The party went on. The audience began to dance by partners just like Valjerome's parents. I couldn’t help but smile and be jealous of the couple. Today is their 50th anniversary, yet the love in their eyes were still intact.
"You're drinking too much," a deep voice whispered beside me.
I slowly glanced at him and smiled. "Are you going to stop me from this too?" I laughed and shook my head as I drunk the whiskey that I was holding.
I guess, I’m really drunk because I can now answer him in a pedantic way without feeling nervous. Well, I am always like this when drunk. It was like I'm opening a door from a room I'm locked in.
I do not know how many shots I've had. All I know is that I’m putting all my frustrations right now through drinking¾with my husband, with this necklace and with our lives living with each other.
"Oh, son. Why don't you dance with Jazzie? It's getting late, it was a pity if you do not make the most of coming here," asked Valjerome's father when they returned to our table.
It was already dawn.
"Jazzie's tired, dad," Valjerome replied simply as he gently put his arms around my shoulder.
I wanted to scoffed, but I refused to. He just doesn't want dance with me.
"Excuse me, I'll just go to the restroom," I politely said to everyone, including my husband.
"I’ll go with you," he said and quickly supported me as I stood up.
"I can handle myself," I snapped and pushed him slightly to have distance between the two of us.
Even though he still wears a masked, I could feel the tension of his clenching jaw. "I will go with you," he said in dismissive tone and guided me for a walk.
I just bit my lower lip and drifted as he pulled me along. When we reached the bathroom he just let me go and leaned against the wall as if he is telling me that he will wait for me.
I was blown away and did what had to be done. I peed and then retouched a bit. Although I do not want to always put any make ups on my face, I have no choice because I am carrying a reputation. After retouching, I decided to go out of the bathroom. As much as my knees shook at the sight, I smiled bitterly and began to walk away — leaving my husband kissing another woman.
Instead of going back to the table where Valjerome’s parents were, I directly went to the mini bar counter on the side. I immediately asked the bartender for a margarita and quickly gulped it down once he filled it up. Not minding the lime here, nor the salt.
I continued drinking until my surrounding’s already spinning. I laughed for a moment because minutes have passed but my husband was still not looking for me.
Can't he see me?
Or is he just not looking for me because he was doing something disgusting right now?
With that thought, I drank another shot. I was about to order again when a man approached by my side and offered his hand to me. I stared at him with dizzy eyes. Half of his face was behind a black mask but that didn't make me mesmerized about him. His ocean blue eyes captured my entire attention.
"Why don't you dance with me, gorgeous lady? I swear it's more fun than drowning yourself in alcohol," he uttered in a manly voice.
I couldn't answer right away and just kept staring into his beautiful eyes. I was about to speak when a strong arm wrapped around my waist with possession. I just closed my eyes and leaned on him, I already knew the presence of my husband by the scent.
"You're hitting on my wife, mister," Valjerome said in a stiff tone.
Silence prevailed over them. I only heard the music all over the place so I slowly opened my eyes. I saw the guy staring at me instead of talking to my husband.
"You do not deserve someone like him," he said and walked away.
I could feel Valjerome's hard grip based on his heavy breath. I could assure that if I wasn’t leaning on him, he would have quickly followed the man and killed him right away. I just closed my eyes again and let myself jailed by his body.
I felt that he was carrying me carefully so I slowly opened my eyes again. Our eyes met. I couldn't read the emotion on his face but I just chose to smile thriftily
"No one deserves you better than me," I whispered and finally drifted to oblivion.
I woke up as if my head was being hit by a loader. "Fvck!" I cursed out and massage my temples.
I slowly opened my eyes and was so shocked when I saw Valjerome standing on the side of my bed. One of his hands was in his pocket and I could see the slight tension in his jaw.
"Get up and eat. I'm going to work," he said in an emotionless way.
I blinked and stared at him several times.
What?
Am I hallucinating?
Is he talking to me now?
"Aren’t you going to speak?" he asked frowning.
I fell silent and averted my eyes. "Be careful," I stuttered in a low tone.
I heard him scoffed. I was surprised when he suddenly bent down and held my chin towards him.
"Is that all?" he asked while staring at me.
