The Fake Wife

Chapter 2: The Conflict

Anthony's Pov:

"Sir? Are you okay?" she asked me, frowning. I immediately snapped out of my daze.

"You're Julia, right?" I asked her.

"Oh, you're A-Anthony Perez? Reyes?" the woman asked me.

"Yes, that's me. How are you?" I said to her.

"I'm fine, Anthony. Anyway, what coffee would you like to order?" she asked me, her hand ready to type on the computer.

"Um, 2 Iced Spanish lattes, double shot," I said and handed her my card.

I immediately sat at the side of the coffee shop, where I could see the slowly emptying street through the window. It was almost 9 PM, so there were fewer people and cars outside. Julia brought my ordered coffee and placed it on my table.

"Here are your 2 Iced Spanish lattes, sir," she said to me.

"Thanks," I said to her.

"Why two, sir?" she asked me.

"It's for you. Can you sit here beside me?" I said to her.

"Sure, um, I'll just log out since my shift is over, hehe. Wait for me here," she said, smiling, and turned back to the counter. Her replacement arrived for her shift, and Julia came out, dressed and sat beside me.

"How are you? How was your day?" I asked her.

"I'm fine, a bit tired, a lot of customers, and I also came from school," she said to me.

"How was your day?" Julia asked me while drinking her coffee.

"It was fine, a long day at the office," I said to her while drinking my coffee.

"You work in an office?" she asked me, frowning.

"Yes, in my own office," I said to her.

"Wow, you're lucky to have your own office," she said, amazed, like a child fascinated by what she was learning. Her cellphone suddenly rang, and she answered the call.

"Hello, Dad? How are you?" she said to the person on the other end.

“Honey, happy birthday,” I heard from the other line. I could hear their conversation because the cellphone was on loudspeaker. Moments later, they ended the call.

“Sorry, that was my dad. He just called to greet me,” she said, smiling.

“It’s your birthday?” I asked her.

“Um, yes, today,” she replied.

“Happy birthday,” I said, and smiled at her.

“Thank you, Sir Anthony,” she said, smiling shyly.

“Were you listening to our conversation?” she asked me.

“No, your cellphone was on loudspeaker, so anyone could hear your conversation,” I told her. She immediately checked her phone.

“Should we celebrate tonight?” I asked her.

“Oh, no, I don't have anything to treat you with, Anthony. I just rescheduled my get-together with friends for next time, I don't have money for now sorry” she said.

“Shhhhhhh, don’t worry, it’s my treat for you, since it’s your birthday, your special day,” I said, smiling at her.

“I’d feel so embarrassed, Anthony, I have nothing to pay you back with,” she said.

“It’s my treat,” I repeated.

“Let’s go.” I immediately stood up and took her hands. We quickly left the coffee shop and got into my car.

“This is your car?” she asked, looking around the interior.

“Of course, this is mine,” I said, driving and looking at the road.

“Maybe it’s stolen,” she said to me.

“Hey, no way! That’s harsh,” I said to her.

“Maybe you’re going to kidnap me, Anthony! Oh my god, my family doesn’t have any ransom money right now. I’m telling you this in advance,” she said, and I immediately laughed at what she said.

“What are you saying, Julia? I’m not like that, you’re so judgmental,” I said, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Just kidding, Anthony! Sorry,” she said, looking out the car window."

"In the side mirror, I see the car, and her eyes are so beautiful and dreamy."

Julia's POV:

"Anthony is so handsome, he's obviously from a wealthy family because of his beautiful skin, clearly accustomed to air conditioning, unlike me, who grew up on the streets. And he smells so good, ugh. Get a grip, Julia. He's so nice, even though we've only met twice, we don't really know each other yet, and now he's treating me to food because it's my birthday. I hope this isn't a prank, I don't even have a penny in my pocket, poor Julia, huhuhu.

The car suddenly stopped at an expensive restaurant. The food looks delicious. As soon as we entered, we saw a few customers since it was already late at night. We went straight to the counter. The food looks expensive, some of it looks like my one week's salary, it's so pricey.

"Let's order everything on the menu," Anthony said to me, and we immediately sat at a table. He ordered so much, huhu. The food started arriving one by one: pizza, bopis (a Filipino dish), caldereta (a Filipino stew), salad, spaghetti, and many more. Of course, I looked at my favorite first, hehehe.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you... happy birthday." While Anthony was singing, I was amazed by the cake he was holding. I couldn't help but tear up at what I was seeing.

"Thank you so much, Anthony," I said to him.

"You're welcome, Julia. Make a wish," he said to me, and I immediately blew out the candle on the cake. Then we both started eating. I noticed he was only eating a little. "Eat more," I said to him.

"I'm already too full, I might not be able to sleep," Anthony said to me. "Oh no, the food will be sad. We still have a lot to finish," I said to him while eating my favorite spaghetti. I suddenly remembered my mom and Bibo (her sibling).

"Are you okay?" Anthony asked me, noticing the change in my expression.

"Um, I remembered my mom and my sibling. I wonder what they're eating now?" I said, looking sadly at the food in front of me.

"Let's take this out, then we'll go to your house and eat there," Anthony said to me, and I immediately perked up at what he said. We had all the food packed to go. We immediately got into his car and headed towards the street leading to our house. When Anthony parked his car, he immediately helped me carry the takeout food, and we knocked on the door."

"I'm sorry about our house, okay?" I said to him while knocking.

