Cherry woke up with a beating headache and a scratchy throat. Her body ached all over, as if she'd been in a fight. When she tried to sit up, a sharp pain between her legs stopped her. Then the cold air hit her skin, and she was naked.
Panicked, she grabbed the comforter and wrapped herself in it, curling up for warmth. But when she shut her eyes, flashes of last night came rushing in. Gilbert. His mouth on hers. His hands. His voice.
Her cheeks burned. Yes, he was her husband, but only on paper. They got married without really knowing each other. She had only seen him once, three months after signing the papers. In her heart, he was still a stranger.
So why did she let herself go last night? Why did she give in to his kiss like it was the only thing keeping her alive?
Before she could answer herself, a phone rang nearby. Her chest tightened. Gilbert' phone.
Then she felt the comforter shift behind her. She held her breath, pretending to still be asleep.
Gilbert groaned and sat up, rubbing his face. He looked at the screen, scowled, and answered it on speaker. " ? What do you want?" he muttered, lighting a cigarette.
Eros' voice crackled through the line. "You sound tired, bro. Don't tell me you had another wild night?"
Gilbert glanced at the bed, at the girl wrapped in his sheets. His brows furrowed. He didn't recognize her.
She just showed up in his room. He'd been too drunk to care. Her soft skin, her slim waist, wasn't a minor. And those sounds she made... like she wanted him to ruin her.
But who the hell was she?
"What do you need, asshole?" Gilbert changed the subject. The last thing he wanted was for Eros to ask more questions about the girl in his bed.
Eros laughed at the other end. "Relax. When are you free to hang out with the boys? It's been forever since we had a drink with you."
Gilbert puffed his cigarette, thinking. His schedule was wide open that week. "Maybe this week."
"Sweet!" Eros said, then paused. "Hey, why don't you bring your wife this time? We haven't even met her. They say she's gorgeous. Still young too."
Gilbert' jaw tensed. Wife, huh? He scoffed silently. "No need. That marriage is ending soon."
"What? You're filing for annulment?" Eros asked. "What about Grandma Mathilde? She's not going to like that."
Gilbert clenched his jaw. "I gave her what she wanted. We've been married for a year. That's more than enough. This time, she can't stop me."
There was a beat of silence.
"You're grumpy this morning," Eros teased. "Need me to send you some stomach meds?"
Gilbert blew out smoke and replied flatly, "You sound too free, Mister Smith. Want me to assign you something to do?"
"Woah! Chill! I was just kidding. You know the hospital's packed these days."
Gilbert hung up without saying goodbye.
He stood there for a moment, the cigarette burning between his fingers. Then, with a sigh, he headed for the bathroom. As he passed the bed, he slowed down.
His eyes drifted to the comforter, where the girl was still wrapped up, silent. A strange urge stirred in him to lift the blanket, see her again, figure out what it was about her that got under his skin.
But he shook his head, hard. No. Don't go there.
Without another glance, he walked off toward the shower.
When she heard the water running in the bathroom, Cherry froze. Her skin went cold.
She had just heard what her husband said on the phone, that their marriage didn't matter. How it would "end soon."
What if he found out it was her he had been with last night?
Her throat tightened. Cherry knew the kind of man he was , cold, powerful, blunt. If he discovered the truth, he'd probably throw her out without a second thought.
Her hands shook as she gathered her clothes from the floor. She dressed as fast and quietly as she could, then slipped out the door without a sound.
She didn't breathe easily until she was inside a taxi.
Her mind drifted to the past, for the reason she got into this mess in the first place.
A year ago, her grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. In the final weeks of her life, she had one last wish: for Cherry to marry, so she wouldn't die, thinking her granddaughter would grow old alone.
Cherry would've done anything for her. Anything.
One day, on her way home from the hospital, she ran into Grandma Mathilde, a kind older woman she had met through the women's organization they both volunteered in. She mentioned her grandmother's wish without expecting anything, but Mathilde surprised her.
"If you want, my grandson can marry you," the woman offered.
Cherry had known Mathilde for nearly a year. They had become close despite their age difference. She trusted her.
So, desperate to give her grandmother peace, Cherry agreed.
Three months later, when she went to pick up the marriage certificate, she found out who her husband really was.
Gilbert Ace Carter.
CEO of Ace Carter's Group, one of the most powerful luxury hotel chains in the country.
Cherry was stunned. She wanted to back out, but it was too late. Her name was already on the document.
And not long after signing it, Gilbert left for California. They never met. Not even once.
Until last night.
Cherry woke up with a beating headache and a scratchy throat. Her body ached all over, as if she'd been in a fight. When she tried to sit up, a sharp pain between her legs stopped her. Then the cold air hit her skin. She was naked.
Panicked, she grabbed the comforter and wrapped herself in it, curling up for warmth. But when she shut her eyes, flashes of last night came rushing in. Gilbert. His mouth on hers. His hands. His voice.
