At the age of seventeen, Phoebe was already married and has been so for a year. Of course, no one knew, and if anyone outside her close family and friends found out, they probably wouldn't even believe it— especially if they knew whom she was married to.

How did it happen anyway?

Two years ago, Phoebe's mother and her best friend met a car accident that took their lives. Upon their death, their husbands took it upon themselves to make their lifelong plan come true: to arrange the marriage oftheir children to each other.

And so it goes that at sixteen and seventeen, Phoebe Bernal and Ken Tomas Fuentabella were whisked offby their fathers to New Hampshire, where they could be legally married at such young ages. They didn't exactly know what the hurry was, but they just couldn't say no. It was all out of respect for their dead mothers, they both thought. But now, after a year of being married, it's all suddenly creeping up on Phoebe just how unusual their secretly arranged marriage was.

 And so it goes that Phoebe was legally regis- tered as Phoebe Isabelle Bernal-Fuentabella. Yes, Fuentabella, as in Kent Fuentabella. That famous actor whose face could be seen everywhere.

He was so famous the slightest move he made could create Twitter trends worldwide.

Every morning, Phoebe would get two knocks on her bedroom door. Both knocks were Kent's, who occupied the room across from hers. These knocks were quick raps on the door, accompanied by his voice just saying her name. She looked forward to these knocks because they were the only semblance that Kent actually cared for her—enough for him to care about whether she was actually awake to get to school on time.

"Phoebe!" Kent said through the door. "I'm leaving for school."

Kent always went to school a few minutes earlier than she did. They couldn't be seen going to school together because no one was supposed to know that he was in a relationship, let alone married.

To spite her husband, Phoebe opened the door, which startled him. He'd never seen the inside of her room because even though they were married, they weren't allowed by their parents to enter each other's rooms because of—you know—hormones.

No trouble with that, Phoebe thought as she took in Kent's frown. "Fine."

Kent turned to leave.

Just as Phoebe was about to close the door, he came back and stopped it with his hand. Phoebe couldn't help but feel like this could lead to something else, but then he ruined all illusions on her side and said, "Also, don't talk to me in school, okay?"

"What?" Phoebe asked in disbelief.

"Just text me or something if you have anything you need to say," he added.

"Fine, fine. Whatever."

"What?"

"Whatever you say, sir," Phoebe said before slamming the door in his face.

It's not like she needed reminding. Part of Kent's

celebrity status required him to hide this particular facet of his personal life just because many—or make that all—of his fans were girls. Just one careless rumor could end his career.

Not that Phoebe cared, really. She never even wanted to be married to him in the first place. It's just that it's so hard keeping a secret. Every movement she made served one purpose: never to reveal their secret marital status.

After a few more minutes, Phoebe walked her way to the international school just a few minutes away from their house. There, she met Jhone, her best friend and one of the few people outside her family who knew about her arranged marriage. Jhone was waving frantically at her as she entered the hallways with a frown.

"What's wrong? What happened to your face?"

Phoebe smirked at her as they walked together to class.

"Hey, is this about your husband again?"

"Hey, will you keep your voice down? People can hear you."

She loved her best friend, but sometimes she could be prone to overreacting.

"Whatever. I don't understand why you're still with him when

he annoys you so much. Why don't you just get a divorce?

"It's not that easy!" Jhone saw Phoebe's hesitation.

"What?" Jhone giggled. "Look at you! You like being married

to that jerk!"

Phoebe couldn't believe Jhone. What was she thinking?

"Shut up!" Jhone was still giggling. "Stop giggling. It's just not funny anymore. He doesn't even want me to talk to him in school. You know what he said?"

"What?"

"Just text me or something if you have anything you need to

say," Phoebe said in her mock-Kent voice, which wasn't a very good imitation.

"The nerve!"

"Exactly! I mean, I'm not allowed to talk to him here in school, but he's allowed to talk with all the pretty girls in his class?"

 Kent had a reputation for being a playboy. Every month, he

could be seen with a new conquest, which would be posted

on all showbiz news sites and talked about on showbiz news shows. Phoebe never really knew the truth about these flings, but his fans seemed to like the fact that he could date whomever he wanted, as if his playboy status made him even more desirable.

