Quarrel

REESE was finishing her notes before leaving the classroom.

Suddenly, she was startled when someone called her out of nowhere.

Reese looked at the person who called her.

Reese heaved a sigh when she saw that it was that jerk she met at the bar and unluckily, he's also her classmate.

"There you are, Reese!"

Reese wanted to hide from that jerk who kept on bugging her ever since she met him here yesterday.

Pangalawang araw niya na sa klase at hindi nagustuhan ni Reese kung paano niya sinimulan ang araw niya sa unibersidad.

Having this jerk as her classmate is something Reese wanted to change.

She's doing well with her classes and the only problem was this jerk and Reese can't seem to shoo him away.

Tapos na ang panghuling subject ni Reese at akala niya ay makakatago na siya sa presensya ng lalaki na ito pero hindi niya alam kung paano siya nahanap nito.

Reese fixed her books and notebooks and she stood up without giving this weird perverted stranger any kind of attention.

She does not intend to talk to him nor remember his stupid name.

Reese left the room without looking back at the jerk.

She just wants to go home and take a rest.

Hindi niya nakuha ang tulog na gusto niya kagabi dahil marami siyang ginagawa and something's bothering her back at the villa.

"Hey, Reese! Why are you avoiding me? Wait for me!" Sigaw nito.

Hindi alam ni Reese kung paano pa niya pipigilan ang namumuong inis at galit sa lalaki na 'to.

When would this jerk stop?

Reese is really annoyed and she doesn't know how to control her anger anymore.

She doesn't want her temper to just burst out of nowhere.

Having Reema around her would give her so much trouble, tapos ngayon dumagdag pa ang walang hiya na ito.

"C'mon, Reese. Stop ignoring me ---"

Hindi na napigilan ni Reese ang galit niya at hinarap ito.

"Look here, jerk. Kapag hindi mo pa ako titigilan, baka hindi lang sapak ang magawa ko. You've pissed me enough and you've annoyed me too much and if I were you, I would stop. I am afraid of what I'll be able to do if you won't stop." Reese blurted out too many warnings because of her anger she can't control anymore.

Ngumisi ang lalaki at hindi alam ni Reese kung ano ba ang problema nito.

She doesn't know if this man is out of his mind or whatever.

"C'mon, Reese. My name's not a jerk, I'm Kier Rivero. I'm not a stranger anymore so there's no need for you to avoid me every time you see me." Wika nito.

Hindi na alam ni Reese kung paano niya sasagutin ito.

Bumuntong hininga si Reese at tinignan ng masama ito.

"Well look, Kier." Reese emphasized his name.

"Whether you're a stranger to me or not, I don't care. Just leave me alone before I burst out in anger because of your freaking presence. You're annoying me." Dagdag ni Reese at kaagad na tinalikuran ito.

Nabigla si Reese nang hinarang siya nito at binigyan siya ng ngiti.

"Oh, c'mon, Reese. You don't need to be annoyed with my presence. We have the same blood, why are you spouting nonsense."

Natigilan si Reese sa sinabi nito.

"What the hell are you saying, Kier? Same blood? You're not even my relative or whatsoever, and I won't allow it --- ayokong magkaroon ng kadugo na katulad mo. You're shameless and annoying. So, please, this is the last time I'm telling you to leave me alone ---"

"No, I cannot leave such an interesting girl alone." Saad ni Kier. "Don't you find me attractive at all?" Dagdag nito.

Mahinang natawa si Reese.

"You? Attractive? I'm not even attracted or interested with the kinds of you. Go and try to consult a doctor, narcissism is a disease." Wika ni Reese at tinignan ito mula ulo hanggang paa.

"I also don't like younger males. It's gross." Dagdag ni Reese.

"Well, like I care?" Nakangising wika nito at mas lumapit sa kanya.

"I like mature women, so who cares if you're three years older than me?" Dagdag nito habang suot-suot pa rin ang ngisi na ayaw makita ni Reese.

Reese scrunched her face and she looked at Kier.

"You should really have yourself checked. You're weird." Dagdag ni Reese

Akmang aalis na nang makita niya ang kapatid niya na nakatingin sa kanya.

Mayroong kung anong tuwa na namumuo sa mga mata nito.

Is this really her bad day today?

She kept on seeing these two and she doesn't want to handle the two of them at all.

It annoys her.

"You really like to seduce men, big sister. With such an innocent face hides a face of a vixen." Nakangising wika ni Reema.

Reese gave her sister a sweet fake smile.

"Why? Are you jealous because I can do it better than you?" Reese teased her.

"I pity your husband, big sister. Does he know that you're having an affair here, inside the campus?" Saad ni Reema at napa buntong hininga si Reese sa sinabi ni Reema.

Like Severus cares.

They don't need to be like a couple at all times, it's just plain marriage with no strings attached.

"You're married?" Bakas ang pagkagulo sa boses ni Kier na nasa gilid ang nilang dalawa.

Hinarap ni Reema si Kier at nginisihan.

