CHAPTER ONE

Uno

WHEN LILITH's both feet touches the land of the Philippines, she felt calm and relax. Pakiramdam niya ay pansamantala siyang nakalaya sa hawla na ginawa ng kanyang ama. 

But she knew that things would be much worse than before. Now that Nikolaus is now her husband. 

They are both silent as they were riding his Black Limousine to his own villa. Hanggang sa makarating sila sa malawak at magarbo nitong mansion, tahimik lang sila. She can feel that Nikolaus is avoiding her. 

"Welcome back, Sir—" nilingon niya ang lalaking sumalubong kay Nikolaus. The man looked at her with a shock. She can say. Hindi nito naituloy ang sasabihin nito nang makita siya.

She gave him a forced smile. "Hi, I'm Lilith." Inilahad niya ang kanyang kaliwang kamay para makipagkamayan sa lalaki. Based on his face, he's young and innocent. 

Tantya niya ay nasa beynte pa ang edad nito. 

Napakamot ito sa ulo nito saka tinanggap ang kamay niya. 

"Kiko po, Ma'am. Nice to meet you po," he said making her smile and nod. Si Lilith na mismo ang bumitaw nang biglang makarinig ng tikhim mula sa kanilang gilid. 

It was Nikolaus. Nang lingunin niya ito ay kitang-kita niya kung paano tumaas ang magkabila nitong kilay bago siya hinila nito sa ikalawang palapag. 

She really don't like being dragged by someone, but for her promise to her father, she let him drag her. Hanggang sa makapasok sila sa kwarto nito ay hawak-hawak parin nito ang braso niya.

She gave him a cold glare. "You can now loosen your grip on me, Nikolaus." 

Nikolaus immediately loosen his grip on her and was about to talk when she stopped him.

"I'll talk first since I am the woman here. Woman's first," she said. Stopping Nikolaus from saying anything. 

Nikolaus just nod as he took off his polo. She gulped when he finally removed his polo, revealing his tan body, chiseled chest, and ripped abs. Damn boy! How can this man have those perfect places of muscles? The muscles are just in a right place and it looks so edible. 

Well, this isn't the first time she witnessed a man's body. She already has seen many strippers that also have a perfect body like Nikolaus.

She glared at him again. "Could you please stop stripping in front of me?" She can't hide the irritation in her voice making Nikolaus chuckle.

He sexily licked his lower lip while his eyes are on hers, not losing contact with hers. 

"Are you turned on, hm?" He said hoarsely, then Lilith rolled her eyes at him.

Yes. "Nope," she lied while looking straight into his deep green eyes. "It's not like I haven't yet seen a man's body before." She absentmindedly said. Then she saw how the glint of playfulness in his green eyes displayed and was replaced with an unknown emotion that she can't tell.

Bigla nalang gumalaw ang panga nito at dumilim ang mukha nito saka nagmamadaling nagbihis ng puting sando at hinubad ang suot nitong pantalon. He's wearing a white loose sando matched with a blue boxers, yet, he looks to delicate. Parang pangmodelo ang katawan at kakisigan nito. Kahit pa ata magsuot ito ng punit-punit na damit ay hindi pa rin mababawasan ang kapogian nito.

Idinipa nito ang mga kamay nito at ipinakita ang suot nito. "Happy?" He said with sarcasm.

Nagtatakang tiningnan niya ito. Is he angry? Tiningnan niya ng ilang segundo ang pagmumukha nito bago mahinang napakibit-balikat. Yes, he is.

"I want to set rules and space between us," she said straightforwardly while looking into his eyes. "I know we're married but we both know that it's just all marriage for convenience, so I am setting limitations between us. I hope you'll understand," she said in a low tone of voice. 

Nikolaus nodded and sat on the corner of the bed. He raised his head and looked at her.

"Hit me," he replied. 

