Tamed by Deceit

CHAPTER 3

Hindi ko pa rin alam kung paano ako nakabalik sa opisina kinabukasan—after everything that happened last night.

After what he saw.

After what he said.

“You’ll come when I tell you to.”

Hindi niya man ako hinawakan, pero buong gabi ako hindi nakatulog. My body was on fire, my brain screaming at me to run… but my heart?

My heart was whispering, Come back.

And like the weak girl I hated being… I did.

Pagpasok ko sa office, tahimik ang buong floor ng executive legal team. Pero hindi pa man ako nakakaupo sa desk ko, lumapit agad ang legal secretary ni Leo.

“Miss Alcantara,” sabi ni Miss Lota, naka-black sheath dress na parang laging galit. “Atty. Montenegro wants you in his office. Now.”

“Now?”

“Yes. Don’t keep him waiting.”

Then lumakad na agad siya palayo. No explanations. No smile.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago kumatok sa pinto ng opisina ni Leo. That familiar matte-black door stared back at me like it was daring me to enter hell.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto… and there he was.

Leo was leaning against his desk, arms crossed, sleeves rolled again, no tie. Parang laging sinasadya niyang tanggalin ang uniform of control, para ipakitang siya ang tunay na may hawak sa lahat—hindi lang sa kumpanya, kundi sa oras, sa tao… at sa akin.

“You’re late,” he said, eyes never leaving mine.

“It’s 9:01.”

“Exactly.”

Napakagat ako sa loob ng pisngi ko. Here we go again.

“Have a seat,” utos niya, sabay lapag ng isang brown leather folder sa ibabaw ng table. “I have something for you.”

Umupo ako sa harap niya, inabot ang folder, at binuksan. Mahigit sampung pages ang laman—thick legal records, black-and-white photos, scanned signatures.

“What’s this?” tanong ko habang binabasa ang summary.

He walked around the desk slowly, hanggang sa nakaupo na siya sa tapat ko. “A private client. No one else on the team has access. It’s yours.”

I scanned the first page.

Petition for Nullity of Marriage.

Grounds: Psychological incapacity.

Petitioner: Isadora Cruz

Respondent: Lorenzo Cruz

The names didn’t ring a bell. Pero habang nagbabasa ako, may kung anong bumabara sa lalamunan ko.

“Why me?” tanong ko finally.

Leo smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Because I want to see how you handle something raw. Something… intimate.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

He leaned forward slightly. “Look closer.”

I flipped the second page. Tumigil ang paghinga ko nang makita ang attached statement ng therapist… and the photo of the couple during happier times.

Napakagat ako sa labi.

That woman—Isadora—looked exactly like… Camille Montenegro.

His mother.

I looked up, shocked. “This—this is your—”

“Yes,” Leo said calmly. “She was my mother. This is her sealed annulment case. It was buried for years. Now, I want it reopened. Investigated. Re-examined.”

My hands trembled.

“Why me?” I repeated, voice shaking.

“Because you’re the only one naïve enough to ask that,” he said simply. “And maybe… the only one I trust to touch it.”

Hindi ko alam kung insulto ba ‘yon o papuri. Pero ang dibdib ko, sumisikip na.

“You want me to represent her? She’s dead.”

“I want you to investigate what happened,” he said, dark eyes narrowing. “Who silenced her. Why it was covered up. And why no one paid.”

Tumayo siya, lumapit pa.

“Read every line. Every word. And when you're done…”

He walked behind me.

“I’ll have an offer for you. But know this, Serena…”

I stiffened when I felt his breath near the side of my neck.

“…once you agree, there’s no backing out.”

---

I stared at the folder long after he left me alone.

Camille Montenegro. The woman the whole country idolized before her mysterious death. The woman behind the empire. The woman Adelina Alcantara once publicly supported—and then never mentioned again.

My mother knew her.

My father… might’ve been involved.

And Leo—he was giving this to me. Like a test. Or a trap.

I didn’t know which was worse.

But the craziest part?

I wanted to pass.