"I don't know, Fibs. This all didn't use to bother you so much.

Maybe-"

"What?"

"You're already in love with him!"

"Shut up! I thought you were my best friend!" "Friends always tell the truth."

As they walked their way to class, they passed by

Kent's classroom. They were in the same grade level but were in different sections. Aside from being ridic- ulously good-looking, Kent was also blessed with the gift of overachieving. Phoebe, not so much. She didn't really like school. And now, with what she's seeing, she had more reason not to like it.

"Look!" Jhone pointed.

Through the glass panel window, they could see Kent talking to Elisa, another celebrity who was also in the same grade. Elisa then playfully touched Kent's hand.

Phoebe couldn't help herself. She imitated the quick knocks

that Kent would make on her bedroom door there on the

glass panel. Kent immediately rec-ognized the sound and

looked her way, his eyebrows raised.

Ugh, what a flirt! You're already married, jerk! Phoebe wanted to scream. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she was startled to find Kent standing right in front of her.

"Don't you remember what I said earlier?" he asked through

gritted teeth. Everyone in his class was looking at the two of

them.

"No," Phoebe said in a voice that's even smaller. She felt

guilty. For all she knew, she could be ruining his career right

at this very moment.

"Didn't I already tell you..." Kent began to say in his normal

voice. Phoebe was startled. What's he doing? she thought.

"That I don't date girls I don't personally know?"

As if this weren't enough, he then took her hand as he said,

"What's your name again?" What the hell is going on? Phoebe thought as he tightened his grip on her hand. He then took a pen from his pocket and proceeded to sign his name on the back of her hand. "Here's an autograph. Is that okay?"

 Phoebe wanted to barf on his nice-guy act. She's memorized his celebrity signature because he once forced her to help him forge his signatures on the posters he was giving away to his fan club. Phoebe took her hand away from Kent, who was still smiling at her.

"Ms. Bernal? What are you still doing here? It's almost time for class" Ms. Flores, Kent's homeroom adviser, said as she

approached the classroom.

"Sorry, ma'am.

Jhone pulled Phoebe away toward class. "What were you

thinking? Just a few minutes ago you were shushing me, and then you started going hysterical there? So embarrassing!"

"Sorry, Jhone. Ugh, he's so annoying! Did you see what he

did?"

Right after school, Phoebe went straight home, going through the back door of their own house. Yes, she had to because no one was supposed to know that she was sharing a house with Kent. She was then surprised to find Kent's father, James, the kitchen.

"Hi, Papa," she said. She still felt a bit giddy whenever she

called Kent's father Papa.

She had a father-in-law. She still couldn't believe it.

"Where's Kent? How come you never come home together?"

 "Well, you know your son. He always acts like he doesn't even know me when we're not at home."

James could only laugh it off. "Sorry, hija. He's just wary how to go about this because, you know, he just signed a major contract... Anyway, we've been talking about how to make the big reveal on your eighteenth birthday since that's the legal age here."

Phoebe shrugged. "Hmm, wel, I don't even know if Kent will

push through with that plan."

"I'm really sorry. Anyway, you two are doing great, right?"

"Ah yes, of course. Why wouldn't we be?" she lied.

Of course, she couldn't say the truth because he wouldn't

believe her. Kent always put up such a big display of affection toward her whenever their parents were around.

They then heard the front gate opening.

 "Manang Lourdes!" Kent said.

Manang Lourdes, the caretaker, then rushed into the kitchen and started brewing coffee.

This was Kent's after-school treat: to drink brewed coffee and annoy Phoebe to no end.

Kent entered the kitchen. "Pa, you didn't say you were

dropping by. Have you been waiting a long time?"

"No, 'course not. I was just here a few minutes before

Phoebe."

Phoebe could feel Kent inching toward her, and this made her want to scream.

She just couldn't stand another minute of acting all sweet

with him.

"Hey, babe." He gave her a peck on the cheek, which she tried to avoid by moving her face away. But he caught her in time and was still successful with his fake kiss. He then took her hand and laced his fingers through hers. She tried to remove her hand from his grip, but he tightened it while still managing a fake smile.

