*Mielle's POV*

I woke up alone inside my hospital room, reminds me of what exactly happened almost 13 years ago after my operation. For the first time, finally I was able to see everything but the moment I opened my foreign eyes, all that I could see was the white ceiling of my hospital room. I was expecting to see my parents but they weren't there.

I stood up and stared at the window; amazed by the colors of nature somehow the hollow feeling inside my chest lightens. I laughed at the thought entered my mind back then.

How could emptiness be this heavy?

I waited the whole day but none of my parents came. Later that night, I felt like crying. There's a huge lump in my throat making me hard to breathe, but the thing that surprised me is that no matter how painful it is—the feeling of hollowness inside me, I just can't seem to cry. There were no tears.

*knocks*

"Miss"

I turned around and faced Amanda, who's wearing complete corporate attire and huge black rimed eye-glasses.

"Miss, ayos lang po ba na naglalakad-lakad kayo?" she asked.

I return my gaze at the window and sighed as I see my reflection. I really don't like my hair, it's too short at hindi pa pantay, I noticed my hair color is fading. I really look like a sick patient in this hospital.

"I'm fine. And please, drop the formalities, Amanda" I commanded then I walk towards my bed.

Silence filled the corners of my hospital room and she just stood frozen in front of the doorway. I motioned her to take a seat and was expecting that she will finally speak but she didn't.

I sighed.

"How's the condo?" I asked.

She flinched at nalaglag pa nya yung susi sa sahig. She's so tensed.

"Nabili ko na po" she answered as she fix her eyeglasses.

I nodded.

"That's good, doon ka na titira" I said.

"Po?" she asked.

My brows furrowed. At times like this, ayoko ng tatanga-tanga and for the record I don't like repeating myself.

"You heard me" I plainly said.

Once again, natahimik ang buong lugar. She knows that I'm not in the mood, I really am. From the moment I opened my eyes after that incident.

"Calm down, Amanda and tell me everything. That's the reason why you're here" I said.

She cleared her throat and fixes her eyeglasses.

"The Agoncillo Group is going steady. Good but not quite" she said then she continued discussing about that company.

"Mr. Rafael Agoncillo is the current CEO of the company; none of her daughters are qualified in being the heir of the company. Mrs. Hera Agoncillo, shows no interest in handling the company as well" she said then I cut her off.

"Tell me about the Agoncillo siblings" I said.

She cleared her throat.

"Ms. Almira aka Lira Agoncillo, studies fashion design at East Hill University but she didn't continued her studies with no apparent reason, it is said that she's the black sheep among them. Ms. Veronica aka Vera Agoncillo, studies theater arts at the same university, she's the current captain of the cheerleading squad of the university, she's considered as the queen bee along with her twin Lira. Ms. Akira aka Kira Agoncillo—"

"There's another one" I said.

"Yes, Ms. Kira Agoncillo is a grade 8 student at East Hill High, she's a top student in class. Probably the possible heir of the company but she's still young and shows no interest in business" she said.

My eyebrows twitched, of course she's still young. Wala pa talagang interes yan sa business, but somehow her hobbies are related to the business.

The Agoncillo Group is a construction firm, one of the best here in the country. May mga condominium din sila but of course marami din silang competitors and that include the Guevarra Estates in terms of condominiums and the Alonzo Industries in terms of construction.

"How about the wife?" I asked.

"Well, Mrs. Hera Agoncillo is currently busy on her casino escapades. Rumors said that pera ng company ang ginagamit nya sa casino" she said.

Of course, wala naman syang ibang pagkukunan ng pera. So that explains why the company is barely hanging on, as Amanda said, the company is doing good but not quite.

"May nangyayaring nakawan din sa company" she said and that caught my attention.

I motioned her to continue speaking as I sit properly on my bed.

"I believe that there's something going on in their accounting department, their financial statements are too good to be true, masyadong maganda hindi na kapani-paniwala" she said in a serious tone, well what do you expect from an accountant like her.

"So who's the thief then?" I asked.

We fall in silence as both of us think for the possible culprit. I think it's someone powerful, a superior—someone from the inside is infiltrating the company. It may be Mrs. Hera, dahil masyado syang natutuwa sa casino but it doesn't make sense, pwede syang humingi ng pera from Mr. Agoncillo itself, she's the wife.

