My Secret Husband

The Agreement; Marriage Certificate. That's what keeps us connected. That's when he became ... my secret husband. "Ready to get stuck in a preposterous agreement?" »»»» ✿⁠ (GAIE’S POV) I felt like a fool jumping for joy when I saw that I passed the entrance exam. My gratitude was sky-high because getting into Zhenvalle University is no easy feat—unless you come from an influential family. I’m so lucky because, even though I guessed some answers on the entrance exam, I still managed to get in by some miracle. My attention was drawn to a woman wearing a red dress—the same dress I happened to be wearing. She looked stunning compared to me. Out of all the days someone could wear the same outfit as me, why did it have to be today? "Just my luck. People are going to compare me to her again," I muttered under my breath with a sigh. I walked away from the park where I had been staying earlier. "Why did I even leave? Is it my fault we’re wearing the same dress?" I asked myself, shaking my head. As I continued walking gloomily, I noticed two men glancing at me repeatedly. It seemed like they were debating or hesitating about whether to approach me. "Are you sure she’s the one boss sent us to pick up?" asked one of the men, wearing sunglasses and scratching his head in confusion. "They said, red dress, curly hair, and carrying a brown envelope. That’s definitely her," I overheard their conversation as I got closer to them. Eventually, they approached me with smiles as if they were about to sell me something. How professional—they were even wearing suits! I felt like I suddenly had dashing bodyguards. "Ma'am, boss sent us to pick you up. Please come with us." "Huh? Which boss?" I asked, puzzled, as I adjusted my round glasses. "You’ll find out when we get there. Your fiancé is also waiting," one of them said gently while guiding me toward their vehicle. Fiancé? Who? ... "Where are you taking me?" I shouted as they finally forced me into a black van. "We’ve already answered that several times. Are you sure about this, Kline?" one of them asked, trying to hold back irritation. "Ah, right—sorry. But where exactly are we going?" They exchanged looks, as if exhausted from explaining to me. "You’ll find out soon enough. Please just stay quiet," one of them said. "Wow, demanding," I muttered under my breath with a roll of my eyes. [MANSION DE TAÑEDO] "Why are we here?" I asked. "You answer her this time, Usher," Kline said irritably but quickly plastered a fake smile at me. "I wonder why Mr. Tañedo chose her," Kline murmured, but I didn’t catch the rest because I was too busy admiring the mansion. We entered a room that was probably three times bigger than the house we were renting. Wow, it’s so beautiful! "Mr. Usher, take a picture of me, please," I requested, smiling sweetly at the now expressionless Usher. "I'm sorry, miss, but taking pictures inside this mansion is prohibited. Madame Helena would be upset," Usher replied with the same blank face. "What kind of rule is that? So stingy," I mumbled, pouting. A beautiful and elegant woman entered the room, making me feel incredibly nervous. "Please, sit down," she said gracefully, which I immediately obeyed. "We’re here to formally sign the agreement between both parties," she continued, leaving me clueless about what she was talking about. "Excuse me? Agreement?" "The agreement about marrying my son. I thought my husband already informed you about this?" "Marrying your son? Who?" I tilted my head, completely baffled about what she was referring to. Ah! A wedding. So this is just about a wedding. "Sign this first before I continue talking about my son." Because I was dazed and eager to hear what she had to say, I signed it without a second thought or even reading it. She handed it to the lawyer standing by her side, and immediately, she dismissed everyone from the room except the two of us. "Don’t you dare back out now that you’ve decided. I hate people with that kind of attitude," she warned, eyeing me from head to toe with a puzzled expression. "I’ve heard from my husband that you’re an heiress of a well-known family. To be honest, the way you look now upsets me." "E-Excuse me?" I stammered, trembling. Heiress? Aren’t they mistaking me for someone else? Wait. Don’t tell me it’s the woman in the same dress earlier that those two men were supposed to pick up! I’m doomed! How am I going to explain this to her? This woman is terrifying! I was desperately searching for a way out when the situation hit me. I had already signed the agreement. "Wait, am I… Am I the one marrying your son?" I asked nervously. But I’m not the heiress she’s talking about. I’m practically broke right now! "Well, you’ll marry my son in private. So your—" She looked at me again from head to toe before continuing. "Your relationship with my son will also remain a hidden secret. Your looks won’t interfere." The disdain on her face was clear as she spoke. "Why would you have your son marry someone he doesn’t love? Besides, I’m just a college student and—" "So what? This is our matter. You approached my husband yourself, and don’t you dare even think of running away. Accept the consequences." "I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant," I quickly clarified. "You’ll marry my son for business purposes and for his grandmother. No more questions." She’s incredibly beautiful, but her personality is terrible. She didn’t even try to listen to me. Fine, I’m