I'm Just Your Wife On Paper

Chapter 1

CALYSTA DANIELLA CALVANTES' POV

I was just playing with the ballpen I was holding in my fingers. Papa and Grandpa Ced are inside my office. They were sitting next to each other while I was on the single sofa.

Grandpa sipped his coffee latte noisily and even asked my secretary to buy it at Starbucks. Papa, on the other hand, just distracted himself by reading the magazine. In the middle of my works, they actually sent me here.

"You will marry one of the sons of the Valdiviño family, Calysta," said my Papa.

Papa and Grandpa Ced and I have talked about it at the mansion but it looks like they are reminding me again. Because they seem to be in a hurry.

They are the two who will choose the man I will marry. I will not complain about their decision. Because they know I have no intention of settling down. Because I pay more attention to my company and work.

I don't have time to date guys I don't want to meet anymore.

"How many children does the Valdiviño family have, Papa?" I asked him. Honestly, I have no interest in that family.

According to what they also told me, the Valdiviño company is no longer operating properly and it seems that it is just a ship that is about to sink in the ocean while it is in the middle of a strong typhoon or crisis.

Their business is about to close so this is also one of the reasons why they planned for our wedding and to catch that family in the near crisis of their lives.

"Three, but that's the oldest son," answered my father and I looked at Grandpa. Maybe he will also answer my question.

"He is the eldest son, grandchild," Lolo Ced said with a smile. I nodded and didn't ask any more questions. They already said it.

I don't care about the man they chose and especially his face. Even though I didn't know him or I didn't see it, I didn't have any interest. I can't be chosen either. It's just that I don't have time to entertain the lovers I used to have that I still have. Which I hate sometimes, especially when they send me flowers and chocolates. I'm not fond of that.

"Civil wedding first, Calysta. Then it's your grand wedding day," Daddy said to which I just nodded. Whatever they want, I will follow them. Like I said earlier, I won't complain. Then they won't vote for someone whose behavior they think they don't like.

"Aren't you going to ask us anything about the man you're going to marry, grandson?" Grandpa asked me softly. This is how he talks to me. I shook my head and just shrugged.

"We are the only ones who will tell you, son. Your Grandfather and I both know that you don't really care about a man's physical appearance.

Do you know Valiant University?" Dad asked. What is the connection of that school with the son of the Valdiviño family?

I know Valiant University, because I once saw it on TV NEWS that how beautiful the environment they have there.

"The university where the people who have the ability in life study?" Instead of an answer, I returned them a question. I licked my lower lip and gently nodded. "I know it's beautiful. So, is he a professor or President of VU? Dean?" I asked them and they both shook their heads. "If not, what is his job there?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

"He studies at that university, Calysta." I nodded again.

"Master of Degree? If that man was only my age, maybe he was in medical school or Law?" I asked now that I was curious about the job that man had.

"No," Grandpa answered quickly.

"If he is not among the ones I mentioned. Well, what is his job? Don't tell me a security? Because you said their business is going down," I said. I didn't even mean to say those words just came out of my mouth.

It's not like I'm poor, eh. I also help people in need but that's all I thought he could do at VU. But neither. Because he is still studying.

"He is still in his first year of college, school of Engineering," my father said and my eyebrows crossed. I let go of the ballpoint pen I was holding and it rolled to their side, before it fell to the floor Papa caught it.

F-First year college? I expected that man to be younger than me then.

"His age?" I asked once again.

"He's 18 years old, Calysta."

I can't believe I'm looking at them from side to side. "18... is it really 18 years old?" I asked with surprise still in my voice and I don't think I can get over it.

"Yes, Calysta. He is just a freshman at Valiant University," said Papa. I feel like I'm going deaf from Papa's voice that I hear over and over again.

"Is he really the oldest son in their family? W-Do you have no choice but...a child?" I'm sure. Maybe it's because he has an older brother than me, right?

"One of his brothers is already married, so we didn't take your Grandpa with us anymore. In fact he is a second child."

If he is 18 years old and now I am 28 years old. In that case...ten years. The age gap between the two of us is ten years?!

God... I don't know how I will deal with him when we meet. It's surprising. The gap between us is so big and I feel like I don't want to agree anymore. I want to back out immediately. I can't imagine that I can only marry a child?!