"Who's the Chief Accountant?" I asked.

She handed me the papers that contains the profile of that accountant. I scan through the pages, he's quite young for the position.

Mr. Trent Ocampo, 26 years old, Chief Accountant, graduated from University of the Philippines

I took my phone from under my pillow and search for his facebook account and there I found the confirmation of my hunch.

"Lira is the culprit" we both said.

Lira's having a relationship with the chief accountant, she has a strong hold in the financials of the company.

"I noticed her bank transactions, malaking pera ang pumapasok sa bank account nya" she said.

"How did you know?" I asked.

Uhm, there's a bank secrecy law

"She has an account in the Empire bank" she answered.

And that made me smirk, this is going to be exciting.

"What are your plans?" she asked.

"I want the Agoncillo Group" I answered then suddenly the doors flung open and then Alexadrei and Arielle enter.

There's an awkward silence between us and I decided to break it.

"I want that company under my name, give me the list of shareholders" I commanded her.

Lumapit sya sa akin then she hand me the papers, she sat on the couch. Alexandrei and Arielle stood frozen in front of me.

"What's happening?" Alexandrei asked.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, not giving a glance at him.

"Idi-discharge ka na mamaya" Arielle answered.

"That's great" I said.

Silence filled the corners of my room, as I read the list of shareholders I can't help but smile. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na may share pala si Marielle Louisse Dela Rosa sa Agoncillo Group and that made everything easier.

"Transfer my shares under Mielle Buenavista, call for a shareholder meeting courtesy of Ms. Dela Rosa, for sure papayag sila and tell them about the share transfer, tell them that Ms. Buenavista is interested in buying their shares. Buy their shares, ask them to name their price and pay them right away. I want this done, as soon as possible. I'll handle the Guevarra's shares. You may now leave" I said.

"Consider it done, by the way Mr. Cipher asked me to give you this" she said as she waves the paper bag, I nodded then she left.

I stood up then kinuha ko yung paperbag na may damit ko. I was about to enter the bathroom but Alexandrei grabs my arms then he pushed me towards the couch.

"What is that? What are you up to?" he asked.

I sat properly and crossed my legs.

"How's school?" I asked.

It's almost a week since that incident, the last thing I heard is that there are rumors about me being dead. I'm curious, ano naman kaya ang bagong chismis?

"Everything's normal. May kumakalat pa rin about you being dead pero may nangyari at biglang nabago ang balita. Sabi nila nagtatago ka daw dahil ikaw daw yung nagutos para saktan sila Lira at Vera. So basically, you turned out to be the bad guy" Arielle said.

That's pathetic!

"You were sending death threats to both of them then bigla na lang kumalat na pinabugbog mo daw sila, most of the students are mad at you, calling you names and such" Alexandrei said.

I can't help but laugh.

"We chose not to say a word about it, so basically the rumors about you are circling between you being dead or you are hiding because of the physical abuse that you did to the twins" Alexandrei added.

"Pinabura na ni Clyde yung underground site na yun kaya hindi nadagdagan yung issue" Arielle said.

Natahimik kami or at least ako lang. I haven't seen that beast since the day he left me at the mall, hindi ko nga alam kung dumalaw ba yun sa akin even once. What if I died? Feeling ko hindi rin sya pupunta sa burol ko, because he doesn't really know who I am. Fortunately, walang burol na magaganap because Alexandrei saved me.

"What happened to the twins?" I asked, changing the topic.

Nagkatinginan muna silang dalawa.

"They're here, currently confined" Alexandrei answered.

What? so did they actually hired someone to hit them? Or it was all just a lie? Hinding hindi ko gagawin yun—hired someone to hurt them, that's boring!

"They co-owned this hospital" Arielle said.

That's a news, in few days' time this hospital will be mine.

With that tumayo na ako at nagpalit ng damit. I mentally cursed Cipher for choosing these set of garments! Damn him! I look like a bad ass gangster! Black tattered pants, black leather jacket, white tank top and a black combat boots! What the hell!?

I went outside the bathroom, Alexandrei almost laughed at me pero kinurot sya ni Arielle. I glared at them then kinuha ko yung wallet, phone and keys.