"Surprised? You never knew that she's married? I pity you…"

Reese gave out a sigh and she gave Reema a cold gaze.

"Are you satisfied now? Can you stop spouting nonsense? It hurts my ears and please the two of you leave me alone, I want to leave." Walang ganang wika ni Reese.

"Imbes na gawin mong problema ang buhay ko, problemahin mo yung pera na kailangan mong kitain para sa mga pangangailangan mo, Reema." Dagdag ni Reese.

"You really have the guts to ask that condition to grandpa, huh? Don't be too cocky, Reese." Wika ni Reema at lumapit sa kanya na tila ba mayroong ibubulong.

"I just want to remind you what happened to you when you tried to go back against me and our parents, right? Especially that grandpa's overseas, no one will protect you now." Bulong ni Reema sa kanya.

Reese felt the coldness in her body and she can remember what happened to her.

Reese felt really scared and she doesn't know how to react anymore.

She doesn't want to get tortured like that again… not this time…

Nabigla si Reese nang hilain siya palayo ni Kier kay Reema.

Mayroong ekspresyon si Kier na bakas ang galit at pagkamuhi kay Reema.

"I don't know what happened to her, but I am warning you..." Lumapit si Kier kay Reema na matalim ang tingin. "... to stay away from her or I'll cut your throat out."

Bakas ang takot sa mukha ni Reema at hindi rin makakibo si Reese dahil sa nakita niyang reaksyon ni Kier.

Is it possible that he can hear what Reema told her?

She only whispered that but how come Kier was able to hear what she just threatened her?

"Are you threatening me?" Nakataas kilay na wika ni Reema.

"Why? Were you threatened?" Nakangising wika ni Kier.

Bumuntong hininga si Reema at pinag krus nito ang braso sa dibdib.

"Look at the two of you. I really pity brother-in-law, he never knew that she married into a slut ---"

Hindi napigilan ni Reese na magsalita ng masama tungkol sa kapatid niya.

She already pushed her into her own limit.

"Are you that insecure of me that you ended up ruining my image? Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa ginagawa mo, Reema? Hindi ka ba talaga matututo?" Mahinang wika ni Reese at tinignan ng masama ang kapatid.

"I'm not in any kind of relationship with Kier. If you want him, go and seduce him, just don't overlap your ways of seducing him by involving me and my husband." Tinalikuran ni Reese si Reema at tinignan si Kier.

"I hope you get everything now and you should stop bothering me. I'm a married woman and I don't think you're worth committing adultery with. You're not qualified at all." Malamig na pahabol ni Reese at kaagad na iniwan ang dalawa sa hallway.

Reese looked at the time, pinaghintay niya na ng mahigit thirty minutes si Butler Mo sa parking lot dahil sa dalawang tao na hindi naman karapat dapat na pagaksayahin ng oras.

Reese massaged her temple when she suddenly remembered what Reema threatened her with earlier.

She can still see herself in the past… nakikita niya pa rin lahat ng nangyari sa kanya.

There was blood everywhere and Reese can even still feel the pain she went through during those days.

It was a big nightmare for Reese that made her this cold and heartless.

Reese looked around the parking lot and she can't seem to find the car Butler Mo always uses when he's picking her up.

But, instead of spotting Butler Mo, she spotted Severus' car and Severus itself.

He was looking at his phone while he's leaning on his car.

Reese then realized that he's only wearing his casual clothes, not his work suit. It made Reese wonder why he is here.

Kaagad na nilapitan ni Reese si Severus at tumayo ito sa harap ng asawa.

She stood there to get his attention that was stuck on his phone.

He stopped scrolling on his phone when Severus realized that she's already in his front.

Reese looked at him with her poker-face.

"What are you doing here?" Malamig na pagtatanong ni Reese.

"Picking you up, of course."

Bakas ang sarkasmo sa boses nito at hindi alam ni Reese bakit kakaiba ang tono ng boses nito.

Reese gave him a lop-sided grin.

"I thought Butler Mo would pick me up every day after my class? I'm a bit surprised seeing you here." Reese looked around.

"Should I ask for your reason?" Dagdag na tanong ni Reese.

"Am I not allowed to pick my wife after her class? Ayaw mo ba na malaman ng mga kaklase mo na may asawa ka na?" Severus said in a teasing tone.

Tanging pag-irap na lang ang naging tugon ni Reese sa sinabi nito.

Reese doesn't know what to say, but it doesn't mean what he was saying was right.

It doesn't matter to her if her schoolmates would know that she is married or not.

It is not her concern anymore atsaka ano namang pakialam nila kung kasal na siya o hindi?

Sumakay na si Reese sa kotse at nilagay sa likod ang bag niya.

She buckled her seatbelt up and she looked outside the mirror seeing Reema walking outside the campus.

Reese was not surprised that her sister ran towards her position as soon as she saw her husband.

Her sister really is troublesome for her, but this is a good chance to get back to her

Reese intended to make her sister mad at her by making her jealous and insecure of her.

