CHAPTER 3
Matalim lang ang tinginan naming dalawa habang kumakain na may sama ng loob. Vanilla didn't even notice the awkwardness at our table. She's just enjoying her food, hindi man lang niya kami tinatapunan ng tingin. On the other hand, Rhysand looks like a wild lion who desperately wanted to eat his prey.I rolled my eyes at him. Para bang sinasabi ko sakaniya na hindi niya ako matatakot aa mga madilim niyang tingin. 'Cause who will? Pusa lang ang matatakot sakaniya.“Mommy,” napahinto ako sa pag hakbang ng biglang may kumalabit sa damit ko.I tilted my head down to look at Vanilla who has sleepy-eyed but still looking cute.“Yes, love?”“Dito ka po ba matutulog?”Mas lalo akong napahinto dahil sa tanong niya. Tumingin ako sa tatay niya na nakahalukipkip habang hinihintay rin ang sagot ko. I cleared my throat and bent my knees.“No love. I'll be staying at my house, but I'll visit you everyday.” nakangiting sagot ko sakaniya.Nakita ko kung paano lumungkot ang mukha niya. She slowly nodded her head and bowed her head to avoid having eye contact with me. Na una siyang umakyat na hindi man lang kami nilingon o hinintay.Tumikhim si Rhysand sa tabi ko at hinarap ako.“You shouldn't have said that, Leur.” seryosong sabi niya.“What? Bakit? Ano ba dapat ang sasabihin ko? Oo Vanilla, dito ako matutulog.” sarkastikong sabi ko “mag sisinungaling ako, gano'n?”“Still, you shouldn't have said that. Vanilla wanted to sleep with you. Sana hindi mo nalang sinagot para hindi siya malungkot.”Is he seriously guilt tripping me right now? Using his daughter? I scoffed.“Just,” pumikit siya ng mariin bago pinagpatuloy ang sasabihin. “Then at least read her a bed time story.”I rolled my eyes and turned my heels and went straight to Vanilla's room. I actually don't know where her room is, though... pero madali lang naman malaman kasi may pangalan niya ang pinto ng kwarto.I knocked three times before entering her room.“Hey, do you want me to read you a bed time story?” mahinang tanong ko kay Vanilla.She just finished changing her clothes into pajamas. Nakabagsak na rin ang buhok niya.She pursed her lips and jiggle her head. Sinundan ko siya at tumabi sakaniya ng mahiga ito sa kama. I was reading Cinderella's story when I realize na naka tulog na pala siya. Dahan-dahan naman akong umalis sa kama niya at kinumotan siya bago lumabas ng kwarto.I jolted when I saw Rhysand who is standing while crossing his arms on his chest. Seryoso niya akong tiningnan.Hindi ko siya pinansin at taas noong lalagpasan na sana siya pero hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. My gaze went to his hand that was holding my wrist.“Where's my good night?”Binawa ko ang kamay ko. “Ulol. Masama sana panaginip mo!” I hissed and walked out from him.Kailan ka pa natutong gumamit ng salita na 'yon Fleur? I laughed jokingly. Of course since when I was in college.Nagising nalang ako dahil sa ingay ng kalabog ng pinto ko. Iritadong tumayo ay at binuksan iyon kahit hindi pa ako naka bra. Bumungad sa akin ang mukha ng isa sa katulong namin sa bahay. She looks terrified and nervous.“What is it?” pilit kong pinapakalma ang sarili.She's gesturing her hand like something is going on na alam niyang magugulat or magagalit ako.“Eh kasi ma'am, si ano po, s-si sir Rhysand po nasa baba kanina ka pa hinihintay.” sabi niya na ka agad nag pagising sa loob ko.Dali-dali kong sinuot at bra ko at parang kabayong bumaba sa hagdan. Napahinto ako ng ma realize na nagmumukha akong excited na makita siya. Napa ayos ako ng lakad hanggang sa nakita ko siyang prenteng naka upo sa sofa at iritado ang mukha.Ano ba ang ginagawa niya dito? It's still early! Don't tell me makikipag date siya? Ha! As if naman na papayag ako.“What are you doing here?”Napalingon siya sa gawi ko at ka agad namang tumayo.“Fetching you?”My eyebrows rose in amusement or maybe curiosity. Hindi alam ang sinasabi niyang fetch fetch na 'yan.“Wala akong ma alala na makikipag date ako sayo.”Tumaas ang sulok ng kaniyang labi.“Hindi ko rin naman sinabi na mag dedate tayo. Unless kung gusto mo?” tumaas ang isang kilay niya at mayabang na tiningnan ako.I cleared my throat. Nakakahiya 'yon ah.