Chapter 2

This is bullshit.

Kanina pa ako hindi mapakali habang nakahiga sa kama. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses akong nagpaikot-ikot sa pag-asang kakalma ang sistema ko. Skyzzer went on the bathroom to take a shower, leaving me here fricking terrified as I think what possibly will happen once we sleep together, in one bed.

Oh my gosh! Masyado akong advance mag-isip!

In the past year of our marriage, it's the first time we'll share the same bed. Kadalasan, sa ibang kwarto siya natutulog. O di naman ay sa sala. I'd realized it's wrong and he should've not suffer for my immaturity.

"Sky, matagal ka pa ba?" Sigaw ko dahil sa kaba. Rinig ko ang lagaslas ng tubig mula sa loob. "Tagalan mo pa."

"I'm almost done, wife! I-I'm just- just wait for me, okay?" Sigaw niya pabalik dahilan para mapairap ako.

"You've been there for an hour. Ano bang ginagawa mo?" I snorted and hugged my pillow tighter.

Alas-diyes na ng gabi at madilim na ang kalangitan, pinaghaharian ng nagniningning na mga bituin at ng buwan. The crescent moon shines with bright bold glow, gleaming out of darkness, hanging in a one starry night. The open window allows me to have a glimpse of it as the cold breeze touches my skin.

Sometimes, I wonder what it's like to be a moon. Its duty is to glimmer at night, give light in the midst of the gloom. It captures everyone's heart and beguil them with its beauty. It just feel so calm, so peaceful, as if nothing else matters everytime you look at it.

"Hindi ka pa niaantok?"

Napabaling ako kay Skyzzer na kalalabas lang galing bathroom. He was drying his hair, made it look messy, as drops of water run down his tempting body. Tanging towel lang ang pumoprotekta sa kanya laban sa mga mata ko. My mind unconciously defined every little detail of him. Mula sa tindig ng pagkakatayo niya, his broad shoulders and toned body. Idagdag pa ang nakapaglalaway niyang abs.

Kung hindi ko lang talaga siya kilala, paniguradong kanina ko pa siya hinila dito sa kama.

"I can't sleep. Inaalala ko pa 'yung nangyari kanina," pagdadahilan ko sabay talikod sa kanya.

He sighed. "I would not apologize for what I did. He hurt you and he should pay for that," my forehead creased at his sudden decisions. "But I want to say sorry 'cause I wasn't able to protect you. Huli na ng dumating ako."

Medyo naguilty ako dahil doon. Ang labas ay sinisisi ko pa siya kahit ang ginawa niya lang naman ay protektahan ako. I looked away and cleared my throat. Pinagpagan ko ang kama, pinapahiga na siya roon.

"It's-It's alright. For sure the team will handle it. We don't need worry about Raide."

Sumimangot siya bigla. "I'm not worried about that bastard."

Napairap na lang ako at ininguso ang walk-in closet, inuutusan siyang magbilis na sa kadahilanang hindi ako komportable na halos hubad siya sa paningin ko. His brow then furrowed, cannot understand what I'm implying.

"You want a kiss?" Kunot ang kanyang noo.

My eyes grew wider. "What? No! Sabi ko magbihis ka na para makatulog na tayo."

He tsked, pouting. "Bakit kasi ningunguso mo pa, e, pwede naman sabihin mo na lang. You just crashed my hopes, wife."

Di ako makapaniwalang napasinghap at binato siya ng unan.

"You could just ask. Nanghahalik naman ako basta ikaw." He cutely grinned at me.

"Huh! Ang kapal na naman yata ng mukha mo n'yan?"

He just laughed at me and raised both his hands, as if surrending, before walking inside the closet.

I was too embarrassed for doing that. Ni hindi ko nga namalayan na nakapag-ayos na siya at nasa tabi ko na, mariin ang pagkakatitig sa akin at pinipigilang mapangiti.

"Should we sleep? Malalim na ang gabi. You have work tomorrow, right?" He opened a topic. Nahiga na siya, nasa likod ng ulo ang dalawang kamay habang ako ay hindi mapakali. "Wife?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'll be gone tomorrow before you know it. Mag-aalarm na lang siguro ako. Don't plan to wake me up."

Tumalikod agad ako sa kanya. I heard him sigh and moved a bit. Akala ko kung anong gagawin niya ngunit mas lumapit lang pala sa akin. My brow raised.

"Can I hug you?" His raspy voice has an effect on me.

