Rule no. 1: Don't Fall In Love

Chapter 17

"Ver," I woke him up because we're here.

We both said our thanks to the crew and we now went back to the house. Dahil nakaligo na rin kami sa yacht kanina ay nagpalit na lang kami ng pajamas.

"So... tell me the tea. Kung hanggang saan lang puwede! It's okay if you really can't tell everything because I respect you and your privacy." Agap ko at napangiti si Vermone.

"I'll tell you everything. You're my wife so I trust you." Ngiting sabi n'ya kaya natulala ako. "My mom's family is a little bit... complicated." He laughed softly.

Complicated?

He saw my curiousness and he kissed my forehead and that made all of my attention go to him.

"Mom's family never accepted my father... And now they did not accept my mother because she married my father." Vermone scoffed. "They thought when I came to this world, they'll accept us pero... mas lalong hindi." Umiling s'ya.

Bakit naman gano'n?

"My mom is still trying to prove her worth to her parents but it stopped when I came. I also did not fight for my acceptance to that family and like heck, I care?" Pagsusungit n'ya kaya napangiti ako nang bahagya.

"My mom got mad when they did not accept me as their grandchild. Kaya nagalit na si mama at papa sa kanila. You wanna know the reason why they're mad to the Collins family and to my mother?"

"What is it?" Umiral ang pagkachismosa ko.

"Jealousy. Mom's brothers and sisters were all f*****g jealous because my mom and my dad who's a 'Collins' are in a relationship."

"Jealousy? Shouldn't they be proud that your mom married your father who's one of the biggest families here and the fact that they love each other?" Singit ko.

Umiling si Vermone. "Mom's brothers and sisters were all bitches. They ruined the name of my mother to their own parents. Their own sister. Blood-related yet they betrayed her. That's all I know though." Vermone shrugged.

"Dang. Is that why you're mad?" Tanong ko.

Umiling s'ya. "That's not all. They tried to sabotage the Collins' company business. They were very unlucky because that time I was the one sitting on the CEO's chair." He got serious and clicked his neck in a very hot way.

Natandaan ko ang sinabi na he ended one whole empire because they tried to sabotage their company. Is this it???

"Sila ba ang pinabagsak mo na company?" I asked.

"No. They don't have a company, baby. Though one of my mom's sister is married to a businessman and that's the empire I brought down. Because they used that, face their consequences. I threatened them yet they did not get scared so I made a move."

He's very dangerous.

"E'di lalo silang nagalit ngayon?" I chuckled.

Marahan na tumango si Vermone. "Pero kung may katakutan 'man sila ay 'wag ako... Kung'di ang tatay ko. Don't mess with the Collins, baby... especially their wife. That's the saying." Bulong n'ya at nangilabot ako.

Sinabi ni Kyla saakin noon 'to.

"Mess with the Collins family, you'll get a slight taste of danger but!!! Mess with the Collins' girl or mess with their queen? The Collins men will open the gates of hell."

"I got mad when they did that to my mom but... My dad had no mercy. He's kind but something happened a long time ago and I did not know that story anymore. All I know is... My dad's patience for that family ran out."

Grabe... Iba talaga nagagawa ng inggit.

"So... don't be scared if they'll come for you. If they're gonna touch my queen... they'll see hell." Hindi ako binantaan niya pero natakot ako.

Nagpatuloy s'ya sa pagkukwento pero kung hanggang saan lang din daw n'ya alam. Ayaw na raw kasi nila balikan ang nakaraan kaya nag move on na lang ang mga Collins and besides, wala namang kasalanan ang mga Collins. Sadiyang... naubos lang pasensya nila.

"Are they gonna come for you? Or... me?" Tanong ko nang matapos na s'ya magkuwento.

"I don't like that but... I'm the son of Louissa Angel Tiamsom-Collins. If they lay a finger again on my mom, your family, and especially on my wife... I'll have no mercy." He kissed my cheek and hugged me.

But we'll get divorced soon... How is that?

We slept that night, peacefully at nagising na lang sa tawag ni Kyla.

"Ky..." Antok kong sabi.

