Chapter 2

-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-

-❀-

It was 2:00 in the afternoon, I was in my store doing some work and helping Greg and the other staff. Katatapos ko lang din nilabas si Emy, talagang nag rason na lamang ako na ‘day off’ ko para hindi siya malugmok at magkulong sa kwarto niya.

I was also trying to keep myself busy these days dahil palagi kong iniisip si Tas, there wasn't a single day I wouldn't think about her.

Oh, my darling Tassy…

Kahit na nandito na ako sa US, Tassy never left my mind. Her smile, her sweet angelic voice, her body that I always craved for and those sweet luscious lips that I always get to taste whenever we’re alone.

She was my everything, my world, and my light in this dark and cruel world. She was the reason why I felt complete everyday.

But now, I can't get to see that beautiful goddess anymore and the fact that she's pregnant with Edward's child made me wonder every time.

What if… ako ang ama ng bata?

What if she's lying?

What if she really is telling the truth?

What if Edward really is the father at may nangyari sa kanila?

What if ako yung ama pero may balak silang ilayo yung bata sakin?

The continuous thoughts were running and enveloping my mind like fire, making my head hurt due to overthinking and stress.

"Fuck this…" I mumbled, distracting myself as I opened a file on my laptop.

Kung nasaan man si Tassy, I just hope na inaalagaan siya ni Edward and I hope… she's happy with him…

Just like we used to…

"Sir, do you need some help with that?" I looked up to see one of my staff, lifting some boxes.

"No, you can go back to work now. I'm good." Sagot ko naman rito, smiling a little at him.

Umalis na ito at bumalik sa pagtatrabaho as I grabbed my phone from my pocket, texting Emy immediately.

Dean: Babe, aalis tayo ng mga 8:00 bukas. What do you say? 

I pressed send and waited for her reply, seeing it quickly.

Emy: Is that a date?

Dean: I guess you can say that. Ano, G?

Naghintay ako ng ilang minuto nang hindi ito mag-reply sa message ko, deciding to put my phone down nang marinig kong mag buzz ito muli.

Emy: Sure, that sounds great.

I smiled a little before turning off the phone, focusing back on my work and setting my thoughts about Tassy aside.

-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-

-᯽-

I was currently organising my makeup and skincare essentials when I saw his two perfumes on the corner of the vanity table.

Kinuha ko ang mga yon and dusted them off, reminiscing where I first smelled them.

Itinabi ko rin ang mga gamit na iniwan niya sa ilalim ng floorboards, kasama na rin ruon ang regalo na nakita ko sa ilalim ng kama.

I also wear some of his clothes sometimes dahil nakakatulong siya sa pagtulog ko, his hoodies were my favourite because they reminded me of him.

"I miss you… pero sana masaya ka kung nasaan ka man ngayon…" I mumbled to myself, putting the perfumes inside the drawer.

Kahit na gusto ko siyang kalimutan and forget all the memories we shared, lagi siyang pumapasok sa isip ko. And he always has this special place in my heart…

I also hid our wedding photo. Kasama na iyon sa mga binigay at iniwan niya na nakatago ngayon sa ilalim ng floorboards.

Since I have nothing to do now and I have done most of the chores, maybe it is time to get my clothes ready for tomorrow. And a little shopping wouldn’t hurt.

Right?

So I grabbed my boots, his grey hoodie, and his beanie. Quickly wearing those as those brought comfort to me.

I headed out of the bedroom and grabbed my car keys on the key rack, quickly heading outside and locking the front door before leaving.

-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-

-❁-

I was in the dining area, drinking some whiskey as the night passed by. 

It was 2:00 AM in the morning and I couldn't sleep. My wife was nowhere to be found but I didn't care. 

She’s always like this… I don’t even know why I married this woman…

"Hey baby… why are you still up?" Napalingon ako sa may bandang kanan, seeing her in a black dress.

"Where have you been?" I asked as I stood up.

"Galing lang ako sa labas, kinausap ko si Daddy, wala kasing signal sa loob." Giit nito at iwinagayway ang kanyang cellphone.

Even though her words are odd and suspicious, I set my thoughts aside and just strode towards her. The smell of a man’s perfume enveloping her dress made me wonder quickly.

This smells like… Jace’s perfume…

“Balik na tayo sa loob, nagulat ako kung bakit wala ka sa tabi ko.” Ayun na lamang ang aking sinabi at saka ito inakbayan, making our way upstairs.

~Morning~

"So, how did you sleep last night?" Jescel asked as she poured a cup of coffee for me.

It was 6:30 in the morning, at kasalukuyan kaming nasa dining area para mag almusal. And honestly, hindi ako nakatulog.

"I didn't sleep, and I don't know why." Wika ko at saka kinuha ang tasa na nilapag nito.

"Hindi ka uminom ng sleeping pills para sana nakatulog ka." Giit nito habang ako'y pinagsasandok ng pagkain.

"I couldn't find them. Pati hayaan mo na, sa office na lang ako iidlip." Sagot ko na lamang rito at nagsimulang kumain.

"Sigurado ka bang makakatulog ka sa office? Ang dami mong ginagawa-" She was cut off when I spoke.

"Those paperworks can wait, Jes." Giit ko na lamang rito habang ako’y nakatingin sa kanya.

“Bahala ka, basta ang akin lang, magpahinga ka.” Sagot nito sa akin at saka uminom sa kanyang tasa.

“Maiba ko, saan ka pala galing kagabi?” Tanong ko na naging dahilan upang ibaba niya ang tasa.

“Sinabi ko na sa iyo, kausap ko si Daddy sa cellphone kagabi. Walang-” She was cut off once more when I spoke.

“Kung kausap mo ang Daddy mo, bakit naaamoy ko sayo ang pabango ni Jace?” Tanong ko muli.

Her actions caused me to be suspicious, her fingers fidgeting on top of her mug, her eyes avoiding my gaze, and her lips slightly trembling. I was sure she was hiding something, I just can’t tell what.

“Well?” I asked once more, placing my silverware down.

“I just- I bought the same perfume Jace has, I liked the smell of it.” She reasoned but I wasn’t buying it.

A promiscuous wretch…