“So ano nga ang ginagawa mo dito?” pag-iiba ko ng usapan.Tinapunan niya ako ng tingin at nagtungo sa hagdan. He then started walking upstairs.“Pack your things. Doon kana titira sa bahay.” seryosong sabi niya.Nagtagpo ang dalawang kilay ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Hinabol ko siya hanggang sa kwarto ko. He didn't open my door room, instead, he was just standing while looking at it.“Ano bang sinasabi mo?”“Bubuksan mo ba ang pinto ng kwarto mo o ako ang bubukas para sayo?”Hindi ko alam bakit bigla ko nalang din binuksan ang pinto. Pumasok siya sa loob kaya ka agad ko siyang hinabol. I clutched his elbow and forcefully made him face me.“Teka nga! What the heck are you saying?” namumuno na ng inis sa boses ko.Walang emosyon niya akong tiningnan. Ang dalawa niyang mga kamay ay nasa loob ng bulsa ng kaniyang pang-ibaba na damit.“You heard me loud and clear. Pack your things, we are running out of time.”Hindi ko siya sinunod at nanatiling naiiritang nakatingin lang sakaniya, nilalabanan ang kaniyang mga tingin. Ano pa ba ang kailangan niya at bakit doon niya ako patitirahin sa bahay niya? Is being a mother of his child isn't enough?“Why would I obey you? Sino ka ba?”His eyes turned darker and he heaved a sighed before turning his back at me and went to my closet and grab my maleta.Ibinagsak niya ang maleta sa kama ko. Pumasok ulit siya sa closet ko at kumuha ng damit at nilagay sa maleta.“Ano ba!” tinabig ko ang kamay niya at tinulak siya. “Stop touching my things!”“If you're not gonna pack your things then I will do it for you.” mariing sabi niya at akmang lalapit ulit sa mga damit ko pero hinarangan ko siya.He's making my blood boil. Ang aga-aga oa pero gusto ko nang mangalbo ng tao. Sino ba siya para mag decision sa buhay ko? He's just nothing!“Bakit ba kailangan doon ako manirahan sa bahay mo?! I can live in my house and just visit Vanilla everyday!” I shouted.“You're her mother! Normal lang na sa bahay ka titira kasama kami ng anak mo!” his voice thundered.I get that. Magtataka si Vanilla kung bakit hindi ako nakatira kasama sila sa iisang bubong. But why would I live with him? Hindi nga kami kasal!“I am not her real mother, Rhysand! Baka nakalimutan mo na iniwan ka ng nanay niya kaya sa akin mo ipinapaako ang responsibilidad bilang ina ng anak mo!!”He run his fingers on his hair. Umigting ako kaniyang panga dahil sa sinabi ko. He closed his eyes as if he's trying to calm himself.“We have a contract, Fleur!”“And I can't break that contract because I already signed it?” sarkastikong tanong ko sakaniya.“Yes!” he retorted“You're unbelievably crazy jerk, Rhysand Velarde!” I hurl the maleta at him. His reflexes is fast that he managed to dodge it.“Ito ba ang nangyari sayo sa loob ng limang taon? Ang mag desisyon sa buhay ng iba? Iyon ba, ha!!” galit na sigaw ko sakaniya.He was not like this. He wasn't the Rhysand I knew before.“You're the reason why I am like this!” I slapped him hard without even blinking.Pagak na natawa ako at kinagat ang pang loob na pisnge.I was hurt too! Anong akala niya? Siya lang ang nasaktan? Baka nakalimutan niya na dahil sakaniya kaya kami nag hiwalay noon!CHAPTER 4Nakahalukipkip akong naka upo sa sofa nila. I still didn't removed my black shades. My arms are crossed on my chest while I am sitting with my legs crossed. Naiinis akong hinihintay siya habang may kinukuha sa itaas. We are still not in his house. Nasa mansion pa nila kaming magpipinsan.I am still fuming in anger, thinking what happened and how he dragged me earlier. He was never like this. Hinahayaan niya lang akong mag desisyon noon at hindi niya pinapakiki-alaman 'yon. He was the reason why I left. If I clearly remember siya ang nakipag break matapos ang nangyare noon. I was left with no choice, my mother was very angry at him, too. That's why we flew to Germany. I rolled my eyes to dismissed the thoughts. Stop accusing him. You're both at fault. But I am not at fault, that's what I know. “Excuse me but who are you?” napalingon ako dahil sa ma arteng boses na biglang nagsalita. I tilted my chin up. Kahit naka shades ako ay napataas pa rin ako ng kilay. Bago pa ako m
