Rule no. 1: Don't Fall In Love

Chapter 4

As soon as we're done getting ready, we went to my favorite restaurant! I hope my friend is here.

"I have a reservation." I smiled.

"Name, please."

"Adeline Thania Cruz-Collins."

Tinignan ko si Vermone na parang bata na inililibot ang paningin sa buong lugar.

"Right this way, ma'am!"

Tinawag ko na si Vermone at kaagad naman s'ya sumunod sa'kin.

"This is fancy," Vermone said as he sat down.

"I know right? I know the owner so we might get a discount." I winked at napakunot ang noo ni Vermone.

"Lia?"

Napatingin ako sa tumawag sa'kin. "Eduard!" I smiled and stood up to hug him.

"I knew it! Ikaw lang ang kilala kong Adeline Thania." He laughed. "You're with?" Pansin n'ya kaagad kay Vermone.

Vermone stood up and here he is again with his cold aura and expression. He held out his hand for formality. "I'm Vermone Collins. Adeline's husband." Hindi ko alam kung ako lang o sadyang diniinan n'ya ang "Husband."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Eduard Dizon." My friend took Vermone's hand and shook it. "Didn't know you're already married!"

"Ah, didn't you know? I just got married." I chuckled.

"You? Married? When? How?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Eduard. "I can't believe it. Hindi ka nga nagkajowa, eh!" Asar na ni Eduard at umirap ako.

"Time doesn't measure love." Sagot ko at nakita kong napatingin bigla si Vermone sa'kin through my peripheral vision.

"Guess you love him, huh?" Eduard smirked. "Anyway, hope you guys enjoy our food here and you can have a discount if you want-"

"I can pay full cash, Mr. Dizon. We don't need a discount." Malamig na sambit bigla ni Vermone.

Lumapit ako kay Vermone para sikuhin s'ya nang mahina dahil sa biglaang pagputol n'ya kay Eduard.

"A-ah, is that so? Okay! Hm, I'll leave now and again, enjoy the food. Bon appétit!" Paalam na ni Eduard at umalis na.

"You are so rude! Kaya nga ako rito nagpunta para sa discount din." Umirap ako.

"Why? I can provide for your needs, Lia. No need to have discounts because I can pay for everything." Ramdam ko ang yabang sa tono ni Vermone kaya napangisi ako.

The food came within minutes after we ordered and I can't deny that the food here is so delicious!

"Do you want to go somewhere?" I asked him.

"Hm? I don't know. How about you?"

"I'm thinking if we should stroll around the city," I suggested and he immediately nodded.

"Okay, in case do you want to go shopping?" He asked.

"Uhm, I don't know yet."

So far so good, our conversations are so normal! Like we're a real couple.

After eating, I was about to say goodbye to Eduard but I haven't seen him around again and I didn't bother him anymore maybe he's busy.

"Do you have any other nicknames?" Tanong bigla ni Vermone habang naglalakad.

"Uhm... Oh! Actually, there's this not-so-famous name but my mom sometimes calls me this. It's Adelia. That's my first nickname and my father thinks it's too long so he made it "Lia" and that's the story of my nickname." Mabilisang kuwento ko.

"No one calls you Adelia anymore?" He asked.

"Well, nasanay na sila sa Lia kaya 'yun na lang. Why are you so curious about my name?" I chuckled.

"I'll call you Adelia. And I want to be the only one who calls you that." He said with so much authority.

"Arte. What if my mom and dad calls me Adelia?" Taas kilay kong tanong.

"They're exempted for this of course. I only want me and your parents to call you that."

"So bossy!" I punched his arm lightly and as soon as I did that he got my hand and intertwined it with his.

The smile on my face faded because of my heartbeat. No, you can't fall in love now, Adeline! Wait? Why am I feeling this? Or maybe because it's really my first time to be interacting with a man! Yes, that's it.

"What should I call you then?" I asked him.

"Hm, I have no nicknames. My mom and dad liked my first name so... they didn't bother to create a nickname for me." He shrugged.

"Should I make you one then? But of course, I'm the only one who gets to call you that." I smirked as I copied his line.

He looked back at me and smirked, too. "Gladly, why? Nakagawa ka na ng nickname sa pangalan ko?" He asked.

Hm, his name is Vermone Louisse... What about Visse? Ay no! Pangit. Hm.. Verlou?

Oh my gosh, ang hirap!

Vermone chuckled when he saw my reaction. Napanguso ako.

"It's okay if you haven't thought about my nickname yet. Just tell it to me soon." He winked.

"May tumatawag ba sa'yo ng Louisse?"

"My friends sometimes call me with that name."

AY. Ang hirap naman ng pangalan mo kase.

"Verlou?" I asked him and he just smiled.

"Anything you want, Adelia." He smirked.

Humangin bigla nang malakas at nanginig ako sa lamig. Immediately he wrapped my neck with his scarf at dahil malaki at makapal ang scarf ay natakpan ang kalahati nang mukha ko kaya natawa s'ya nang bahagya.

