The Mafia Don's Affection

CHAPTER 27

IRIS stared at the mansion in front of her. Napakamot siya ng batok saka tumingin sa asawa. “Your house?”

Hindi naman alam ni Jospeh kung matatawa ba siya kay Iris. “Our house. You,” itinuro niya si Iris, “I,” sunod niyang itinuro ang sarili, “were husband and wife. So, it’s our house.”

Iris closed her eyes as she cupped her head. “Sorry. It’s just that I don’t remember anything.”

Joseph's face softened. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Iris na nakahawak sa ulo nito. “It’s okay. Magiging okay din ang lahat. Nandito lang ako para sa ‘yo.”

Ngumiti si Iris. “Salamat.”

Umiling si Joseph. “You shouldn't thank me. I’m your husband and this is what I should do.”

“But I still wanted to thank you even though you are my husband.” Sabi ni Iris saka yumakap sa asawa.

Mabilis namang tumalikod ang mga bodyguard nila.

Andrew and Monti smiled before turning back to the couple.

Napansin naman ni Iris ang ginawa ng mga bodyguard. “Bakit sila nakatalikod?”

Joseph chuckled. “It’s a way of showing their respect. They were giving us privacy.”

Nawala ang ngiti ni Iris sa labi saka mabilis na kumalas ng yakap sa asawa. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin saka pinaglaruan ang sariling kamay.

Hinawakan naman ni Joseph ang kamay ng asawa saka ito masuyong hinila papasok sa loob ng kabahayan. Dinala niya ito sa Master’s bedroom.

“Magpahinga ka na muna. May kailangan lang akong gawin sa opisina ko. Kung may kailangan ka, just call me. Or call Austin.” Sabi ni Joseph. Hinalikan niya si Iris sa nuo.

Tumango naman si Iris.

Joseph left the room.

Habang si Iris naman ay humiga sa kama. Hindi siya makatulog kaya naman tinignan na lamang niya ang buong kwarto. The Master's bedroom was spacious. The walls are painted with a brown color and the ceiling is painted with cream color. The veranda could be seen from inside the room because the whole wall covering the veranda was fiber glass and with deep brown floor-length curtains. May leather couch naman na nakalagay sa sulok ng kwarto. At the end of the bed, there was a bedroom bench.

The king-sized bed was covered with light brown bedsheets. Across the room is a set of black dressers with a door set perfectly between them. The door led to the walk-in closet.

Then she saw a closed door that maybe led to a bathroom.

Iris got curious. Wala siyang maalala na tumira siya sa kwartong ‘to. Pakiramdam niya ay ngayon lamang siya nakapasok sa kwartong ‘to. Napailing siya. Oo nga pala. Wala siyang maalala. Tumayo siya at tinignan ang buong kwarto.

Then she wanted to see the walk-in closet. Namangha siya dahil sa lawak ng walk-in closet. Parang kalahati ng master’s bedroom ang lawak ng walk-in closet. Belt and tie racks were placed at the corners of the room, and it was very convenient, organized, and accessible.

Sa isang sulok ng walk-in closet, nakalagay ang full-length mirror. Then there was a hanging space where long items were placed, such as dresses and suits. There was also a Closet Island at the center of the walk-in closet. It was a countertop with extra drawers and storage for jewelry, watches, and other valuable items.

Then a shoe shelf. Agad na nakita ni Iris ang mga leather shoes, rubber shoes, sneakers, flats, sandals, and flip-flops are placed.

“If you think those are not enough, you can buy more.”

Napasinghap si Iris nang marinig niya ang boses ng asawa. Mabilis siyang lumingon rito. “You…kanina ka pa ba diyan?”

Joseph shrugged. “Yes, Amore. Kanina pa ako rito.”

“Hindi ko narinig ang yapak mo.”

Ngumiti lang si Joseph. “Masanay ka na.”

Iris pouted. Umiling siya. “Hindi ako masasanay. Nakakagulat ka. Bigla-bigla ka na lang nagsasalita.” Sabi niya saka lumabas ng walk-in closet.

Joseph took out his wallet and took out his black card. Sinundan naman niya ang asawa na ngayon ay humiga sa kama. Umupo naman siya sa gilid ng kama saka inilahad kay Iris ang kamay niya kung saan nakalagay ang black card.

“What?” Iris asked.

“For you.”

Iris looked at the black card. “Ano ‘yan? Pagkain?”

Joseph was dumbfounded. “Amore, I think you changed a lot after you lost your memories.” Aniya saka napailing. Kinuha niya ang kamay ni Iris saka inilagay doon ang black card. “This is my black card, now it’s yours. If you want to go shopping, feel free to go and spend my money. But remember to bring Austin or Andrew with you. Only with them could I feel at ease while you were outside the house.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Iris. “Am I in danger?”

Hindi alam ni Joseph ang isasagot niya sa asawa. He just stokes her hair. “I just want you to be safe. Hindi natin alam ang aksidente.”

“Then,” Iris looked at the black card in her hand, “shopping? I rather sleep.” Aniya saka ipinikit ang mata.

