Chapter 5

Cresenia’s POV

I felt really light-headed when my consciousness returned. I slowly opened my eyes and saw that I was like in an abandon building and nararamdaman kong nakatali ang kamay at paa ko. I forced myself to sit down while looking around the place. Where the hell am I? At bakit ako nandidito? I tried to untie my hands pero nasasaktan lang ako tuwing sinusubukan kong galawin ang kamay ko. Ang tanging ilaw dito ay ang liwanag na nagmumula sa labas, Tinignan ko ang bintana at nakita kong malapit na mag dapit-hapon.

This is very scary! Bakit kasi kinuha ako ng mga lalaki kanina? Ano bang naging kasalanan ko? I shouted loudly as I could. Hoping that someone would come to my rescue.

“Tulong! Tulongan niyo ako! Please, anyone! Help me, please!” nagmamaka-awang sigaw ko sa kawalan. Pero walang sumasagot na kahit na sino at nagsisimula na akong kabahan ng husto.

I shouted and shouted but there’s no reply from the other side. Sasapit na ang dilim ano mang-oras at kailangan ko na makaalis dito upang maka-uwi. Panigurado ay mag-aalala na naman sila Adrien sa akin sa bahay. Tinignan ko ang bintana at nag-dasal.

“Lord, alam kong madami akong nagawa na mali, pero sana huwag niyo po akong pabayaan dito. Ayaw ko pa pong mawala kaya sana ay tulongan niyo po ako dito.” Naiiyak kong dasal. Sa huling pagkakataon ay sumigaw ako ulit. “Palabasin niyo ako dito! Parang awa niyo na, there’s someone waiting for me back home! I’m begging you, please!” biglang bumukas ang pintuan at may pumasok na mga naka-itim na lalaki. Ang isa pa sa kanila ay naka tuxedo pa.

“You’re so loud, Mrs. Cassano. Kaya siguro gustong-gusto ka ni Adrien dahil maingay ka. I’m pretty sure na maingay ka din pagdating sa kama.” Nagsitawanan silang lahat na parang mga nakawala sa kulongan. “In all fairness, you have the looks and the brain. Napahirapan mo nga ng kaunti ang mga tauhan ko kaya natagalan sila. No wonder why he married you.”

“Who are you? How did you know that Adrien is my husband? No one knew about it because it was so sudden.” I said with a hint of surprise in my voice.

He smirked at me and went closer to me. Pinantayan niya ako at ngumiti sa akin, napakurap ako dahil sa kaba. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nasa utak niya at talagang nagtataka ako at nagulat dahil nalaman niya ang koneksyon ko kay Adrien.

“I’m Enzo Santoro. I always do research on my enemies. At sa totoo lang ay nagulat ako na kasado na pala siya, mukhang kaunti lang ang nakaka-alam about sa inyong dalawa. It’s like you’re the Cassano’s prize possession.” He softly took a strand of my hair which made me flinched and looked at him with fear. “I also think that you don’t have any idea what kind of a person your husband is. You don’t know anything about him or what is he capable of, you might go insane on what info you’re going to hear from us.”

What kind of a person Adrien is? Anong ibig nilang sabihin? Alam kong wala akong masyadong alam about sa asawa ko pero alam kong mabuti siyang tao. He would never hurt the innocent! Pero there’s a part of me that really want to know what information was that, I know that there’s a possibility that I would be hurt on what they were about to say, if it’s an information about Adrien I deserve to know what it was, right?

“I can see that you’re very confused, I’m guessing you’re eager to know what it was, correct? Then let me tell you a story then.” Kumuha siya ng upuan at prenteng umupo sa harapan ko. “Adrien was just a normal human being, he’s really into business and he’s very wise in such a young age. His parents died when he was 20 because of an accident, kaya prinotektahan niya agad ang kapatid niya at all cost.” I do remember that his parents died, but I didn’t know it was that early. “Things are doing great, nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral si Adrien sa kursong Business Admistration and even established a business at the age of 21, pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Ngumiti pa ito ng napakalapad sa akin. “Before I continue, I have one question. Do you know anything about Mafias?”

