Chapter 12: New day
2148 Words
The day after the wedding...
Golden rays of sunlight flashing through the window woke me up from my slumber. I checked the time from my digital alarm clock and it's already eight o'clock in the morning.
As I get up in bed and walking towards the bathroom, I recalled the happenings when we get into our wedding reception.
Flashback.....
"Best wishes on this wonderful journey, as you build your new lives together." said of one of Daniel's business friend in front of us.
"Thank you, Mr. Montero." Daniel said as he accepted his hand.
"Thank you." I smiled and also took his hand. I swear I could feel the numbness of my jaws because of the non-stop smiling since we got out of the car.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us all raise a glass to these newlyweds. To their happiness and health. And may the good Lord teach them to stand together through everything that comes their way. Cheers everybody!"
"Cheers!"
I also raised my glass and drink the white wine that Daniel gave me earlier. And the moment I gulped the last content, we both heard sounds of the glass tapping and next were the shouts of all the guests including his parents.
"Kiss."
My breath hitched when I saw my husband smirking at me.
"Let's us give them their wish, sweetheart." he said before capturing my lips not just for a smock but for a breathtaking kiss that last up to how many seconds.
I closed my eyes with the intensity of his kiss and felt myself losing in the moment.
I was still in dazed when he breaks the kiss. He connect both of our foreheads while wiping my lips with his thumb.
"Aherm.." We both turned to the grinning Rian and Alex whose standing a few steps away from us.
Daniel immediately distant himself away from me.
"Congratulations bro." Alex patted his shoulder while Rian took my hand and pulled me to the corner.
"Congratulations." she's grinning widely. "You know what, you really look good to each other."
I rolled my eyes. "Rian, don't forget that this is just an act."
"I know but can you blame me if I'm hoping that someday 'this deal' could turn into reality?"
"That's not gonna happen."
"Okay." she shrugged. "But still, I'll pray for that to happen. I will be the first one to be happy if that happens." she winked at me.
"Silly woman!"
~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~
"Sophia!"
I was about to open my bedroom door when I heard Daniel call my name. We just came back from our wedding reception and I can now feel the tiredness all over my body.
"What?" I asked as my eyes drifting off because of drowsiness.
"I hope you understand your role in this deal."
I sighed and looked at him straight in the eyes.
"Don't worry I know about my role, so you don't have to remind it to me again."
"Good. And one more thing. I know my Mom already explained this to you, but let me add something."
I straightened my body. "And what is it?"
"We are married just in papers and nothing more, nothing less. We're not friends or anything. The only thing that's holding us together is a piece of paper with both our signature. You're not allowed to ask or interfere on my personal life as I won't ask anything about you. You can do whatever you want and I don't care." he stepped closer to me. "If you're going to date or flirt with any guy, just make sure you're not doing it in public. I don't want my name to be scandalized"
I waited for his next words, but I heard none, so it's time for me to ask.
"Are you done?"
I asked seriously while crossing my arms over my chest. His eyes followed my gesture and I didn't miss the slight hint of desire written on it.
"My dear husband, like I said, I know my place and I know my role. I won't ask anything about you or anything from you. I have my own life and also have my own problems. And regarding our status, 'don't worry' because I'll remember what you said, we're not friends nor do we know each other inside this house. Now, if you'll excuse me I'll take my rest."
I didn't wait for his response. I opened the door and left him in the hallway. As soon as I saw the queen size bed, changing my clothes never came across my mind. I just removed my heels and climbed immediately on top of the bed.
End of flashback...
I am drying my hair with a towel when I heard the ring of my phone from the bedside table. A smile crept on my lips when I saw Craig's name and picture on the screen.
"Craig." I excitedly greet him on the other line.
"Good morning Mrs. Sophia Ysabelle Kelley. Ohh.. what a beautiful name."
I rolled my eyes. "Craig, don't tell me you just called this morning to tease me?"
"Hmm.. just a slight." and he chuckled. "So how was your 'first wedding night'?" he emphasized the last three words.
"Tiring." I simply answered.
"Huh? Oh my God! Did you do the deed?"
"What? No! What are you talking about?" my eyes turned wide like a saucer.
"You said it was tiring."
"Oh my gosh Craig, you are such a dirty-minded!"
And he laughed even more.
"Just kidding! I know that will never happen even when you dream and fantasize your husband's body."
"Forgodsake! I would never do that!"
"Haha.. okay." he continued to laugh on the other line. "Anyway, I called to inform you that we need to start practising our dance steps for the international competition next month. We only have three weeks to finalize all the steps."
"Yeah, don't worry we will use that remaining three weeks to practice. And it's still long enough to memorize the steps."
"Okay, so what are your plans for today? Are you going home or you're going to the studio?"
"Of course! What made you think that I will stay here and won't go to work?"
"Because you are in your honeymoon stage."
I crunched my face when I heard the word 'honeymoon'.
"Oh goodness Craig! Can you stop teasing me those things?"
"I'll try. What time are you going to the studio?"
