Chapter 1

"Something's happened yesterday! I told you, my husband has gone crazy." Pagrereklamo ko, isang hapon habang nasa set.

I burst out a harsh breathe. I feel too irritated right now. Thinking what Skyzzer did to me, how he made me feel so embarrassed pisses me off! Curse that man. He's getting into my nerves!

"It's no big deal, Das. Stop making it look so bad. Tsk." Si Iris habang magkausap kami sa telepono. "He's a good guy as far as I'm concerned. What's with the sudden anger?"

"You didn't listen to me, did you?" Naningkit bigla ang aking mga mata.

I heard her sneered. "Should I?"

Napaingos ako. I told her everything that happened yesterday. Especially how I looked like a fool in front of our parents as I embarrassed myself. Nakakahiya, masyado kong nagpadalos-dalos sa mga kilos ko. I let my emotions govern over me that's why I ended up feeling this way.

"That's the problem, Iris. He's a good guy. He's too good for me. We're not even a husband and wife material!" Pag-amin ko sa kanya at pabagsak na humiga sa kama. "Gosh, I wanted a divorce."

"Then file one. It's easy as that, pinapahirapan mo masyado buhay mo tapos sa'kin ka magrereklamo."

"No, it's not that easy! You don't understand me. Kung gagawin ko iyon, ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Dad? Mom? I won't endure one year to waste it all."

"Disappointments, I see." She sounded very uninterested the way she said those words. I cursed. "Already been there. And guess what? I messed up. Just like what you're doing right now. Stepping your foot into your own destruction."

"I didn't ask." Napaingos ako.

"Well, you know what? You're fucked up."

"That's why I freaking called you! Baka sakaling makatulong ka pero mukhang malabo na iyon dahil tinatalakan mo lang ako!"

"Bakit kalasanan ko? Parang kasalanan ko?" Dramatically, she said as I heard her fake a cry. "Bobbie 2021."

I rolled my eyes. Sometimes I question myself, is she really my friend? Why did we became friends, anyway? Puro katangahan lang naman lagi ang nagagawa namin lalo na kapag kasama sila Maggie.

Irritable, I cursed. No one's really gonna help me, huh? Ano bang problema ng mga tao ngayon at hindi man lang magawang tumulong sa kapwa? Can't just they lend a hand for a moment?

"Your actings suck. Paseminar ka muna." Pang-aasar ko sa kanya habang inaayusan na ng make-up artist.

I was readying for my scene. I should've been there a couple of minutes ago but I requested to take some rest. Wala naman silang nagawa pa dahil ako naman ang dahilan kung bakit sila kumikita. Heck, I'm the star of this project! If it wasn't for me, they won't have their jobs!

"Put a little eye-liner on my left eyes. Hindi pantay," reklamo ko sa make-up artist na agad nitong sinunod. I rolled my eyes at her before putting my phone back on my ear. "I'll call you later. Hope you'll be useful soon. Bye."

"Whatever."

I ended up the call before letting out a sigh. I looked at myself the mirror. Well, I think I'm doing just fine. It's just the Skyzzer stuff that's been stressing me out for the hours had passed.

To other woman that'll be put in my situation, having a husband as handsome as Skyzzer is a dream come true. But for me, it's the beginning of my endless suffering.

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang balikan ang nangyari kanina bago ako pumasok sa trabaho.

I woke up very late. It's Skyzzer who usually wakes me up everyday since I hate alarms. Pero ngayon ay hindi man lang niya ko ginising! Inis akong napabangon at makailang ulit siyang tinawag.

"Sky!"

No one answered, though. Mabibigat ang hakbang na lumabas ako sa kwarto ng nakabusangot. I looked every corner of our house just to find him in the kitchen, cooking with ear-phones on.

"What the fuck?" He was humming as he prepared the breakfast. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mapalunok habang nakatitig sa kanya. Kung hindi niya lang napansin ang presensya ko, baka kung anong kahihiyan na ang aking nagawa.

"Oh, wife. You're already here?" He said and removed his earphones. "I was just thinking of waking you up. Nagising ka na pala."

Deeply, he chuckled.