"What exactly are you up to, Louisse?" Alexandrei asked as he let out an exasperating sigh.

Arielle held his hand firmly.

"Bakit may bilihan ng shares? Why can't you just file a case against them?" he suggested.

I laughed sarcastically.

"That's boring Alexandrei" I said.

"So bibilhin mo yung company nila?" Arielle asked.

I nodded.

"I can easily hire someone to kill them—I can actually kill them by myself but then again that would be boring. I want to see them suffer" I said. No matter how much I tried to hide my anger but those twins are really getting into my nerves.

"Just take this issue to the court" Alexandrei said.

I shook my head to disagree.

"Don't you think about getting in my way, Alexandrei. They tried to kill me and buying their company? Mabait pa ako sa lagay na yun" I said then I walk towards the door.

"Let's put it this way, isipin mo na lang na magsho-shopping lang ako sa divisoria, usually people bid for the cheapest price that the seller could give for a certain product. In my case, I'm buying the company at the shareholder's price, whether it's cheap or not." I added as I turned the door knob.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Arielle asked.

"Just gonna pay the twins a visit" I said then I left.

I headed straight to the nurses' station and asked for the hospital room of the twins which they gave right away. Walking along the empty hallway of the executive floor, nadaanan ko yung stock room actually bawal ako dito but I entered it right away.

And it looks like lady luck is on my side, I saw a lab gown—typical white garment that doctor's usually wear. Sinuot ko yun agad then tinali ko yung buhok ko into a low pony tail then I wear a face mask. I took out my specs from my jacket as well and then I walk straight to their room.

"DAMN IT LIRA! WHAT IF SHE'S DEAD?!"

"SHUT UP!"

I smirked upon hearing their conversation from the outside. So they're currently having a freak out party. I turned the knob and entered their room. Both of them don't look like they're hurt, it was all just a freaking show.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Lira asked.

I bowed my head for respect. Err! Respect my ass! I'm trying to calm myself. I scan the area and saw their food tray na mukhang hindi pa nagagalaw.

"I'm just here to check if both of you are eating properly" I said, which is a perfectly lame excuse but they just let me do my thing.

Lumapit ako sa tray ng pagkain at sinadya kong ihulog sa sahig.

"DAMN BITCH! ANG TANGA MO!" Lira shouted at me, I entered the bathroom at kumuha ako ng towel.

"I'll clean this mess" I said as I started wiping off the food on the floor.

Vera started pacing back and forth, looking really desperate. Lira on the other side, fell silent but I can clearly see that she's trembling.

"Lira, paano nga kung patay na sya? we don't know her and her family! Hindi natin alam kung anong gagawin nila as soon as malaman nilang tayo ang gumawa nun kay Mielle" Vera said as she walks around the room.

"She doesn't look powerful to me, I bet she's just a normal college girl. Drei may be rich but still mas mataas pa rin tayo sa kanila, the Castillo's won't do us any harm, so chill" Lira said.

Oh, the Buenavista will.

"Paano pag patay na sya?" Vera asked absentmindedly.

I finished wiping the floor and got up.

"Can't you hire someone to find her? Para maconfirm natin kung buhay pa ba sya or what?" Vera asked.

"Damn it! Vera hindi ka dapat nagaalala ng ganyan! Besides it's too expensive to hire someone that could find her! And then what? Saan kukuha ng pera? Sa Company?" Lira asked.

Vera took a quick glance at her sister and then she smirk, kahit kitang kita na galit talaga sya.

"Ganon naman ang ginagawa mo, right? With your boy toy, I can't believe you! Naghihirap si Dad sa kakaisip kung bakit may nawawalang pera but all along it's his daughter who's the thief" Vera said through gritted teeth.

This is getting more interesting, there's a rivalry between them.

"Patay na yung Bitch na yun, Vera. That company is ours, may karapatan tayo dun!" Lira answered.

"Anong gagawin natin?" Vera asked helplessly as she sit on her bed.

"We'll send flowers to her then. We don't have to worry about the people ang alam nila nagtatago yung bitch na yun somewhere, kung patay na sya, eh di patay" Lira answered that made me pissed.