Mula pagkabata nila ay ganyan na ang kapatid niya sa kanya.

Reema always sees her as a rival, not as her older sister.

That's the reason why Reema was mean to her since then.

Bahagyang pinindot ni Reese ang isang control sa loob ng sasakyan para ibaba ng kaunti ang bintana para marinig kung ano ang sasabihin ni Reema kay Severus.

"Brother-in-law, it's good to see you here!" Bati ni Reema at kaagad namang napatingin si Severus sa kapatid.

"Oh, Reema. It's you…" Mahinang wika ni Severus na tila ba hindi interesadong kausapin si Reema.

"Is there anything you need from me? Or from your sister?" Pagtatanong ni Severus kay Reema ng hindi ito tinitignan o nabibigyang pansin.

Reese saw how Reema took a glance at her with a smirk.

Reese already knew that her sister would probably say something about what happened earlier.

Would probably end up telling another lie that she probably thought would work on Severus.

"I have something to tell you, brother-in-law. It's regarding your wife… my sister." Mahinang wika nito.

Mayroong kung anong lungkot na nakatatak sa mukha nito.

Severus won't really take her words seriously, they are not into each other.

So why would he mind about it, right?

Hindi rin papatulan ni Reese si Kier dahil hindi niya tipo ito at ayaw ni Reese sa kung anong uri ng relasyon.

"Sorry, I would like to hear it from my wife instead. If it's regarding her, then I'll let her say it to me." Malamig na wika ni Severus at binuksan ang pintuan sa driver's seat.

"If there's nothing else then…" Paalam ni Severus at pumasok sa loob ng kotse.

Nakatingin si Reese sa papalayong bulto ni Reema.

Base sa paraan ng paglalakad nito ay mukhang na doble ang init ng ulo nito dahil hindi ito nagtagumpay sa lahat ng plano nitong paninira sa kanya.

Reema won't just stop, kahit na napapahiya na ito ay hindi pa rin talaga siya titigil hangga't hindi siya nakikita nitong napapahiya o nahihirapan.

Reese grew up with Reema for almost her whole existence and she knows her too well and in every action she makes.

She already had enough from the pain she felt for almost half of her existence.

Reema did not only bring jealousy to her, but Reema and her parents were the one who made her like this.

The current person she is was caused by them, it's never been easy for Reese to face everything, but hey, she survived.

She built herself to be strong in every situation she faces.

Reese won't always have the assurance that she'll be strong and brave for everything.

Napansin ni Reese na nagsisimula na mag maneho si Severus at napansin niya rin na sa ibang direksyon ang dinaanan nila.

Reese was curious on where they were heading and this is not the way back to the villa, unless it's a shortcut or whatsoever.

"Kilala mo ang kapatid mo diba?" Severus started the conversation.

"What do you think she would tell me this time? She's really persistent on ruining your image in front of me." Dagdag na wika ni Severus.

Reese gave Severus a short glance and she looked back outside the car.

"Hmm, maybe she would tell you about a man named Kier." Wika ni Reese at napabuntong hininga.

"Mukhang sasabihin niya na mayroon akong kabit at kaklase ko pa." Mahinang natawa si Reese sa sinabi niya.

"I think that won't be true at all, right?" Pagtatanong ni Severus sa kanya.

Napahalakhak si Reese sa sinabi ni Severus sa kanya.

"C'mon, Sev." Panimula ni Reese.

"Do you really think I'm the type of person to commit adultery? And what's worse? Committing it to a man three years younger than me. It's so not me, not my interest at all!" Paliwanag ni Reese.

"Well then, I'll believe what you'll say…" Wika ni Severus.

"Oh, and by the way, I forgot to tell you. We'll be meeting my friends today. We'll be dining our dinner with them." Dagdag pa nito.

"With Kyrone? Kailangan pa ba natin na kitain siya? I already met him at our wedding, right?"

Umiling si Severus at hininto ang kotse dahil nasa red ang stop light.

"The other two did not have the chance to attend the wedding. Si Kyrone lang ang nakadalo." Paliwanag nito.

Napatango si Reese at napatingin muli sa labas ng bintana ng kotse nang umaandar ito.

"Is that so…" Reese doesn't know why Severus had to introduce her to his friends.

Would it be really necessary?

Reese doesn't feel anything with him, so does he.

So, is there any need to be formally introduced to his close friends?

Biglaang nakuha ng isang paper bag sa isang book store ang atensyon ni Reese.

Kinuha niya iyon at napansin niya na napatingin si Severus sa ginawa niya.

Sinilip ni Reese ang laman ng paper bag at nakita niya ang tatlong libro na binili nito sa isang booktore.

"You like reading books?" Pagtatanong ni Reese kay Severus.

Severus lightly chuckled.

"You can say that I like reading books, but not that much. But, I am interested in reading books." Sagot nito sa kanya.

Nilabas ni Reese ang libro na pinamili ni Severus at natigilan nang makita ang book cover pa lang.

