Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Kinuha niya ang kamay ko tsaka niya isinuot sa akin ang singsing na iyon.

I never thought I'd receive this kind of proposal in my life. I never imagined he would do this. Although it's not romantic and it was just for show, I feel something in my heart.

"It fits. I was about to give that to Quency." I frowned. He shouldn't have said that. He really knows how to break my heart.

"How can I wear this if it's supposed to be for someone?"

I was about to take it off when he held my hand and stopped me from taking it off. "Maybe it was meant for you; that's why I never had the chance to give this to her."

"Don't try to fool me. I'm not that stupid."

I took it off and gave it back to him. He was right when he said that he says what he wants to say without considering the feelings of the person to whom he's talking. Alam na alam niya talaga kung paano ako saktan.

"Can you just wear it for a while? Like a token of our agreement to use each other for our family's business."

I knew it. Why am I expecting something? I'm so stupid for feeling something for him just for giving me a ring. He never loves me and just wants me to marry to destroy my life.

"I can't believe you're agreeing with their idea. You're my last resort because I thought you'd oppose it," I expressed.

"Hey, you're hurting my ego by acting like you don't want to be me. Hindi mo ba 'to gusto? You love me, right?" he babbled. I was calm earlier, but now he's pissing me off again. I don't understand why his attitude suddenly changed like this. Inaaning niya ba ako?

"I want to slap you for saying that. Don't use my feelings to get what you want." I stared at him, but he seemed to be having fun annoying me.

He smirked. "Do you really know what I want?"

"No, I just know that you're a player."

He smirked. "How did you know?"

He moves closer to me.

"I just knew it."

"Hmm, you're right. So can we agree to this marriage and divorce after their business comes back to a good state?" I don't think that's the only reason he wanted this marriage. I knew how he hated me before. Why did he suddenly change his thoughts?

"Anong binabalak mo? Why do you suddenly want to get married to me?"

He heaved a sigh. "Look, I didn't really want this before, but our family needs us. You need me to build your reputation again and to have a father for that child."

Tiningnan ko siya, habang kinukumbinsi ang sarili kong maniwala sa kaniya. I know he won't do this just because his family told him to. I remember him saying that he abandoned his family because they opposed his marriage to someone he loved. What is he hiding?

"What's in it for you?" I asked as the discussion with Professor Magalona came back to mind. Humans don't do anything that isn't beneficial. There's always an agenda for everything.

He sat on the bed. Beside me. He caressed my hand, which surprised me. "Look, I have no choice either. I'm just trying to enjoy this idea of ​​them." Hinaplos niya ang mukha ko. Agad namang kumunot ang noo ko.

"What are you doing?" I tried to stop myself, but I could smell his scent because he was near me, and it was tempting me.

"Guess."

He leans closer to me, looking at my lips. Hindi ako nakahinga nang maglapat ang mga labi namin. Automatic na napapikit ako sa ginawa niya at bumawi ng halik. Nanghihina ako. Nanglalambot. Paano niya 'to nagagawa sa akin?

Rinig ko ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Hinipo niya ang baywang ko kaya lalong dumaloy sa katawan ko ang init. Muli ko na namang naalala ang nangyari noong gabing iyon.

Palalim nang palalim ang mga halik niya. Tila ba inuubos ako.

Napatitig ako sa mga mata niya nang bitawan niya ang mga labi ko.

"You asked me why I kissed you that night. Have you found out the answer?"

I shook my head while I was trying to catch my breath.

"Then I'll do it again. Make sure to find the answer this time."

I couldn't stop him and was too stunned to speak when he grabbed my nape and kissed me for the second time. It was more passionate than before. I don't know what to feel.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib niya. I can feel his heart beating fast too, and that makes me crazier. I can't seem to stop responding to his kiss. Nalulunod ako. Para akong kandilang nauupos dahil sa nagsisiklab niyang mga halik.

His hand inserts itself into my blouse. I was shocked when he did that. Are we making out here in the infirmary?

"Hey, someone might see us, hmmm," I whispered between my breaths.

But he seemed not to hear me and still sucked my lips like they were his own. I suddenly heard footsteps approaching the door. I was trying to push him to stop, but he was more powerful than I am.

"Not until you realize the answer," he growled.

Ano bang sagot? Bakit niya ako hinalikan nang gabing 'yon?

He pulls me closer to him. His soft lips were sucking me breathtakingly.