CHAPTER 5I woke up when I felt that wala na akong katabi sa kama. I looked at my side and saw no one. Rhysand is probably already at his work.Bumangon ako na may ngiti sa mga labi. Napadako ang tingin ko sa sticky note na nasa mini table rito sa kwarto niya. Kinuha ko ito at binasa. “I prepared breakfast for you. Vanilla already went to school and I am at the company if you need something.”Iyon ang nakasulat. I scoffed. Ano kami newlyweds? He shouldn't be this sweet. We are not a thing. O baka naman, akala niya... I shook my head. Stop being assuming, Leur. I took a shower and dressed myself bago ako bumaba at nag prepare ng sarili kong pagkain. I chose not to eat the meal he prepared for me. After that I prepared my car. I want to visit her. This would be my first time visiting her. Nang makarating ako sa cemetery ay sinalubong ako ng malamig na hangin. I slowly sat down at the grass. Wala akong dalang mat at tanging pagkain at bulaklak lang. I bit my lip as I stared at her
CHAPTER 6I wonder what are they doing upstairs in his office. It's been one minute pero hindi pa rin sila bumababa. Aljier's face kanina is dead serious as if he's furious about something or maybe he was outrage at Rhysand.“Mommy, I'm gonna dump po.” napalingon ako sa may ari ng mahinang boses na 'yon, kay Vanilla.I held her hand and pulled her up to stand. Sinamahan ko siya sa cr itaas.“Call me when you're done, baby.” sabi ko bago isinirado ang pinto at nagtungo sa labas ng opisina ni Rhys.I walked slowly to his office out of curiosity. Kakatok na sana ako para tingnan kung ano ang kinababalaan nila pero may narinig akong sumigaw. I know it's rude to listen to other people's conversation but I can't help it. “For goodness sake, Rhysand! She still didn't know anything!” Aljier's voice roared.My eyebrows furrowed. Who are they talking about? “She will know it soon, Aljier! I just want to make her suffer!” Rhysand retorted.“Tell her the truth as soon as possible!! Don't act l
CHAPTER 7I pushed Rhysand's chest enough for him to move backwards. Napayuko siya at napahalakhak ng mahina. He tilted his head and looked at me with his seductive eyes while biting his inner cheek. “Daddy, don't eat mommy's lips, mommy's lips is not a food.” inosenteng sabi ni Vanilla habang dinidisiplina ang ama niya.“Okay, okay.” Rhysand surrendered while cackling.Napalingon kami sa mga tao na ngayon ay napatingin na pala sa amin lahat. They are covering children's eyes while the elderly are teasing us with their teasing voices and looks. “Ah HAHA, father and mother mamaya niyo na po 'yan itutuloy ha. Makapaghintay naman ata kayo diba?” the host teasingly asked.Uminit ang pisnge ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Rhysand was just chuckling, as if he was having fun.Why did I even allow him to kiss me? Wala iyon sa kontrata! No kissing, no cuddling, no hugging, and anything that married couples do. Ang nakalagay lang ay ang tuonan ng pansin si Vanilla at alagaan, iyon lang!!Pagkatapos
Isinirado ko ang gate ng bahay. I opened my car door and slumped inside. I started the engine and maneuvered the wheel and departed. Tahimik lang akong nagmamaneho ng biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Inabot ko ito at nakitang tumatawag na naman siya. I rolled my eyes before answering the call. “What? I'm driving, Rhys!” “Where are you? You should be here by now!” he said from the other line, sounding pissed. “Hindi ka ba makapaghintay?! I will be there in a minute, stop calling!” Iritadong saad ko at pinatay ang tawag. Kanina pa niya ako tinatawagan at pinapunta sa mansyon nilang mag pipinsan. I don't even know why he's asking me to go there. He's getting clingy, akala niya siguro nagkabalikan na kami. Assuming talaga kahit kailan. Nang makarating ako sa bahay nila ay ka agad akong sinalubong ng kasambahay nila. Inilagay ko ang trench coat sa coat rack nila sa loob. “Where is Rhysand?” I asked the maid. “Nasa baba po,” sagot nito na ka agad ko namang nakuha ang sinabi niya.
