Make The Billionaire Fall in Love With Me Harder

"Entice!" Aunt Leticia shouted.

I was hiding in the kitchen I crouched under our counter, trying to stay out of sight from Manang Leticia. I’ve been here for two days, and they wouldn’t let me leave this house. I was so damn bored being stuck at home.

Mom and Grandma won’t let me out. I’m getting annoyed because they’re all being overdramatic. They keep saying that I don’t know Alegria anymore, that I don’t know the roads anymore.

Well, they were right. I was probably nine years old when we moved abroad with my cousin Hector. Alegria had changed a lot since then. The fields were still there, but there were more factories now.

"Entice! You’re in trouble if I find you!" Manang Leticia shouted again.

Now I’m even more determined not to show myself. Why would I show myself if I’m going to get in trouble?

I quickly ran out the kitchen door. I had to find a place to hide because later, I might be seen by my dad’s workers who are stationed near the horse stables.

My heart was pounding as I walked through the muddy path leading out of the estate. My combat boots were covered in dirt, and the brown mud had reached my faded blue jeans. I don’t care. This is exciting!

"ENTICE!" Manang Leticia’s voice echoed from the house.

I chuckled to myself. I was already out of the estate and started walking straight ahead. I’m going to take the path I usually use to get to our dam and slip through to Tinago.

I looked at the vast fields owned by my family. If Hector wasn’t getting married, I wouldn’t have come back here. Luckily, he was getting married, so I was sent back. I’d always liked the feel of Alegria. I was never in love with the towering buildings of New York, where my parents sent me to high school.

My phone beeped in my pocket. I wanted to curse. I should have left this behind! What if Mom called? I’d just deal with it later.

I saw a message from one of my friends. Hester was my best friend. Before I left, we were partying in New York. I got so drunk that I accidentally kissed him. Now he was being clingy, and I didn’t like it.

Hester: What's up, En? How’s the Philippines?

I didn’t bother replying. I turned off my phone and kept walking through the muddy path.

I grabbed a branch from the side of the road and tried to pull my hair back. Its curly ends swayed as I tried to make a ponytail. I took a deep breath and enjoyed the fresh breeze of Alegria. I like this so much! I hope Mom and Dad never make me go back to America. This is my home, and this is where I belong!

"Hello!" I greeted the workers harvesting pineapples by the side of the road.

The dirty men looked at me. I smiled and waved at them. They exchanged glances. Both were carrying sharp-looking knives for cutting pineapples.

I kept walking. I wished I had brought a horse. Hector said I could use Abaddon, but Dad doesn’t approve. I’m confused about who to listen to.

But then again, Manang Leticia would find me if I brought the horse, so it’s better that I’m just walking.

I picked up a dry branch from the side of the path and carried it with me as I walked.

Someone whistled when they saw me. An old woman beside him slapped him on the head.

"When did you arrive, Entice?" the old woman asked. I couldn’t remember her name.

Ever since I got here, many people have asked me that. They know me, but I don’t know them. Maybe because I was too young back then, I don’t remember.

"Just the other day..." I replied with a smile.

I kept walking, hearing the old woman’s scolding of the man who had whistled at me earlier.

"What are you doing? That’s Carolina and Thomas’s daughter!"

We’re known here because this land belongs to my grandmother. We own several hectares of land in Alegria, and almost everyone knows our family. My dad could even run for a government position and win, but he would rather manage the whole farm. After all, only he and Hector are expected to manage our big farm.

I looked around the rice fields. The landscape has changed, and I wasn’t sure if I was going the right way anymore.

I turned back and then looked ahead. Probably. I should have brought Abaddon! Damn it!

I kept walking. It must have been another fifteen minutes before I finished crossing the rice fields, and now it was all sugarcane. I hate sugarcanes... they ruin my view. I kept walking.

I could see the end of my path ahead. A dense forest was in the distance, signaling that I was close to our dam and the waterfall I wanted to visit again.

