The Unwanted Wife | R18+

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Tahimik akong nakatitig sa kawalan habang ang aking mga daliri ay pinaglalaruan ang lapis na gamit-gamit ko sa pagguhit. I'm seriously not in the mood today. I passed my clients to Adaline and I want to spend this day only to myself.

Not until two girls barge in my office, wearing a triumphant smirk. Hindi ko maiwasang mapairap at dumukdok sa mesa.

"I told you I'm not in the mood to entertain, girls," I said.

Rinig ko ang paghagikhik ni Adaline at umupo sa visitor's chair. She place her elbow on my table and rested her chin on her palm; looking at me with her irritating wicked smile.

"Why are you so high blood today?" nakangising tanong nito na ikinairap kong muli. "Aayain ka lang namin manghuli ng gwapo, e."

"Wala akong panahon para diyan, Ada."

"Yeah, at may panahon ka para tumulala na parang broken-hearted." She rolled her eyes on me. "Dali na, Ella. Para magkajowa ka na. Masarap sa feeling na may nanglilibre."

Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin at piniling ipikit ang aking mga mata. Masakit ang ulo ko at hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko. Ang paninikip ng dibdib ko dahil sa sitwasyon ko ay mas lalong nadadaragdagan.

"Anyways, have you heard the rumors?" biglang usal ni Mirasol.

"What rumor?" sagot ni Adaline.

I rolled my eyes at the back of my head. Kapag talaga usapang chismis napaka-active ng pandinig nila. Well, lahat naman yata.

"That Adam Walker is said to be married daw."

Parang nabilaukan ako sa 'king sariling laway. I bit my bottom lip and choose to remained my eyes closed. Gusto ko pang marinig ang mga sasabihin ni Mirasol. I'm curious, and it's normal. I am his wife for Pete's sake.

I pretended I'm not interested about their gossip by acting like I'm taking my time napping.

"Totoo?! Naniwala ka naman. Baka haka-haka lang nila dahil ayaw nila kay Trina da bets," anas ni Adaline.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. I heard Trina is an attitude. Rumors said she's acting a b***h in front of girls and sweet like a candy when in front of boys. They said that behind her angelic face was a demon she was trying to hide.

Kinakabahan din ako sa isiping may na-leaked na impormasyong kasal na si Adam. He'll get mad at me for sure. Iilan lang ang nakakaalam na kasal kami at kung sino man ang naglakas-loob na sabihin at ipagkalat siya ay paniguradong mananagot sa kanya.

Ugh, this is too much for a headache. Napahawak ako sa 'king sintido at umayos ng upo. I opened my eyes and looked at them.

"Hindi ko rin alam," Mirasol responded. "Pero sabi nila may wedding ring daw sa necklace ni Walker at married na raw ang life status nito."

Mas sumakit ang ulo ko sa narinig. "Imbento lang nila 'yan. You know people with boring life. Creating things and rumors that aren't true."

"Why butt in all of a sudden, Ella?" Adaline asked. "Hindi ka naman interesado sa kanila, e. Kaya wala kang jowa," bulong niya sa huling linya.

"Pero paano na lang kung totoo? Kabit ba si Trina? At saka, 'di ba dapat ay umaangal na ang asawa ni Walker? Damn, kapag ako ang naging asawa ng Adam Walker na 'yan baka kinakalbo ko na mga nali-link na babae sa kanya," Mirasol said.

Napipilan ako sa sinabi nito. I feel like I was insulted indirectly and it's funny because what she said was true. Dapat kinakalbo ko na si Trina ngayon, ngunit hindi 'yun ang napagkasunduan namin.

"Totoo kayang kasal siya?" Adaline asked, more likely to herself.

"He is." My office door opened and the f*****g Cordova went inside wearing his irritating smirk. "And his wife was none other than the owner of this office."

Ang inaantok kong mata kanina ay nanlaki sa narinig. Ngumisi si Charles at umupo sa malapit na sofa at dumikwatro. The two girls glanced at each other and I joined them.

"Ha-ha." Mirasol laughed sarcastically. "It's not a good joke, Cordova. Pwede kang kasuhan ni Walker ng labeling-"

"Why don't you ask his wife who's now listening to us?" he cut her and looked at me. "Speak, Ella. Don't keep your mouth shut."

Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa aking hawak na lapis habang ang dibdib ko'y unti-unting binabalot ng matinding kaba. I shot him deadly glares. Mas lalong sumakit ang ulo ko sa biglaang pagsulpot ni Charles.