Nangunot ang noo ko sa tinanong niya. Mafia? What is a mafia? And why is he asking about it? Umiling ako ng marahan at tinignan niya ako na parang nakaka-awang tingin.

“Aww… you don’t know what a mafia is? That is so sad! Okay, let me explain it to you real quick. Mafias are like bad people who do criminal activities and illegal stuffs like drugs, selling guns, etc., and they are also hungry for power. But you do have a choice to use those stuffs for the greater good, it’s up to you if you want to be the evil one or the good one.” He explained and he lit up a cigarette, puffing the smoke in the air. “So let’s continue to my story since you have a little idea on what mafia’s are like. He was very protective with his sister and gave her the life that she actually deserves, but the young girl died at the age of 7. She got killed by a mafia right after he graduated from college.”

Napatulala ako sa narinig ko. Namatay ang inosenteng kapatid niya ng dahil sa isang mafia, paano kaya nakakatulog sa gabi ang walang hiyang pumaslang sa kapatid niya? She still has a great future ahead of her and yet she got deprived from that because of those monstrous people. Kaya siguro ganun ang pag-uugali niya dahil nawala sa kanya ang pinakamamahal niyang kapatid.

“After he found out that a mafia killed him, he turned into one. Naging mafia siya pero ginagamit niya ang pagiging mafia sa kabutihan, which doesn’t make any sense especially that isang mafia ang pumatay sa kapatid niya. According to my sources, he became a mafia for revenge.” He devilishly chuckled before puffing a smoke in my face.

I coughed because of the smoke and I looked at him feeling annoyed. I couldn’t believe him, how could he become a mafia? That must not be true at all, hindi niya iyon magagawa at hindi siya ganung tao. Hindi niya babalotin ang puso niya ng paghihiganti dahil lang pinatay ang kapatid niya. Ngunit may posibilidad din naman na gagawin niya iyon.

“You became my bait for him. Dahil hinarangan niya ang mga tauhan ko at pinatay niya, we did some illegal transaction and he found a way to intercept it. He even went into my lair and killed half of my men. I planned revenge right away as soon as I heard that, and we’re sorry na nadamay ka. Kung hindi ka lang naging asawa niya ay hindi ka namin gagalawin.”

I felt anger rushing into my veins as he said that. Who is he to say that anyway?

“Hindi niya iyon gagawin. Hindi porket pinatay ang kapatid niya ay dapat din maging ganun siya, naniniwala akong mabuting tao ang asawa ko kaya hinding-hindi ako maniniwala sayo!” sigaw ko sa kanya.

“Did you absolutely believe that? Or just won’t accept the fact that your husband is a mafia?” he asked making me doubt my knowledge.

Nag-aalangan na ako dahil sa mga sinabi niya at nalilito na din ako. Aaminin kong nagulat ako sa mga narinig ko at naaawa ako sa asawa ko, hindi porket na hindi ko pinagdaanan iyon ay hindi ko na alam kung gaano iyon kasakit para sa isang tao. Ngunit paano ko papaniwalaan na kayang pumatay ni Adrien ng tao para lang ipaghiganti ang kapatid niyang sumakabilang buhay na? My system won’t accept that, maybe because I didn’t have a chance to actually see it o hindi niya sinasabi sa akin ng personalan.

“Hinding-hindi kita papaniwalaan hangga’t hindi ko nakikita iyon o hindi sinasabi sa akin ni Adrien ang totoo. Wala kang karapatan na magsabi ng mga bagay-bagay patungkol sa kanya. You will never make me believe those things kasi ang tanging taong papaniwalaan ko lang ay si Adrien!” matapang na sabi ko sa kanya.

After I said that, we heard gunshots from outside and all of us stared at the door. The man laughed like a maniac and turned his gaze to me, nodding his head like he understood something.

“Let’s see kung mababali ba ni Adrien ang image na nakikita mo sa kanya.” He smiled mischievously at me.