She looked at the three books carefully to check if she's seeing it right.

And Reese was surprised to see that it was really her five published books.

"I coincidentally saw those books at the best-seller shelf earlier. I was curious about the book so I decided to purchase it and read them during my free time." Wika nito.

"I also heard from the saleslady that the author of those best selling books was not seen in any kind of fan sign events or such, it made the other readers a bit sad." Paliwanag nito sa kanya.

Reese gulped and she looked at her books closely and when she saw the other book, her first published book.

Her heart was suddenly happy.

Writing books was her only escape from the cruel reality she was facing and she never knew that writing stories would be one of her careers.

"You know…" Panimula ni Reese at nanatiling nakatingin ito sa mga libro.

"An english writer named Virginia Woolf once said that, 'Every secret of a writer's soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written largely in his works.'. That's what makes a book interesting and reading books was one of my habits since childhood."

"That's why I wanted to read your books, Reese. Maybe I'll get to know you more by reading the books you published."

Natigilan si Reese sa sinabi ni Severus. All along he knew that she was the author of these books?

Her heart skipped a beat but Reese doesn't want to have this kind of feeling from what Severus just said to her.

Instead of saying anything, Reese just gave him a smile and she put the books back to it's paper bag.

She saw that they finally arrived at the restaurant they'll be meeting his friends.

Binaba ni Reese ang paper bag at tinanggal niya ang seatbelt niya.

Reese just took her wallet and phone with her. Severus opened the door for her and she went down the car.

Severus locked the car and she looked at the restaurant and felt familiarity with the place.

Sabay silang pumasok ni Severus sa restaurant at nagpunta sila sa reception area.

"Do you have any reservations, sir?" Pagtatanong ng receptionist sa kanila.

"Yes.I have a reservation for five people." Sagot ni Severus.

Kaagad na tinignan ng receptionist ang isang notebook na nasa harap nito kung saan naka lista lahat ng mga nag pa-reserve ngayong araw.

"Ah, I see. Mr. Severus Lim, right?" Pagtatanong ng receptionist at kaagad na tumango si Severus.

"Ah, this way, sir and ma'am. The other guests already arrived." wika ng receptionist at kaagad na dinala sila sa lamesang naka reserba para sa kanila.

Reese is only familiar with Kyrone and as soon as she saw Kyrone and the other two men.

Reese knew that it was the table Severus reserved.

As soon as they arrived on the table, Reese was surprised when the three men stood up, clapping.

"The newlyweds are finally here." Saad ng lalaki na katabi ni Kyrone at nakasuot ito ng navy blue na suit.

"Ngayon ko lang nakita si Athan at Chad na maaga." Natatawang saad ni Severus at pinag hila siya nito ng upuan.

"Sit here." Mahinang wika nito sa kanya at tumango si Reese at umupo sa upuan.

Umupo si Severus sa upuan sa tabi niya and Reese is in between Kyrone.

Her husband but Reese felt discomfort when she realized that the two guys named Athan and Chad were staring at her as if they were examining her closely.

Nabigla si Reese nang magsalita si Severus.

"I'll remove those eyes of yours, Athan. Stop that." Wika ni Severus.

"Oh, by the way, let me introduce you to the two new guys." Severus looked at her and he smiled.

"This is Athan Marceau, he's Kyrone's cousin." Tukoy ni Severus sa lalaki na nakasuot ng navy blue na suit. "Then lastly, the man beside him is Chad Yu."

Reese gave them an awkward smile and she also bowed her head.

"Good evening." Bati ni Reese. "It's a pleasure to meet the two of you." Nakangiting wika ni Reese.

Reese saw the guy named Chad looking at her while squinting his eyes.

Kahit na singkit na ang mga mata nito ay pansin pa rin ni Reese kung paano nito pinaliit ang paningin.

"You look much better than your sister…" Wika ni Chad na katabi ni Kyrone.

"You have those cognac eye color, you have a long and brown hair --- magkapatid ba talaga kayo?" Dagdag nito.

Mahinang natawa si Reese at tumango. "Yes, she's my younger sister." Sagot ni Reese at nagtatakang tinignan si Chad.

"Uhm, how did you know my sister?" Pagtatanong ni Reese.

Napatingin si Chad kay Kyrone at mukhang nagdadalawang isip ito kung sasagutin ba siya o hindi.

"Uhm, well… I don't know if I should tell you or not…" Mahinang wika ni Chad.

Nabigla si Reese nang batukan ni Athan si Chad at mukhang malakas iyon.

"Are you an idiot? Next time, don't open up a topic you can't stand."

Natawa si Reese sa nakita niya at miski rin si Severus ay natawa.

Isa-isang nilapag ng waiter ang inumin nila at nakakapag-taka dahil ang inumin niya lang ang kakaiba.

Hers was cranberry juice while her husband and his friends had wine.

