Jennafei was irritated to death while sitting inside Dexs ostentatious car. She cant believe that he will fetch her from her house just to make sure that her day was ruined first thing in the morning. Shes irritated that Jonas seems to like the guy, far from what she expected. Shes irritated that even her parents were starstrucked from him. And it irritated her most that her father knew the guy.

She just found out that the Peralta family owns R.P. Naval Shipping where her father used to work at as a second engineer. As a result, her parents treated the guy kindly. They even asked him to join them for breakfast. Her mother was very hospitabletowards him while her father had a conversation with him. After breakfast and their conversation, they even asked him to take care of her to her utmost irritation.

Im leaving Jenna to your care, Mr. Peralta, she remembered her father asked him after she sat in his car.

Take care of our daughter, hijo, it was her mother this time.

Bye, Kuya Dex, make sure to come back! it was Jonas who was already feeling close with the guy.

(Kuya means older brother, not necessarily blood related)

She felt like her family sold her to this guy.

So your father actually worked at one of our companies, Dex casually said as he drove.

So? she reacted with an annoyed tone. She was staring outside the window all this time. She rather have a stiff neck than to see his face.

He still wants to back at the company to work. But because of his medical records, he had a hard time going back.

Yes. And so?

I want to help him.

She suddenly turned to face him. Really? Youll do that? She knows how much her father wants to go back to his previous job. Even if shed rather have him stay at home and be with him all the time. But she knows that since he stopped working and just stayed at home, his self-confidence and self-worth also fell. Thats why as much as she wants to be with him, its okay with her for him to workagain although away from them for 9 months .

He nodded smugly. Yeah But

She snorted. Of course he wants something in return. What do you want?

He grinned. Be nice to me. Stop making those faces because its annoying me.

That is going to be hard. Its hard to be kind to people who are as shameless as Dex. Shes not plastic as a person thats why she thinks that shell have a hard time acting nice towards him. Its like you want to slave me from what youre doing to me.

(I dont know if the euphemism plastic is being used worldwide, it basically means doing or saying something that is the exact opposite of what you are really feeling. In short, fake.)

Im giving you options. Im not forcing you.

Give back my dads work first, before I start acting nice towards you.

Dex did not answer, instead, started typing on his cell phone on his cars phone cradle and after a few moments, someone answered his call.

R.P. Naval HRD, may I help you?

Its Dex.

Sir, what is it? Its on speaker phone so she hears the other line.

I want to speak with your head.

Right away, Sir.

After a while, she heard another voice on the other line. Mr. Dex Peralta, what can I do for you?

She just listened agape while Dex commanded the HR manager to accept her fathers application and to be lined-up for boarding, immediately. Until he pressed the end button of his phone. She cant believe that it is that easy for him to get whatever he wants. He commanded the personnel of his familys business like he was the CEO.

Done, he said while still looking on the road. Now, be nice to me or just one call, I can pull out your fathers application right away.

She tried to wear a fake smile. Okay, master.

He glanced at her. Fix your smile. Its obviously fake.

She smirked and thought about the consequence of what he had done for her father. Once he found out that he can finally go back to work again, hell be extremely happy. From that thought, she smiled sincerely. She did not hear any complaint from Dex again.

Do you always get whatever you want that easy? She carefully asked. Starting this hour, she can no longer make a face and shout at him, though her heart was secretly rebelling against the idea.

Yeah.

Wasnt there anything that you liked that you did not get?

None.

Jennafei cant believe his answers. So its possible that a person as lucky as him to exist. What money and power can do. As in zero?

As in zip, Dex confirmed. Now zip your lips because you already asked me three questions. I just allowed you to ask me one question a day, remember?

Jennafei was astonished. What? That was not a part of my list of questions.

But you already asked. Thats why you can no longer ask me anything within this day.

Youre unfair, she protested. You did not even elaborate your answers. Those were all just one-word answer. We will not issue a slam book type article. Broaden and explain your answer.

