"What is this?" I lowered my gaze to the paper Kean handed me. As I read what was written, I immediately felt a sharp pain in my heart. Annulment?

"Read it," he said calmly, as if everything was just normal. As if my whole world wasn’t falling apart right now.

I tried to act like I didn’t feel anything, like my heart wasn’t twisting in pain, but I couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t understand… I thought that after the months we’ve been together as a married couple, love was starting to grow and develop between us.

"Annulment?" I asked again, my voice almost disappearing because of the anxiety. So many questions were racing through my mind. Why?? Kean didn’t say anything. I stopped looking at him. I didn’t want to.

I didn’t want to know why. I didn’t want to hear his reasons. "Is this your idea or is this what my family wants?" I asked, feeling frustrated. I didn’t even want to know the answer, but I had to ask.

He exhaled, like it wasn’t a big deal. "Does it matter?"

"Does it matter?" It felt like something exploded in my mind. I was just holding myself back from crying.

But why? Why would I cry? Haven’t I wanted this for so long? To be free from him? But why does it hurt? It hurts so much, Kean… Kean just stood there, his expression unreadable.

But he was looking at me, as if waiting for me to say something. I wanted to scream. I wanted to hit something.

"What am I to you?" I whispered, more to myself than to him. But I hoped he heard it. Because that’s the question I couldn’t answer—what am I to him?

---

This one is only a Prologue, I just want to put a little here but I can't upload it yet because it needs to be 500 words.

This story is new, and the previous chat story that I created before, I will stop that, and I am planning to make another one, which is this one.

And also if you guys want to recommend something please let me know.

Tomorrow I will upload a chapter 1 of the story.

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Main Characters:

Kean Alistair Dela Vega

•Chill, quiet but resourceful

•Comes from an influential family (business or legacy)

•Doesn’t agree with arranged marriage, but accepted it due to pressure

•Has personal goals—doesn’t want to be affected by the drama

Callista “Cal” Valmora

•Strong-willed, matalino, laging top of the class

•Ayaw sa mga bagay na ipinipilit sa kanya

•Secretly married to a guy she barely knows, and hates the idea

This is the main character of this story.

Other Character:

Raika Ysabel Tan

Daphne Cielo Agustin

Trixie Euna Ramirez

Lucas Joaquin “LJ” Madrigal

Zion Erez Santiago

Andre Levi Manalo

The characters of this are their friends

---

Anyway, sorry, this has gotten a bit long, have fun reading it.

Cal’s POV

I don’t know why Mom’s making me wear a dress.

I didn’t have a choice, so I just wore it when night came.

Here I am, wondering what’s going on today. Where are we going? Is there some important occasion I don’t know about? Why do I have to wear this kind of dress?

“Mom, where are we going?” I asked.

What kind of nonsense are my parents up to this time?

Mom sighed, like she didn’t realize I needed an answer. “We have a meeting with my friends, sweetie. You just need to look presentable."

“Why do I even need to come with you?”

She didn’t answer right away. She was trying to act natural, but I saw her avoid my eyes. I kept staring at her, searching for any hint of what kind of “meeting” needed me to look like a princess.

“This isn’t just for me, sweetie. This is important,” she said, still not looking at me.

I didn’t understand her. I didn’t know why I was getting pulled into something I knew nothing about.

—

When we arrived at the venue, my eyes widened. I didn’t expect we’d end up in such a grand place—probably a luxury event hall inside a hotel.

Maybe this was the event Mom and Dad were attending. And now, I’m dragged along.

I stood at the side while everyone else was busy talking, dressed in formal clothes, looking like high-society people.

What am I supposed to do here? Just stand and stare?

I had no idea what kind of event this was, and I felt even more out of place as I tried to keep up. I kept my eyes on the floor, so people wouldn’t see how uninterested I was.

After a while, I heard some people talking as they passed by. It seemed like the event was starting.

“They said it’s starting now. The owner’s giving a speech,” one of them said.

“They say his son’s going to be there too. Do you think he’s cute?” said another, laughing loudly.

Once they passed, I rolled my eyes. Girls, seriously—just because he’s good-looking?

What if he is? It sucks how people only care about looks and not personality.

