Chapter 5

WEDDING NIGHT. Well, it's not really like that. We haven't had a proper conversation with JL yet and our marriage happened hastily. It was a marriage for convenience which turned out to be a double convenience because he also needed help.

When Tito Alfonso was arrested, I found out from JL that aside from freezing their bank accounts, all of their family's assets were also frozen. The only reason why JL has kept the condo is because it is under his name. Meanwhile, his mother went back to the ancestral house inherited from her parents. When I asked JL who his mother was with, he told me that the two caretakers were there. That's where we're headed right now to drop off Dad.

Dad was quiet throughout the journey and lost in deep thought. JL drove us, and we were both in the front. The drive was approximately forty-five minutes south. We were heading to Batangas, and the house was quite far from the city.

"Gia, can you text Mom and see if there's food in the house. If not, we can just buy," JL said.

"Okay," I replied to him. I was wondering why he didn't call me 'Hon' anymore, and I didn't speak up. Maybe it was just a one-time thing earlier at the precinct, fueled by adrenaline because his father was about to be released.

"Use my phone," he told me, handing me his phone from the console.

But it was locked, and he told me the password himself.

"It's one two three four."

I frowned at what he said. Who the hell uses one two three four for a password? I wanted to shake my head, but I didn't dare comment. I didn't want to ruin his good mood, and he might tease me.

It was easy to find his mother's name since 'Mama' was written on it. A few seconds later after sending a text message, she replied that she had prepared Dad's favorite dish. JL nodded, and I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep during the ride. I woke up to someone kissing my arm.

"Wake up, we're here," JL said with a smile. He looked tired and ready to sleep. I, on the other hand, just wanted to sleep and skip dinner.

I suddenly jerked awake because Tito Alfon— I mean, Dad might see JL kissing my arm. It would be embarrassing.

"Dad is already inside. He said he can carry you, but you look heavy — ouch!"

Damn, he almost called me fat, even though I'm not. He's teasing me already on our first night. I pinched his ear.

"I'm kidding. You're too sensitive," he said laughing.

I glared at him, grabbed my bag, and got out of the car. The ancestral house is an old house with a huge garden. It has two floors and looks well-maintained. I suddenly noticed that JL was standing beside me, holding my hand to lead me inside.

His mother welcomed us. She was crying tears of joy and expressing her deep gratitude for bailing out her husband.

"Gia, I don't know where to start, but I want to thank you so much for helping my Daddy," she said.

“It’s not necessary, Ti—"

"Mama."

Right. JL and I are already married. "It's not necessary, Mama. You both have been really good to me since my parents passed away. Anyone would have done the same thing. I owe you an apology for finding out late about what happened. If I had known sooner, I would have done everything in my power to get him out sooner. It's not a place for him, and we're going to get down to the bottom of all this. I'll help clear Dad's name."

That's when Dad walked towards me. He looked at me and raised both his arms for a hug. I smiled back and hugged him.

"I'm glad you're okay. You should have had your lawyers call me, Tito Al—"

"It's Dad. You're already married to Jose Luis. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for bailing me out. As soon as I'm clear, I'll return the money to you."

I gently tapped his arm. "It's okay, Dad. It's just money, and we can earn it again. What matters is that you're safe and free now. We can look for a top-notch lawyer to improve our chances in the case and ensure a win."

He nodded. "Thank you, but I don't have. . ."

"It's on me, Dad. Don't worry. If my father was alive, he would have done the same thing. Besides, we are family now."

"Thank you. I'll make it up to you." I gave him a faint smile. I also flinched when I felt my husband's hand on my waist. My husband. Such a big word.

"We can talk more tomorrow. I'm sure everyone is tired. Let's have some dinner so that you and Dad can rest. Gia and I still have to go back to my condo."

Condo? What is he talking about? We didn't discuss me staying there. I wanted to correct him, but we were in front of his father, so I'll bring it up later.

We ate quietly and briefly discussed our hurried wedding with JL's parents. They wanted to have another wedding once the case is over. They wanted it to be grand, and I could hardly swallow my food. Most women dream of having a grand wedding, but. . . you only do that when you're marrying the love of your life. That wasn't the case for JL and me. It's for convenience on both sides. It's also about the second condition—having a child. That's what I fear the most. What if I don't get pregnant right away. . . does that mean we have to do it again?

And another thing, does he really want it? I want to sweat because. . . I want to have a child with him. Then after fulfilling the last condition, we can go our separate ways so that he can return to his old life.

***

AFTER eating, Dad and I rested early. It has been a rough week for them and at their age, they shouldn't be worrying about these things anymore. The household helpers cleared the table while I headed to the washroom. I was surprised to see my husband there.

