Chapter 6

"My name has barely been on the company for a day, and you're already asking for a loan. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours since the company was registered under my name."

I rushed to Rhaiven when I remembered that the contents of my bank account were running low. The money I had there wouldn't be enough to pay Mahana if she agreed to it, plus the expenses we'd incur in processing the annulment of our marriage.

Of all of us, Rhaiven is the wealthy one, as if his bank account or wallet is constantly overflowing with money. He's just lucky when it comes to money. This isn't the first time I've borrowed from him. All of us, when we have financial problems, we immediately run to him. He's not stingy, after all.

"I'll pay you back, man. I just really need it right now."

I sat with my legs crossed on the sofa beside his office while he was busy chugging down the liquor he had taken out earlier from the center table.

"It's not about whether you can pay me back or not," he leaned against his desk and faced me directly. "What do you need it for?"

I swallowed the liquor I drank before I answered him. "To pay Mahana if she agrees to my offer. Plus, the expenses we'll have for the annulment of our marriage."

"You're still going through with it? I thought she was okay with being married to you?"

"She's okay with it, man, but you know me already. My 'I do' is reserved for someone else."

Rhaiven immediately understood what I meant, so he laughed and shook his head. I open up to him more about that matter. Because when it comes to Chris and Kenneth, their advice is always laced with teasing, unlike Rhaiven, who is all serious.

"Does she know it already?"

I looked up and shook my head. "I'm still looking for the right opportunity."

"You know, this is just my opinion, but will you really get anything from that girl? I mean, it's been so long, bro, we've already graduated, and you still have no assurance whether she likes you or is just giving you false hope. It's been three years, Luis. You've been looking like you're hoping for nothing for three years," Rhaiven commented seriously.

Three years. Yes, it's been three years since I've been chasing like a dog after the person I love, and I don't even know if she loves me back. In those three years, she hasn't given me any assurance, but what's important to me is that we communicate and get along.

"How can she be giving me false hope when we talk almost every night? We have updates, sweet moments, even petty fights. Yes, she hasn't given me any assurance yet, but, man, she loves me, I'm sure of it. She's just busy with her career. You know that's her dream since she was a kid," I defended, even though the truth is I'm nervous that what Rhaiven said might be true.

"I'll just transfer it to your account after my meeting later," Rhaiven said, patting my shoulder before he left with his secretary because he had a meeting to attend.

After my conversation with Rhaiven, I pushed the topic out of my mind for the time being. I won't prioritize that yet; it's more important to get Mahana's agreement so I can get my reward from Lola. I'll probably fix this first before letting her know.

"Good morning, Son."

I jolted awake when I saw Mom and Lola in my room, sitting on the sofa. What are they doing here in my condo?

"Ma, Pa, Lola? What are you doing here?" I looked back and forth between the three of them because I had no idea why they were here.

"We're here to visit you and Mahana. Wait, where's your wife?" Mom rummaged through my entire room to find Mahana, but she found nothing.

Fuck!

I got out of bed and quickly put on some clothes because I slept topless last night, as was my habit.

"Ahh... well, Ma... ahh..."

My lips were trembling with nervousness. I didn't even know what to say because I wasn't prepared. I didn't expect Lola to visit, and even worse, Mahana wasn't here.

"Looks like you're neglecting your wife, Luis? What about your reward then?"

I fell silent at what Lola said. I swallowed hard and stared at her for a long time.

"La, she went out last night. I thought she came home, but she didn't," I lied, biting my lip.

"You let her? Luis, you're the man; you should be the one in charge. And you shouldn't let your wife go out alone at that hour of the night. What if something bad happens to her? There are so many thieves at night," Lola reminded me, and I couldn't do anything but nod.

I know Lola is concerned about my relationship with Mahana because all her children have happy families. She even meddles in the married lives of her grandchildren because happy families are important to her.

"This Saturday, Rhaiven invited us to celebrate his becoming the new CEO of their company, so we expect you and Mahana to come."

I almost spat out the coffee I was drinking when I heard what Mom said. We're at the dining table now here in the condo because Lola suddenly felt hungry. I know she just used that as an excuse to wait for Mahana to come home. I'm so nervous because I don't know what else to say if they ask again.

I can't contact Mahana because I don't even know her phone number. I'm really dead meat if I can't bring her to the dinner on Saturday.

"M-Mahana and I have an important matter to attend to, Ma, so we might not be able to go," I lied because I'm not even sure if I can get Mahana to agree.

