Chapter 5 - The Ceremony

Chapter 5 - The Ceremony

The trip to Lake Como is a bit longer than usual, at least according to Ander. Sa sobrang pagkainip niya ay nag-check siya sa stock market ng maaari niyang bilhin at pagaksayahan ng oras. He even bought a new airplane... While we're inside his private jet!

Talk about rich!

"Sobrang yaman mo talaga."

"What's mine is yours, Corelle... So technically, we're rich."

"So billionaire na rin ako?"

"Yeah,"

"Should I do some shopping pagdating natin doon? Or let's go on a tour!"

"I'd like that, but we're there for the ceremony.

Besides, we need to go home and make appearances in Manila. "

"Pagtapos dito, we'll go home immediately?" I groaned. "Hindi ko man lang maeenjoy 'tong bakasyon na 'to?"

"Sorry, you married a busy man."

I pouted. "But at least let me go shopping?"

"Sa Manila na."

Napaisip ako. Magandang ideya rin na sa Manila nga. Mas maipagmamayabang ko pa sa mga tao roon. Mas maiinggit sila. Ipasara ko kaya ang buong mall habang nag s-shopping ako?

After all, I am Mrs. Corelle Tatiana Villafuerte-Caruso! The privileges are worth a Midas' touch!

I beamed at Ander. We've converted all my documents and all my cards to that name. The title I hold is so powerful that even just the mere mention of my name will send everyone goosebumps.

Ander pulled out his black card. May gold diamond na nakaguhit sa pinakababang bahagi ng card at naroon ang pangalan niya at sa likod ay ang kanyang pirma.

I clapped and thanked him.

"Get all the finest and most expensive things you like. My card doesn't have any limit... And you can hold unto it. I have four of those."

"Wow! Isa-isa para sa mga babae mo?"

Kumunot ang noo niya at tumikhim. "Mafias can't cheat on their wife."

"Oh, really? Kahit patago?"

"I don't want to fool myself, Corelle." Seryoso at tiim-bagang niyang saad.

Pinagmasdan ko ang gwapo niyang mukha. Hindi sapat lahat ng papuri ko sa kanya. It can't justify how good looking he is — especially at this light.

"I love being married to you talaga."

He smirked then turned to his laptop.

I guess I never have to worry about other girls, huh?

I waited for another hour before we landed on the La Russo Villa Mansion's finest helipad I've seen in my whole life. I giggled as we stepped out of his jet, escorted by the La Russo's men. Ander greeted them in Italian and I am in awe as I stared at the beautiful body of water in front of us.

In front of us is the separate island for the Villa Mansion's helipad. Sa katabi nito'y naroon mismo ang mansyon na nakalalula sa laki. Pakiramdam ko ay higante iyon at langgam lamang kami!

The Villa Mansion sits at the edge of a small cliff, with rock formations and limestone caves around it. There are a few islands spotted around us, each containing different mansions as well. I can also see an equestrian field, soccer field, and a whole island for a golf course! Grabe! Hindi ko kinakaya ang yaman ng mga La Russo! This is better than I expected!

"Sa kanila rin 'yon?"

"Yes," Ander nodded.

"Wow! If you're filthy rich, then Dallas must have owned the world, no?"

"You can say that... He owns different regions, quarters, and districts here in Italy."

"Na mapapasa iyo rin."

"Yes,"

"At magiging akin!"

"Yes, Corelle. All yours. As long as you're my doll."

I smirked and went with him as we greeted their servants and a few trusted men preparing for the ceremony. Lumipat kami sa kabilang isla at nakita ang malaking hardin ng mansyon kung saan nag-aayos ang lahat para sa turnover ceremony.

Sobrang daming upuan at malaki ang stage pero dahil tila palasyo ang buong lugar, hindi ito siksikan at pangit tignan.

Ander excused himself and introduced me to Corinne. Corinne is Ander's personal assistant and treasurer here in Italy.

"Mrs. Caruso, it's nice to finally meet you in person." she smiled.

Nakausap ko siya noong kasal namin ni Ander pero hindi ko pa siya nakikita ng personal. Ngayon lang.

She's sporting a short hair, a white polo shirt and tight mini skirt. May mga tattoo rin siya at hikaw sa iba't-ibang parte ng katawan. She looks hot, I'd give her that. But I can sense something else.