"'Pa, 'Lo... Are you sure about your decision to marry the 18 year old VU student to me? Aren't you just shocked?" I asked more and I immediately felt stressed.

"We are absolutely sure, Calysta." My jaw dropped to the floor because of the shock.

"Oh good God..." I exclaimed and it seemed as if any insect could enter my mouth because of its size.

Calysta Daniella Carvantes, 28 years old. I was only 21 when Dad turned over his position as president of Carva Home's Shopping to me. Our products are household items or any type of mansion.

I am also the only grandson of Grandfather Ced, so his company also went to me. I can manage all that well and they have confidence in me even though I'm a girl. Because being an entrepreneur is in our blood. Lolo Ced had two children, but it is said that he died of heart disease when he was still young. So he also had a grandson with Papa and that's me.

Then...I'm just going to marry an 18 year old student of Valiant University?! Doesn't that sound like child abuse? But neither. The man is of the right age.

But the fact is still a fact! He's too young for me!

I fell into bed and was exhausted from the day. This is the first day of school at Valiant University but the professors have already made us do a lot. I still expected that maybe there would be no class and only orientation but it was not.

Someone knocked on the door of my room and my younger sister, Yazel, peeked in there.

"What?" I asked him.

"Daddy wants to talk to you, Kuya. Mommy and I are in the library," he answered me and I sighed violently.

"Get out," I just said and before heading to the library, I took a shower.

I knocked on the door three times and only then did I turn it open when I heard Dad's voice.

"Sit down," he promised coldly and I followed suit.

Kuya Kazel is also here inside and I know what we are going to talk about today is important.

"Why, Dad?" I immediately asked.

"Do you know the state of our company, Lazel?" he asked me back. I shook my head because I had no idea.

All I know is that we only have a small business. That Daddy set up when he and Mommy were just before they got married. They both come from poor backgrounds but because of their hard work and perseverance, their lives and marriage have also been good. They were able to build a business and we, their children, also benefited.

"If it is compared to a fruit and if it has been harvested for a long time, whether it has been touched or not, it will still rot. Just like our company, the longer he goes on the longer he sinks like a ship in the sea. Especially if its only foundation is gone."

"What do you want to happen, Dad? Just say it straight," I said. Because I don't want to swim anymore. I want you to be straight so I can understand better.

"That fruit, Lazel. We are looking for someone who can harvest so that he does not rot on the tree." I know the words coming out of Dad's mouth have meaning but I still don't understand him.

"What's that, Dad?"

"And we need you to be able to grab it," Kuya Kazel replied and I looked at him. My eyebrows are raised because I can't figure out what they want to tell me without my confusion. "Dad and I have decided to unite our family with the Carvantes family," he added his words and at the same time my mother entered the library.

"I have already set a schedule to meet their family. Lazel, get ready to meet your fiancé." As expected, Mommy is like that. He is straight forward when he talks.

To Be Continued....

Chapter 2

LAZEL'S POV

"Lazel! Over here!" I smiled when I saw my friend waiting for me at the arrival area of ​​NAIA. He was still holding a placard with my name Lazel written in large letters.

He almost jumped for joy when he saw me and wanted to approach me but he couldn't.

I carry my big suitcase and I even have a traveling bag. When I got close to where he was, he immediately hugged me. I laughed out loud as he hugged me tighter. This guy, you'd think we hadn't seen each other in a long time.

"Welcome home bro! How long have you been in the States, ah!" he shouted and tapped my shoulder hard which made me laugh again.

"How are you, Lethaniel?" I asked him. After he hugged me, he took my suitcase so he could carry it. I put my arm around him as we left the airport. Lethaniel is one of my best friends.

"He's still breathing," he laughed, and among all my friends he was the only one who was different. He teased us a lot.

In 10 years, I have only now returned home and Lethaniel was with me in the States, but he also returned here two years ago because his father suddenly fell ill, so he turned over their company.

I was only 18 years old when I left this country and I admit that I missed the atmosphere in the Philippines. The familiar sound of cars honking outside. The hot weather that will greet you immediately and the sun is still shining.

"I thought you had no intention of going home," he said.