Manang Lourdes, who was privy to how Kent and Phoebe

really were, was surprised to find the two holding hands as

she handed Kent his coffee. Kent mo- mentarily freed Phoebe from his death grip to take the cup.

"Hmm, okay, you two seem to be doing great. I better go. I

just checked on the utility bills." He looked at them. "You kids better behave."

Phoebe nodded. She was caught off guard when Kent hugged her from behind and said, "Yes, sir" There was a hint of playfulness in his voice.

"Manang Lourdes, do look after these two," James said to the caretaker. Then he turned to them. "And you two, l'm telling you, behave. You're still kids, for god's sake."

The moment James closed the door behind him, Kent

dropped his arms.

 "Ha! You enjoyed it, didn't you?"

"I didn't even do anything, you jerk!"

Phoebe ran upstairs to her room, but before she could get in, Kent called her.

"Hey, didn't I tell you not to approach me in school?

What were you thinking, making a scene like that?"

"What? You're the one talking-making a scene-with that

Elisa! Need I remind you that you're married?"

"So what? It's not like anyone knows I am. Plus, it's good for

my image. Elisa has tons of fans."

"Whatever."

"And Elisa can't help talking about me. That's good press. I'm the ideal girl's ideal man."

"Fine, whatever"

"Anyway, why are you acting like that? Are you jealous?"

Kent's grin started getting wider, which annoyed Phoebe. She wanted to throw her bag at his face.

"What the hell are you talking about?" "Someone's jealous!" Phoebe sighed theatrically and closed the door behind her. She then went straight to her bathroom where she planned to drown her annoyance away in the bathtub.

Just as she was getting cozy, she remembered her science project. "Ugh!" she screamed as she got up from the tub, almost slipping as she stepped down. Just as she was toweling herself dry, she remembered that her project was due tomorrow. "Ugh!" she screamed even louder as she ran out, still dripping wet.

As soon as she was done dressing up, she collated all the materials she had for her project-a light dimmer, the kind you see in cinemas. She had no idea why they would even have that for a school project, but she had no choice.

After hours oftinkering around with her project, she looked up at the clock and saw that it was already.

11:00 p.m. What, I've been doing this for five hours and still nothing? she thought.

Hmm, maybe I can put this here . . .

"Ack!" Phoebe screamed. A painful jolt of grounded electricity shot through her fingertip. She almost dropped the little she had accomplished. "Ow!" She was making a lot ofnoise but not a lot of progress.

Maybe a little midnight snack will help, she thought as she got up.

Just as she opened her door, she found Kent opening his door. He had a huge frown on his face.

Ugh, what now? Phoebe thought as their eyes met.

"God, Phoebe! Will you ever give me a moment of peace? It's almost midnight. Ifyou don't want to sleep, fine. But will you please shut up?"

Phoebe rolled her eyes. Yet somehow she found it funny just how much of a nagger he could be when he was annoyed.

"Why are you still up anyway?"

"Uh . . . the light dimmer, the project . . ."

"But that's due tomorrow!"

Phoebe looked down, embarrassed. When she looked up at Kent's smug smirk, she had an idea. But just as she was about to speak up, she became aware of just how good Kent looked, even with half his figure in shadows, standing on the threshold of his dark bedroom. It was ridiculous, really. No one's silhouette was supposed to look that good.

"What are you looking at?" Kent caught her staring, which brought her back to her senses.

"Uh, Kent?"

"Yes?"

"I . . . um . . ."

Kent shook his head in impatience and was about to close the door when Phoebe hurriedly stopped it with her hand. He looked at her askance.

"Oh no, Phoebe. You're not allowed to do that. Control yourself!" Kent teased.

"Shut up. I have no plans of going into your secret lair. I have a favor to ask."

"Favor?"

"Can I, um...borrow...um,yourlightdimmer? I have no idea how to finish mine. I just want to know how it's supposed to work, is all."

"Well, it's no longer with me. I submitted it last week." What a nerd! But the assignment was just given last week! she thought. "Is that it? Well, sorry. No favors. Now shut up. I'm going back to sleep."

"Kent, wait. Please."

"What?" Kent scratched his head,

tousling his perfectly messy hair and making it look even more perfect. Phoebe was alternately annoyed and dis- tracted by it.

