CHAPTER 4: I*******m

WHEN my day off came, I gathered my things in my bag and drove to my parent's house in Forbes, Makati. I'm wearing beige trousers and a white tank top that I paired with my white shrug cardigan. I only applied nude-pink lipstick and sunscreen on my face, nothing more.

I texted my parents about my arrival, and Mom told me she would ask our chef to prepare food. Every weekend, I go home to our mansion to see my parents and siblings. Nagkikita naman kami ni Mommy sa Areno Medical center pero masyado kaming busy para makapag-usap ng matagal.

Tulad ko, ang kapatid kong si Khrizanta na nasa college ay hindi na dito nakatira. Every weekend, umuuwi rin siya dito sa mansion. The only one who is at home with my parents is my youngest brother, Kyrptone. He's nine years old.

"Oh my! You're home, sweetie!" Mom immediately stood up from the sofa to welcome me.

She's wearing a printed leaves khaki sleeveless romper, as her hair was in a neat low bun. My mom never failed to look glamorous and regal, making my dad drool over her even after 28 years of marriage.

I smiled widely and gave her my warmest hug. "I miss you, Mom!" I felt her press a kiss on the side of my head

"How are you, Sweetie?" She asked, smiling sweetly at me.

"I'm good, Mom," I said as I hugged her tightly.

"That's good to hear, sweetie! Anyway, Your dad's plane just landed twenty minutes ago for his last flight today. I can't wait to see him! It's been two days since I saw him in the flesh!" she exclaimed.

I couldn't help but smile. My parents really love each other, and honestly, I envied their marriage. How I wish I can find someone like Dad in my life. . . Suddenly, an image of that man flashed in my mind.

I bit my bottom lip and shook my head, shooing that hot image of him in my mind. I blinked when Mom caressed my left shoulder.

"What's on your mind, sweetie?"

I pasted a smile. "I-I really envy your love story with dad, mom. He's too perfect. He's a loving husband, a loving dad, and a great pilot. You think I can marry a guy like him?" I asked.

Mom looked at me adoringly and tucked a strand behind my ear. "You know what, sweetie? The right person for you will come at the right time, and you'll meet him in the right place."

"How will I know if he's the one for me, Mom?" I asked gently.

"Trust me, sweetie. You'll know... The universe will give you all the signs that the person you've met is the one." She smiled at me and slightly tapped my back.

I couldn't help but swallow when a flash of that man's face sliced into my mind again. Damn it!

"You can take a rest in your room, sweetie. I'll tell Manang Rosa to call you if your dad has arrived." She smiled warmingly at me.

THE moment I stepped inside my bedroom here in our mansion, I felt nostalgic. I carefully placed my bag in my walking closet. Then I settle down on my couch, and removed my shoes before I fished out my phone in my trousers.

I went to my I*******m to check if someone messaged me when an idea flickered in my mind. That guy. Does he have I*******m? Or does he even use social media?

I don't use social media that much because, in my opinion, it's not beneficial to the body and the mind. The more time you spend on social media, the more it can lead you to have social anxiety, depression, loneliness, and even exposure to content that is not age appropriate.

However, I won't lie that social media is also helpful in many things, especially to make our life easier. Huwag lang dapat sosobra. We should know our limitations and always remember that too much of everything is bad.

I chewed my lips as I thought further if I should search for his name or not. Searching his name isn't bad, right? He won't know naman that I searched his name!

I sighed and slowly typed his name into the search bar. Before I even reached his second name, his account appeared immediately. Napataas ang isang kilay ko habang hinintay na magloading ng tuluyan ang account niya.

Zuriel.Reeve

Zuriel Reeve Roschefort

19 posts 632 followers 24 followings

Lieutenant-colonel Armed forces 🇫🇷

Fondateur of Zuriel's Les Arômes

I gasped when I saw that he was already following me! Since when did he follow me? And, I didn't expect his account to be like — enigmatical, valorous, and scorching.

My jaw dropped when I read back his bio. Oh, God! He's a French Armed Forces, not to mention that he's a Lieutenant colonel!

My husband is a member of NATO!

Wait, Did I call him my husband? Erase that thought, Kelsea.

I heard a knock on the door. "Ate, I know you're home. Can I come in?" It was Khrizanta's voice, my sister's.

Mabilis kong pinatay ang phone ko para tumayo at pinagbuksan siya ng pinto. "Khriza—" She embraced me, causing me to get cut off from my words.

"I miss you so much!" She said as she embraced me tightly. "How's my big sister doing? How's your sex life, sis?!"

My eyes widened, and quickly detached myself from the hug. "Khriz, sealed your mouth!"

