"You may kiss the bride."She looked at Gideon. She smiled, leaned back, tiptoed, and smacked his lips with hers. Gideon's eyes widened in surprise at what she had done, but Jewel didn't care and instead grabbed both of his cheeks and wouldn't let go until the camera flashed."The bride is excited, eh?" chuckled the civil officer. She let go and turned to face the officer, who was laughing.She would not do it if she had a choice. But the wager remained, and she couldn't afford to lose."Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez."People in the audience applauded. Gideon took her hand in his and they faced the crowd. She saw her father and mother both smiling at her. The Mayor was by their side.She could count the number of witnesses who came to the civil wedding on one hand. There were also some well-known figures, such as the Vice Mayor, the party's president, Medellin's business magnates, and others she was unfamiliar with. However, there were no media. It was exactly what she expec
Jewel exhaled a sigh of relief. A pick-up truck was parked in the corner of the parking lot, and Pedro was standing on its side, waving at them. "Senyorita, Senyorito! You two are truly on par when it comes to beauty!"Gideon smiled as she shook her head, not responding to what her assistant said.Jewel jumped into the car without waiting for her husband. She didn't want her University acquaintance or friend to see her in a wedding gown. They will undoubtedly inquire and may even discover that she is married. She intended to conceal her true civil status. Fortunately, the car's windshield was tinted.After a few moments, Gideon boarded. He drove out of the Municipal Hall and onto the road that led to Dayhagon.The journey was peaceful. She opened the window to let in some fresh air. Because the car was in the Aisle, she didn't have to worry about anyone seeing her. She examined the green sugarcanes. They shone brightly in the sunlight. Her lips formed a smile.She drew her head and h
Gideon's house was hidden away in Cansanit, near Don Virgilio Gonzales at the end of a long peninsula. It's a three-story white house with a blue roof. A large gate rotates around the house's perimeter. In the front, there is a large garage beneath an enclosed porch. On the side, near the small pond, there is even a patio.Because the gate was not automatic, Gideon led her to the small door. The man was the first to leave the pick-up outside the gate. The doorbell rang and a man in his mid-50s wearing a hat appeared. He smiled when he saw them."Good day, Sir Manasseh. Is this your wife?""Yes, Tang."The man smiled as he turned to face her. He lowered his hat and placed it on his chest while bowing in front of her. "Nice to meet you, Miss Jewel. I wish you a happy marriage with Sir Manasseh."She gave a sheepish smile. "Thanks...""Please come in, Sir."The old man opened the door wide to let them in. She stepped in, inhaled the scent of roses, and sighed at the beautiful sight. The
She saw a round table in the dining room. Gideon was sitting there, reading a devotional book. Jewel sat down in the opposite chair and she spotted Tang turned to the back door."Where are you going, Brother Tang?" she asked.The old man smiled when he turned around to face her. "I'm gonna tend the garden first, Maam Laine. You and Sir Manasseh should talk a little more to improve your relationship."As she cleared her throat, she looked at Gideon. She caught a glimpse of her husband's smile. Jewel looked away, embarrassed. "Tang had cooked bananas and sweet potatoes," he said, pointing to the table.Her eyebrow twitched and her expression darkened. "I'm not going to eat that."Gideon's brow rose. "As I expected of you, little princess."Jewel grimaced when Gideon emphasized the word 'princess', but she just shrugged her shoulder and did not meet his eyes. Sure enough, the man asked. "What do you want to eat then? I'll cook for you.""Really?" She narrowed her eyes. "I want fried one
Morning came and the sun was high in the sky when she opened her eyes. She felt tired yet blissful. It was due to her dream of lying in the arms of a man. His face was hidden but she could feel his overwhelming masculinity. Although she didn't experience the thing that married couple do, she knew what it was because she often read it in explicit scenes of her favorite book. The man in her dream didn't do the last step but lying in his arms stark naked was enough to color her cheeks early in the morning. She was confused why she dreamed that kind of dream. Maybe her mind was craving to read more erotica and the likes? She need to find more explicit books. Thinking of this, she hopped off the bed and took a bath. A few minutes later, she's humming a tune while making her way to the kitchen."Good morning!" she greeted Gideon when she saw him sitting on the sofa reading the morning newspaper. He raised his head and looked at her. The corner of his lips curved upward. "Any good news?"
