crash as much as I have, but they did got a severe injuries from my punches. Patuloy sila sa pagmamakaawa pero hindi parin ako nagpaawat hanggang sa dumating na ang mga security at doon pinagtulungan ako ng dalawang mama na pwersahang hinila ako palaya sa dalawang kawawang lalake. "Hindi ko kayo titigilan hangga't hindi kayo humihingi ng tawad sa mamang binangga niyo kanina!" Nagwala ako habang hawak ako ng dalawang security. Dumating ang mga police at dinakip nanaman nila ako, samantalang ang dalawang lalake at kinuha ng rumispondeng ambulansiya at idinala sila sa malapit na ospital.

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DUKE

The inauguration was supposed to be a success if it wasn't only because of that psycho monster. Sino ang taong nasa katinuan ang magpapakamatay para lang mang gulo? Ni hindi man lang siya natakot na baka ikamatay niya ang ginawa niya? to think that the two boys almost cried for their life the moment they crashed? Ang mga taong wala sa tamang katinuan lang ang hindi takot magpakamatay.

We still continued the inauguration after the police left, but it got delayed because of that Satan's child. The inauguration which was supposed to end at exactly 3:00 PM got delayed, nasayang ang oras ko, kung hindi sana nangyari ang gulo, dapat ay nagamit ko pa ang natitirang oras sa ibang mahahalagang bagay.

After the inauguration, my team returned to the office and I fixed myself and change my suit for the meeting with that Del Prado's, the unlucky family of that psycho monster.

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Nang makarating ako sa La Casa Imperial ay agad akong nagtungo sa VIP room kung saan ang dinner meeting. Pagdating ko sa silid at nakita si dad ang sumalubong sa akin.

"You came earlier than expected, son. How was the inauguration?"

"It got delayed because of—"

"Good evening, gentlemen." I was interrupted by the arrival of Don Victor Del Prado, the father of that evil who causes trouble at my supposed to be a successful event.

"Good evening, kompadre!" Binati ni dad ang kaibigan.

"Where is Vladimir?" Dad asked.

"Oh, I would like to apologize. Vladimir will come late for tonight, sinundo niya lang ang kapatid niya, alam niyo naman kung gaano niya kamahal ang kanyang kapatid." I laugh at the back of my mind. Sinundo? Baka naman piniyansahan sa presinto. I rolled my eyes without showing them my annoyance.

Don Victor looks at me, and then he gave me a smile before he taps my shoulder. "I can't wait for you to be my son in law. I'm sure bagay na bagay kayo nang nag-iisa kong dalaga na si Vlance." I felt my body stiffen when I heard him say—son in law, it felt like his voice keeps saying the word—son-in-law, and it echoes in my ears, repetitively.

"I know you won't say no, right?" Dad said. I was speechless for more than a minute.

I composed myself before reacting too much. "It is a pleasure, sir," I answered calmly and politely. Halos maduwal ako sa sinabi ko; there is no way I'm going to marry that psycho!

"But, is it that too much? I mean, masiyado pang bata ang anak niyo, sir, and does she know about this?" I said trying not to offend him.

"Son, Vlance is eighteen, she is old enough to settle down, besides mas magiging maunlad ang negosyo natin kapag nag pakasal kayo, the Del Prado and the Imperial will be united as one big family.

This is one of the problems in elite society, most of our marriage is fixed. In order for what? to maintain our wealth. Isn't my competencies still wasn't enough to prove my capabilities to them?

"You're worrying too much for your fiance, huh? Kaya hindi ako nagkamali sa pagpili ko sayo." Don Victor said. Maski ang sarili niyang pamilya ay pinamimigay na siya dahil sa sama ng budhi niya.

I want to chuckle sarcastically in front of them, but that would be rude. My stress level from what happened earlier increased, this is no longer stress, this is turning into a depression.

I composed myself once more, without showing them a single hint of my annoyance, I'm good at hiding my feelings.

"Okay, but would you at least give us some time to talk, first? I would like to speak to your daughter, Miss Vlance, Sir." I know for sure, that psychopath doesn't know anything about this, we need to do something.

Saglit bago nakasagot si Don Victor. "Okay, if that's what you want."