We approached a BMW car, parked just near the exit and I helped him put my luggage in the compartment. We also went on board after fixing that.

"Could that be?" I asked my friend again as I fastened the seatbelt on my body.

"Looks like your human body is still missing, eh. That's why you take so long in the States," he joked.

"I will only get more lost if I stay there any longer. I feel like I have no direction or place to go. But just come back here," I said which made him laugh.

"You survived for ten years. None of you can stay in the country for long. So, why did you come back?" he promised.

"This is my country. Why don't I come back here?" I fired back.

"Didn't you run away?"

I just grinned because of what he said. If I had been happy to stay in that country, my life would have been okay, with Hanemira. I adjusted quickly but as time went on I just felt weak and I was looking for only one human presence there.

I wanted to escape reality back then the world felt too small for me at that time. I can't breathe with the seemingly iron binding my body. I couldn't move and when I survived that prison-like prison I could only breathe a sigh of relief, but only a few days later I would feel even more.

Which is one of my regrets about why I left then. Why I didn't try to express my feelings to him. That's why I was led by my young mind that decided then.

"Do you have a house to move to? Or will I just take you to your mansion? You know your family has been waiting for you for a long time, Lazel," he said.

My family has been waiting a long time? He refers to my parents and siblings as my family waiting for me.

"How about the one I asked you to watch over?" I asked and just changed the topic. I don't want to talk about Dad right now.

"Just check if he's okay," he answered. I get updates from him but he only gives me limited and he doesn't even show me the photo.

I didn't even try to check his social media because I might lose myself even more when I see him.

I lowered the window glass slightly and looked outside. "This country hasn't really changed anything," I said with a smile.

"Only people change," he replied. "Seriously Lazel? Where shall I take you?"

"I'm at the hotel first while I haven't found anything to move to," I answered him.

I intend to buy a condo if I have a plan for my next step.

"You will spend more when you stay at a hotel. I know you are rich but your money is still wasted. You stay at my condo, I don't go home there anymore. I'm at Mama's because my fiancé and I are getting married soon." If I hadn't really known that he was getting married, I might not have had the courage to go home.

I don't know why but I thought too... It's time to claim what I once owned.

"Okay," I answered and leaned back in my chair. I feel sleepy because maybe I still have jetlag.

I couldn't fall asleep right away so I just distracted myself by looking outside until I saw a big billboard.

My heart beat faster when I saw the soft face of the little girl on the billboard.

"Bro, stop the car," I told him and I tapped his shoulder to follow me immediately. I want to get a good look at his face.

"What? Lazel, what are you going to do? Why should we stop?" he asked me in surprise but I couldn't take my eyes off that thing. "Lazel?"

"Wait a minute, Lethaniel. Stop the car, bro," I said. He quickly put his car aside.

"Hey! What are you going to do?!" he yelled at me as I got out of his car just so I could get a good look at the boy's face.

This building has a billboard of a young girl. She was just looking at the camera, seriously and there's no emotion written on her angelic face. His left hand is holding her cheek and his other hand is holding a children's perfume.

She's wearing a violet strap dress, only half of her body is visible and in the background is the name of the perfume. She's so beautiful even though she's so young and I know she'll be even more beautiful when she grows up. Her aura is so strong and even if I only see her picture now it's like she's right in front of me.

The pounding in my chest never subsided and doubled when I saw his name.

Calystharia Divyne Carvantes. She's too young to be an endorser of a perfume that still bears her name. There seemed to be something about the boy that I couldn't even look away. It seems to have a magnet.

"Is that the billboard you're looking at, bro?" Lethaniel asked me. The longer I stare at him, I feel like I'm going to cry, and I don't know why.

"W-Who is she, Lethan?" I asked him.

"That's a rich boy. His name is there and our friend's children envy that. Even my nephew. She's beautiful, isn't she? Pregnant women like to hang out there just to see that angel. Because they think that when they see this, it is possible that their child will look like this child," he explained to me and I looked around.

He is right. There is a waiting area there that has also been equipped with a tent and many people. Being a rich child is obvious to this child. Because her complexion is just like milk and her smoothness.

His nose is pointed, his eyes as if you are still hypnotized and his lips. Pouty lips.

"Do you think... Whose child is this?" I will ask.