Umawang bigla ang aking labi sa pagkagulat. "Just sleep, Sky. No hugs, no anything else! Ang gusto ko lang gawin mo ay matulog. Is that clear?"

Kahit nakatalikod ay naiimagine ko na siyang nakanguso. "Bawal... talaga? I just want to hug you, wife."

"H'wag mo nang ipilit. Bawal nga!" Asik ko.

"Please?"

Dala ng inis, humarap ako sa kanya isa sa mga bagay na agad ko ring pinagsisisihan. Our faces are just inches apart, allowing me to stare at his handsome face closely, sending shivers down my spine. Hindi agad ako nakakilos at naestatwa, pinipigilan ang hininga. Mukhang gano'n rin siya dahil bakas ang pagkagulat sa kanyang mukha.

The cold breeze coming from the window touched my skin. Pero hindi iyon sapat para mapawi ang nararamdaman ko. As I stare at his ocean-blue eyes, I feel very submissive. Na para bang siya ang dapat masunod sa amin. My sleepy eyes drifted down his lips, wetting mine that caught his attention, too.

"This is awkward..." Wala sa sariling sabi ko habang nakatitig sa kanya. "Right?"

"You have no idea..." Mas lalo siyang lumapit sa akin, pinulupot ang braso sa akin hanggang sa magkadikit na ang aming mga katawan. "This is the closest contact we had since our wedding. Napakaganda mo pala talaga lalo na sa malapitan."

Napapairap akong napangiti. "Hindi ako nainform na bolero ka pala."

He chucked. "Nagpapakatotoo lang," he then pulled me even closer. Ramdam ko ang pagkabalbon ng binti niya sa ilalim ng comforter. "I thought you were planning to sleep. Bakit nakikipagkwentuhan ka pa rin sa'kin?"

I gasped. If he keeps opening a topic and I keep entertaining those, we won't surely sleep tonight.

"Bakit rin dinadaldal mo ko? How am I supposed to sleep, then?" I snapped back, sarcastic.

Tumaas ang kilay niya at pinagdikit ang ilong naming dalawa. That caught me off guard, giving him the opportunity to give me a peck on my cheek. Masyado siyang mabilis!

"Hey! Pinayakap na kita tapos manghahalik ka pa? Abuso na 'yan!" Reklamo ko na ikinatawa lang niya bago isiniksik ang mukha sa aking leeg. I stiffened.

"Ngayon lang naman 'to," he pouted. I can feel his hot breathe hitting my neck. Mas lalong bumilis ang kabog ng puso ko. "Damn, it feels so surreal."

Kusang dumako ang kamay ko sa kanyang buhok at dahan-dahang hinagod iyon. Truth is, I understand where he's coming. Even if he doesn't point it out, I'd known he suffered from the first year of our marriage. I became hard to him, made him suffer, despise him for I can't accept him as my husband. Ipinagkait ko sa kanya ang mga bagay na dapat niyang tinatamasa bilang asawa ko.

Hell, I don't even sleep with him.

But now, maybe fixing my mistakes will make this marriage something I wanted. Perhaps, I can persuade him that we are both better without each other. In the meantime, all I need is to be a good wife, give him the priveleges I'd taken, and don't forget my plans.

"Good night, wife."

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. "Good night, Sky."

Kinabukasan, maaga pa lang nasa trabaho na ko. The agency wants to talk to me, according to my manager. It's about the incident that happened where I was involved. Wala naman akong balak sumipot ngunit binilinan ako ni Stella na maaari akong masuspend kaya sa huli wala na rin akong nagawa.

"She knew her mistakes, Chairman. Let me talk to her." Pagkausap ni Stella kay Chairman Salvador, isang umaga sa opisina nito.

I was sitting comfortably, eyes roaming around the office without minding the chairman's glares at me. Minsang dumadako ang tingin ko sa kanya at nakikipaglaban ng tingin ngunit sa huli ako na ang umiiwas.

"Tell me, Stella. Paano mo gagawin iyon? Her husband injured one of our best talent! Malaking issue ito kapag nagkataon!" He rants then glared at me. Tumikhim ako at umayos sa pagkakatao. "Mabuti na lang at halos walang kumalat na balita tungkol doon. Although there are rumors, we should be thankful the staffs chose to be silent."

"What do you want her to do, Mr. Chairman? Will you puni-"

Inis na bumaling si Chairman kay Stella. "Shut up, Stella. Don't speak on her behalf. Let the woman talk."