Her cheeks burned. Yes, he was her husband, but only on paper. They got married without really knowing each other. She had only seen him once, three months after signing the papers. In her heart, he was still a stranger.
So why did she let herself go last night? Why did she give in to his kiss like it was the only thing keeping her alive?
Before she could answer herself, a phone rang nearby. Her chest tightened. Gilbert's phone.
Then she felt the comforter shift behind her. She held her breath, pretending to still be asleep.
Gilbert groaned and sat up, rubbing his face. He looked at the screen, scowled, and answered it on speaker. "What do you want?" he muttered, lighting a cigarette.
Eros' voice crackled through the line. "You sound tired, bro. Don't tell me you had another wild night?"
Gilbert glanced at the bed, at the girl wrapped in his sheets. His brows furrowed. He didn't recognize her.
She just showed up in his room. He'd been too drunk to care. Her soft skin, her slim waist, wasn't a minor. And those sounds she made... like she wanted him to ruin her.
But who the hell was she?
"What do you need?" Gilbert changed the subject. The last thing he wanted was for Eros to ask more questions about the girl in his bed.
Eros laughed at the other end. "Relax. When are you free to hang out with the boys? It's been forever since we had a drink with you."
Gilbert puffed his cigarette, thinking. His schedule was wide open that week. "Maybe this week."
"Sweet!" Eros said, then paused. "Hey, why don't you bring your wife this time? We haven't even met her. They say she's gorgeous. Still young too."
Gilbert' jaw tensed. Wife, huh? He scoffed silently. "No need. That marriage is ending soon."
"What? You're filing for annulment?" Eros asked. "What about Grandma Mathilde? She's not going to like that."
Gilbert clenched his jaw. "I gave her what she wanted. We've been married for a year. That's more than enough. This time, she can't stop me."
There was a beat of silence.
"You're grumpy this morning," Eros teased. "Need me to send you some stomach meds?"
Gilbert blew out smoke and replied flatly, "You sound too free, Mister Smith. Want me to assign you something to do?"
"Woah! Chill! I was just kidding. You know the hospital's packed these days."
Gilbert hung up without saying goodbye.
He stood there for a moment, the cigarette burning between his fingers. Then, with a sigh, he headed for the bathroom. As he passed the bed, he slowed down.
His eyes drifted to the comforter, where the girl was still wrapped up, silent. A strange urge stirred in him to lift the blanket, see her again, and figure out what it was about her that got under his skin.
But he shook his head, hard. No. Don't go there.
Without another glance, he walked off toward the shower.
When she heard the water running in the bathroom, Cherry froze. Her skin went cold.
She had just heard what her husband said on the phone, that their marriage didn't matter. How it would "end soon."
What if he found out it was her he had been with last night?
Her throat tightened. Cherry knew the kind of man he was, cold, powerful, and blunt. If he discovered the truth, he'd probably throw her out without a second thought.
Her hands shook as she gathered her clothes from the floor. She dressed as fast and quietly as she could, then slipped out the door without a sound.
She didn't breathe easily until she was inside a taxi.
Her mind drifted to the past, for the reason she got into this mess in the first place.
A year ago, her grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. In the final weeks of her life, she had one last wish: for Cherry to marry, so she wouldn't die, thinking her granddaughter would grow old alone.
Cherry would've done anything for her. Anything.
One day, on her way home from the hospital, she ran into Grandma Mathilde, a kind older woman she had met through the women's organization they both volunteered for. She mentioned her grandmother's wish without expecting anything, but Mathilde surprised her.
"If you want, my grandson can marry you," the woman offered.
Cherry had known Mathilde for nearly a year. They had become close despite their age difference. She trusted her.
So, desperate to give her grandmother peace, Cherry agreed.
Three months later, when she went to pick up the marriage certificate, she found out who her husband really was.
Gilbert Ace Carter.
CEO of Ace Carter's Group, one of the most powerful luxury hotel chains in the country.
Cherry was stunned. She wanted to back out, but it was too late. Her name was already on the document.
And not long after signing it, Gilbert left for California. They never met. Not even once.
Until last night.
Later on, Cherry found out the truth.
Gilbert Ace Carter had never wanted to be married. He only agreed because Grandma Mathilde gave him no choice. She threatened to keep control of the company unless he married Cherry.
He hated the arrangement. But still… Cherry couldn't bring herself to be angry. She was thankful to both Gilbert and Grandma Mathilde. Because of them, her grandmother passed away in peace, knowing her last wish was fulfilled.
When she heard Gilbert had returned to the Philippines after a year abroad, Cherry made up her mind. She would talk to him face-to-face and ask for an annulment. There was no reason to stay in a loveless marriage now, her grandmother was gone, and their agreement had served its purpose.
But when she went to his suite that night… everything fell apart.
Gilbert had been drinking. The moment he saw her, he didn't even let her speak. He pulled her toward the bed with rough hands. She tried to resist, but his grip was too strong.