"Thank you. It's nice to meet you too, Corinne."

"I'll show you your room."

"Ander, you're not coming?" Baling ko sa asawa.

Nilingon niya ako. May kausap siyang mga lalaki na mga naka suit at may mga baril. Tumingin din ang mga ito sa akin at magalang na yumuko.

"Per favore aspetta un momento," He flicked his pointing finger at the men. They all nodded and exited the hall.

Naglakad si Ander patungo sa amin at hinapit ang baywang ko.

"I'll come with you first."

Sa sobrang laki ng mansyon, halos ilang minuto ang ginawad namin para makapunta sa aming kwarto. The perfect array of Italianate features scream elegance and sophistication. I am in awe as I look at the museum-like halls and balconies. Mayroong malalaking chandelier — tila nasa palasyo talaga. Mayroon din kaming nadaanan naalaking ballroom hall at kwartong puno ng salamin. Mayroong mga estatwa at paintings sa paligid.

Nilahad kami ni Corinne

"Let me know if you need anything."

"Grazie, Corinne."

Tumango at ngumiti lang si Corinne saka kami iniwan sa napakalaking silid. Pakiramdam ko, kahit dito ay maliligaw ako!

My eyes watered as I saw the huge boudoir. There's also a separate massage roon and a sauna room! Ang balkonahe ay halos kasing laki ng kwarto ko sa Pilipinas!

Nakaramdam ako ng pagkahilo at pagkasamid kaya umatras ako mula sa balkonahe at hinanap ang malaking CR na kadugtong lang ng walk-in closet at salon.

"Are you okay?"

Ander came to my rescue.

"Yeah," Hinawi ko ang buhok. Nakatitig siya sa akin, tila maraming iniisip.

"Don't tell me you're pregnant? I thought you're taking your pills?"

I frowned. Ayaw na ayaw talaga ng anak? Ano? Baka isipin nito na ginogoyo ko siya. Mabilis tuloy nag-iinit ang dugo ko at naiirita ako sa kanya agad!

What! Does he think of me? Na pipikutin ko siya?! The least I need right now is a kid! Hello! I have so many revenge plans to do. A child will only get in the way.

"You can check and monitor my pills intake, Ander. Or better yet, I can get a depo-" malamig kong saad na pinutol agad niya.

"That's not what I meant." he sighed. "What I mean is..."

"Nevermind, I'm pretty sure I'm just nauseated..."

"You need more sleep then?"

I nodded.

Wala rin naman akong balak na makihalubilo sa mga tao ngayon. Hindi ko pa obligasyon 'yon. Mamaya siguro kapag nariyan na ang boss niyang si Dallas La Russo at ilang pang mga tao na pinakikisamahan ni Ander.

Iniwan ako ni Ander sa kwarto matapos hingin sa mga kasambahay lahat ng kailangan ko. Nakatulog din ako pagtapos kong magbabad sa bathtub.

Just to be sure, I took a pregnancy test as well — and it is negative. Buti na lang.

Wearing a sultry red mini dress, with a plunging neckline, a spaghetti strap, and a crystal details on the back, I clung to Ander's arm as we sashayed our way to the dining hall.

Everything looks so magical and classic. With all the ornaments around us, the chandeliers, and all the details ranging from white gold to silver centerpieces. It looks like a gala ball, rather than a turnover ceremony. Sa labas — sa hardin ay namataan ko ang napakaraming lalaki, nakasuot ng all black ensemble suit. May mga baril, tattoo at siyempre — hindi mawawala ang alak na hawak nila.

Sa dulong bahagi ay nakita agad namin ni Ander si Dalla La Russo at ang mga importanteng lalaki at tao na pinakikisamahan nila.

"Dallas," Tumango si Ander. I did the same thing and smiled.

"Dallas," Pakilala muli nito kahit na nagkakilala na kami noon.

"Nice to meet you again, Dallas."

"We didn't have much them back then to talk."

"Hopefully we can do that now."

Ander gently caressed my hand as I greeted the other men. Maya-maya lang ay inexcuse ni Dallas ang sarili kaya naiwan kami rito. Nag-usap naman si Ander at ang mga lalaki ay luminga ako sa paligid.

