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.

He’s not just a cruel guy, I guess. He’s also a great pretender, who showed kindness in front of my parents. Since they left us, he already removed his mask. Now, the evil Evan is back.

“So what if I am mad at you?” I snorted.

I crossed my arms and looked away. My eyes are unwilling to even glare back at him. He’s getting into my nerves! I reminded myself to calm a bit. I don’t want to make any scene knowing that my parents are here and probably eavesdropping on us or what not. For sure, I wouldn’t like what might happen next the moment they hear me yelling at this guy.

I heard him chuckle. What’s so funny? It’s strange how he can easily jump from persona to another. He was just playing an angel role earlier and here’s how he behaves now that we’re alone.

“I will make my employees aware that I have a fiancée,” he said in a soft tone.

My lips parted as my eyes widened. I glanced back at him.

Is that for real? If so, does that mean he would not back out from this arrangement? I gasped. He’s only looking at me with the amusement evident in his pierced eyes.

“I thought you are here because you wanted to talk to my parents and tell them that... you’re going to back out from all this,” I said with my voice so low.

The side of his lips curled up. It seemed that he is very amused to see me getting dumb-founded because of my false hunch.

“You wanted to have lunch with me, right? I can make time for you tomorrow.” he added.

“What?”

He shook his head, with a smile flashing on his lips. “You heard me, Risha. And just so you know, I don’t plan to back out from this arrangement set up by our families. I would like to make it clear.”

“And why is that?”

“Your family business can definitely help my company.” He simply answered.

That put a lot of thoughts in my mind. He owned a big company which operates hundreds of hotels and restaurants across the country. His businesses are well-known and so he is. With the kind of businesses he has, he would need a stable company that can provide him high-quality woodwork furniture, and that’s us. In the contrary, there are a lot of woodwork companies out there that offers the best furniture. So, why is he settling with us? I mean, they have the final decision about this knowing their company is bigger than what we have.

Or maybe our families are just really close to each other reason why they set us up? If so, then this guy would really chase me no matter what happens?

Wow! This must be a nightmare.

“Yeah, I forgot that this is purely for business,” I managed to say.

He nodded. “This is how we work for business, Risha Nathalie.”

“Okay...”

He’s right. And since I am the daughter of Frank and Michelle Saavedra, I am obliged to help my parents achieve their goals.

You’re fully aware of this, Nathalie. This kind of set up has been introduced to you even before you did not have any idea about it, ever since you were young.

They only added details as I grew up to better understand it.

“Are you still mad?”

I shook my head. “Not anymore.”

“Then I am waiting for your apology,” he said, with his tone hard, especially when he uttered the last word.

I scowled at him. I can’t believe what he just said! Why do I need to apologize to him? His eyes squinted as he looked at me, waiting for my apology. I even saw the rage on his smile. He’s totally mocking me!

“So, am I a fucking loser to you?” he said, still, with his hard tone.

I frowned and swallowed the big lump in my throat. I suddenly felt ill upon remembering those hurtful words I said in this office. I mean, those words would have not been said only if he treated me fairly. He started the fight between us! Now, why is he asking me to apologize? He’s insane!

“You also slapped me,” he added.

Oh my goodness! I felt my knees getting weak. But, he deserved that slap, anyway! He insulted and denied me in front of his secretary and Riley!

“That I deserve to be dumped and not worth the love from someone?”

I heard the bitterness on his voice when he voiced out his last statement. Damn it! I was dazed and couldn’t react anything as I know that those I have said were really hurtful. I bit my lower lip.

He took two steps to be closer to me. My whole body is freezing up as his aura became more intense. I wanted to step back but I have no strength to do so.

Guilt and nervousness fucked me up!

It feels like I am in a big trouble. I can’t even handle his intense glare at me. His eyes are still flashing in rage. His entire presence is too scary that I felt so alarmed and guilty.

My heart is pounding aggressively. Should I start apologizing now?

But, hey! He’s the one who started this fight, not me!

“I didn’t expect you to be this gutsy because you are too young, Risha Nathalie,” he uttered in a firm and deadly voice. “That was the first time I got slapped in the face.”

Oh, that surprised me! That was the first time that someone has slapped him? Does that mean his ex-girlfriend was that kind and didn’t hurt him physically?

My lips parted in disbelief. I was about to say something but I can’t utter the right words.

“You remind me of someone...” he said bitterly.

I breathed in heavily. With all my courage, I looked at him. His piercing eyes are still in rage as he looked at me warily. It’s like he’s sending a warning that I have to be good or else I’m dead.

“You were the one who started this, Evan. I am not going to apologize. If only you have treated me fairly, things like this won’t ever happen in the first place.”

His jaw clenched. I know he’s only trying to control his emotion. I stepped back, trying to save myself from the intensity of his dark aura. He smirked and shook his head once again.

He pulled out his wallet from the back pocket of his pants and took a card from it. He moved closer to me and held my hand. He put the black card on my palm.