I had invited Hector to come with me, but he’s too busy with his upcoming wedding, so he couldn’t come. Manang Leticia refused to go with me. I haven’t even seen my dear friend Koko, which only made me more bored. What’s the big deal now? I could go alone because I can, right?

Out of breath, I climbed onto a rock to enter the forest. I realized just how far I’d walked. When I was a kid, I never got tired like this. I brushed aside the plants to pass through on my way to the dam.

I could hear the crackling of dry leaves under my combat boots. I also heard the various chirps of birds. I was fully aware that this forest most likely had wild pigs and other creatures. When I was younger, Hector would put me on the horse whenever we came here with Koko. This was the first time I’ve walked here on my own. But what can I do? I’m so thirsty for all of this. It’s their fault they’re ignoring me.

I heard rustling from somewhere. I stopped walking, and my chest tightened with fear. Could that be a snake? I ran in panic, not stopping until I was out of breath.

I looked up at the towering trees, afraid that a snake might fall on me. My eyes scanned the dry leaves, just in case the snake was there, crawling.

When I caught my breath, I ran again. After all that walking and running, I finally spotted the concrete footbridge of our big dam.

I smiled as I looked at the mountains surrounding the area. Everything was green, except for the blue sky.

I looked down at the dam, and I could clearly see the swift flow of the water below. The Tinago Falls must be stunning today. Not that it’s not always beautiful... It just made me even more excited.

After crossing the footbridge, I followed the familiar path to Tinago Falls. The plants were on the side of the mountain, so this path was much better than the forest I had just crossed.

Actually, there’s another way around Tinago Falls, and that’s by taking the highway. You’d have to ride a tricycle for about five to ten minutes. But I didn’t choose that route because I sneaked out of the mansion. Besides, I enjoyed the journey.

My smile grew wider when I saw the blue waters of Tinago. The pristine blue waters made my heart melt. There was no one else there, and the raft was on the other side of where I passed, near the gazebo.

I bent down to take off my combat boots. I’m going to swim. The only problem was I didn’t have swimwear or a towel.

Why did I forget that?

I looked around. There was no one there. Not a single soul. All I could hear were the birds chirping and the sound of the water falling from the waterfall.

I was barefoot now. I took off my faded blue jeans and my white spaghetti strap top. I laid down my red flannel shirt, which I had tied around my waist.

Now I was only in my underwear. I could even go bare, you know. But I’m a bit scared that someone might come by later.

I climbed the rocks next to the waterfall. I wanted to dive. I used to do this when I was a kid. Now I’m doing it again. When I was halfway up, I felt the rush of adrenaline. My body trembled. I raised both my arms, preparing to dive. In one swift motion, my body followed my arms. I plunged into the cold water.

I sank and quickly resurfaced to catch my breath. When my head broke the surface, I breathed deeply and fixed my hair.

"Wooooh!" I shouted.

It would have been more fun if there were more people.

I swam again. I tried to check my swimming skills before I swam toward the gazebo.

When I surfaced, I grabbed the raft. I lifted myself onto it and untied the rope from the gazebo. I got on and let it float wherever it would go. I lay down and looked at the towering trees around me.

This is life.

I almost fell asleep from how peaceful the place was. Add in the sound of the waterfall, and everything here was so relaxing.

"Entice... Ralene dela Merced Ezquivel," a deep male voice called out.

I blinked awake and sat up. I saw a tall man standing near the gazebo. His features were almost foreign. He had a sharp nose, red lips, slightly messy hair, and a well-built body. He was holding a rope in his other arm. The veins on his biceps didn’t escape my sight.

"Who are you?" I asked.

I noticed his gaze lowering to my body. His brow furrowed. My heart raced as I realized I wasn’t wearing anything.

I dropped onto the raft in embarrassment. When I surfaced, I immediately searched for the man. For a moment, I thought he had dived too. Maybe he thought I couldn’t swim, but I only saw him standing beside the gazebo, dropping the rope he was holding.

"Who are you?" I asked in stiff English.