Napatingin ako sa suot niya. He was topless, only wearing an apron since he was cooking. His biceps are flexing everytime he moves. Swabeng-swabe ang bawat paggalaw niya at t'wing titignan ako ay malaki ang ngiti sa mga labi.

"I woke up on my own, Sky. Hindi ba't ikaw dapat ang gigising sa akin?" Pagsusungit ko.

Ngumuso siya. "I'm sorry, wife. I'd been too busy preparing your favorite breakfast. Nawala sa isip ko ang oras."

"Ako pa ba ang mag-aadjust?" I hate my sarcasm.

Mas humaba ang nguso niya. He turned off the stove before facing me. "Wala naman akong sinabi."

I scoffed. I sit on one of the bar stool in the kitchen. I watched him put pancakes with vanilla syrup on my plate. Pati ang paglagaw niya ng gatas sa baso ko.

"Done. You can now, eat my beautiful wife." He seems proud and confident.

I rolled my eyes before taking a bit on eat. Ninguya-nguya ko pa iyon na parang hindi ako satisfied kahit na ang totoo ay sobrang sarap nito. He was carefully watching reaction. Waiting for a compliment with a glimpse of amusement on his ocean-blue eyes.

"How does it taste? Is it good?"

I looked away and chew a bit more. "It's... passable, I think. Pwede na."

Sky looked disappointment at that. He pouted and removed his apron, giving me a sight of his sexy body only covered by his fitted boxer. Lumunok ako ng makailang ulit bago bumuntong-hininga.

"Fine. It's delicious. Ang sarap-sarap mong magluto."

Agad siyang napatingin sa akin, nakangiti. "Syempre, ako ba naman nagluto."

He laughed. Inubos ko muna ang pagkaing hinanda niya bago ako tumayo at nagpasyang maligo. I still have work and life will go on without me.

As the cold water run down through my skin, I can't help but think about Skyzzer. Memorizing every detail of his handsome face the moment we met.

His wide grins and smiles when we're in college. Kung paano niya ako hindi tinigilan noon hanggang sa malaman ko na lang na siya ang mapapangasawa ko. I hate it at first. I blame him for that because I feel like he doesn't deserve me. Pero ngayong pinaparamdam niya sa akin kung gaano ako kahalaga, pakiramdam ko ako ang hindi karapat-rapat para sa kanya.

I turned off the shower. Shrugging my head, I managed to get a grip of myself. Nang maihanda ang sarili matapos ang mahabang oras ng pag-aayos ay bumaba na ko.

"I'm leaving, Sky." I informed him as I walked down the stairs. "Ikaw ng bahala dito sa bahay habang wala ako."

Agad siyang napatingin sa akin. "Right now? Ang bilis naman yata."

I glared at him and sighed afterwards. "I'm already late for fuck's sake. Salamat sa'yo na hindi ako ginising."

He took a deep breathe and looked away. Kinuha niya ang isang paper bag sa lamesa at iniabot iyon sa akin. My brow raised. "Take this. For your lunch. Baka hindi ka na naman kumain ng tanghalian."

"No, I'm fine-"

"I insist." Pagpupumilit niya, mga mata ay seryoso na ngayon. "Take this.

Tumikhim ako at labag sa loob na kinuha iyon. I throw dagger looks at him for once and finally decided to leave. Kaya lang ay mukhang wala siyang balak tigilan ako dahil nakasunod siya sa akin hanggang sa garage.

"What you still doing here? Aalis na ko." I hop inside the car. Ipapasok ko na sana ang susi ng katukin niya ko. "What?!"

"Ako na maghahatid sa'yo."

I scoffed, stared at his figure unbelievably. "Talaga? Ng gan'yan lang ang suot mo?"

He looked at his self. He's only wearing a boxer and I'm afraid he'll catch everybody's attention if they see him!

"Is there a problem with me? Hindi naman ako lalabas ng sasakyan. Ihahatid lang kita." He defended himself. I took a deep breathe clenching my jaw, eyes were fixed on his six pack before I sighed. "C'mon, wife. Let me do this for you."

He sounded a bit impatient. Umirap ako bago lumabas siya driver's seat at siya ang pinasakay roon. I am annoyed even when I went into the shotgun as he maneuvered the car with a cruel grin of his lips.