Sabay silang napatingin sa akin. I faked a smile, suppressing myself to burst out in annoyance. Tinaasan ako ni Stella ng kilay, inuutusan akong depensahan ang sarili.

I cleared my throat.

"Chairman, before you rant about me and my recklessness, you should know what happened in the first place! That man, Raide, hurted me! Silang dalawa ng girlfriend niya! All my husband did is to protect me and I am grateful for that."

"Hindi iyan ang narinig ko sa kabilang panig-"

"Because you are biased!" I yelled that earned a disbelief gasps to both of them.

Galit niya akong itinuro. "Baka makakalimutan mong ako ang chairman dito-"

"What do you want me to do, then? You'll suspend me? You'll sue my husband? You can suspend me but filing a case against my husband?" Umismid ako. "Good luck na lang."

"L-Let me talk to her, Chairman." Sumabat agad ang aking manager at nilapitan ako bago bumulong. "Daseri, you probably don't get where we stand in this circumstances."

My forehead creased. "I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Even so. Kahit wala kang kasalanan, malakas ang kapit nila Raide kay Chairman. One talk with them and chairman can decide your fate." Bulong niya sa akin. Natigilan ako. "So stop talking to Chairman like that. Be humble. Walang maitutulong sa sitwasyon natin ang galit."

I calmed down a bit. Hindi ko makakalimutan kung paano ko ilang beses pinipigilan ang sariling sumagot sa mga patutsada ni Chairman Salvador.

"What do you mean by that, Mrs. Versoza? Sinasabi mo bang wala akong laban sa pamilya ng asawa mo?" Nang-aasar niyang ani.

Agad na umiling si Stella. "No, no, Chairman. That's not what she meant. What she's saying is-"

"Yes." I cut her off, cannot take it any longer. My eyes drfted to her, removed her hold against me and walked in front of the chairman's table. "The McIntyres are prominent in the bussiness industry. They own many properties, chains of hotels and resorts and anything you would wish you have. My husband is a powerful man, Chairman. You know what will happen if someone dare to mess with him."

I saw a glimpse of shock through his eyes. His lips parted, threatened. Tumikhim siya at umayos sa pagkakaupo. I smirked in satisfaction.

Natapos ang pag-uusap namin roon. Mabilis akong lumabas ng opisina ni Chairman at nakasunod naman sa akin si Stella. I wasn't even surprised when I saw Hivenne and Raide's manager, both glaring at me. Na kung titigan ako ay para bang pinapatay na ako sa isipan.

I ignored them, though. Giving them atleast my time is a waste. I won't level myself again to their kind. Hell, I have a class.

Dire-diretso ang lakad ko hanggang sa makarating sa exit ng building. I have no work today since the incident happened. It's already four in the morning and I am planning to buy groceries. Hinihintay ko lang ang driver ko.

"Uuwi ka na, Daseri? Gusto mo bang sumabay na sa akin?" Si Stella, sabay yakap sa akin bilang pagpapaalam. Umiling ako.

"No, thanks, Stell. May pupuntahan pa ako. I told mg driver to pick me up here. Baka parating na rin iyon."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yeah, take care."

I watched her went inside her BMW and disappeared on my sight. Napabuntong-hininga ako habang pasensyosong hinihintay ang driver na kanina pa dapat nandito.

Skyzzer, however, wasn't able to pick me up. Kaninang umaga ay nasabi niya sa akin na magsisimula na siyang magtrabaho. I'd got to objections to that, though. Hindi lang ako sanay na parehas na kaming nagtatrabaho ngayon.

Well, it's a fresh start for us. I'd get a chance to right my mistakes however difficult it may be. I just can't help but feel very unfair even now. Bcause we'll take different paths eventually, once we'd sign the divorce papers.

My phone beeped. Agad kong kinuha iyon para lamang makita ang mensahe ng asawa sa akin.

Skyzzer:

Already home?

Agad akong nagtipa, nakabusangot.

Me:

Are you busy? Can you fetch me here at the agency? Ang tagal ng driver ko, kanina pa ko naghihintay.

Skyzzer:

Sure. Where are you going, by the way?

My forehead creased as I imagined his curious face in my head, grinning like he always is, wonder evident in his eyes shaded in blue. I snorted.

Me:

Maggogrocery lang. I'd check the stocks earlier, ubos na. Ako na ang mamimili dahil baka magreklamo ka pa na wala akong dulot sa bahay.

I can't understand why I'm hearing his laughter!

Skyzzer:

Let me come with you, then. Tayo na lang ang mamili. I'll be there in a minute or two.