Hawak-hawak ko pa rin ang folder ni Camille Montenegro habang nasa loob ako ng glass conference room sa taas ng building. Pinipilit kong intindihin ang bawat detalye, pero sa totoo lang… ang iniisip ko lang ay siya.

Leo.

The way he looked at me.

The way he said, "Once you agree, there’s no backing out."

Masyado siyang tahimik. Masyado siyang confident. At ang masama… gusto ko pa siyang kilalanin.

Bakit ako?

Bakit hindi 'yung mga senior lawyers nila?

Bakit ako ang binigyan niya ng kaso ng sarili niyang ina?

Walang kasagutan. Hanggang sa bumukas ang pinto.

And there he was again.

Atty. Montenegro. Leo.

Calm. Composed. Dangerous.

“Done reading?” tanong niya habang pumapasok at pinapasara ang pinto sa likod niya.

“Almost,” sagot ko, pinilit maging matatag ang boses.

“Good,” he said, as he walked around the table and sat at the head—like a king about to make a deal. “Because I’m about to make you an offer.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya, slowly putting down the folder.

“An offer?”

He nodded. “This isn’t just about Camille’s case. This is about you… and me.”

Napalunok ako. “I don’t understand.”

“You will.” He leaned back, folding his hands like a man who’d rehearsed this moment.

“I want you to work directly under me. Not as a regular junior associate. Not as a part-time researcher. I want full exclusivity. No other case. No other client.”

My brows pulled together. “That’s highly unusual…”

“Because this isn’t about the firm anymore,” he said quietly. “It’s about something more… personal.”

My heart thudded. “Personal?”

“Yes.”

Then he said it.

“Be my exclusive apprentice… and my companion.”

Nanigas ako. “Excuse me?”

“I’ll be clear,” he said, tono niya diretso, blunt, walang tinatago. “You’ll continue working under my supervision, but also under my… terms.”

“What terms?” I asked, voice almost a whisper.

He leaned forward slowly. “My presence. My rules. My needs. I’ll mentor you in ways no law school ever will. I’ll show you how real power works. How control feels. And in return, you’ll give me what I want.”

I froze.

“s*x?” tanong ko, almost too quietly.

Leo tilted his head. “Not immediately. But eventually… yes. If we both want it.”

My face flushed. “This is—this is unethical. Immoral—”

“It’s confidential. Legal. You’ll be protected.”

He slid a second folder across the table—black, embossed, sealed with a gold clasp.

“The contract. Read it. Then decide.”

I stared at it. Hindi ko pa binubuksan, pero parang sinisigawan na ng puso ko ang utak ko.

This was dangerous. This was mad. This was everything I was raised to avoid.

Pero bakit parte ng katawan ko ang gustong pumayag?

“I…” I tried to speak, but my voice cracked.

Leo stood, walked to my side.

“Don’t answer now,” bulong niya. “Go home. Read it. Think. But know this…”

He leaned down beside my ear.

“…I chose you for a reason.”

My body trembled.

“I see what you hide,” he continued. “You’re not just the good daughter, Serena. Deep down, you’re curious. Restless. Hungry.”

I shut my eyes, fighting the ache between my thighs.

“Come back to me when you’re ready,” he said, walking away. “When you’re brave enough to say yes.”

Pag-alis niya, naiwan akong hingal, nanginginig, at tuluyang hindi na alam kung ako pa ba ang Serena Alcantara na pinangarap ng mama ko…

O ako na ‘yung babaeng binubuksan na ang mundo ng isang lalaking hindi ko kailanman dapat hinayaan.

“Be my exclusive apprentice… and my companion.”

Paulit-ulit na tumutunog sa utak ko ang mga salitang 'yon habang nasa loob ako ng sasakyan, pauwi mula sa opisina ng Montenegro Law. Nakaupo ako sa likod ng luxury SUV na pinahiram ni Mama, pero kahit gaano kalambot ang leather seats, hindi nito mapalambot ang kaba at tensyon sa dibdib ko.

Sa lap ko, nakapatong ang itim na contract folder. Tahimik itong nakangiti sa akin—para bang inaakit akong buksan siya, alamin ang laman, alamin ang presyo ng sarili kong kalayaan.