Natahimik sila, I walk towards Lira para kunin yung baso sa gilid ng table nya and for a moment our eyes met, making her jaw drop as she stares at me from head to foot. Vera is calling her but it looks like she was stunned because of my mere presence.

"Black Roses, Agoncillo. I prefer black roses on my funeral" I said in my usual cold tone that made Vera stop blabbering about something.

Deafening silence engulfs us, it's like for a moment their breathing stops as they recognize my voice. Before they could even react, I immediately left the room, I took a left turn and I'm sure Vera followed me so I entered the fire exit and made my way down.

Tinanggal ko na yung lab gown and such, then I headed straight to the parking lot where my motorcycle awaits. I drove to the nearest salon to get my hair fixed.

*several hours later*

A sudden change isn't bad. I got my hair dyed into dark gray with silver streaks as highlights and my waist-length hair was now above shoulder length—a bob cut. The hairdresser made my hair look messy but well kept, I don't know, my hair's wavy but I like it this way. Ang gaan lang sa feeling.

After the getting fixed at the salon, I headed straight to my favorite pastry shop and was surprise to see the beast there. He's currently drinking his coffee as he stared at me as if he knew it was me despite of the helmet I'm wearing.

Ang weird, his stares are giving me creeps that caused my heart to beat wildly, after almost 2 weeks, ngayon ko lang ulit sya nakita. I removed my helmet then I smirked at him, he stared at me for a while with his creased forehead and then suddenly bigla na lang nyang naibuga yung coffee na ininom nya, nakilala na nya siguro ako.

I entered the pastry shop and sat in front of him with a small smile plastered on my face, na hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit ako naka-smile, I just feel like it.

And what I get from the beast in return?

"Ang pangit mo" he said in a serious tone, my small smile vanished into thin air and I suddenly want to punch him!

"Likewise" I said coolly as I took his apple pie and eat it, hindi naman sya umangal.

Kahit hindi ako nakatingin sa kanya, I can feel that he's staring at me—intently. I raised my glance at him and our eyes met, I was waiting for him to avert his gaze but he didn't, so basically we are currently having a staring contest at this moment. He's not even blinking and so do i!

"Excuse me, Mr. Alonzo eto na po yung apple pie na inorder nyo" the staff said as she gently placed the box on the table and that was when our staring contest ended. The beast nodded then the staff left, I resume on eating the pie which is not mine actually.

"I used to play staring game with Lulu before" he said out of the blue that made my heart skip a couple of beats.

I continued eating, acting as if hindi ko narinig yung sinabi nya.

"Pero ako lang yung nakatitig sa kanya, she's blind afterall so hindi nya alam na ginagawa ko yun sa kanya. She's staring into thin nothingness, while I stared at her" he said.

I cleared my throat.

"You didn't visit me at the hospital" I said trying to change the topic.

"Aray!" reklamo ko, he leaned forward para lang pitikin ako sa noo!

"I visited you several times, devil. Nagkataong lang tulog ka pag nandun ako" He said.

I rolled my eyes, mukhang niloloko ako ng beast na to.

"Whatever, your presence isn't needed at that time. As if naman gagaling ako bigla pag dumalaw ka sa akin" I said.

He laughed sarcastically.

"What an ungrateful devil" he said then he mumbled something that I didn't understand.

A few quiet moments later, na wala syang ginawa kundi tignan ako which is very disturbing but I just shrug it off. Bigla na lang tumunog yung phone nya.

"May klase pa ako. As you can see, my phone became my temporary secretary" bored na sabi nya.

"Well, that phone will be your secretary hanggang sa matapos ang trimester na 'to, since I don't have plans on returning to school" I said.

Bigla nyang nabitawan yung phone nya at bumagsak sa table. Shock expression was written on his face.

"Why? Maayos na sa school, pinatanggal ko na yung underground site, well may rumors pa rin pero ano bang pakialam mo dun? Hindi na mauulit yung pambubully sayo, I'll make sure of that" he said that made me shut up.

My mind can't process that words he said, the way he spoke filled with concern and fear?—takot na baka hindi na nya ako makita ulit? Or I was just overreacting?

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin na binubully ka nila?" he asked, sounding sad.

