Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

Patricia's POV (The Contract)

"I need us to talk"

Nahigit ko ang hininga at matapang na tumitig kay Callum. Tama ba itong ginawa ko?

"About what?" he asked while drinking water.

Humanap ako ng tiyempo para makausap siya at ng makita ko siya na papunta sa kusina ay sinundan ko na agad siya. "About.. us" I said and my mind was a bit occupied.

When I actually talk to him, I lose my words. It feels like his presence always absorbs my courage.

"You mean about our marriage" he turned to me.

"What about that?"

Tila hindi siya interesado base sa reaksyon niya kaya ginapangan ako ng irita.

"We need to have an agreement" mahinahon kong sabi. "I realized we haven't talked about it so I think it's about time"

He pursed his lips before raising a brow. "Yeah, I forgot about that too. I'm too busy with the company.."

Buti naman ay alam niya! Kung hindi ko pa sasabihin ay hindi niya gagawin?

"Let's talk about it in my room"

Agad nanlaki ang mata ko. "What?! Bakit kailangan na roon pa?"

"We had to sign some papers, that was in my room" kampante niya'ng sabi bago tumalikod.

"We can talk about that in the living room. Get the papers" utos ko.

Natigil siya sa paglalakad at nilingon ako. "Tss, fine. Just wait me in the living room"

Umirap ako bago siya umakyat sa kwarto.

Pumunta na ako sa malawak na living room at umupo sa sofa. Ilang sandali pa ay rinig ko na ang yabag niya papalapit.

"Here" Callum laid a folder on the table. "It contains our contract"

I slowly nodded and watched him sit next to me while opening the folder. My chest throbbed so fast again as I smelled his scent especially that he's sitting beside me. "We need to sign it"

He took out a ballpen and signed the paper. He didn't even mind to read what that paper contained.

"Now, your turn" I just stared at the pen he handed to me.

Nagtaka ako. "I don't even know what the content of the contract-"

"I will explain to you everything once you signed it" he cut my words off. "Take it"

Umismid ako bago kinuha ang ballpen at pinirmahan ang sinasabi niya na contract namin at agad iminuwestra sa kanya.

"It's only a one year contract" panimula niya. "I know you know that I also benefited from our marriage because the company can't be given to me without it"

I have his attention but I avert my gaze. I'm processing in my mind what he was saying.

"You also got benefited.. I mean, your family company to be exact" he mocked.

Hindi ko maitago ang iritasyon lalo na ng makita ko ang namumuong ngiti sa labi niya. Is he insulting me?

"The company is already mine and we're already one of the shareholders of your company. It's back to its previous state" he stopped for a moment and was still thinking about what to say. "I know it will take a year but it will work if we just interfere with ourselves. What can you say? Do you have something in mind?"

I sighed. "What about our rules?"

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He smirked. "Do we need to have that? Well, the only rules I can say are no strings attached and we will not interfere with each other's life"

I smiled secretly.

"Of course, you would say that"

"What?" he asked. "Will you add anything else?"

"We can also date someone else, right?"

"Uh, huh.." he nodded. "So, you already had someone special, huh?" he teased. "Well, it's okay with me as long as no one sees you with anyone and you fullfill your role as my wife" "It's not for me, for you" I rolled my eyes. "I'm focused on studying and I don't have anyone!" matabang kong sabi.

"What are you trying to say?" he's confused now and I want to laughed at him.

I know he's just pretending. Akala niya siguro ay hindi ko alam.

"I said that so you don't have to hide your relationship with Zara anymore. Just don't let the media caught you" I smiled devilishly.

Unti-unting nag salubong ang kilay niya. Oh, you're being caughed Mr. Velasquez!

"What? Where did you get that?" I could already hear his frustration.

Sige, itanggi mo pa. From the time I saw him being hugged by Zara in the coffee shop until Mr. Salvador's birthday party, I had already formed the idea that he was just pretending. Well, he should thank me. Him and Zara will have a chance. They first need to wait a year because we were separated at that time. They can already be free.

"Don't accuse me woman. I'm not the one having dinner with her husband's competitor's son in a Japanese restaurant"

My smile faded. "What did you say?!"

Umangat ang labi niya. Is he referring to Raven?

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"Hmm, don't worry I won't get mad and I won't report you to your parents-"

"How dare you?" I spat. "Raven is just a friend and it's just a friendly dinner! Sino ba rito ang nakikipagkita sa madilim na parte ng water fountain para walang makakita sa kanila?!" This time, his brows met again.

Anong akala niya? Wala akong alam sa ginagawa niya? If he wanted me to narrate what happened that night I would do it even their kissing scene like they are in a fantacy movie! "Wait, you were there?" hindi makapaniwala niya'ng sabi. "How-"

"I saw you two. I know that our situation is difficult for you and I am also having a hard time. So in order for this to work and to end in a good way, we need to follow the rules and limits" Callum's mouth was half open and seemed against to what I was saying.

"But-"

"Stop talking, Mister" awat ko sa kanya. "No string attached? I'm okay with that. Dating someon else in a secret way? That's definitely okay but just don't let yourself get caught by other people because that will still be a problem" Hindi na nakapagsalita si Callum kaya tumayo na ako.

"One more thing" pahabol ko. "Tell your girlfriend not to be mad at me because I won't take you away from her. You're not my type"

Ngumuso ako at pinipigilan ngumisi dahil nababasa ko na ang iritasyon sa mukha niya.

"We're good. It's all signed" iminuwestra ko sa kanya ang kontrata na nasa lamesa. "I'm going to sleep"

Tinalikuran ko na siya at nag lakad palayo ngunit bago pa man ako makaakyat sa hagdan ay narinig ko na ang iritable niya'ng bulong.

"Did that woman really able to make me silence and defeated me? Damn!"

I laughed a bit before finally heading straight to the bedroom.