"Wanna go back now to our hotel?" He asked and I just nodded.

"I'll just call you Verlou. Or does it sound like girly?"

"Sounds like my wife really made that."

I glared at him and he just chuckled with no humor. Naglakad na kami pabalik sa hotel at pagdating kaagad na 'ko naligo at mabilis naman siyang nasunod pagkatapos ko.

While he was in the shower, I'm here busy thinking of a nickname for him!

"Ver?" I whispered. "Hm, Verlou? Verou? Verver? Lou? Louver? Ah!" Nanggigil ako at sumigaw sa unan.

"Why so stressed?" Rinig ko bigla si Vermone.

I glared at him. Nagulat naman s'ya sa tingin ko dahil galit nga 'ko.

"I can't think of a f*****g nickname!" Gigil ko at humiga na nang maayos.

Vermone chuckled at that. "You don't have to think of a nickname just because I gave you one or you have one."

"Really?" I asked in a baby voice.

"Really."

"But I want a nickname for you." Tampo ko na naman.

"Okay, baby, then let's make one." Umupo na si Vermone sa tabi ko.

I excitedly sat down on the bed and looked at him. "I thought of Ver, Verlou, Louver, Verou... I forgot that others." I pouted.

"Sounds all good to me."

"Ver? May tumatawag ba sa'yo n'on?"

He shook his head as a sign of no.

"I kinda like Verlou you know? Sounds unique and cute at the same time."

"Or Ver!" I suggested and he just nodded.

"Call me Ver or Verlou." He smiled.

I smiled, too.

Bigla ay natigilan ako. What are we doing? What the f**k is this? Closure?

"Why?" Napansin ni Vermone ang pagkatigil ko.

"What if... This is a what-if, huh!" I stated. "What if we fell in love with e-each other?" I asked him and he immediately became serious.

"Then no annulment. No divorce." Sagot n'ya at namamaos pa ang boses n'ya.

"Ilang araw pa lang tayo magkasama pero parang nakakalimutan na natin 'yung rule. Nakalimutan mo ba?" I smirked and he smirked, too.

"Rule... number... one..." I said slowly.

"Don't Fall In Love." Sabay naming sabi at napangiti pa kami.

"Why? You like me now?" I sensed that brag on his tone.

"No. You?"

He just smirked as if I'll get the answer.

"Let's sleep." Aya na n'ya at 'di naman ako umangal.

"Cuddle?" I asked and he just opened his arms, welcoming me for a hug. "As friends," I whispered as I scooted closer to hug him.

I heard his low tone laugh as I said that. "We're friends? I felt like I just got demoted even if I'm your f*****g husband."

I laughed with him. "What? Cant a married couple be friends?" I asked.

"Fine. We're friends now." Umirap s'ya at hinigpitan naman lalo ang yakap sa'kin.

"You like hugging me..." My voice is muffled because my face is so close to his chest.

"You're very comfy." He answered with a baby voice.

"You talkin' about my boobs?" I smirked even though he can't see me.

Yinugyog n'ya ako bigla and he groaned na para bang naasar bigla sa'kin.

"I didn't even think about that! Shut up!" Pinagalitan n'ya 'ko kung saan mas natawa ako.

Kumalas s'ya nang kaunti sa yakap dahilan para makita namin ang isa't isa. Mas napangiti ako nang makita na parang napipikon si Vermone sa'kin dahil nakakunot na ang noo.

"You naughty baby V!" He pinched my nose.

I chuckled. Before we sleep ay nagkulitan muna kami hanggang sa napagod katatawa at nakatulog na rin.

Sabay kaming nagising dahil sa isang tawag pero 'di ko minumulat ang mata ko.

"What?" Sagot ni Vermone at ramdam ko kaagad ang inis sa tono n'ya.

"Shut up the f**k up, Ethan. Do you even know the time here?!" Inis na inis si Vermone kahit pabulong siyang nagsasalita.

Hindi alam ni Vermone na nagising din ako sa tawag ni Ethan.

"I'm trying so hard not to shout you fucker dahil natutulog si Adeline. Buti at 'di s'ya nagising sa tawag mo kung'di masasapak kita." Banta n'ya.

I smiled on my mind at dahil mas malakas pa rin ang antok ko ay nakatulog ako kaagad. Hindi ko na alam kung natulog ba ulit si Vermone pero mukhang oo dahil paggising ko ay natutulog pa s'ya.

"Ver.." I tried to call him using the nickname I made.

"Hm," He answered with a low voice.

"We need to get up na..." Pinalo ko nang mahina ang braso n'ya.

"Uh-hmm... What time is it?" His voice, muffled.

Dinilat ko na ang mata ko at kinuha ang cellphone sa gilid ko para tignan ang oras. "It's seven-ten..."

Bumangon na nang kaunti si Vermone. He looks hot with his just got up look! His messy hair fits him completely. I suddenly felt jealous of his future love!

