THE ENEMY HEIR I COULDN'T RESIST

I stared at Papa with pleading eyes, gripping the strap of my bag tighter than necessary. “Please, Papa. Just one month. Hindi na nga ako sumama last summer, remember?” I tried to soften my voice, masking the desperation brewing in my chest. Ramiro Sarmiento, my father, the man feared by many and loved by few, looked up from his tablet. His face was unreadable, but I knew that expression—it was the look he gave when weighing the worth of something. Or someone. “Where exactly in Davao?” he asked, his tone flat but sharp enough to slice through air. “With Zoe. Sa beachside villa ng tita niya. Safe 'yun, Papa. May security. Gusto lang talaga namin magpahinga before fourth year starts. Please...” I pressed my palms together as if in prayer. “Isang buwan lang.” He sighed heavily and closed his tablet. “Zoe’s parents know?” “Yes, Papa.” Half-lie. They would know, eventually. Another long silence. My heart hammered inside my chest. This was it—his yes or no would determine if I’d get a taste of freedom or stay stuck inside the golden cage he built for me. Ramiro stood, buttoned his coat, and walked toward me. I straightened instinctively. “One month,” he said curtly. “No boys. No scandals. And Zoe stays with you at all times. You understand?” Relief poured into me like sunlight. “Yes, Papa. Thank you!” I rushed forward and hugged him. Stiff. Controlled. But I didn’t care. Because I was finally getting out with my bestfriend. The moment I stepped out of the airport, the warm Davao breeze hit my face—gentle, fragrant, and sun-kissed. The air smelled like mangoes, salt, and freedom. Zoe raised her sunglasses and squealed. “Girl, we’re finally here!” I smiled, soaking it all in. “I can't believe Papa actually said yes.” “Baka dahil sa charm ko,” she teased, bumping my shoulder playfully. “Or baka napagod na siya sa kaka-ground sayo.” We both laughed, walking past the line of tourists waiting for taxis. A sleek black SUV was already waiting for us—arranged by Zoe’s Tita ahead of time. Inside the car, I gazed out the window, eyes wide as we passed through tree-lined roads, fruit stalls, and glimpses of turquoise ocean beyond winding coastal highways. “Everything here feels... lighter,” I murmured. Zoe leaned back on the leather seat, arms behind her head. “Told you, Davao hits different. Fresh ang hangin, tahimik ang mga tao, and best of all—no judgmental tita sa paligid.” I laughed, but a part of me ached at how true that was. For the first time in years, I wasn’t being watched. No bodyguards. No house staff reporting back to Papa. Just me, my best friend, and a city that didn’t know my name. The villa was a dream. White-painted wood. Wide glass panels overlooking the beach. Coconut trees swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. I ran barefoot across the wooden deck and stepped onto the sand, letting my toes sink into the warmth. The sea sparkled like diamonds. “This is insane,” I whispered. “Like something out of a dream.” “Nope. This is real. And we’re not waking up anytime soon,” Zoe grinned, throwing her bag onto a hammock. We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring nearby shops, buying mango shakes from a roadside stand, and taking selfies in front of murals painted with bright sunflowers and birds. Locals smiled at us without judgment. No one whispered our last names. No one cared that I was Gia Sarmiento, daughter of Ramiro Sarmiento, Manila’s iron businessman. And for the first time, I didn’t care either. That night, we lay on the rooftop of the villa, wrapped in blankets, staring at the stars. The sky was clearer than I’d ever seen it. “You think we’ll meet someone interesting here?” Zoe asked with a mischievous grin. I chuckled, closing my eyes. “No. No boys, remember?” “Yeah... but fate doesn’t always listen to parents.” I laughed softly. And somewhere deep inside me, something stirred. A whisper