The door suddenly flung opened and within seconds ay napalibutan na agad kami ng mga taong mga armado kasama sila Range, Xavier, Caleb, Lance at Adrien holding their own guns and knives. All of them have bloodstains in there shirt, Adrien even wiped off a blood in his face while looking at Enzo. I can’t believe this. Is my husband indeed a mafia? Is Enzo telling the truth? Adrien looked at me and he just took a sighed before facing Enzo.

“Sa lahat ng pwede mong gawing bitag, yung asawa ko pa talaga? What kind of a wimp you are taking a woman as a hostage?” Adrien said with boredom written all over his face.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t hurt your precious wife. Well, not yet, since you weren’t here earlier. And now you’re here. We could have fun now.” Enzo turned to me and let out a hunter’s knife. It look so sharp at kahit ilapat lang iyon sa akin ay masusugatan ako. “I wonder how she screams in pain.” Pumwesto ito sa likod ko and my body stiffed when he moved my hair to the other side showing my neck.

“Leave her alone, Enzo. Your only target was me, why bother hurt her?” He looks so pissed right now and any minute now he could just explode.

“Why not, Adrien? Wouldn’t be fun if I hurt her?!” he shouted.

I tears are blocking my vision already lalo na nung bigla niyang itinapat ang kutsilyo sa leeg ko. I was starting to feel frightened and I was definitely shaking because of what he was doing, isang maling galaw nalang at magiging katapusan na ng buhay ko.

“Don’t you dare hurt her, Enzo. Pwede namin kayong patayin lahat, after all kayo nalang din ang natitira dahil pinatay na namin lahat ng tauhan mo sa labas. Kayo na lamang ang natitira, so I suggest you’ll take a step back and surrender. We’re showing you mercy, so don’t you ever abuse it.” Pagbabanta ni Range.

“Kapag sinaktan mo si Cresenia, it will be the end of you.” Dagdag ni Caleb.

“Well that’s fine. After all, she already knew what type of a person you guys are, so tell me, Cresenia. Do you now believe what I just told you, hmm?”

Tears are starting to fall from my eyes as the truth sink in. Enzo was right, he was indeed a mafia and I didn’t know that for the past 2 years in our marriage. Why did they hide that from me? Why didn’t Range and the others say something about this? I silently cried while looking at Adrien. He’s eyes squinted as he stared back at me, umiling ako at yumuko.

“What did he told you?” I returned my gaze towards him and I could see that he was waiting for my answer. “Tell me, what did he told you?” kalmadong tanong niya.

“Gusto ko rin marinig galing sayo to, ang dami kong gustong itanong at nalilito ako kung bakit ganito yung nangyari o kung papaniwalaan ko ba to. Are you a mafia?” diretsahang tanong ko habang umiiyak.

Range, Caleb, Xavier and Lance are all surprised and gasped by my questioned, while Adrien on the other hand, remained calm and composed. Ilang minuto akong nag-antay upang magsalita pero wala akong narinig kahit isang salita sa kanila. Humalakhak si Enzo ng napakalakas at mas lalo akong napaluha doon.

“Your wife is asking you, Cassano! You better answer that before she files for annulment! Hahaha!” His laughed echoed in every corner of this building.

“Adrien…” Mahinang sambit ko sa pangalan niya.

“I’ll tell you later.” Malamig na sabi niya at tumingin kay Enzo. “You told her about my secret. How nice of you to do that. However, that will be the last time you’ll have chitchat with my wife, I’m going to end you. Right here, right now.”

He swiftly pointed the gun at Enzo and shoots his hand. Napasigaw ako dahil doon at I heard Enzo screamed in agony, I could also feel his blood all over my face. And that became a signal for everyone to fight and all I can see are blood splatter everywhere in this building. It became a blood bath war between Enzo’s and Adrien’s group.