The door opened, and I forcibly pushed him away from me. Nakatitig siya sa akin habang pinupunasan ang mga labi niya gamit ang likod ng kaniyang kamay.

"Miss Velasco, you're awake now. How are you feeling?" I gulped when the nurse approached me. Jhon Rey moved and sat on the chair beside the bed.

"I-I'm fine," I responded. I just hope she never saw what we did.

"It's good to hear that, Miss Velasco. Make sure to visit your doctor regarding your baby so you can see if he was affected by your sudden bleeding on the pulse."

I nodded. "Thank you." The nurse went out of that room after she checked my vital signs. Tama, kailangan ong malaman kung naapektuhan ba ang baby ko sa muling pagdudugo ng pulsuhan ko. Wait, should I tell Jhon Rey to come with me?

"Have you figured it out?" he asked. He stood up and walked towards me again.

I almost forgot what we were doing a while ago and the question he was asking me.

"It's because of lust," he admitted.

I felt the rush decrease. Hindi ko alam kung paano niya ako napapasaya at nasusugatan nang sabay.I know what he means—he doesn't love me at all. That was the answer as to why he did it last time, and maybe it was also to make his ex-girlfriend jealous.

"Put it on so we can move on to the next step they are planning." He threw me the ring box again. He stood up and straightened himself. "And try to act like you really love me, because I will do the same. I'm going back to class. I'll fetch you later."

I was surprised when he kissed me on the forehead before he left. Hindi ko magawang matuwa sa ginagawa niya. He treats me like I am just a thing that he can throw away when I am no longer useful.

I held on to my stomach.

I feel sorry for my child.

He witnessed what an asshole his father is.

Minsan ayaw ko na lang din siyang lumabas kung ganito ang madadatnan niya sa buhay na ito. But I don't have any choice; I just hope I can make him grow up kinder and not like hhis father.

Pinili ko na lang magpahinga.

Sana sa pagpikit ko tapos na ang lahat.

Katulad ng sinabi ni Jhon Rey, sinundo niya ako sa infirmary pagkatapos ng klase. Nakalimutan ko palang itanong sa kaniya 'yong tungkol sa sociology project namin. Gusto kong makasigurong hindi siya ang nagpasa ng project ko para sa akin, dahil bakit niya naman gagawin iyon?

"Jhon Rey, can I ask something?"

Sinulyapan niya ako. "Sure."

"About our sociology project, by any chance, have you passed it already?"

"Yeah, I did. I passed our project, so don't worry about it."

I nodded. So, siya nga? And there, I became curious about what he wrote about me.

I was about to enter his car when his cell phone vibrated. He checked. He was busy typing on his phone, while I just waited for him to look at me.

"I couldn't take you home now. I have to go somewhere. I'll call Derrick for you."

I shook my head.

"I'll do it," presinta ko.

"Okay." Sumakay na siya sa kotse niya at mabilis itong pinaandar. I took a deep breath as I realized I was left alone again.

Wait, I'm not alone. I have Kento. I smiled as I caressed my stomach. Right, I should go to Doctor Patricio to check if he's alright there inside me.

"Should I tail him?"

I was surprised when Derrick appeared behind me.

"Why?" tanong ko naman nang makalapit na siya sa akin.

"Your father doesn't trust him yet." Kumunot ang noo ko.

"What do you mean? Hindi ba't nagkasundo na silang tulungan ang isa't isa? That's the reason we're getting married, right?" I can never really understand the movement and how businessmen think. They were like psychos that could read your moves.

"Business is business, Miss Velasco. It was not just about you having a husband and a father for your child. It was also not about overcoming this crisis. Once you two get married, Carpio will have the right to see how your family works, so it'll be easier for them to take us down."

I gasped. So my ordeal in life is still not over. Sabagay, ipakakasal nga nila ako sa taong hindi ko mahal, eh, na akala ko ay magwawakas na sa away ng dalawang kampo, pero hindi pa pala, because betrayal is possible. The world I live in is tiring.

"But your father is aware of this too. That's why he makes his enemy closer. What you need to do is act like yourself; you're the bait, I guess."

I frowned.

I don't understand anything. Can't we just live in peace?

I don't know why they called me smart, but what I heard made me more nervous and feel stupid. That means the fight between the two families will not end even if Jhon Rey and I get married.

It is just a step toward conquering one's kingdom.

And it looks like I'm just a piece of pawn, which they're willing to sacrifice to win the game.