"You should cancel whatever plans you have. It's embarrassing to Rhaiven's family if we don't go there complete. Isn't he your best friend? He might be disappointed in you if you don't go," Papa chimed in, and they all agreed.

I didn't argue anymore because there's really no way out. No matter what excuse I make, they'll still have their way. Whatever happens, happens.

"So, where's Mahana? It's already late, and she's not home yet, Luis," Lola asked worriedly while looking at her wrist watch.

"Ahh, I just read a text from her earlier, La. She's just taking care of something for a while. She said she'll make it up to you next time. She said she'll text me when I should pick her up."

They actually believed my excuse, and I breathed a sigh of relief when they said goodbye and left because Mom had important errands to run. I cursed under my breath because I barely knew what to do. I needed to get that woman's agreement.

"At the cafeteria near our old high school hangout, man, that's where she works now."

I immediately went to the cafeteria Kenneth mentioned, and there I found Mahana standing at the cashier. This cafeteria is well-known, so it's no wonder there are a lot of people today.

"What's your order—What are you doing here, you monkey?" Her eyes widened when she saw me. Those glaring eyes of hers were back, filled with annoyance, and I noticed that she sighed deeply.

"May I order your time, Miss?"

"Psh! Get lost! I don't have time for your nonsense, okay?"

"Even just five minutes..."

"I don't want to."

"Three minutes..."

She shook her head.

"Fine, I'll wait for you until you're available."

I sat down at an empty table near the door. I just ordered a cup of coffee so I wouldn't get bored, and I paired it with a cake so I'd have something to munch on while waiting for her. I also scrolled through Facebook to ease my boredom. It was almost dark, but I was still here waiting for her. I felt like I was going to wear out the chair I was sitting on from waiting so long.

"Are you going to be much longer?" I asked her irritably when I approached her at the cashier.

"Can't you see I'm still busy?"

I cursed softly as I walked back to my seat because she still seemed busy. I felt even more annoyed when I received a text from one of my cousins that Lola was already processing my reward for me if I succeeded in what she wanted.

Fuck! It's putting pressure on me.

And because Mahana was taking so long, I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I fell asleep at the table and let her work first. I'd probably wake up soon; I'll just sleep for a bit.

"Sir? Wake up! Excuse me, sir," I was startled awake when I felt someone tapping my shoulder, and when I looked up, I noticed the guard.

"What?" I rubbed my face because I guess I slept too soundly. I fixed my hair, which was slightly messed up.

"We're closing soon, Sir."

"What?"

My drowsiness disappeared when I noticed that all the chairs had been stacked. There was no one inside except me and the guard who woke me up. I stood up and searched around for Mahana.

"Where's Mahana?"

"Oh, she left a while ago, Sir."

I cursed inwardly because that woman ditched me. I thanked the guard and had no choice but to walk out of the cafeteria. It was dark outside, and when I looked at my wrist watch, it was already eleven o'clock at night. Damn it! She left without even waking me up?

"What is it—Luis?"

Her eyes widened when she saw me at her doorstep after I knocked. I didn't waste any time going to her place after getting her address from Kenneth. I can't accept that I got nothing out of this.

"It's late."

"I don't care. You're something else, you left me there, abandoned me like a dog. What if something bad happened to me there?" I snapped at her.

"Psh! I didn't wake you up because you were sleeping so soundly; you might even snap at me," she retorted.

"What the—"

"Go home already; I'm tired. I don't have the energy to argue with you," she said, about to close the door when I quickly pushed it open.

"Agree to my offer first."

"Psh!" She ignored me and walked inside. I followed her. "Whatever you say, I don't want to. You're not stupid, so you should understand my answer, right? I already told you, I don't have a problem being married to you. That reward your Lola is talking about, you can probably work for it yourself; don't involve me."

"They're looking for you. They visited me this morning at my condo; they thought you were already living there with me. Good thing I was able to come up with an excuse."

"Well, just keep doing that then; it seems you can get away with your words. As for the annulment, I won't stop you from doing it, just don't involve me."

My jaw clenched in annoyance because of her stubbornness. I approached her, and she was surprised when I turned to face her. She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Hey! Okay, go ahead, try to do something to me. I won't hesitate to stab that knife right into your throat," she threatened me.

I smirked and effortlessly brought my face close to her ear. She was flustered by what I did, and I could feel her heavy breathing.

"I have your passport, and if you don't agree, you might not be able to leave as you planned," I whispered in her ear.

"What?" She asked, shocked, then took a step back from me, and I gave her a knowing smile.

Let's see if I can't get her to agree!