THE next day, the day I need to go back to my condo. Dumiretso na agad ako sa coffee shop na malapit lang sa building na tinitirhan ko. As soon as I opened the door of the coffee shop, a mysterious amber eyes trained on me. Seryoso iyon at walang ibang emosyon.
I took a sigh and walked toward his table, hiding my dread. "Did you wait for too long?" I asked softly as my eyes fixed on the food on the table.There's a chocolate milkshake for me and a mug of coffee for him on the round marble table. There are also two slices of chocolate crepe cake for both of us. Not bad.He shook his head, and one of the corners of his lips lifted before taking his steps toward me. "Half an hour is nothing compared to the eleven years I waited for you." He paused and pulled a chair for me. "Have a seat, wife,""Thanks," My eyes narrowed as my cheeks burned in his sudden move."I don't know what cake and drink you like, so I ordered what I think will suit your tastebuds," he stated as he placed a folder above my table. Kumunot noo ako habang nakatitig doon."Thank you but you don't need to do it," mahinahon na ani ko.One of the corners of his lips lifted. "I don't want my wife to starve. Come, dig in and open the folder." He commanded. "This is the proof you've been waiting for," dugtong niya.Napalunok ako at nanginginig ang mga kamay kong binuksan ang folder para tignan ang nilalaman kahit may ideya na ako. I read the font with the familiar words I've read eleven years ago.It was a marriage certificate.And it was under out name with our signatures.Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa nabasa. I was in complete shock. No way!"Do you believe me now, wife?" His thick accent got my attention."We should file an annulment," My voice trembled.He just stared at me, not even look surprised with what I said na parang alam niya na sasabihin ko 'yon. His lips rose, and in a second, his manly chuckle ascended."Why are you laughing? Walang nakakatawa sa sitwasyon natin! We should file an annulment, Mr. Roschefort," I complained."As far as I remember, We can't file an annulment nor divorce," He stated and snatched the folder to me, flipping it to the next page. "Read, wife."Kaagad ko namang binasa ang nakasulat at halos manlaki ang mga mata ko noong mabasa ang nakasaad sa papel. I can't believe this! Is this even possible?!"H-How..." Halos manghina ako habang patuloy ako sa pagbabasa.I saw his lips formed into a devilish grin, pakiramdam ko ay nawalan ng dugo ang buong katawan ko."I told you, didn't I? If you find out the truth, I will never let you go. You'll be stuck with me forever," He uttered, full of seriousness and authority in his voice.Napalunok ako at hindi pa rin makagalaw dahil sa nabasa ko. What will happened now? To me? To my normal life? To us? I feel shitty right now.Bumaba ulit ang paningin ko sa nakasaad doon. It was written with clauses, and a contract between us stated that we were not allowed to divorce or even annul each other. The only thing we can do to make our marriage void is if one of us died, which I doubt. I have my signature and even my fingerprint thumb, making it legit.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, massaging my temples. How am I going to escape this loveless marriage if I can't even divorce or file an annulment without one of us being dead? Alangan naman hintayin ko siyang mamatay. Ang masamang damo, matagal mamatay suddenly carve inside my brain."What are we going to do now?" Nanghihina kong tanong. "I don't have a boyfriend, nor suitors, and if people find out I am married, they will be doomed.""We'll go tell them that you're married," he paused, then his eyes darted at mine as the corner of his lips lifted up, forming a grin. "To me."My face crumpled. "No way!""Yes way, wife." His lips quirked. "I already endured eleven years without you by my side, babawiin ko na ang mga panahong wala ka sa tabi ko." He said with a finality in his voice.I sighed and bowed, closing my eyes. "Fine," I raised my head, trying to meet his intense gaze. "You're right. We should work out our marriage, but we must make some terms and conditions."A muscle feathered in his jaw. "Another contract?""Yes,"He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh. "Bien. Let's make another contract," he paused for a second to sip his drink, and so did I. "By the way, I want us to live together," he uttered firmly.I choked on my drink. "What?!"He looked amused, slightly shaking his head. "You. And. I." He paused. "We will live together in my house."My eyes narrowed as my cheeks burn in embarrassment and disbelief. "I have my own house, Mr. Roschefort! At mas malapit sa hospital na pinagtatrabauhan ko ang condo ko."He increases his eyebrows at me, obviously mocking me. "Then, I don't have choice but to live with you," he uttered.My jaw clenched. "What?! No! You can't live in my place!" Irritation ascended in my head."Yes, I can." I blinked when his red lips slowly formed into a naughty grin. "I will also pay for the electricity, water bill, wifi, groceries, and everything."I shoot daggers at him. "I have money, Reeve! I'm a surgeon!" sambit ko dahil nainsulto ako sa sinabi niya.His demeanor changed when I uttered his name but it was a second before he went back to his cold, mysterious atmosphere.He cleared his throat, and shrugged. "I'm a chef.""Then, I earned more than you do," I said mockingly, trying to