"Can you help me finish it?"

Kent's brows furrowed so much Phoebe was afraid they would forever be joined together. This thought made her giggle.

"What's so funny? No. I won't help you. That's supposed to be an individual assignment." He closed the door in her face.

Phoebe stood in front of his bedroom door, thinking of ways to force him to help her with the project. Just as she was about to give up, she had an idea. She started making random sounds.

In less than a minute, Kent was back outside his bedroom. He stormed out and marched toward her open door, surveying her disaster of a project. He started picking up the pieces of the light dimmer, and as he assembled it, he started nagging yet again.

"Why are you such a slacker? This project is so simple. You can even Google how to do it. I don't know what you do in class. You probably just space out like you always do." He shook his head in disbelief and talked straight for five minutes as he worked on her project. When he was done, he tested it out.

"Wow, you make it look so easy," Phoebe said as she watched the light dimmer do what it was supposed to do.

"That's because it is easy, you idiot." He handed the project to her. "Now will you shut up? I really want to sleep. If you make even the tiniest noise, I swear"--he took the project from her--"I will destroy this. I'm not even kidding."

"Okay." Phoebe grinned. She wasn't really scared of that happening. She was too sleepy to make any noise anyway. Kent looked at her, as if waiting for something. "Oh. Thank you. Thank you so much, Kent!"

She started moving toward him, her arms wide open. Kent looked at her and walked swiftly out of her room.

She slept deeply that night. When she woke up, however, she found that she was running late. She had no idea if Kent ever did his morning-knocking ritual. She was probably in too deep to hear it. Or maybe he was so mad about last night that he did not knock on her door just to spite her.

Ugh, what a jerk! she thought as she got dressed.

When she arrived at the school gate, she found

~~

crowds of girls from nearby schools gathering at the entrance. She had to squeeze her way in, holding on to her project. When she got to their building, crowds of girls from other sections and grades were there as well.

Ugh, what's going on? This is just what I need- another Kent crowd, she thought as she fought her way in.

When she was safe from the crowd, her phone started ringing.

"Hello, Jhone?"

"I can't believe you! Why aren't you here yet? Ms. Cagula's almost here. Wait, are you planning to cut class just because you didn't finish your project?"

"No way! I finished it."

"Really now?" The disbelief in Jhone was so evident even over the phone that Phoebe felt offended.

"Yes, really."

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

"Sorry, it's just that there are so many fangirls in here. Aren't they used to Kent yet? Why are they still fawning over him?"

"Ah, that crowd's not for Kent. It's for Harley Villaluz."

"Who's that?"

"Why are you so clueless, Fibs? Harley-the one from the rival network. I swear, sometimes you can be so clueless. FYI, Kent isn't the only celebrity in the world. Well, I better go. Had to sneak out to call you. Hurry up! Bye."

Just as she was trying hard to recall this Harley's face, which she couldn't, the bell rang. She started running toward their homeroom. If she didn't make it

on time, she could possibly fail Ms. Cagula's subject. She was so lost in her thoughts as she walked briskly that she didn't see that someone was also walking in her direction. They bumped violently against each other, causing her to drop the light dimmer on the floor.

"I'm so sorry!"

"Ugh! Now I'm dead!" she started muttering as she picked up her project off the floor.

The person who hit her started helping her. Phoebe looked up and was surprised to find how good-looking he was.

No, Phoebe, you can't check other guys out. You're married! she thought, shaking her head as if to physically erase her thoughts.

"Look, I'm really sorry. Let me fix it for you."

She looked up and saw people staring at them. She then noticed that they were in front of Kent's homeroom.

"No, not necessary," Phoebe said as she took the pieces of her project from the strange guy. He wouldn't relent though.

Nervously, Phoebe looked around for Kent. She knew he would go berserk if he found out what happened to the project that she bugged him to finish.

"Please, give it back. I'm running late for class and-"

"You! What are you doing here?"

It was Kent. To say that he was mad would be a great understatement.

"Nothing, Ken Tomas Fuentabella!"

As soon as the words escaped her mouth, she instantly regretted it. No one was supposed to know Kent's real name because he was deeply embarrassed by it.

