Moonlight Serenade

Jewel sat bored in her seat, as the three of them laughed. Gideon remained silent as he sipped his cup and occasionally glanced at her.

"Let it go, Sebastian. At the next wedding, I will delegate all decisions to your family," the Mayor said. "Have your questions been answered? I can't stay long because there's still work to be done in the municipality, but I'd like to speak with you two privately."

Donya Belinda faced her. "Jewel, you'll take care of Gideon. We'll just talk to your prospective father-in-law," she explained.

The three stood up and exited the dining hall at the same time. Jewel sighed and leaned back in her chair, relieved. She shut her eyes. She appeared to have lost her cool after hearing what the Mayor and her parents had said. Her head ached as she considered the marriage contract she would sign the next day.

But what could she possibly do? She lacked the courage to stand up to a Mayor and chastise her parents. She was certain that if those three discovered her hesitation to agree to the marriage, they would exile her to Mindanao with the man promised to her. That was the worst thing she avoided at all.

'No. It's all right, Jewel. Breathe in, then exhale. When the school year resumes, you will not see any of them. 'You'll be safe in your dorm,' she reasoned, calming herself.

She had her eyes closed for a few moments, but she felt someone staring at her face. She frowned as her gaze was drawn to Gideon's dark orbs. When their gazes met, the man didn't even blink. 'Annoying.'

"Why are you staring?" she questioned, her tone hostile.

"You're too young to be my wife," said Gideon.

His words pricked her ears, and she sat up straight in her chair. "I agree so come on, let's cancel this engagement?" Her eyes twinkled with delight.

Gideon's lips twitched with a smile. "Uhuh. Too impulsive."

"Excuse me?" she asked, laughing. "I'm not rash. In fact, Mr. Hernandez, I've been thinking about this for quite some time. You should know that I am a first-year college student. For Pete's sake, just 19 years old." Her brow furrowed. "Sorry, but can you cancel this? I'm much too young for you. At my age, I have no intention of becoming a pathetic wife. You should know this, but I am an outstanding student with straight A. What should my professor think of me? And what about my reputation in school? And my friends, they will surely avoid me! Do you know how it will affect my grades?"

He smirked. "That's too bad. I can help you in your study. You don't need to be depended with others, when you can call your husband for help. And if your friends ignore you, then they are not true to you."

Jewel's lips twitched with a smile. "How can I? Since grade school, I am independent! I don't need others to help me with my schooling. Also, did I just said that I am a straight A student? Now that I'm gonna be a wife, it would greatly affect my grades! Come to think If it, all my efforts would be a waste. Being a housewife..." Her face contorted when she imagined herself with a kid. "Arg! No! Not in a chance! I have my dreams to achieve and I still have to contribute something to this country after I graduated college!"

Gideon's lips curled up, amused by her effort to promote herself as a 'good student' she is. "I will not harm you or cause you any trouble, Jewel. You can study and fool around." He chuckled, clearly toying with her ambitious look. "Bastard," she cussed under her breath.

He flicked his tongue. "Just when I believe you're a good student. Miss Mangubat, cursing is bad," he teased and grinned at her.

Her body shook in suppressed anger. "Persistent bastard!"

"I am," Gideon said, his even white teeth visible as he leaned in closer in her direction. "Please accept my apologies. I'm afraid I can't grant your wish."

She jumped to her feet and exited the dining hall. She entered the living room, carrying the hem of her long dress. Her gaze was drawn to Don Sebastian and Donya Belinda. "Mama! Papa! This isn't going to work! I don't want to marry this man!" she exclaimed. Desperate.

She came to a halt beneath a large chandelier and looked around. Her father and mother were both absent. Where had they gone?

Someone suddenly grabbed her arm and turned her around. Surprised, she let go of the dress's hem and stepped on it. When she lost her balance, she screamed.

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Gideon grabbed her arm and yanked her back. He supported her with one arm while the other snaked around her. "Not only impulsive, but careless too," Gideon whispered, his voice low and amused. He was fixated on her. However, the stare was tinged with teasing. Gideon's silly grin never left his lips.

She quickly took his hand off her waist. She took a step back and inhaled deeply. "Explain to me, Mr. Hernandez, why you are so persistent."

"I'm not persistent, Jewel."

Her eyes rolled. "Come on, tell me why you're here," Jewel said, her brow furrowed. "What makes you want to marry me?"

But the man remained silent. Gideon's gaze remained fixed on her. His lips opened to say something, but he quickly retracted and closed them.

Jewel frowned, irritated, and walked away from Gideon. "If you don't want to respond, that's fine. I don't really care ---"

Gideon cut her words. "It's my mother's dying wish."

Her foot stopped moving forward. Did she get it right? A death wish? Whose fault is it? Of his mother?

Her brows came together.

Gideon exhaled a sigh. "We first met on the day of her funeral."

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Jewel turned slowly to face Gideon. The man was only a few meters away. His solemn gaze returned, the kind that dug deep into her. And he no longer had that crazy smile on his lips.

Her voice trembled. "Are you j-joking?"

Gideon raised his head. "The Mayor is just acting as if everything is fine. But the truth is that he is still unable to accept my mother's death. A private funeral was held so that no one would inquire. I came from Mantalongon and was sent home just for her funeral," he said, averting his gaze. "I gave up my promise to the country's sovereignty to marry you, Jewel. So please consider it."

"You're fulfilling a death wish?" She shook her head. "Mr. Hernandez, I understand. My heartfelt condolences on your loss. I don't want to be insensitive.. but can't you see how much that death wish is going to cost me? My freedom." She clenched her fist and clenched her jaw.

Gideon looked at Jewel before he averted his gaze. His expression was solemn. "Think about it a hundred times. This marriage isn't just about your freedom." He looked at her again. "Two families' reputation and your parents' feelings." She gave a blink. "They don't even give a damn about my feelings."

"Jewel."

"Look, I'm not going to marry you. Marriage..." she said angrily, running her finger through her hair. "Please understand my side. I know what my life will be like after I marry you. I don't want that. I have my own life. I have my dreams. I have a lot of things to chase on. And when I'm tied to you..." she swallowed and avoided Gideon's gaze. "And I can't do everything I want in life when I'm tied to you. You'll cage me to death, and I don't want that!"

"I won't imprison you, Jewel," Gideon said as he took a step closer but then stopped. He blinked and averted his gaze once more. "The last thing I'll do to my wife is put her in a cage. You're not a bird, Jewel. You and I, as partners, should work equally. Being dominant is not my thing."

Her eyes squinted. "Do you think you think I'll believe you?" She snarled. She waited for him to speak up, but he just stood there in front of her, his gaze fixed on her. She sighed and looked down, defeated. "Why, why can't you give up?" "You'll know the reason soon and I'm rebuilding myself," Gideon said softly to her. "If you don't want to be my wife, just submit to me as a woman. I want to be your good husband."