"Gideon," the first name she called after the maidservant's words. She looked down on Dalya who was struggling to stay awake. Her heart could not stay calm but in front of her maidservant, she needed to appear strong because there's no one other than her could the girl get the spirit to fight back. "Lay on the bed. I'll let someone take care of your wounds." Jewel helped Dalya on the bed before she hastily strode to the door. She looked back at Dalya and her heart was disturb, it beat fast, before she went out. The bruises on girl's body was not a joke. If she received it, she might not last tomorrow. Her lips pursed into a thin line. She was afraid that her father wouldn't let this matter go. Closing her fists, she went down the stairs and looked for her husband. But Gideon was nowhere in sight. Where did he go? A cold sweat trickled down her back as she looked around, but she only caught sight of the old Tang tending on the seedlings of some plant. "Mang Tang, where's Gideo
Medellin is located in the northenmost part of the province. The city, which Gideon invited her into, is located in the middle. People go to and fro in the morning and during nightime is when everything becomes romantic as night life is what the city's known for. The long drive made Jewel dizzy but Gideon's there to alleviate her nausea by humming her a tone while she rested her head in his shoulder. Her husband hired someone to drive their SUV towards the south. Dalya and Pedro was at the back while she and Gideon was sitting in the middle. Old Tang remained in Medellin to take care of the house. It took hours before the car stopped. Jewel was too tired to even lift her head and asked Gideon to carry her into the hotel. The man had no choice but to follow his wife's words. "Is the hospital far from here?" she asked after Gideon lowered her in the bed. "A ride or two."She looked at the doorstep where Dalya and Pedro were conversing with each other. "They can't wait any longer,"
After that night of confrontation, Jewel stayed in the hotel room and never once stepped out. A few days of medication made Dalya and Pedro's injuries eased a liitle bit. But it was best to let them stay in the hospital. When Jewel knew of this matter, she urged him to send her back to Medellin. Gideon was helpless, but he obeyed his wife's wishes. Now, traveling in the south coastal road up to the northenmost part of the province, Jewel was looking at the sea glistening under the moonlight. It was night. She didn't let Gideon travel when the sun was up because she knew how heavy the traffic and hot it was during day. It seemed a good choice. The car wasn't stuck in a heavy traffic in the city and now they're out of the city and travelling on the wide road of other municipalities. She estimated that four hours had passed before she saw the wide Aisle of Medellin ahead. A smile tugged the corner of her lips. Jewel saw the tall and swaying sugarcanes at the side of the aisle and the
Jewel nodded and chuckled. "Yeah, it tastes bitter. But it's delicious," she said and took another sip as if she was enjoying it. They drank a few more glasses before her vision became blurred and the sorrounding seemed spinning. She grabbed Joseph's arm. Joseph immediately held her. "Precious Jewel, are you alright?"She raised her gaze at the man and stared at his face for few seconds. "Simoen?" she called softly.Joseph frowned. "I'm not Saavedra."But tried to shake her head but only dizziness hit her. Jewel frowned as loud music was making her headache worse. Reaching his wrist, she pulled him out of the function hall and out of the Specialized building. The gentle wind blew away the lingering perfumes around her. Jewel sighed in relief. "Precious Jewel," Joseph called but Jewel did not seem to hear his calling. He saw a waiter giving out some bottles of water and because he felt thirsty, he grabbed one before Jewel could take him away.Jewel took Joseph to the Treesury which
The place was brightly lit with lights twinkling in the dark. It was her favorite time of the year -- the holiday -- because it's time for the year end party. Tomorrow's the start of the holiday vacation and Jewel was excited to spend her vacation on reading her favorite x-rated books. "Look! Isn't that Sheena Marquez? The so-called queen bee of the campus?" Hazel's voice awakened her from stupor. Jewel raised her gaze and saw a girl in a black dress with red lips. Her hair was raised in a ponytail and her posture was good, just as expected of a girl belonging to elite circle. She shook her head. Jewel never really care about the girls of the same status as her. When one had grew in a circle all her life, all the extravagance was just part of a normal day -- and this is what the elites have that commoners doesn't. Hazel and she walked towards the Specialized building. Tiara and Gabbi was already at the party. She even joked over the phone that she would ignore them for leaving her
Calixto could feel his heart skipped a beat. Dead fetus? His eyes wandered on the covered bed and pinched himself to keep his mind sane. "I'll settle everything she needs for the operation. Just do your job and make sure my wife will survive this ordeal. Understood?"The doctor frowned, not really happy with his threats, but didn't say anything and just turned around to prepare for the operation. Calixto on the other hand followed the intern who would guide him in completing the documents for the upcoming operation. He also called his son to come home. Clenching his fist, he looked beyond the open window where he could see the setting sun. It was four hours since the operation started and Calixto couldn't sit tight. His wife had a miscarriage, the doctor confirmed it. A four month dead fetus for pete's sake! It was four months ago when those bastards molested his wife. If he's not wrong, that dead fetus should be the product of what they did to her. It only means one thing --- they