Companion.

What does that even mean?

Sa legal world, ang bawat salita may timbang. May epekto. Hindi ‘yan basta salitang pambobola lang. Kapag sinabi niyang companion, hindi lang ‘yun simpleng mentorship. Hindi lang professional. May laman. May laman na hinihintay lang ilabas.

Pinilit kong ibaling ang atensyon sa labas ng bintana. Makulimlim na ang langit. Parang kasabwat ng nararamdaman ko.

Bakit ako?

Bakit hindi ‘yung ibang lawyers?

Anong meron sa’kin na gusto niyang i-control?

Pag-uwi ko sa Alcantara estate, hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong balak ko. Tahimik akong pumasok sa loob ng bahay, hawak pa rin ang folder—para bang ito na ang pinakadelikadong bagay na nahawakan ko ever.

“Serena?” tawag ni Mama mula sa lounge.

Shit.

Too late.

Hindi ko na naitago.

Napalingon siya sa folder ko. At sa isang iglap, nag-iba ang ilaw sa mata niya. Curious. Calculating.

“Ano ‘yan?” tanong ni Mama, papalapit sa akin, hawak pa rin ang wine glass niya.

“Wala po. Documents lang. From work.”

“From Montenegro?”

Tumango ako, reluctant. “Yes po.”

She plucked it from my arms without asking. Binuksan niya. Binasa. Tumahimik.

I waited.

Bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko.

Then, tumingin siya sa akin. May kakaibang ngiti.

“Well,” she said, voice almost amused. “Mukhang pinapaboran ka ng tadhana, hija.”

“Excuse me?”

“This is a confidential contract,” she said, eyes scanning the clauses. “For exclusive mentorship under Leo Montenegro himself? Do you know how powerful that is?”

“Ma,” I said slowly, “may… ibang terms. Hindi lang basta trabaho ito.”

“I’m not stupid, Serena,” sabay sulyap niya sa akin. “I read between the lines. I know what this means.”

Napaatras ako nang bahagya. “So bakit hindi ka galit?”

“Because,” she said, closing the folder with a decisive snap. “You have something he wants.”

“Are you—are you telling me to say yes?” tanong ko, shocked.

“I’m telling you not to be stupid,” sagot niya coldly. “Opportunities like this don’t come twice. The Montenegro name is untouchable. Kung may paraan para mapasok mo ang mundo nila… gamitin mo.”

Naluluha na ang mata ko—pero hindi ko maintindihan kung galit ba ‘yon o sakit.

“Mama… he wants to control me.”

“Then let him,” she said, calmly sipping her wine. “At least this time, it’s someone powerful enough to make it worth it.”

Hindi ko na alam kung anong mas masakit—ang offer ni Leo… o ang pagtulak sa akin ng sarili kong ina.

Pag-akyat ko sa kwarto ko, sumabog ako.

Binuksan ko ang folder, binasa ang buong kontrata. May nondisclosure clause. May clause about discretion. May clause tungkol sa "extended companionship" sa labas ng opisina kapag kailangan.

At sa dulo, isang blankong linya kung saan dapat akong pumirma.

Nanginginig ang kamay ko. Nanginginig pati kaluluwa ko.

But my thighs? They pressed together involuntarily.

What is wrong with me?

Gusto kong sunugin ang kontrata.

Pero mas gusto kong malaman… anong mangyayari kapag pumayag ako.

Kinabukasan, hindi ako makakain. Nakatulala lang ako sa terrace ng Alcantara estate habang pinaglalaruan ‘yung contract folder sa lap ko.

Hindi ko na alam kung ilang beses ko na siyang binasa.

Each clause felt like a chain.

Each condition, like a leash.

At bawat pag-ikot ng ballpen ko sa daliri ko, parang sinasakal na ang hininga ko.

“Serena,” tawag ng boses na ayaw kong marinig that early in the morning.

Mama.

Adelina Alcantara. Always flawless. Always calculating. Always cold.

“I hope you’ve made the right decision,” aniya habang umuupo sa katapat kong upuan, naka-formal dress kahit breakfast pa lang.