Dex suddenly stopped the car. Are you issuing me a command? he asked with a dangerous tone.

Therefore she gave in. No, master. Please heed my request, she answered calmly but sarcastically. She took out the tape recorder and pointed it near his lips.

Dex continued driving. She noticed that the entered the parking area of a shopping mall. Later.

Why did we stop here?

He stared intently at her glasses and her clothes, and she already guessed what he wants to say.

Youre not Fei. I will only give her my complete answer.

Fei werent able to do anything but follow him inside the mall.

The back of Dex car was loaded with shopping bags. He bought Jennafei short and fit dresses, high-heeled shoes and make ups. She changed her clothes at the boutique they went to. She changed her glasses to the contact lenses she brought with her. He brought her a beauty salon and had them fix her like theyre going to attend a party.

Everyone was staring at them the moment they entered the parking lot of the university. She did not know if its because of her get-up or because she came out of Dexs car. He was pulling her arm as they walked to the campus. Jennafei knows that it feels good to be a campus figure. To be famous in the university and be looked up by her schoolmates. But if its because of Dex and her looks who seem like a campus slut, its not something that she is happy about. In fact, she was ashamed of herself during this day.

They walked past the library but she did not go inside because the guy did not let her. This day, he told her that shed have to miss her job this morning and hell take care of it for her.

He brought her to a hidden part of campus where there are bleachers surrounded by trees and flowering plants and a man-made small lagoon. As far as she know, this place is off-limits to students for unknown reason.

Isnt it prohibited to go here? she asked when he made her sit at the bleacher. She looked around. The place is quiet and beautiful. Its a good place to read.

Its prohibited to ordinary students but not with me.

She snorted. Oh, yes. She almost forgot that Dex was not just an ordinary students of this school. She she looked at him, she caught him staring at her legs. She hid her legs with her bag and glared at him. She not that afraid that he will do something to her at the moment, because they are still inside the vicinity of the school.

Now, can we continue the interview, master?

He leaned on the bench. Lets continue my interview that was cut off when you sprayed at me.

Here we go again, she thought. Is he planning on continuing his harassment? But-

Have you ever had a boyfriend? He cut her sentence.

She moved as far as possible from him. Yes. She decided just to answer, incase he tries to re-phrase his question and bring the conversation to anywhere.

How many boyfriends have you had?

Thats unfair. Why if its you, I can only ask you one question per day? But if its me, I dont have the right to reject answering your questions? She protested.

I will not write your answers in a campus paper. It means, nobody will know your answers aside from me. Now, answer my question before I get annoyed.

She secretly made a face at him. One.

How many weeks did you date?

Weeks? We were together for a year.

One year? He laughed. You fooled each other for that long?

Jennafei got mad from what he said. Dont compare him with you. He was not a player and it was a serious relationship. We loved each other.

Love? He laughed like he cannot belive what sheve said. You believe in that crap? Of course you do. Ah, women

That crap? You dont believe in love? She suddenly asked and after a while, she nodded her head. Of course, you dont.

He was a heartless playboy. Its natural for him not to feel love.

Love is just a fictitious thing created and believed by cheesy fools. That thing is not true. Its like an old fictitious belief. For short, its bullshit.

To a person like you, maybe its not true. But for people who have hearts, love is true.

He grinned, amused. Its like hes admitting that he does not have a heart. How can you tell that your ex-boyfriend really loved you?

Because he showed me how hecared.Healways had time for me. He respected me as a woman.

Where is he now. Why did he leave you?

Jennafei was not able to answer. Why are his questions like this?

Can I guess why? Maybe, he was tired of respecting you and you your relationship where hes not getting any benefits from.

She got pissed off from what he said last. Dont compare Melvin with you! Hes no pervert. Hes a gentleman. Its natural for him to respect women. Thats why he did not look for the benefits youre thinking of!

Did you forget what we just agreed about? You have to be nice to me. Why are you shouting about?

Jennafei cant believe that her family now owes him a debt of gratitude. She calmed herself and breathe deeply. Can I ask you now?