Napangiti na lamang si Joseph saka kinumutan ang asawa hanggang sa itaas ng dibdib nito. Hinalikan niya ito sa nuo saka siya lumabas ng kwarto. Pagkalabas niya ng Master’s bedroom, naroon si Andrew at Austin na nakatayo.

“Andrew, tell the chef to cook nutritious food for Young Madam.”

“Yes, Milord.” Tugon ni Andrew saka umalis upang kausapin nito ang chef.

IT WAS DINNER TIME. Iris was called to the dining room by the maid, and Joseph was waiting for her. Kasama ni Joseph sina Monti at ang kambal na si Andrew at Austin. Nang makita ng tatlo si Iris, agad silang yumuko.

“Don’t bow. I’m begging you.” Saad ni Iris sa tatlo.

Nagkatinginan naman ang tatlong lalaki.

Pinagdaop ni Iris ang kamay sa harapan. “Please,” she begged.

The three men looked at their Don and Joseph gave them a subtle look.

“Amore, come and sit.” Aya ni Joseph.

Lumapit naman si Iris kay Joseph.

Joseph pulled the chair on the right side of the table and gestured for Iris to sit.

“Thank you.” Mahinang sabi ni Iris.

Napatingin si Iris sa lamesa. Natawa siya ng mahina. “Ang dami namang pagkain. Is this my last meal?” Pagbibiro niya.

Ngumiti si Joseph. “Just eat. You need these nutritious foods to recover.” Then he glanced at Iris’s chest. “Is your chest making you feel discomfort?”

Napahawak naman si Iris sa tapat ng kaniyang dibdib. “I’m fine. Naghilom na ang sugat ko. You heard it from the doctor.” Aniya saka magsisimula na sanang kumain nang mapansin niya ang tatlong lalaki na kasama nila. “Join us.” Nakangiti niyang saad.

Muling nagkatinginan sina Monti at ang kambal.

“My wife's words are equal to mine. So, it would be best if you obey and respect her, the same respect you have given me. Sit with us.” Seryosong saad ni Joseph.

Umupo naman agad ang tatlo.

Hinawakan ni Iris ang kamay ni Joseph. “Could you be more gentle? They’re not just your people but your family.”

“You’re not them.”

Napailing na lamang si Iris. “But they are your family.”

Monti and Andrew were trying to hide their smiles. While Austin was just silently eating.

Tahimik na kumakain si Iris habang nag-uusap naman si Joseph at Monti.

“May binabalak ba si Lolo?” tanong ni Joseph.

Umiling si Monti. “The Grand Old Master hasn’t done anything lately.” Monti was referring to Joseph’s grandfather.

“I’m afraid he was up to something. When he was behaving like a kind man, as if he wasn't doing anything wrong, he was planning something big.” Joseph sighed. “I’m worried.”

“Should we ready our men, Don?”

Umiling si Joseph. “No need. But we must be vigilant. My father will surely intercept my grandfather’s movements against me.” Tumaas ang sulok ng kaniyang labi. “I took my stubbornness from my father. I don’t have anything to worry about.”

“You’re fighting your own grandfather?” sabad ni Iris sa usapan.

Joseph looked at his Amore. He smiled. “He started it first. I wouldn’t fight against him if he didn't hurt you.”

“But I’m fine now,” said Iris.

She doesn’t know about me being the Mafia Don. Of course, she wouldn’t understand. Joseph thought. He smiled at his Amore. “Forget it. Just focus on your recovery. Hmm…”

Iris looked at her husband and didn’t say any words. Then she continued eating. She wanted to remember her memories, but her mind was blank. Gusto niyang maalala ang lahat kasi pakiramdam niya may importante siyang nakalimutan.

She looked at Joseph. He said he was her husband, but her mind couldn’t remember anything. But there is proof that they are indeed married. She looked at her finger, she was wearing a ring, the same ring as Joseph’s. And there is a marriage certificate too.

Napahawak si Iris sa sariling ulo nang maramdaman niyang sumakit ito.

“Amore, are you okay?” Nag-aalala si Joseph at agad na dinaluhan ang asawa ng makita niyang sinapo nito ang ulo.

“My head hurts…” mahinang saad ni Iris.

“Can you bear it? Or do you want me to massage it? Or I’ll bring you to the hospital?” Mabilis na tumingin si Joseph kay Andrew. “Ready the car—” hinawakan ni Iris ang laylayan ng damit ni Joseph kaya napatigil ang huli sa pagsasalita.

“I’m fine… nawawala na ang sakit ng ulo ko. Maybe because I was trying to remember everything.” Sabi ni Iris saka uminom ng tubig.

Joseph sighed. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Iris. “Amore, don’t force yourself. I don’t want to see you in pain,” he said softly.

Monti was dumbfounded when he heard the Don’s soft voice and gentle voice while speaking to his wife. Hindi niya akalain na may ganitong side pala ang Mafia Don. Talagang nagbago na ang mundo. Yeah, the world was changing.

Seeing the Don speaking in a soft and gentle voice is truly impressive. He thought the Don would always be cold-hearted. But no one would expect that the Don would be hit by the cupid’s arrow one day.