“Mama, this is not just a mentorship,” mahina kong sabi, ‘di makatingin. “You read it. You know what it means.”

“I know exactly what it means,” sagot niya, walang alinlangang nilalapag ang tasa ng kape. “It means an opportunity. One that most women would kill for.”

I clenched my jaw. “It also means surrendering myself.”

She smiled—cruel, dismissive. “You were never really in control, hija. You were raised to marry power. If you think this is different, then you truly are naïve.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. “So ang tingin niyo po sa akin… asset?”

“A legacy,” sagot niya, as if it were better. “We don’t build empires by marrying for love, Serena. We align with bloodlines, not butterflies.”

“Bakit ako? Bakit hindi si Belle? Siya ang palaban, siya ‘yung—”

“Exactly. Si Isabella, rebelde. She ruined her chance,” Adelina said sharply. “But you—ikaw ang good daughter. The obedient one. And look where that obedience brought you… straight to the most powerful man in legal business.”

“Powerful… and dangerous.”

“Good,” she said, taking a sip. “Because weakness never built dynasties.”

My throat tightened. She was never going to let me live a quiet life. A normal one. From the moment I was born, naka-program na ang landas ko. And now she was handing me over like I was a perfectly wrapped gift.

“Mama, he’s not offering a ring. He’s offering—control.”

“Then take it,” she said coldly. “Or I’ll take something from you.”

My breath caught. “What?”

“Your condo. Your car. Your allowance. Everything. You want to be independent?” she raised an eyebrow. “Then survive on your own terms. Without the Alcantara name. Without my help.”

Nanigas ako.

She meant it. She would throw me to the world naked just to make me obey.

“I’m your daughter,” I whispered.

“And I’m your mother,” she snapped. “Which is why I’m making sure you don’t end up useless and weak.”

Tears burned behind my eyes. Hindi ko alam kung galit, takot, o pagod ang nangingibabaw.

But one thing was clear.

I wasn’t being given a choice. I was being cornered.

Nasa kwarto na ako when I opened my phone.

1 new message – Unknown Number

“You’re mine the moment you sign. – L.M.”

Nanlamig ako.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mas nakakakilabot—ang babala sa text, o ang init na gumapang mula leeg ko pababa.

I stared at the contract again.

The next morning, pagpasok ko sa opisina, ibang Leo ang sumalubong sa akin.

No greetings. No cold remarks. No arrogant smirk.

Just heat—straight from his gaze.

He stared at me like I was no longer just his junior… but something else.

His.

I tried to hide the blush blooming on my cheeks. I wore the safest outfit I could—cream blouse, high-waisted slacks, no cleavage, minimal makeup. Professional. But judging by the way his eyes darkened when I walked in, para bang wala akong suot.

“Close the door,” Leo said, eyes never leaving mine.

I obeyed—tahimik, nanginginig. I could feel every nerve in my body humming.

Paglapit ko sa desk niya, binigyan niya ako ng isang brown envelope.

“Confidential document,” aniya. “Deliver it to my condo later. Yourself. At eight.”

“Eight?” Kumirot ang kilay ko. “But that’s after work hours—”

“I know,” he cut in, voice like silk over a blade. “Don’t be late.”

8:00 PM.

Montenegro Residences. Penthouse.

Tumayo ako sa harap ng mahogany double doors, heart racing like crazy.

I was dressed more casually now—black turtleneck dress, mid-thigh, flats. Akala ko simple lang. Safe. Pero nang pagbuksan ako ng pinto ni Leo, para siyang natawa sa loob.

“You wore that,” he murmured, eyes raking down my body.

“I didn’t think—”

“No,” he said, opening the door wider. “You didn’t.”

Tahimik akong pumasok. I gave him the envelope. He didn’t even open it.

He tossed it onto the counter… and turned to me slowly.

Then, he said it—softly, almost reverently:

“Do you know how long I’ve wanted to break that façade of yours?”

Napaatras ako nang bahagya. “Atty—”

“Leo,” he corrected. “From now on, you call me Leo.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he stepped closer.