"Don't tell me you're embarrassed because I'm asking how is your sex life? My God! Don't tell me, El Niño season ka ngayon?" She raised her eyebrow at me, looking at me suspiciously.

My cheeks flush with her question. "T-That's too personal, Khrizanta," I stated, trying to hide the tremble in my voice and the chagrin on my face.

She leaned forward as she squinted her eyes. "I knew it! Kulang ka sa dilig, Ate! Don't you have a boyfriend to water you?" she winked at me.

"Khrizanta Louisse!" I yelled her name, and she just laughed at me, obviously enjoying my annoyance. "Don't you have a boy toy or something? Bakit hindi 'yon ang atupagin mo and not my sex life?" I complained.

Her face crumpled. I think I drilled something. My sister may be a social butterfly, bold, fiery, and liberated, but deep inside, she is evasive and reserved. Defense mechanism niya lang 'yong pagiging palaban at pagiging positibo sa lahat ng bagay.

A defense mechanism is hypothesized to be located in the midbrain central gray. People create defense mechanisms to protect their egos and avoid uncomfortable feelings, thoughts, or impulses.

"Wala! Naghahanap pa lang ako ng bago." She rolled her eyes upward and smirked. "Take a shower na, ate, so we can eat dinner na!"

"Alright." I sighed. "Nandyan na ba si Dad? Si Kryptone?"

"Nandyan na. So, go and take a shower, dra!"

"Alright. Just wait me on the dining," ani ko.

I went to the shower and did my night routine. After twenty minutes of cleaning myself and all, I went out of my room and went down to the dining area. Nadatnan ko sina Mom, Dad, Khrizanta and Kryptone at the dining area. Lumapit ako sa kanila at hinalikan sila sa pisngi.

"I'm glad that we're complete tonight," Dad stated with a smile. "Lead the prayer, Kelsea." Dad urges me.

I lead the prayer for tonight's dinner. After we finished the dinner, I headed to the balcony with my parents to ask them about Reeve, and what they answered astounded me the most.

"Oh, I remember him, sweetie. He's the oldest son of Adelaide, one of my high school friends! He's so tall and gwapo, anak!" She giggled and tapped Dad's shoulder just like a teenager.

I saw Dad's lips twitch for a subtle smile and looked at my mom adoringly. "So, that young man really likes you," Dad spoke. "The day you went to the States was the day he went here and asked for your hands. He told us that he likes you and he wants to marry you. I never knew he was serious about it," Dad shrugged.

Nakabalik na ako sa kwarto pero hindi pa rin nawawala sa isip ko ang pinag-usapan namin ng parents ko. So he's telling the truth. He really asked my hands to my parents. My one question is, how did we get married that night? Who provoked it? Where?

I sighed.

I was about to read a book entitled This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay when my phone screen caught my vision. I eyed my phone screen to check the notification, and my heart almost dropped on the floor the moment I saw my alleged husband's name on my notification!

He sent me a direct message on I*******m!

Zuriel.Reeve

Bonjour, wife, I went to your condo, and the guard told me you went out. Est-ce que ça va? Where are you?

Zuriel.Reeve

Why aren't you replying? I know you're online! I saw the green dot beside your profile.

Zuriel.Reeve

Wife?

I stared at his chats for a few seconds, thinking of the right thing to say. I chewed my lips and started typing.

_KelseaMaurice

I'm in Makati. Why did you visit my condo again? Don't be a creep.

I hit the send, and he saw it right away. I saw the ellipsis on our conversation, indicating that he's already typing.

Hindi ba siya busy? He's one of the armed forces in France. He shouldn't be here.

Zuriel.Reeve

What are you doing in Makati? Remember that this creep is your husband.

_KelseaMaurice

Why do you ask? Aren't you busy? I saw your account, and you're in the armed forces in France. You should be there protecting your people.

Zuriel.Reeve

So, I have a beautiful stalker. Merci, wife.

I groaned before typing an annoyed reply to him when another chat came from him.

Zuriel.Reeve

Did your parents told you about what I said last time?

My mouth gape before I replied through gritted teeth.

_KelseaMaurice: How did you know? Don't tell me you use your connection to spy on me?!

Zuriel.Reeve: Don't worry, wife, I'm not that creep to have a spy on you.

Zuriel.Reeve: Anyway, let's talk tomorrow when you get home. I'll wait for you in the Coffee shop across from your building.

_KelseaMaurice

What are we going to talk about? Can't you say it now?

Zuriel.Reeve

I'll tell you tomorrow in person. Sleep now, wife. Bonne nuit, dors bien.

I clenched my jaw. Argh! I'm so pissed at him! I buried my face in my palm before I screamed inside my head.