CHAPTER 2

{AYANE}

I lifted my face, and our eyes held. His eyes, which always look cold yet spellbinding, never cease to unnerve me. Even now, I still can’t figure out what color his eyes are exactly. Are they greyish? Greenish? Hazel?

I’m not sure, mainly because I could hardly stare into those eyes up close. I can only hold his gaze longer when our distance is far enough.

My heart is pounding now. On our very first date, he had proposed a deal. If I agree to marry him, I can demand anything from him in exchange. And he would give it, regardless of what it was.

Calyx DeLuca and I were apparently betrothed before we were even born, if that even made any sense. Our grandfathers were former high school best friends. Weeks ago, my grandpa ran into Giovanni DeLuca, and according to my grandpa, Giovanni brought up their promise to each other when they were young that they would marry their kids or grandkids one day.

And so just like that, our blind date was arranged by the two of them.

I agreed to the meet-up without question because, well, my grandfather looked quite enthusiastic about me meeting Giovanni’s esteemed grandson. But the real reason I immediately agreed is that I found out my grandpa didn’t mention my disability to Giovanni at all.

I know that if Gramps told Giovanni about it, that powerful man would never have excitedly brought up their promise. The DeLucas are one of the wealthiest and most prominent families not just in the country. There is simply no way the DeLucas would willingly welcome someone with a ‘defect’ in their family and risk their precious future generation inheriting such conditions.

So I showed up thinking the date would be our first and our last.

Calyx arrived with a child in his arms, and I knew that very moment he wasn’t interested at all. I thought then that it seemed I didn’t need to tell him I’m mute and deaf for him to lose interest.

Only for me to be shocked because the moment he found out I couldn’t hear or speak, he immediately suggested we get married.

I was in disbelief until he told me honestly the truth, that he wanted someone quiet. That’s it.

Until now, I still don’t know how to even feel about it. But I had told him ‘no’. Since he was frank with me, I also frankly told him the truth, that I don’t want to get married because I never want to have children. Not because I hated kids, but because of the fear that my children would inherit my disabilities. I had told him that my decision was final and no one could change my mind.

Only for him, again, to tell me I am even more perfect for him because apparently, he, too, never wanted a child.

And that’s how we ended up here.

We only dated twice. The second is a brief dinner. The third is cancelled. And now, this is just our fourth meeting. 

My answer still didn’t change. How could I marry a man who only wants me because I’m silent?

But unfortunately, my resolve lasted only until last night.

[Yes, I’ll marry you. In exchange… please help me buy some land.]

I held my breath after I tap ‘send’. My heartbeat is drumming in my ears. However, I am desperate, and I will never back out or regret this decision, no matter how shameful or ridiculous it may sound.

[Calyx DeLuca: Come here.]

My feet moved forward. Closer and closer. Holding his gaze that is becoming more and more breathtaking, the closer I get.

Until I stopped a couple of steps away from him.

Our gazes held and I feel like I’m going to be sucked into something dark and dangerous. His eyes… this is the first time I’m staring at them this long. They aren’t grey, apparently. They’re green but also… hazel? Green with a touch of gold around the irises?

It’s… a bit unsettling. Unusual. But somehow, they didn’t look weird. They’re beautiful in a haunting way. Maybe because of the way those two colors blended.

I have never seen such eye color. Do such colors even exist? They must be contact lenses…

Suddenly, his hand touched my wrist. Lifted it and then placed a black card in my palm.