Chapter 3: My Wife

Perlm Marie Olavin

"Are you following me?"

I narrowed my eyes at him and scanned him from head to toe. 

His lips parted. I knew it! I think this guy likes me! 

Three times. This is the third time I have met him. Maybe it's not destiny. He's the one who planned it. He wants something from me. 

He did not answer and continued walking. I, on the other hand, opened my mouth but closed it again.

Snob!

He just kept walking down the building. He's wearing a green polo shirt and the bottom is white pants. 

God... It looks like we are a couple.

But how did he know I was wearing this? He is so updated! I drool at the build of his body; it's so good. I can see his muscles from the back.

But then... Remember Perlm, if this man likes me or is interested in me, you can't like him. His name is Andy! 

He went straight out of the building. He had just walked out of the subdivision.

My forehead furrowed. Why is he like this? He's not even talking to me. Tch. Cold man!

"Hey, A-andy! Wait for me! " I shouted.

He ignored me for the second time. I caught sight of the guard, who was quite handsome.

"Good morning!" I greeted the guard.

The guard looked at me and also looked at Andy without hesitation. "Oh, Ma'am! Good morning! Where are you, and sir going? Do you guys have a date this morning?"

I ran to walk with Andy. I watched his reaction. He's just relaxed. There was no violent reaction to what the guard said. 

Of course, he thinks Andy and I are a couple.

"We're just going shopping. It's not a date! " I pretended to blow the wind to deny what the guard said, simultaneously holding Andy's arm. 

I hate this. But I don't want the guard to know the truth. It would be embarrassing if he found out I was just lying. 

I never heard Andy speak even once. even if it was just "morning" to the guard. Too snobby and cold. He's like the ones in the books that are cold, hot, handsome, and smart. But, in reality, if you have this attitude, the people around you will not last!

Maybe it's because we're not close? Maybe he's a private person. I guess so, that's why he's not talking to me that much.

I could smell his fragrant scent because my hand is still clinging to his arm. It smells like citrus and wood sage. It's quite powdery and smells fresh. 

"Oh, no! I'm still clinging to you!" I acted surprised. "I'm sorry. I know you like it too, " I added bitterly, and I withdrew my hand from him. 

I have mixed feelings about this man. When we got to the parking lot, he showed me a gray Mercedes-Benz car. 

Nice. It looks like this one is capable as well. Can I just go with this man? After all, it looks like there is no case against him because he always follows me. 

I ran to the front of the car so he could open it for me.

"Alright. I'll just be with you, Mr. Stalker," I wittingly said."

"You are so full of yourself, Miss Meghan. I'm not a stalker, and my unit is next to yours. It's just a coincidence... maybe." I received a grin. 

He opened the car. "And take note... I don't like naughty and playgirls. They always give me a headache." The smirk disappeared from his lips. 

My mouth fell open at his litany. 

He finally got into his car and drove quickly. I almost bumped into his car because he was driving so fast! Does he mean it? Oh, of course, he meant it! He meant it!

What did he say again? I'm naughty? I'm mischievous? Feeler? What a jerk!

I swear to God, I despise him to the core of his being! He's full of himself, arrogant, snobby, and feeling handsome. Does he think I like him? No way! Even if I die, I will not!

I stumbled upon the nearest grocery store here in BNC. The things I want to buy are complete. I don't think I can forget anything because I have a sharp mind. No need to write or list my needs. I have a sexy brain, too... Not just in academics. 

After I went grocery shopping, I thought of eating at a restaurant. I still have money for food. Dad secretly gave me an allowance the other day. Of course, I am a daddy's girl.

As soon as I entered the restaurant, I was greeted by the smell of delicious cuisine. It looks like a formal restaurant, but the ambiance is very good and very fragrant. 

Andy will definitely love it—wait, what? Bullshit. Erase, erase.

After I sat down, the waiter showed me the menu. I opened it and carefully decided what I really wanted. 

I want some... 

"Married? Really?! That's good! I didn't make the wrong choice. I know you won't disappoint us! Your uncle will be happy, Elriz! "

My attention went to the woman who spoke. She was in front of me, and the man he was talking to was sitting with his back to me. 

What the hell?

This is a restaurant. She shouldn't shout, even if she's so happy that the man she's talking to is married.

What's fun about being married? 

I just kept choosing what I would order. I only chose fried tempura and pasta. Too much love of other foods. 

While waiting for my order, I looked again at the woman who had shouted earlier. She's old, maybe forty plus. The person she's talking to looks young and handsome because of his back. It looks familiar. 

But it was as if my two eyes came out of their cage when it stood up and went to me.

Fuck! 

That's why he is so familiar, huh?

He approached me with a smile, and I frowned at him as he walked in front of me.

It's him again!

"W-What now, Andy?" I whispered.

I don’t want to argue, it’s hard because I’m hungry.

"You've just arrived? We've been waiting for you, M-Meghan. "

"Huh?" 

What is he talking about?

He took my hand. He stood me up, and then he folded our hands. 

Shit!

What is this man doing? 

He pulled me closer to the woman who shouted. Excitement and joy are what I could see in that woman's eyes.

"She's Meghan, Tita... My wife. "

My jaw dropped in shock. A fly can enter my mouth.

What the fuck? 

His aunt allegedly stood up and offered her hand. Will I accept it? 

"Hi, Meghan! It's nice to see you! Elriz often tells me about you; you're so beautiful. "

I was too stunned to speak or take her hand, but Andy kicked me. I realized suddenly that I have to accept her hand.

