Marrying the Devil

Chapter 3

The Date

I pulled a dress out of my closet. It's a black, skin-tight, off-the-shoulder dress.

I bit my lip as I stare at it. It was sexy yet elegant, and I loved it. Kaso nga lang I've never worn anything like this in front of my boss before.

Okay na kaya to? Hindi kaya masagwa tingnan?

My gaze flicked to a more formal dress inside the closet, but then I remembered what Cole told me yesterday ... 'Don't dress as my PA. Magsuot ka ng damit na pang-date, hindi yung pang business dinner.'

Tiningnan ko muli ang black dress na hawak ko and gave it a firm nod. Yes, this would do.

I'd probably put on a light layer of makeup, add some jewelry, maybe curl the ends of my hair and leave it down. But first, I need to take a shower.

Blowing out a breath, I put a hand to my fluttering stomach. First dates were always nerve-wracking. But this wasn't a real date, kaya dapat hindi na ko kinakabahan.

There was no pressure to impress, no worry that this might end up being a waste of my time, no need to stress over whether or not my date would like how I looked. Plus, Cole wasn't a stranger. I knew him fairly well. And yet, kinakabahan pa rin ako.

But then again, hindi naman kasi araw araw mararanasan ng isang babaeng magpunta sa isang fake date, kasama ang kanyang soon-to-be fake husband.

Hindi ko na kailangang umarte na attracted ako sa kanya kasi matagal ko naman na syang crush. Sana nga lang isipin nya na umaarte lang talaga ko.

As much as possible, ayokong malaman nya ang tungkol sa attraction na nararamdaman ko towards him. Kaya good luck na lang talaga self, kasi isang taon mo syang makakasama sa iisang bubong.

God, hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala.. Was I really going to marry Cole? Was I really going to stand in front of an officiant with him in two months time? Was I really going to be his fake wife for an entire year?

Yes, apparently, I was.

A knock sounded at the door. Probably Cindy.. Pero ang aga naman ata nyang mangapit-bahay?

I carefully laid my dress on the bed, padded out of the room, and made my way to the front door. I looked through the peephole out of habit.

Tension zipped through me, when I found out who it was.

Hay, kung mamalasin ka nga naman oh.. How the hell did he found out where I live? At talagang pumunta pa sya rito, ha. Ang walang hiya.

Bryan knocked again, adjusting his tie with his free hand.

Napaatras ako sa pinto at napasabunot sa sarili. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit nandito sya. Tapos na kami. Ano pa bang kailangan nya sakin?

I could ignore him, of course, pero kilala ko sya. Babalik at babalik sya dito hangga't hindi nya ko nakakausap. So decided to unlock the door and pulled it open.

Bryan's mouth curved. "Hi, Cass."

"How did you get in the building?" Tanong ko kaagad, not feeling so hospitable towards him. Ang alam ko kasi, mga residente lang ang pwedeng pumasok sa loob, unless you are invited in.