"No worries, it's fine," he replied with a smile. My mom immediately opened the door, clearly they were about to sleep. Bibo immediately greeted me.

"Sister, who's he? Your boyfriend?" he asked. We all laughed inside the house.

"Bibo, no, he's my friend, Anthony," I told him.

"Hello, Bro Anthony," he said, and Anthony immediately pinched Bibo's cheek.

"Hello, Bibo, you're so cute, just like your Sister," he said with a smile.

"Good evening, mother of Julia," he greeted my mom and did the "mano" (a Filipino gesture of respect). We quickly prepared the food we brought on the table, and we shared a happy meal.

Anthony's POV:

"How are you, Anthony? Are you still studying?" Mom of julia asked me while eating.

"No, I've graduated with a business ad degree, hehe," I told her, and she was delighted to hear that.

"How old are you, Anthony?" Mother of julia asked me again.

"I'm 24, and I'm already working," I replied.

"You're still so young," mother of julia said to me.

"How old is Julia?" I askedmmom of julia

"She's 23, it's her birthday today,"mom of julia replied.

We continued eating and having a nice conversation. Julia's house is small, and it's clear they live modestly. It's neat and bright. While Julia was busy eating, I looked at her face. It reminded me of someone. Julia resembles my missing sister, Analyn, especially her expressive eyes. But it's unlikely Julia is Analyn; they're very different. However, I feel a strong connection to Julia. Julia doesn't look like her mother, and her brother Bibo's face is different too. Maybe Julia takes after her father.

"By the way, dear, our electricity and water bills have arrived," mother of julia told Julia.

"Okay, Mom I'll take care of it. We can probably pay it on the second payday," Julia told her mother.

We finished our meal and conversation. I said goodbye to Julia and bibo and julia's mom

"They were lively and it was getting late for their mother, as it was almost 11 PM and we had work/school tomorrow."

"Thank you so much, Anthony, for my birthday celebration and for visiting the house," Julia said to me.

"No worries, Julia," I replied.

"I have to go. Thank you for your time too. I'll see you next time," I said to her.

"Sure, see you soon," she said to me with a smile and hugged me. I was surprised by her hug; it suddenly made me feel lighter, but also shy. I quickly pulled away from the hug and got into my car.

"Be careful, Anthony," she said, smiling.

"Yes, haha." I started my car and drove down the road. I couldn't stop smiling. I felt a different kind of excitement with Julia, even though we didn't know each other very well. I felt light and happy whenever I saw her.

When I got home, I immediately went upstairs and saw my mom sitting in the living room watching TV. Why was she staying up so late? She shouldn't stay up late because she's sick. My mom has Alzheimer's disease, and staying up late is bad for her.

"Mom, why are you still awake? You shouldn't stay up late," I said to my mom and turned off the TV.

"Why are you still awake, Mom?" I asked her again.

"I had a dream, son, about Analyn. She was still alive, and we met again," she said to me, happy and smiling. I immediately hugged my mom and remembered what happened to Analyn when we were kids. We were at the playground playing with Mom. I still remember Mom telling me to watch Analyn because she was only 5 years old, and I was 6, only a year apart. We were happily playing when Analyn suddenly vanished like a ball. Mom and I almost went crazy looking for her. We turned day into night hoping to find Analyn, but days, months, and years passed, and Analyn was never found. Over time, Mom and I never stopped looking for her. Mom almost blamed herself for losing my sister Analyn. She's been missing for 18 years. I also almost blame myself for not watching her. If I had watched my sister, she wouldn't have disappeared. Until now, we still hope that one day we'll find Analyn. It's sad to think that even before Mom completely loses her memory due to her illness, she won't be able to see Analyn again.

Mom fell asleep, and I immediately put a blanket on her and went straight to my room to rest. I left her in the care of her nurse who's always at the house. I took a shower and went to sleep."

Julia's POV:

I still can't believe what Anthony did for me. He prepared for my birthday, and I even brought it home. I saw myself smiling in the mirror. Even though we don't know each other that well yet, I feel so comfortable around him. Aside from being kind, he's also handsome and smells good—very masculine. That's why sometimes I can't help but get butterflies. I fell asleep quickly, and tomorrow is another busy day with classes and work. I need to save up to pay the bills at home."

Anthony's POV:

I woke up abruptly due to a call on my cellphone. I immediately answered my dad's call.

"Hello, Dad?" I said.

"Come downstairs, we have visitors," he said to me. I quickly prepared myself, took a shower, and got dressed to go downstairs. When I got downstairs, I was met with Isabela. I really don't like this girl's pretentiousness. She's with her father and mother, and she even brought her entourage. I really hate this girl. I don't want to marry a girl like her. Daddy always controls my life, and this time, I won't allow it.

"Good morning, my dear son, sit here, join us," Dad said, smiling at me. I immediately sat next to Isabela, with her parents facing me. Isabela is clinging to me like an octopus, which irritates me even more. Aside from being pretentious and clingy, I really don't like her, and Dad can't do anything about it.

"We are planning for your upcoming wedding, son," Dad said, which surprised me. It's obvious they've already decided on this plan because I'm the only one surprised by what Dad said.

"Dad, why are you making decisions about something like this so casually? You didn't even consult me," I said to Dad, who seemed angry with what I said.

"Anthony, son, it's still necessary for you and Isabela to get married because of our business. If the companies of Isabela's family and ours become one, we will be stronger, and our investments in the company will grow even bigger," Dad said to me, speaking angrily.