Owned By Mistake

"Looks like you remembered."

Cherry bowed her head and quickly shook it, avoiding his eyes. "N-No. I don't remember anything."

Gilbert studied her. She was lying. Her eyes darted away, her voice trembled. She used to be good at covering her emotions, but right now, she was easy to read. Confusion, guilt, and a flicker of fear were all over her face.

"In that case," Gilbert said, his tone calm but sharp, "let me help you remember." He tapped his own lip. "You bit me. Right here. And not just that, you, "

"That's enough!" Cherry blurted out before she could stop herself. Her voice had come out louder than she meant. Realizing it, she looked down and whispered, "I-I'm sorry, Mister Ace Carter. I... I didn't mean to."

Gilbert raised an eyebrow. "One sorry and you think that's enough?"

"I-I don't have any money," she said quietly.

He let out a small laugh. "Exactly."

Her cheeks burned. The shame twisted in her chest. She knew she was the one who messed up. Still, some reckless part of her wanted to fight back, to make things even.

"What if you bite my lip too?" she said with a nervous smile. "That way, it's fair."

Gilbert didn't reply.

Cherry's heart throbbed. She tried to keep her voice steady. "Fine. I won't take the money. Consider it payback for what I did."

She felt sick saying it. She hated this. But what choice did she have?

Just then, Gilbert's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and picked it up.

"Yes?"

"Mister Ace Carter," his secretary said, "Director Dominguez is on the line. He wants to speak with you."

Gilbert checked his watch. "Tell him I'll call back in five minutes."

"Yes, Mister Ace Carter."

He ended the call and turned slowly back to Cherry.

After ending the call, Gilbert reached for his chequebook. Without a word, he scribbled on it, tore the paper clean, and placed it on the table.

"You seem really interested in giving me money, Miss Blaire," he said coldly.

Cherry's face turned red. Even the tips of her ears burned. She didn't respond, only bowed her head lower. She didn't care what he thought. That check was for Luke, and nothing else mattered.

"I-I'm sorry," she said quietly.

Gilbert leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp. "You should be thankful I was the one who found you last night. Do you even know what could've happened if it was someone else?"

Cherry looked up, confused. "What do you mean?"

He sighed, like he was speaking to someone naive. "The VIP lounge at the Imperial isn't just about drinks and music. You think sleeping with a man is bad? What if you'd woken up surrounded by five? And what if one of them left you with something you can't cure? Do you get it now?"

Her stomach twisted. The warning hit her harder than she expected. Abby had mentioned the risks before, how some women chose to offer more than just drinks to earn extra money. But Cherry never planned to cross that line. She just needed money. She just wanted to serve and survive.

Gilbert studied her reaction. She really didn't know how dangerous it had been. Those men last night weren't looking for polite conversation. They were looking to own someone. Even for just one night.

His eyes drifted across her face, slowing when he saw the red mark on her chin. Her lips were slightly swollen, too. He knew why. The memory of her sobbing quietly in his arms, their mouths locked in a heat neither of them asked for, came rushing back.

His throat tightened.

And suddenly, he couldn't look away.

Her waist was so soft, Gilbert thought.

He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. "By the way, where were you on the 12th of this month?"

Cherry froze.

Her heart skipped. That date. The 12th. She could never forget it. It was the night she first stepped into his condo by accident, the night everything changed. The night he unknowingly took her virginity.

Gilbert's eyes were sharp on her. There was something unreadable in his expression, and she suddenly felt a tight knot forming deep in her stomach. She remembered last night. How his hands gripped her waist. How he kissed her like he needed to. He was a man, yes, and desire was normal. But she could tell he had control, strong control. He didn't give in easily to temptation. Yet with her... he did. Why?

"Are you mute now?" Gilbert asked when she stayed silent for too long.

Cherry quickly blinked. Her palms were sweating. Her heart throbbed in her chest.

Does he know? she wondered, panicking.

"I had a part-time job that day," she said carefully, trying not to stutter.

"Really?" he asked, watching her closely.

"Y-Yes."

Her voice was small, guarded. She didn't dare say more. That night was burned into her memory, and not just because of the pain. She remembered his voice afterwards. Cold. Final. If he ever found out it was her, she didn't know what he'd do.

Gilbert stared at her for a few seconds longer. In truth, he had already started to suspect something. There was something familiar about her, something he couldn't explain. And it had been bothering him ever since.

Without saying a word, he finally handed her the check.

Cherry's eyes widened.

One hundred thousand pesos.

Twice the amount he originally promised.

Gilbert noticed her stunned reaction and gave a half-smile. "I don't make a habit of getting things for free."

Cherry bowed her head in shame. "T-Thank you. I'll pay you back as soon as I can."

Gilbert didn't even glance her way. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "We're not done yet. You bit my lip."

Her face went pale.

"You owe me," he added calmly, the memory of their heated kiss flashing through his mind.

Cherry felt like a blade had sliced through her skull. How am I supposed to repay him for something like that? she thought, panic crawling under her skin.

"You can leave now," Gilbert said coldly, turning his gaze away like she was no longer worth his time.

Cherry breathed out in relief. Without another word, she rushed toward the large wooden door. She didn't even bother to wear the clean shoes the maids had prepared. Instead, she slipped her feet into the old, worn slippers by the door and walked out quickly, her heart still racing.

Gilbert watched her leave. The corner of his lips lifted slightly.

But just as quickly, his attention shifted back to the center table where his phone buzzed.

He picked it up.

"Mister Ace Carter," his secretary Liam said, "the clue for Project X has vanished. According to the latest intel, that person is dead."

