Chapter 2

BEREAVEMENT

"W—what time are you coming home later tonight,Terrence?"  Corazon asked hesitantly.

Terrence frowned to her question as he was walking down the stairs. "Why are you asking?"

"Uhm…B—because… I was going to cook you your favorite chicken curry, it tastes better when it's freshly cooked, right?"

Terrence let out a sarcastic laugh that made her confused. She didn't find anything wrong upon what she asked. "Is that really your only reason for asking me that or you just want to know where I'm going."

"It's n—not like that Terrence, I just want—"

"Oh, just cut the crap Corazon! You really just want to spy on me because you're desperate. Didn't you conspire with my mother just to get us married? And because of your desperation you are willing to destroy your cousin's life and career! Am I right?!" Terrence sneered and held her cheeks tightly.

Little by little, her eyes start to water. Even if she wants to marry Terrence so bad, she will never destroy Lara's life. She didn't ask for the marriage because she kept her feelings for him a secret but Mrs.Luisa Saavedra came into their house one day and offered her the arranged marriage which she grabbed immediately thinking it was God's answer to her prayers. If she had made a mistake, it was not giving Terrence's plea for her to withdraw from the wedding.

"I can't do that to Lara, Terrence. Please believe me," Corazon pleaded.

"Yeah," he responded sarcastically before letting go of her harshly "...cut the drama Corazon. I already knew you're such a manipulative bitch. You can't fool me." Terrence shook his head.

Terrence gave her disgusted look before leaving the house. She even flinched when he slammed the door. When Terrence left, she let out a sigh and roamed her eyes around the house which had become a witness to her sadness and misery. She sighed again and decided to start cleaning the house. While she was wiping the figurines the telephone rang. She quickly picked it up and sat on the sofa.

"Hello Corazon, hija?"

 "Mamá..." Corazon softly uttered the word.

It was just three words that came from her mother's mouth and now she already felt like crying. Terrence decided to stay in Manila after their wedding and continued managing Saavedra Construction Corporation which made her live in the chaotic city where she wasn't used to. Her heart was against the idea of leaving her homeland but she did because of Terrence and embraced the unfamiliar lifestyle just to be with him.

"How are you there? Are you okay? Is Terrence taking good care of you properly?" Corazon's mother, Amira, asked one after another.

Tightly, Corazon closed her eyes. There are times when she felt like telling her mother what she had been through but chose not too for the fear that it might ruin the relationship of the two families. Her father in law, Thiago Saavedra and her father Crisostomo Villaluna are best friends. She can't take it when her father finds out that his best friend's son is hurting his daughter. He might get furious.

"I'm fine Mamá. Terrence is good to me," Corazon lied.

 

"Oh, that's good then…wait? Are you crying? Your voice sounds like you're having a cold," Amira commented.

Corazon bit her lower lip to suppress her sobs. "I am not sick, I just miss you so much that's why I can't help my tears," she lied again. May the Lord forgive her for her lies.

She heard her mother sighed on the other line. "Both of you could've just stayed here in Mindanao. I don't understand why you have to live far away from us."

"Terrence can't leave the company Mamá since he had a lot of projects left here but don't worry, I'll ask him to accompany me in visiting our hacienda one of these days if he's free," she casually said, hiding the sadness in her voice.

"Alright, I'll wait for that, hija."

"How is Papá, Má?" Corazon changed the topic.

Corazon misses her father so much.  She was a daddy's girl so she had a hard time adjusting to her life because it was the first time she was separated from them.

"Well, he's very busy with the hacienda, hija, but don't worry. Your Papá is fine. He's stronger than a buffalo," Amira chaffed and burst into laughter.

Corazon felt guilty all of a sudden. Her father is old enough to manage their sugarcane business. It was supposed to be her since she's the only heir but she has to stop and be with Terrence.

 

"I'm sorry, Má if I can't help with the—"

"Shh…Stop worrying about the business, okay? All we wanted was your happiness, Corazon. If you are happy, both of us, me and your Papá are happy too." Amira cut her off.

 "I love you Mamá."

 "I love you too my dear daughter..."

When the call ended. Corazon cannot contain her emotions anymore and bursts out crying. It's the only way she knew to make her feel better. Yes, she was hurt by the changes in her life but losing Terrence hurts more. She might die if he'll leave her.

Hours later, Corazon felt happy upon hearing Terrence's car engine outside. It was still seven in the evening and he's already home. Too early for someone who comes home very late or early in the morning.

"Good Evening Terrence, I'm glad you're early today?"  Corazon enthusiastically opened the door but Terrence just passed by as if he didn't see her.

Even so, she still followed Terrence and allowed herself to help him take off his coat and took the attache case he was carrying. She stilled when she was about to face him after she saw a lipstick stain on the collar of his sleeves. Terrence's eyes followed from where she was staring—at his collar.

"Are you still surprised to see something like this? You've already seen more than just a lipstick stain so stop overreacting and suppress your tears Corazon." Terrence didn't hide his irritation towards her reaction and left her downstairs with his things.

 

Her eyes started to moist as her tears began to pool in the corner of her eyes while holding Terrence's coat tightly. The first time Terrence brought a woman inside their house, she got so curious especially the unfamiliar noises she heard inside his room that she couldn't help herself from peeking which she regretted the most. She witnessed how her world crumbled when she witnessed her husband's infidelity for the first time.

Corazon had trouble sleeping and she couldn't eat well for several days because of the unbearable pain she felt in her heart as if it was breaking into tiny pieces. It was as if her body felt numb and she had lost all her strength. She also can't focus on her work that pissed Terrence off and even got to the point where he would physically hurt her. 

 

Soon enough, Corazon saw Terrence walking down the stairs wearing a casual outfit he uses every time he goes clubbing.

 

"The table is ready for dinner Terrence. Are you going to eat first before leaving?"

"Just eat on your own." He coldly answered not bothering to throw a glance at her.

"But I cooked a favor—"

"Could you just shut the fuck up!"  She recoiled in shock as his voice roared like thunder in the whole living room..  "Your voice really pisses me off. Just fucking stop acting like a perfect wife because that doesn't suit you at all!"

"You can't blame me if I want to take good care of you Terrence. I am your wife and not just anyone else," crying, she reasoned out.

But Terrence's eyes showed more fury at what she said. He forcefully grabbed her arm and shot her a death glare. "I only married you because of you and my mother's scheme. We are only married on papers so you don't have the right to reprimand me or ask me anything! Do you understand?" Terrence gritted his teeth and let go of her violently.

"I will never accept you as my wife Corazon! Do you want to know what role you play in my life? A fucking servent! You won't even pass as my whore!"

 "Terrence…"

Terrence just  sneered at her "…why? Are you hurt? I already told you before, didn't I? But what did you do? You still married me so bear with it!" Terrence gave her one last look before turning his back on her.

Minutes later, she heard a car engine left. She released a deep sigh, wondering where Terrence will go. Maybe he's going to a party and flirting with different women or worse he'll probably bring his woman in the house again.

Will there be a time when Terrence will accept her as his wife? Is there really still a chance for it? Or she will forever suffer in his arms for the rest of her life.