First fight, persistent husband

The three laughed as Jewel sat bored in her seat. Gideon remained silent as he sipped on his cup and glanced at her from time to time.

"Let it go, Sebastian. At the next wedding, I will give all the decisions to your family," the Mayor said. "Have your questions been answered? I can't stay long because there is still work in the municipality. I want to talk with you two in private."

Donya Belinda turned to her. "Jewel, you'll take care of Gideon. We're just going to talk with your future stepfather," she said.

At once, the three stood up and walked out of the dining hall. Jewel sighed in relief and she leaned back in her chair. She closed her eyes. She seemed to have lost her temper with what the Mayor and her parents had talked about. Her head hurt as she thought about the marriage contract she would sign tomorrow.

But what could she do? She didn’t have the strength to rebel against a Mayor and reprimand her parents. She was sure that if those three would find out that she was hesitant to agree with the marriage, they would definitely exile her to Mindanao with the man promised to her. And that's the worst thing that she avoided at all.

'No. It's okay, Jewel. Breathe in, breathe out. You will not see any of them when the school year will start again. You'll be at the comfort of your dorm.' she thought and calmed herself down.

For a few minutes, she had her eyes closed but she felt someone was staring at her face. She opened her eyes and frowned as her gaze fell into Gideon's dark orbs. The man didn't even look away when their eyes met.

'Annoying.'

"Why are you staring?" she asked, hostility was evident in her voice.

"You're too young to be my wife," Gideon said.

Her ears perked up at his words, and she sat up straight on her chair. "I also think the same. So, come on? Let's cancel this engagement?" Her eyes twinkled in delight.

A smiled tugged the corner of Gideon's lips. "Impulsive."

"Excuse me?" She laughed. "I'm not impulsive. Just for your information, Mr. Hernandez, I've also been thinking about this for a few days. You know, I am an incoming college freshman. A 19-year old for pete's sake." Her forehead furrowed. "Sorry but, can you call this off? I am way too young for you. I don't have plans to be a pathetic wife at this age."

"I won't do harm nor any trouble to you, Jewel."

She took a deep breath. "You're really persistent."

"I am." Gideon smiled. She saw his even white teeth as he leaned closer to her. "Sorry, honey. I can't grant your wish."

She sprang to her feet and walked away from the dining hall. Carrying the hem of her long dress, she went to the living room. Her eyes searched for Don Sebastian and Donya Belinda. "Mama! Papa! This won't do! I don't want to marry this man!" she shouted. Desperate.

She stopped under a large chandelier and looked around. Her father and mother were absent. Where were they?

Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm and turned her around. Caught surprise, she let go of the hem of the dress and she accidently stepped on it. She screamed when she lost her balance.

Gideon quickly caught her arm and pulled her back. He held one of her arm to balanced her, and his other arm snaked around her waist.

"And careless too," Gideon said in a low and amused tone.

He was staring at her. But the stare was mixed with teasing. The silly smile never left Gideon's lips.

She quickly removed his hand that was holding her waist. She stepped back and took a deep breath. "Tell me, Mr. Hernandez. Why are you so persistent?"

"I am not persistent, Jewel."

Her eyes rolled. "Come on, answer me. Why are you here?" Jewel's forehead furrowed. "Why do you want to marry me?"

But the man had no answer. Gideon's gaze remained on her. His lips opened to say something, but he withdrew and closed it eventually.

Jewel's face frowned, even more annoyed, and she walked away from Gideon. "If you don't want to answer me -"

Gideon cut her words. "It's my mom's death wish."

Her foot stopped from stepping ahead. Did she hear it right? Death wish? Of whom? Of his mother?

Her eyebrows met.

Gideon sighed. "The day we first met, was the day of her funeral."

Jewel slowly turned around to face Gideon. The man stood a few meters away from her. His serious gaze returned, the kind of look that dug deep into her. And there was no more crazy smile on his lips.

Her voice shook. "Are you k-kidding me?"

Gideon shook his head. "The Mayor's just pretending that everything is fine. But the truth is that he still can't accept my mother's demise. A secret funeral happened so that no one would inquire. I came from Mantalongon and was sent home just for her funeral." He averted his gaze. "I relinquished my promise to the sovereignty of the country to marry you, Jewel. So think about it."

She snapped. "You're doing a death wish?" She laughed. "Okay, I understand that, Mr. Hernandez. My condolence for your loss. But can't you see what that death wish will cost me?" Her fist closed tightly and her jaw clenched. "My freedom."

Gideon's two fists opened and closed, and he averted his eyes. "Just think of it a hundred times. It's not just your freedom that depends on marriage." He stared at her again. "Reputation of two families and the feelings of your parents."

She blinked. "They don't even care with my feelings."

"Jewel."

"Look, I won't marry you. Marriage ..." She angrily ran her finger through her own hair. "I don't want to be tied up early, Gideon. Please understand my side. I know what my life will be like after I marry you. I don't want that. I have my own life. I have my dreams. I have a lot of things to chase on. And when I'm tied to you..." She swallowed and avoided Gideon's gaze. "And when I'm tied to you, I can't do everything I want in life. You'll cage me to death and I don't want that!"

"I won't cage you, Jewel." Gideon stepped closer but eventually stopped as well. He blinked and averted his gaze again. "The least thing I will do to my wife is to cage her. You're not a bird, you're my woman. You and I, as partners, should work equally. Being dominant is not my thing, Jewel."

She looked down. "Why? Why can't you quit?"

"I'm building myself back." Gideon smiled softly at her. "If you don't like to be my wife, just submit to me as a woman. I want to be your good husband."

He stared at her for a few more seconds before he walked away. Jewel just watched him came out of the mansion and disappeared from her sight.