My jaw dropped as I saw Range and the other’s killed people who come to their way in a most calculated move. Adrien walked towards me as he shoot people who wanted to get near him, mabilis din ang mga kamay niya sa pag-pull ng trigger at sobrang bihasa niya sa paggamit. The moment that Adrien was in front of me, he immediately kneeled down and untied my knees and hands. He covered my eyes and whispered in my ear.

“Close your eyes and cover your ears. No peaking.” He whispered.

I closed my eyes and covered my ears with my hands like what he said. Naramdaman ko nalang na lumayo siya pero nararamdaman ko pa rin ang presensya niya na nasa malapit lang sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal ako nasa ganoong posisyon, I just opened my eyes minute after I heard nothing. I wanted to puke from the sight I’m seeing. Full of dead bodies and blood all over the place, and I turned to Adrien who is right in front of Enzo. Namimilipit pa rin ito sa sakit ng kamay niya, paniguradong napurohan iyon ng husto ng asawa ko dahil sobrang dami ng dugong lumalabas mula sa sugatang kamay niya.

“Your bait was utterly useless. Tignan mo nga naman ang nangyari, mag-isa ka nalang. You shouldn’t have underestimated me, Enzo. You already knew what I’m capable of and I did give you a warning, didn’t I?” Kinasa niya ang baril at itinutok ito sa ulo niya. “You even told Cresenia about my secret, I have my reasons why I didn’t tell her that. Pero ikaw mismo ang nagsabi pa sa kanya nun at hindi mo man lang na realized na the moment you opened your mouth, you’re digging at your own grave.”

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at tinignan ang asawa ko, kitang-kita ko ang galit sa mga mata niya. Ngayon ko lang nakita ang asawa ko ng ganito kagalit, alam kung nakita ko na ito noon na sobrang galit siya sa akin pero iba ang galit na nakikita ko ngayon. Wala siyang pake kung ano ang mararamdaman ko o kung ano ang magagawa niya kay Enzo.

“Any last words?” he plainly said.

“She’ll know sooner or later.” Nahihirapang saad niya.

He smirked, ready to pull the trigger. No. he can’t do that. He can’t kill more people.

“Adrien, don’t!” I shouted.

A loud bang echoed and blood spilled everywhere. I gasped while covering my mouth with my shaking hands, I instantly dropped into my knees as I stared at Enzo’s lifeless body. His eyes are wide open looking at me and blood leaked on his forehead causing to have pool of blood around him. Tears fell down from my eyes as I stared at him.

Adrien killed him without even thinking.

Range and the other’s ran towards me, they’re saying something but I couldn’t understand anything since my attentions was glued to Enzo. I never thought that I have to learn about their identities in this kind of way, I don’t know what to believe anymore. Can I still trust them? Do I really want to know the whole truth? Should I even trust them at this point? I felt a cold hand holding my cheek and turning my gaze to the man who owns them.

“Are you okay?” Adrien asked with a slight concern in his eyes.

I don’t know what gotten into me but I slap his hand and bravely stood up, even though every inch of my body is shaking. I gaze in each in every one of them in disbelief. Kahit na for a good cause ang kanyang ginagawa ay hindi niya kailangan pumatay para doon. Hindi niya o nila kailangan dungisan ang mga kamay nila, alang-alang sa hustisyang gusto nila makamit.

“I know why you became a Mafia, but don’t have to do this. You killed Enzo with your own bare hands! All of you killed everyone in this room with your own bare hands!” I shouted with tears falling non-stop from my eyes. “Why do you have to be the same people who you really despise in your whole entire existence?”

“Cresenia, let us explain.” Range softly said and even tried to hold me but I stepped back.

“Don’t touch me, you monster!” I could see Range was hurt by my words by I couldn’t care less about it. “You used to look after me, Range. And you had every chance para sabihin sa akin ang totoo, bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin, Range?! Para mo akong sinaksak sa likod dahil sa pagtago niyo ng katotohanan mula sa akin.” I was sobbing so hard na halos hindi na ako makahinga pa.

“I just don’t know how to tell it to you and I always thought that you’ll think differently once you found out everything.” Naiiyak na paliwanag ni Range.