I couldn't explain. Like something… or someone… was already waiting. Kinabukasan, habang naka-pajama pa ako at inaayos ang buhok ko sa tapat ng salamin, may biglang kumatok sa pinto. Zoe opened it, then screamed. “Lance?!” I poked my head out from the bathroom, eyebrows raised. “Wait—what?!” At the door stood Lance Ilustre—Zoe’s long-time boyfriend. Tall, chinito, wearing a smug grin and holding two cups of iced coffee like some overachieving boyfriend in a K-drama. “Surprise,” he said, leaning in to kiss Zoe on the cheek. “I missed you.” Zoe practically jumped into his arms. “Akala ko sa susunod na linggo ka pa darating!” “Early flight. I wanted to see you.” I crossed my arms, trying not to laugh. “Ang daya niyo, ah. Akala ko ba no boys?” Zoe giggled. “Babe, tell her hindi ka counted.” “Hindi ako counted kasi best friend mo rin ako, Gia,” Lance winked at me. I rolled my eyes, fighting the smile tugging at my lips. “Fine, sige na. Sanay naman akong maging third wheel niyo.” But something inside me twisted. Not jealousy—no, never that. I was happy for Zoe. But maybe… maybe I wanted someone to look at me like that too. Someone who'd fly across cities just to show up with coffee and kisses. I turned away, pretending to look for my phone. “Pero ‘pag may PDA kayo sa harap ko, ipapakulam ko talaga kayo.” Zoe laughed. “Noted, Ma’am Third Wheel.” Habang kumakain kami ng almusal—tuyo, itlog, sinangag, at brewed coffee na sobrang tapang—biglang nagsalita si Lance habang naglalaro ng kutsara sa plato niya. “May pupuntahan tayo bukas,” he said casually. Zoe looked up from her phone. “Ha? Saan naman ‘to?” “Car Launch Expo,” sagot ni Lance. “Pinsan ko ang host. May event sila bukas dito sa city. VIP passes. Gusto ko kayo isama.” I blinked. “Car… what?” “Car Launch Expo,” he repeated. “Parang exhibit and presentation ng bagong model ng kotse. May showcase, may party after, free drinks, photo ops. Mga CEO and business owners andun. Baka mag-enjoy kayo.” Zoe raised a brow. “Wow, sosyal. Akala ko bonding lang tayo sa beach?” “Bonding pa rin ‘to,” he smirked. “Plus, pinsan ko ‘yun—anak ng kapatid ng Mama ko. Gusto ko rin kayong i-introduce, sa kanila.” I tried to act uninterested, but honestly, the way he said “CEO” made me curious. I’ve never met a young CEO in person… Zoe nudged me under the table. “Game ka?” I shrugged. “Sure. Wala naman tayong plan bukas, ‘di ba?” Lance smiled at me. “Ayos. I’ll tell my cousin we’re coming.” “Grabe, ang sarap ng sinangag nila dito,” Zoe said between bites, scooping another spoonful into her mouth. “Mas lasang-lasa ‘yung garlic. Ganto dapat ‘yung pinapagluto ng chef sa bahay.” “Baka kailangan mo lang talaga ng probinsya reset,” I teased, sipping my barako coffee slowly. “Fresh air, simple food, and zero expectations.” We all laughed. For the first time, everything felt… quiet. Calm. Walang pressure, walang pangalan. Just us, and the sound of waves crashing not far from the villa. Then Lance casually dropped a bomb. “By the way,” he said, wiping his mouth with a napkin, “yung Car Launch Expo bukas? Sa Rivaxon ‘yun. I’ll introduce you both sa pinsan ko—siya ang magle-lead ng event.” Zoe paused mid-chew. “Wait. Did you just say… Rivaxon?” I looked up, eyebrows raised. “As in Rivaxon Automotive Group? ‘Yung sikat na brand ng mga luxury cars?” Zoe blinked. “Lance. Paano mo na-me-measure ang ‘sikat’? Kilala ‘yan sa buong Pilipinas. Eighty branches, duh! Si Papa nga fanboy sa Rivaxon. Tapos pinsan mo pala ang CEO?!” “Yung pinsan ko, Calix—he’s based here in Davao, siya ang CEO ng branch nila dito. Genius ‘yon, pero masungit. Laging seryoso.” Calix... The name slid into my mind like a whisper. I didn’t know him. But suddenly, I wanted to. Zoe raised an eyebrow. “So we’re going to an exclusive Rivaxon launch, with VIP passes bukas." Kinabukasan, we arrived at the venue just before sunset. The moment I stepped out of the car, I felt it—the difference. This