downgrade his ego.He leaned forward, causing me to be startled, and leaned backward. "No," he paused. "I owned restaurants. And I'm telling you, my wife, that my restaurant is not a simple diner. My main branch is in new york, and the branch here in the Philippines is just my second out of fifteen branches of Zuriel's." His voice took on a familiar cocky lilt.My lips parted. "Z-Zuriels? You mean the Zuriel in Taguig?""Yes, Zuriel's Lés Arômes is owned by me. And I'm also a high-rank French Army. Lieutenant colonel Roschefort." He smirked in a playful manner, crossing his muscular arms against his broad chest.I chewed my bottom lip out of embarrassment. "You're an army. . . It means you won't stay here for so long, right?" I flashed a brittle smile.His gaze suddenly became darkened. "I'm planning to resign this year to focus on Zuriel's... and on you," He stared at me, and I was taken aback when he held my chin as he slowly leaned closer.My eyes widened when I felt his lips on the side of my lips. "Why did you..." Halos hindi na ako humihinga noong lumayo siya sa'kin. I was so shocked that I can't even move a muscle. "Kiss me?""Because you're so pretty, wife." He was eyeing me with a pompous grin on his lips that I badly wanted to wipe off.Napakurap ako, "L-Lame!"The corner of his lips rose, forming a cocky smirk. "I want five children from you, my pretty wife, and that's not lame."What the hell?! I choke with my own saliva!I ALWAYS drink water before I go to sleep at night, reasoned why I went outside my room to go to the kitchen to drink water but stopped in the hallway when I saw Reeve sitting on the floor, rubbing both Beau's and Scout's belly. I bit my lips and leaned on the door, smiling at Beau when he looked in my direction.I bent my knees when he ran to me, wagging his tail. I caress his head and giggle when he licks my hand. I saw Reeve standing up, looking at me while walking towards me with Scout on his side. I can smell lathering, musk, brisk soap, and mint shampoo from him."I didn't know you're still awake, wife," His hand was on the inside of his pocket."I was about to get a glass of water in the kitchen," I answered, still caressing Beau's head."Oh," he murmured. "Shall we? Samahan na kita," he offered.My brows creased. "Iinom ka rin?""No," He drawled. "Sasamahan lang kita."My lips parted in disbelief. "Why? I can go to the kitchen alone." "I know, wife." His eyes stare at mine as
I PARKED my car on the side of a familiar car and took my seatbelt off before going outside my car, pulling my luggage with me. May mga gamit pa ako sa condo na hindi nadala na babalikan ko na lang bukas."Wow," I uttered in amusement while looking at the small two-story modern house. The walls are painted white and gray. I rang the doorbell before I opened the gate. A garage on the left side welcomed me. I saw a small fish pond on the other side and a garden. Oh, dear Lord.What we talked about two days ago knocked some sense to me. I decided to acknowledge him as my husband since he showed a proof of us being legally married. Wala na rin naman akong magagawa dahil may kontrata siyang nilabas. I'm trapped in this loveless marriage and tied to him forever.But it doesn't mean I'm going to let my guards down. I will still make sure we will have a term and conditions about us living together. We're not a normal married couple anyway.I took a breath and walked towards the door, rin
"SINCE we already have a bed, let's get a bedside table. What do you think, wife?" he asks, looking around the furniture store with curiosity."Uhm..." I bit my lip, looking around. "Sure. Side table and coffee table for the sofa in the master's bedroom." I uttered softly.We make our way toward the table furniture section, stopping at each interesting piece of furniture along the way. A glossy rectangle white marble coffee table caught my attention. Naglakad ako papunta sa kinalalagyan noon at sinuring mabuti. I looked at the tag and bobbed my head when I read that this table is extendable with storage."Do you like that, wife?" I turned my head only to meet Reeve's amber eyes. I didn't even felt him walking beside me.I diverted my eyes. "This is really pretty. Can we buy this?" I asked. I needed his permission since it was his house, not mine."Bien sûr. What my wife wants, my wife gets." I blinked as I felt the blood rushing through my veins, which made my heart wild. "What el
I finished fixing myself before I strolled to the kitchen. I was surprised to see Reeve on the kitchen, shirtless while cooking.Holy hell.I have the full view of his broad shoulders and his sculpted muscles of his back. The sunlight streaming through the windows overlaid his skin, emphasizing its natural bronze glow. From here, I can see a tattoo on the back of his right arm and his nape.A pair of wings on his back.In his arms, A dog tag that looks like it was hanging on his arms like how you wear a bracelet. And below the dog tag are small flying birds. Naka-according to height 'yong mga ibon.It was strangely attractive.His only wearing black pajamas and the pants rode just low enough to send my imagination in all sorts of X-rated directions. I couldn't imagine that seeing a man cook topless could be this sexy.I watched him in silence, fascinated by how fineness he moved. He's really a chef, huh? I'm curious how many women have already watched him cook without any clothes on.