Lilith stared at him for a second then took a deep breath to speak. "I want us to stay out of each other's business. You and I will not mend into each other's business... and please," she looks tired as she stares at him, "huwag mong sagarin ang pasensya ko."

His eyes dance in amusement as he looks back at her, making her frown. "Stop with that emotion in your eyes," salubong ang kilay na saway niya dito pero mas lalo lang itong ngumiti at nauwi sa mahinang pagtawa.

Is he losing his mind? Tanong niya sa kanyang isipan. Bakit bigla-bigla nalang kasi itong ngumingiti ng walang dahilan. Does she have a weirdo husband?

"Nikolaus, stop smiling like an idiot!" Inis niyang sabi at laking pasasalamat niya at hindi na ito ngumiti. Then, she whispered. "M*****a sea, te estás volviendo más guapo." 

Then, Nikolaus's lips stretched into a wide smile making her roll her eyes on him. "Stop it, Nikolaus! I'm starting to piss off." There's a threat in her voice making him stop.

Halatang pinipigilan nito ang pagngiti nito kaya naman ay nakapameywang na tinaasan niya ng kilay si Nikolaus.

"You agree with my rules?" She asked in a very strict tone of voice, "because if you don't, then I'll make your life miserable." 

Nikolaus shrugged and open his arms wide, making her confused. Nagtatakang tiningnan niya ito at ang mga nakadipa nitong braso.

"Ano yan?" Tanong niya. 

Instead of answering her question, Nikolaus wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face on her belly, making her still. She can feel a tingling sensation in her belly as Nikolaus starts rubbing her back using his big and warm hands. She wants to push and beat him for doing that, but her body wouldn't move. It's like she was just rotted in her place, unmoving, and letting Nikolaus hug her waist.

Para itong batang naglalambing sa kanyang ina, his face is still buried on her belly. And it's making her uncomfortable.

Minutes later, Nikolaus looked up at her, still hugging her waist tightly like he doesn't want her to go. And as their eyes met, he smiled genuinely but she couldn't smile at him back. Shock is still written in her face, she can tell. Her heart is hammering loudly inside her chest and she knew that isn't normal.

"Sorry, I just need some hug," biglang sabi nito. Ibinuka niya ang bibig niya pero walang salitang lumabas doon. She can't even utter a simple word!

What's happening to me?!

"And yes, I'll agree on your rules. Though I have some rules to, dalawa lang naman." Anito habang nakayakap parin sa beywang niya.

She bit her tongue to wake up from her revirie and when she did, she placed her both palms on his hard chest to push him away when Nikolaus buried his face again on her belly as he hugs her tightly. Enough for her not to escape in his embrace.

"What?" Pilit niyang pinainis ang boses niya kahit ang totoo ay nanginginig na ang kalamnan niya. "And could you please stop hugging me? I will punch you, really." Pagbabanta niya at nag-angat naman ng tingin si Nikolaus sa kanya.

He chuckled making her face crumpled. 

"I want you to let me hug and kiss you, any time and anywhere. With no resistance." He said kaya malakas niya itong tinulak, sapat na para magkalayo ang magkadikit nilang katawan. Parang nakahinga siya ng maluwag nang makalayo siya sa binata, she don't like the warmth of his body pressed to hers. It feels something she don't want to feel of.

"A-And the second one?" She asked, not looking at him.

"I want you to be just yourself," biglang sabi nito dahilan para mapatingin siya dito. She can see the seriousness in his face making her sigh.

Nagbaba siya nang tingin para hindi nito makita ang emosyong nasa mga mata nito na matagal ng nakatago.

"Ayoko makita ang walang emosyon mong mukha. Because I know that hidden in your emotionless face are many emotions to name. Gusto kong maging ikaw, the real you." He added. "if you're angry, then show it, if you're sad, show it, if you're happy, show it. All emotions you feel, show it in front of me. There's no need to hide, mea bella uxorem." My beautiful wife. "I am now your husband. You can now lean and depend on me."