“I still owe you a lunch,” he said, his voice is already calm. “If in case you are not mad at me, please call me. You can also visit my office. I will make sure that all my employees will be aware of the situation so you won’t be embarrassed again...” He chuckled. “I will keep reminding myself that I have a young fiancée too. I will not forget it, Risha.”

My jaw has literally dropped on the floor just when he pulled me closer to him and gave me a kiss on my cheek.

“I have to go. I hope you have a good night,” he said coolly.

He left me dazed and confused. What the hell was the kiss for? Clueless and feeling dumb about what has just happened, the only thing I managed to say is a curse.

“Damn you, Evan Zendejas...”

I kept looking at the calling card that Evan gave me last night and it’s funny that I also kept rolling my eyes on it— shoving away the thought of calling him for a lunch date today.

If I call him now, that would only show that I am just one of the girls who can’t resist him. He would probably think that I am not mad at him anymore.

Well, for the record, I am no longer upset about what happened yesterday. The fact that he visited me here last night and apologized to what he’s done, that’s already an enough reason for me to forgive him.

I just don’t like it when he speaks with full of arrogance.

I sighed heavily. I massaged the side of my forehead as I felt so stressed with all these thought playing around my head. I am just twenty-two years old, but this marriage for convenience and my soon-to-be husband are both giving me so much headache!

I also thought about the details of our engagement and wedding. I have no idea about it at all. My parents haven’t told me any information such as the date of the official announcement of our engagement day or the marriage itself. When would that be?

Or perhaps Evan changed his mind and decided to back out and the marriage will no longer happen. Maybe he thinks we are not soul mates or meant to be?

I cringed at my last thought.

Well, I have to admit that I got this interest in him the first time I met him because he’s like a puzzle to me. He’s like a challenge that I have to win. But my feelings have changed. Now, I am sure that I am interested in him because I want him to realize that he has this bad personality. He’s arrogant and full of himself. He acts like a king that I would chase whatever happens. I’d like to see him change and be humble because that’s all he can do.

So far, I have no idea how to do it.

***

Chandria laughed so hard when I told her what happened between me and Evan yesterday. My face just heated in shame. I was telling her what happened so I could get her sympathy but she ended up laughing at my story.

My lips protruded. I should have not told her. I didn’t like it when she’s only making fun of me.

The vivid memory of what happened yesterday still replays in my mind. It sends shiver down my spine. Whenever I think about it, I could not help but to feel upset.

Chandria sipped on her coffee and tried to control her amusement. She cleared her throat and bit her lower lip to stop herself from laughing.

“It is not funny, Chandria.” I said, rolling my eyes at her. Then, I sipped on my frappe.

“I am sorry, Nathalie!” she giggled and then shook her head. “I just can’t believe that it really happened. I mean... I would understand if his secretary does not know the situation but Evan Zendejas does not know that he has a fiancée? That’s totally absurd! I think he did that on purpose!”

That is exactly what I have been thinking about. I have this kind of feeling that I am less important and just a toy he would play with for his own amusement. He would only keep me for the sake of his company.

But then, he apologized to me last night... He admitted that he forgot...

I don’t even know if he is really telling the truth.

I shook my head. “It seems like I will be getting a lot of headache because of that guy. He is not really nice like what I have thought.”

Chandria looked at me as if she is trying to read through my head. She even squinted her eyes and trying to observe the emotion on my face.

“You know what? Some men won’t fall for you easily at first sight. You won’t get their attention by just one look, Nathalie. As for Evan, he may be handsome and has an angelic face but you will know his attitude once you see him twice or more than that. If I were you, I would call him and ask him out for a date. Just to test if he’s just enough to be my husband. Like I get the point that what you have will be just part of the arrangement but even without love, as long as both of you shares the same thoughts and knows how to understand each other, that could help you guys to live as a married couple, right?”

I nodded slowly.

Chandria is probably right. I took out the black calling card Evan gave me from my wallet.

I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. What if he is just arrogant because he does not know me yet? What if he is really a kind hearted guy if I just try to get to know him better?

Maybe he is a kind person and he is only trying to look arrogant and rude in front of me because that is part of his defence? After all, he experienced heartache from his ex-lover.

Maybe he is only trying to hide his true self?

“Call him!” Chandria commanded.

“Don’t you think it is too fast if I would call him now? I mean, we just had an argument yesterday and it hasn’t been past twenty-four hours when he apologized...”

I just want to at least lie low for forty-eight hours so that he won’t think that I am really chasing him. I don’t want him to have that kind of thought and will be proud of it in front of my face. No way!

“You should not be waiting time, Nathalie. You are only giving Evan enough time to think thoroughly and doubt this arrangement. Aren’t you scared if suddenly he changes his mind and back out?”

I shook my head. If that happens, that would be his decision to make. My pride is the most important thing to me!

She smirked. “How about your parents? Do you think they could handle it if Evan refuses to marry you? If you’re going to ask me, I highly doubt it.”

That left me dazed.

I felt scared as I imagined my parents’ dismayed eyes if in case Evan have backed out.

No way... I could not break their hearts just like that!