"Don't ask me about that child's mother, Lazel. This is all I can tell you, what you see now in the child is as if you have seen his Mommy. Come on, let's get out of here." He pulled me and forced me into his car again. I can't really get rid of that.

Until I couldn't see it anymore and something in my chest seemed to be squeezed. Why so? Why did I have such an interest in that billboard? Who is that girl?

I sighed and shook my head. Whatever comes to my mind. I'm just more confused.

"That boy..." I uttered.

"Oh my gosh. Stop, Lazel." There's something with Lethaniel, too. It's like he really knows something that he doesn't want to tell me yet. What could that be?

"He's familiar to me... It's like I've seen him... I've seen him before..." I said just to stop him.

"What you say is impossible, Lazel," he said accompanied by a shake.

"I have a strong hunch that I've seen him before, Lethan. I know... there seems to be something about that boy..."

"That's where you're wrong. He has traveled around the world but he has not been to one country. Then you just came back here, ah. So where will you meet if that's possible?" I looked at him because he seemed to know a lot about that. I knew it.

"You know him?" I asked with interest. He didn't answer me and just shrugged his shoulders. He looked like he didn't want to tell me what he knew.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 3

The whole trip I just kept quiet and I didn't even forget his face. I still want to see him again. I don't know why I'm doing this. But I only want one thing... To meet that little girl.

I wasn't quite myself when we got to the condominium and he just led me.

"Go grocery shopping if you want to eat your own food. I ran out of stock last week," he said but I just ignored him. "Lazel. I can't leave you like that. Bro..."

"I'm fine. You can leave me here, Lethan," I told him and he sighed.

"Can not. That's just like a child, why are you acting like that? Don't tell me you liked that young goddess?!" he shouted at me. I gave him a bad look and he laughed loudly.

"It's not like that, Lethaniel... There seems to be something really different about the boy... I can feel it..." I said as I touched my chest.

"Hey... You only see children. Just what if you meet her Mom? She's beautiful even more..."

"I don't know..." I just said.

"Lazel..."

"If you're going somewhere else, you can leave me here, Lethan. I found a grocery store near the condominium. Go ahead, don't worry about me. I can handle myself," I said. He really has no intention of leaving me here.

"Okay. I'll be back later to check on you. It's so bad, you feel like you're going to pass out. You just saw Calystharia. What if you can see that in person? Maybe you can stay the night." I just smiled at him as I took a deep breath.

After he left his condo, he even showed me the empty room where I could rest and I just took a quick shower. Then I lay down on the bed and slept.

It was already dark inside the room when I woke up and I could feel my stomach rumbling.

Lethan is out of stock, so like I said earlier that I was going to go out, that's what I did.

I just put on a black hoodie and left the unit. But I had no intention of going grocery shopping yet so when I passed a Pasta House I went inside.

I approached the counter to order pasta. "Good evening, Sir," the girl at the counter greeted me. I smiled at her.

"One pasta carbonara and iced coffee, please."

"We will serve your order, right away, Sir and write your name here," she said and I took the ballpoint pen she was holding. I write my name in the peace of red paper.

I was about to find a vacant table when the girl uttered the familiar name.

"Calystharia Divyne!" I stilled. Calystharia Divyne? That name is the owner of the perfume endorser, right?

I just heard the footsteps of someone right beside me with her soft voice. "Miss, the correct pronunciation of my second name is Di-vin. Not Di-vayn. Please, always remember that." Just like that, my heart beats fast again and when I saw her face...

I feel like I want to hug him right away. I don't know why...

CALYSTA DANIELLA's POV

"What?! 18 years old?! Your parents are going to marry you off to that 18 year old?!" Glean Aero asked me hysterically.

My only friend since childhood is actually my roommate. Her full name is Glea Aero Lavern-Salvacion, we're the same age and just like me she's also a business woman. Even our company is a partner.

She has a shopping mall and at my company she is getting appliances and whether it is in the stock market. So that our products don't rot in just one corner. Well, we are not disappointed in that matter. So Carva Home's Shopping and her Salvacion Engrandt Mall lead the list of successful businesses.

She's a little bit cursed and a workaholic. But a good friend of mine and you can count on him anytime. When you have a problem, just ring her a bell. He is one call away. He is quick to get irritated by things that he thinks are irritating and his arrogance is to the highest level.

