*Mielle's POV*

Several days have passed, feeling ko galit pa rin sa akin si beast. Bihira nya akong kausapin tapos cold pa. I explained to Alexandrei everything—lahat ng nangyari that day, naintindihan naman nya.

Napahiga ako sa bench dito sa rooftop. I watch the clouds on the sky then I sighed. Napahawak ako sa necklace na bigay ni Cipher, nakabalik na kaya sila sa Spain? Nakaalis na kaya sila dito?

I started humming a song pero napatigil din ako kasi may biglang dumating.

"Let's talk, Drei"

Napaupo ako nung narinig ko yung boses ni Arielle. I heard footsteps na papalapit sa pwesto ko.

"What is it, my princess?" Alexandrei asked.

Natahimik sila, all I can hear is the whistling wind and the trees. Kahit nakatago ako, nararamdaman ko yung tension between them. Lately, napansin kong parang may problema si Alexandrei, looks like it's with Arielle.

"How long have you been lying to my face, Drei?" Arielle asked.

I keep myself calm, feeling ko may kinalaman ako sa paguusapan nila ngayon.

"What!?" Alexandrei asked.

"Oh come on, Drei! Maglolokohan pa ba tayo dito?" Arielle asked.

"Get straight to the point, Arielle!" inis na sabi ni Alexandrei.

I heard the sobs of Arielle, what the hell?! She's crying?!

"Yung mga pagaalala mo sa kanya, yung closeness mo sa kanya, yung pakikitungo mo sa kanya, yung iba yung tawa mo pag kasama mo sya, yung kahit busy ka basta nagpasama sya sasama ka. Tell me, pinsan mo ba talaga si Mielle?" Arielle asked.

"Anong—"

"Mielle ba talaga yung pangalan nya?" She asked again.

Napatayo na ako sa bench dahil nabanggit na yung pangalan ko. Well it's not my real name but, it's still my name!

"Hindi ko na kaya yung pagsisinungaling mo, Drei. Pakiramdam ko niloloko mo ako" Arielle said between her sobs.

"Let me explain, Arielle" Alexandrei said.

"Sana noon pa, Drei" Arielle said then I heard footsteps na pahina ng pahina.

"Arielle, please magusap tayo" Alexandrei begged.

"Ayoko na—"

Then I showed up.

"Let my cousin explain or at least let me explain" I said, natigilan si Arielle then hinarap ako.

I walked towards her, pinigilan ako ni Alexandrei pero tinulak ko lang sya palayo then I glared at him.

"You're right, my name is not Mielle Buenavista" I said.

Arielle look at me in the eye, galit na galit sya. I can't even understand kung bakit sya nagagalit?

"My name is Marielle Louisse Castillo Dela Rosa, pinsan ko si Alexandrei. Kapatid ng dad nya yung mom ko. Why did I hide my true identity? Dahil tinataguan ko yung mom ko. Gusto ko rin magaral sa isang normal na school. Ako ang nagsabi kay Alexandrei na wag ipagkalat yung identity ko, ayoko nga ring malaman ng lahat na magpinsan kami pero hindi na naiwasan" I explained.

Gulong gulo naman yung reaction sa mukha nya.

"Back on that Music festival, ako rin yung tumulong sayo para mahanap si Alexandrei sa crowd. I'm not actually good in storytelling, you can ask Alexandrei everything you want to know about me" I said then nilampasan ko sya.

Bubuksan ko na sana yung pintuan pero tumigil ako.

"I have ruined a lot of things but please don't let me ruin your relationship, you have something that I don't have and besides I'm not worthy" I said then umalis na ako.

Lumabas ako ng finance building then I saw a very familiar face—it's the bastard's face, what the hell is he doing here!? He's drawing too much attention!

Lumapit ako sa kanya, his serious face banished at napalitan ng smirk, geez!

"Anong masamang hangin ang nagdala sayo dito?" I asked.

"You should've told me that you missed me so much" he said then he pulled me into a hug.

Ginulo nya yung buhok ko then inakbayan nya ako, sumandal kami sa sasakyang dala nya.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Because I miss you" he said then he pinches my cheek. Damn him!

I rolled my eyes at him, I won't buy that excuse. Pumunta sya sa passenger then he handed me a box.

"I came to deliver that, nakalimutang ibigay ni Amanda sayo. Nakabalik na nga pala sya sa U.S" he said, yeah I know that, Amanda is my secretary sa akin sya unang nagpaalam.

"You can go now" I said then I shooed him away.

"Come with me" he said.

Is he crazy?! Kailangan ako dito sa school kahit wala naman akong gagawin.

"I'll treat you" he said then he wriggled his eyebrows at me with a playful smiled plastered on his face.

I suddenly forgot about the stressed I'm dealing with because of this bastard. I shook my head to disagree then he pouted.

"Nice school makes me want to study here" he said. I glared at him, hindi sya pwedeng magaral dito!

"Don't you dare, umalis ka na bastard baka may makakita sa atin dito" I said.

"Edi maganda, iisipin nilang boyfriend mo ako" He said then he laughed victoriously.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Wow, you as my boyfriend? It doesn't sound good" I said. Then he locked my neck in his arms, nakayuko ako ngayon habang sakal sakal nya ako. I tried to step on his foot pero nakaiwas sya.