"Ngayon lang 'to, a. I won't let you drive me at work next time." I broke the silence between us.

He saluted. "Yes, maam. Whatever you say."

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses umikot ang mga mata ko. I wasn't even aware I'm unconciously biting my lips everytime my gaze drifted on him. I tried to focus in front, though. Hindi lang nakatulong ang pagsulyap-sulyap niya sa akin dahil naiilang ako roon.

"We're here."

He doesn't know how thankful I am when we arrived at the set's location. I was about to leave but he grabbed my hand making me stilled.

"B-Bakit?" Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili kung bakit ako nauutal.

Skyzzer, however, smiled genuinely with his eyes holding too much emotion it made him looked more serious. "Take care. I'll fetch you later. Is that... fine with you?"

Unknowingly, I nodded in slow motion before taking my leave. Buti na lang naalala ko ang paper bag na binigay niya sa akin kaya't dali-dali ko iyong dinampot bago umalis.

I watched him reluctantly drove away. I watched him disappear on my sight before I took a deep breathe. Those emotions I saw in his eyes.. it made me fluttered. It made my heart beats fast. Pounded so hard as I felt something inside me rising.

"Tara na sa set, Maam. Tama na ang pagpapaganda." Si Emily bago pumasok sa dressing room na para sa akin. Kasunod niya ay si Stella, ang aking manager. "Lagot ka, Maam. Nandito na ang bruha."

Stella glared at my laughing assistant. I tried to stifle a smile. My eyes drifted to my mid 40s manager, raised a brow.

I harshly let out a breathe. "What are you doing here? I can go there on my own."

Stella, however, also raised her eyebrow and signalled the make-up artist to get out. Nang kaming tatlo na lang sa loob ay nagsalita siya.

"The director's waiting for you, Daseri. They are getting pissed, ang tagal-tagal mo."

I shrugged. "Let them be. I'm on the top right now, Stella. No one should tell me what to do."

Umirap siya. "Let's say that. You are at the top of the food chain, the most highest paid actress in the country. Pero hanggang kailan? For how long you'll wear the crown? Ang pinupunto ko lang naman, be humble, Das. Be professional. You won't know how long these things will last."

I make a face but I chose to be silent. Ayoko nang kumibo pa dahil sa pagkakakilala ko pa lang sa aking manager, hindi siya titigil sa pangangaral sa akin. I get her point but, this is my life! I give jobs to people! They are earning because of me! I may sound arrogant but that the truth. Can't I just live a life with priveleges?

The taping started. I was accompanied by my personal assistant and the make-up artist. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa phone kada break. Skyzzer said he'll fetch me but until now I'd got no messages from him. Napakascam naman.

"This is how you repay me? Huh? After everything I'd did for you, ganito ang gagawin mo sa'kin?" I dramatically yelled at Raide as my eyes welled up. I can feel the lump in my throat while saying my lines.

This is the scene where I found out he's an accomplice of the killer who made Tiffany's life, my character, a living hell. My character's been tortured and she's seeking for justice. For revenge.

He reached for my hand. Sa nagsusumamong mga mata ay tinitigan niya ko. "No, Tiff. I didn't mean to hurt you-"

I slapped him. Wala sa script iyon. Rinig na rinig ko ang pagsinghap ng ibang staff dala ng pagkagulat. I even noticed the shock at his eyes but I proceeded. Wala namang reaksyon si Director Henry at sumenyas na magpatuloy lang.

"Niloko mo ko! You made me believe you're on my side but you betrayed me! You have no fucking idea how much it hurts." I sobbed. Sometimes we, actors, need to add things we knew will make the scene better. Even if it's not on the script.

"Pakinggan mo muna ako-"

I slapped him again. I slapped him many times until my hands felt numb. Tinanggap niya naman iyon kahit pa malalakas ang bawat pagtama ng palad ko sa kanyang mukha. I looked at him with so much hatred in my eyes and punched his chest.

"I'd never met you. I'd never love you. Hindi kita kailanman nakilala o nagkatagpo. I swear that if I saw you face again, I'll make sure you'll suffer the way I did." I then walked away like what's on the script.