"Good mornin'," He said, huskily.

"Good morning, Ver." I smiled a little.

Vermone smiled as I said that name. Tuluyan na siyang tumayo para makapag hilamos. While waiting for him, I opened my phone and social media only to see na nag-post na naman si Vermone.

VermoneCollins: I want this view every morning, forever.

It's a picture of me sleeping while hugging him! Kanina lang 'to!

Naisipan ko naman mag comment.

AdelineCruz-Collins: Clingy.

I smirked at sakto ay lumabas na si Vermone sa banyo.

"Your turn." Sambit n'ya habang pinapatuyo ang buhok gamit tuwalya.

I got my clothes at naligo na rin for our breakfast. Mukhang may pupuntahan kami today!

After maligo ay nag apply na lang ako ng lip balm dahil 'di ko trip mag make-up ngayon.

"No make-up?" He asked while pointing at my face.

"I'm not in the mood to do my make-up-"

"You look beautiful."

"T-thank you..." Nahiya naman ako bigla. Damn this man!

"I'm clingy?" He asked me.

Nakita na n'ya ata ang comment ko. Napangiti ako. Paunti-unti ay lumapit na s'ya sa'kin.

"That's not my clingy side... yet." He smirked as he wrapped around his arms on my waist.

"Oh, really now, Ver?" I copied his tone and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Yes, baby," He whispered.

I smirked. "Sanay ka na tawagin akong "baby", huh?"

"'Cause, you're my baby V." He pouted, teasingly.

I rolled my eyes at sinubukan nang kumalas mula sa yakap dahil alam kong mang-aasar na naman s'ya.

Natawa s'ya sa kinilos ko at mas hinila ako palapit sa kaniya. He laughed as he leaned his forehead on my shoulder and hugged me tighter.

"See? You're clingy!" I pointed out.

"Not yet." He faced me and smiled.

Nag ready na rin kami at lumabas na sa hotel for our breakfast. We just ate in a near coffee shop, a five-minute walk from the hotel.

"We can go to the Notre Dame Cathedral." He suggested.

Nagtanong na kasi ako kung saan kami punta ngayon. Dahil medyo malayo ang cathedral ay nag taxi kami.

Kalagitnaan ng biyahe ay tumatawag si mommy sa'kin.

"Mama," I answered the call.

"Lia, darling! Oh, hi! Vermone, anak!" Masiglang bati ni Mama sa'min.

"Mama," Bati rin ni Vermone.

"How are you both? Nag e-enjoy ba kayo? Don't you want to extend your stay there?"

"We'll talk about it first, mama." Sagot ko at napatingin si Vermone sa'kin.

"Oh, Lia! Spend time with your husband. Alam kong namomroblema ka lang sa trabaho mo kaya gusto mo bumalik kaagad sa Pilipinas!" Pinagalitan ako ni mama. "Darling, let her be. If she wants to work immediately or spend more time with Vermone then it's both fine." Rinig kong sabi ni papa kay mama.

Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi ni papa.

"Baka pag-uwi mo ay buntis ka na, Lia..." Malambing na sabi ni Mama.

Natigilan ako at si Vermone ay nasamid ata sa sariling laway.

"M-mama naman!" I said, embrassingly.

"Just saying, Lia! You're both of age!"

"I want to spend more time with my husband more... First."

Napatitig bigla si Vermone sa'kin na parang binabasa ang utak ko.

"That's so sweet... Itong tatay mo kaagad ako binuntis!" My mom said nang hindi 'man lang sana i-filter ang mga sinasabi.

Napasapo na lang ako sa noo ko at nahihiya para sa nanay ko.

"Don't pressure our daughter, darling." Kumento na naman ni papa sa background.

Naramdaman kong malapit na kami kaya binaba ko na ang call. And I'm right. Pagbaba ay ang dami na namang tao.

Nag picture lang kaming dalawa at parang nag photoshoot pa 'ko dahil s'ya ay biglang naging photographer ko.

Dahil makulit akong asawa ay pinicture-an ko rin s'ya.

"You don't want to have kids?"

"Hindi sa ayaw ko... I just want to spend more time with my husband if ever before we have children. Kung sakali naman na unexpected ay magugustuhan ko rin naman 'yon." Seryosong sagot ko. "Why? Ikaw ba?"

"Gusto ko kaagad magka-anak." He said honestly at nagulat ako sa sinabi n'ya. "I can spend time with my wife even if we have children. I will always make time for my wife and my family."

"Hmp, kawawa siguro asawa mo at baka kawawain mo gabi-gabi." Biro ko at ngumisi s'ya sa'kin.

"E'di kawawa ka?"

Natawa ako. "Sinasabi mo?"

"Sino ba asawa ko ngayon?"

Ako...

I glared at him playfully and he just smiled.

Please, guide this man... I hope he gets the love he deserves and I hope he'll be with the right woman because I know he'll love that woman sincerely.