"I hope the two of you won't mind, we already ordered the food, if there's anything you would like to add, just tell me. I'll ask my uncle to cook it even if it's not in the menu." Wika ni Kyrone.

"It's fine." Nakangiting wika ni Reese at napatingin sa paligid.

Reese saw different landscape pictures inside the restaurant and in every photo Reese can see that every portrait shouts one thing

Every portrait has the same emotion Reese can analyze.

"Is there anything wrong, Reese?" Pagtatanong ni Severus sa kanya.

Kaagad na napatingin si Reese kay Severus na bakas ang pag-aalala sa mga mata nito.

"No, nothing's wrong." Sagot ni Reese at binalik ang tingin sa mga portrait na nasa bawat kanto ng restaurant.

"I am just amazed by the landscape pictures inside the restaurant. If you look at each piece and analyze the movement of the photo, it has something really deep." Paliwanag ni Reese.

"Those photos were taken by Kyrone's mother. Aunt Kira was a professional photographer before she handled their family business that is now under Kyrone's management." Paliwanag ni Severus sa kanya.

"I think my mother would be happy to meet your wife, Severus." Nakangiting wika ni Kyrone.

"I think that would be a bad idea, Ky." Natatawang wika ni Athan.

"Parang hindi mo kilala si Auntie Kira. She's been pushing you to find yourself a wife, and if she happens to meet Reese, then maybe Severus will get her wife snatched away." Pabirong wika ni Athan.

"Well, I won't allow that to happen. Reese is mine, she's my wife." Nakangiting wika ni Severus na ikinatigil ni Reese.

She took a glance at him and she never saw him smile like that.

He sometimes smiles at her and Reese was just surprised to see him smile like this.

"I didn't know you can analyze anything with just a landscape." Wika ni Chad.

"My father also knows how to analyze those kinds of things. Funny that I didn't inherit that from my father." Dagdag ni Chad.

"Of course, your father's a big idiot. Chaun would be the same stupid man I met." Nabigla sila sa nagsalita.

Sabay-sabay silang napatingin at nakita nila ang isang lalaki na siguro ay nasa fifties na at nakasuot ito ng uniporme na pang-chef.

"Especially your father, Kyrone." Dagdag nito at mahinang natawa.

He pointed at Athan, Chad and Kyrone and he gave them a smirk.

"Among the three of you, Severus is the best." Dagdag pa nito muli.

Waiters suddenly came with the food they ordered.

Every dish looked really good and Reese can't wait to take a bite from the dishes that were ordered.

"You're still the same Uncle Luther." Natatawang wika ni Severus.

Napabuntong hininga si Kyrone at napahilot sa sintido nito.

"I already had enough with your crazy love triangle story, Tito Luther. C'mon, you should also find yourself a wife." Wika ni Kyrone na ikinatawa nila Chad, Athan at Severus.

"Uncle Luther, it's nice to see you here." Hindi alam ni Reese kung purong sarkasmo ang paraan ng pagbati ni Chad dito.

"Of course you would see me here, this is my restaurant." The chef said and his eyes landed on her.

"Oh, this is new. Is she your girlfriend, Kyrone?" Pagtatanong ni Chef Luther kay Kyrone.

Kyrone sighed and she saw Chad and Athan laughing at what Chef Luther said.

"You got it wrong again…" Mahinang wika ni Kyrone.

"Go on, Sev. Introduce your wife to him, I hate misunderstandings. Baka makaabot na naman 'to kay mom." Dagdag ni Kyrone.

Mahinang natawa si Severus at nabigla si Reese nang hawakan ni Severus ang kamay niya at tinaas ito.

"She's my wife, Uncle Luther. Her name's Reese." Severus introduced her proudly.

"Oh, I remember." Wika ni Chef Luther.

"I'm sorry, hindi ako nakapunta sa wedding ceremony. I went back to Italy that time." Paliwanag nito at nginitian siya ni Chef Luther.

"Well, it's nice to meet the eldest grand daughter of Master Chen. I hope you will enjoy the dishes I prepared."

Nginitian ni Reese si Chef Luther.

"It's nice to meet you too. I will enjoy the dishes, thank you." Masayang sagot ni Reese.

Reese can't even determine if she's just acting right now or not.

She's already been introduced to Severus' closest friends and acquaintances.

Reese thought that it would be a bit hard for her to remove her ties with him.

They already started eating their dinner.

Reese doesn't want to deny the fact that she's really enjoying having her dinner with Severus' friends.

They kept on entertaining her and Reese doesn't even find it annoying.

She usually finds this kind of gathering annoying because she's not used to this kind of thing.

"You guys are here, too?"

Lahat sila ay napatingin sa pinanggalingan ng boses.

Natigilan si Reese nang makita ang taong ayaw niya sanang makita.

Reese's eyes were fixed on Sebastian and she could see how the woman who just talked right now clung onto his arm.

From the looks of it, Reese can just interpret that he already found someone new.

Reese felt bitterness and she can't even explain what she is feeling right now

Reese thought that Sebastian really loved her, but in just a matter of days… he already found someone new.

