3- Neil

I just came back from Thailand, and I'm heading to my house in the Philippines. I locked into my room and while I was taking a shower my phone rang. So, I picked it up, which was just on the side of the bathtub, and seeing the caller ID made me wonder whether I should answer the caller or not.

Why is Dad calling me now? It's been, what—7 years since the last time we talked. Well, I didn't really make them feel because I know that they will just tell me to go back to Dubai, which I really don't like. And that's because I don't want to go back to Dubai, where I made a mistake that I know I'll never forget. I avoided them for 7 years even though they called and texted me several times, even my older sister, Lorainne, who really teased me even in the chat, but I never read it and because I knew she will just talk about Francis.

I put down my phone and let it ring as usual. Likewise, I was enjoying my bath when I heard a pop from my phone, so, I looked into it and read the message.

-'Answer the phone. We have to talk. It's an emergency.'

Emergency? What emergency?

And my phone rang again, and because it's an emergency just like they said to me, I answered it with my left ear.

"Hello, son?" Mom first greeted me with concern in her voice that I noticed.

"Hi. What's going on? What's the emergency about?" I asked directly without going around the bush anymore.

"Son, it's about your Dad. He is sick. We need you," Mom told me in tears on the other line.

I know her voice.

"Sick? Or, you just want me to go back there? Mom, I've told you already that I don't want to go back. Okay? I have to go now. Stay safe always, bye," I reacted without appetite because I knew that Mom was just acting to get my attention for me to go home.

But sorry, not sorry, they can't send me home.

And with that, I stood up and left the bathroom with only a white towel on my lower body. I was looking for something to wear when I heard a pop from my phone, so, I opened it and read the message from Ate Lorainne.

-'Neil, we're in the hospital now because Dad had a stroke. You have to come home.'

Stroke? She should have said it a while ago. Mom's acting is so good that I don't know whether she's telling the truth or just acting.

I texted back and said, 'Okay, I'm coming home'.

I had no choice but to go home, and because I still care for our family.

Furthermore, I was walking down the stairs to get something to eat when I saw someone moving, so, I stopped. She must be the daughter of Mang Danny. What's her name again?

Wait. I have an idea.

Why don't I bring a woman to the palace and introduce her as my girlfriend so, my elder sister wouldn't suspect me? I need to prove to her that I have already moved on from what happened between me and Francis. But of course, she wouldn't believe immediately. And so, I need proof to make them believe that I've already moved on.

How about marriage? Definitely, if I told them that I am already married they will stop bothering me. My sister Lorainne will stop questioning me. I just need to convince this woman to be my wife for at least one month and when we get back here we will terminate our contract right away. And in return, I will give everything she wants.

That's a good idea.

I approached the woman slowly and when I stood at her back I tapped her weakly three times, which surprised her, so she quickly moved away from me and stared at me as if she had seen a ghost. For starters, I asked her if she was really Mang Danny's daughter, and she answered yes for confirmation, but she also questioned me, which I immediately answered. And before anything else, I took a glass of water and drank it for a while because somehow I was nervous about asking her about getting married even though we just met for the first time.

Well, I don't want to just take any girl next door. Furthermore, I have confidence in Mang Danny, so definitely he raised his daughter correctly. I heard from him himself that even though they were poor in life, he managed to get his only daughter to graduate from college, and that is something. And, I think she is the perfect fit for the role since her father is sick. She needs money just to treat her father, which I am willing to give if she will just cooperate with me. But for the record, this is purely business only and no strings attached.

After deliberating inside my head, I confronted her again, but I didn't get her name.

"Can you do me a favor?" I asked, never taking my eyes from her. And just staring at her, somehow I found her pretty even though she didn't have makeup and anything on her face.

Her face is just plain, and simple but gorgeous.

I noticed that she frowned, which was a sign that she had doubts. "And what is that, Sir?" she asked back with a respectful tone in her voice, even though her face indicated otherwise.

"Be my wife," I said as it just came out of my mouth, even though it's not what I meant to say.

Her two eyebrows raised because of my question, which means she was shocked by what I said. "What?" she said and blinked repeatedly as if she couldn't believe what she heard from me. After deliberating inside my head, I confronted him again, but I didn't get his name.

"Can you do me a favor?" I asked, never taking my eyes from him. And just staring at her, somehow I found her pretty even though she didn't have makeup and anything on her face.

Her face is just plain, and simple but gorgeous.

I noticed that she frowned, which was a sign that she had doubts. "And what is that, Sir?" she asked back with a respectful tone in her voice, even though her face indicated otherwise.

"Be my wife," I said as it just came out of my mouth, even though it's not what I meant to say.

Her two eyebrows raised because of my question, which means she was shocked by what I said. "What?" she said and blinked repeatedly as if she couldn't believe what she heard from me.

"Look, I know we just met, and it's really inappropriate, but I need you. I need your help. But don't worry, we will just get married so, my family will stop bothering me and in exchange for that I will pay for your father's hospitalization. You won't have to think about where to get the money because I will help you all throughout. All you need to do is to come with me to Dubai, and we will act as a married couple in front of my family so, they will stop bothering me. But so you know, for clarification, okay, I won't do anything bad to you. I swear," I explained with a swear to make her believe in me, even though some of it was just a lie.