Napatitig ako sa huling message niya. Well, that sounds good. Hindi ako mahihirapang magdala dahil nandyan naman siya.

"Yeah, yeah. That's actually fine."

Tumango-tango ako na parang baliw na kinakausap ang sarili, kinukumbinsi na maganda nga iyon. Kaya lang, dumako ang mga mata ko batang napadaan na dapat ay kakainin na sana ang ice cream niya ngunit natigil dahil sa akin.

Nagkatitigan kami.

"Mom, let's get out of here." He said to his mother without breaking the eye contact with me. "The c-crazy woman's staring at me."

Umawang ang labi ko habang pinapanood ang batang iyon na kulang na lang kumaripas ng takbo palayo sa akin. I felt unbelievably embarrassed for being me for a moment!

Hindi naman ako baliw!

However, my eyes drifted to the luxurious car running in my direction. Nakilala ko agad na si Skyzzer iyon kaya awtomatiko akong napaayos sa pagkakatayo. His Bugatti Centodieci stopped right in front of me.

As he slipped out of it, I had to castigate myself for drooling over him since he looked sinfully handsome. He's wearing a long sleeve polo, folded up to his elbow, first two buttons are opened and a blacked fitted pants. Malaki ang ngisi niya sa akin habang may kagat-kagat na rosas.

"For my beautiful wife." He gave me the flower. Wala sa sariling tinanggap ko iyon, natutuliro, di maintindihan ang malakas na pagkabog ng dibdib. "Should we go?"

It took me a minute to recover. Tumango-tango ako. "S-Sige. Let's go."

Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. I stared at him for a moment and eventually hopped in, swallowing hard. Secretly praising him in my head.

Umikot siya patungong kabila at sumakay sa driver's seat. He grinned at me for once and maneuvered the expensive car out of this place, to wherever the hell I'd wanted.

Para akong nawawala sa katinuan kahit nasa supermarket na kami. He was behind me, pushing the cart, checking whatever I placed on it and smiled at me everytime I looked at him.

Ni hindi ko nga alam ang mga pinaglalagay ko roon! Kuha lang ako ng kuha nang hindi iniisip kung magagamit ba namin iyon.

Isa pa, kanina pa ko nakasimangot. Paano ba naman, halos lahat yata ng madadaanan namin napapatingin sa akin. Like I didn't even exist. I know he's attractive, sexy and hot but can't they know he's taken? Isisigaw ko talaga na ako ang asawa niya kapag napuno ako.

"Hey, wife." Napabaling ako sa kanya. Dumako ang tingin mo sa condoms na hawak niya. Devilishly, he grinned. "Let's buy a pack of these."

My cheeks heated. Agad ko siyang binato ng cotton na nasa cart. "Ikaw na lang! Wala ka namang paggagamitan nyan!"

He laughed. "Well, hindi na naman pala natin kailangan no'n," inilapit niya ang mukha sa akin habang may pilyong ngisi kaya agad ko siyang naitulak, pulang-pula na.

He just chuckled, though. I throw him dagger looks before proceeding. We've already been at the jarred goods department, toilet tries and everything. It's almost complete except for the meats.

"Sir Skyzzer! Nandito ka ulit!" Masiglang bati ng babaeng meat cutter. Skyzzer saluted at her until her eyes went to me. "Kasama mo pala si Maam?"

Tumawa ang asawa ko. He pulled me closer. "She's my wife."

I saw the woman stilled for a moment. Agad rin naman siyang nakabawi at tinanong ang karneng gusto namin.

"I like this round beef. Take this," inilagay niya ang kamay sa baba at mariing tinitigan ang karne. "No, take the other one." He said when the woman was about to take the one in front, the yellowish part.

"How do you know all of that?" Manghang tanong ko.

He tsked. Mas hinapit niya ako lalo. "You should check it first before to buy. Touch it, if it's soft, don't pick it. Cold meat shouldn't be soft, the fat is firm when cold so basically, restored meat should be hard not soft." Pagpapaliwanag niya bago kumuha ng isang karne at tinignan itong mabuti, para bang sanay na sanay na. "You should also check the odor. Dapat walang amoy ang karne o hindi mabaho."

"Masyado ka nang madaming nalalaman, dapat ka nang ipatumba," I joked despite of his seriousness.

He smirked. "Suko na ko, lods."