“You think this contract is about power,” he whispered, eyes boring into mine. “But it’s more than that, Serena. It’s about you… finally knowing what it’s like to be wanted.”

My breath hitched. “I don’t—”

He gently placed a finger on my chin. “You’ve lived your whole life in chains. Controlled by your mother. Expected to be perfect. Untouched. Unclaimed.”

I tried to pull away, but he didn’t let me.

“Tonight, I want you to understand one thing…” he said, voice low, dangerous, devastating.

“You. Are. Desired.”

Then, he moved behind me.

I felt his warmth. His breath. His restraint.

Hands hovering… but not touching.

“Remove your earrings,” he said.

I obeyed. Slowly. Each tiny movement made my skin prickle.

“Now the necklace.”

I did.

“Hair tie.”

My hands trembled as I freed my long black hair from its bun, letting it cascade down my back.

Leo inhaled sharply.

“Face me.”

I turned.

And then—

He didn’t kiss me. He didn’t grab me. He just looked.

Like I was a feast.

Like I was his first sin.

“Beautiful,” he whispered. “You don’t even know it, do you?”

My lips parted. “No one’s ever said that to me… like that.”

“Because they were looking at your name, your pedigree,” Leo said, stepping closer. “But I see what’s underneath.”

He raised a hand—just hovering near my cheek.

Not touching.

Yet my body ached as if he already had.

“You feel it, don’t you?” bulong niya. “That hunger. That need to be more than your mother’s doll.”

I swallowed. “Yes.”

His lips curved—slow, sinful. “Then let me show you how it feels to be wanted… not by your name, not by your future… but just by you.”

Wala siyang ginawang labis.

Wala siyang hinubad.

But that night, sa titig pa lang… sa utos pa lang… sa hangin sa pagitan naming dalawa—

Naramdaman ko.

For the first time in my life…

I was wanted.

Not for duty.

Not for legacy.

But because I was me.

Pagkauwi ko mula sa penthouse ni Leo, hindi na ako mapakali.

I was a storm trapped in silk.

Pulang-pula ang pisngi ko. Hindi dahil sa lamig ng gabi—kundi dahil sa titig niyang hanggang ngayon, parang sinusundan ako kahit nakapikit ako.

You are desired.

His voice echoed in my head like a spell.

Tumigil ako sa tapat ng salamin sa kwarto. Nakatitig sa sarili.

Long black hair. Flushed skin. Eyes wide, pupils dilated.

Hindi ko na ‘to kilala.

This wasn’t the obedient, soft-spoken Serena Alcantara everyone paraded like a doll sa mga charity galas. This woman staring back at me… she looked wild. Curious. Alive.

Lumapit ako sa vanity ko at binuksan ang drawer.

And there it was. The contract.

My fingers trembled as I pulled it out. Umupo ako sa harap ng desk, binuksan ito ulit. Alam ko na ang laman. Memorized ko na nga halos. But tonight, it felt… heavier.

Clause 1: Exclusivity.

Clause 2: Confidentiality.

Clause 3: Personal involvement beyond professional limits may be required at the discretion of Mr. Montenegro.

May bahagi ng katawan kong nanlamig.

Pero mas malakas ‘yung parte kong… nag-init.

Tangina.

Ano’ng ginagawa mo, Serena?

But I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop.

I reached for my gold pen.

Nagtitigan pa kami ng blangkong linya ng pirma. Last page.

Sign here to acknowledge your full consent, understanding, and agreement.

Leo’s words returned to me.

“You’re mine the moment you sign.”

And God help me…

I wanted to be his.

Not just for the thrill.

Not just for the power.

But for the way he saw me.

For the first time in my life, someone was willing to unchain me… even if it meant chaining me to him instead.

At least, this chain, I chose.

Huminga ako nang malalim.

Sign it.

I wrote:

Serena E. Alcantara

Maayos. Matikas. Puno ng kaba.

Pero sa dulo ng tinta—may init.

I didn’t sleep that night.

I just stared at the contract on my desk.

And I knew—nothing would ever be the same again.