Pero masisisi ba ni Reese si Sebastian?

Reese insisted on breaking up with him without letting him explain.

It would be shameless on her part to think about things like she did nothing wrong at all.

But it really makes her heart bleed.

Seeing the man she loves with another woman breaks her heart.

She can't even say anything about it, she's already his ex-girlfriend.

"It's such a small world to see my cousins here!" Masayang wika ng babae.

Nagtatakang tinignan ni Chad si Olivia at si Sebastian.

"Who is he? Won't you introduce him to us?" Pagtatanong ni Chad.

"Good evening." Maikling bati ni Sebastian at nagkatinginan silang dalawa nito.

"Oh, this is my boyfriend. We just started seeing each other two days ago. His name is Sebastian..." Sagot ni Olivia at ngumiti. "Can we join you, guys? If you won't mind..."

Napayuko si Reese at hindi niya alam ang irereact niya.

Reese used the table napkin on her lap to wipe her lips and she stood up without looking anyone in the eyes.

"I'll need to excuse myself. I'll just go to the restroom." Wika niya at kaagad na umalis sa kinauupuan.

She made her way to the bathroom and she went inside the restroom.

She looked at herself in front of the mirror.

Bitterness can be sensed all over her facial expression.

Why does it have to be like this?

Everything she decides for herself ends up being her greatest misery.

How can she have her peace of mind now?

Reese doesn't know how to react with what's happening and she can't just say things like nothing happened.

Lalo na't tapos na silang dalawa ni Sebastian.

Would it be better if she would ask Severus if they can leave now?

Alam naman nito kung ano'ng nararamdaman niya.

She already told Severus who she really love and maybe he'll understand the situation.

Lumabas si Reese ng banyo at kaagad nagtungo pabalik sa lamesa na inuukupa nila.

The table had two extra chairs and she can hear them having a good conversation.

She can clearly hear everything on where she is standing right now.

"C'mon, babe. Try this dish, this is Uncle Luther's best dish here." Pamimilit ni Olivia kay Sebastian.

Tinignan ni Reese ang pagkain na inaalok ni Olivia kay Sebastian.

She can see that the dish Olivia was giving Sebastian contains nuts.

Reese knows that Sebastian's allergy to nuts is severe and it might give him a hard time.

Kaagad na lumapit si Reese at hinablot ang kutsara na hawak ni Olivia.

"You can't give him that. He's allergic to nuts and that dish contains nuts."

Nabigla si Reese a ginawa niya miski ang mga tao na nasa paligid.

She doesn't know why she did that and it was out of the blue.

Hindi alam ni Reese na kaagad siyang lumapit kay Olivia para hablutin ang kutsara.

She doesn't know why she rushed on her way back to the table and grabbed that damn spoon.

Kaagad na binitawan ni Reese ang kamay ni Olivia at nahihiyang umupo.

"I'm sorry for being so impulsive." Reese apologized and she saw how Olvia looked at her.

"How did you know that he's allergic to nuts?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Olivia sa kanya.

Reese cleared her throat.

Hindi niya alam ang isasagot niya, she just acted like she didn't know Sebastian

It is also not good to tell her that she's his ex-girlfriend in front of Severus' close friend.

"Actually he's ----"

Hinawakan ni Severus ang kamay niya at kaagad na inunahan siya sa pagsagot.

"She's my wife's childhood friend." Nakangiting sagot ni Severus at napatingin siya sa asawa.

Reese doesn't know if he's mad because Reese couldn't tell at all.

There's something wrong with the way he looked at the moment.

Of course, who won't get mad, right?

Reese did something out of impulse and it was also her ex-boyfriend whom she cared and loved so much.

"Oh, is that so?" Mahinang wika ni Olivia at nilingon si Sebastian.

"You didn't mention me about your childhood friend, babe." Nakangiting wika ni Olivia kay Sebastian.

"Sorry, there's no need to mention her at all. But, at least now you know that she's my childhood friend." Malamig na wika ni Sebastian.

Reese felt like something stabbed her heart.

It hurts so much that she can't endure staying here anymore.

Kaagad na tinanggal ni Reese ang kamay ni Severus na nakahawak sa kanya at mahigpit siyang napakuyom ng kamao.

She wants to leave...

"I'm sorry… Mahinang wika ni Reese at nanatiling nakayuko.

"I still have some things to do…I need to go and take my leave." Nagtaas ng tingin si Reese at ngumiti.

"Looks like my wife and I have to leave. See you again next time." Wika ni Severus at sabay silang tumayo.

Reese smiled at Severus' close friends but she didn't look at Sebastian before she left the restaurant.

There were no tears falling from her eyes, she already went through a lot of pain to the point that she got used to it.

But it still breaks her. Severus opened his car and without wasting any second.

Reese went inside and she buckled her seatbelt.

She never knew she would see him at that restaurant.

Reese doesn't want to consider it as coincidence because it felt like this is just her bad luck striking.