"What the hell are you doing here, Charles?" mariing kong tanong. "At pwede ba? Stop spreading false news. It's never good."

"Lying doesn't make it different. It's still no good," he replied.

I bit my lip when Adaline and Mirasol eyed me like I've done something wrong. It's like I stole something and they just discovered the f**k out of it today.

Nanginig ang mga tuhod ko sa ilalim ng mesa sa mga klase-klaseng mga isiping sumagi sa isip ko. Lalong-lalo na ang mga katangungang isasatinig nila dahil sa kagaguhan ni Charles.

I cleared my throat. "E-excuse me. Kakauspin ko lang si Charles."

"Hindi pwede." Adaline motioned me to sit back. "Answer us first. Pwede mo rin namang kausapin si Charles dito, e."

"Iisipin ko sanang nagbibiro lang si Cordova. But looking at your sudden weird behavior right now, I'm in doubt. Maupo ka at mag-uusap tayo," ani ni Mirasol.

"Girls, believe me it was a lie. Paano naman ako magkakaasawa, 'di ba? Have you seen me hanging out with Adam? So please, keep the questions to yourself. Kakausapin ko muna si Charles."

Hindi ko na sila pinakinggan. Tumayo na ako kahit masama ang pakiramdam at tinawid ang distansiya namin ni Charles. I pulled his shirt and dragged him out of my office with me.

"Ano bang katangahang pinagsasabi mo?!" mahinang sigaw ko. "Nahihibang ka na ba? Charles, I told you to shut your mouth, didn't I?"

"You deserve recognition as his wife, Ella." He shrugged and put on his serious expression. "Ayoko sanang mangialam, pero sobra na ang pagiging masokista mo. His fling is your workmate! That's f*****g absurd."

Ginulo ko ang aking buhok at napahilamos. "f**k, Charles. Magagalit si Adam sa 'kin kapag kumalat na may asawa na siya!"

"Then let it be!" mahinang balik-sigaw nito. "Can you even hear yourself? Ikaw ang asawa, ikaw ang may karapatan. You let your life be manipulated with him? Bakit, Ella? Ganoon mo na ba kamahal ang gagong 'yun-"

"Yes, Charles!" Hindi ko namalayan ang pamamalisbis ng luha sa 'king pisngi. "Tiniis ko ang lahat since we started living together, and now you're suddenly acting like a jerk deciding to spread his marriage! Charles, naman."

Napaupo ako at humagugol. Mabuti na lang at walang masyadong dumadaan sa hallway na 'to. Baka mapagkamalan pa akong baliw dahil sa pag-iyak.

I covered my palms on my face as I cried silently. Nanatili akong nakaupo habang umiiyak. Kaninang umaga pa hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko kaya ganito ako kadaling mag-break down.

I felt him wrapped his arms around in a very tight embrace while I keep on crying of how messed up my life and situation could be. I messed up.

Paano kapag nalaman ni Adam na kumalat na ang rumor na kasal siya?

Magagalit kaya siya sa 'kin?

Nang tumahan ako ay dinala ako ni Charles papasok ng silid. I saw how Mira and Ada eyed me with both confusion and suspicion. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita pa at umupo na lang sa 'king office chair.

Charles handed me a glass of water. Ininom ko muna ito at bumuntong hininga. I'm seriously not feeling well. Pakiramdam ko ay lalagnatin ako bukas o mamayang gabi.

"Ella," Mirasol called. "Totoo ba ang sinabi ni Adam?"

I rested my elbow above my desk and massage my temple. "I-I can't answer your questions, girls. Masama ang pakiramdam ko."

"Kasi kung tama ang sinabi ni Charles, kami mismo ang kakalbo kay Trina," rinig kong usal ni Ada.

Natawa ako nang marinig ang sinabi nito. Kahit nahihilo na ay tumayo ako at pinulot ang dala kong sling bag. I glanced at my wrist watch and bit my lips.

It's 3 in the afternoon. Wala rin naman akong mga kliyente so it's better to go home.

"Uuwi na ako. I'll just talk to you tomorrow, guys. I'm really not feeling well," mahinang sambit ko.

Tumayo si Charles at namulsa. "Then let me take you home."

Hindi na ako nagsalita. Naglakad ko palabas ng silid habang hilot-hilot ang aking sintido. Ramdam ko ang paghapit ni Charles sa bewang ko at hindi ko na lang pinansin. I'm used to his touch and sudden gestures towards me.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa habang papasok ng elevator. Nobody of us tried to talk until we reached the first floor. Nang makalabas kami ay maraming bumati sa 'min, lalo na kay Charles. Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin at nagpatuloy na lang kami sa paglalakad.

