C1 Prologue

The moment he entered the terminal, reality came crashing down on him.

I'm home. And I’m getting married. To her.

He sighed and dragged his suitcase behind him. A frown had been permanently etched onto his handsome face since the day he received his mother’s cryptic phone call. “Your father is very ill and he wants you to come home as soon as possible,” his mother had said. She didn’t say more, but he knew what the message really meant. “Come home and assume your role as head of this family.”

He didn’t hate his parents, nor did he have any plans on shirking his duties and responsibilities as heir to his father’s powerful business dynasty. If not for that damning prerequisite that came with it - marriage! One would think that they were still living in medieval times with the way they arranged this union between him and the Almendrezes’ only child. He was twelve when his father told him about the betrothal, but he didn't take it seriously. He thought it was a joke. How wrong he was!

It’s been fifteen years since he’d last seen the headstrong and very exasperating daughter of his father’s best friend, yet her memory seemed to have been imprinted in his brain. She was eight or nine, and he was turning fourteen at the time. He knew their parents had organized the whole summer to get the two of them to spend time together and help them get to know each other better. And at fourteen, that did not sit well with him. He had his own plans. He liked other girls. And if he were to marry, he wanted to be the one to choose his bride.

Besides, she was too boyish for his taste. He never saw her playing with dolls or doing ‘girly’ things. She was always running around with his younger brothers, playing soccer, climbing up trees, swimming in the river, riding ponies and even playing with trading cards. She also kept on challenging him every time. He couldn’t understand why she was so determined to beat him at everything! The one thing he really hated about her, though, was her ability to deceive the unsuspecting. Louisa Almendrez had the face of an angel and the temperament of an imp. She could get away with just about anything. A little fluttering of her thick lashes plus a double dose of her sweet, dimpled smile and even the hardest heart would be melting.

Though, if he were to be honest, he’d actually liked her the first time he saw her. Or the way she looked, at least. He adored the way her hair curled to frame her fair, oval face, how her cute, little nose twitched just a little when she was planning on mischief. And her eyes! He loved looking at her eyes. They seemed to glow every time she smiled, making the hazel orbs appear so light they’re the color of molten gold. He liked the way she carried herself, too. Even at such a young age, she already exuded confidence and strength. He’d also seen proof of her quick, sharp mind. All in all, she was not really that bad.

He could’ve tried to overlook her minor faults and focused more on her good points. If only she wasn’t chosen for him. The fact

that he was not even consulted on this major aspect of his life grated against his pride. She was their choice, not his. And from then on, Louisa Almendrez, in spite of all her redeeming qualities, was placed on the ‘other’ side of the fence. In his young mind, she was the enemy and he tried his best to avoid being with her.

When the Almendrezes became busy with their import-export business in Cebu, the instances of their meetings were greatly

minimized, which was just fine with him. Things got even better when his father agreed to send him to England to finish his studies. It gave him the freedom and distance that he needed.

Still, the arranged marriage between them remained in force, a virtual Damocles’ sword hanging over him. This was the twenty-first century, where men and women were free to follow their hearts, where marriages were no longer dictated by their elders, but decided upon by two people in love.

He winced at that. Am I really such a die-hard romantic or is this my pride speaking?

Stepping out of the airport, he waved to Juarez. He wasn’t surprised to see their elderly driver waiting for him at the curb. He was sure his mother had instructed the old man to take him straight home.

Sorry, Mama. I have no intention of falling blindly into Papa’s plans. Especially the one that involves an irritating hellion!

And as Gabriel Fernando Montoya y Gómez slid into the car, he promised himself that the Montoya-Almendrez wedding would remain nothing but an old man’s dream.

He refused to be a pawn in this game of hearts. He would do everything in his power to put a stop to this madness. Or at least he wouldn’t be silent.

Never a meek lamb being led to slaughter!

He never approved of this betrothal, he never would. And he’d make damn sure that everyone knew it.