I ENTERED the room, and my eyes quickly examined the patient lying on the hospital bed. "I'm Dra. Kelsea," I spoke in a clipped, professional tone.Her name is Julie. Seventeen years old. Female. Fell from the stairs."A-Ako po si Julie." She gave me a lop-sided smile. Obviously, she was in pain."May masakit ba bukod sa mga sugat mo?" I asked gently.She shook her head. "Wala naman po, doctora..."A cut slashed across the corner of her forehead, and a few scrapes on her arms and leg were evident. There's also a shadow of bruises on her lips and cheeks as if someone slapped her hard.Nurse Clara had already checked Julie's ABC's—airway, breathing, and circulation. I couldn't find any physical wounds except for the cut on her forehead and a couple of bruises, but that didn't mean she was clear. I ran through the rest of my questions before I dismissed her with Nurse Clara."All right. Rest first, and I'll order a CT scan, just in case." I said, giving her a smile.AFTER two surgeries a
IT WAS around midnight when I had the chance to get home from work. We had a long-complicated surgery today, so I came home late. Since the house is near the hospital, mabilis lang akong nakauwi sa bahay.I wasn't expecting Reeve to be awake since it was already late, but I was astonished to see him on the sofa, sitting with his laptop on his lap and a coffee mug on the Coffee table. As usual, he's wearing a navy blue muscle tee and gray sweatpants.He quickly shifted his head in my direction and I feel like I was a burglar that got caught thieving in action. His eyes flickered with an unfamiliar emotion when he saw me entering the house.I kept my face and posture relaxed despite his presence. "I didn't expect to see you awake," I uttered as I removed my shoes to switch them into my house slippers."I was waiting for you," he drawled.I quickly twisted my head at him as my stomach cramped with guilt. "Y-You waited for me?" I uttered softly.His lips quirked as his eyes turned gl
A remix of Shakira's Hips don't lie starts playing. I saw the main character for tonight sitting in the middle of a mini stage with a blindfold in her eyes. In the background was gold curtain foil, a champagne balloon, and a bride-to-be balloon. There are also dozen of balloons scattered through the mini-stage.When the blindfold released her eyes, her lips parted in suprise. "Oh my gosh! I didn't expect this! Grabe kayo!" Her eyes dwelled with tears. "Surprise, Dra. Nikki!" We all shouted in unison.I walked towards her and Dra. Nikki wrapped me in a tight hug, and I allowed myself to sink into her comforting embrace. "Kelsea, I didn't expect you to keep this secret! I know how suck you're in lying!" she resorts.I chuckled lightly as I tapped her on the back. "It's for your own sake, girl!" I resort.I went to the circular table, where I spotted Nurse Eva, and some fellow. They welcome me with warmth and respect. A waiter served us drink, and we drank as the party began."Cheers!"
"Are you two Married?"Napangiwi ako, but I still remained poised. "Well, we still need to get to know each other, Doc," I said politely.Before we can even go further with their personal questions about our status, nagpaalam na ako na uuwi na. Nagpaalam na muna ako kina Dra. Nikki at Eunice at sa iba pang doctor bago lumabas ng pub.Nang makalabas kami sa pub ay halos gawin ko ng dalawa ang hakbang ko para hindi kami magka-usap ni Reeve. I don't want to talk to him. I'm still on the verge of throwing a fist on his face because of what he said in front of my co-workers.Pero nakalimutan kong kamag-anak pala niya si Daddy long legs dahil nahabol niya kaagad ako sa parking lot. He cornered me in front of my car."So, courting stage, huh? You told them that I'm your suitor?" His voice took on a familiar cocky lilt."What do you want me to say? Gusto mo bang sabihin kong asawa kita? That you're my husband?!" Bagamat kalmado ang boses ko ay madiin 'yon.His eyes twisted with irritation and