"XIERRA, wake up! You need to look beautiful in front of Kieran!"
That was the first thing Mom blurted out the moment she threw open my curtains. The blast of sunlight hit me straight in the face—my eyes burned.
"Not even a good morning, Ma?" I asked, clearly irritated.
"What would Kieran say about you? A lady waking up in the afternoon?" she scolded, already nagging this early.
Gosh. Can she just relax? It's only seven in the morning.
"And so? What's wrong with a woman waking up late?" I shot back.
"Xierra, sweetheart, life changes once you become a wife. Eventually, you'll have to wake up early to make sure your future husband and children can eat," she lectured.
The mention of husband and children sent chills throughout my whole body.
With Kieran?
HECK. FVCKING. NO.
"Mom! Don't talk like that! And stop mentioning kids when you talk to me!"
"Why? What's wrong with having kids with Kier—"
"Mom! I said stop!"
But she kept going, so I covered my ears and yelled, "Blaaa! Blah blah blah! I can't hear you! Woooo!"
"That's enough, Xierra. Take a bath and get ready. Wear the dress I bought you, okay?" she reminded before walking out.
I groaned, but I had no choice but to start getting ready.
---
I'm now sitting in front of my vanity mirror finishing my makeup. I didn't even put a lot—just light foundation, a little blush, and lipstick so I won't look pale. And I didn't bother doing anything fancy with my hair since it's naturally straight, long, and silky. I just dried it earlier.
Then suddenly, Nanny Wella burst into my room without knocking.
"Xierra, hurry up! The Fernandez family is already downstairs!" she said, panic obvious in her voice.
She's been our nanny since I was a child—basically my second mom.
I still remember my 14th birthday. Dad had an urgent business trip to London, and Mom was busy with a client. She worked as an event coordinator, so she didn't have time for me. I cried the whole afternoon until Nanny Wella knocked on my door.
"Xierra, sweetheart, I'm coming in," she said gently. She sat at the edge of my bed.
"Please understand your parents, sweetheart. You know they're busy…"
"But Daddy promised he'd spend time with me today," I said, voice cracking from all the crying.
"Do you want to go out?" she asked.
"Huh?" I looked at her, confused.
"I said—do you want to go out?"
"Where would we even go?"
"Wherever you want," she smiled, making me smile too.
She took me to the park and then to my favorite fast-food place—Jollibee. And because of her, I forgot my resentment that day.
Remembering all that, I rushed. I quickly sprayed setting spray on my face and slipped on my sandals. I was already wearing the dress Mom bought for me. Honestly, it looked a bit too much, but whatever.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of my room.
As I descended the stairs, I saw Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez.
And of course, the one and only Kieran fvcking Fernandez.
When I reached the bottom step, I greeted his parents politely.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez," I said, smiling.
Mr. Fernandez nodded warmly, and Mrs. Fernandez kissed me on the cheek.
Then I turned to Kieran....
Holy sh*t.
The last time I saw him, he was not this handsome.
And I felt significantly smaller standing in front of him. I'm 5'7—pretty tall for a woman—but he's 6'4.
Well, it makes sense. It's been almost three years since I last saw him. He was 22 then, about to enter law school. Now he's 25. Meanwhile, I was only 17 back then, and now I'm 20—still beautiful though—
My thoughts were cut off when Mom hissed behind me,
"Xierra! Don't stare—greet him!"
"U-umh… hi. Do you still remember me? I'm Xierra."
Damn my stupid tongue for stuttering. I even offered my hand.
Maybe… maybe marrying him wouldn't be so bad. He's handsome, stable, and—
NO, Xierra, stop. Just stop.
I mean… it's not like I'd starve, right?
But I should NEVER have let that thought exist.
"No. I don't remember you," he said flatly, deep voice cold and emotionless.
He ignored my hand and greeted my parents instead—leaving my hand hanging in the air like an idiot.
My parents smiled awkwardly, and his parents looked mortified.
Uncle Harold rubbed the back of his neck, while Aunt Clara gave me an apologetic look.
I pulled my hand back and gave her a reassuring smile.
When Kieran finally looked at me again, his expression was still blank.
"Long time no see, Kieran. Since you don't remember me, I'll reintrodu—"
"No need for that, sweetheart," Aunt Clara interrupted gently.
"No, it's fine, Ain't Clara. Because Kieran here seems to have forgotten me," I said politely—but challengingly.
His eyebrow immediately rose.
So I added, "I'm Xierra Yllies Avila—20 years old. Third-year college student in Fashion Design. Naturally beautiful from head to toe—zero retoke."
He rolled his eyes instantly.
"Beautiful, but the makeup is thick?" he muttered sarcastically, chuckling mockingly just loud enough for me to hear.
EXCUSE ME?
I barely have makeup on!
How fvcking dare he?!
I gripped the side of my dress, ready to explode—
But Mom stepped in.
"Let's continue the chat at the dining table. We don't want the food getting cold," she said cheerfully, trying to ease the tension.
We all moved to the dining area.
I was seated directly across from him.
Thank fvck we didn't talk during lunch. Our parents did all the talking, which was a relief since I didn't know how I could hold another conversation with this infuriating human being.
After lunch, we escorted them to the door as they prepared to leave.
Obviously, I had to say goodbye to Kieran too.
And our parents even gave us "space."
Ugh.
"Bye. You can go," I said, annoyed.
"That's how you treat your guests?" he scoffed. "Actually… I expected that."
His tone made it sound like he never expected anything pleasant from me—and that made my blood fvcking boil.
"Excuse me?! FYI, I treat my guests well. I just don't waste kindness on people who don't deserve it."
"And what makes you think I'm undeserving? You used to be an immature, reckless teenager. Now you've turned into a termagant woman," he said sharply.
A. TERMAGANT. WOMAN.
ME?!
I was about to scream when Mrs. Fernandez called out for him, saying they had to leave and that they'd wait in the car.
"Leave," was all I managed to say, trying to suppress my anger.
"Gladly," he replied before following them.
I pretended to be fine in front of my parents, but the moment I reached my room, I screamed into my pillow and punched it like it was his face.
That arrogant fvcking man!
Thinks he's perfect!
Thinks he's better than everyone else!
He pisses me off SO fvcking much!