I was on my way to visit Evan in his office when Chandria phoned me. Being the most excited best friend like she is when it comes to this arrangement that started to happen in my boring life, she started whining and gushing while on the phone with me.

“Are you sure that you want to visit him at work? Isn’t it so sweet of you?” she exclaimed, high tone as ever.

“Yeah, I’m on my way actually.” I said, biting my lower lip.

Riley, who happened to be my driver gracefully drove our way out of our mansion. I continued to talk to Chandria.

“That’s the spirit! And hey, don’t forget to introduce me to his friends once you get closer to him, alright?”

I giggled. She’s really into one of Evan’s friends. I don’t even remember their names. The only thing I’m aware of is the fact that Chandria has a crush on one of them. Nevertheless, it is clear that my priority is no other than Evan.

“I’ll try and see what I can do. Let’s hope that Evan will cooperate.”

“You can do it, Nathalie! Show and prove him that you are different from the woman who broke his heart,” she said and then she laughed out loud.

She’s crazy. Silence engulfed the whole car after the conversation I had with Chandria. In less than an hour, I could almost see the skyscrapers in the city of Makati. The place where Zendejas’ company is located.

I could feel the loud beating of my heart inside my chest. I am not sure whether it is because I am excited or because I am freaking nervous at the same time. My mouth ran dry just when Riley parked the car in front of the main entrance of Zendejas’ company.

Oh, my goodness! I think my chest is about to explode! I could not even breathe properly now that I realized that I am in front of his company. Riley went out of the car first and then made his way to open the passenger’s door for me. I let out a heavy sigh, and then went out of our car too.

I tried to compose myself as we entered into the building and holy cow, my mouth was wide opened upon seeing the elegance of their place. The walls are painted with pure gray porcelain, there are interior plants designs everywhere that makes a good ambiance, an extravagant chandelier on the centre part of the ceiling, and the floor seems to be created out of expensive stone.

We walked towards the front desk area. Riley coordinated with them and after a few seconds, an employee led the way for us. I also noticed that most of their employees are wearing formal attires and I looked very different in my midi dress.

“This way, please.”

We followed the front desk employee. We went inside the elevator and out of curiosity, I tried to ask a question.

“On which floor is Evan’s office?”

The front desk employee smiled at me. “It’s on 37th floor, Miss.”

I nodded slowly.

Great! I wanted to know where his office is, so that the next time I pay a visit here, I would know where to find him.

The elevator door has opened when we reached the right floor. Another lady welcomed us as soon as the front desk employee left me and Riley. The pretty lady in black formal attire must be Evan’s secretary.

“Good morning, Miss. Do you have an appointment with Mr. Zendejas today?” she asked me politely.

I glanced at Riley who is standing beside me. He seemed to have no idea about it and I didn’t expect that I must have an appointment first in order to visit Evan. I looked back at the woman who is waiting for my answer. I faked a smile.

“Actually, I am his fiancée. My name is Risha Nathalie Saavedra. I did not make an appointment but I just want to visit him if that’s alright?” I managed to say politely.

The lady in front of me seemed to be surprised when she heard the word ‘fiancée’. I just faked a smile once again.

Holy cow! I am not sure if telling her that I am Evan’s fiancée was the right thing to do. I just want to see that guy for Pete’s sake!

“N-Nice to meet you, Miss. I will inform Mr. Zendejas that you are here and would like see him,” she said in a formal tone.

“Great!”

She went back to her desk and pushed a button on the intercom. I inhaled heavily. A sudden fear has eaten up my entire senses that I could not think straight.

“Mr. Zendejas...” the secretary has started talking.

“Yes?” a familiar baritone answered her.

The side of my lips curled up for a small smile. Though I feel the fear inside my chest, I felt very excited to see him again after hearing his voice.

“Uhm... Your fiancée is here and would like to see you, Mr. Zendejas.” The lady informed him carefully.

Got that, Evan? Your fiancée is here. I am here to see you again. I can’t wait to ask you out for lunch. My heart is pounding aggressively; excited for the things we’re about to do... and way more excited to get to know him.

“Wait— what? I don’t have a fiancée. Who is that?”

Oh, fuck...

My jaw has dropped on the floor, literally. It felt like there is a growing death inside me and I just want to pass out after hearing him saying those words. My whole body froze up...

What did he say?

Did he just deny me right in front of Riley and his employee?

I clenched my jaw as I felt the sudden rage inside my chest. My hands started shaking because of the extreme anger that is eating me up. My eyes glared at the clueless intercom where I heard that irritating voice of him.

“I-I am sorry, Mr. Zendejas...” the secretary got confused. “Y-You have a visitor here and s-she’s claiming—”

The fact that he just denied me, I’ve lost all the patience in me and went to his secretary’s desk and grabbed the intercom’s microphone so that I could do the talking.

“Jessica, you know that I am busy. I don’t like to welcome any visitor right now.” He said firmly.

Now, I am fuming mad as hell! I can’t believe he’d do this to me when I made an effort to visit him!

“Fucking bastard...” I spoke in a hard tone. “I didn’t realize that you will play this cheap game, Evan Zendejas.”