CHAPTER 9Our days went well. Nagkaayos na rin kami ni Rhysand. We treated each other like how we treated each other before. Some may think it's unfair and ang bilis lang ng pangyayari na parang hindi ko inisip ang nangyare noon. But what can I do? That was in the past, and I already forgive him for doing that, even though it still hurts me.Naghihiwa ako ng pang lunch ni Vanilla nang biglang may yumakap sa sa akin galing sa likod ko. I smiled and tilted my head for him to rest his chin on my shoulder. “Good morning,” he hoarsely greeted me. Lumingon ako sakaniya. I smiled and kissed his lips. Pinalalim niya ang halik ng maramdaman ko na nakasandal na pala ako sa sink.We heard footsteps running towards the kitchen. Ka agad kong itinulak ang lalaki at umayos ng tayo. We both looked at Vanilla na nakangiti rin sa amin. “Daddy I'm getting late, you should hatid me na.” Vanilla said and tugged his father's clothe meekly. Napalingon si Rhysand si akin. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi k
CornyI went straight to his company as soon as he called me. Vanilla is in Aljier's place kaya mag-isa kong pinuntahan ang ama niya. Nang makarating ako roon ay ka agad akong nag-tanong sa secretary niya. “Is Rhysand inside?” She looked at me and smiled. “Yes, po. May appointment po ba kayo?” Umiling ako sakaniya. “I don't have, but tell him that Fleur is already here.” ngiting saad ko. The girl nodded as she called her boss. Tumango-tango pa siya habang nakatingin sa akin. “Pinapasok na po kayo ni Sir, ma'am.” magalang na sabi niya sa akin. Ngumiti naman ako sakaniya bago pumasok sa opisina ng amo niya. I went straight inside and saw Rhysand sitting on his swivel chair, seriously reading some papers. He tilted his head to look up to me. I inclined my head as I gave him a smile. Tumayo siya sa upuan niya at sinalubong ako. “Hey,” he leaned to meet my lips. Napangiti ako bago sinuklian ang mga halik niya. His hands roamed around my body. Pinisil niya ang pwet ko na ikinaungol
Family Picture“There,” I said after I tied her hair. I moved backward a bit to scan her outfit. I dressed her with a neat white dress and a pair of baige barbie sandals. Naka ponytail ang buhok niya na may pink na ribbon. “Mommy, matchy matchy tayo!” she giggled. I smiled and held her hands. “Let's go?” Ngumiti sa akin si Vanilla at tumango. We went downstairs where Rhysand is waiting for us. Nang makababa kami ay nakita kong nag aayos ng camera 'yong lalaking kakilala lang din niya. He's a handsome photographer. Rhysand scanned us from head to foot while we were heading downstairs. His eyes brightened, mouth parted a bit as he walked towards us. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at iginaya kami sa pwesto kung saan kami kukuhanan ng picture. Nilapit niya nang kaunti ang bibig sa tainga ko, “Ang ganda mo,” he whispered. “You have a lovely beautiful wife and daughter, Rhys.” the photographer commented. “Of course she's my mom and I am mommy's daughter!” sabat ni Vanilla. Rhysand r