Chapter 3

AMORE could do nothing but take the man to her uncle's house. While boarding the boat, they were able to plan what they should do for their impersonation.

Of all the possible alibis, this is their craziest way to keep Amore's uncle from suspecting them. They reached the shore and immediately rode a tricycle to deliver to her uncle's house.

After a 10 minute drive, they got there. They found Amore's alleged uncle outside his house.

"Uncle Gusting, I'm here!"

"Why are you here again. Amie, what happened in Manila? There's a problem there?"

"No uncle. I came home here because I want to be here first while I build my family. By the way, uncle, he is Yam is my husband."

"What? You're married? Why didn't you tell me so I could have attended? It's a pity. He's-he's already in the house. Toto comes inside (this refers to Liam). What a handsome man where did you find him?  Why is he so handsome? You're good for choosing him because you're beautiful too Amie. Alas, I'm the only really ugly one here. Just look at me I'm just like an old man."

"Uncle, I'm not handsome. You're handsome too. We can see in your face that you have charm Especially when you were young."

"Honey, don't commend  Uncle Gusting anymore, because he likes that."

Liam was suddenly shocked to hear Amore say "Honey." He was shocked because that wasn't what they had talked about before. Their only alias was discussed that Amore would call her Yam, and Amore would be Amie because that was the name she brought here.

"Ah. Dear," Liam insisted.

"Come in. I'll make your dinner. I hope you also call me so that I can prepare for the arrival of you two. By the way, why didn't you let me know Amie that you were married in Manila? Huh?"

"Because uncle, I'm busy with work. Then I didn't tell you to surprise you. Isn't it better that you don't know? Isn't it thrill and fun?"

"You're really young and ever a philosopher."

She turned his gaze to Liam.

"Honey, it's him. I know you don't understand Bisaya. Let Uncle Gusting do the adjusting for you. Isn't it uncle?"

“Wow. That's okay for me to learn another language, besides English and Tagalog. I'll try to understand uncle." Liam assured. "Don't worry dear," he said next as he turned to Amore again.

"Here's dinner. We only have dinner here at 6 o'clock because we wake up early the next day. Because most of the people who live here make a living by fishing. We sail early to catch a lot of fish because when you get caught. You won't be late because it's gone and nothing is left on you. Let's go fishing here earlier "

"Really. Can I come along? I want to learn fishing."

"Honey, maybe you can't do it, let Uncle Gusting do fishing."

"Wow. Amie, he has to learn fishing so he can help here somehow and when I can help someone. I'm getting older so I'm a little weak too."

"Oh, go ahead. It's up to you. But uncle you have to teach him how first, don't worry he is a great teacher."

"Why, am I still if I'm not a good fisherman? I'm a good teacher when it comes to fishing. I guess I'm the king of fishermen here so Toto Yam, trust my ability, okay? Ignore that wife of yours. That's just overprotective. Maybe she didn't want his handsome husband to get work under the sun  and get black."

"Uncle, that's enough. Let's eat, maybe the food will be cold."

"That's good. All right. Art na, pakal!"

"Uncle. Well! don't speak what he doesn't understand." Amore scolded his uncle. "Let's eat. He's too badly so wherever he picks up his terms and words everywhere," she explained to Liam.

“Aba, ignore your wife. That's just the way it is. Let's eat."

Liam laughed a little, he didn't expect the two to be treated like that. Like Children quarreling.

They ate and then it was Amore who cleaned and washed what they ate. Gusting, on the other hand, is out there and ventilating. Waiting for him to look at what he ate and then go to sleep when he falls asleep.

They had finished washing the dishes so they went out and accompanied the Old Man who was sitting there on the pallet facing the sea. The sea was so close to their house that they could feel the cool breeze. The air there is not smelly or fishy because there are ordinances in place that prohibit dirt around. The whole island is clean and airy. When someone violates the policy, a fine is automatically paid so everyone who lives here is afraid of paying a huge fine. 10,000 pesos immediately each so they avoid that.

"Uncle. Your great Chairman of this island. Still really retains the beauty of the island. No one violates the ordinances. It would be good if it was like this. No pollution can affect marine resources. Fish and coral habitat is still safe."

"Yes, the people here are scared but you know there are illegal fishermen who pass through our island and sometimes even use dynamite. We used to reprimand them but they are brave because they have weapons so we were forced to retreat. I also don't want to harm my colleagues, especially with wives and children."

"Hmm. Uncle? I'll take care of that. I'll patrol every day. Those bastards ah, they dare to fish in the territory they don't have."

"Hey. What are you planning? Stop it. You're just here at home. Maybe it's better if you just sell a dish and food here. That is definitely for sale especially and here most fishing boats dock. There are many hungry fishermen so it is good that you trade. That's in addition to the income. Don't be brave with those worthless illegal fishermen. It's dangerous, you're still a woman."