He turned to me. His eyes were intense. He was tying the end of the rope to the gazebo, and with each pull, I could see more of his arm. His muscles were big and tight. I swallowed hard. Was it the same when he held something?

"Your grandmother is looking for you. I'm here to pick you up," he said.

He fixed his hair. His Adam’s apple protruded. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. My heart skipped every time his serious, deep eyes met mine.

"Please get the raft to come here. Is that your clothes?" he asked, pointing to my clothes.

I nodded, still looking at him.

"You might want to put your clothes there." He gestured to the raft. "Change in the gazebo so I can take you to the mansion. Unless you want to walk again?"

I shook my head quickly. I had only enjoyed walking earlier because I knew I was going to Tinago. It wouldn’t be fun walking back.

"I’ll put my clothes on the raft and bring it to you, but I’m not getting out," I said.

The man’s jaw tightened. What was his name?

"Your grandma is looking for you. I have other things to do. I'm not here to wait for you to finish," he said gruffly.

I couldn’t help but notice all his masculine features. It was as if the Lord took His time when making this man. God had all the time in the world when He created him. Slowly and carefully. This creation must have been His standard for all others after.

He would outshine all the GQ models because of his jawline and dark eyes.

"What?" he asked.

"What’s your name?" I asked in return.

He looked at me like I was the best joke of his life. He smirked and shook his head.

"I'm Knoxx. What? Are you going home or not?" he asked.

Knoxx? Nice name... Was Knoxx one of our farmers? Was he afraid of Grandma or Daddy?

"What if I’m not going home?" I raised an eyebrow, unable to stop myself from flashing a playful grin.

"I’ll leave you," he said.

I frowned. Bad. "Even just for a moment? Fifteen minutes?" I almost pleaded.

"I don’t have much time. Are you coming or not?" he asked, his voice firm.

I grimaced. How could this man be so uptight?

I climbed up. My cheeks warmed when I realized he’d see me in just my underwear. I looked at him and saw he was busy tying the rope.

I grabbed my clothes and laid them on the raft to keep them dry. I turned back to him, and he didn’t even glance my way. All that mattered to him right now was that damn rope.

"So... fifteen minutes?" I asked again when I was in the water.

"I’m leaving you..." he said, leaving the rope there. He seemed about to leave.

"W-Wait! Wait! Fine! I’ll get dressed! I’m coming, right?"

I pushed the raft toward the gazebo. He entered the gazebo and tied the other end of the rope to the raft. I grabbed my clothes and went to the back of the gazebo to change. He was facing away from me.

Seriously, he didn’t even look at me? Is this guy gay? What a waste if he is!

"Don’t you have a towel?" he asked, still facing away.

"No..." I replied. "I didn’t plan on swimming..."

He nodded and walked away.

"Hey! Don’t leave!" I shouted.

"I have a towel in my Jeep. Now if you can please wait..." he said gruffly.

I bit my lip. I watched his back as he walked away. His faded, tattered jeans clung to his muscled thighs and waist. His biceps always seemed tense. Even when he was just walking, it was obvious. Damn, he is hot!

He handed me the towel. But after that, he started adjusting the rope on the raft.

I watched him while drying my hair. His back is broad and wide. I couldn't take my eyes off him. This kind of body is common in the U.S., guys with big builds. But I couldn’t find anyone to compare to him. Maybe because most eighteen-year-olds don’t usually have muscles like that.

"Move faster with your dressing," he said when he glanced at me once.

"Okay..." I replied. "So... Knoxx, do you work for my dad?"

I grabbed my spaghetti strap and adjusted it so I could get dressed. He was still busy with the rope, and he didn’t answer right away.

"Hello?" I said when he didn’t answer immediately.

"No. Please, make it fast. I have a lot to do," he said.

I pouted and focused on my clothes. I adjusted my pants and tied my flannel shirt around my waist. I put on my combat boots and stood up.

"I'm done," I said.

I dried my hair with the towel. He glanced at me and stood up too. Damn, his eyes were really deep. His manliness is as dominating as a lion in the vast jungle. I smiled while following his walk.