Well, I cannot tell her that I just want to get married to get over my past that should never have happened. Moreover, I don't want to go back to Dubai alone. I need someone with me to make them convince that I am doing great, and I am very much fine.

"Hold on," she said briefly as she raised her right hand like she was telling me to stop and let her analyze things first before answering me.

"Please, have a seat," I offered and sat in the middle where the bar stool is, while I am waiting for her to speak.

We were silent for a few minutes, and she looked at me like she was composing her sentence first before spitting it out. “Wait. Do you speak Filipino, or English only?” she asked first to make things straight.

"Both," I answered shortly and because I knew that she wanted to say a lot in her native language.

"That's good because I have a lot to say. Foremost, with all due respect to you, no, we just met for the first time, and you want me to immediately agree to what you want? Second, yes, I am your household worker and my father here, we live here for free, but that doesn't give you the right to do whatever you want to us. And thirdly, I have integrity and dignity. Even if you offer a large amount of money, I will not agree to what you want to happen. Even if it's 1 million, or 1 billion. No. Okay?” she angrily mentioned to me.

"Listen—what's your name, by the way?" I was about to speak to address her but then, I didn't know her name, so, I asked her.

"Name's Wendy, Sir," she responded politely but annoyed to me. She is also glaring at me like she is digging something down to my soul.

"Okay. Listen, Wendy, this is just temporary. We will just stay in Dubai for one month or less, and once we're done and get back here, we will file for annulment. You'll get to have half of my properties and everything after our contract. You can do whatever you want, I don't care. After all, I'm a Prince so, I'm richer than the millionaire," I declared to let her know that she was dealing with no apart from but the royal Prince of Dubai.

I hope she agrees.

But even after I told her about my title as the Prince of Dubai, her face didn't change at all. She is not surprised or stunned to what I just mentioned, which confused me.

"And so, if you have a royal blood as the Prince of Dubai? We're both human, so, what makes the difference? We both breathe the same air, we both eat, poop, and we both get angry. I don't see any differences at all," she said flatly in my face.

Wow.

This woman has the guts to talk to me like this. Isn't she afraid for her life? I can actually tell my men to kill her. But based on her face, it seems like she doesn't give a fvck about my title as the Prince of Dubai. And that amused me. This is the first time I have been traumatized like this. Just wow.

I cleared my throat as I washed off the thoughts out of my mind, and I focused on the only woman who doesn't give a fvck about my title. "Fair point. Nevertheless, think about it first. Okay? Think about your father. I will see you again tomorrow, and I hope you give me your answer. Have a pleasant day,” I said without furthering the conversation, and it looked like this girl wasn't going to let me win.

I can see in her facial expression that she is not holding back a fight, even though she has an angelic face.

I, then, stood and started walking upstairs to go back to my room.

"Wait," she called at my back.

I stopped walking and turned to her again to see that her face became serious.

"I already gave you my answer and that will not change," she said seriously, and she dropped the vacuum she was holding on the floor, and then she walked away.

Meanwhile, I smirked because it's my first time to meet a woman with such high pride even though I know that they need money.

Fine. Okay. Let's see how far you can go, woman.

And I, resumed walking upstairs.

"She's unbelievable," I whispered under my throat.

———

"One s€x on the beach, man," ordered the customer who sat in front of me.

"Coming right up, Sir," I replied while wearing a mask so, no one would recognize me, and I started making his preferred drink.

"Come on, Wendy, just one drink and after that, we'll go home," a female voice said.

I immediately looked to my left because I heard the name of a woman who dumped me for the first time. Who would've thought that I would see her here?

"Diana, you know I don't drink. Why do we come here? I just told you my problem, and then you brought me here? Well, it's noisy here. I'm not used to a place like this. Let's go home," Wendy complained and dragged her companion out of the bar where I was working without her knowing.

They must be friends. What a coincidence, and we met again today. I smirked at the thought, even though she scolded me this morning. I, then, gave the glass of drink to the man I was talking to earlier.

"Girl, that's why we're here because you have a problem. The drinks here are delicious, so, it's the best place for us to talk. Don't worry because everyone here has their world. They don't care about you. They mind their own business. Now, you have to let it out," reasoned her female friend that, I assumed, had the name of Diana, who nodded at me because she had a point.

"Let it out? Here? No way. How can drinking help my problem?” Wendy answered with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

She is currently pouting, that I found cute of her. Wait, let me ask them.

"Hi, ladies. What can I get you?” I asked while wiping the wine glasses that I'm going to use if they wanted something to drink.

I hope she doesn't recognize my voice, or I'm doom.

"Oh, hi there. My friend and I asked for strong drinks. The al... Oh, I forgot the name. Just give us the strong one," pleaded Diana, who obviously knew nothing about drinks, even though she looked like a heavy drinker.

"Alright," I said, and I smiled because Wendy didn't seem to recognize me.