I was swallowed. "A-what ..." I trailed off.
What should I say?
"Souvenir?" I added.
He raised an eyebrow and released me slowly. I heard him cursed silently as he brushed his hair through his fingers.
"What will you do today? I heard you cleared your schedule," he casually asked.
I looked away when I remembered the reason why I cancelled my schedule for this week.
"No. I'm just going to rest here, I'm got tired of the consecutive shoot," I lied.
He stared at me.
"W-What... I'm going to get ready and go down for breakfast." I quickly got up and went to the bathroom to avoid him.
I looked in the big mirror and my face turned red when I noticed that I was now home.
He dressed me up again!
I jumped a little when I heard a knock outside the bathroom. "Why?" curiously biting my lip.
"I'm going," he informed.
I could not answer immediately. I heard her footsteps leave as I quickly opened the door. He stopped walking and frowned at me.
"A-ahm... Are you coming..." I bit my lower lip and met his gaze, "home early?" I carefully said.
He didn't answer, he just kept staring at me like I am a solving puzzle.
"I'll try," he answered sparingly and then finally left my room.
I couldn’t help but smile as I went back inside the bathroom.
Maybe he also remembered what we have today that's why he was acting nice.
I happily took a shower and groomed myself. I was still in the room, but I'm already planning what should I cook for tonight. Valjerome maybe a mafia boss, but he still has his legal company to take care of. He is running a company named ABCD Construction Corporation — a leading engineering and infrastructure firm here in the Philippines.
I blew dry my hair and finally went out of my room. I was happily whistling as I walked down the hallway when I was interrupted by a woman coming out of my husband’s room. All the joy and happiness I had felt disappeared so quickly. My memory came back to me last night when I stared at her face.
She's that girl. She was the one who he was kissing with last night.
I secretly smiled bitterly and reluctantly continued to walk. I even met Valjerome’s right hand Jaime climbing the stairs. I know at that moment, Valjerome ordered him to kill the girl.
"Oh, hija. Eat all of these, I cooked a lot today," Manang greeted me with joy.
I forced a smile and sat on the chair. I couldn’t swallow my food, Manang seemed to notice my lethargic aura so she sat in the chair next to me and gently caressed my shoulder.
"You alright?" worriedly she inquired.
I lazily curved up my lip and nodded.
"Did your husband greet you?" she asked cautiously.
I stopped scooping my food and tremblingly dropped the spoon I was holding. I glanced at Manang and smiled again despite a lone tear fell on my cheek.
"I guess he doesn't even remember our wedding anniversary today..."
Despite my loneliness, I still forced myself to prepare a dinner date when the night came, hoping that he'll celebrate with me on this special day.After decorating the kitchen, I decided then to go upstairs to change my clothes. Somehow, I felt a little excitement as I look for a dress.I chose a pinkish above the knee tube dress and carried it to the bathroom. I took a shower and fixed myself after. I put some more powder on my face and a little pigment of liptint on my lips before I moved quickly when I heard the engine of Valjerome's car.I may feel so nervous, but I couldn't help to laugh, thinking that we still lasted this long despite the way he treated me.I walked over to my window and watched him arrived. My remaining delight was erased instantly the moment he got out of his car with a woman hugging him. I bit my lip as they started kissing as if they were the only person around. I held my
"You are the only one I have seen who took a break from work who was not happy," Azy commented as the make-up artists fixing my hair and face.I rolled my eyes and did not bother to talk. Even if days have already passed, my chest pain still doesn’t go away every time I remember what had happened on Valjerome and I’s anniversary."By the way, you already know, don't you?" said Azy.My forehead knotted as I glanced at him¾waiting for him to continue.“You will be having a partner for today’s shoot,” he said."What?!" I exclaimed.His lips parted and put his hands on his waist. "Do not tell me again that you have not read my messages yet?!" he growled at me.I closed my eyes and then avoid my face from the artist’s brushes. I signaled them to step aside as I looked straight at Azy.