But maybe that’s better than being a “boring” guy with no charm.

Anyway, I don’t even know him, so I’ll reserve my judgment.

The speaker began talking.

“Good evening to all of you, and thank you for attending tonight. We are all here to take part in an important step for our families, businesses, and communities.”

I stopped paying attention. I didn’t care. It was probably just business stuff—talks that had nothing to do with me.

I noticed that while the speaker was talking, people around me were clapping and their eyes were sparkling.

Suddenly, the applause grew louder as the speaker stepped aside for someone else.

This must be the guy those flirty girls were talking about earlier.

I just watched him speak at the front—he looked like he was used to public speaking.

I didn’t even realize the event was over and people had started leaving.

I didn’t understand why Mom and Dad weren’t leaving yet, and I kept following them around.

I could already feel the pain in my feet. I’d been wearing these damn heels for too long.

I just watched the older people still chatting nearby.

I was getting really annoyed.

“Cal! Come here and fix yourself up,” Dad said.

Mom immediately started fixing me up.

Hey—I didn’t even look that messy!

I just let her do her thing.

Then I noticed someone approaching us.

When he reached us, he shook hands with Dad.

It was the guy who gave that speech earlier, the one I didn’t understand.

Next to him was the guy he introduced as his son.

Okay… he really is good-looking.

So this is the guy all the girls were drooling over earlier.

But to be fair, he does look better up close—thick brows, smooth skin… I wonder what skincare he uses.

“Mr. Dela Vega, this is my daughter, Callista. This is the one I was telling you about,” Dad said.

“Oh,” the man replied, a slight smile on his lips.

“I can’t deny it—your daughter is more beautiful than your wife,” he said, looking straight into my eyes.

Excuse me?! Who is he to say that I’m more beautiful than Mom? I look like her!

He looked serious, but I could see arrogance in his eyes.

Clearly, this guy doesn’t have a great personality.

“So what if we continue our conversation in a restaurant? So we can talk more about our children’s future,” Mr. Dela Vega said.

Cal’s POV

I was on my way to the café where I was supposed to meet my friends.

When I arrived, I immediately saw Trixie—and of course, Raika was with her.

“Finally, the forever late one has arrived,” Trixie teased.

“Excuse me? I’m only late this one time, duh.” I rolled my eyes and sat next to Raika.

“Where’s Daphne?” I asked.

“She already left. You were taking too long—she said she had to go somewhere,” Trixie replied while sipping her coffee.

“You guys ordered already?”

“Wow. You didn’t even wait for me? That’s harsh.” I pouted.

I called the waiter over to place my order.

He handed me the menu, and I ordered a Spanish Latte. I added a slice of cake too—I was starving. I didn’t feel like eating at home; I was still annoyed about what happened last night.

Once the waiter left, Raika leaned in. “So? Spill, girl.”

“Well…” I began slowly.

“Didn’t your mom and dad bring you to that event last night? At that hotel—ugh, I forgot the name.”

“Yeah, they brought me there, and I ended up looking like a lost rat, completely out of place.”

Trixie laughed. Of course she did. She’s basically the queen bee in our group and lives for events like that. Her parents drag her to every high society gathering, but let’s be real—she never shows up for business. She’s just there to flirt and stir drama.

“Stop laughing! I’m being serious!”

“Come on, keep going. Don’t leave us hanging,” Raika said, clearly invested.

“So… do you know Mr. Dela Vega? He and his family hosted the event—they also own the hotel.”

“Girl, everyone knows the Dela Vegas,” Trixie replied instantly, while Raika nodded.

“Well,” I said, drawing out the suspense. “I just found out that… drumroll please… I’m engaged to his son.”

Both of them froze in place. I couldn’t tell if they were shocked or secretly thrilled.

“WHAT?!” they screamed in unison, nearly spilling their drinks.

“Girl, oh my god?! Engaged?! To THE Kean Alistair Dela Vega?” Raika asked, looking like she was about to faint, while Trixie looked torn between squealing and crying from excitement.

“Can you not say his full name? It’s so annoying.”

“You know those drama shows where the kids are forced into an arranged marriage for the sake of business?” I said. “Yeah. Welcome to my life.”