"So... you’re not working for my dad. Then, for my grandmother?" I asked while chasing his strides.

As I stepped, I heard the crunch of leaves from the tall trees. I focused on them, afraid a snake might suddenly pass by.

"No," he answered.

"So... you’re a haciendero too, then?" I asked.

He didn’t answer. I gritted my teeth. This man is pretty snobbish. It seems he doesn't like talking.

I ran slightly to catch up with his big steps.

"How old are you, Knoxx?" I asked since he didn’t answer my previous question.

"I'm twenty-two. Get in," he said when we reached his Wrangler Jeep.

It’s black with no mirrors. It’s pretty traditional, and I instantly imagined him trying to drive this vehicle.

He opened the front seat door and didn’t wait for me. He circled around and got into the driver’s seat. He looked at the road and lazily gripped the clutch. I took a deep breath, got into the car, and closed the door.

He’s four years older than me! Is he still studying? I watched him while he started the Wrangler. The engine roared to life. He floored it, and my hair exploded into my face from the wind that greeted us.

"Wohooo!" I shouted, raising both my hands.

I like his car. I inhaled the fresh air in Alegria. My eyes wandered to the new houses and stores that weren’t there before. Alegria is really improving. My gaze lingered on the new establishments I saw.

"That’s new!" I pointed at a large grocery store. "Before, there was just a small sari-sari store there!"

"How many years has it been since you last came back to Alegria?" Knoxx asked.

I glanced at him. I couldn’t help but suddenly smile at his question. I was pleased to answer him.

"Almost ten years," I replied.

He didn’t nod or respond. His eyes remained on the road.

"Have you been here in Alegria for long?" I asked.

He took a deep breath. I wondered why he looked so intense. Are his eyes always like that? Is that how he looks at things? Or is there something wonderful in the concrete roads of Alegria to deserve that honor?

"A few years..." was all he said.

I was about to ask more when I spotted the large gate of our property. Our family’s coat of arms and the Dela Merced family name are plastered on our big black gate.

I straightened up in my seat. Mom is definitely going to scold me. And I think Lola will get mad too!

I glanced at our gazebo being prepared for the wedding of Hector and Chesca. That’s where the reception will be held after the church ceremony. The preparations for the wedding have been going on for days, but it seems they are more than enough now.

"I bet you know my cousin Hector?" I glanced at Knoxx, who was now stopping the Wrangler Jeep in front of our house.

He sighed and nodded. He opened the car door. I frowned. He really is snobbish!

"Entice!" I heard my mom shout from inside the house.

I looked toward the double doors that were already open. Mom and Dad were coming down the stairs. Knoxx greeted Dad, and they spoke briefly. I couldn’t hear what they were discussing because of Mom’s loud voice.

"Your grandmother is very upset! Stop behaving like a child! Do you know that your grandmother’s blood pressure went up because of your sudden disappearance? Where have you been?"

My eyes stayed on Knoxx, who was having an intense conversation with Dad. He nodded at something Dad said and glanced at me once. I almost stopped breathing when his deep eyes directed toward me. They dropped as soon as he looked at his keys and turned to go back to the Wrangler Jeep. My eyes followed him.

"En! Are you listening to me?" Mom sighed. "Go and apologize to your grandmother! She was in her room earlier! She’s feeling better now, so don’t repeat that!"

Knoxx started the Wrangler and drove off. Our gate opened again for it to exit.

"Are you listening, Entice?" Dad’s deep voice made me turn back.

I smiled. "I just want to go to Tinago, Dad! You won’t let me! Where is Hector when you need him?" I shook my head and started up the stairs.

I heard Mom and Dad following me as I climbed.

"You should apologize to your grandmother!" Mom said.

"Hector is busy with the wedding, I told you. Just wait until the wedding’s over," Dad replied.

We were already in the living room. The marble floor was getting dirty from my combat boots. Mom looked at the footprints, and I could see her breathing faster. She’s about to explode any moment now.

