Married To A Mafia Boss (Book 1)

CHAPTER ONE

"So, ito po pala 'yong dahilan kung bakit ninyo ako ipinatawag?" Emerald said, irritation lacing her voice. She had thought—hoped—that they had already forgotten about this marriage. Clearly, she was wrong.

"Em, we already told you about this marriage two years ago," Mr. Suarez said in a serious tone.

"But I don’t want to get married!" she protested again. "This is my life! Ako ang dapat magdesisyon kung anong gagawin ko rito!"

Mr. Suarez’s jaw tightened at her words. His palm, resting on the study table, curled into a fist as he tried to control his temper. But after a moment, he exhaled sharply, regaining his composure. "Ano bang hindi mo maintindihan sa lahat ng ito?"

Emerald’s eyes flashed. "Hindi ba dapat ako ang magtanong niyan? Bakit hindi ninyo ako maintindihan?"

Her mother suddenly intervened, her voice gentle but firm. "Sweetie, hanggang ngayon ba hindi mo pa rin naiintindihan kung bakit namin ito ginagawa? Hindi namin ito ginagawa dahil gusto lang namin. We're doing this for your own good. Maniwala ka, anak. Andrew's son is a good man. He’ll be a good husband to you."

Emerald turned to her mother, catching the flicker of sadness in her eyes. A pang of guilt stabbed at her chest. She hated seeing her mother sad—especially if she was the reason behind it.

She shook her head helplessly.

"Whether you like it or not, you’re going to marry Andrew’s son as soon as possible. That’s final." Her father’s voice carried a note of finality that left no room for argument.

Emerald let out a bitter sigh. "Fine!" she snapped before abruptly turning and storming out of the study. She could hear her father calling her back, but she ignored him. Walang saysay ang manatili pa roon. Walang kwenta ang makipagtalo kung sa huli, sila pa rin ang masusunod.

She went straight to her room and threw herself onto the bed.

Staring up at the ceiling, she let out another sigh. She hadn’t expected them to bring up the marriage again.

A dry, humorless smile curled on her lips. So, she was really going to marry that so-called good son of her father’s business partner? All her life, she had dreamed of marrying for love, of building a family with someone she truly cared for. Pero ngayon, mukhang hindi na iyon mangyayari. Her dream had been shattered because of this arranged marriage.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she sat up.

She needed fresh air. She needed to think.

After changing into something more comfortable, she decided to take a walk outside. Kailangan niyang mapag-isipan kung paano niya masusulosyunan ang problemang ito. Paano niya mababago ang isip ng kanyang mga magulang? At kung sakaling wala siyang magawa, ano ba ang mapapala niya sa isang kasal na walang pagmamahal?

She sighed again and shook her head. Walang silbi ang pag-iisip ng mga bagay na hindi naman niya kayang baguhin. Ilang beses na siyang nakipagtalo tungkol rito, pero sa huli, sila pa rin ang nasunod.

A sudden growl from her stomach interrupted her thoughts. Napahawak siya sa sikmura, realizing she hadn’t eaten yet. She glanced around and spotted a street vendor selling siomai across the road. Napalunok siya. Tamang-tama.

She stepped onto the street—then froze.

Wala pala siyang dalang pera. She sighed, about to turn back, nang mapansin niyang may paparating na sasakyan—at sobrang bilis nito!

Her body locked up in place.

Her heart pounded violently against her chest, and her breath hitched. Hindi siya makagalaw. Masyadong mabilis ang pangyayari. The world seemed to slow as the blinding headlights bore down on her.

Am I going to die like this?

She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself.

She could already picture it—her body, bloodied and broken on the pavement. Rushed to the hospital but declared dead on arrival. Her mother’s wailing cries. A tragic ending for someone who hadn’t even lived her life the way she wanted.

And to think, hindi pa nga siya ikinakasal, pero parang mapapaaga yata ang pagbyudo ng magiging asawa niya.

Maybe this was karma for disobeying her parents.

A silent prayer escaped her lips.

But the impact never came.

Instead, the deafening screech of tires filled her ears.

Emerald hesitated before cracking one eye open. Wala siyang naramdamang sakit. Maybe she was already dead and just hadn’t realized it yet.

"P-Patay na ba ako? Patay na ba ako?" she asked shakily.

A sharp, angry honk blasted in response.

"Hoy, babae! Kung gusto mong magpakamatay, 'wag kang mandamay!" A furious voice cut through her daze.

Her head snapped toward the source of the voice.

She was met with the sight of a sleek black car—and the pissed-off driver inside.

Still shaken, she touched her arms, her face—she was still in one piece.

OMG. Thank you, Lord!

"Ano ba?!" the man barked again. "Nanadya ka ba? Umalis ka nga riyan!"

Her shock quickly morphed into annoyance. She spun toward the driver, glaring at him with narrowed eyes.

"Bakit ang angas mo? Ikaw na nga ‘tong muntik nang makasagasa, ikaw pa ‘tong galit!" she snapped.

The man scowled. "Hoy, babaeng baliw! Ikaw ‘tong parang nasa buwan kung maglakad! Marunong ka bang tumawid ng kalsada?"

Aba’t antipatiko rin ‘to! Tawagin raw ba akong baliw?!

"Hoy, lalaki!" she shot back. "Let me tell you something—marunong akong tumawid, ikaw lang ‘tong kaskasero kung magmaneho!"

She huffed, then for good measure, kicked his car before storming off.

"Bwisit na lalaki ‘yon! Sabihan ba naman akong baliw!" she muttered under her breath. "Naku, kung hindi lang ako nakapagpigil, baka nasira na ‘yung sasakyan niya! Wag lang mag-cross ang landas namin ng gagong ‘yon ulit, dahil siguradong makakatikim siya sa’kin!"

"Really?"

Her steps halted.

She turned slowly, and her irritation spiked when she saw him—Mr. Reckless Driver himself.

"Aba, ang kapal rin ng mukha mo, ano? Sinundan mo pa ako?! Hindi ka lang reckless driver, stalker ka pa!" she accused, crossing her arms.

The man’s brows furrowed. "Hoy, babae! Hindi ako stalker!"

"Sa tingin mo maniniwala ako sa’yo? Bakit mo ako sinusundan?"

"Nandito lang ako para maningil," he said, voice calm but laced with amusement.

"Maningil?!" Emerald scoffed. "Anong babayaran ko?!"

He held out his hand expectantly. "Sa tingin mo palalampasin ko ‘yung ginawa mong pagsipa sa kotse ko?"

Emerald stared at him in disbelief.

Seriously? What a jerk!

Did he really think she was just going to pay up like that?

A mischievous smirk tugged at her lips.

"Okay, here’s my payment!"

Before he could react, she balled her fist and punched him square on the cheek.

Then, without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and bolted.

A flicker of shock crossed the man’s face as he rubbed his jaw, stunned.

Then, slowly, a smirk formed on his lips.

"Interesting," he muttered to himself, watching Emerald disappear into the crowd.