Binitawan nya ako then he fixed my hair, what a psycho. Pagkatapos nyang guluhin ang buhok ko then aayusin nya.

"I have to go, the longer I stay here, the more I will miss you later" he said sincerely. Damn him!

He smirked at me then binuksan na nya yung car door nya, I waved at him then umalis na sya. Suddenly my phone rang and it's the bastard who's calling.

"What?" I asked.

"I missed you already" he said, I can imagine him pouting at this moment.

"Drive safely, you bastard. See you some other time" I said then I ended the call.

I walk towards the lobby of the main building, I know that this day would come talagang mabibisto din ako, the question is how did Arielle know that I'm not Mielle? Impossibleng dahil lang sa nagkita kami sa music festival, I was on disguise back then.

I sighed then nagpunta ako sa auditorium, wala akong gagawin ngayon dahil may council meeting yung beast, hindi nya ako pinasama then wala namang nagpapatutor ngayon dahil kakatapos lang ng prelims.

I slowly walked towards the stage where there is a grand piano. Umupo ako then I touched the keys. I've been so stressed lately and I don't know why?!

I calmed myself then I started playing the piano then later on, I decided to sing.

~Demons~

"When the days are cold and the cards all fold and the saints we see are all made of gold. When your dreams all fail and the ones we hail are the worst of all and the blood's run stale?"

"I want to hide the truth, I want to shelter you but with the beast inside, there's nowhere we can hide. No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed. This is my kingdom come, this is my kingdom come"

"When you feel my heat, look into my eyes, it's where my demons hide; it's where my demons hide. Don't get too close, it's dark inside, it's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide"

I continued playing the piano though I already stopped singing.

*clap.clap.clap.clap.clap*

Napatigil ako sa pagtugtog ng piano then I faced that person who clapped. My brows furrowed, he looks familiar to me.

"Well, you look at that. I didn't know that you can sing" he said then he smirked at me.

Mas nakakainis yung smirk nya compare sa smirk ni Cipher and I don't know why? Pero bigla akong kinabahan.

"Konti na lang talaga maniniwala na ako sa destiny" he said then he walks towards the stage at huminto sya sa harapan ko.

"Who are you?" I asked using a plain tone.

"I wouldn't want to know, if I were you" He said then he smirked at me.

What's with guys and their smirks? Nakakagwapo ba? I don't find it attractive though, nakakainis lang tignan, makes me want to punch him hard on the face.

"Just answer the damn question" I said patiently but damn I'm about to lose my patience.

Naupo sya sa front seat ng auditorium at tinignan lang ako, by the way he looks at me parang kilala nya ako or I'm just overreacting?

"Chill, hindi ganyan yung pagkakakilala ko sayo" he said then he rested his back on the seat.

Pagkakakilala sa akin? What the hell!?

"They said you are calm and collected, sophisticated, elegant, intelligent, oozing with poise, everything that a princess should possess. Am I right, Ms. Dela Rosa?" he asked.

I don't know what's gotten into me pero para akong nabingi after hearing my surname from him. What the hell?! Sino ba sya? At first Arielle knew my identity and now him!?

"Who are you?" I asked through gritted teeth, my hands are already shaking because of fear or it's because I'm mad and already losing my patience?

Napatayo sya then inayos nya yung uniform nya, bigla syang yumuko, it's as if he's giving respect to a royalty.

"Forgive me for being impolite, your highest highness" he said with plastered smirk on his face.

I raised my brows.

"If you just attended our wedding day, you could have known my name" he said.

What the hell!? Nagpapatawa ba sya? Sa dami ng muntik na maikasal sa akin tingin ba nya maaalala ko kung sino sya? I just met him! And I don't care about him or the other grooms!

"Tsk! How would you know? Ang dami nga pala namin" he said then he touched his chin na para bang nagiisip.

"Just tell me who you are" I said in a firm voice.

"Ah let me give you a clue, does 'The Wedding of the Millennium' ring a bell?" he asked.

My forehead creased, if I remember it right, that was my official wedding because the public knew about it. That wedding was televised, all popular businessmen are invited even the celebrities. It happened in New York.

"Ang hina mo naman" he said.

I wanted to run towards him and kick him right through his face! Damn him! I hate him! I loathe him! I'll send him to the deepest and darkest pits of hell!

"Let me introduce myself" he said.

"You should've said it earlier, you wouldn't have wasted my time" I said in bored manner.

I saw his pissed expression, pikon.

"Who are you again?" I asked.

"I'm the one who will drag you down to hell" he said, trying to calm his self.

I laughed sarcastically.

"There's no need to drag me, airhead" I said.

His eyebrows twitched as I call him airhead, it suits him. Hindi nya kasi alam kung sino ang kinakalaban nya. He may know me by my name but he doesn't know what I can do.

"Talagang nakakainis ka, you ruined my life!" he shouted, his voice roared around the corners of this auditorium.

"Well, that's where I'm good at. Ruining things like your life. Imagine, hindi ko nga alam na nasira ko na pala yung buhay mo. I'm so amazing right?" I asked him.