Suminghap ako sa tabi niya at di maiwasang mahiya. Everyone's staring at us. May kumukuha pa ngang litrato ko dahil alam yatang isa akong artista. He seems a pro in this department. The way he ordered the meat cutters what kind of meat he wants, what part and what slice will it be, I realized I'm a wife with no knowledge being one.

I eluded the fact I am married, and still is. I let him Skyzzer do all of my responsibilities as a wife and I hear no complain from him. My number one priority is my career that I'd forgotten I have a life outside the world I'd created. I came to realize how wrong that was. No matter how I try to justify it.

We went at the counter to pay. Skyzzer's pushing two carts as he draw everyone's attention. Pinagtitinginan kami na kahit ang cashier ay napatutulala sa kanyang kagwapuhan.

"13,108 pesos po, S-Sir." Anito nang hindi inaalis ang titig sa asawa ko.

I was about to give my card but Skyzzer gave his first. Tumaas ang kilay ko pero hindi na nagprotesta at hinayaang siya ang magbayad. He smiled.

We went home after. I directly went into our room since I was too exhausted. Thinking about the incident didn't do me any good. I'm worried they might unleash on my husband, who only did is to protect me. I cannot bear to see that.

"I'll cook our dinner!" Sigaw niya galing sa ibaba, tulad ng nakasanayan.

Isa pa, I was considering the divorce papers I'll file. Wala pa akong lawyer na nahahanap para humawak no'n. I'm thinking asking for Iris' help but probably just like last time, she'll bring me nothing.

"Gosh, I hate my life." Isinubsob ko ang mukha sa kama.

I scrolled down on my iPad a bit. I'm watching cute kids videos when a messaged popped up. It's from Raide, made me wonder where did he get my number.

Raide:

Das, can we meet? I'm sorry for being a dick. Hindi ko sinasadyang saktan ko.

I rolled my eyes and ignored his message. Blinock ko rin ang number niya at nagpatuloy pagsscroll sa social media accounts ko. Natigil nga lang ng makitang may story si Skyzzer.

Well, I'm following him so does he. Matagal na naman iyon simula pa ng college. He requested to follow me and I'd got no complains about that.

"What the hell?" My brow furrowed as I watched his story, countless. It was a boomerang of my back while he's smiling like a kid, pushing a cart when we're at the supermarket.

Pinaulit-ulit ko iyon hanggang sa makuntento ako. If he keeps doing this, I might do something I'd know I'll eventually regret. It feels like he's trying to capture my affection. Pakiramdam ko ginagawa niya lahat ng ito para magustuhan ko siya.

And however I denied it, I must admit, he's at the success. It might not even his intentions and I'm just being delusional but now that I'm feeling butterflies at my stomach, I already knew what I'd gotten myself into.

To admit the truth, the dislike I'd been feeling about him is just a disguise of my true emotions. He's a notorious playboy back in our school days. I'd heard he fucked for pleasure, broke countless girls' hearts and leave them behind. Papalit-palit siya ng babae kada linggo.

So when everyone heard he's settling down, they were shock. Including me. Halos lahat yata ay hindi inaasahan na magpapakasal ang lalaking tulad niya at sa akin pa iyon. It was the marriage that fueled my anger since I don't want to be married. Not yet, not that I was enjoying my life, living it to the fullest.

I went to the bathroom to take a bath. Hinubad ko lahat ng damit ko at binuksan agad ang shower. As the cold water run down my body, I closed my eyes, what ifs flowing in my mind.

I wonder what could've happen if I didn't hate him for being my husband. We probably have kids now. I knew he's fond of kids. In fact, he once told me he wanted four of 'em. Inignora ko lang siya noon dahil hindi naman ako interesado.

But now that I'm thinking about him... maybe we could work as a couple. Or maybe we couldn't, definitely. I don't know. It's confusing the shit of out me. He's giving me headaches.

"W-Wife...."

Masyado akong abala sa pag-iisip na hindi ko nakalimutang isara ang pinto. The way I saw the evident shock through his eyes as his met mine through the glass wall, my heart pounded so loud. Pakiramdam ko umakyat lahat ng dugo sa mukha ko na hindi ko namalayang natigilan ako, awang ang mga labi, habang nakatitig sa gwapo niyang mukha.

"You forgot to lock the door..." He muttered, natigilan. Napasinghap siya. "Wife, I don't know you're naked...."

His eyes went down on my body. I saw how it burned right away. It took me a minute before everything sinked in. My eyes widen and went down to his pants that was unbelievably had a big bulge right now!

Last time he saw my mounds but now he saw me naked!

"Oh, shit! Skyzzer!"