"Cut!"

Natapos ang shoot na iyon nang bahagya akong napagod. They all congratulated me and Raide because of our successful scene. Isang take lang at hindi na umabot pa ng marami. It's always been like that. I tiredly sit on the plastic chair and drank my water. Inutusan ko pa si Emily na punasan ang pawis ko.

"Good job, Das! Ang galing-galing mo, as always." Bati ni Gia at nagthumb's up. I smiled a bit and nodded.

"How's my acting? Is it good?" I asked Emily while scrolling on my phone. Halos umikot ang mga mata ko nang wala pa ring text message galing kay Sky.

"Syempre, ikaw pa ba? Baka Daseri Versoza 'yan." She then tapped my shoulders. "Dagdag sahod ko, ha? K'et five percent lang, hehe."

Agad kong inalis ang kamay niya sa aking balikat at siniringan siya. She pouted, though. Magsasalita na sana ako nang dumating si Hivienne, nakataas ang kilay at magkakrus ang mga braso, nag-aangas.

"You need something?" Sweetly, I asked.

"You enjoyed it, didn't you? Slapping my boyfriend many times because he doesn't want you. Masyado kang papansin." My eyebrow raised wondering if she's talking about herself.

"I'm just being practical. The woman I portray is badly hurt, emotionally. If those things happened to you, how are you supposed to react?" I tried to be professional.

As much as possible, I don't want to have an issue to any of my co-workers. I've already shits in my life and I have no plans to add more. Sadyang may mga tao lang talaga na magagalit sa'yo kahit dahil lang sa maliliit na bagay.

"Ang sabihin mo hindi ka makamove-on dahil ayaw na sa'yo ni Raide! He chose me over you and you're bitter!" She snapped.

I gasped. She's delusional! Where did she get that idea?

"Yeah, whatever you say. You can spread falsehood however you want. People know the truth, by the way." Walang gana kong wika at nagpatuloy sa pag-sscroll sa phone sa pag-asang tatawag na ang asawa.

Damn, Sky. I'm ready to go home! Bakit ba ang tagal-tagal mo?

But I was shocked when Hivienne grabbed my phone and throw it. Gulat akong napatingin sa kanyang may nakaaasar na ngisi sa maiitim na labing kumakapit lang sa lipstick.

"What the fuck is your problem?!" I fired angrily that made the other staffs looked at us. Napatingin rin sa gawi namin pati si Direct Henry. "Are you fucking crazy?! You just threw my phone!"

She smirked. Damn it! How I wish to sew those lips. "You deserve it. Napakamapapel mo kasi. Bida-bida, eh?"

I lost my temper. Mabilis akong nakalapit sa kanya at tinulak siya. She fell on the floor right where my phone was. Napangitin sa gawi namin ang mga staffs at mga katrabaho lalo na kay Hivienne na para bang iiyak na anumang oras.

"M-Maam, 'wag ka na makipagbardagulan." Emily calmed me down. Dumating sa gawi namin si Raide, nagpabalik-balik ang tingin sa akin at sa girlfriend nitong nakaupo sa sahig.

Emily attempted to hide me when Raide grabbed my wrists, eyes were firing with evident anger. "Anong ginawa mo, Daseri?!"

I forcefully removed his hand on my wrist but it was too strong. Nasasaktan ako sa higpit ng kanyang kapit. Maraming dumating sa gawi namin dahil sa kumosyon. The other actresses helped Hivienne to get up as a smirk was plastered on her lips. Gia even tried to calm Raide down but he was too mad at me.  Wala naman akong pakialam roon ngunit masyadong masakit ang hawak niya sa akin.

I looked at him with obvious pain on my face, kept trying to take my wrist back.

"Get off me! Ask your fucking girlfriend instead!" I snapped.

Nakita ko ang pagdaan ng galit sa kanyang mukha. Aktong dadamo na ang kanyang palad sa aking mukha nang bigla siyang tumilapon sa malayo. Everybody gasped.

I unbelievably looked at my back just to see Skyzzer fuming mad. "Skyzzer!"