"N-Next," the photographer said hesitantly as he nervously smiled at me and Chaos.Who would not be scared if my husband, looking sharply at the man I am with as of the moment, was standing right next to him. I do not even know if this is still a photoshoot or a meditation because the room is filled with silence. You can only hear our movements and the sound of the camera shutter. They all seem to be feeling Valjerome’s dark aura surrounding. Even I, can not pose properly because of the nervousness every time he sees me.What? He was the one who decided to pursue the shoot rather than letting me date with this guy, but why is he looking at me like it was my fault."You are too stiffed," the guy beside me spoke as he wrapped one of his hands around my waist for our next pose.I gritted my teeth and glared at him. "Are you enjoying this?" I hissed lowly.He chuckled and got c
"Fvck!" a profanity was released by Valjerome the moment I pushed him and gave him a hard slap.I was about to leave his lap when he quickly grabbed me and restrained me in place."You will never get away from me," he said as his jaw tightened.I laughed sarcastically and glared at him. "Fvck.You," the corners of my eyes began to tear up so I avoided his gaze."Should we try?" he said coldly.I quickly turned my gaze back to him and looked to slap him again, but he immediately caught my hand in the air before it even landed on his cheek."I would not let you hurt me again, once is enough," he said emphatically.When I laughed and bit my lower lip. "It is unfair, do you know that?" I said hoarsely as I stared at him. "Because I am letting you hurt me over and over again," I added as a lone tear fell on my cheek.His ey
"Valjerome, let me go! What? Where are you taking me?" I forcefully grabbed my arm from his grasp. We just got out of the car and he immediately dragged me into the house. I could feel his grip based on his firm grip on me. He pushed me slightly up the stairs and pointed upwards. "Go to your room!" his voice echoed all over the house. I could feel the fear of his assistants and staff. Who doesn't? This is the first time he has been angry like this. "What is your problem?!" "I said fvcking go to your room, Jazzie! Don't test my patience!" I scoffed and laughed sarcastically. "Wow, you're the one who really said that. Do you think my head is getting cold from what you're doing ?!" I pointed at his chest. "You're acting like a jealous husband even though the truth is you don't care about me! Are you this ruthless, Valjerome? You're making me dependent!" I saw his jaw clenched. We both gasped for breath from screaming while not taking our eyes off each other. A few seconds later, h
I kept blinking as I stared at the ceiling. I could not believe Valjerome is lying next to me now, most of all I never thought I would wake up in his arms.He's freakin 'hugging me.I have held my breath as I felt Valjerome's arm tightened and drew me even closer to his body."You wake up early," he said hoarsely as he pressed his face against my neck.I feel like my heart will move out of my chest with the force of its beating. I cleared my throat and tried to speak with my quivering lips."It’s morning already, Val," I softly said.He just hummed and nodded against my neck. I could even feel him sniffing."Are you still sore?" he asked.My face automatically heated up as I remembered what we did last night."Val!" I shouted when his hand cupped my womanhood.I
"Good morning, Señior," Valjerome's staff politely greeted him as soon as we entered the company.I saw how their eyes analyze my being when they looked at me, examining my presence with their boss as if it is like seemingly strange. There are also others who simply murmured perhaps they saw the issue about us in the news.Valjerome didn't bother to greet back. He just continued walking like he heard nothing from everyone. I quietly followed while Jaime and some of his staff were behind us.I faked a smile and looked at where I am walking to. I was hoping in a few seconds. I was hoping that he would officially introduce me here in the company as his wife.Who am I fooling with?I am about to think that he was just jealous yesterday that’s why he announced our relationship. But I knew I would only make myself expect for nothing, he only did that to annoy Chao
"M-Mr. Montevardo, can you please...center Ms. Zamora?" hesitantly and apprehensively said by the photographer."Mrs.," Valjerome whispered emphatically and did the other way around.He pulled me closer to his body. I unconsciously sighed for him to look at me."Val, this is a triple shoot. Our pose for this is I should be in between you and Chaos, not only by your side," I simply murmured.I felt Valjerome's grip tightened on my hip. He slightly bent over to my ear to whisper."I will kill him before he touches you," he grinned.I shrove unbelievably. I don’t know if I should be afraid of what he does or rejoice to the attention he is giving me. And because I’m totally stupid, I prefer to do the second.Maybe it's not wrong to expect, right?"This shoot won't end, Val. Only just for now.