He opened the door for me making me confused. I pointed my car. "I have car with me."

"I'll drive you home and pick you up tomorrow. You're not in good condition to drive," he replied.

Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa at pumasok na lang sa passenger's seat. He closed the door and turned around to hop in the driver's seat. Inayos ko naman ang pagkakabit ng aking seatbelt bago ini-adjust ang backrest ng upuan. Bahagya ko itong tinulak bago prenteng sumandal.

Naramdaman ko ang pag-usad ng sasakyan kaya't pinili ko na lang ang pumikit.

"Ella," he called. "Stop thinking about the rumors. He's a Walker, sure as hell he can cover it up using his power before it could reach Jared's ears."

Dahan-dahan kong dinilat ang aking mga mata at matamlay na ngumiti. "Ikaw ba ang nagpakalat na kasal na siya?"

"No," he replied firmly. "It's not me. Pero kung sino man 'yun, tama lang ang ginawa niya."

"Mas lalong magagalit si Adam sa 'kin." I chuckled. "Hindi ko na alam, Charles. I feel like the year I spent trying to hide everything and act nothing were all in vain for him not to hate me. One wrong move then I'll be doomed."

Hinilot ko ang aking sintido. I heard him cleared his throat and said, "I told you to get divorce."

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at pinikit na ang aking mga mata. I let the comfortable silence filled the car. Hindi talaga maganda ang pakiramdam ko. I think I need to drink medicine tonight to attend my works tomorrow.

"We're here," he announced.

Pikit-mata kong binaklas ang seatbelt sa 'king katawan at umayos ng upo. "Thank you."

"Want me to assist you inside?"

Pilit akong ngumiti dito. "No need. I can take it from here."

I kissed his cheeks first before opening the door beside me. Lumabas agad ako at muling sinarado ang pinto. Hindi na ako lumingon pa dahil baka mahilo ulit ako at mas piniling maglakad na lang papasok sa kabahayan.

Tahimik ang buong bahay kaya't dumiretso na ako sa hagdanan. Ngunit natigilan ako nang may magsalita.

"So you're here," he said.

Nilingon ko ito at muli akong nilukob ng kaba. "H-hey..."

"Hey?" He shot me glares. "Bakit mo pinagkalat?"

"H-huh?" Napalunok ako sa uri ng paninitig nito. "W-wala akong alam sa sinasabi-"

"Damn it!" Sinipa nito ang malapit na mesa at agad itong nabasag nang bumagsak sa lapag. "Trina didn't answered my calls because of that f*****g rumors!"

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng irita sa narinig. "So what kung malaman nilang kasal ka na? And, Adam, it's not just rumor because you are married! Kasal ka!"

"We agreed to keep everything a secret!" He yelled back.

"Then I'm done keeping it a secret!" Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha at mas lalo pang sumakit ang aking noo. "It's been a f*****g year, Adam. Nakakasawa na maging puppet mo! May asawa ka at ako ang asawa mo!"

"Napag-usapan na natin 'to, Ella," mariing wika nito.

I laughed nonchalantly. "Adam, bakit hindi ako? Bakit hindi ako?! Putangina, ako ang asawa mo! Kasal tayo!"

"Yeah, we're married but did I agree to marry you?" His words left me unspoken. "I never agreed to this f*****g s**t like marriage! It was my parents and not me! Hindi kita mahal, Ella. Alam mo 'yan simula pa lang. Why are you suddenly acting like a b***h and spread news that I am married? Dahil ano? Dahil girlfriend ko ang workmate mo? Is that it?"

I wiped my tears that's streaming down my cheeks. "Yes, it is. Alam mong mahal kita pero mas lalo mo akong dinudurog. Bakit hindi mo ako kayang mahalin? Dahil ano? Dahil hindi ako si Natasha?"

Nangunot ang noo nito. "Anong kinalaman ni Natasha dito? Damn, Ella. We are arguing about this f*****g rumor-"

"It's not a rumor, damn it!" Tinabig ko ang malaking vase sa 'king gilid at agad itong nabasag sa sahig. "Kasal ka! Tanggpin mo 'yun, putangina!"

Biglang bumukas ang pinto ng sala at pumasok si nanay Nelly na natataranta. "Anong nangyayari? Bakit kayo nagsisigawan?"

Hindi ako sumagot. Sa halip ay tumalikod ako at nagmamadaling umakyat sa 'king kwarto. I heard Adam calling my name but I didn't listened. Mas lalong sumama ang pakiramdam ko at naninikip ang dibdib ko.