He was panting, I could see the abomination in his eyes the way he stared at Raide. As if killing him on his own hands.

Pero nawala ang lahat ng iyon ng bumaling siya sa akin. My lips parted, unable to speak, sinking what just happened. He pulled me closer to him until I fell on his chiseled chest, my heart's ramming so loudly.

"Are you... okay? What did that bastard did to you?" His voice became soft, making my knees became jelly.

Napagawi ako kay Raide na tinutulungang tumayo. Sa lakas ng suntok ni Skyzzer ay paniguradong basag ang panga ng lalaki. Hivienne, however, glared at me then to my husband who looked sinfully forbidden as his brow furrowed and jaw clenched.

She helped Raide to get up. Thankfully though he's not unconcious and still breathing. But his jaw was still broken. Masama ang tingin nila sa akin kasama na ang iba kong co-actress liban kay Gia.

"Daseri! Anong nangyari?" Ang kararating na si Stella, gulat at nag-aalala. "Nag-uusap lang kami ni Direk sa loob tapos may nagsabing mayroon daw kumosyon! Are you okay?"

Emily then calmed her down. "Naku, Maam Stella, kung mahal mo buhay mo, 'wag ka ng makigulo. Mamaya ikaw ang masapak dyan."

My manager looked confused, though. Nagpatuloy sila sa pag-uusap. I took a deep breathe and looked at Skyzzer beside me. Hindi siya nagsasalita. He seems a bit scared probably because he figured out I'll be mad.

Hinilot ko ang sentido at kumawala sa yapos niya. "Kanina ka pa dito?"

Dahan-dahan siyang umiling. "Kararating ko lang."

I glared at him. "You didn't even bother to text? Alam mo bang hinihintay ko ang text mo dahil kanina ko pa gustomg umuwi?"

Sensually, he bit his lips caughting my attention. Napaawang ang labi ko at pilit na umayos sa pagkakatayo. "I'm planning to surprise you... Pero mukhang ako yata ang nasurpresa."

Napairap ako sa biglaan niyang pagseryoso. I grabbed my things and pulled him on the parking lot. Hinayaan niya naman ako hanggang sa makapasok kami sa loob ng kanyang sasakyan.

"You shouldn't have done that." I commented after a while. We're already heading home. I told him I want to rest. "You don't know how much damage it'll cost to our drama."

Yumuko siya. "Sorry." I shifted on my seat. Tumikhim ako at hinayaan siyang magsalita. "Who's that guy, anyway? Is he... Does he like you?"

My eyes drifted on him suddenly but he was too concentrated at the road. Pagod akong bumuntong-hininga.

"Yup, and I rejected him. Kaya siguro ginamit ang insidenteng iyong para makaganti."

"You rejected him?" Ulit niya, kinakagat ang pang-ibabang labi. Pinipigilang mapangiti. "Bakit?"

"Oh, c'mon, Sky. Unang-una, may asawa ako. Pangalawa, may asawa ako at pangatlo, may asawa ako." I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. "But if you're not married... you'll accept his feelings?"

I cringed. "What the? No, no way! He's just a co-worker. Hindi ko siya gusto. He's not even my type."

Napangiti siya. "That's my wife." He tried to suppress it but he can't. Malawak ang ngiti niya hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay. Muntik na akong matawa ng maisip kong nasiraan na siya ng bait.

I went inside our room. Siya naman ay paniguradong magluluto tulad ng nakasanayan. Agad akong naligo at nagpalit. I was drying my hair when the door opened. Pumasok si Skyzzer at agad natigilan.

"What?" Asik ko. He was facing me. Tsaka ko lang napagtantong t-shirt niya ang suot ko.

"Uh.." He looked away, clearing his throat. "The food's ready. Baba na tayo."

I noticed the sudden heating of his cheeks. My forehead creased as I looked at my chest where his gaze was. Malakas akong napamura.

"S-Stop looking at my boobs, Sky!" I wasn't wearing any bra!

I felt embarrassed, actually. Especially when he chuckled before turning back. Itinaas niya pa ang dalawang kamay sa ere habang nakatalikod sa akin.

