My Secret Husband

Mistaken Identity

Note: Lola means Grandma ♡⁠

(VHIENCENT'S POV)

I thought I’d finally have some peace, but this ugly creature just had to ruin everything! Thirty minutes had passed, and I was shaking. Standing here was exhausting, and that girl’s presence was even more irritating.

“Hey, ugly—” I couldn’t finish my sentence when I saw her, eyes closed like a fool, smiling. I stifled a laugh when I noticed a piece of moringa leaves stuck in her braces.

She’s so ugly! With her uneven teeth, braces, noodle-like hair, and outdated eyeglasses, she’s a total mess.

“What are you laughing at?” she accused, making my expression go blank as I cleared my throat.

I ignored her and focused on my aching leg and body. “Look what you’ve done, ugly. I’m suffering. I’ll make it even soon,” I said with a smirk, already planning my revenge.

Don’t you dare cross me again.

---

(PAIGE'S POV)

I frowned when I saw Gaie being punished outside our classroom. I was even more shocked to see Vhiencent there with her.

What’s going on here?

“Gaie? What happened?” She pouted in Vhiencent’s direction, making me look at him as well. “He started it. I just got dragged into it,” she replied innocently.

I walked over to Vhiencent, worried, and offered to help. “Hile, I’ll explain everything to Mr. Tadeo.”

“Mind your own sh*t,” he said coldly, not even sparing me a glance.

He’s been like this to me since elementary school. No matter how hard I try to impress him, I’m still invisible to him.

(GAIE’S POV)

I saw Paige talking to Vhiencent. She glanced at me, but the look she gave was less than friendly—especially after my argument with Vhiencent. "What’s going on?"

Why do I feel like Paige is annoyed with me? Did I do something wrong?

Paige went inside, but I kept watching her, trying to analyze the situation. Still, I had no clue what was happening.

I ended up sitting next to a nerdy guy who seemed to have the same vibe as me. Sitting here was much better than being near that obnoxious Vhiencent. My whole body was aching, and I could still feel the weight of the book on my head. It’s only the first day of school, and I’m already stressed out.

---

[ONE MONTH LATER]

I arrived five minutes late at the restaurant Mr. Cleo’s secretary had mentioned. Today’s the day I’m supposed to meet my so-called fiancé.

Ma’am Helena greeted me with a bitter look, making me even more nervous.

“Oh, I see. I like you already for my grandson,” the elderly woman said sweetly.

Gosh! She’s the same woman I gave 100 pesos to!

“Come sit beside me,” the old woman said excitedly. “Helena, where are Hile and Cleo?”

“Ma, my son is on his way, and Cleo’s on an urgent business trip. Don’t worry; he’ll agree to everything we’ve planned. You know how he is—he always follows your orders.”

Spell out of place…

“My dear, let’s wait for my grandson for a while.” She gave me a wide smile, so I smiled back awkwardly.

Should I tell her the truth now?

“I’m getting old, and I need to see my grandson Hile get married. Knowing his personality, he’ll likely disagree with this marriage. I may seem selfish, but I want to see him marry someone as kind as you.”

I smiled shyly but quickly adjusted my posture when Ma’am Helena glared at me. She flashed me a fake smile afterward.

“My heart and body are weak. I don’t know how much longer I have, but the idea of someone like you marrying my grandson makes me very happy.”

Oh no, how am I supposed to tell her the truth, knowing she’s sick?

“I hope I can spend more time with you. There’s something about you that makes me happy and comfortable.”

Ma’am Helena kept rolling her eyes from the side, which made me decide not to look her way anymore.

“Helena, what do you think of this woman? Isn’t she perfect for Hile?” the old woman asked, still smiling.

“Uhm, yes? Though her looks are a bit disappointing.”

“What’s wrong with her looks? As far as I can see, she has a complete face and all her fingers. People’s standards these days are unbelievable.” Grandma shook her head, while Ma’am Helena gave another fake smile.

We were interrupted when someone suddenly cut into our conversation.

“What is that ugly doing here?” he said angrily, his cold eyes fixed on me.

Vhiencent?

Shit, why is he here?

I banged my head lightly against the comfort room wall. “This will be a disaster if they find out I’m not really Vhiencent’s fiancée.”