Cherry knew he wasn't in his right mind. He was drunk. Angry. Confused. She kept trying to tell him to stop, but her voice got lost in the heat of the moment.
And then… it happened.
She froze. She didn't fight.
Her heart shattered as she lay there, silent and stunned, too shocked to cry, too numb to scream.
Meanwhile, Gilbert stepped out of the bathroom, water still dripping from his hair. A towel was loosely wrapped around his waist. His chiselled body, broad shoulders, sharp abs, and smooth golden skin, looked like it belonged on the cover of a magazine.
There was a soft grin on his lips as he headed for bed.
But it vanished the second he saw it was empty.
His eyes darkened. Goddammit. Where did that woman go?
Jaw tight, he turned away and stomped toward the walk-in closet. He had no idea who she was, but something about her kept messing with his head. He hated that.
No one disappeared on Gilbert Ace Carter. He'd find her.
A few minutes later, as he sorted through rows of designer clothes, his phone rang on the bedside table.
He picked it up and saw Liam's name flash across the screen. His secretary.
He answered it without a second thought. "Yes?"
Then, as if the call meant nothing, he went back to choosing what to wear.
"Sir Gilbert, we found the person behind last night's incident," Liam said on the other line. "It was ordered by William."
Gilbert grinned. No surprise there. Being the wealthiest and most powerful businessman in Luzon made him a natural target.
"Before the day ends, I want the William company under my name," he said coolly.
"Yes, Mister Ace Carter."
Gilbert paused, his eyes drifting to the red stain on the bedsheets.
"And find out who the woman was who got into my room last night," he added, voice sharp. "No one slips past my security like that."
He looked at himself in the mirror, smirking.
You can't hide from me, woman. I'll find you.
Liam hesitated on the line. "Understood, sir. But the hotel's security is airtight. No unauthorized guest should've gotten onto the floor."
"Figure it out," Gilbert snapped. "And one more thing… Call Cherry Blaire. File the annulment."
"Right away."
Cherry stepped out of the taxi, her heart still racing. She stopped at a pharmacy before going home and bought contraceptives.
She couldn't risk getting pregnant. Not now. Not like that.
She was only twenty, in her second year of college. She still had plans, dreams her grandmother once believed in. And after last night… she just wanted to forget everything.
At home, she barely rested before heading to the bathroom. Her body still hurt. Her legs. Her hips. That part of her she'd never given to anyone before.
The memory returned like a flood. Gilbert's eyes. His breath. The weight of it all. Her face burned as she gripped the sink.
She had never even had a boyfriend. She didn't expect her first time to be like that, so painful, so overwhelming, so wrong.
The ache she felt… it wasn't just physical. It was emotional. Like something sacred had been broken.
One mistake, she told herself. It can't happen again. Ever.
After her shower, Cherry collapsed on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. But in the middle of the night, a sharp pain in her stomach woke her up.
She sat up, clutching her side.
Confused, she checked the calendar.
It's not even close to my period…
Then why did it hurt so much?
Cherry tried to bear the sharp pain twisting in her stomach, but by midnight, it became too much. She had no choice but to go to the hospital.
Luckily, the nearest one was just thirty minutes away. She clutched her abdomen in silence the entire ride, praying it wasn't something serious.
In the Emergency room, a male doctor examined her quickly. He glanced at the chart, then looked at her with a faint frown.
"You're twenty... and married?" he asked gently. "Was this your first time?"
Cherry's face turned bright red. She nodded without a word.
The doctor sighed, then spoke carefully. "You've got some internal scratches, and there's light bleeding. It's not serious, but we'll need to monitor it in surgery just to be safe."
He paused, then met her eyes again. "Miss, if someone hurt you... If this wasn't your choice, you can tell me. We can involve the authorities. You don't have to keep quiet."
His voice was calm but firm, like he'd seen too many girls pretending they were fine.
Cherry looked down, her hands clenched in her lap.
"I-It was my husband," she said, her voice trembling. "Really. I'm telling the truth…"
The doctor watched her for a moment, doubt still flickering across his face. Before he could press further, a nurse rushed over.
"Dr. Smith! Bed five , gunshot wound to the chest. Critical!"
The doctor gave her one last glance before hurrying off.
Cherry let out a shaky breath. The moment he disappeared, she slipped out of the room. When the guard asked where she was going, she pretended to be a relative of one of the patients and walked away without being stopped.
On her way home, she stopped at a pharmacy to pick up medicine for the pain. By the time she got back, she was too drained to think. She took the pills and curled up in bed, praying sleep would make her forget everything.
The next morning, her phone rang. Groggy and sore, Cherry answered with a frown.
"Hello?"
"Child, go to the Celestial Hotel right now," her mother cried on the other line. "Your brother's in trouble. They said he stole something, and the owner wants to press charges!"
Cherry shot upright, her heart lurching.
What now?