"They’re leaving with Chesca, right? Where are they going for their honeymoon, and why is Koko so busy, Dad? I still haven’t seen him," I asked.

"Koko will drop by later, along with Hector’s friends, here at our house. You should wait!" Mom replied.

"Entice! Where have you been, for God's sake!" I heard Lola’s voice.

I pouted. I went straight to her and hugged her around the waist.

"I’m sorry, La. I just really wanted to wander around Tinago."

"Where did you go, then? My goodness, daughter! Do you want to kill me?"

I shook my head. "I just went through the plantation. I’m sorry. Anyway, Dad had Knoxx look for me..." I glanced at Dad.

"If you want to go out, you wait until Hector’s friends are here," Dad said before leaving, probably to go to the stable.

"I’m warning you, Entice. Don’t do that again!" Mom said, calling a maid to clean the floor. "Take a bath and change your clothes! You’re so dirty!"

Lola sat on the sofa. I’m feeling queasy too, but I can’t leave. Mom went to the kitchen, and the maid took her place. Lola rested on the sofa, someone placing juice in her glass, and beside her was the blood pressure device.

"I’m sorry again, La..." I softly said as I hugged her from behind.

"Don’t do that again. Why don’t you take a bath now, Entice?" Lola chuckled.

I nodded and turned around. My eyes widened when I saw Manang Leticia, who was really mad.

"Manang,"

"Where have you been?" she asked me.

"Leticia, she came from Tinago. If Knoxx hadn’t found her there, she probably wouldn’t have made it home," Lola answered for me.

I walked quickly toward the stairs. I knew Mom, Dad, and Lola were lenient with me, but Manang Leticia wasn’t like that.

"You child!" she followed me into my room. "Do you know what’s happened to your grandmother?"

I faced Manang, determined to change the topic. That’s the only way I can get away with this.

"Hmmm. Manang, may I ask something..."

"What is it?" she said angrily as she picked up the clothes I left scattered from my suitcase.

"Is Knoxx working for Lola?"

"No," she answered firmly.

"So he’s a haciendero?" I asked, removing my flannel polo from my waist.

"Kind of. Why?"

I shook my head. Manang glanced at me with narrowed eyes.

"What are you thinking now, Entice? Knoxx is Hector’s friend. What’s the matter?"

I nodded. "Why did he pick me up from Tinago?" I sat on my bed, my eyes fixed on Manang Leticia.

"All of your father’s workers here earlier were sent to find you. He was the only one who found you. He’s a student of your father’s in farming. He asked for your father’s help on how to farm, take care of the ranch, and so on. Why are you asking?" Her eyes narrowed even more. She stopped tidying up my things.

I looked away and started undressing.

"Don’t make a mistake, Entice. You’re still so young, and Knoxx is the same age as Hector."

"He’s just twenty-two."

"How do you know?"

I still couldn’t look at Manang. I turned away, a smile playing on my lips.

"Manang..." I changed the topic again. "Do you think Mom will let me stay and not go back to the U.S.? I mean, I finished high school there. I can just go to college here. Doesn’t Alegria have a college? That’s where Hector studied."

Manang Leticia continued tidying up. "And why would you study here?"

"You know I’ve always loved Alegria. I hated being away, even though Mom and Dad often went there. There’s a reason Hector didn’t want to go back. He wants to be here. I want to be here too, so why am I not being allowed?"

"Ask your grandmother. Take a bath and change your clothes now. You’re so dirty!" she said.

I smiled. Is Knoxx still studying? If he’s the same age as Hector, he’s probably already graduated.

"Where is Knoxx from, Manang?"

Manang’s eyes narrowed again, but she still answered. "At the end of your property."

I pouted and nodded. Is he living alone? Living with his parents? Living with his relatives? Living with his girlfriend or wife? I suddenly felt disappointed by what I thought.

"What are you thinking now, Entice?"

I just smiled and headed to the bathroom. I turned on the shower. It was hot, and I started to bathe.