I took a deep breath and decided to come out. As I reached the exit, there he was—standing with a blank expression, arms crossed.

“I thought you had suffocated in there,” he said, prompting me to glare at him.

I had no intention of arguing, so I walked past him.

“Where do you think you’re going? I heard you personally begged my father to choose you for this marriage. You may look innocent on the outside, but you’re truly pathetic.”

His words made my ears burn, but I still ignored him.

“What’s your real motive? Why did you beg for this marriage?”

“And why are you still breathing?” I snapped, ready to leave.

“You’re absolutely insane!” he growled, grabbing both my arms and shaking me in frustration.

“That hurts! Let go of me!” I protested, trying to pull away.

“I won’t let you go unless you tell me your bullsh*t reason!” His eyes were blazing, and his face was red with anger.

“Fine! Let me go first!” I shouted. He immediately released me and closed his eyes, clearly trying to calm himself.

“Never!” I yelled, quickly running away from him. I could hear him calling my name, but I didn’t dare look back. When his voice disappeared, I stopped running and turned around to see if he was still following me.

“I caught you, ugly,” he said with a blank expression.

A wave of fear rushed through me. He was terrifying when his face showed no emotion. He bit his lower lip and stared at me as if he were going to murd*r someone—most likely me.

I winced when he pressed his nails deeper into my arm. It hurt so much, but I couldn’t scream because there were people around. I forced a smile and pretended to be brave so he wouldn’t trample all over me so easily.

“What are you doing? So, you’re here,” Grandma Marina said, her attention focused on Vhiencent’s tight grip on my arm.

“We’re just talking, Grandma,” Vhiencent replied, slowly letting go of my arm.

“About what?” Grandma asked, a curious smile on her face.

“Getting to know each other!” I quickly interrupted, giving her an awkward smile. Vhiencent nudged me with his elbow, so I secretly poked his back in retaliation. He widened his eyes in surprise before messing up my hair from behind. Then, with a sly grin, he lightly smacked the back of my head.

“How sweet!” Lola Marina exclaimed happily, making both of us flash fake smiles.

“Vhiencent’s just so cute, Lola,” I lied, pinching his cheek hard enough to leave a red mark.

He glared at me furiously, but I quickly ran over to Lola and invited her to return to our seats. I stuck my tongue out at him before leaving, satisfied with how annoyed I’d made him.

(VHIENCENT'S POV)

I was walking toward the architecture classroom, still in a foul mood because of what I discovered last Saturday. I was about to enter the room when someone came running in and bumped into my shoulder.

“Look where you’re going!” I snapped.

I froze when I saw Gaiety’s hideous face staring back at me. Neither of us could enter the classroom because we were both blocking the doorway, and neither of us was willing to give way.

Well, not me.

“Move out of the way!” she ordered, shoving me aside to get in.

Everyone was staring, but I didn’t care. I had my pride too.

“Stop being so immature,” I said firmly, making her scowl.

“And what? You think you’re mature?” she shot back and attempted to push me again.

“Get out of my freakin’ way!”

“I said move!”

“Mr. Tañedo and Ms. Castañares!” Mr. Tadeo’s booming voice cut through our argument. “It’s early in the morning, and you’re already causing a scene! Both of you, clean the entire swimming area!” His eyes were blazing with anger.

---

(GAIE’S POV)

[ SWIMMING AREA ]

“Why are you staring at me like that?” he asked irritably, lounging lazily in a corner with one leg crossed over the other.

“Help me! This is your fault!” I accused him, but he didn’t even glance at me.

“Dream on,” he replied coldly, eyes closed as he leaned against the wall to nap.

Out of sheer annoyance, I grabbed a bucket of water and dumped it on him. I stepped back when he opened his eyes, now glaring at me.

“Now, you’ve hit the limit,” he said in a threatening tone, his voice full of authority.

“What are you going to do? Stop right there!” I yelled, trying to back away, but it seemed like he was possessed by some devil. My heart raced as he closed the distance between us.

I didn’t realize I had taken one step too far until I felt myself falling into the pool.

The cold water enveloped me, shocking my entire body. “Vhiencent!” I cried out, calling his name over and over, but he just stood there like a statue.

I drank mouthfuls of water as I thrashed around, panic taking over. I feared I might actually drown.

I’ve really gone too far... but did I deserve this?