Zyrone didn’t have dinner. Nang pumasok ito sa bahay kanina bago mag-hapunan, pormal itong nagpaalam kay Lila Mati tungkol sa pag-alis nila kinabukasan. The old woman was a little bit sad with the news but she did wished them luck for their supposed new life together. Matapos niyon, lumabas din ng bahay si Zyrone at naglagi sa kotse.At aminin man ni Belle o hindi, nag-aalala siya para dito. The sudden shift in his mood was bothering her. He was not his usual, c*cky self when he talked to her earlier. She’s sure something might’ve happened that made him changed his mind about things. And whatever it was, she doesn’t have any clue.She was readying herself to sleep when she saw through the window of the room a soft glow of light coming from nearby. Sumilip siya sa bintana upang sana ay tignan kung saan iyon nanggagaling subalit hindi niya makita. Napilitan siya tuloy lumabas kuwarto upang tignan kung saan nanggagaling ang ilaw na iy

 Present“You don’t have to do the talking, Belle. Allow me to answer all their questions. But be prepared. I know they will be angry, specially my father. But as long as I’m with you, they won’t hurt you. I promise,” ani Zyrone habang papasok sila sa isang exclusive high-end subdivision na tirahan ng mga sikat at may sinasabi sa buhay.Once they entered Manila, Belle has become restless. Panay ang kabog ng dibdib niya at panginginig ng tuhod niya. Bakit hindi? Ihaharap siya ni Zyrone sa mga magulang nito sa unang pagkakataon.Mga magulang nito na sinuway nito nang pakasalan siya nito ilang oras lang ang nakakalipas.Muli siyang napalunok.  She wanted to calm her heart but she can’t. Lalo pa at paulit-ulit na nagre-replay sa isip niya ang itsura ng mga magulang nito noong nakita niya ang mga ito sa simbahan. His father looked stern exuding an authoritarian aura. Ang mommy nama

 Agad nakita ni Belle ang bulto ni Marie na maluha-luhang nakatayo malapit sa kanya.“A-Ate Belle,” anito, mangiyak-ngiyak na lumapit sa kanya.Agad na bumigat ang d*bdib niya nang maalala ang kalagayan nito. Kilala niya si Marie. Masipag ito at isang mabuting anak. At hindi nito deserve ang maipit sa ganoong klaseng sitwayson just because  Zyrone’s father was throwing a fit because their son wouldn’t obey his wishes.Lalo tuloy tumindi ang kagustuhan niyang maayos na ang lahat upang bumalik na ang lahat sa normal.She took a deep breath and reach for Marie’s hand. “Aayusin ko ‘to, Marie. Pangako, magiging maayos din ang lahat.” Malungkot na tumango si Marie, nagyuko  ng ulo. Mabilis niyang dinukot ang wallet sa handbag niya at naglabas doon ng ilang libo at inabot kay Marie.“N-naku, Ate w-wala po akong pambayad sa—““Hindi ‘to utang, Marie.

 Belle’s heart was hammering inside her chest as the car pulled up in front of a white mansion that was double the size of the Craig’s mansion in Manila. Honestly, the mansion could easily pass as a castle in one look. At kahit na hindi naman na bago sa kanya ang makakita ng malalaking bahay, the house in front of her is still one for the books.“Ready?” ani Zyrone sa kanya nang tuluyang huminto ang sasakyan sa harap ng bahay. He turned to her and gently reached for her hand.She took in a sharp breath and nodded her head. Ilang sandali pa, nauna nang bumaba ng sasakyan si Zyrone, sumunod siya.Agad silang sinalubong ng unipormadong katulong. Bumati ito sa kanila ngunit makahulugang tumingin sa kanya. She knew that look, a condescending one. Pero ayaw niyang patulan. She had conditioned herself then from the moment she married Zyrone that she will be getting a lot of disapproval from people.Maya-maya pa, pinagbuksan n

    Napasinghap si Belle sa biglaang paglalapit nilang iyon ni Zyrone. Her heart hammered rapidly inside her chest as his presence engulfed her whole being—sending all of her logic flying out of the window. Taranta siyang nag-angat ng tingin rito. Her mind instantly went blank when she realized that their lips were just inches apart—she could almost taste his addicting minty breath. His sea-colored eyes were looking down at her with much intensity, her knees almost gave in. “Do you trust me?” seryosong tanong nito maya-maya. Lalo siyang naguluhan. “H-ha?” He didn’t respond. He just quickly picked her up in his arms and made her sit on top of the old oak wood table. She wanted to protest. But she was too confused to think, how much more to speak! Zyrone gently cupped her face with his hands and planted a soft kiss on her lips. The kiss was brief, almost a peck. Subalit lalo lang niyong pinatindi ang kalituhan sa isip n