Dumapa agad ano sa 'king kama at pinikit ang aking mga mata.

I'm drained. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

--

"Gusto mo bang hatiran na lang kita dito?" Nanay Nelly asked.

I bit my lip and shook my head. "No need, Nay. I can make it to kitchen. Huwag niyo rin pong sabihin kay Adam na mataas ang lagnat ko."

Bumangon ako sa kama at bahagyang nakaramdam ng pagkahilo. Sumang-ayon naman si Nanay at inalalayan ako mula sa paglabas sa 'king silid patungo sa kusina.

Hindi pa ako nakapagbihis mula sa trabaho ko kanina. Ginising din ako ni Nanay Nelly para sa hapunan at napansing mainit ang katawan ko.

"Magdahan-dahan ka," she whispered.

Pilit akong ngumiti dito. Nang makarating kami ng kusina ay umupo agad ako sa aking silya. I didn't bother glancing his direction nor lifting my head to look at him. Baka mapansin niya pang may kakaiba sa 'kin.

Nag-iilusyon ka na naman. As if naman may mapapansin siya sa 'yo, e wala naman siyang pakialam sa 'yo.

I mentally scoffed to myself and started eating. Si Nanay ang naglalagay ng mga pagkain sa pinggan ko na sinusuklian ko lang ng ngiti.

I was silently chewing my foods when Adam stood. "Proceed to my room, Ella. We need to talk."

Hind ako nito hinayaang sumagot at basta na lang lumabas ng kusina. Nagkatinginan kami ni Nanay at pilit naman akong ngumiti.

Binilisan ko ang pagkain saka nagpaalam kay Nanay na aakyat na. Gusto ko munang magpahinga dahil pagod pa rin ako.

"Inumin mo 'yung gamot na nasa nightstand mo, hija. Gusto mo bang alalayan kita paakyat?" she offered and I chuckled.

Umiling ako dito. "No need, Nanay. I can handle myself just fine. Matulog ka na po. Alas nuwebe na."

Muli akong ngumiti dito bago nagpalad palabas ng kusina at paakyat ng silid. I headed to Adam's door and knocked twice.

"Come in," he said.

Bumuga ako ng marahas na hangin bago pinihit ang pinto pabukas. Bumungad naman sa 'kin si Adam na kasalukuyang pinupunasan ang basa niyang buhok. The only cloth that's covering his body is the towel that was wrapped around his waist. Droplets of water cascading down his body and I can't help myself to blush.

Naiilang ako. For a year, this the first time I saw him half naked before my eyes.

I cleared my throat. "W-what do you want to talk about?"

"Why don't you sit first-"

"Be straight to the point, Adam." I look back at him and forced myself to discard my fantasies towards his freaking greek-god-like body. "Gusto ko na magpahinga."

Tumango ito at sinampay ang towel sa kanyang balikat na ginamit pamunas sa kanyang buhok. "Bakit mo kinalat na kasal na ako?"

"I told you it wasn't me," I replied.

"You didn't said it wasn't you. You've gone mad after my confrontation."

Napairap naman ako. "Kung ako ang nagkalat, sana mas inagahan ko. And it was my anger a while ago."

"Really?" he chuckled nonchalantly.

"Yes, really." I don't know why my heart would always feel so heavy whenever we're talking. "Pero kung sino man ang nagpakalat, maybe that person had enough, Adam."

"What do you mean?" His voice turned to cold.

"Bakit kailangan mong mambabae? Adam, may asawa kang tao at hindi robot. I have feelings! Kung hindi mo ako marespeto bilang asawa mo, irespeto mo naman ako bilang tao."

"I have f*****g needs, Ella! Needs that you can't give!" he said.

"What kind of need? Care? Attention? Love?" Lumiit ang boses ko. "Or s*x?"

"You know what it is," may diing bigkas nito.

I chuckled humorlessly. "Bakit kailangan mong tumikim ng iba? May asawa ka. Andito ako!"

"Pero hindi mo nabibigay ang pangangilangan ko."

I brushed my fingers through my hair as I felt my head throbbed in pain. "All you need to do is ask, Adam. Nang pumasok ako sa pagsasamang ito, handa na ako."

"Really?" His voice became more colder and colder as moments passed by. "Then I'm asking it now, Ella."

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"You told me that all I need is to ask. Now, I ask you to strip yourself because I need it now."

Napaawang ang labi ko.

"Strip off, Ella Spring Taylor- Walker."