Gilbert's jaw tightened. His face darkened.

"Keep people there. Keep digging."

"Understood, Mister Ace Carter."

There was a short pause, then Liam added, "Also, sir... the Adler family is on the move again. It looks like they're planning something."

Gilbert scoffed. "Keep your eyes on them. I don't want surprises."

"Yes, sir. I'll handle it."

Gilbert leaned forward slightly. "What about the woman I asked you to find?"

Liam hesitated. In all the years working for Gilbert, only two women had ever sparked his boss' interest, Miss Gwyneth, and now, this mystery woman. But no matter how deep they searched, they couldn't trace her.

"We still don't have anything, sir. No name. No record of her entering that building. It's like she vanished."

Gilbert's eyebrows rose slightly. "When you find him, give him compensation."

"Yes, sir," Liam replied.

,

After leaving the Carter mansion, Cherry went straight to the bank to cash the check Gilbert had given her. She held the envelope tightly in her hand as she headed to the hospital.

Luke was still unconscious, but the doctor told her his condition was stable. That gave her a bit of peace. Her mother was by his side, as always, refusing to leave. Cherry gave her ten thousand pesos, hoping it would ease some of the burden.

From the hospital, she headed straight back to their boarding house. She had to get ready for work. When she walked in, she found Abby at the small table, eating breakfast. Abby hadn't worked the night shift, so she had no idea what happened.

"I guess you woke up early," Abby said with a curious look. "How was your first night? Still have the energy to go back in?"

Cherry placed the pandesal and instant noodles she'd bought onto the table, then sat down next to her. "I slept at work," she said casually. "There were a lot of customers. I was too tired to head home."

It was a lie, but she knew Abby would believe it. The Imperial Hotel offered staff quarters, and plenty of workers stayed overnight.

"Oh, I see. Go shower if you need to. I've got class at nine," Abby said, slurping the noodles Cherry had brought.

"Okay," Cherry nodded and took a bite of her own pandesal.

They ate in silence for a moment before Abby spoke again. "By the way, how's your internship stuff going?"

"I applied at the National Museum of Fine Arts," Cherry said, trying to sound hopeful. "I don't know if I'll get in, though."

Fine Arts was Cherry's major, and she knew that if she got accepted as an intern at the National Museum of Fine Arts, it would be a huge step forward. They said being chosen there was like punching the moon, almost impossible, but life-changing if you landed it.

"Gosh, don't worry," Abby said, nudging her. "You're smart and super talented. I'm sure they'll choose you."

Cherry smiled faintly. "I hope you're my lucky angel."

Later that morning, when Cherry arrived at the university, she didn't expect to see Mister Martinez standing by the front gate. He was holding a large box, his face twisted in anger.

"So, are you happy now, Miss Blaire?" he snapped. "I was expelled from the university because of you."

Cherry froze. She'd assumed he was only suspended and would return once the issue blew over. Everyone knew Mister Martinez had strong ties to the board. She didn't think they'd actually fire him.

But now, seeing the box in his arms, it felt real. And honestly, she wasn't sorry. Someone like him had no place guiding students.

She stood straight and looked him in the eye. "That's exactly why you were removed, Mister Martinez. You're not someone students should look up to. You don't deserve that position."

His face turned red with fury. His eyes burned as he hissed, "Still pretending, I see. Not just flirting with students now, huh? You're aiming higher. Big fish."

What he said made Cherry stiffen, but she didn't let him see it. She didn't want to give him that power.

Mister Martinez had spoken to his sister-in-law, who happened to be on the university's board, and she had told him the truth. It was Gilbert Ace Carter who pushed for his removal.

"You'll pay for this, Cherry Blaire," he said in a low, threatening voice.

Cherry didn't flinch. She walked past him without a word and headed inside the university gates, leaving him there to stew.

By lunchtime, she received unexpected news. Her scholarship had been reviewed by the board of directors, and they decided to restore it.

The moment she heard, it felt like a thorn had been pulled from her chest. Finally, she could breathe again. At least now, she didn't have to worry about paying her tuition.

Still, as Cherry sat alone later that day, one thought kept creeping back into her mind.

What if Mister Martinez was right?

What if someone important really had helped her? She couldn't think of anyone else, no one, except for him.

No, it can't be. She shook her head. That idea was too far-fetched. Gilbert Ace Carter didn't care about people like her.

By Friday morning, reality hit hard.

Cherry received a notice from the National Museum of Fine Arts. She hadn't been selected for the internship.

Her heart sank.

She later learned that Mister Martinez's brother worked there. Maybe he had warned him. Maybe he made sure her name was rejected.

Honestly, Cherry had seen it coming. Ever since that man got fired, she knew he'd try everything to ruin her in return. But still, it stung.

Even so, she refused to let it stop her. She began searching for other places to apply, places where she could grow and learn skills that mattered. The internship might have been a dream, but she wasn't done dreaming yet.

After school, she returned to her old routine. Her uniform from university was quickly swapped for a polo shirt and apron. She worked at a nearby fast-food chain part-time, hoping to save even a little. Every peso mattered now. She still owed Gilbert, and no matter what happened between them, Cherry had her principles. Her father raised her to be honest and responsible. If she borrowed money, she had to return it, even if it meant standing on tired feet every day.

That Friday was unusually busy. Customers lined up nonstop, and Cherry's feet were aching from walking back and forth. A headache slowly crept behind her eyes, dull and throbbing.

She was just about to head to the back when she noticed something strange.

A woman came running straight toward her.

Before Cherry could react, the woman threw ice-cold water right into her face.