“Range, pipilitin kong maka-intindi kahit mahirap!” all of them look at me with shame, while Adrien just gave me a cold gaze. “Iintindihin ko kahit mahirap, kahit mababali yung prinsipyo ko gagawin ko. Hindi ko lang din naman kayo basta kaibigan lang, pamilya din naman ang turing ko sa inyo! Kaya mahirap sa akin na malaman ko na ganito pala kayo, kung sana ay sinabi niyo sa akin ang totoo siguro hindi ako mabibigla ng ganito! I always kept in mind that you guys are good people!”

“We’re so sorry, Cresenia. Actually we all agreed not to tell you anything, ayaw lang naman na malaman mo kasi iniisip namin na mas lalo ka lang malalagay sa peligro kapag sinabi namin sayo. We’re so sorry.” Paliwanag ni Xavier.

“That’s enough.” We all turned our eyes on Adrien who is walking towards me. “Just be thankful that you’re safe, and we don’t have to explain things to you. Let’s go home.” Naglakad siya palayo sa amin kaya napatawa nalang ako ng sarkastiko sa kanya at hinarap siya.

“Tama nga pala. You get to decide what I should and what I shouldn’t know.” Napahinto siya at tinignan niya ako ng masama. “Why did I even fell in love with a cold-hearted bastard like you? I’m your wife, yet hindi ko ramdam.” Dali-dali nalang akong lumabas at umiyak ng husto.

Ang sikip sa dibdib. Ang sikip sa dibdib dahil buong akala ko mga mabubuting tao pala ang mga taong kasama ko palagi, yun pala mga taong pumapatay pala ang mga nakakasama ko. Maya-maya ay lumabas sila at lumapit sa mga kanya-kanyang sasakyan, sumakay na silang lahat except for Adrien. He glanced at me for a minute at biglang naglabas ng lighter.

“Get inside the car.” Utos niya sa akin. I didn’t obeyed him and just stood there looking at him, he noticed that I wasn’t responding to him kaya lumapit na siya sa akin at kinuha ang kamay ko at lumapit kami sa sasakyan niya. “I kill for a cause at kung talagang maiintindihan mo kami you wouldn’t get mad about Enzo getting killed.” Binuksan niya ang pintuan ng kotse at magkinuhang folder at ibinigay ito sa akin.

I was curious about what was inside and so I did not hesitate to open it. I was so shock to read all of its contents. It was a file that contains Enzo’s info including the crimes he did and the illegal transactions such as establishing a drug chemical that could kill in seconds if it was abused. He also raped women and killed innocent children.

“I already gave Enzo a warning many weeks ago. It was his choice na hindi niya sineryoso iyon, and he paid the price.” I looked at him and I saw it in his eyes that he was indeed telling the truth. “Justice sometimes needs to be done in your own ways, it may be brutal but we have to do it for the sake of everybody.” He light up the lighter and throw it on the ground, as soon as it hit the ground the fire scattered and it even crawled towards the building, setting the building on fire and burning it into pieces along with the dead bodies inside.

I watched as the fire getting bigger and bigger making it impossible to get near it. Adrien opened the car door and guide me to enter the car, when he saw that I already settled in ay pumasok na din siya at pina-andar ang engine and we sped off. The car ride was smooth so we arrived at home in 30 minutes. Pumasok naman agad kami sa bahay, the maids felt relief after seeing me safe and sound, and Adrien instantly ordered me.

“Cresenia, go upstairs and wash up to rest. Range, Xavier, Caleb and Lance, go up to the study with me.” They were about to go up when I stopped them.

“Wait!” they all stopped and looked at me. “Could you please leave us alone for a moment?” tanong ko sa mga maids at tumango naman sila at yumuko bago umalis. Hinarap ko naman agad sila at nakita kong nag-aantay sila sa sasabihin ko. “If you guys are Mafias, how would I know that your intentions are all pure and you’re just doing this to give justice to those people who became victim of your kind?”