Hindi ko na alam kung anong isasagot ko. I didn't tell him kasi akala ko galit sya sa akin and galit din ako sa kanya that time, he made me wait at the mall but it turns out iniwan pala nya ako.

"Bakit mo ako iniwan sa mall?" I asked absentmindedly.

Eerie silence filled the corners of the pastry shop. It's like I've said something wrong that made the beast change his expression into unreadable one, hindi ko malaman kung galit ba sya or hindi.

I shouldn't have asked. Now there's a tension between us and I do not like it!

Sinawsaw ko yung daliri ko sa icing ng apple pie then pinunas ko yun sa mukha nya. I laughed pero nawala din dahil wala syang reaction.

"That's for making me wait up until midnight" I said.

His expression softens, his eyes are demanding for an explanation.

"You told me to wait so I did; it turns out iniwan mo pala ako. Akala ko tuloy may hinihintay pa ako, wala na pala" I said then I laughed.

"Paano mo nalaman?" He asked.

Sumandal ako sa upuan then I stared at him.

"I just know. So bakit mo ako iniwan?" I asked.

He didn't answer then tumayo sya, pinunasan pa nya ng panyo yung mukha nya. I grabbed his arms then I pointed at the box.

"It's yours, dadalaw sana ako after class. Naka discharge ka na pala. See you when I see you" he said plainly then naiwan na ako sa loob ng shop.

The feeling of being left alone sucks. So this is how it felt like? Kawawa din pala yung mga groom na iniwan ko noon, especially that airhead.

My gaze landed on the floor when my peripheral vision saw something shiny, halos mapatalon ako sa upuan ko ng makita ko kung ano yun. Kanina pa mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko, and damn! I almost had a heart attack as I pick up a necklace—my necklace!

Nauntog pa ako sa table bago ako makaupo pero wala akong pake. This necklace is the Rosa Familia's heirloom. Nakita kong may initial na 'M' sa likod. I gave this necklace to CC, my childhood friend—I gave this necklace to Clyde almost 13 years ago.

Flashback

"May ibibigay ako sayo,CC" I said.

"Ano naman yun?" He asked.

Kinapa ko yung box sa ilalim ng pillow ko, then kinuha ko yung necklace na family heirloom namin. I want to give this to him. Sabi kasi ni Paps, ibigay ko daw ito sa taong nagpapasaya sa akin. For a short time, CC made me happy, he made me see things differently kahit bulag ako, pakiramdam ko normal ako dahil sa kanya.

"Ibigay mo 'to sa babaeng magpapasaya sayo—sa babaeng magugustuhan mo. Pag nakilala mo na sya, ipakilala mo din sya sa akin ha?" I asked.

Inabot ko sa kanya yung necklace pero away nyang kunin mula sa kamay ko. I bit my lip as I tried to reach for his hand then naramdaman kong hawak na nya yung kamay ko. I placed the necklace on his palm.

"Siguradihin mong gagaling ka para makita mo kung gaano sya kaganda" he said.

I smiled at him then I felt tears streaming down my face. Paano pag hindi ako gumaling? Paano pag hindi ko kinaya yung operation? Paano pag hindi talaga ako makakakita?

"I will" I said then pinunasan ko yung luha ko.

I'm giving my necklace as my farewell gift. This is the last day that I'll be with him, bukas na yung flight ko papuntang England dahil doon nakakita ng donor sila Paps. Ayoko namang sabihin kay CC na aalis na ako kasi malulungkot sya, wala na syang kasama dito.

*smooch*

I return in reality after I felt someone kissed me on my cheek and that happens to be the bastard who's laughing his ass off in front of me.

"Damn! Your face was priceless! Hahaha" he said halos maiyak na sya sa kakatawa.

I glared at him pero di pa rin sya matigil sa pagtawa. What can you expect from Cipher? Eh abnormal yan!

"What were you thinking, B? masyado kang seryoso" he asked.

His gaze flew towards the necklace that I'm holding. He knows everything.

"Is that a replica?" he asked.

Alam nyang binigay ko yung necklace kay CC, so akala nya replica lang ang hawak ko. I shook my head to disagree.

"This one's the real one" I answered.

His eyes widened then later on bigla na lang naging expressionless yung mukha nya.

"You found him" he said.

