CHAPTER 2

"Have you gone mad?" Grantt exclaimed when he saw me stepping out of the room. I adjusted my sling bag that was slipping off my exposed shoulder.

I am only wearing short shorts paired with a crop top. It's in fashion now, so no one cares about what I'm wearing.

Well, except for this annoying guy who always interferes in my life. Jeez.

He pretends to be concerned, but he just wants to make it clear to me that he dislikes everything about me—my actions, my clothes, my way of speaking, and everything else about me.

What a jerk!

Who would have thought that I would end up being married to this heartless man instead of his asshole brother?

Wherever that man is, whether he's still alive or not, I hope he's as miserable as he should be. I hate him as much as I despise the man in front of me.

"Not really, but if I have to talk to you every minute, something worse might happen to me. Why? What's your problem again? Sorry, I couldn't find a pen, that's why I haven't signed the damn papers yet, and it's still a month away..."

"Is that how you're dressed when going to the studio? Are you kidding me?" His eyebrows almost collided.

I immediately examined myself in the mirror behind him. There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing. I look sexy. I rarely dress like this because of my reputation as a decent manager.

"I'm not going straight to the studio. I'm meeting Kenth, and besides, I'll stop by my condo to change before going to the studio. Relax, don't worry that Kenth might steal me from you," I insulted him in the end.

"You sure are insane. You really want to be rumored to be with Kenth, huh?"

"So what? Whether I do something or not, I'll be rumored. I have nothing to lose, Grantt. Mind your own life. By the way, Wendy said you left your laptop at her condo. Like seriously, boy? Do you want me to get your stuff from your girlfriend's place? How many times have I gone there to retrieve this and that for you? Aish, I'm sick of it. Come on, I have a lot on my mind, so be more responsible with your belongings," I lectured him.

I can't understand why that girl always calls me whenever this nuisance guy leaves something behind. I'm not his nanny, for heaven's sake.

"I'm doing that because I'm your manager, not because I'm your wife."

" Don't complain because you're getting paid."

I raised an eyebrow and felt like attacking him again. This guy's mouth is always filled with nonsense. Doesn't he have a conscience?

"And do you think I would allow your things to end up at your girlfriend's condo if we were really married? In your dreams, Grantt. Maybe I would have killed both of you by now."

"Harsh, tsk," he said and chuckled slightly. I couldn't tell if it was sarcastic or not. "Not really married? Come on, Yongsann. Our marriage is legal. What are you talking about? Fine, just a month, and we're already free from each other."

I sighed and decided to turn away from him. I would only lose if I argued with him when I had somewhere to go and he didn't.

I had a hard time driving because of the pulsating pain in my wrist. I also couldn't understand why I had been feeling dizzy or weak these past few days.

It's not like I'm pregnant because fingers can't get you pregnant, right? I mean, that jerk always uses that method to heat my nerves up, but we haven't had sex, and it won't happen at all.

After a long ride, I finally reached the parking lot of the building where Wendy's condo unit was located. She was waiting there and immediately handed me Grantt's laptop.

"Thank you for picking this up, Ma'am Yongsann," she said with a smile. I restrained myself from staring at her from head to toe. Even without makeup, she still looked beautiful. Maybe that's why my crazy husband is infatuated with her.

Will she still accept Grantt when she finds out the truth about us?

I hope she does because, even though he's harshly cold to me, he's genuinely kind to everyone. I'm doing the same thing too, so I understand him when it comes to dealing with people around us.

He seems like he'll be a good boyfriend or husband to Wendy. If it weren't for our damn marriage contract, they might already be an official couple by now.

But even so, I keep telling myself that the man doesn't deserve to be happy after our annulment, so I immediately take back what I said about her accepting him.

"Ma'am Yongsann?" Wendy called out to me.

"Ah, sorry. Thank you for returning this also. That jerk... I mean, he gives me a headache with his antics."

She just laughed and nodded. "That's true, you've come here several times to pick up his things."

"How old are you, Wendy?" I suddenly changed the topic. It was evident that she was briefly taken aback by my question.

"I'm already 28."

"So we're the same age, there's no need to be so formal with me. I feel like I'm getting older," I joked. She shyly scratched her neck. "Alright then, Wend. I gotta go."

"Thank you, take care on your way." We exchanged smiles. As I left the parking lot, I let out a sigh.

Why am I the one feeling guilty? Shouldn't that man be the one with a guilty conscience?

Oh well, Grantt. I can't understand you. Tsk. If you loved Wendy all along, why did you marry me? In the first place, you weren't even my boyfriend back then.

I parked my car in the parking lot of LC restaurant because Kenth and I were supposed to meet here. I felt comfortable stepping out. I couldn't help but notice the glimmer of cameras, not just one, but three of them.

