Chapter 11

"You're going crazy my friend. You're going to get worse if you go to him."

I ignored Tamara. I arranged myself in front of the mirror in her house. Instead of wearing a red dress as what Ezekiel told me I wore denim fitted jeans and a simple short tee. I am not comfortable with dresses I am no longer a princess like before to dress elegant

"What are you going to do anyway?" Tamara spooned a bulk of her ice cream.

"I will give him propositions. He's being a bastard and trying to get even with me but I'm willing to negotiate if it is needed

"And you think it will work? You say so the bastard wants to get even. You lied to him and his family plus ... his whole people, don't bother. Maybe what else can that do to you."

I heaved a deep breath.

"I know him Tamara. He's a good person ... the only time he hurt me was ..."

Napapikit ako. It was when he rejected my love and chose the real Equija.

"When you fell in love?"

Tamara gave me the knowing stare.

"But is there really nothing left? Because when there is even a little more I am telling you ... you will end up hurt and crying again."

"I know."

I walk to her and kiss her head and walk out.

I walked quickly and took a taxi.

Arriving at the Restaurant Zeke said I immediately went inside.

I didn't know its a cozy and for high profile resto and I feel small for not listening to his advise on wearing something nice. Damn Thalia!

"Ms. Thalia?" I was greeted by a friendly waitress.

"Yes"

"Mr.Ezekiel Titus Cuerido is waiting for you." He guided me to a place. I can sense the people eyeing me intently. But who cares?

I saw Zeke's back. I quickly stopped the waitress and told her I could do it.

I slowly approached him and saw him looking at me. I sat straight in front of his chair without farther ado.

"Wife." His eyes roamed around my body and he got amused smile in his lips.

"Hmmm I was expecting something elegant attire but you gave me an elegant posture and look wife you slayed that jeans and hanging shirt."

I don’t know but I became uncomfortable with his looks

"What are we going to talk about?"

He chuckled. His deep baritone voice gave me heat.

"Oh come on. Are you in a hurry? Or you don't want to see me now? I'm hurt."

I am still shocked every time he speaks Tagalog

"I'm doing you a favor Ezekiel. I know what I did is something unforgivable and you hate me for that. We shouldn't meeting like this."

"Uh..uh. I really am pleased to see you wife. Very pleased."

I was surprised at the seriousness in her voice.

"Time to get even eh?"

And I felt disappointed again. Wait am I really hoping he'll be glad to see me? Damn you Thalia!

"The negotiations please."

He just smiled amd called for the waiter. He did not speak after that. He kept eyeing me and it feels so awkward and scary. I tried to calm my crazy heartbeat.

"Tell me. Who are you? I've been desperate to know for the last 2 years."

All the mischief and smile on his face disappeared

All left was the curiosity and ... pain?

"Why? You belong to royal highness, didn't you investigate me?"

"I did. No results. Who really are ..."

"Thalia. My name is Thalia."

He was about to speak but the waiter came with the food he had ordered for us.

We eat in silence although I can sense there's millions of questions playing in his mind.

"Why did you do it?"

He said something that made me stop. I really cant tell him the reason. Maurico will do everything to destroy us once again when he finds out he is the cause of everything.

"I have my reasons."

"Tell me."

"Can't"

He smiled bitterly.

"Fine. Okay let's talk about the negotiations."

He pushed his foods away and looked at me intently.

"I can't offer a higher price. My business is just starting to grow. I ... don't have the mean."

"Oh. Okay. It's easy for me to talk. I can inform my secretary ..."

"I am willing to work for you to pay the debt."

He was stunned

He got the evil smile but that doesn't make him less handsome. Shit Thalia shut up!

"Work for me? But wife ... there's no vacancy for you in my office but ..."

I know this well.

"If you insist I really need a P.A, housemaid and bed warmer. You could fit well."

He laugh hard I want to strangle him.

I immediately stood up.

"P.A and housemaid it is. But find some slut to warm your bed. Hindi ako parausan." And there I walk out

I even saw a simple and plain smile on her lips as if contented with what I said.

The encounter makes my feet jelly. I immediately grabbed a pole near me as soon as I got out of the resto. Damn his effects really hard!

Until now

I felt my cellphone vibrate.

"Hello?"

"I am looking forward of working with you wife. Your first job is to assist me into a masquerade ball tomorrow night. I need some sexy date slash P.A tomorrow. Dream of me." I heard her deep laugh before I turned off the call.

What the hell did I get myself into?

Am I ready to face the ghost of my yesterday?

Am I ready to be hurt again?

Because I will always be just the substitute Bride.