Hindi alam ni Reese bakit nag mukha siyang mahina doon.

Instead of making herself look like a martyr ex.

She can be the thick-skinned type of ex and how come she made it look that way?

Dahil sa lalim ng iniisip ni Reese.

Hindi niya alam na nagsimula na pala si Severus sa pagmamaneho ng kotse.

Hindi alam ni Reese kung bakit nakakaramdam siya ng mabigat na pakiramdam sa loob ng kotse.

"I'm a mess… I'm stupid…" Mahinang wika ni Reese.

Ipinatong ang parehong siko niya sa hita niya at pinatong niya ang nuo niya sa palad niya.

"You really are stupid."

Natigilan si Reese nang magsalita si Severus.

Nagtaas siya ng tingin at nakita niya ang madilim ang ekspresyon ni Severus.

Reese forgot that she's with Severus at the moment and she felt like something's wrong with him.

Mahinang natawa si Reese at napatingin sa labas kung saan makikita niya ang iba't ibang uri ng kotse.

Agaw pansin rin ang street light at stop light sa daan.

"Well, what can I do? Love can really make people stupid. And I am one of those people." Pag-sakay ni Reese sa sinabi ng binata sa kanya.

There's no point on denying it at all, she's really stupid.

"You did not deny it." Bitterness dripped on what Severus just said.

"Is that how strong your feelings are for your ex-boyfriend?" Pagtatanong nito.

"Your questions are too personal for me and I don't want you to invade my privacy. I still want to ask you to stick with our condition." Reese answered him with her poker-face.

"Of course… of course… that damn condition." Bakas ang pagka-irita sa boses ni Severus.

Hindi lubos maisip ni Reese kung bakit ba ito iritado.

Hindi ba dapat siya ang iritado dahil siya itong nasaktan at nagmukhang tanga kanina?

And so what? If Reese won't answer his question?

Bakit bigdeal ito sa kanya? Is he really taking the marriage serious to the point he would go to this extent?

Why would he see this marriage in a serious manner when she doesn't even consider this as a real marriage.

Ah, Reese finally gets it.

Reese now knows the reason behind his reaction to her right now and Reese should take action about it.

"Alam ko na nakakahiya ang ginawa ko kanina sa harap ng mga kaibigan mo, sorry if I didn't acted like your wife there. I tried, but something suddenly came up and looked like I can't keep my acting up anymore." Reese said in a cold tone.

"Don't worry it won't happen next time. I will do better acting like your wife and I will make sure that it would look like we're a happy couple." Dagdag ni Reese at nakangising binalik ang tingin sa labas.

Hindi alam ni Reese kung bakit kailangan niya pang magpanggap na masayang asawa.

Alam naman ni Reese na half of the people around their wedding knows that it was all an arranged marriage by their parents.

It really is unnecessary to pretend to be a happy couple with anyone they meet, right?

Severus stopped the car and that's when Reese just realized that they are already back and Severus already got the car parked.

Reese fetched her bag at the back and she unbuckled her seatbelt.

But , before she could even leave the car --- Severus suddenly spoke.

"You don't really get anything at all, Reese." Wika ni Severus.

"I don't need you to act like a real wife in front of them. All I need for you is to open your eyes and figure everything with your own understanding, but it felt like it would be for you to do it because you're heartless and cold, Reese. I really don't know how to deal with you anymore."

Natigilan si Reese sa sinabi ni Severus, he left her inside the car thinking about the words he just said.

She didn't even realize that she already made Severus hate her just like the way other people hated her.

Heartless? Cold? Hard to deal with? She's been hearing those words since her childhood.

Those were the words Reese tried to get over with, growing up being criticized, bullied and treated badly.

She never knew people would call her like that without even getting to know her at all.

She grew tired of thinking the reason why people would tell those words after they already had enough of her.

Those were the words they always tell when they get tired of her.

Those were the first cruel words she tried to digest.

She never knew she would hear it from Severus, whom she thought that would get to understand her.

Since the day Severus asked her what her reason behind accepting the marriage.

Reese then knew that Severus understands her. But, it was just what she thought.

Bumaba si Reese sa kotse na mayroong malamig na ekspresyon.

Pumasok siya sa loob ng villa at hindi niya nakita si Severus kung saan.

She was so tired emotionally that she couldn't think of anything anymore.

Reese was about to go upstairs when she suddenly saw Ms. Ann with a worried expression in her face.

"Young lady," Ms. Ann called her out. "Did anything happen? Is there anything wrong?" Pagtatanong ni Ms. Ann sa kanya.

Reese immediately plastered a fake smile.

"No, there's nothing wrong, Ms. Ann. Bakit mo naman naisip itanong 'yan, Ms. Ann?"

Bumuntong hininga si Ms. Ann.

"Well, the young master's not in a good mood today and both of you look really down today." Wika ni Ms. Ann.

"Did you two fight?" Dagdag na tanong ni Ms. Ann sa kanya.