"H-hello, ma'am! It's nice to see you, too. " 

"Oh, no! Meghan, you can call me Tita! My name is Rita, by the way. "

I just smiled. No one spoke to us, and the silence was deafening.

"Food's ready, let's eat." Andy broke the silence between the three of us.

But wait... I heard from his auntie, calling him Elriz. Does that mean Andy isn’t his name? Or, maybe it's just his second name.

I could do nothing but sit down. The waiter must have noticed that I was already sitting here because he placed my order here.

"How long have you been together?" was the first question of Miss Rita. 

Oh my goodness. Why am I even here?

I should be quietly eating and enjoying my pasta and tempura! Oh, this man! Why is he always where I am? Maybe he's really my stalker!

I might just be surprised that he showed on the papers that we were married. He's creepy!

"Not that long, Auntie." 

"Really? But you've been telling me about her for a long time. "

I ignored them and just ate my food. It's up to Andy to make up his own story there. I'll just eat here even though my tongue is itchy.

"I mean, newlyweds."

They just kept talking. I didn't even bother to talk because I was too busy tasting the food. 

When Andy and I met gazes, his gaze fell to my lips. 

What? Is he going to kiss me? In front of his aunt?

I realized I was wrong when he took the tissue from the table and wiped it on my lips with the sauce. I loved the scent of his hand, and I could clearly see its veins as well.

"Take it easy, Meghan." He smiled at me... The smile seemed to come from his heart. As if he smiled, he could see in me the woman he loved.

It was almost noon when we finished talking. Actually, no. They are the only ones. I can only contribute thereby smiling and nodding, because in the first place, what am I doing there? Why did he suddenly pull me over and introduce me as his wife? And I can't stop myself from wondering why he was introduced as his wife. 

There were many women there, and her aunt said earlier that she always told her stories about me. Does that mean Andy has a girlfriend? But why did he introduce me then?

I look at Elriz here in this car while he drives away.

I'll just call him Elriz instead because it looks like his second name, and I don't want to call him Andy. It's a curse.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your dinner, Miss Meghan," he began in a low voice. 

I sighed. "Oh! You should be! I'm quietly ordering, and then you've pulled me over and introduced me as your wife. You haven't even courted me and now we're married right away? How fast are you?"

"Wh-what? No courtship is going to happen, Miss Meghan. It's just a show. "

It was as if my heart ached at what he said. I was a little embarrassed there. 

"Why would you introduce me as your wife? I am not your ideal woman, do you? "

He closed her eyes to what I said. It was as if I didn't understand what he wanted to convey to me. The mess!

He sighed again. "Look, Miss Meghan. I have no choice but to pull a show. My aunt thought I was married and wanted to meet my wife." He stopped when we got to the subdivision. But instead of going out, he continued talking. "And you're the only one I saw there who knew me."

"Excuse me? Who said we knew each other?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

He is so full of himself. But he has a reason, but what I don't understand is why he has to pretend he is married.

He ignored my question. 

"Okay. I get it. But why do you have to pretend you're married? You can say you're still single, or it's just your girlfriend! "

I bit my lower lip. I didn't realize that he had parked the car in the parking lot. I was very busy with his explanations.

He sighed again, for the third time. "I have my reasons, Miss Meghan."

Fuck that, Meghan. That's not my real name! I wanted him to call me by my name, but something was holding me back.

"And I don't have a girlfriend," he added in a sad tone. 

I nodded, finally taking my eyes off him as well. I never asked again because I didn’t want to look curious anymore.

I understand him. He had just ended up in a difficult situation, so he had no choice but to pretend or tell the truth. He has his reasons. We are just the same. 

The other day I had to pretend to be his girlfriend for him to let me in. I have my reasons too. That's it. End of discussion.

I got out of his car. I don't want to smell the scent of his and his car anymore.

I don't know if he followed me, but I just walked straight in. The guard was at the gate, smiling.

"Hi! We're home! "

"Oh, why are you carrying your groceries?" The guard's eyebrows rose. 

I realized that I was holding on to the things I bought from the grocery store. I turned my back. Elriz came up to me and took it from me. 

He shook his head, teasing us. "You fought, sir, didn't you?" You shouldn't prolong the fight to always be happy! "

I just nodded and followed Elriz. He didn't lie when he said that his unit was next to Rosie's. 

I acted surprised. "Oh... So it's true? You are living next to our unit."

He gently placed the plastic bag in my palm. He is so gentle. He doesn’t seem to be able to hurt the woman because of how he looks. But I can’t be so sure of that. 

"Yup. And I wasn't joking either when I said that... you're not my type. "

I was stunned by what he said. He looked at me for a few seconds, then went straight to the door of his unit.

After he used me earlier as his prop!

"You're not my type either," I replied.

I thought we were done, but before closing the door of Rosie’s unit, he stopped me.

He waved a blue card in my face. "Here. My gift to you."

I frowned. "What's this?" What am I going to do with this?" My forehead wrinkled.

Oh... I remember you can't enter this subdivision if you don't have this. That is the card shown to the guard to enter. But I have my connections. 

"Well, the guard himself is kind, and I will be here inside even if the world turns upside down."

He raised his eyebrows.

Damn... He's so handsome. 

"Don't expect that your favorite guard will be here forever. Every month, they are changing guards," he said in a full voice.

Oh, really? That is sad. I nodded and accepted defeat.

"Do you bunch of these cards?" 

He walked away from the door.

"Many," he replied and left.

One thing I realized is that people have choices and reasons. We need to understand that the world does not just revolve around us, so let other people decide for themselves, not dictate them.