Chapter 2

“I-I’ll marry you."

Even now, the memory of agreeing to his deal echoed in my mind as I found myself holding his hand while walking to the pharmacy.

I could hear people from our barangay whispering about us, but I chose to ignore them, despite feeling shy.

"A-Aren't you embarrassed?" I asked shyly to Raze.

I wanted to hide behind him because of the eyes that was following us, as if it was a huge sin to see us holding hands.

I looked down at our intertwined hands, and tightened his grip when I tried to pull away.

I felt my face burning with embarrassment. I couldn't look at him. I just kept my head down the whole time we were together.

I didn't know if this was part of his plan—the deal he was talking about—so I just let it be rather than forcing it.

"Let them overthink," I heard the amusement in his voice. "They're just gossipmongers."

I secretly chuckled. I didn't expect him to know that word, which I often heard from millennials.

"What if they spread rumors that—"

"That we're in a relationship?" he continued. "That's the plan, Lyl. Let's convince them that we're a couple. Whatever you hear, feign ignorance. They have no say in our lives, just focus on me, only on me, Lyl."

I lowered my head even further. I was embarrassed knowing that we would be married in the coming days, even though it wasn't real.

I didn't know if I was doing the right thing, but I was already in this, so I might as well go through with it rather than regret it, since I was the one who made the decision.

He hadn't told me the details of the marriage agreement yet, so I would just wait for him to tell me. I really wanted to save our house and eatery because it was the only remaining memory we had of our parents. I couldn't bear to lose it.

"And start calling me Raze when there are people around," he said. "Or much better, hubby, so I can call you wifey."

"Huh?" I seemed to have gone deaf at his words. "Hubby?"

"Yes, wifey..."

I looked up at him and saw him smiling—widely, to the point that his eyes narrowed.

"W-We're not even m-married yet, so just call me Lylia or maybe—"

"Lyl," he said softly, as if testing the name. "I prefer that, but after we're married, I'll decide what we call each other. That's why I want you to call me 'hubby.'" He stated this more as a request, leaving me to nod in agreement.

"B-But what if they suspect something because—"

"I told you, Lyl, let them. Just focus on me."

I pursed my lips as I looked down. "Sorry."

I felt him stroking my hair, his fingers gently squeezing my hand. "We're here. Show me the paper."

I gave it to him. I expected him to release my hand, but I was shocked when he pulled me closer, almost hugging me.

I couldn't help but blush at what he did, and I almost forgot to breathe, feeling my heart pounding in my chest.

"Are they dating?" I heard whispers around us.

"Didn't the Captain just come back?"

"Why are they holding hands?"

"They must be together. Look how tightly the Captain is holding her hand. He doesn't want to let go."

"Maybe the Captain came home to her?"

As Raze had said, I let them gossip about me. Their comments weren't below the belt, so I pretended not to hear anything.

"Get closer, you might bump into someone there." I stiffened when he pulled me even closer, wrapping his arm around my waist.

There was a long line at window one since that's where they paid for the medicine, but Raze had already paid for the medicine, so we were at window two to pick it up.

"Stay close to me.” He whispered.

"Huh?" I looked up at him and closed my eyes when he kissed my hair.

"They look like a newly married couple," the person beside us whispered. "They're a good match, both so beautiful."

A pause. Then, quietly, "Their children would be stunning."

"Yeah, I'm planning to have children with her."

I didn’t hear what he whispered, my gaze fixed on his face. Only when my neck ached did I look down. He was so tall—six-foot-three, if I wasn't mistaken. I, on the other hand, am only five-five.

After collecting the medicine, we returned to Lira’s room, finding them laughing. Their laughter faded as they saw us still holding hands.

“I’m just going downstairs to get us something to eat,” Raze said. “I’ll be quick.”

“O-okay,” I stammered. “B-be careful.”

“Anything for you two? I can—”

“Captain, ice cream!” Lira shouted, briefly removing her oxygen mask before replacing it.

Raze turned to me. "Would that be okay for her?"

I hesitated. I don’t know what to answer.

“I’ll ask the doctor,” he said, then turned to Love. “What about you?”

“Anything with snacks, Captain,” Love replied. “And some soft drinks, if you can.”

I gently reprimanded them. He was taking care of everything, and now, they were making demands as if they were just friends. Perhaps I needed to remind them they were speaking to the chairman of our barangay.

Raze smiled reassuringly. “It’s alright. I’ll go now. Anything for you?”

I gave him a sweet smile. “No, thank you.”

“No kiss?”

I blinked, stunned, as he closed the door. Have I heard it correctly? Was he asking for a kiss? Was that still part of our agreement?