He is not an only child so he became the heiress of his family. Because the truth is she is the eldest daughter and she has three younger sons. Yeah, she's the only daughter.

"You're too OA, Glea," I commented.

After our conversation with my father and Grandpa Ced. I went to her company to visit her and we are already talking about my future. I have work to do but I decided to take my day off. Besides, my company can run without me. So, I am here. Hanging out with my best friend who is also married.

"I just can't believe it. Imagine, only 18? Then you are 28 years old! How ironic is that, Calysta Daniella?!" I held my ears and sighed.

"Lower down your voice. Our situation is no different, Glea Aero Salvacion. Your husband is ten years older than you now," I said and I sipped my ice tea coffee.

"It's a different case, Calysta. The man is younger than you and I wonder if he already knows the couple's night routine." I put down my cup and looked at him.

"What is night routine are you talking about, Glea?" I asked her confusedly and she suddenly smirked at me. "What kind of look is that?" I asked again.

"You know what I mean, Calysta. The quality time, you know that very well," she said and I suddenly choked even though I wasn't drinking anything.

I picked up the table napkin from his counter. Yeah, he has a counter here inside his office and his things are complete here. His collection is wine, in his past life he was probably a bartender.

He wasn't a drunkard and he just really enjoyed these wines. But of course he also has a high alcohol tolerance.

"Shut up, Glea," I slapped him.

"Hmm, if that's the case. That's a good idea. As for...being single forever, being an old woman, having no experience in the night routine, no experience in kissing and hugging, even flings you have nothing and what is the worst? You're a dying virgin, it's time to water your rotting flowers, Calysta," he teased.

"What the hell, Glea?!" I shouted and he just laughed out loud.

What is he saying? I can't even understand him except for his last words!

What?! Will a virgin die?

When I arrived at home, I saw my grandfather sitting on the sofa, and he was alone there.

"Good evening, `Lo," I greeted him and took his hand to guide me.

"You just arrived, grandpa? Your secretary told me that you left work early," he said.

"Yes, ``Lo. I met my best friend," I answered and sat next to him.

"Glea?"

"Yes," I simply answered.

"Did you talk about your upcoming wedding, Calysta?" he asked and I nodded.

"Will you not change your mind, Grandfather Ced? We can help their company even if we can't be involved in the marriage thingy anymore," I insisted to my Grandpa but he just shook his head. Because he won't take back what he said. What they agreed upon.

I just want to change their wedding plans. So I thought about helping that family. There is no future to be ruined by chance. Just make a deal with me and I won't hesitate to invest in their company.

Or if they want, I will just lend him. Just tell them how much money they need and I can do it right away.

"It's not possible, grandson. They also don't want them to be indebted to our family, so for our family to be fair to each other, the only thing we elders thought about was marriage. So get ready later. You will see and meet your future husband, Calysta," he said with a smile on his face.

Look, they are also very quick to plan. Immediately.

"Grandpa Ced..."

"Go ahead, grandson. I will get ready," he said and stood up from his seat.

I just leaned against the back of the sofa and violently blew air out of my mouth. Do we need to get married for the sake of their failing business?

18 years old? He's just 18 years old and he's still going to be my wife?!

He would have refused this marriage when he found out that he had been with her for ten years. I just hope...he does something so that our parents' agreement does not go through.

We have a family dinner. So, I need to dress up properly so I won't be embarrassed in Valdiviño.

"Whew, I'm going to get ready."

I wore my blue-green wrapped dress above the knee. I tied my shoulder-length reddish brown hair in a high ponytail. I put a light make-up on my face and red lipstick. I only wore small earrings and a moon pendant necklace.

I opened my velvet box and looked for a wristwatch to wear. One of my passions is to have a collection of beloved watches. I only wore them once. I just chose the watch channel and then I took out my black pouch, with my phone right here.

When I got off, Grandfather and Papa were there immediately. Their clothes are formal. It was obvious that they had prepared for this night as well.

"Are you done, Calysta?" my father asked me.

"Yes, Papa," I answered politely.

"Good. They have a reservation at a fancy restaurant. Let's go."

To Be Continued...