Bound by the Billionaire's Command

Chapter 2: The Gilded Cage

8:00 AM palang pero ang sikat ng araw sa Tagaytay ay tila nanunuot na sa balat ni Bianca habang nakatitig sa naglalakihang gate ng Calder Villa. Hindi ito ang main mansion sa Forbes Park; ito ang tinatawag nilang The Glass House, isang arkitektural na obra na gawa sa salamin at asero, nakadungaw sa bangin na may view ng Taal Volcano.

Isang malamig at modernong kulungan. "Your things are already in the master suite, Ma'am," sabi ng driver na hindi man lang siya tinignan sa mata.

Pagpasok niya sa loob, sinalubong siya ng minimalist na interior. Everything was white, grey, and cold. Walang bakas ng init, walang bakas ng pamilya. It was just like Alexander, beautiful but heartless.

"You're thirty minutes late."

Muntik nang mabitawan ni Bianca ang kanyang bag nang marinig ang baritono ni Alex. He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, holding a tablet, wearing a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Kahit umaga na, ang aura nito ay tila gabi pa rin sa dilim.

"The traffic sa SLEX was—"

"I don't pay millions for excuses, Bianca," he cut her off, walking towards her. Huminto siya sa harap nito at tinaas ang baba ng dalaga gamit ang kanyang hintuturo. "Dito, ang oras ko ang batas. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Sir," pilit na sagot ni Bianca, kahit na kumukulo ang dugo niya sa paraan ng pakikitungo nito.

"Good. Now, let's talk about the house rules." Alex walked around her, parang isang leon na sinusuri ang kanyang huli. "One, You are not allowed to leave the premises without my permission. Two, No visitors, especially not your former society friends. Three, When I'm home, you belong to me. Everywhere. Not just in the bedroom."

Napalunok si Bianca. "And my brother? Kailangan ko siyang bisitahin sa hospital."

"He's already being flown to Singapore via my private jet this morning. I've hired the best doctors. He's safe, as long as you're... obedient."

Nakahinga nang maluwag si Bianca sa balitang iyon, pero alam niyang ito ang tanikalang gagamitin ni Alex para hindi siya makawala.

"Bakit mo ginagawa 'to, Alex? Is this really just about revenge?"

Biglang nagbago ang ekspresyon ni Alex. He pinned her against a nearby pillar, his body pressing firmly against hers. Bianca could feel the heat radiating from him, reminding her of the madness on top of the desk last night.

"Revenge is a dish best served cold, Calista," he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear. "But you... you're always so warm. I want to see how long it takes before I turn you as cold as I am." Marahas siyang hinalikan ni Alex, a searing, possessive kiss that tasted of mint and coffee. Bago pa man makatugon si Bianca, bumitaw na ito.

"Mag-ayos ka na. My mother and sister are coming for lunch. They don't know about our... arrangement. They think you're my fiancée. You will play the part, or you'll find out how fast I can cancel those hospital payments."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Bianca. Ang pamilya ni Alex? Ang mga taong mas lalong nagpahirap sa kanya noong bumagsak ang pamilya niya?

"They hate me, Alex! You know what happened five years ago!"

"Then make them love you," Alex said with a cruel smirk as he turned his back. "Consider it your first official job. Now go. Wear something that says you're mine, but looks like you're a queen. May mga damit na sa walk-in closet mo. Use them."

Pag-akyat ni Bianca sa master suite, halos mapaupo siya sa sahig. The closet was filled with designer clothes, jewelry, and shoes, all in her size. He had planned everything. He didn't just buy her time; he bought her entire existence.