"Thank you, Kuya," Diana said to me and turned back to Wendy. "Sit down, girl, don't worry, I'll take care of you. By the way, what's next in your story? What did the Prince of Dubai say after you rejected his offer of instant marriage?" she asked.

While I got a little closer to them so that, I could hear their entire conversation without them knowing that I was listening, their main topic.

"He said I should think about it first. He said I should think about my Dad and his situation," Wendy told, just like I've said, with doubt in her voice.

"You see, Prince gave you a chance to think. Girl, if I were you, I will grab the opportunity. The grace is right there in front of you, so, why refuse? Besides, you only get to pretend for a month. I don't see anything wrong if after a month you will be rich. At least, you work hard for it before you become rich. One more thing, girl, Prince asked you out, oh, if it were me, I would immediately say yes. Imagine, just pretending, but I can kiss a Prince of Dubai at our wedding. That's once-in-a-lifetime experience," Diana commented excitedly and happily, which made me smile because she is up for it if it were her.

Why don't I just offer her?

I must say that her friend is a pusher because Wendy seems convinced that I can tell by her face. Maybe tonight I will hear her answer, even though I gave her more time until tomorrow.

“Well, you have a point. But still, Diana, he wants marriage just to get away from his family. Meanwhile, I believe that marriage is a commitment to the person you love. I would rather not get married just to pretend in front of his family. The marriage that I want to experience is not what I imagined. Moreover, I would like to marry the person I love and not just for money or whatever," Wendy asserted that her decision appears to be complete.

I was stunned by what she said, which made me stare at her. This is the first time I have met a woman who is not looking for money, fame, or pleasure from me, but she wants a REAL LOVE. Unlike her friend. And for that reason, I'd rather convince her to continue our pretense because I'm sure she won't fool me, and she won't make me look ridiculous in front of many people. It's just me who is, but I'm going to make sure that this woman won't get hurt once she gets married to me. I will protect her at all costs because she's for keeps. I can say that the man she will marry in the future, her future husband, is lucky.

Okay, now, I feel guilty. But, I have to do it, I have to tell my family that I am definitely fine, and because I want to forget about my past. Maybe when there's a chance, I will explain everything to her why I asked her to get married. But not now. Just no.

And honestly, it's not impossible to fall in love with her if she's this kind of woman. I can see that she's an honest and pure person. It's not hard to love her to be honest, and if there's a chance, maybe our feelings bloom for each other. I can't see why not.

"That's what I like about you, girl. You're incredibly pure," Diana complimented her friend with a smile, but then I saw her saddened. "But, girl, this is the real world. And if you get to be practical, girl, I am telling you, love is not enough. 'The love you are referring to? That will make you a beggar, and you will always be the loser because you let your heart dictate you. Just a gentle reminder, ha, money is the thing that keeps this world spinning and the pure love you want some people don't like it. I hate to say this, but, there are many things you should consider before you get into a relationship or marriage. First, your status because, sooner or later, you have to meet his parents and pass to them. And for you to pass them, they will look at your status in life, whether you have money, are capable or are you a beggar. Because they will see whether you can take care of their child or not. Second is your income, or money, because getting into a relationship is expensive. Just an example, when every monthsary or anniversary you should have a gift. Or, if you don't want a gift, you will get to dates outside. Of course, you will spend money because it's a celebration. And third, above all, your capability. Capability to provide. And when I say provide, I mean to say everything. Money, clothes, love, etcetera. Capability to take responsibility for the things you do. And I am telling you this because I have experienced it. Remember, Caleb, my ex? I know that he loves me and I love him too, but still, we broke up because I am poor, and his parents didn't approve of me, so, yeah," Diana said at length, giving her two cents of advice based on her experience, and the real movement of the world unlike what her best friend knows.

"Diana, if he truly loves you, he will protect you from his parents. I've told you this before, and now I'll say it again. True love conquers everything. What Caleb did to you was a big mistake. He's a coward if you ask me because he can't stand on his own two feet. He depends on his parents, what other people say, and above all, he doesn't want to lose the luxurious life he's used to, so he broke up with you. Yes, he loves you, but it's obvious how he lets go of you so easily because he values ​​what other people say more than his own feelings. And he values ​​material things more than you. Because if he really loves you, he will give up everything for you, even his parents and all the luxurious things in the world just to be with you. But that's not what he did. He did the opposite," contradicted Wendy who reminded her friend that true love does exist, but not for Diana and her ex.

"You know, I hate you when you speak the truth," Diana pointed out crying, and wiped her eyes as she was touched by what her friend had said, but then she hugged her. "And that's why I love you because you're the only real person I know," she said emotionally.

I smiled just watching them because these two women made me realize that they have plenty of differences, but still, they can work together and work with their differences. And that's a real friendship over there.

"Two worth drinks for you two, ladies," I announced, and I served them two wine glasses of drinks with my charming smile.

The two separated from the hug, and they looked at me to get their drinks.

"Okay, just one drink, huh," Wendy said looking at her friend who had already accepted the alcohol offer, not paying attention to me.

"For true love," Diana cheered and raised her wine glass.

And, Wendy clicked her wine glass to Diana as a sign that she agreed with her, and then they drank it together.

To be continued…