Loving Him

CHAPTER 5

Chapter 5

I smile bitterly as I stare at his face while sleeping. He's very handsome. He's perfect.

As much as I wanted to stay on his arms, I can't. Habang tumatagal ang pagtitig ko sa kanya naaalala ko ang pagbabago niya. Hindi na siya si Nick. I cannot believe he is the man who was so gentle to me before.

Dahan dahan akong lumayo mula sa kanya at kumuha ng lakas para makabangon. Sa pagod ko kagabi at pag-iyak, natulog nalang ako kahit ginagamit pa rin niya 'ko kaya ang sakit ng katawan ko.

Agad akong naligo at nag-ayos para makapagluto na 'ko.

Another day Anne… just be strong. 

…

"Are you ready for the reunion?"

Agad akong tumingin sa likuran ko at tumayo para halikan si Nick.

"You’re occupied? My question." He reminded as he sits down.

"Wala pa 'kong isusuot Nick eh." I softly said while putting some foods on his plate.

"It's okay. Just be naked. It'll suit you, bitch."

My heart twinged. Bakit kailangang sabihin pa niya 'yon? Why does he have to be this disrespectful?

I prevented my tears from falling and spoke.

"Tama na ba 'to Nick?"

"Yes. Get me some milk."

Tumango nalang ako at nagpunta sa kitchen para kumuha ng gatas. He never liked coffee and his love for milk is really amusing.

"Take a bath after eating. Ako na'ng bahala sa isusuot mo." Seryoso niyang sabi habang kumakain.

"Naligo na 'ko." I whispered.

I am even scared to utter words because of my fear to be slapped.

"Tsk. Then take a bath again. A dirty woman needs bath every now and then."

I just looked down. Napansin ko namang hindi maayos ang sintas ng sapatos niya kaya lumuhod ako para ayusin 'yon.

"Next time I see you wearing bra you'll be hit." He coldly said.

I looked up at him and met his cold stare. But I soon nodded.

…

"Hey! Open the hell up!"

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang hampasin ni Nick ng malakas ang pinto.

I have no choice but to open it immediately kahit tuwalya lang ang nakabalot sa katawan ko.

"Putang ina I saw everything for how many times. You don't have to lock it." He coldly said and threw me a paper bag.

Agad ko namang pinulot. I opened it and saw an elegant red dress.

"The shoes are on the bed. Move fast."

Agad naman akong tumango. Umalis na si Nick na hindi sinasara ang pinto ng walk-in-closet kaya nagbihis nalang akong nakabukas 'yon.

The dress fits me but bruises are very visible. How am I going to hide these? Even my hands are all bruised.

Nagulat naman ako nang bigla niyang hinablot yung braso ko at hinarap sa kanya.

"Listen up. Hide everything. Your hatred to me, anger or whatever bruises and wounds! Ayusin mo 'yang sarili mo, magmukha kang tao kahit ngayon lang. Did you get it?"

Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya habang sinasabi niya lahat 'yon. Then a tear suddenly fell. Wala na ‘kong ibang maramdaman tungkol sa sarili ko kung ‘di awa.

Agad naman akong tumango at nagpunas ng luha at hinintay na bitawan niya ang braso ko.

…

"It's kinda fine." I complimented to myself as I turn in front of the mirror.

I put a concealer cream and make ups to cover up everything and it took me almost an hour.

Pagkalabas ko, naabutan ko si Nick na may kausap sa phone habang nasa harap ng glass window ng kwarto.

He is all gorgeous and formal with his suit and tie. He looks ravishing.

He put off the call and coldly stared at me. "Come here." He said with his husky voice.

Kahit kinakabahan at natatakot ako sinunod ko siya.

I tried to smile to cover the fear.

He held my jaw tightly that made me groan. "Forget being my slave, act as my wife for today." He said and left.

…

"Hey there hijo." Mommy Nathalie warmly welcomed us.

She hugged Nick and after that, she looked at me surprisingly and hugged me.

"Hija! You've very beautiful. Talaga namang alaga ka ng anak ko."

Thanks to concealer.

Napangiti nalang ako ng pilit. Naramdaman ko namang humigpit ang hawak ni Nick sa waist ko. Another lies to come.

"Of course mom." I just said.

"So, go find a table. I have to go talk to the others." Mom said before leaving.

Nick again gripped my waist. "Sure you don’t wanna be hurt, so move gracefully."

"Oo Nick." I almost whispered while frowning because of pain. "Nick masakit."

"What-"

"What's up man?!"

We both looked at the man who tapped Nick's shoulder a little hard.

"Jae." Nick just said.

"And who's the woman beside you?" He asked while smirking at me.

"It's my wife, jerk."

"Possessive huh?! Naunahan mo pang ikasal yung utol mo ah. Kamusta pala 'yon? Wait, aren’t you going to introduce me?"

"Oh sure asshole." Nick faced me. "Baby, meet Jae-cie Mendoza, my cousin with hell's pleasure." He said and faced the man. "And Jace, this is Anne Zarina Cruz-Mendoza, my wife as I said."

Agad naglahad ng kamay si Jae-cie at tinanggap ko naman.

"Hey there Anne, wala ako noong wedding niyo. Your husband invited his business partners but not us, his cousins, during your wedding. How nice."

"Get away from my wife." Inis na sabi ni Nick.

Magsasalita pa sana siya pero biglang may nagsidatingan na mga troop of… handsome men in suits.

"Hey bro. How are ya? I've heard that you've been tied with a hottie." A tall guy said.

"Well I'm fine and this is Anne. Anne, this is Justine Mendoza, Christian McNeil, Luke del Valle and Jozhua Mendoza." Isa isa niyang itinuro yung mga lalake kaya isa isa ko naman silang kinamayan. "My cousins."

"She's gorgeous Nick." Chris said while staring at me.

My eyebrows creased. May kamukha si Chris. Hindi ko lang matandaan.

"And she's my wife Chris." Nick said with his cold voice.

"Eh si ate Alex nga pala? Kanina pa siya hinahanap ni ate Trisha." Luke interrupted when he felt a little tension.

Nick’s possessive as usual.

"I haven't seen her yet." Nick said.

"Ahm, excuse me. Nick, kukuha lang ako ng inumin ko." Hinalikan ko sandali si Nick saka naglakad papunta sa buffet table.

"Only if I know, what does that young handsome hot rich guy over there, saw in a not-so-pretty obvious and a trash like you?"

Napatigil ako sa narinig ko. I looked at the woman who looks like a clown and probably a clown. I did not know na may ganito palang itsura sa lahi nila Nick? I thought they are all good looking?

Who are you?

…