CHAPTER 3

The party went on. The audience began to dance by partners just like Valjerome's parents. I couldn’t help but smile and be jealous of the couple. Today is their 50th anniversary, yet the love in their eyes were still intact.

"You're drinking too much," a deep voice whispered beside me.

I slowly glanced at him and smiled. "Are you going to stop me from this too?" I laughed and shook my head as I drunk the whiskey that I was holding.

I guess, I’m really drunk because I can now answer him in a pedantic way without feeling nervous. Well, I am always like this when drunk. It was like I'm opening a door from a room I'm locked in.

I do not know how many shots I've had. All I know is that I’m putting all my frustrations right now through drinking¾with my husband, with this necklace and with our lives living with each other.

"Oh, son. Why don't you dance with Jazzie? It's getting late, it was a pity if you do not make the most of coming here," asked Valjerome's father when they returned to our table.

It was already dawn.

"Jazzie's tired, dad," Valjerome replied simply as he gently put his arms around my shoulder.

I wanted to scoffed, but I refused to. He just doesn't want dance with me.

"Excuse me, I'll just go to the restroom," I politely said to everyone, including my husband.

"I’ll go with you," he said and quickly supported me as I stood up.

"I can handle myself," I snapped and pushed him slightly to have distance between the two of us.

Even though he still wears a masked, I could feel the tension of his clenching jaw. "I will go with you," he said in dismissive tone and guided me for a walk.

I just bit my lower lip and drifted as he pulled me along. When we reached the bathroom he just let me go and leaned against the wall as if he is telling me that he will wait for me. 

I was blown away and did what had to be done. I peed and then retouched a bit. Although I do not want to always put any make ups on my face, I have no choice because I am carrying a reputation. After retouching, I decided to go out of the bathroom. As much as my knees shook at the sight, I smiled bitterly and began to walk away — leaving my husband kissing another woman.

Instead of going back to the table where Valjerome’s parents were, I directly went to the mini bar counter on the side. I immediately asked the bartender for a margarita and quickly gulped it down once he filled it up. Not minding the lime here, nor the salt.

I continued drinking until my surrounding’s already spinning. I laughed for a moment because minutes have passed but my husband was still not looking for me.

Can't he see me?

Or is he just not looking for me because he was doing something disgusting right now?

With that thought, I drank another shot. I was about to order again when a man approached by my side and offered his hand to me. I stared at him with dizzy eyes. Half of his face was behind a black mask but that didn't make me mesmerized about him. His ocean blue eyes captured my entire attention.

"Why don't you dance with me, gorgeous lady? I swear it's more fun than drowning yourself in alcohol," he uttered in a manly voice.

I couldn't answer right away and just kept staring into his beautiful eyes. I was about to speak when a strong arm wrapped around my waist with possession. I just closed my eyes and leaned on him, I already knew the presence of my husband by the scent.

"You're hitting on my wife, mister," Valjerome said in a stiff tone.

Silence prevailed over them. I only heard the music all over the place so I slowly opened my eyes. I saw the guy staring at me instead of talking to my husband.

              

"You do not deserve someone like him," he said and walked away.

I could feel Valjerome's hard grip based on his heavy breath. I could assure that if I wasn’t leaning on him, he would have quickly followed the man and killed him right away. I just closed my eyes again and let myself jailed by his body.

I felt that he was carrying me carefully so I slowly opened my eyes again. Our eyes met. I couldn't read the emotion on his face but I just chose to smile thriftily

"No one deserves you better than me," I whispered and finally drifted to oblivion.

I woke up as if my head was being hit by a loader. "Fvck!" I cursed out and massage my temples.

I slowly opened my eyes and was so shocked when I saw Valjerome standing on the side of my bed. One of his hands was in his pocket and I could see the slight tension in his jaw.

"Get up and eat. I'm going to work," he said in an emotionless way.

I blinked and stared at him several times.

What?

Am I hallucinating?

Is he talking to me now?

"Aren’t you going to speak?" he asked frowning.

I fell silent and averted my eyes. "Be careful," I stuttered in a low tone.

I heard him scoffed. I was surprised when he suddenly bent down and held my chin towards him.

"Is that all?" he asked while staring at me.

I was swallowed. "A-what ..." I trailed off.

What should I say?

"Souvenir?" I added.

He raised an eyebrow and released me slowly. I heard him cursed silently as he brushed his hair through his fingers.

"What will you do today? I heard you cleared your schedule," he casually asked.

I looked away when I remembered the reason why I cancelled my schedule for this week.

"No. I'm just going to rest here, I'm got tired of the consecutive shoot," I lied.

He stared at me.

"W-What... I'm going to get ready and go down for breakfast." I quickly got up and went to the bathroom to avoid him.

I looked in the big mirror and my face turned red when I noticed that I was now home.

He dressed me up again!

I jumped a little when I heard a knock outside the bathroom. "Why?" curiously biting my lip.

"I'm going," he informed.

I could not answer immediately. I heard her footsteps leave as I quickly opened the door. He stopped walking and frowned at me.

"A-ahm... Are you coming..." I bit my lower lip and met his gaze, "home early?" I carefully said.

He didn't answer, he just kept staring at me like I am a solving puzzle.

"I'll try," he answered sparingly and then finally left my room.

I couldn’t help but smile as I went back inside the bathroom.

Maybe he also remembered what we have today that's why he was acting nice.

I happily took a shower and groomed myself. I was still in the room, but I'm already planning what should I cook for tonight. Valjerome maybe a mafia boss, but he still has his legal company to take care of. He is running a company named ABCD Construction Corporation — a leading engineering and infrastructure firm here in the Philippines.

I blew dry my hair and finally went out of my room. I was happily whistling as I walked down the hallway when I was interrupted by a woman coming out of my husband’s room. All the joy and happiness I had felt disappeared so quickly. My memory came back to me last night when I stared at her face.

She's that girl. She was the one who he was kissing with last night.

I secretly smiled bitterly and reluctantly continued to walk. I even met Valjerome’s right hand Jaime climbing the stairs. I know at that moment, Valjerome ordered him to kill the girl.

"Oh, hija. Eat all of these, I cooked a lot today," Manang greeted me with joy.

I forced a smile and sat on the chair. I couldn’t swallow my food, Manang seemed to notice my lethargic aura so she sat in the chair next to me and gently caressed my shoulder.

"You alright?" worriedly she inquired.

I lazily curved up my lip and nodded.

"Did your husband greet you?" she asked cautiously.

I stopped scooping my food and tremblingly dropped the spoon I was holding. I glanced at Manang and smiled again despite a lone tear fell on my cheek.

"I guess he doesn't even remember our wedding anniversary today..."