"Uncle. Don't underestimate women because nowadays women are stronger, brave, and especially smart, it used to be that in the time of the Greeks and Romans women were just at home and just giving birth for the purpose but now the world is different. Women are even better than men who are just lazy!"

"Why you're right but I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Especially since you're the only one in the family. Your mother, my twin, is gone. That's why I only remember your presence. I'll go to sleep. Don't criticize him because Yam is your husband come to your room together. There is no other room here. All right, I'll go first. When you enter later, close the door carefully."

"Yes, uncle. All right good night and sweet dreams"

Only after Uncle Gusting left did Liam speak.

"Wow, I'm speechless in what you two talked about. I didn't even get into the conversation between you two. I'm just asking, doesn't he know your real job in Manila?"

"Lower your voice. He knows nothing. All he knows is I work as a chief. That's what he believes because I'm good at cooking so that's what I told him it's my job."

"Why did you keep it a secret from him? You know no secret can't be revealed?"

"I Know. But I have to lie so he doesn't worry and as for our impersonation, you fix the acting so that he doesn't suspect that it's all just impersonation because he will be hurt by what we did."

"Okay. But how come we only have one room, how was it now? Can we sleep in the same bed? I didn't like it then, I was comfortable with it."

"Tsk. You're going to sleep on the floor. There's no problem there. There's a mat so it won't make you cold anymore. And speaking of cold, it's getting colder out here so let's go in and go to sleep. Come on  honey."

“Ew. What is the alibi for calling me, honey? You know I almost coughed when I heard that you called me that. Why did you even think of that? We can call each other YAM and AM, right? "

"Nothing. I already told you. So you get used to it. It's just a pretense, so don't do anything. Come on!"

The two entered the house. Amore locked the door of the house tightly. The door shouldn’t be left open because you don’t know there are respectful thieves.

"Here is my room here. There is only one bed here, this bed is big because I made it on purpose. There is also a soft mattress because I bought it too. There is also a floor. It's a bit cold and of course, it's narrow because my bed is big. Before entering this bed, they managed to destroy the door just to enter it. Oh. You choose. do you share in my bed or do you sleep on the floor?"

"Tse. That's it. Let's just put barrier pillows between the beds. It looks like it can fit three people so we just put the pillow in the middle. Is it okay?"

"It's okay, let's go to sleep with my fake husband! Goodnight and sweet dreams!" She said then turned his back on the man.

This is the first time that Amore will have someone to sleep within her bed and be a man. They both slept with their backs to each other.

Amore slept soundly but Liam still did not feel drowsy. He got up and lay down several times, then did it over and over again. Maybe he's just not comfortable living or maybe something is bothering his mind.

It was four o'clock in the morning when he looked at the clock on the wall but he still couldn't sleep. Gusting knocked on their door, an indication that he was inviting him to go sailing this morning.

He came out quickly. He looks like a zombie. He has big eyebags when Gusting saw it.

"Here's the coffee, drink it first then come with me. We're leaving early so we can't  be late now."

"Thank you."

"Maybe you didn't sleep well? The size of your eye bags indicates. Maybe you are not comfortable living here. Hey, you'll get used to it too. By the way, where did you meet my nephew?

"Ah ... At the restaurant. I was eating when I noticed her. Then I talked to her and then continued until I flirted with her and until we got married," Liam alibi. Where else did he find this story? It was as if he was going to be drenched in coffee.

"Really? You're both very lucky,  go ahead just finish drinking that coffee. Here are jackets and hats resistant to heat and sunlight. Maybe we can go home later at noon. I already buried our breakfast."

"All right. I'm done. I'll let Amie know first."

"Nevermind. She already knew that when there was no one else in the house, it would leave for the sea. All right, let's go. We should catch a lot of fish."

"All right."

The two left and set sail. It was still dark around but many people were awake.

Amore is awake beautifully. She slept well so she got up very eagerly. She left the room and went immediately to the kitchen. There is rice and a viand left. It was already cold so she cooks it again to get warm. She also brewed coffee and sat in the chair.

She smiled very beautifully. This is the life she longs for. The simple life and free.

It was still far from noon so she thought of going to town and buying the things she would need. She bought a lot of sim cards and new cellphones. She lost her cellphone when they ran away. Fortunately and there is no evidence that Regor can be found there. She also went to the market and bought some pork and chicken. She was tired of eating fish. And she also thought of following what his uncle told him to sell food first.

She came home early so when she arrived she just cooked lunch. She cooked marinated pork and fried chicken. And the rest of the meat she put in the freezer to cook tomorrow because she was about to start his little cafeteria.