"I wasn't doing anything, wife. Ikaw ang nang-aakit sa'kin."

My eyes grew wider. What the? "N-Nang-aakit? Pinapatuyo ko lang ang buhok ko! I just forgot to wear a bra! Anong pang-aakit do'n?"

Tumawa siya at nakatalikod na sinara ang inyo. Inis akong nagpakawala ng hininga, masama ang tingin sa pintong iyon. He even shouted downstairs.

"Wife, halika na! Lalamig na 'tong mga pagkain." I can hear the laughter on his voice. Pigil na pigil niya ang pagtawa.

I then gazed my boobs. Ngumuso ako nang matantong hindi ito gaanong kalakihan ngunit sapat na upang bumakat. Napairap akong muli tsaka iritadong lumabas ng kwarto.

I found him on the dining area. Hindi pa siya nagsisimulang kumain at mukhang hinihintay ako. I removed the lump on my throat and sat on the chair in front of him, acting nothing happened. As if he didn't saw my mounds.

"Let's eat." Masigla ang kanyang boses.

Something's wrong with him. He seemed so motivated as he manly slice the steak. I can't even understand why. To be frank, I should worry regarding Raide's condition and Stella's endless lecture to me but, I found myself staring at him. Observing my husband's strange behavior.

"What?" Aniya nang mapansin ang seryoso kong titig. Ngumuso siya. "May problema ba, wife?"

Matiim ko siyang tinitigan. Sometimes I asked myself why I agreed to this fixed relationship. We don't even like each other! We're completely opposite, our principles, our perspectives in life and everything. But when I recall Dad's almost dying face, all I could think is to fulfill his wish.

Tumikhim ako.

"Hindi ka ba.. Hindi ka ba tinatanong nila Tita at Tito Cohen kung bakit hindi ka nagtatrabaho?" I pushed my thoughts away and took a slice. "Didn't they wonder?"

I forbid him to work. Cruel, but that's the only way I thought back then I could get back at him for asking my hand to my father. Ni wala naman akong nararamdaman sa kanya. But my parents wants me to marry such a man.

He didn't complain, though. Wala akong narinig na kahit anong reklamo sa kanya kahit labag na minsan ang iba sa kanyang kagustuhan. He's understanding, far from all the boys I'd dated. Lagi niyang sinusunod ang sinasabi ko kahit na minsan ay hindi na iyon patas.

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "I don't know. Told them you don't want me to work 'cuz you want to earn for us. So I quit my position as the CEO of McIntyre Hotels and Resorts. Dad encourage me to but I refused because that's what you want. Isa pa, sapat na naman ang ipon ko para sa ating dalawa."

Mariin ang pagkakakagat ko sa aking pang-ibabang labi. I've realized that's very heartless and immature. Because I hate him, I did bad things to make him suffer. Noon, gusto kong makawala sa kanya at mabuhay ng malaya. But in a year we're married, he strangely changed some perspectives in my life.

I want to be fair. I want to give him back the privileges I'd taken away from him. Gusto kong maging mabait sa kanya kahit papaano.

"Gusto mo bang.. bumalik sa trabaho?" Nag-aalinlangan kong tanong, mariin ang pagkakakagat sa labi.

Bahagya siyang nagulat, awang ang mga labi, tila ba hindi inaasahan na sasabihin ko iyon. I refused to look at his blue eyes. Narinig ko ang paghugot niya ng hininga.

"If you'll allow me, why not? But if you don't-"

"O-Of course, you can, Sky. Di naman kita pinipigilan." Pailalim ko siyang tinignan.

His lips formed a smile, tried to stifle but he can't as the evident delight danced through his soulful eyes.

"That's good, then. Ikaw na ang pinakamabait na asawa sa mundo." Dagdag niya ang ngumisi.

"Ako lang naman ang asawa mo," umismid ako ngunit ningisihan niya lamang at nagpatuloy na sa pagkain.

Well, trying to be a good wife isn't bad to what I'd imagined. We can be good to each other until this marriage is over. I'll file a divorce, convince him to sign it and we're done. That's something I should've done sooner.

I can go back to my life, things will return how it used to be and everything will be just fine.

As easy like that.

Shandreev