"I'll just change my dress and then I'll leave."
"Okay, see you."
"See you, bye."
After ending the call, I just changed into my black sweatpants, gray tank top and white rubber shoes. I just covered my top with my cotton hoodie. We are now going to start practising our piece for the competition. The half of the prize that we will get in case we win, we are going to donate it to the typhoon survivors last month in Amador City, the smallest city in California.
I found Nanay Emily in the living room and she greets me with a warm and motherly smile.
"Good morning, Anak. How's your sleep?"
"Good morning Nanay. It's fine, I actually woke up late today for work."
"Where do you work?"
"In a dancing studio. I actually owned it and I'm a dancing instructor." I answered with a smile.
"Wow, that's good to hear. Anyway, I cooked breakfast in the kitchen---"
"Ahm.. Nanay thank you, but I have to go."
"Okay, just wait for me here and I'll pack it for you. So if you feel hungry, you can eat it anytime."
I feel so touch with what she said, and because of that I can't help myself from hugging her.
"Thank you, Nanay Emily." I smiled at her when I pulled back. "I have never experienced such this thing in my life. The feeling of having someone taking care of you, packing your things, your food, telling you to take care before you leave and asking if how was your sleep when you wake up in the morning." I smiled bitterly.
"Ohh.. how about your mother?"
I shook my head. "She left me when I was ten years old, and she never came back after that."
She held my hands.
"From now on, you have me anak. You can consider me as your mother, with or without contract between you and Daniel or even if it ends. And don't hesitate to ask me what you need and share to me what you feel."
She wiped the first set of tears that flow down on my face.
"I don't know what's the real story behind these tears of yours, but I'm just here and I'm willing to listen anytime you want it to share to me." and this time, she was the one who pulled me into a hugged.
I really wanted to stop the tears, but being in her arms, it's really hard to control them. How I wish it's my mom. I missed her. I really don't know what's her look right now. Is she still look young? Does she still remember me or does she still know me as her daughter?
"Shhh.." she rubbed my back.
And when I pulled back, I give her an appreciative smile.
"I'm sorry for the drama, Nanay." I said wiping my face.
"It's okay, Anak. Wait for me here, I'll just pack some food."
I smiled and nodded.
She came back after a few minutes with two lunch boxes in her hands.
"Whoah! It's too much, Nanay." my eyes turned wide when she gives it to me.
"It's okay, share it with your friends or with your students."
"Thank you so much, Nanay Emily." I kissed her cheek.
"Your welcome. Careful, anak."
"I will Nanay."
I was about to open the door when she called me again.
"Oh I forgot something, anak."
I turned around and she got something inside her pocket.
"Your husband wants to give this to you." She takes my left hand and put a black credit card on it.
"W-What is this?" I asked in a crunched eyebrows. "I mean, what is this for?"
She shrugged. "He wants you to use that when you need something to buy for yourself."
"But I don't need this. I'm not as rich as him, but I have my own money Nanay." I put it back on her hand. "Just give it back to him and please tell him that I don't need it."
"But----"
"Thank you Nanay, I have to go."
I immediately opened the door and run towards the garage. I gulped when I saw again his collection of the finest and expensive sports car. And then I looked at my Mini Cooper, it's in avery matte metallic purple.
Well, it's not as expensive as his cars but I love it. It's my first car I bought from winning my first international dance competition in the US.
I put the lunch boxes in the hood and take my keys inside my bag. But I was about to take the boxes again when a man wearing a white uniform suddenly came in front of me.
"Good morning, Ma'am Sophia." he said in a loud voice which startled me and caused my keys to dropped on the floor.
"Forgodsake! Who are you?" I asked lifting my hand over my chest.
He picked up my keys and smiled while giving it back to me.
"Hi Ma'am Sophia, I'm Ricky and I am your personal driver." he said in a jolly tone.
"What?" my eyes turned wide in shock. "Are you kidding me?" I chuckled when I realized what he said.
"No Ma'am. I am your personal driver from now on."
I laughed before my face turn serious and ask him again.
"Ricky this is just my car, a mini Cooper. Now please explain to me, how can I get a driver if the driver is much bigger than my car?"
He scratched the back of his head.
"Ma'am, we're actually not using your car. It's the black BMW-----"
"Wait! Wait! What are you talking about?"
"It's your husband's order ma'am. I'm just following his instructions." He give me an awkward smile.
"Ahh.. it's his instruction, huh?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then listen to me very carefully," I said in word for word so he could hear it clearly. "And tell this to your boss. I don't need a personal driver and especially, I don't need his damned car! Did you get it?" I raised my eyebrow.
"But ma'am----"
"Thank you, Ricky. Have a good day." I patted his shoulder before turning around and open my car door.
-'Huh! What happened to his 'we're not friends or anything, you can do whatever you want and I don't care' last night? Haha.. then suddenly this morning he wants me to have his black credit card? And oh God, a personal driver in his BMW? No way! It's a big No!'-
- Writer
