Blackmailed

Chapter 3

Kaius Sia had lost his mind. That was what I thought after I heard his declaration. Because who in his right mind would say something as outrageous as what he said?

"You're crazy," I told him.

"Dahil?" He had the gall to smile.

I was losing my cool. "What do you mean exactly by you want me instead of Zari now? I reserved my judgment when you announced that you would only marry my stepsister if she gave you my family's company. I told myself that what you and Zari agreed on was none of my business. But, here you are acting like a total lunatic and stating that I should marry you in Zari's stead just because I asserted my right as my mother's daughter. Aba, Sir, okay ka lang po ba?"

He smiled. "Opo, Ma'am, okay lang naman po ako."

"Ay, mukhang hindi ka po okay, Sir. Baka po kailangan n'yo na pong magpatingin sa doktor. Isama n'yo na rin po 'yung fiancée n'yo para malapatan po kayo ng tamang lunas."

His smile widened. "Gan'un ka po ba talaga, Ma'am? Politely sarcastic?"

"Pwede rin pong sarcastically polite."

He laughed out loud.

But I didn't find it funny. "I would appreciate if you do not drag me into your mess, Mr. Sia. I don't want to get in between you and Zari. Family issues aside, I am happy for you and my stepsister."

"But, Kalilah, did you forget that you started this? We were happily engaged until you walked in and announced that you wanted me for yourself. Nakalimutan n'yo na po ba, Ma'am?"

"I took it back. As I have explained, I just said it to get a rise out of Zari."

"You cannot just take it back," he told me. "You can't mess with a fellow's head like that and walk away unscathed even if you are the great Kalilah Yujuico."

I scowled. "Are you asking me to compensate you?"

"Or teach you a lesson." He grinned. "You decide."

"You are not someone I'd be asking lessons from, Mr. Sia. Tell me how much you need."

"Are you saying you're going to pay me off?"

"Name your price."

"I don't know...I mean wouldn't it be crass if—"

I mentally rolled my eyes. "Don't you think it's rather late to act gentlemanly?"

"Oo nga naman, it's pointless when you obviously don't like me."

"Exactly. So, tell me, magkano?"

"Depende."

"Depende saan?" I asked unable to hide the exasperation from my voice.

God, this person is infuriating!

"Depende kung magkano ka, Miss Yujuico. You're the compensation I want."

There was a loud clatter as a chair fell sideways. A young man hastily rose to his feet as the other occupants of the room shushed him.

"I'm so sorry," a teenager said righting his chair. "Sorry po..." he repeated.

Mr. Sia let out an annoyed sigh before he took my hand in his and then pulled me out of the room.

"Wait, saan tayo pupunta?" I asked as I tried to pull my hand free.

"Sa labas. Para makapag-usap tayo nang maayos," he explained as we headed for the lifts.

"Unhand me."

"And then watch you bolt out?" he asked. "I'm still sore from my Mt. Pulag climb. I am not in the mood to run after a woman."