Silence engulfed us. I swore to God that the moment I see him, I will definitely beat the shit out of him!

He chuckled on the line that made me so angry as hell. Riley walked towards me, who looked unsure about what he’d do with the situation. In the end, all he does is to run his fingers through his bald head.

“Risha...” he called me huskily.

Hearing him call me on my first name sends shiver up to my spine. No one has ever called me that way. It felt unfamiliar for a moment but I tossed this thought away.

“Fuck you,” I breathed heavily. “I was just going to ask you a little time to have lunch with me and I am surprised that you denied me just like that.”

“Let’s talk.”

Yeah, we will talk!

“I will kill you.” I said through my gritted teeth.

He chuckled once again. This guy, really!

My lips formed a thin line. I looked at the double doors on the right side of this table. That must be the door to his office. I didn’t waste time and walked my way to Evan’s office. He’s definitely dead!

I pushed the double doors and entered into his wide office. I saw him on the center corner, sitting on his desk like a boss arrogantly while holding a piece of document on his hand. Yes, the first word that flashed into my mind is arrogant, because that’s what I see in him. He’s wearing a gray colored formal coat with white collared long sleeves as an inner cloth. He looked at me with menace evident in his eyes.

“Risha...”

I swallowed the big lump in my throat. I couldn’t even think straight as the thought of him denying me in front of our people makes me so frustrated. I went closer to his desk and without further ado and with all the strength and anger I have, I slapped him very hard. So damn hard that it made him froze up.

Yeah, he froze up a bit but was able to smirk right after a few seconds. My forehead creased and my breathing is getting ragged.

“That was... for denying me.” I said through my gritted teeth.

He smiled devilishly and stared at me with cruelty. My heart pounded aggressively when he stood up and walked towards me. The side of his lips curled up for a smirk. He’s obviously amused for God knows why! I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to look away.

“Would you still be mad at me if I agree to have lunch with you?” he asked, almost like a tease.

I clenched my jaw. I really thought that he’s just cruel when he’s drunk but it seemed like he is way crueler when he’s sober. It’s like his normal behaviour and the only thing he’s good at.

I scowled at him. Never will I forgive him for denying me!

He laughed a bit. He took another step, removing the distance between us. My body froze up when his hand caressed my cheek gently. For a moment, I felt my knees getting weak and my heart is like in a racing field.

“Don’t touch me!” I yelled at him and then I removed his hand from my face.

He grinned devilishly and leaned back to his desk. He’s still staring at me with his dark and menacing eyes.

“How about if I go out with you? Would you still be mad at me?” he then asked playfully.

My lips formed a thin line. I can’t believe that I am hearing all these nonsense from him! A simple apology is enough, you idiot!

“Or would you like it if I sleep with you?”

I laughed sarcastically. I feel like barfing because of his last question. Do I look like someone who’s chasing him just for sex? The nerve of this guy! I never thought I could feel this kind of fury towards a person!

Yeah, he may be damn wealthy and has a name he’d be proud of. Nevertheless, if he doesn’t have a heart and manners, everything he has will be just put into waste. His parents might have been so busy making money that they have forgotten to teach him some manners!

“I am giving you options, Risha...”

I glared at him darkly. “I think I just realized why that girl Esquivel dumped you. You’re a stupid jerk, arrogant and cruel...”

His eyes grew darker as he stared at me. The hell I care!

“You are a fucking loser and an ill-mannered man, Evan. You know what? Your ex-girlfriend made a better decision when she dumped you.” I continued. “You’re not the type of man who is worth all the love from someone.”

I saw the rage flashing in his eyes and I feel like dancing in victory. It seemed like Chandria was right. This man hasn’t even moved on from his first love.

***

I am still mad as hell when I went back home. I ran upstairs and shut my room door closed. My hatred towards that man is still powerful and evident that even I tried to calm down myself; it is not working at all.

That Evan Zendejas is a proven arrogant and bastard! What a stupid jerk!

I really wanted to yell at his face! This is the first time that someone has denied me. Not by my parents or friends but my fiancé! And he did it in front of other people!

I would understand if he doesn’t want to marry me. That would be totally fine with me, the hell I care! But the fact that he made me so stupid because he denied me is just really unacceptable. Damn him!

I had a good motive, alright? I wanted to know him so bad and see if things between the two of us will work out. I wanted to try and see how things will be like if I get to know him. I just wanted to at least learn more things about him so I could decide whether I will proceed with this goddamn agreement or will just abandon the promise I made to my parents.

But he’s a ruthless guy. He’s truly an evil person I don’t feel like messing up with. I just lose my interest in him...

I don’t think I could marry someone who’s very evil. He’s a pain in the ass!

I don’t want to be rude and someone who would break her promises but the fact that Evan Zendejas insulted me made me truly sick, sick of this marriage for convenience and definitely sick with that bastard.

He was cruel... He showed me his arrogance twice already and I am sure that he would do it again the very next time we see each other.

I was thinking about it the whole time and finally, I have already made up my mind. I have decided not to marry that guy. It would be best to refuse this kind of arrangement so that I won’t feel the burden of becoming his wife.