"Yeah, I already found him long before I know it was him" I said.

He smirked at me.

"So where is he? I'm sure mas gwapo pa ako sa CC na yun" he asked.

I laughed which he didn't expect kaya gulat na gulat nya.

"Si Clyde, the president" I said.

"Sya si CC?" he asked then I nodded. Up until now, I still can't believe that, that beast and CC is one. Parang pinaglaruan kami or maybe ako lang?

We fell silent. May nilapag syang invitation sa table, it's my grandparents wedding anniversary invitation.

"So, the first love has returned. Hahaha finally, a decent opponent" he said.

He kept on insisting that CC's my first love pero hindi naman—I don't know.

"I bet hindi pa nya alam na ikaw si Lulu, you won't risk your identity lalo na mukhang hindi nya maiintindihan agad" he said then he leaned forward to kiss my forehead.

I have no plans on telling him, kuntento na ako na nakita ko sya, na alam kong he still remembers Lulu. He looks fine to me, even if he's still stuck in an unrequited relationship with Arielle. Mas lalo lang magugulo kung sasabihin ko sa kanya na ako si Lulu, it's not like paniniwalaan nya agad ako. Plus I don't know how to explain to him.

"I have no plans on telling him, Bastard" I said then I sighed.

He looks so surprise.

"Why?" he asked.

"I won't risk my identity" I said.

I can't help but think that we're actually bound to meet, I mean his dad and the witch are related, sa simula pa lang related na kami through our parents. We accidentally met in a hotel and then again on my last wedding day (yung muntik na akong mamatay) and then suddenly malalaman kong he's friends with Alexandrei. Pakiramdam ko pinagtatagpo kami, but of course that's absurd.

Since when did I believe in fate?

"I just dropped by to give this invite, B" the bastard said.

"How did you found me?" I asked.

"I have my ways" he said then he smirked.

"Creepy stalker" I said.

"I'd prefer to be your admirer. Oh before I forgot, I like your new look" he said then tumayo na sya. He leaned down to kiss my forehead—Again. He prefers forehead kisses than a peck on the cheek, sanay naman na ako sa kanya, he's been doing that since—ugh? Forever.

Napatingin ako sa labas and was surprise to see my grandparents are waving at me from their car. Damn bastard! He didn't tell me they were here!

I dialed the bastard's number.

"Miss mo agad ako?" he asked.

"Damn you! Where's Mamita and Paps?" I asked.

"We're here hija, hindi na kami bumaba dahil saglit lang daw si Cipher at isa pa natutuwa kaming panoorin kayo" Mamita answered that made me frown.

"See you on our wedding anniversary, hija" Paps said then biglang kinuha na nung bastard yung phone kaya naririnig ko syang tumatawa.

"Ako daw yung date mo" he said.

"Date your face, bastard" I said then I ended the call.

Biglang binaba ni Cipher yung car window then he pouted like a child, I rolled my eyes at him then bigla na lang silang umalis.

I removed the necklace that Cipher gave me then sinuot ko yung necklace ko, I held the pendant firmly. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang hindi isipin kung may ibang pagbibigyan si Beast ng necklace na 'to. Well, he gave this to Arielle but she returned this to him.

What if I don't return this to him? Well, technically this necklace is mine, hindi nya lang alam na ako si Lulu.

I decided to stood up and walk out of that pastry shop, tinali ko pa sa likod ng motor yung cake then I dialed the airhead's number, sya naman talaga ang pakay ko ngayon.

"Hey" he greeted casually.

"Nasaan ka?" I asked.

"I'm busy" he answered.

Damn! Tinanong ko ba kung anong ginagawa nya? I mentally rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Let's meet" I said.

He chuckled.

"That's one tempting offer, Ms. Dela Rosa. I'm in a bookshop" he said.

"There are tons of bookshop in this city, airhead. Which one?" I asked.

Tumawa na naman sya.

"Fullybooked, see you later in a bit" he said then he ended the call.

I quickly drove my way to that freaking bookshop and parked in front of the entrance, bumaba na ako then pumasok sa loob. I scanned the whole area pero wala akong makitang airhead! I swear sasapakin ko sya pag wala sya dito.