"JL! Jeez! You scared me." I pressed my hand to my chest in shock. What was he doing outside the bathroom? This wasn't the only washroom in the whole house.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to. I was looking for you."

"Why?" We walked towards the living room now, and I grabbed my bag.

"We're going home. I already bid farewell to Dad and told him we should be careful on the journey. Mom even suggested that we stay here for the night, but I told her we didn't bring any clothes," he said to me.

"Oh okay. We can go directly to your place. I left my car there, I can still drive home."

"No." I was surprised by his refusal.

"Huh?" We had just left the house and were walking down the driveway.

"You're sleeping in my place. Do you think I'm going to send you back to your house in the middle of the night? Come on."

"Why don't you want to sleep in your condo? Is it too small for you?" He had a scowl on his face.

"Huh?" Was I the only one who couldn't understand his ever-changing mood?

"If you think my condo is too small for you, then wait until this problem is done. I'll buy you a big house."

"That's not what I meant. I don't have any clothes at your place, it's the same as Dad's house. Why do you seem angry?"

Well, guess what? Now he looked relieved. Was this his own problem?

"You can just wear my clothes. . . or better if you don't." It was a faint statement, but I heard it.

"I don't wear other people's clothes."

"Whatever. You're still not going home tonight. If you want to, I can drive you home tomorrow morning."

But the brute is smiling and I don't even know what it's about. I'm getting frustrated with him. Who knew he could be so moody? He was sweet earlier, then suddenly got angry for no reason. And now he's being teasing.

In my irritation, I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep. And guess what? He's carrying me now! I wouldn't have woken up if I hadn't heard the sound of the elevator.

"JL, put me down," I said to him even though I was still very sleepy.

"I tried waking you up in the car, but you didn't want to wake up. That's why I carried you. I badly need a shower and I want my bed."

"That's why, let me down."

But he didn't listen. The elevator opened again, heading to the penthouse, and with the wave of his hand, the door opened from the outside. He carried me in bridal style and laid me on the bed. Before he went to the bathroom, he kissed me on the top of my head and told me to grab some clothes from the closet.

I have never worn someone else's clothes, but tonight — I don't have a choice. And my frustrating mind is telling me to seize the opportunity to wear JL's clothes. It feels like he's hugging me. Oh my gosh! That's so cringy! What is happening to me? I just got married suddenly and I'm already like this? I sound like a teenager.

I went to the other bathroom and washed my face. Luckily, I only applied light makeup earlier. Otherwise, I would have had trouble removing it. A shower is tempting, and it didn't take me long to give in to temptation. I feel sticky and a shower will help me sleep well, especially since I'm not in my own bed.

After my shower, I dried myself with a towel and then realized that I didn't actually get any clothes from his closet. I let out a deep sigh. Before I left the bathroom, I saw a new toothbrush. It was still sealed and obviously unused, so I used it and felt a little better. I went back to his bedroom wrapped in a towel, and unfortunately, I bumped into his chest.

I almost fell if he hadn't caught me and hugged me. Thank goodness I held onto the towel tightly. It would have been embarrassing if it fell.

"Careful!"

"Sorry," I said. It was my fault for not looking where I was going. I shouldn't rush to avoid accidents.

"If you were planning to take a shower, you should have gone with me," he whispered, still wrapping his arms around me. I could feel the warmth of his chest.

"C-Can I... borrow a shirt?" It felt like a race was happening in my chest and I couldn't breathe. He was standing so close to me and the fact that he had no shirt on, only a towel separating us, didn't help. Even my shoulders are exposed. Shit.

"What for?" he asked.

"Huh?"

He fell silent and assessed me. I was about to pull away when I felt his lips planting kisses on my shoulders. Instead of pushing him away, I froze in my spot. His kisses traveled up to my neck.

My hair was up in a messy bun because I didn't bother wetting it again. That's why he was able to kiss my neck freely. I already washed it this morning and didn't feel like drying it again tonight. Chances are, I'll sleep with wet hair and wake up with a headache.

This is not right. We haven't discussed the set-up yet. I closed my eyes and counted. I need to tell him to stop this and talk first.

"JL... we need to — uhmp!"

My first mistake was looking up at him, and the second one was opening my mouth. He took advantage of it to crush his lips against mine in a passionate kiss. I suddenly felt my feet being lifted from the ground while our lips were still locked.

With my back against the bed, he effortlessly removed the towel wrapped around me. In the dim light from the bathroom, I saw desire in his eyes.

"Beautiful..." he whispered. I felt so embarrassed and covered my chest with my arms. But he removed them and pulled me close for a tender kiss. All my plans to refuse melted away. I am his wife now.