I've grown accustomed to this scenario, especially when I'm with Grantt during our meetings or events. It has become easy for me to sense the reporters who always keep an eye on the movements of artists.

Aish! Am I even famous enough to have paparazzi? Or maybe Kenth is the reason for this?

I discreetly returned to my car. The windows were tinted, ensuring no one could see what I was doing inside. I immediately dialed Kenth's phone number.

"Where are you?" I asked right away.

"I'm already inside the LC resto. How about you? Are you here?"

"Don't move or even look around where you are right now. Order food just for yourself and then go home. Don't go to your studio for now."

"Hey, Yongsann. I thought..."

"I want to have lunch with you, but I can't. There are many paparazzi outside the LC resto. I'm sure you understand my point..."

"Fine, fine, fine. Let's do it next time. Also, tell your husband to stop bothering me."

I raised an eyebrow and started my car. "Why? What did Grantt do to you?"

"You should ask him what his problem is with me. He's always hot-headed towards me. He's the one who called and yet he's the one angry? He even hung up on me."

He actually called Kenth? Is he afraid I'll cheat on him like he did? Aish, that jerk! He's really getting on my nerves.

"That guy is really arrogant. You'll just get stressed if you stoop down to his level."

"Are you saying that I'm the only one who should adjust? Again?"

I chuckled and shook my head. "Relax, Kenth. Just let it go. I'll talk to that jerk, alright? And you, try not to bother Grantt either. He's got a short fuse, so that abnormal guy won't back down easily."

"Whatever, take care on your way."

"Thank you. You too."

I ended the call and turned on the speaker to listen to some music. Because 'Till My Heartaches End always tops my playlist, it's playing now.

It's been a while since I updated my playlist, so most of the songs saved here are old.

I was afraid this time would come, I wasn't prepared to face this kind of hurting from within...

I shook my head at the lyrics of that song. It's not meant for me, but whenever I hear it, I'm reminded of Greel. No matter how hard I try to forget that guy, I can't. Sometimes I wonder if he still remembers me or where he is now.

I have no news about him, and neither his family nor mine has mentioned his name. After years, I just heard his name again earlier, all thanks to his damn brother Grantt.

Aish, that jerk again!

And I pray that you would stay

But then you're gone and, oh, so far away...

I'm no longer amused by this song. It's just further ruining my already ruined day.

Out of frustration, I dialed Grantt's number, even though we had an agreement not to call each other unless it's work-related. I'll cross the line this time too. It's not like he's the only one capable of doing that.

"Answer the call, you jerk!" I grumbled as it rang five times and he still hadn't answered.

Is he sleeping? Ugh, I don't know!

I just turned it off. I'll deal with him later when I get home to my condo.

I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world

Life in plastic, it's fantastic...

I was startled by the loud sound. That's my call ringtone. I was a bit surprised to see Grantt's name on the caller ID. I let it ring five times before answering.

"Damn you, woman!" he angrily blurted out. I chuckled silently. It truly brings me joy when I manage to annoy him.

Well-deserved.

"And you have the audacity to get angry when you're the one who didn't answer my call."

"You know I need to rest, right?"

"Oh, I feel so sorry for the part where you need to rest because you're tired from your outing with Wendy, but you're not tired after your concert. Great," I sarcastically retorted.

I slowed down my car as I felt my heart rate rising again.

"Did you call just to annoy me?"

"No, because I missed you."

"You and your annoying sarcasm."

"I'm glad that I annoyed you."

"What did you call for, then? Just tell me so I can go back to sleep."

A silent gasp escaped me as I asked him with all my strength. "Where is Greel now?"

A silence on the other end of the line responded to me. I cursed at the motorbike that suddenly overtook me. Luckily, I was driving slowly.

"And why are you looking for him? He doesn't miss you, so stop searching for him."

"I didn't say I was looking for him. I was just asking..."

"I am your husband, Yong, not Greel!"

His shout made the speaker volume fade. I also came to a halt in the car because of the way he mentioned my name.

Yong. How did he know that I despise that nickname of mine so much?

"Stop calling me Yong! Idiot!" I shouted back, pouring all my strength into it. It was the first time I had yelled at him so fiercely.

"Relax, calling you by that name won't kill you, okay? Why? Haven't you moved on from my brother yet? It's been years, for hell's sake."

"I want to slap you hard for saying that. You don't know the struggles I've been through, Grantt," I uttered with a sharp tone. My anger towards him resurfaced once again.

To some, other people's traumas may appear like a joke. They fail to grasp the emotions unless they experience them firsthand.

Even if we despise those who belittle our pain, we can't do anything about it.

We all possess our own emotions and perspectives. Let's patiently wait for them to undergo what we've experienced, so they can truly comprehend us.