I walked around and my eyes almost made a 360 degrees roll (if that's even possible) at the sight of the airhead under his nerdy glasses. Of course, may kasama na naman syang babae—a pretty one but kinda nerdy, maybe that's the reason of his nerdy get up. Ugh!

"Hey nerd" I said.

Both of them glanced at me with shock expression on their faces. The girl hid behind the airhead and the latter just smirked at me.

"I need this nerd" I said firmly as I pointed at the airhead.

"H-He's with m-me" the girl said.

I smirked.

"I know and I don't care" I said.

Hinila sya nung airhead palayo sa akin, he said something that made the girl blush then umalis na din sya. He walks past the shelves like he's a model, his hands are in his pockets and has this devilish grin plastered on his face.

"The nerd and the gangster, I like it and I love your new look-- fiesty" he said as he took a quick glance at me. I rolled my eyes at him. Buti pa sila ni Cipher nagustuhan yung bagong hairstyle ko, while that beast—ugh! ANG PANGIT DAW!

Mukha nga akong gangster and now that he's with me, with his nerdy get up—nagmumukha na naman akong masama. I leaned slightly at the shelves then I stared at him.

"I want your shares in the Agoncillo Group" I said.

Sumandal din sya sa shelves then kumuha ng libro, he scan through the pages while smirking.

"So the Dela Rosa Princess, decided to conquer a kingdom as revenge—not bad" he said then bigla nyang sinara yung libro making a sound that somehow caught the attention of the people around us.

"I'll double the pay" I said.

"Si gramps ang bumili ng shares na yun for me, is it worth it kung bibilhin mo twice the price?" he asked then he smirked at me.

Mas lalong lumaki yung smirk nya ng mapatingin sya sa necklace ko.

"That necklace is familiar. Looks like it made its own way back to its owner—am I right Lulu?" he asked.

The eyebrows twitched as he mentions that name. Bakit ba lagi kong nakakalimutan na may alam sya? Damn this airhead!

"I'm not here to play games with you, airhead" I said.

He chuckled then he removed his glasses.

"A wish" he said that made my brows furrowed.

"Pay me and grant me a wish" he added.

What the hell?! baka kung anong wish ang hingin nito, perv.

Well fell silent while I'm thinking and he's busy scanning the books on the shelves. Anong wish ba ang gusto nito? Bahala na nga—all for his shares in that damn company!

"Fine" I said.

Humarap sya sa akin the he smirked at me—no more like he smiled at me.

"Triple the pay" he said.

I rolled my eyes and nodded.

"And your wish is?" I asked.

He smiled at me as he chuckled softly.

"Go out on a date with me, Mielle" he said, para akong nabingi sa sinabi nya or kaya ako nabingi dahil ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. What the hell?!

"De—"

"She's not going on a date with you"

The beast grabs my arms then nilagay nya ako sa likod nya.

"Give me back my necklace, devil" he said through gritted teeth habang nakatingin sa kwintas ko. I can't bring myself to speak because of the tension between the three of us.

The airhead chuckled.

"Si Mielle ang magdedecide sa bagay na yun, am I right love?" he asked.

I didn't answered him, the beast's grip on my arms tightened, making me cringed in pain. The airhead noticed it then his face became serious.

"Let go of her" the airhead said, sounding a command.

"What if I don't want to?" the beast asked, making my heart beat wildly.

The airhead smirked at him.

"Then I'll have to steal her away from you" the airhead said then he wink at me.

The beast didn't answer, masama lang ang tingin nila sa isa't isa. I don't understand them especially that beast! Bigla na lang syang dadating dito and then he's acting all territorial? Possessive?

I know he's here for the necklace but why is he acting like this? It's not like it's wrong to go out on a date with this airhead, I know he's a jerk and a playboy—a complete pervert pero alam kong hindi nya magagawa sa akin yun—I don't know why but I trust the airhead.

"Or not, she's not yours to begin with" the airhead added the he laughed.

I'm getting impatient with this! Pagbuhulin ko kaya silang dalawa? Hindi ko naman kasi pwedeng sabihin kay beast na kaya ako makikipagdate sa airhead dahil kailangan kong bilhin yung company shares nya!

"Shall I make her mine, then?"

*End of Chapter*