"Huh?" Ruby, who had been squirming in an attempt to free herself, fell silent again upon hearing the absurdity."I thought you were more sensible now, but it seems you still want to tease other men," Ed hissed again."No!" Ruby vehemently denied it, forgetting all her fear because of the misconceived accusation. She couldn't understand how Ed could think like that."Denying it, but you do this?! You want to show off this red color to all those men?!"Ruby screamed as Ed's hand suddenly slipped in, pulling her underwear back. Ruby wriggled free, covering the front of her body with her hands before crouching down. Then it became evident why Ed could describe the color of her underwear so accurately."AGH!" Ruby screamed and hurriedly covered her body with the dirty overalls she had discarded earlier. Ruby didn't care about the dirt. It was still better than that see-through white shirt.Tears welled up in Ruby's eyes as she remembered t
Ruby's body might have initially responded, but slowly it changed into a very different feeling. Ruby couldn't forget that pain. Ed's rough movements and the way he made her feel like a slut left a lasting impression on Ruby."Don't..." Ruby whispered, pleading and shaking her head. The tremble that engulfed her was no longer from desire, but from fear."Don't what?" Ed stopped holding his hands and frowned. Ed couldn't comprehend why the woman, who had evidently provoked him earlier, suddenly pleaded with harsh words. Ed looked at her bowed head."Are you so afraid of my face?"Ed withdrew his hands and stepped back. The question wasn't even a shout, and it didn't require an answer. Ed just reminded himself that the woman in front of him had fainted when she first saw him."I forgot." Ed smiled bitterly. He forgot that he shouldn't hope for a woman to accept him when Mayte—who had been with him long enough—felt doubtful.Ed then
"Ed? Are you still here?!"Mia and Pedro were both surprised, but Pedro was more shocked as he stumbled to his feet with a pale face."I thought you had returned to the city." Pedro tried to sound casual while Ed looked at him sharply."Who are you lusting after?!" Ed snapped."That's an unfounded accusation, Ed. Don't jump to conclusions. I have no intention of pursuing Liz. Mia is just jealous because I am friendly to her. But am I wrong to be friendly? Liz is your wife, and I know you will be working with Esli Ramos after you get married. I can't be rude to her, can I? It will affect your affairs."Pedro explained it at length. His words were convincing and true. Ed never asked Pedro for help, even though he knew the man wanted it. But apparently, he knew enough about his dealings with Esli.Ed glanced at Mia, who appeared to be folding her arms across her chest with a pout. But that was it. She didn't supplement her earlier accusation with evidence or anything. So, her earlier ran
"Did you forget to move it somewhere? Look again!" Ed ordered, furrowing his brow. Tita was the one who knew where everything was. Ed couldn't ask anyone else."Okay." Tita left, looking puzzled.Ed, frustrated, turned back to his room, reluctantly searching for the car keys he had used earlier.Ed paused for a moment before opening the door, slowing down his movements. He was cautious, not wanting Liz to scream. She often screamed when startled. He had heard it more than three times today alone.He entered but didn't see Liz anymore. The room was empty. But Liz couldn't have left the room. He glanced at the terrace and saw a figure slumped in the patio chair. She was asleep on the cushy swing-like chair, with a book lying beside her.The terrace was cooler, sheltered from the sun but receiving a gentle sea breeze, and the sound of waves was not too loud."You fell asleep after making me restless." Ed grumbled. He was irritated by how peaceful Liz looked after indulging his desires.B
Ed opened the chapel door roughly. Forget about manners; he just wanted to confront Javier. Ed sighed when he found his brother kneeling with clasped hands, praying in front of the altar."Do you think I wouldn't know what you're doing?! Don't pretend to pray!" Ed snapped."Sssttt... Don't be rude, Ed. Sit down and wait until I finish," Javier replied."You...""Ssssttt..." Javier silenced Ed again and bowed his head in prayer.Ed could only grumble angrily as he reluctantly sat down."Don't expect me to leave until we talk!" Ed hissed, warning that he would wait however long it took for Javier to finish praying. Javier wouldn't be able to escape by pretending to pray."Tsk!" Ed clicked his tongue, as there was no response from Javier anymore. He had to wait. Ed rested his chin on his hand and stared at the black robe-draped back. Even now, Ed can still remember his surprise when Javier first said he wanted to become a pastor.
"I didn't ask you to be infatuated with her directly, but just give Liz a chance first," Javier persuaded again after Ed still didn't respond."Do you like her that much?" Ed glanced at him in astonishment. This was the second time he had encountered someone defending Liz without hesitation."Yes. She's sweet. The other day I tried to help ease Liz's burden, and she refused, saying she didn't want to lie and cheat. She even reprimanded me---a pastor shouldn't lie. She's right about that." Javier seemed amused. It's amusing to recall the occasions when Liz had to remind him of his status."What exactly happened?" Ed inquired, intrigued by the exchange that prompted Javier to fiercely defend her."I couldn't get Tia Mia to listen to me, but I could ask Tita and the others to pretend, so Liz could still appear to be working. Or at least handle lighter tasks. However, Liz rejected that plan, and she continued to work as usual—just like any other servant
"It's not usual for you to eat here."Ruby turned to see who Mia was reprimanding. Javier, who had just arrived, was now sitting across from her."I wanted to eat with Ed. It's been a while since we ate together," Javier smiled, glancing at Ed, who was sitting at the end of the long table. Tita specifically asked Ruby, who usually sat anywhere, to sit at the far right end of the table, affirming her status as Ed's wife.It was a place Mia had never been assigned, but she wasn't saying much today. It was the first time Ruby had seen Mia not talk much. Usually, Mia would always mock or blame her for something during meals."When are you going back to Guadalajara?" Pedro interrupted Ed and Javier's conversation."Not your concern," Ed replied shortly, returning his attention to Javier.Ruby lowered her gaze, suddenly wanting to laugh. She found satisfaction in witnessing Pedro lament Ed's disregard for him. He then covered his embarrassment by
"Who?!"Ruby began to panic, then got out of bed and groped around. The light switch was quite far from the bed. There was a faint light coming in through the partially closed curtains. Ruby could see a figure crouched on the floor, but it was still dim."What do you want?" Ruby inquired, feeling a bit relieved upon finding the switch and flicking it on. The room brightened, and the strange figure was clearly startling to Ruby."Ed?" Ruby stood still for a few seconds, convincing herself that Ed really needed help. She was worried he might just be drunk. Ruby didn't want to approach Ed if he was drunk.But upon seeing Ed still hunched over with beads of sweat trickling down his neck, Ruby knew something was seriously wrong and immediately approached him."Ed? What's wrong?"As she leaned in closer, Ruby only then realized that whatever Ed was suffering from was serious. It was confirmed by the groans and short, hurried breaths."What.