"No, we did not fight. We're just both tired." Malumanay na sagot ni Reese.

"Well, I'll go to my room and take a rest first, Ms. Ann. Good night." Paalam ni Reese at walang gana na umakyat patungong silid.

As soon as she got inside her room, nilapag niya ang bag niya.

Kaagad na pumasok sa banyo para kaagad na maligo at para mapakalma niya ang sarili niya.

Hindi maintindihan ni Reese kung bakit nagalit ang binata sa kanya.

She's frustrated enough from what happened earlier at the restaurant and Severus joined her frutration too.

Hindi niya maintindihan ang rason kung bakit sinabi sa kanya ni Severus iyon

She doesn't have enough knowledge on the reason why Severus blurted out those words at her.

Reese was confused with what she is feeling right now.

Naghahalo-halo lahat ng emosyon niya dahil sa nangyari.

Reese was just thinking about Olivia and Sebastian slightly hurts her.

Hindi kasi lubusan maisip ni Reese na maipagpapalit siya kaagad ni Sebastian ng ganoon-ganoon.

Therefore she concluded that the feelings Sebastian has for her was easily replaced.

Reese soaked herself on her cold shower and it made her at least feel calm.

Reese looked at her ring and a small smirk formed on her lips.

How silly she is in not taking off these rings on her finger, it only portrays that she's really serious with this marriage.

Being called 'heartless', 'cold' and 'hard to deal with' by Severus is different.

It had a different impact with her and Reese doesn't know why.

Halos buong buhay siyang natatawag ng ganyan at palagi niyang iniisip na normal na lang iyon at sanay na siya.

Reese closed her shower and she reached for her towel to dry herself up.

She did what had to be done after she took her shower.

Lumabas si Reese ng banyo na suot-suot ang pantulog niya at nanatiling basa ang buhok niya.

Something's bothering her and she can;t even explain what she is feeling right now.

Bakit arang nasaktan siya sa sinabi ni Severus sa kanya?

Though, those were the words she grew up with.

Nasanay na siya sa ganyang pagtawag sa kanya at madalas ay nanggagaling pa iyon mismo sa magulang niya na akala niya na kaya siyang intindihin.

Reese felt a bit suffocated inside her room.

She decided to go to the villa's rooftop terrace and she decided to let her head cool down there.

Dinala niya ang cellphone niya at umupo siya sa isang mini-sala set sa teresa.

The cold wind slowly calms her and her skin can feel the coldness of the night breeze.

Malaya niyang nakikita ang kalawakan ng langit dito at ang mga bituin na nagkalat dito.

This is her life, she always filled her mind with this kind of scenery.

Since she grew up as a person who can only see the night sky and the coldness of the wind.

In the middle of looking at the stars, her phone suddenly rang.

Reese looked at her phone to see who was calling.

It was an unregistered phone number and Reese had no choice but to answer it.

"Hello? Who is this?" Reese said in a serious tone.

[Look at you, you're not even saving your mother's phone number on your personal cell phone.]

Mahinang napabuntong hininga si Reese.

"Is it even necessary for me to save your number when you don't even want to hear my voice?"

"If there's nothing else then…" Reese was about to end the call when her mother suddenly spoke.

[I will just get straight to the point…]

[Your grandfather went back to Italy to continue her treatment, and I want to ask something from you. I want to make use of your marriage with your husband.]

Mahinang natawa si Reese sa sinabi ng ina.

"That's your reason for your calling…you only called me because you need something from me that you can't have." Sagot ni Reese.

"If you want to ask something from my husband, go and ask him yourself. Don't use me to get everything you wanted, if you let Reema get married instead, it'll be much easier for you to get something you'll ask for."

[You can't use that tone on me, Reese.]

Bakas sa boses ng ina niya ang panakot.

[I want you to ask your husband to give you ten million. We are in need of money right now and you're the only one that can help us.]

"You're taking this chance because grandpa's not around. Are you really that in need of money to go and stoop this low? I never knew I had this kind of cheap parents." malamig na wika ni Reese at napakuyom ang kamao.

"Think what you want to think about us, all we need you to do is to ask money from your husband and do your purpose very well." Wika ng ina niya.

"If you won't, then I don't mind doing the same things I did to you back then. If you won't be obedient then I'm afraid I won't stop myself from doing the same process that made you who you are, Reese."

The line ended and Reese wasn't able to say anything at all.

She froze and she was really scared of what her mother just told her.

Tears won't just stop falling and she doesn't want to be in that position anymore… chains, blood and pain… she already had enough with it…

Nanghihinang napaupo si Reese at halos marinig niya ang mga sigaw niya.

Paghihingi niya ng tulong nuong panahon na natanggap niya ang matinding pagpaparusa sa kanya.

She was just eight years old then, she was just a clueless child screaming in pain --- screaming for help.

A bitter memory that changed her life forever, a memory that she won't ever forget.

A memory of her bitter childhood in the hands of her own mother and father.