"Come home and slap me hard, Yong," he taunted.

My jaw clenched as he called me by that name once again.

"Don't provoke me, Grantt. If I come there, you won't just get a slap."

He burst into laughter, finding delight in irritating me.

"I dare you, Yong," he emphasized, his words laced with challenge.

"Aish, shit!" I cursed as a motorcycle abruptly cut in front of my car just as I was about to move.

"Why? Are you still driving?" he asked on the other end. I remained silent, focusing on the reckless drivers around me.

"Ouch," I muttered as a sudden pain shot through my arm. I rolled down the window and motioned for the car behind me to go ahead. I waited for the pain to subside before continuing on. It only lasted a minute.

"Yong? What happened?" he asked, concerned.

"None of your business, Grantt."

I ended the call and accelerated. Eventually, I arrived at the LC Condominiums Building, parked my car neatly, and entered the building.

Mela, who was at the front desk, intercepted me, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"For me? From whom?" I asked, surprised.

"I don't know. It was delivered here, and they said it's for you."

"Okay, thank you," I replied, offering her a smile. With the flowers in hand, I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 3rd floor.

Arriving at my unit, I sank onto the sofa and carelessly tossed the flowers onto the center table.

"Is life this bitter, huh?" I muttered. Just then, my phone rang again. Reluctantly, I fished it out of my shorts pocket and answered.

If it wasn't Wendy's name on the caller ID, I probably wouldn't have bothered.

"Wendy?" I questioned, surprised. We weren't particularly close.

"Hello, Ma'am Yongsann. I just wanted to ask where Grantt is."

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I couldn't reveal that he was at our house in Tagaytay. Only a few knew about it—Grantt, me, and our families.

"Ah, I don't know where Grantt is right now. You can try calling him," I replied.

"He was on another call earlier," she said with a hint of sadness.

Earlier? Was I the one Grantt was talking to during that call?

"Maybe try calling him again. You might be able to reach him."

"No, he's also angry with me," she admitted.

"Why?" I inquired.

"He didn't want me to go to Meledrez's party tonight, but I insisted."

I understood Grantt's reluctance since Melendez didn't approve of Wendy. He could be overprotective, especially when it concerned her.

Aish, that jerk! Why isn't he like that with me? I'm his wife, after all.

Even if I were to suddenly disappear, he wouldn't search for me. He might even be happy once I'm gone from his life. Being his wife is his only vulnerability, so he probably prefers to erase me from his life.

"I'll give him a call. I'll try to reach Grantt. Wendy, don't you know that Melendez holds a grudge against you? If I were you, I wouldn't go anymore."

She remained silent before abruptly ending the call.

That bitch. So she really has an attitude too.

I angrily called the man who seemed to be nothing but a headache to me.

"What now? I don't know where Greel is, okay? If you want to know, ask Mommy!"

"You annoying prick! Wendy called me!" I shouted back at him. He fell silent for a moment.

"Why?" he asked.

"How should I know? Don't drag me into your problems. I allowed you to pursue your woman, but please? Tell her not to come running to me every time you have an argument!"

"She's mad? Are you jealous, Mrs. Gomez?"

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Jealous? Me? Wake up, Mr. Grantt Gomez. The person who can trigger my insecurities hasn't even been born yet. Wendy? Seriously? I am hotter than her, and you know it," I taunted. He didn't respond immediately. Most likely, his jaw had dropped from what I said.

"She's the hottest woman I've ever known," he emphasized.

I burst into laughter. "Okay? Why does it seem like you're trying to convince yourself?"

"Yongsann Lim!"

"Yes, baby?" I said sweetly, teasing him even more.

"Fuck you!"

"Fuck you too," I calmly replied. There's nothing more satisfying than knowing that the person you despise the most is annoyed with you.

"Don't come back here. I want to rest, and I can't find peace when you're around."

"You have the audacity to say that? Just because you said that, I'll come back whether you like it or not."

"Yongsann!" His voice made it clear that he really didn't want to see me today. Is he upset because of his argument with Wendy?

Ohh... So this is how a Grantt Gomez gets jealous, huh? Why couldn't he just tell Wendy the real reason?

"You didn't want Wendy to go to Meledrez's party because her ex-boyfriend Nikki might be there, right?"

"Don't make up stories, you don't know anything, so just shut up."

"Ohh, how so sweet of you. How I wish I had a boyfriend who's as protective as you. I wonder who that would be? Maxwell, Tyron, or Adrienne?" I mentioned the names of the suitors I have in the showbiz industry, without revealing that I'm already married.

"I didn't know your taste in men was so low. That's why I don't like you, I don't fit your standards, Yongsann Lim."

My eyes narrowed.

When will I ever win in these exchanges with him? It's so frustrating.