Doon ko namataan ang paglalakad muli ni Dallas pabalik sa amin. Sa gilid ay may katabi na siyang babae. She looks like an angel. A seductive one. Tipid itong tumango at ngumiti sa akin. I did the same thing, but I couldn't help but gush over her fashion style.

So chic and expensive.

"This is my wife, Solar." Dallas introduced her.

The woman held her hand out. "Nice to meet you,"

Mabilis kong tinanggap ang kamay niya.

"You look so beautiful, hi."

She smirked. "Thank you. I've been told."

"You weren't in our wedding last week."

"Oh, I thought I was pregnant eh." she chuckled. "But it's a false alarm."

"We were trying to get pregnant." si Dallas naman at hinapit ang baywang ng asawa.

Ngumiti kami sa isa't-isa ni Ander dahil tiyak na sa mga susunod na linggo ay tatanungin na kami ng ganyan ng mga tao sa paligid namin.

Buti na lang at napunta ang usapan tungkol sa La Stessa Cosa at sa mga novice na sasabak sa initiation rights mamaya. The women are forbidden to be inside the room so we just waited and enjoyed the party. Pagtapos ng initiation right ay saka nagsimula ang turnover ceremony.

And in a flash, Ander is La Stessa Caruso's boss. He is official a mafia boss. Not just an underboss, but boss.

I glared at the cake we're eating. Sa harapan namin ay naghaharutan si Dallas at Solar. Tipong maiinggit ka talaga. Parang bagong kasal pa rin sila kahit ang totoo ay halos mag a-anim na taon na sila.

I wonder, do we have that spark? Kami ni Ander? Wala naman. We're just here for the conveniences we'll receive.

"Ang sweet nila."

And yet, I can't help but say it out loud.

Nilagay ni Ander ang kamay niya sa ibabaw ng kamay ko. Napangiwi ako at napakunot ang noo nang makita ang ngisi niya.

"Is this sweet enough?"

I rolled my eyes at him. Binawi ko ang kamay ko at kinurot ang hita niya sa baba. He groaned, but he just smiled after a few seconds.

"Ang panget mo ka-bonding."

"What?" he chuckled. "Should I put some honey or chocolate for it to be sweeter?"

"Stop trying,"

"Turuan mo ako paano maging sweet."

His Italian accent is still very evident when he speaks Tagalog. I like it about him.

"And Ander..."

"Hmm?"

"hat should I call you ba talaga? Kapag nasa Pilipinas tayo? Hindi ba sila magtataka if I call you Ander?"

I don't want to be confused kasi. People know him as the billionaire Niccolò Derrano... If I call him Ander, this life... His dark life might be uncover?

Maybe, it is safer to call him Niccolò, right? Kung Ander naman, iisipin lang na iba na nickname ko 'yon sa kanya dahil mag-asawa kami.

I gushed at the thought.

Asawa.

Asawa ko na nga siya.

"Love will do."

Napanganga ako. I was about to ask if he prefers Niccolo or Ander. Now, he's actually suggesting that I should call him love!

"Okay..."

"Love," he teased. Drawing some circles all over the small of my back. "Can't wait to go home."

"Tss, stop it."

"Why? Does this make you hot?"

"Hmp, stop it. Ang landi mo."

He chuckled sexily on my ear. "Should we go home, hmm? Then we'll continue this."

"May boss bang nauunang umuwi?"

"Ako," aniya at kinuha na ang kamay ko.

We exited the party without anyone noticing. I think Solar caught us, but she didn't speak. She just smiled and let us be.

Sa hall pa lang, ang lala na ng halikan namin! Halos hindi na ako makahinga!

"Ander!"

Pulang-pula ang mga labi naming dalawa. Umiiwas lang sa isa't-isa para humingi at maghanap ng hangin.

"Damn it," he whispered as he loosen his tie.

He scooped my but swiftly and I entangled my legs around his hips. Nakasuporta agad ang kamay niya sa katawan ko at pinuno muli ako ng halik. Napasandal kami sa halik at naitaas na niya ang dress ko bago makaliko sa hallway ng aming kwarto.

"We can't wait for our room, huh?" I asked, almost gasping.

"No, I want you now..." he whispered before he drowned me with lustful and powerful kisses.