Kent was red with fury. The guy stood up and motioned toward Kent.

"Hey, dude. Easy. It was my fault."

Phoebe saw just how intensely Kent was looking at the guy. She also suddenly grew aware of people talking around them.

"Ugh, really, this girl? Yesterday, she was bugging Kent for his autograph and now Harley. Come on."

"She's so shameless."

Phoebe looked at them and wondered if they were intentionally talking in loud whispers so she would hear.

She looked back at the strange guy and suddenly put two and two together. So this is Harley? Wow. Okay.

She pleaded silently with this Harley guy to give back her project, but he wouldn't budge. The whisper-- ings became even more rampant.

"Maybe she didn't actually finish her project, so it must be 'broken' to begin with."

"Yeah, I think she dropped it on purpose."

Finally, she had had enough. She dropped her bag to the floor and faced them.

"Will you shut up? I'm not shameless-you are! And he bumped into me! He destroyed my project! Ask him!" She pointed toward Harley. "I don't even know this dude anyway. So stop saying such stupid things about me. You don't know any better."

Harley looked at her, shaking his head with a small smile.

"And for your information, I finished the light dimmer. I mean, ask him! He knows. Right, Kent?" This time, she pointed to Kent.

Kent looked at her, brows furrowed just as much as they did last night.

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" He stormed off.

Phoebe watched him walk off and slapped her mouth.

When Kent was finally out of Phoebe's sight, he watched as she and Harley started interacting. He didn't even know why he was watching, really. He was just really annoyed at how things transpired. He watched as Phoebe started picking up her bag and walked away from the scene. Then he saw Harley trying to catch up with her.

"Miss. Hey! Stop!"

Kent felt the urge to stop Harley from chasing Phoebe when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned around. It was his newest costar, Elisa, who also happened to be his classmate.

"What are you doing there?" she asked.

He had no choice. He took one last look at the scene. He saw Phoebe trying to take the project from Harley and Harley insisting not to give it back. He heard him say, "Where's your homeroom? I'll just give this back to you once I fix it. Promise."

~~

Kent smirked at Harley's fake gallantry.

He saw Phoebe smiling, taking pleasure in Harley's attention. She pointed out her room and said, "Can you give it back to me ASAP? It's due first class."

"Sure."

Phoebe gave him one last smile before hurrying to class. Kent couldn't believe his eyes. He was so mad that he just stormed off.

Both Kent and Phoebe were in such a hurry to leave. Both didn't even notice Harley picking up a small file case that belonged to Phoebe.

Harley picked up the file case and was about to call to the girl, but she was already so far ahead.

Eh, I'll just give this to her together with the project, he thought as he walked toward his own classroom. He was able to partially repair the light dimmer as he was walking. It wasn't really that damaged, so he stopped by the door of his homeroom to inspect the contents of the file case.

The file case contains a passport with the name Phoebe Isabelle C. Bernal and a few photocopies of some passport pages. He flipped through this and found a very curious paper: The high court of New Hampshire is hereby issuing a special consideration for the marriage of Phoebe Isabelle C. Bernal and Ken Tomas R. Fuentabella . . .

The date stamp on the marriage certificate was a year ago. It seems like the girl has been married for a year but hasn't gotten around to changing her status on her passport.

Hold on, they're married? Ken Tomas-isn't that Kent's real name?

The odd scene earlier came to Harley's mind as he perused the document. He was aware of the artist's contracts from the other studio, so he knew why Kent had to pretend that he didn't know the girl. But what he couldn't understand was why they had to get married in the first place and at such young ages. More and more people were coming into the classroom, looking at him before entering. He stuffed the papers back into the file case and went in, working on repairing the light dimmer for a few more minutes before heading back out to the girl's classroom.

Phoebe and Jhone kept watch by the doorway for Ms. Cagula. Jhone still could not believe that Phoebe's project was with another celebrity, and this time, it's not her husband.

"I thought you had no idea who Harley is. How are you sure that it's him?" Jhone asked, still not believing the whole story.

"Some stupid girls were whispering-very loudly, might I add-how I was trying to get the attention of two celebrities in school."

"Two?"

"Yeah, Kent saw what happened. He was quite annoyed."

"He's jealous? OMG."