“Why didn’t you tell us this immediately, girl?! That’s a jackpot!” Trixie gasped, taking another dramatic sip.

“He’s so freaking hot! If that were me, my panties would’ve dropped on the spot.”

I smacked her on the arm. “You’re disgusting!”

“Actually…” I said, letting a small smile slip. “He’s… not bad. Super handsome. Definitely looks rich. But…”

“But?” they echoed in unison.

“He’s arrogant. Like the kind of guy who knows he’s hot and thinks every girl will fall for him. Ew.”

“But you’re the one he’s marrying. So, what now?” Raika suddenly asked.

“Correction—this is just an arrangement. There’s not a single drop of love in this deal,” I replied flatly.

My order finally arrived, and while I ate, they wouldn’t stop pestering me about the so-called hot and grumpy fiancé.

Yes, he’s grumpy.

Flashback

I still couldn’t believe my parents were selling me off to that guy. Sure, his family’s rich, but I don’t love him.

After dinner, I excused myself to use the bathroom.

On my way back, I saw him leaning against the hallway wall. He wasn’t looking at me, but I knew he followed me.

“What are y—” I didn’t get to finish because he cut me off.

“Don’t expect much. I’m only here to warn you.”

My brows furrowed. His tone was sharp, cold. Zero emotion.

“Warn me? About what?” I stood tall. I wasn’t about to let him think I was intimidated.

“About this arrangement,” he replied, still staring down the corridor. “I don’t care what our parents want. I’m not marrying a stranger just because it’s good for business.”

I bit my lip. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be mad or laugh. I mean, I agreed with him—but did he have to sound so smug?

“Well guess what, Mr. Dela Vega,” I said, stepping closer. “I don’t care either. I’m not some raffle prize they can just hand out. So if you think you’re the only one who hates this? News flash: same.”

That’s when he finally looked at me—directly. Bold. Unapologetic.

And then… he smirked. Not the friendly kind. More like he was amused. Or taunting me.

“Well, at least we agree on something,” he said, then turned around and walked away, leaving me standing there.

Jerk.

That’s the only word that came to mind. One massive jerk.

End of Flashback

I got home eventually. Thank god Mom and Dad were both at work. At least I had some peace and quiet.

“Aling Lety!” I called out.

“Just a second, dear! I’m coming!” she called back from the kitchen. Moments later, she emerged, holding a damp rag and hands on her hips.

“What is it, sweetheart?” she asked, already reading my mood like a pro.

“Nothing really. I just want a hug,” I said dramatically as I flopped onto the sofa.

“Tsk, you’re being dramatic again,” she chuckled, placing the rag down. “What happened now, hmm? You look like the sky just fell on you.”

“Nothing…” I sighed. “I was just thinking… what if I do end up marrying Kean? What if I’m forced to go through with it even though I don’t want to?”

Aling Lety has practically raised me. She’s been our housekeeper for years, but she’s more like a second mom to me. I can tell her everything—especially the things I can’t say to my own parents.

“You know, sweetheart,” she began gently, “sometimes life throws things at us that we never chose. But sometimes, the things we never expect… they end up teaching us the most. And—just maybe—they make us happy too.”

I looked at her and paused, thinking. She had a point. But still, the fear and frustration lingered. I mean… arranged marriage? In this economy?

“But Aling Lety… isn’t it unfair? Like I don’t even get to decide my own future?”

“It is unfair. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have power, Cal. You have a voice. You have a heart. And even in an arrangement like this, if you learn how to stand up for yourself—you can still change the story.”

I smiled slightly. Aling Lety really had a PhD in life advice.

“Thanks, Aling Lety. Can I ask for garlic rice and eggs? I’m starving.”

Yeah, I was hungry again. Don’t judge. I only had coffee and cake earlier.

“Goodness, why didn’t you say so earlier! I thought all this drama was about love, but you’re just hungry!” she laughed.

“Can’t it be both?” I shot back, laughing with her.

As she headed to the kitchen, I stayed on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Just thinking. Maybe I should rebel. Just to break the arrangement.

I smirked at the thought.

I’m not the type of girl who stays quiet.

And if he thinks this whole arrangement is going to be easy?

Well…

Let’s play, Mr. Dela Vega.