With this thoughts and decision in mind, I let myself take a rest and fall asleep with a relief inside my chest. I have decided to tell everything to my parents. I am certain that they would understand how I feel and will let me refuse the marriage.

Or so I thought?

“Nathalie! Nathalie, wake up!” I heard my mom’s voice, almost panicking for something I am not even aware of.

I felt her shaking my shoulder that made me wake up from a deep sleep. I blinked twice and rubbed my eye, and then I saw my mother who is beside me. She’s in panic and looking at me hysterically.

“Mom?” my voice is still husky.

I noticed that mom is still wearing her office attire. It seemed like she just got home from work. My room is already dark and with my mom’s sudden appearance, I was forced to check the little clock on my side table. It is already 7 o’clock in the evening.

“Oh my goodness, Nathalie! What have you done? God, Evan is here! He is waiting for you! Why did he visit? What did you do this time?” She asked me with her voice almost getting high pitch.

My mouth ran dry as I felt my entire senses have awakened upon hearing my mother’s statement. I got up from bed with my widened eyes. I gasped and shook my head.

“W-What did you just say, Mom? W-Who’s visiting m-me?” I stammered.

“Evan Zendejas! Evan is here, Nathalie! That’s why I am asking you! What happened? He told us that something happened earlier between the two of you! What did you do?”

Unbelievable! He’s here? Why?

My mother stared at me accusingly like I am kind of a bad daughter who did something awful to that jerk. My lips protruded. I did not do something bad! He was the one who picked up a fight against me!

“Mom, I swear I didn’t do anything wrong!” I defended myself.

Mom’s forehead just creased. She looked very disappointed.

“Mommy, I didn’t do anything, I promise! He was the one at fault here, not me alright?” I hissed.

“My goodness, Nathalie! How can you be so reckless?” she snorted without even listening. “Go ahead and change your clothes into something formal! You have to face your fiancé downstairs!” she said and then went out of my room.

I rolled my eyes. Why the hell is he even here? What does he need at this time? Is he visiting so he could tell my parents that he doesn’t want to marry me? Well, the hell I care! I’m not scared at all!

I didn’t bother to change my clothes. My black racer back and faded shorts are fine! He’s not a prince so why wear something pretty? He’s not going to appreciate it anyway. I put my hair in a bun and just washed my face, and then I went out of my room.

I was about to walk downstairs when I heard their voices in the living room. I let out a heavy sigh. It feels like I am getting sick today but I have to go on.

I walked downstairs and leaned in the cemented railings. I met Evan’s eyes. I remember those eyes almost flashing in rage earlier in his office. Now, he’s looking at me without any emotion. What has changed?

He stood up, acknowledging my presence.

On the other hand, my mother groaned a bit just when she noticed me wearing something informal in front of my visitor but I didn’t mind at all.

I didn’t move. I was standing at the edge of our stairs, still leaning on it. I just felt uncomfortable knowing that an evil is breathing the same air I breathe right now.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him lazily.

The interest and curiosity I once felt for him were both gone.

He licked his lower lip. He glanced at my father and then turned his eyes back on mine.

“Risha Nathalie...” my mom whispered warily.

“I just wanted to check on you, Risha.” He said in a calm tone.

Hmn, where’s the arrogant Evan Zendejas? My forehead creased as I didn’t expect him to behave this way.

He looked so calm and kind... What happened to the cruel guy who insulted me?

“I am fine as you can see.”

“I also want to apologize,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to be insensitive and rude earlier.”

I swallowed hard. I blinked twice as I tried to digest everything he said. He just apologized to me. This isn’t a dream, right?

What’s got into him?

My father smiled widely which got my attention. I also looked at my mother who keeps pouting her lips, like she’s trying to say a signal, that I must say something to Evan.

“W-What do you need from me then?” I managed to say. To be honest, I am really confused.

Is this the end of the world? Why is he acting so strange?

“Can we talk?” he carefully asked, with his soft voice.

I shook my head immediately, and then I saw the dismay in his eyes.

“Nathalie,” father called me warily.

“Don’t be so rude, Nathalie!” Mom said hysterically. She walked towards me and dragged me in front of Evan.

I just pouted my lips. I can feel his eyes staring at me that I had to lower my head to hide my blushing cheeks because I am just too shy to stand close to him. I also don’t understand what’s happening right now. What does he need from me, anyway?

He already apologized and I know that deep within my heart, it is enough for me to forgive him for what he’s done to me. I think it is all set... So, why do we have to talk?

Does he need to talk to me to educate me about his decision to refuse the supposed marriage between the two of us? Does he need my help to inform my parents about it?

“May I please talk to Risha alone?”

My parents both cleared their throats. I glanced their way and they are seemed confused too. I looked back at Evan and still, he’s wearing a blank emotion in his eyes. After a few uncomfortable seconds, my parents has finally nodded and left us alone. They both went to the office and closed its door.

I sighed in defeat. Now what?

“What exactly do you need from me?” I asked with my forehead creased.

His lips flashed a small smirk. He put his right hands into his pants pocket and stepped closer to me.

“You’re still mad at me,” he said with a hard tone.

Here you go. The cruel guy is back.