not showing up again. "Don’t even think about escaping. You might not be able to breathe," she added meaningfully with a sinister smile. My jaw dropped. "What kind of chaos and trouble have I gotten myself into?" I murmured in despair as I watched the witch-like Helena leave the room. (VHIENCENT'S POV) I stared blankly out the window of this room. Soon, I’ll be tied down, and I freakin’ hate the idea. I need to think of a way to avoid this bullsh*t marriage. "Son, please follow your dad’s order. Stop complaining already. Everything we’re doing is for you," my mom said. "I don’t need a bride! Can’t you understand?" I hissed. No matter how much I explain, they won’t listen to me. Welcome to my family—where my opinions don’t matter, expectations are sky-high, and I’m treated like a dog. "I’ve met your fiancée earlier. She’s a bit weird and not that… outstanding. Cleo, why would you pick someone like her? She’s not even perfect for our son," my mom mumbled. "There you go again with your standards. Stop saying nonsense, Helena. My secretary told me that Hile’s bride is actually beautiful," my dad interjected. Here we go again with that crap. "Gotta go. I’m full," I excused myself while they continued arguing about my supposed bride. I hope to divorce her. I’ll marry that woman for Grandma, but I’ll do everything to get rid of that garbage. Who cares what she looks like? She’s just a pawn to us. Thankfully, the semester is starting. I’ll finally get out of this hell. At least, I can temporarily forget that I’m being tied down. **✿** While I was preparing my stuff to move into the dorm at Zhenvalle University, the door suddenly opened, revealing Mom. "Hile, I know you’re still angry, but please don’t think of disobeying us this time. I’ll help you get rid of that dirt. Just don’t—" "Stop reminding me of the wedding, Mom. It just makes me lose my appetite," I interrupted her. "You’ll meet her next month—" "Mom, could you just leave me alone? I’ve accepted the fact that I’m no longer free to decide. Now, let me have my peace of mind." Zhenvalle University is the only place where I can find peace. I hope no one interrupts me this time. (GAIE'S POV) I was happily walking, carrying the bags my mother had prepared herself. I was so excited to finally enter my dream school. Zhenvalle University, here I come! "This is so exciting," I said, brimming with joy as I hopped along the path I was taking. Suddenly, I heard the strap of my bag break. I watched it drop to the street, and I froze. There were only twenty seconds left before the traffic light turned green—a signal that I could be run over. Shoot! "Why did Mom pack so much stuff?" I grumbled, feeling like I was about to climb a mountain. How am I supposed to carry all this now? "Maybe I should just leave it?" I tilted my head, but quickly shook it in disagreement. "I can't. My underwear's in there. I can't go to school without any." I knocked on my head three times to bring myself back to my senses. Suddenly, I was startled by what I saw. I followed the movement of my floating bag—or so I thought. Someone had picked it up. "Handsome," I mumbled absentmindedly, my mind wandering into unrealistic thoughts. He looked like a fictional character who had just stepped out of a novel. "Are you planning to marry me here as well?" he said grumpily. My daydream shattered upon hearing his sharp words. He raised an eyebrow at me before throwing my bag into a muddy spot on the roadside. I was stunned by his irritating action. "You're ruining my day," he complained, deliberately bumping into me before getting into a luxurious car. "Jerk!" I shouted, startled when he honked his car horn. I instinctively ran away. "Whoever you are, you heartless person, may you never have peace!" The joy I felt earlier had completely vanished. "Are you okay, miss?" An elderly woman approached me while I was busy picking up my muddy bag. She looked at it with concern. "I'm fine, ma'am. Do you need help?" I asked, remembering I was in a hurry. I quickly gave her some money before rushing off. "Here’s a hundred pesos for you. Sorry, it’s all I have. It looks like you haven’t eaten yet. Please take care!" Struggling, I hurriedly left because the school day was about to start. Maybe I should’ve just given fifty pesos instead. Now I don’t have money for... "Stop it, Gaie. Your devilish thoughts are acting up again. You've already given it, so there’s no taking it back." In my rush and the unfortunate timing, the bag I was clutching fell again. I bent down to pick it up but froze when I heard the sound of my jeans ripping. "What the heck? After five years, now you decide to rip?" I quickly grabbed my soaked bag. I was in a public area, and many people were now staring at me. I really can't take it anymore! "Uhm," I heard someone clear his throat from behind me. I slowly turned to face him, and before me stood the angelic face of a guy. I looked at his school ID and realized he was my schoolmate. Layl Kajin Monceller. "Miss, y-your jeans..." he cleared his throat again and immediately took off his jacket right in front of me. I quickly covered my eyes. "Use my jacket," he said, and I peeked through my fingers. D-Did he see the tear in my jeans...? Although I was embarrassed, I hesitantly accepted it, feeling my cheeks heat up. He nodded, then turned his back and walked away, carrying his two bags. "Wait, how do I return this?" I whispered to myself as he moved further away.