Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 17662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
"Very well."
It's just two words, but I'm suddenly reminded of the old adage about being careful of what one wishes for...since it might just come true.
Oh no.
I'm about to take the words back and tell him I need a minute.
"I find myself in need of a wife."
But it's already too late.
And now it's happening all over again.
How many times must this man break my heart for me to learn my lesson?
"Congratulations," I force myself to say.
"You don't even know who I'm marrying."
All I can do is stare at him. Is he just dense or is this his way of torturing me?
"It doesn't matter---"
"Even if it's you I want to marry?"
Okay, that's enough.
I turn around to walk away.
He can take away my scholarship if he wants.
I don't care anymore.
But before I can take a single step, he's already spinning me around to face him.
"I'm not joking."
"Of course, you are," I cry out, "and it's not---"
"I can have you speak to my lawyer if you're unwilling to take my word for it."
"Yes, go ahead," I challenge him. "Call your lawyer---"
He lets go of me to take his phone out, and I don't know whether to laugh or scream at him.
Why is he taking things this far?
"I need you to tell my future wife about my great-grandfather's will," I hear him say.
Can't he just---
"Go ahead, Greg. You're on loudspeaker now. She's listening."
I hear someone clearing his throat from the other end of the line. "Uh, good afternoon, Miss---"
"Riri." And now it's my turn to clear my throat, which has gone dry all of a sudden. "R-Riri Padilla."
"Good afternoon, Ms. Padilla. May I ask if you are currently enrolled in Carpentier University?"
"Y-Yes."
Is this really happening?
"Riri Padilla..."
I hear him typing furiously in the background, followed by a sigh of relief.
"Found you."
Why does he have to find me when he's already talking to me?
"A second-year candidate for graduating with a bachelor's degree in music, correct?"
That Jacques' lawyer would know this is weird enough, but even weirder is what he tells me afterward, and all I can do is stare at Jacques when Greg cheerfully bids me goodbye before hanging up.
"Am I being pranked?"
"Would that have been more preferable?"
"No."
His jaw clenches as soon as he hears my answer, and I realize that he hadn't expected me to be honest.
"You're still acting like a fool."
"And you're still trying to push me away."
It's my first time to call him out on it.
"Aren't you?"
"Yes."
And now, it's his first time to admit the truth as well.
"Why?" I whisper.
"Because you only think you're in love with me."
"I'm---"
"Infatuated," Jacques says curtly. "That's all you are. You may not think or believe it right now, but you're young---"
"While you're older and wiser, is that it?"
"Yes."
"Then why not marry another student?"
Fury blazes in his eyes, but I can't let myself back down.
I mustn't.
"Are you daring me to?"
"If you're really the type to cut your nose to spite your face, then go ahead. I dare you---"
"Damn you."
The violence of his emotions is unmistakable, but there's something else I hear, and it's this that breathes life back into the butterflies in my stomach.
"Damn you," he says again.
And I love that he says it one more time.
"I love you, too."
Because I know what it really means, and a soft, shaken laugh escapes me at the way he jerks at my words.
"You---"
"---have two conditions before I marry you."
His gaze narrows.
"Firstly, no divorce."
"Forget it," he says right away.
"Then we stay married for at least ten years---"
"One year."
"How about two?"
"Six months."
"One year of marriage sounds great," I backtracked without missing a beat. "It's a deal."
His lips tighten, but I think it's because he's trying not to smile this time.
"What's your second condition?"
"We get married tonight."
His brows shoot up, but I cross my arms over my chest and lift my chin in stubborn determination. "Take it or leave it."
"Why the hurry?" he questions curtly.
Because I'm afraid you'll change your mind.
It's the unfortunate truth, but the words are stuck in my throat, and I realize I'm still hurting over seeing him with another woman.
I want to be honest with him...except about this.
And so I hear myself say, "It's because I want to be yours, but I also want to start our marriage right."
"Are you saying you don't want to have sex before we're married?"
"Yes."
"So be it."
I'm about to argue some more when I realize he's already agreed, and oh...my...gosh.
"Does this mean we'll truly be married?" I whisper.
"I asked you to marry me," Jacques drawls, "and you said yes. Is it possible for this to mean something else?"
He's obviously making fun of me, but I don't care.
We're getting married.
Jacques and me, married!
The only man I've ever wanted and the love of my life...will be my husband!
I suddenly feel like I'm about to burst with happiness, and I'm already running towards him and thinking of throwing myself into his arms when---