It was the first time Calixto saw Nilda sighing in relief after he stopped touching her. A flash of pain appeared in his eyes but it was gone in a second. A smile flashed on his lips and asked what Nilda wants to eat. A day after Nilda woke up, Mayor Calixto decided to meet with Don Sebastian in his office. Sebastian was given no choice and he arranged a car for himself. Belinda was watching worriedly at her husband, occasionally biting her bottom lip in nervousness. "Why are you so pale? Your husband won't die," Don Sebastian joked upon seeing Belinda's face. She rolled his eyes and sighed. "Remember, our family is more important than any asset, Sebastian."Sebastian's gaze deepend and he smiled at Belinda. "I will come back unharmed. The Mayor won't do unnecessary troubles to his reputation.""Just don't fight head on. The Mayor is known for not giving face to the powerful clans. Remember what happened to the Saavedra last year, they lost face and five properties for not reportin
On a sunny day of March, a dreadful accident occured in the wide sugarcane plains of the Aisle. The Mayor's consort was involved in a hijack incident that killed ten people and took a hostage. Consort Nilda was abducted into a secluded area of the Aisle and was molested by two men. When the police arrived at the incident, the consort had been unconscious for too long that she was hanging by a thread. The Mayor then threatened the Mangubat to investigate the matter thoroughly or he would make them pay. The whole clan was in chaos after knowing the Mayor's threat. Since the ancient time, no one dared to do shameful act within the Aisle because people fear the influence and power the Mangubat clan had. But ever since Mayor Calixto Hernandez took office, the people grew courage in their actions. It's because the current mayor's not afraid of the elite circle and even fought with other powerful clans. Now, the criminals were bold enough to do shameful acts inside the powerful clans' prop
He left Medellin after he broke a woman's heart. Gideon could still remember Julie's words. "Promise me that you'll gonna come back, Gideon. I will wait for you in Medellin."And he promised her even though he was not sure how many years it will pass by before he could come back to his hometown again. Sighing, he looked outside the bus window and enjoyed the sea glistening under the sun. The bus was travelling by the coastal road in Bogo, following the path to the city where he intended to go. He had received his Masteral degree in UDM and currently has no plans to continue his teaching profession. But maybe when he retire in the army in the future, he might go back to his degree and find a suitable teaching job. It didn't take too long for him to arrive in Cebu City where he got off the bus and strode towards the headquarters. He was instructed to get a full report on the tracks and connections of the said billionaire before going to Talisay where the secret operation will be condu
Walking out of the Treesury and onto Specialized building for his hat, he walked out of UDM and to the renowned Tindog Bridge where he planned to hail a cab. A tricycle halted in front of him and Gideon immediately rode on it. "Sir, where to?""The Municipality Hall."The tricycle driver thought for a moment before he shook his head. "I'm on different route, Sir." Scratching his nape, he smiled apologetically. "I won't drive straight to Municipal Hall. I can only drive you to the Aisle." Gideon frowned and he looked down on his wristwatch. It's almost one o'clock in the afternoon. The Municipal Hall had only an hour break for lunchtime and his father would travel to Mandaue for a meeting in the city this two in the afternoon so he got only an hour to spare. What a luck. It would not be a problem to reach his father's office in an hour if his car didn't break down yesterday. But it's only his wishful thinking. Now, he needed to ride a public transport but it would take so much time.
"What are you staring at?" Elise asked, folding her arms in front and frowning at him. Gideon shook his head. "Nothing." And excused himself. Julie glanced at Elise before she followed him. The woman ran after him and cleared her throat. "So... did her voice ring a bell?" she asked. The corner of Gideon's lips curled up as he glanced at her. He didn't answer her question because he remembered Elise now, the girl who shamed him in front of his batchmate. It was on the fourth of July and the dark clouds hovered above. The students were running to seek shelter from incoming rain but a boy and a girl were left behind, not having a plan to seek shelter. "What? You like me?" Elise said, looking at a frail looking young lad who was blinking his tear brimmed eyes. "Elise, I ---" The girl raised a hand and looked at him from head to toe. "You are so dirty. Come on, how could a girl like me like someone as weak as you? What's your name again, Senior?" Gideon bit his bottom lip as he low
Note: Special chapters are about the life Jewel and Gideon before they met in the Aisle of Medellin four years ago (Epilogue). Enjoy!~~~He searched for the woman's hand and pinned it above her head as he continued his conquest on her body. She gasped and Gideon groaned, releasing his load inside her. "Honey~" The woman called and wrapped her arms around his sweaty torso. Gideon squinted his eyes and he removed the woman's arms, moving out of the bed. The woman watched as he entered the bathroom and took a bath. Few minutes later, he walked out of the bathroom and searched for his clothes on the floor, putting it on. "Honey, where are you going?" the woman asked. He didn't give her a glance at all and walked out of the room. Gideon could still hear the commotion behind him as the woman tried to run after him, wearing nothing but a sheet. "Honey, what is this?! After you used me, you're turning your back? What the heck! What's the difference between you and those scumbags?" When