Nagkatinginan silang lahat at hanggang sa ibinalik na nila ang tingin sa akin.

“I already gave you a file that contains Enzo’s sins. That is already enough proof that we’re targeting bad guys and not good ones. What’s important is that you know that you should be careful, especially that you’re associated with a Mafia. Do you understand?”

Napakagat nalang ako ng ibabang labi at marahan na tumango. I guess that was already enough proof that I really need and I believe them. But there’s a part of me that can’t trust them that easily. It was very traumatizing and I don’t know if I could sleep after what had happened tonight.

“Good. Now go to bed.” He simply said and left together with the others.

Sinunod ko nalang ang kanyang pinag-uutos sa akin, habang naglilinis ako ng katawan at tinitignan ko ang mga dugong natatanggal sa katawan ko. Tuwing nakikita ko iyon ay palaging pumapasok sa isip ko ang imahe ni Enzo na naka-bukas ang mata habang tumutulo ang dugo sa noo niya. Nung matapos ako ay nagbihis na ako at humiga sa kama, pero kahit anong lipat ko ng posisyon ay hindi ako makatulog. Dumating nalang si Adrien ay hindi pa din ako makatulog. Pati siya ay nagulat ng kaunti na gising pa ako, pero hindi na niya muna pinansin iyon at dumiretso sa banyo upang maligo. Ipinikit ko ulit ang mata ko pero hindi pa rin ito umeepekto, kaya naman ay napabalikwas ako ng bangon at sumigaw habang tinatakpan ng unan ang mukha ko.

“Still can’t sleep, I assumed.” Napatingin ako kay Adrien na nakahiga na pala sa tabi ko habang nakapikit.

I deeply sighed before answering him.

“After what I witnessed and discover tonight, I don’t think I could sleep through it. It’s so traumatizing and I just couldn’t brush it off.” I replied.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at me and he was examining me with his mesmerizing, sleepy eyes. I just grabbed my wrists and pull me making me fall on top of him. I was so shock that I couldn’t respond on what he just did. He carefully caressed my cheek and removed the strand of my hair blocking in my face, I didn’t know what happened but the next thing I knew is that he pressed his lips into mine. My eyes were wide open when he moved his lips into mine, his kiss were so gentle and soft. It made me close my eyes and enjoy every moment of it.

When he pulled away from it, he looks at me straight in the eye before kissing me in the forehead. He gently rested my head in his chest and played with my hair.

“I may be a bit harsh towards you, but I don’t like it when you’re in danger. I don’t want anyone to harm you. But now that you knew who I truly am, I will do my best to be your shield in every way possible. No one can ever harm you.” He’s words are comforting and I felt really safe around it. I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes as I feel his warmth around me.

He may not be a perfect husband, but he’s not a bad person too. Seeing how much he cared about my safety makes me feel happy about it, nasasaktan man niya ako pero alam kong may dahilan ang lahat ng yun. What he did today is a remembrance that I will always have a Mafia husband that is willing to protect me at all cost. I hope that whatever he said will come true, because I will do my best to be a better wife for him. I will be willing to be in his mercy. No matter what the price was.

I woke up with Adrien, hugging him by my side. He was sleeping very peacefully and comfortably, I can still remember his words from last night and I smiled remembering those. I fixed a strand of his hair carefully para hindi siya magising, and marahan siyang hinalikan sa pisnge bago ako bumangon at nag-ayos. Nung matapos ako ay bumaba na ako sa kitchen para magluto. Kinamusta naman ako ng mga kasambahay and I assured them that I was fine.

Sumakto lang din na matapos ako mag luto ay biglang pumasok si Adrien sa dining hall na para bang natataranta, pero nung nakita niya ako agad naman ito nakahinga ng maluwag. Inilagay ko ang mga pagkain sa hapag at nilapitan siya.

“Is everything okay?” Nag-aalala kong tanong sa kanya.

“Yeah, I just thought something might have happened to you again. Did you sleep well?” Naka-ngiting tumango naman agad ako sa kanya.