Hindi sya nakasagot, his hands are also shaking because his mad, he's like a lion, ready to devour his prey. Too bad, I don't taste so good.

"I'll throw you to hell" he said.

Blah blah blah puro salita, I bet he can't even do it! How can he throw me to hell if I'm the devil?

"See you there" I said.

He nodded several times.

"And make sure to open the gate for me" I commanded him.

He laughed sarcastically.

"Damn you're such a pain in the ass" he said while laughing.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Mr..."

"Mr. Guevarra—Lance Michael Guevarra" he said.

I kept my straight face pero gulat na gulat talaga ako. That's why he looks so familiar,Kuya sya ni Arielle, that explains why Arielle knew me! Nakita ko na sya noon sa bahay nila, sya din yung nakabangga ko during the charity event and if I remember it right, sya rin yung nakita ko sa park back when I was running away from my last wedding.

Napayuko ako then I smiled looks like fate is playing dirty games on me.

"What's your name again?" I asked. Damn it! Ngayon lang ulit ako kinakabahan ng ganito.

"Show your formalities, your highest highness" he commanded me.

Why would I introduce myself, he already knew me.

"You already knew me" I said.

"Yeah, I know everything about you. Everything" he said.

I bit my lower lip; it felt like my heart just stopped beating for a few seconds.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Hmmmm...Like the tale hiding behind those emerald green eyes" he said.

I gulped, he really knows me. Talagang pinaimbestigahan nya ako, I must give his investigator a prize, magaling sya. Feeling ko tuloy, nag-alaga ako ng ahas and this airhead happened to caught it.

"I'm curious about the identity of your investigator" I said.

"Yeah, magaling sya hindi ba?" he asked then I nodded.

"May I know his or her name?" I asked.

"It's Jacob—Jacob Lastimosa, a very dear friend to me" he said looking proud.

Nag-alaga nga ako ng ahas. Jacob Lastimosa was the ex-boyfriend of Rae, knowing my best friend I'm sure nakwento nya yung buong buhay ko sa ex nya. Naghiwalay sila because Jacob wants to be my groom, he wants to take over the Empire but he's too weak at I'm sure babagsak yung Empire dahil sa kanya.

"Anong gagawin mo ngayon, your highest highness?" he asked.

I fished my phone from my pocket and dialed Amanda's number, after several rings sinagot nya yung tawag. I turned the speakers on.

"Miss, what can I do for you?" She asked.

"Take the Lastimosa Technologies down" I commanded.

"P-Po?" she asked.

"I. Want.The. Lastimosa. Technologies. Down" I said

"C-Consider it d-done" She said then I ended the call.

The airhead just stared at me as if I'm some kind of an alien.

"You might wanna call your friend, I think he needs you now" I said while smirking at him.

He dialed Jacob's number, I commanded him to turn the speakers on.

"Hello?" Jacob sounded awful. May narinig kaming faint na sigawan sa background, parang nagaaway?

"Nasaan ka?" the airhead asked.

"Nasa company, Damn! Bumagsak yung stocks namin, may isang shareholder na nagpull out ng shares tapos sumunod na din yung ibang shareholders Damn! Yung unang nagpull-out ay masyadong influential!. Our company is in a deep shit! Fck! Baon na baon kami sa utang!"

"We have to close the company"

"No, Dad!" Jacob said.

"Malaki ang utang natin kay Buenavista! Ayaw nyang tanggapin ang Company bilang kabayaran!"

"Call you later dude" Jacob said then he ended the call.

"Malaki ang utang natin kay Buenavista" I said trying to imitate what Jacob's dad said.

I smirked at him, halos mabitawan na nya yung phone nya.

"I'm Mielle Beunavista, by the way" I said.

"I can also do that to the Guevarra Estates, it's just a phone call away" I added then I waived my phone at him.

"You can't" he said while shaking his head

I laughed at him.

"Dare me" I said in a firm voice.

"Magigising ka na lang the next day, locked up in your mansion along with the so called witch" he said.

I froze. Of course, he knows my mom.

"Magugulat ka na lang, kalat na yung identity mo. Madadamay ang Empire sa mga kalokohang ginawa mo" he said.

"You don't want to involve the Empire, ako pa nga lang kayang kaya ng pabagsakin ang Guevarra Estates baka kapag ang Empire na ang gumawa, then next thing you know sa kangkungan ka na pupulutin" I said.

I walked down the stage while he's still standing frozen on his position.

"Tandaan mong, kahit magpalit palit ako ng pangalan, The Dela Rosa blood is still running through my veins and that makes me the suitable Heir of the Empire, hindi yung kung sino sino lang" I said.

"Remember that the crown doesn't need to loose several gems just so the handler can wear it easily, the crown needs to have a rightful handler, that no matter how heavy the crown is, she will still wear it with her head held high" I said before I could reached the auditorium door.

"Mr. Lance Michael Guevarra, My almost groom" I said.

"I, Marielle Louisse Dela Rosa, your almost bride, am very pleased to finally meet you"

*End of Chapter*

An*

Ang sipag ko today :)