Today is a very normal day for Charissa. She went on a secret date met the first guy who confessed to her while running away from her brother, went to a fancy restaurant with high-class food and prices, and finally met her fake boyfriend's obsessive future-bride.
It's almost two in the evening and she stood at the entrance of XXX Mall to call a cab. However, instead of calling a cab she instinctively went through her messages first. At the top of her newest messages stood ten messages from her mom. Just as she was about to delve into them, an unfamiliar number chimed in with a new message: 'Come to XX Park at 4:00 p.m. Alone.'
She wondered who the sender was. While part of her urged her to dismiss the message as a prank, a new notification popped up. 'Don't ignore or else your boyfriend would get into trouble,' it read, carrying a more ominous undertone.
This was a bit threatening and she could only think of three people who knew about her boyfriend; Elissa, Janet, and Ethan. Janet and Elissa couldn't have sent this message to her. They wouldn't do such a thing even as a joke since they know her Mom too well. Ethan was The only suspect left, but everyone knew he doesn't use his phone during weekends for whatever reason. 'Besides those three, the only person who could've sent me this message is...Maria, but would she send me this kind of message though?' Charissa's mind was overflowing with possibilities. She decided to forward the messages to Elissa and Janet to ask them whether they recognized the number. In a few seconds, her reply came that neither of them knew. Her final choice was to go to XX Park and meet whoever was waiting for her. 'It's either Ethan or Maria' she guessed.
She knew that whatever happened Elissa and Janet would be able to help her even if she didn't tell them the details. With that in mind, she called a cab and headed for XX Park. By the time she arrived, it was three.
Stepping out of the cab, her eyes scanned the surroundings for a spot to spend the rest of her time. Eager to arrive early and assess the person who had reached out to her, she aimed to make an informed decision. Luck was on her side; a convenience store faced the park, offering a haven to occupy her hours.
The park was a small playground with four swings, a sandpit, two seesaws, and a ship-themed slide. Encircling these attractions were wooden benches, a place for parents to rest while their children played.
It was now, three fifty-five and no one suspicious seemed to come to the park except for some families and children. As the clock struck four, an unusual turn of events unfolded—the security guard unexpectedly ushered park visitors away, then promptly locked up before leaving himself, an uncommon occurrence for a public park.
Around five past four, a black limousine glided to a halt by the park gates. A man in black emerged from the driver's seat and opened the rear door. From it descended a woman wearing a yellow dress, a sight all too familiar to Charissa. The realization hit—Maria was the one who sought this meeting.
"So it was her who wanted to meet me? And with a threatening message? What if I didn't come?" she muttered, snatching her bag from the table where she'd been seated.
As the vehicle retreated after Maria and one of her guards disembarked, Charissa made her way toward them
"Oh, you came. Sorry for the threatening message with no introductions." Marisa voiced an innocent tone as she settled onto one of the swings. Her guard stood behind her. "Give me a push," Maria instructed her guard, and he obliged, sending her into a rhythmic sway. Charissa couldn't help but feel awkward.
"No worries," Charissa answered.
"You came alone?" Maria's voice raised as she soared upwards.
"Yeah."
Marisa gestured toward the swing next to her. "Sit and we talk," she demanded.
Charissa took a seat on the swing and gave it a gentle nudge, not pushing too far forward. "So? You brought me all the way here to talk about Charles, right?" Charissa asked bluntly.
Maria's swinging slowed down, and she answered with a fervent tone, "Certainly not!"
"Then what for?" Charissa's voice matched Maria's intensity.
Maria's voice lowered as she spoke, "I don't care about Charles anymore. Sure, I used to like him at first. The moment I laid eyes on him, I was captivated by his appearance and everything. During our initial dates, he was charming, and I was completely fixated on marrying him. But things took a turn after I brought up the idea of marriage. He transformed into a different person, treating me poorly. By the time we reached our twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth dates, I was utterly fed up with him, secretly wishing for the marriage to crumble."
"Huh?" Charissa was taken aback, grappling to comprehend the sudden shift from Maria's claim that this wasn't about Charles., "Wait, wait, wait...You mean you don't like him?"
"Yeah," Maria nodded.
"Then why continue with the marriage?"
"Cause I can't say no."
"What do you mean?"
Maria leaned in, confiding, "Here's the deal, Charles's parents owe a load of debt to us. So, to make sure they pay the debt, an arranged marriage was set in place. After we both graduate college, we're supposed to marry. Charles will serve as my secretary, and that's how they'll repay the debt."
"What happens once the debt is settled?" Charissa inquired.
Maria's response was candid, "The marriage is considered part of the repayment. Divorce isn't an option even after the marriage. There are various complications, like the potential damage to our family reputations and the perceived inappropriateness of a divorced couple working together..." Maria's swinging had come to a halt by now.
"Rich people are crazy... " Charissa sighed, "Why are you telling me all this?"
Maria's voice softened, "Cause I like you!"
"Huh?!
"Not romantically! I like you as a friend!"
"Oh. But that isn't the only reason is it?"
Maria rose from her swing, making her way over to Charissa. As Maria drew nearer, Charissa ceased her swinging, their proximity increasing. A faint trace of makeup adorned Maria's face, its glimmer enhanced by the fading sunlight.
"You can have Charles, do whatever you please with him. I won't interfere with the two of you. In return, help me get closer to Ethan. I'm well aware you want to distance yourself from him, and I've been endeavoring to capture his attention for quite some time."
Charissa's heartbeat quickened, Maria's presence and proximity stirring an unusual sensation within her. She didn't like it. "Wh-what about your marriage?" Her voice quivered slightly.
"I can do something about that! Secret lovers as all!" Maria excitedly danced around, her hands clasped together. "what do you say?"
Charissa thought for a while. It certainly is a good idea except for the part about having Charles to herself. She had the chance of getting rid of Ethan from her sight. "Sure."
Maria abruptly halted, taking a deep breath. Approaching Charissa once more, she extended her hand. "Deal. One more thing though, don't tell anyone about this, not even Charles."
Charissa took her hand and shook Marias's. This was a deal set in stone between two women. A contract upon contract. And an overwhelming day for Charissa. Because she hadn't replied to her Mom's messages, she was to get a scolding.