"Shut up! I don't think so. He's probably mad because he did the project for me last night, and now it's broken."

"OMG. That's even better! So sweet!" Jhone said, squeezing her friend's shoulder in frenzy.

"Ugh, shut up, will you? It's not like that."

"Oh my god, there's Ms. Cagula!" Jhone shrieked. Then her eyes widened even more. "And OMG! There's Harley. And he's heading here. OMG!" Jhone couldn't contain herself. She dug her fingernails into Phoebe's arm.

"Ouch!"

Ms. Cagula then came into the room, forcing the two friends to go to their seats.

"Oh my, what about your project, Phoebe?" Phoebe looked at the glass screen on the door. The teacher started doing a roll call. Phoebe's heart thumped as she waited for her last name-erm, her maiden name-to be called.

"Bernal?" the teacher looked up. Phoebe stood up slowly and was about to make some stupid excuse. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Everyone looked at the door as it slowly opened, revealing Harley Villaluz.

The room started buzzing with whispers, and every girl was shuffling in her bag for her smart phone to take a photo of the celebrity.

"Yes, Mr. Villaluz? How may I help you?" their teacher-a terror teacher at that-said sweetly to Harley with a sickening smile on her face.

Jhone looked at Phoebe and acted like she was about to throw up. Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"Um, Mrs. . . ."

"It's Ms. Cagula!" the teacher interjected.

"Yes, Ms. Cagula. Sorry. I'm looking for Phoebe Isabelle Fuent-I mean, Bernal. I borrowed her light dimmer and wasn't able to return it immediately. Here it is," he said.

Phoebe couldn't believe it.

He was about to say her real last name-her married name.

~~

"Ms. Bernal, please go ahead and take your project from him."

Phoebe got up and took the project from him. Then he slipped another object to her quickly.

"You left this on the floor earlier."

"I can explain-" Phoebe started to say.

"Yeah. After class, want to meet up?"

Phoebe was taken aback but just nodded as he winked at her.

"Ms. Cagula, thanks. I'll go ahead." Ms. Cagula smiled widely and waved back.

When Harley closed the door behind him, Ms. Cagula lost her smile and asked for Phoebe's project. Phoebe had to refrain from rolling her eyes. Why is everyone so celebrity-crazy in this school? she thought as she sat back down.

At lunch, Phoebe told Jhone that Harley already knew about her secret because of the file case.

"Ugh! I've been reminding you to show up for your personal appearance there!" Jhone said. "You're still carrying that around?"

"Sorry, I keep forgetting!"

After the break, Phoebe kept looking at her watch. She needed to explain things to Harley in the hopes that he wouldn't reveal the truth. He could do that to his advantage because it could destroy the career of his biggest rival. But Phoebe had to take the chance. He seems nice, she thought.

The moment the school bell rang, Phoebe was up and out of the door, waving a hasty goodbye to her best friend. She tried to be discreet as she looked for Harley, but Kent already saw her as he was leaving their homeroom-how lucky indeed that Kent and Harley had homeroom together.

"What are you doing here?" Kent asked through gritted teeth.

Phoebe pointedly ignored him as she craned her neck to see Harley, who was now leaving the room. When he met her eyes, he pointed toward the exit.

"Go ahead," Harley mouthed.

Phoebe took one last look at Kent before she went ahead. A few more seconds later, she could hear someone's footsteps behind her. She sneaked a look and saw Harley trying to act casual. Hopefully, no one noticed. Unbeknownst to her, someone already did.

Kent watched as Harley followed Phoebe outside the building. He watched them for a few minutes, and his suspicions were confirmed-they were sneaking out together. He felt a surge of anger toward the two of them, especially at Phoebe, but he didn't know why.

Then his thoughts went to Harley. Mr. Nice Guy was stealing his wife, huh? But then again, Harley, just like the rest of the people outside his and Phoebe's family, didn't know about his relationship status with Phoebe. So why did he feel like Harley was trying to steal something-er, someone-from him?

Ah, forget it! Kent thought as he started his car. He considered following them, but when he exited the gate, they were nowhere to be found. Plus, he felt like it was a waste of time. After all, Phoebe was just his wife on paper, right? Right?