Chapter 7

“Where have you been?” Astin asked her seriously. “Do decent women go home like that?”

His last question immediately got on her nerves. She let out a bitter laugh before answering, “Wow, we’re not even married yet, and you’re acting like you’re my husband.”

“That’s where we’re headed, Laura,” he said, standing up. He approached her, making her back up until she was cornered against the closed door. He gently touched her face. She held her breath as his finger traced from her eyebrow down to her lips, making her feel something she couldn’t explain. He even pinched her lower lip.

“I know you were with Gael earlier,” he said quietly, but his eyes had traces of anger. “I am expecting good news from you, my Laura,” he added, pulling her close and causing her to grab his arm.

“Astin,” she murmured, his face so close to hers. She could smell his fresh breath and the scent of his soap. She closed her eyes.

“Let go of me,” she said, struggling to break free. Because of this, he presses himself closer to her. “Yes, I already told Gael. But no matter what you do, you can’t replace him in my heart. You two are different. He is lovable, while you… are not.”

He clenched his teeth for a moment but then let out a bitter smile.

“Oh, come on, Laura. You keep saying you love Gael, but your body screams for me. Care to explain that, my love?” he asked, grinning.

He didn’t let her answer, immediately capturing her in a deep kiss. Why did she feel like she enjoyed what he was doing to her? His kiss was so different from her boyfriend’s. She felt confused. Before she could respond, she pushed him away hard, not wanting it to go further.

She gave Astin two slaps as she left and locked herself in the bathroom.

Lately, he had become more aggressive towards her, so she had to control this before their wedding day—and before her leaving him. She had to retain her virginity.

She breathed a sigh of relief when he was no longer in her room when she emerged. What if she went through with the wedding? Who knew what else he might do to her?

She double-locked the door so Astin couldn’t enter. She had barely laid down on the bed when she heard his car start. He was leaving the gate when she peeked. Maybe he was going to the bar again.

The next day, her Mama Kendra asked where he had gone. She had no answer since she didn’t know his whereabouts, and she didn’t have a plan to find out where he was. She was focused on her plan to leave.

Astin stayed away for days, and she overheard from the couple that he was busy at the office and staying at his condo temporarily. She was thankful, as no one was bothering her. She had hoped Astin would realize that he no longer wanted her to be his wife. Several women are attracted to him, so why choose her? But deep down, part of her felt conflicted. She shook her head at herself.

Time flew by. Three days before their wedding, he returned. She thought the wedding wouldn’t push through since it hadn’t even been discussed. But that morning, she woke to find everyone in the house busy preparing. Apparently, they were all leaving today, and Astin was serious about the wedding.

Astin's sister and also a friend of hers, Andy, just came out of her room chatting constantly about the upcoming wedding. The same day she confessed to Gael when Andy’s wedding was discussed with Ezi’s family. Her mind wandered as Andy kept talking; she couldn’t help but think about her own wedding, happening just three days away.

After realizing what needed to be done, she made her own plans, not agreeing with Gael’s suggestions that day. She’d only asked his permission to use his name if necessary. She knew his flight was the next day for a two-week vacation in Mexico. Their relationship remained hidden. Gael had bought her a new phone after she mentioned that Astin had thrown hers away, including a new SIM card. She didn't want to accept it, but he insisted. They used it to call each other these past few days.

Astin also replaced the broken phone through his assistant, but she didn’t bother opening it.

She finished packing for their trip back to Caramoan when Astin arrived. She was startled to see him leaning against her door. He looked more mature, with a bit of stubble growing. It was the first time she’d seen him since their last conversation. She felt an odd urge to embrace him but held back. He left quickly, probably heading to his room.

They sat next to each other in the helicopter on their way out of Manila. She hadn’t returned to Caramoan in a long time, as her Mama Kendra had moved her father to Manila to make it easier for her to visit. Recently, she hadn’t been able to see him, but she called and spoke with him.

She was lost in thought when she felt Astin’s lips on her earlobe, making her eyes close. His stubble tickled her.

“Astin,” she said, turning to look at him.

“I missed you,” he said simply, and she stared at him.

She didn’t respond and looked away to the window, avoiding his gaze.

She gasped when he suddenly buried his face in her neck. She tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t beg, so she let him be. Eventually, he fell asleep. She supported his head and let him lean on her shoulder.

They went straight to Astin’s house. He would take her to her family’s home in the poblacion the following day since they weren’t supposed to see each other before the wedding.

More guests had arrived, mostly Astin’s relatives. She hadn’t invited any of her family members since most of them, especially on her father’s side, didn’t care about her.

The resort was open to the public. There were many visitors, and she felt a bit guilty. But she had to carry out her plan. She wasn’t ready for marriage, especially not to a man she didn’t love.

Astin left to visit his hotel, leaving her in his room. She wrote down the number of an old friend who lived in the remote part of Caramoan. Astin didn’t know this friend, and she was grateful. She had already discussed her plan with this friend.

She was lost in thought when Asia suddenly entered. She thought she would arrive the next day.

“Bestie!” Asia greeted her happily, approaching her. “Are you sure? Just say the word if you don’t want to, and I’ll take your place,” she said with a laugh, always so vocal. Asia had long fantasized about Astin, but he’d never shown interest.

Asia invited her to go swimming. It had been a while since she swam in the sea, so she happily agreed. They swam in the far part of the resort.

She was amused watching Asia collect seashells while she waded in the water and rode the waves. She really missed swimming in the ocean. She wore a two-piece swimsuit while Asia wore a one-piece. After a while, she felt her stress melting away with the waves. It was refreshing.

Just as she was about to get out of the water, she noticed a group of men approaching, laughing. They were coming towards her and Asia, who stopped gathering shells to look at the group.

Her gaze froze on one man slowly removing his shirt, revealing his toned body. She couldn’t see his face well because of the sunlight, so she submerged herself because he was looking at her. She only realized it was Astin when he smiled.

She turned away quickly, fearing he’d think she was fantasizing about his body. How was she supposed to know it was Astin? She covered her face in embarrassment.

She screamed when he suddenly hugged her from behind.

“Astin!” she shouted, trying to remove his arms wrapped around her.

He only laughed and leaned his face close to hers. “You look gorgeous today, my love.” His whisper sent shivers through her.

It took her a while to reply. “Thank you,” she spoke curtly, stepping towards the shore.

She had only taken two steps when he pulled her by the waist. She held onto his chest to create some distance.

“I love you so much, Laura,” he murmured, his voice husky.

She looked into his eyes. There was something different in them. She felt her heart flutter, but her mind resisted.

“I need to go home now. I’m feeling cold,” she lied.

He didn’t seem convinced, frowning slightly. Who would feel cold in such warm weather, especially with him hugging her? But he still helped her out of the water, taking her towel she’d left on a rock. She had to control herself as much as possible.

His friends were now swimming, but Asia was still collecting shells.

Astin placed the towel over her shoulders. They walked over to say goodbye to Asia, but suddenly she tripped.

Callen, who was nearby, quickly helped her up. Asia cried like a child when she saw a tiny bamboo splinter stuck in her knee. She laughed when Asia slapped Callen after he kissed the wounded spot after pulling the splinter out. They looked like a pair of quarrelling cats and dogs as she and Astin left. They bumped into Astin’s brother, who was looking for Asia.

That night, they attended a grand feast at the hotel’s ballroom. It was hosted by his Daddy Sebastian, who had supported Astin’s mother during her tough times with Astin’s father. There were already many guests, most of whom she recognized. Her eyes also caught sight of Elisa and the woman she was with that night when they drove back home, Astin, who was very drunk.