After an hour in the bathroom, I came out. Manang Leticia was gone, and my clothes were neatly arranged again. Almost all of my favorite clothes were still in my suitcase. Mom hadn’t taken them out yet because, according to her, I was going back to the United States soon.

I spent my time putting my clothes back in my closet. I didn’t care if Mom disapproved; I was going to live here in Alegria.

"What are you doing, Entice?" Mom's voice startled me from the door.

The door was already open, and she stood there, staring at me. I sighed.

"Mom, I want to study here. I want to stay here. Please don’t send me back to New York," I said.

She stared at me, and I could see how deeply conflicted she was. The last time we talked about this, we argued for an hour, and I didn’t speak to her after that.

"Lina, let it go," I heard Lola’s voice.

I turned toward the door and saw them both. Mom looked pale, clearly dreading the decision she had to make.

"Which college do you want? You can stay with Hector in Manila and study there," Mom said.

I was thrilled that she agreed, but it still wasn’t enough.

I stood up, smiling. "Mom, I want to study here in Alegria. Don’t they have a college here? I want to go there!"

Mom and Lola exchanged glances, and from their expressions, I knew they were going to let me study here.

"The semester starts on Monday. You’re already late..." Mom said.

"I’m sure Tomas can handle it, Lina. Let her stay here. It’s better that she’s closer to us while she’s studying. Besides, ask Tomas to get help from Shirley, the registrar of that school, so Entice can be accepted directly," Lola suggested.

I jumped for joy. I wanted to visit that school right away!

"Alright, Mama," Mom said, glancing at me.

I hugged both Mom and Lola. I couldn’t believe it! I was going to study here!

"Lina..." we heard Manang Leticia’s voice from downstairs.

"Manang?" Mom replied.

"Hector is here. He’ll call his friends for the get-together later. Should I start preparing the food?"

"Alright, Manang. I’ll be downstairs in a moment."

This was the best day of my life! I was barefoot as I went down the stairs to greet my cousin. We had seen each other briefly when he and his fiancée arrived, but they had to leave immediately for Manila, so we didn’t really get a chance to talk.

"Hector!" I said, giving him a hug.

The fair-skinned woman beside him smiled at me. Chesca’s curly hair was tied up now, making her collarbones even more defined.

"Hi, Chesca!" I said, hugging Hector’s fiancée.

"I heard you ran away earlier. Where did you go?" Hector asked me in a cold tone.

"Just Tinago! The water there is still so clear! I walked from the back to get there. It was hot and tiring!" I replied.

"Why didn’t you bring a horse?"

"I just ran away, didn’t I?" I chuckled and turned to Chesca.

"We brought your gown for the wedding. Want to see it?"

My smile widened. "Sure!"

Chesca walked over to the sofa, where all the gowns were laid out. Their motif was dark green. We were going to look like fairies in those gowns. I was one of the bridesmaids. Chesca showed me the gown, and I immediately loved it!

Hector was sitting on the sofa, watching us laugh and chat.

"Hector, you’re having a get-together later, right?" I asked.

"Yeah. Why?" he responded, looking down.

"Will your friends come?" I asked.

He grimaced. "Koko’s coming. He hasn’t visited yet because he’s busy with farm work."

I shook my head. "Not Koko. Do you think Knoxx will come?"

My cousin’s eyes narrowed. I felt like I’d said something wrong. I quickly covered my mouth.

"What about Knoxx?" Hector tilted his head.

"Knoxx Montefalco, Hector?" Chesca asked.

I nodded slightly.

"He will, but why are you asking? Do you like him?" Hector asked.

My cheeks heated up. Before I could say anything, Hector beat me to it.

"You’re too young for that. Besides, you two didn’t get along before."

Chesca laughed. I gave my cousin a playful glare. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just asking. Can I use Abbadon?"

Hector nodded at my question. "Don’t whip him too much. You know I don’t do that."

"It’s not my thing, Hector..." I said, setting the gown down.

He shook his head. "I still remember how you used to whip Abbadon whenever you got impatient with him..."

I shrugged and quickly went upstairs for my boots.