Tomas.
I couldn’t ignore how Amanda’s words struck the wall of my heart. In that moment, I felt like I was soaring through the air, her speech touching me deeply, a smile of happiness welling up from within me. But I decided to keep my composure for a little longer, determined to maintain my facade. I masked my emotions with a nonchalant expression and turned to Amanda, trying to gauge her reaction. “So, Amanda, how did you meet Daniel? I assume he won the bet! Do I owe him something?” I asked with a smirk, trying to lighten the tension in the air.
“Daniel followed me that day until I reached my other part-time job,” Amanda began, her voice steady. “He came into the market where I was working and asked me to be his date for four hours. He claimed his grandpa was gravely ill and wanted to see him happy. When I refused, he offered me $100, 000, so I accepted-not for the money, but out of pity for his grandpa,” Amanda explained, her eyes reflecting the memories of that day.
“For his grandpa? And you took the money! Do you really think I’m some kind of fool?!” I smirked, letting my disbelief show.
“Yes, Tomas, for his grandpa. Why else would he offer me that much for just four hours if he were lying? That’s what I thought at the time. So I went with him. He arranged everything-the dress, the jewelry, the beautiful Cinderella shoes. I felt like a fairytale princess,” she said, her voice softening as she recalled the details.
“I remember seeing you. I wondered who that angel was!” I exclaimed, my mind racing back to the moment I first laid eyes on her.
“What? You saw me?! Did you see what I did when I found out he was a liar? I punched him and forced him to apologize to his grandpa for his terrible behavior!” Amanda stared at me, a mix of pride and indignation on her face, her spirit shining through.
“Yes, but I was curious about who you were! I had no idea you were the same delivery girl! You looked so pure and amazing! But back to the point: why does my son live with Daniel? Are you in a relationship with him?” I asked, my tone sharpening as the reality of the situation sank in.
“Amanda, you need to tell me where my son is and how you could leave him with another man! How could you trust him so easily? He was a notorious womanizer with a terrible reputation back at college! I want to know everything, and you need to call him to inform him that we’ve met and that we’re living together now,” I said, narrowing my eyes, a storm of emotions brewing inside me.
“What? Now? Tomas, do I need to ask his permission first?!” Amanda glared at me, her defiance rising.
“What permission are you talking about?!” I shouted, frustration boiling over. “He is my son! Don’t make me angry! This isn’t good for you or for Daniel!” I yelled, my eyes narrowing as I felt the tension escalate.
“But he raised my son like a father! My son calls him ‘Dad’! How can I just split them apart? He was there for me during my struggles and helped my son grow up!” Amanda said, her eyes wide with desperation as she fought to defend her choices.
“Oh, I see why he did it! Because you gave him yourself! You sold your body!” I smirked, my words biting.
“What the hell?! Do you really think Daniel wants a woman like me?!” Amanda shouted, her voice filled with disbelief, her expression turning fierce.
I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around her waist and staring deeply into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts. “Why not, Amanda? You’re incredibly attractive. Any rich man would want you!” I said, licking my lips, feeling the heat between us.
She narrowed her eyes and tried to push me away, but I held her tightly, refusing to let go. “You are mine, Amanda. You will pay for what you did-missing the first three years of our son’s life,” I yelled, my frustration spilling over, and then I released her abruptly.
I turned my back to Amanda, taking a few steps away to collect my thoughts. “Now tell me how this started with Daniel!” I demanded, my curiosity piqued.
“After what happened at his grandpa’s wedding, his grandpa sent men to my house, asking to meet urgently. When I arrived, he welcomed me and laid out a plan: I was to help tame his grandson Daniel and make him a better person. He offered to pay me, but under one condition: I had to live with Daniel and pretend to be his fiancee. The fake engagement was a secret between me and the grandfather, but Daniel thought it was real,” Amanda explained, her voice steady but her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
“What do you mean by ‘fake’? How could he think it was real?” I narrowed my eyes, suspicion creeping into my thoughts.
“The grandfather arranged this deal but also pressured Daniel into marrying me. After six months, he would have to accept that it was a game. But I was supposed to change Daniel while living with him, and I had to make sure he believed the engagement was genuine. His grandpa threatened that if Daniel didn’t marry me, he would lose his inheritance,” Amanda continued, her tone serious as she detailed the plan.
“Oh, what a clever scheme!” I smirked, recognizing the cunning nature of the arrangement.
“It’s not a joke, Tomas. The grandfather wanted me to transform his grandson into a better man, and my mission would end before the wedding. Daniel had no idea,” Amanda said, her voice serious, her demeanor shifting to one of determination.
I leaned in closer, intrigued. “What happened after that?” I asked, my tone demanding as I sought clarity.
“Initially, living with Daniel was tough. He was distant and uninterested, which was both good and bad. I didn’t want him to fall for me because it was just a game, but if he didn’t show any interest, he wouldn’t change his behavior. So, I decided to change my appearance first to catch his attention gradually. After a few days of fighting with him, he came home one night drunk with a girl, and I confronted him. That was when he told me he couldn’t see me as a woman,” Amanda explained, her voice revealing the struggles she faced.
“So you changed your look for him? That means you fell for him! And this was around the same time I received my letter from you!” I widened my eyes, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place.
“That’s right, Tomas! I sent you that letter because I didn’t know when I’d be back at college. I didn’t fall for him, though. He was the catalyst for my transformation. I was a lonely, aggressive girl with no life outside of work and studies. I changed everything about myself-my style, my demeanor-all of it was influenced by trying to get Daniel’s attention. Eventually, he fell for me, but there’s more you need to know when you meet him,” Amanda sighed, her expression softening as she reflected on her journey.
“So, what are you telling me? That he loves you? He’s my rival?” I asked, smirking, trying to mask the jealousy bubbling beneath the surface.
“Of course not, Tomas! Who said I’m still in love with you?! Daniel helped me through so much; we have shared good and bad memories. He raised my son and cares for him, but what do you have? A letter from ages ago!” Amanda laughed, glancing at me, her tone teasing but her eyes revealing the underlying tension.
I gritted my teeth, feeling the anger rise within me. “You’re right about one thing: I don’t have rivals. I’m Tomas Charl, and you are mine! You are my responsibility, and no one will take what’s mine. Now change your clothes. We’re going to get my son from Daniel!” I declared, my voice steady and resolute.
“What?! No!” Amanda yelled, her eyes widening in shock.
I pushed her against the wall, gripping her tightly, my voice low and intense. “Don’t ever say no to me again! I’m not interested in you!” I shouted, my frustration boiling over.
“You’re a liar, Tomas! You said you still love me. You said you waited for me all these years!” Amanda screamed, tears brimming in her eyes, the vulnerability in her voice cutting through my defenses.
I held her gaze, seeing her struggle to hold back tears, and the weight of her words hung in the air between us. “And you said the same, Amanda! So you’re a liar too.” I huffed, finally releasing her neck, my heart racing as I stepped back, the tension unresolved, leaving us both on the edge of something we had yet to fully understand.