wasn’t just a local event. This was elite, high-profile, and intimidating in the best way. Ang daming luxury cars sa paligid. Elegant dresses, suits, press, photographers, flashing lights. I suddenly felt underdressed in my cream silk dress, kahit designer pa ito. “Grabe ‘tong setup,” bulong ko kay Zoe habang inaayos ang strap ng clutch ko. Lance guided us toward the entrance. “Stay close. Calix will be on stage any minute.” The crowd gathered near the center where a massive black cloth covered what I assumed was the new Rivaxon model. The stage was sleek and futuristic, lit by violet and white LED lights. Then the music shifted—low, suspenseful, cinematic. The announcer’s voice echoed through the speakers: “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is not just a launch. It’s a revolution in motion. Presenting the all-new Rivaxon Ignis… led by the man redefining innovation—Mr. Calix Emmanuel Rivas, CEO of Rivaxon Davao.” People clapped. Cameras rose. Flashbulbs exploded. And then... he walked out. Tall. Broad shoulders. Black tailored suit, crisp white shirt—no tie. Just clean, confident power in every step. His hair was swept back, his face sharp and unreadable under the lights. Jaw clenched, posture proud. Like he was born for this moment. And my breath caught. I don’t know why. I couldn’t explain it. But the moment I saw him—really saw him—my world tilted. Like something deep inside me... recognized him. Calix didn’t smile. He simply took the mic, eyes scanning the crowd like a king surveying his kingdom. And for one fleeting moment—his eyes landed on me. Only me. A spark. Quick. Silent. But I felt it. His gaze held mine, unflinching. Walang salita. Walang ngiti. Just this strange, electric pull I couldn’t explain. And then he looked away. But something inside me already changed. Lance guided us past the thick crowd, down the center aisle toward a cordoned-off VIP area near the stage. “Dito tayo,” he said confidently, nodding to the usher who let us through without question. I was too busy trying to steal another glance at Calix to even ask where dito was. Pagkaupo namin, Zoe leaned closer. “Girl... bakit parang ang intense nung CEO?” I swallowed, eyes fixed on him as he stood behind the podium. “I don’t know. Parang... he’s not just intense. Parang may hawak siyang invisible weight sa loob niya. It’s in the way he stands.” Then I noticed the people beside us—well-dressed, elegant, with the kind of composed silence that screamed old money and powerful bloodlines. And that’s when it hit me. “Lance…” I whispered, tugging at his sleeve. “Saan mo ba kami pinaupo?” He chuckled. “Dito sa reserved seats ng family. Okay lang.” Zoe’s eyes widened. “Wait... so 'yung katabi natin—" “Si ate Therese, ate ni Calix,” he whispered, nodding to the poised woman in a dark green dress beside me. “And ‘yan sa unahan, ‘yung lolo nila—Donato Rivas.” My throat suddenly dried. Oh God. We’re literally sitting with the Rivas family. Before I could fully process it, Calix spoke. His voice was low. Controlled. Smooth like steel wrapped in velvet. “Thank you all for coming. Tonight, we don’t just reveal a machine. We reveal a mindset. A vision. A drive to move beyond limits.” His accent was crisp, almost foreign. He didn’t read from notes. His eyes scanned the crowd with precision, but not warmth. “This is the Rivaxon Ignis—a symbol of power, precision, and purpose. Every line, every part, every choice... born out of obsession. The kind that doesn’t settle.” My skin tingled. I didn’t know if it was the way he said the word obsession, or the way his eyes briefly flicked to our direction—where I sat, frozen between Zoe and his sister. Zoe leaned over and whispered, “Grabe ‘yung boses niya, noh? Parang pwedeng pamatay sa audiobook.” I forced a laugh, pero hindi ko talaga makatawa. Because something in me stirred again. A slow burn. And this time, I couldn’t shake it off.