“Ayos lang ako. Upo na tayo para makakain ka na.” Pinaghila ko siya ng upuan at umupo naman siya, umupo na rin ako sa tabi niya at nagsimula na kami kumain. Habang nasa kalagitnaan kami ng pagkain ay dumating sila Range kaya naman ay inaya ko na din sila kumain.

Pinagsilbihan sila agad ng mga maids, nagsimula naman agad sila kumain. Mukhang nasasarapan sila sa luto ko dahil ganado silang kumain.

“Hmmm…. Ang sarap nito! Sinong nagluto nito?” masayang tanong ni Lance.

“Cresenia.” Simpleng sagot ni Adrien.

Sabay silang nagsitinginan sa akin at halatang gulat sa mga mukha nila. I chuckled at their reaction and smiled. Napanganga pa ang iba sa kanila at napakurap.

“Ikaw ang nagluto?” paninigurado ni Xavier at tumango lang ako sa kanila.

“Wow, you really cook well. Buti at pinahintulotan ka.” Sabi ni Range habang ang tingin niya ay na kay Adrien na matiwasay na kumakain.

“Naki-usap ako sa kanya at pinahintulotan niya naman ako. Kaya ever since na meron akong permiso galing sa kanya ay ako na ang nagluluto.” Paliwanag ko sa kanila. Tumango naman sila at at pinuri ako ng pinuri dahil daw sobrang sarap daw ng pagkain.

Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng pagkain ng biglang may tumawag kay Adrien. Agad niya naman ito sinagot ang tawag at nakinig lang kami sa buong pag-uusap nila nung katawag niya sa telepono.

“What?... I’m eating….. At this type of time?..... Okay…. Send me the location… bye…” tsaka niya ibinaba ang tawag. Bigla siyang tumayo ng walang pasabi at umakyat sa itaas. Nagtaka naman ako dahil sa inasta niya kaya naman ay tinapos na namin ang pagkain at inantay nalang siya sa sala. Ilang sandali pa ay bumaba na ito at bihis na bihis na.

“Range, maiwan muna kayo dito. Bantayan niyo si Cresenia at may pupuntahan lang ako.” Sabi ni Adrien habang kinakalikot ang cellphone.

“Bakit? Saan ka pupunta?” I curiously asked.

“I’m going to meet somebody.” He sighed and looked at me the way he looked at me before. No emotions, pure hatred and cold aura.

“Sino? Ganun ba yun ka importante para hindi ka muna pumarito kahit isang araw man lang? May nangyaring masama kahapon at sana pumarito ka kahit ngayong araw man lang.” he looked at me with an annoyed face.

“I already saved you and you’re already safe. I just have to meet somebody, what’s the big deal?”

“Babae ba?” nasasaktan kong tanong.

“What?” naiinis niyang tanong.

“Babae ba? Kaya nagmamadali kang umalis dahil isang babae ang tumawag sayo, kaya mo gustong umalis para kitain yung babaeng tumawag sayo kanina.” Naiiyak kong sabi sa kanya.

He scoffed and laughed sarcastically.

“So what if it was a girl? Do you have anything to say about it? Or going to do something to prevent me from going? You don’t need my 24 hour attention just to make you feel safe, I have wants and I’m going to get it no matter what way it was.” He furiously said.

“But I need you right now. I was devastated and ngayon lang ako nakaka-recover from everything, bakit parang wala lang sayo yun? I thought that you’ll accept me as your wife after what had happened last night, because the moment you explained things to me and made me feel secured I accept you as you are. Even if it means you’re a monster.” Umiiyak kong sambit.

I felt a hard slap from across my face and it really stings. I looked at him in tears and he angrily stared at me.

“Know your place. You’re just my wife on a fucking paper. I repeat, on a fucking paper!” he turned his back on me and left the house, slamming the door shut.

I run upstairs and locked myself on the room, crying my heart out. I thought after last night he could love me, but I was wrong. I fell in love with a monster who can’t love me back.