When he did not answer, she took out her tape recorder and moved it near him. About the question I asked you in the car

I can get anything I want. And I mean, everything. Thats why Im not used in not getting anything that I wanted. Thats why, there was never a thing that I liked that I was not able to get. Dex answered as he intently stared at her like his answer refers to her.

She dismissed the thought. Same with the awkward feeling shes getting from his stares. Of course, you have the money, the power and the slyness. You can get anything you want, right?

Exactly, he answered in almost a whisper, still staring at her intently.

Are your parents agreeing to all of your wants? Did they ever prohibit or reject your-

One question per day.

She pouted. She pressed the Stop button of the recorder.

As decided, Jennafei and Dex ate lunch together. Jennafei was not able to eat well because everyones attention was on them at the cafeteria. She felt like she was one of the numerous campus sluts that Dex oftenly dates. She cant stay still, thinking of what the students might be thinking about her, probably on the negative side.

She even saw Leila who was obviously shocked at her changes. Maybe not just for that reason but also because she was with the campus king. Leila probably knew that shes already working on her task for the publication. Jaycee no longer reacted when he saw her but because of his fear towards Dex, he did not dare approach her when she saw him on the corridor when they were walking toward the basketball gym, where they will practice. Red was obviously amused with her looks. She does not know if she should thank Red because he gave her pointers on how to be noticed by his friend, when her situation became even worse by him helping her.

Jennafei was just sitting on the bench while the varsity team are practicing basketball. She knew that practice games against other schools are getting closer thats why the varsity team are practicing almost everyday. While shes watching Dex as he plays, she was pondering over the nine and a half days she has to endure accompanying him. She did see even a hint of kindness on him. He was like a real beast. She might have thought that he really was a real monster if only he was not so good-looking.

She does not know what the guy was planning to do with her. She was only hoping that he was not that much of monster to rape her. If that ever happens, she always carry self-protection against him. Jaycees pepper spray, her ballpen attached on her key chain and her teeth to bite him.

She was startled when someone suddenly sat beside her. It was Jude. He was wearing a regretful smile.

Hi, Jenna. You look different today. I almost did not recognize you.

She smiled. honestly, I dont like this.

I wont ask. But I hope you would take precaution from Dex. That was the second time Jude gave her a warning against Dex.

Thanks for the concern, Jude. If he only knew what she was going through under Master Dexs rule.

And Im sorry if I was not able to help you yesterday, he said in a regretful tone.

Its okay. She understands what Jude did yesterday. Even if the two of them are teammates, they did not look close with each other. Its hard to go against the team captain and the king of the campus. I unders-

Jennafei was alarmed when Jude suddenly whooped. He was hit by a ball over his arm. When she looked where the ball might have come from, she saw the bad way Dex was looking at Jude. When Dex came near, she was even more convinced that Dex hit Jude by the ball on purpose.

Back off, Jude. Stay away from my girl. Although his tone was not angry, hint of warning was there.

Jude did not answer. He just bid her goodbye and walked away.

What right do you have to throw Jude away? And may I clear something here? I am not your girl.

He just grinned and turned his back. What a monster.

Later in the day, after her class, Jennafei wore again the clothes she changed from earlier. She removed her makeup. Shes going to work at the library so she has to be presentable. Thats what she will be doing in the next nine days. Just thinking about it makes her exhausted. She does not even know how she will begin to explain the dresses Dex has bought for her in any case they will see them and why will she wear different clothes on her way to school, far from what shes isually wearing.

She was already at the library for few hours and just waiting for Dexs last class to end. According to the guy, he will be the one to bring her home with the things he bought for her to wear.

Jenna, what is your relationship with Dex, huh? Mrs. Nambio whispered her inquiry.

Nothing, Maam, she readily defended.

What nothing? You are already the talk of the campus. Earlier, I heard some students gossiping about you. I cant even say silense please because Im also interested on the topic.

(The librarian was such a jolly gossip monger >.