"Lia! Sorry to disturb your sleep but someone..."

Nang marinig ang hikbi ni Kyla ay napaupo na 'ko. Hindi ko napansin na nakayakap si Vermone kaya nagising din s'ya sa biglaang pagupo ko.

"Someone what?" Nataranta ako bigla.

Kyla will not call me this early if there's an emergency. Lalo na umiiyak s'ya.

"Someone wants our business to go down... Empire Tealicious... Will soon close, Lia..."

Napahawak ako sa bibig ko. Napatayo na 'ko at kinuha ang laptop ni Vermone dahil s'ya lang nakapagdala ng laptop saamin.

"Can I borrow, Ver?" Tanong ko at mabilis na tumango si Vermone.

Mabuti na lang at walang password pero napangiwi pa 'ko nang makita na ang wallpaper n'ya ay 'yung photoshoot ko na nasa tapat ng simbahan habang naka wedding gown.

Hindi ko na pinansin pa 'yon at binuksan ang page na sinend ni Kyla saakin.

Empire Tealicious will soon close down! Someone said that their so-called milk tea had poison just because they had a grudge against that customer.

Customer Harilia Johanna Tiamsom is now hospitalized due to food poisoning from Empire Tealicious.

Who the hell is this?!

"Ky, may kilala kang Harilia Johanna Tiamsom?" Tanong ko at nagulat ako na napabangon pa si Vermone mula sa kama at nagmadali na pumunta saakin.

"What? None! The f**k I care to that woman! Sino ba 'yan?! S'ya ba 'yung nag report?!"

"That's the mother of my mom." Kumunot na ang noo ni Vermone at umupo sa tabi ko.

Mother? Omg...

"I heard your husband. Kilala n'ya?" Sumeryoso bigla boses ni Kyla.

"Ky, it's not what you think..."

"Can you put it on speaker, baby?" Pakiusap ni Vermone saakin at ginawa ko. "Kyla," Tawag n'ya sa best friend ko.

"Hello, yes, Vermone?" Sagot ni Ky.

"May I know when did this happen?"

"I'll send the footage of our CCTV date about that customer and I'll send some details, too to Lia."

"Kyla, are you and my wife exposed as the owner of this milk tea business?"

"Well... madalas ay ako dahil syempre pino-promote ko thru our sss page and si Lia ay tahimik so I think hindi masiyado kilala asawa mo pero 'pag nag background check sa business namin ay makikita ang pangalan ni Lia."

Napahilot sa sentido bigla ang asawa ko.

"Do you have a lawyer?" Tanong ni Vermone.

"Hahanap pa lang kami."

"Don't mind that. I'll send my cousin. He's a lawyer. Vinson Scott Collins." Banggit ni Vermone na ikinagulat ko.

"H-Ha?! Hala! Okay lang. Kaya na namin ni Lia 'to-"

"I want to help my wife on this, Kyla. Don't worry, my cousin is very trustworthy." Agap ni Vermone.

I held his hand and mouthed the word "thank you" he smiled and gave me one swift kiss.

"Ky, I'll call you back and see what I can do from here, okay?" Sambit ko.

"Naku, Lia, pasensya na at nasira ko pa honeymoon ninyo! Pangalawa na 'to!" Nagdrama si Ky. Hay, nako.

"It's fine, Ky. That's out business so we should work on it together, oki?" Sagot ko na para 'di s'ya ma-guilty.

Meanwhile, my husband is now talking to his cousin.

"Malaking thank you ulit sa asawa mo, ha? 'Wag mo na nga hiwalayan 'yan!"

Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Kyla. "Sira! Sige na. Kakain muna 'ko. Balitaan mo 'ko from time to time kung kakailanganin na lumipad ako papunta riyan sa'yo ay gagawin ko." Seryosong sabi ko at hula ko naiyak na naman 'to.

"I love you, Lia! Pero I think I can manage pa naman. Sige na, enjoy muna kayo! And yes, babalitaan kita."

We said our goodbyes to each other at dahil nasa may terrace pa ng kwarto namin ni Vermone ay nauna na 'ko sa kusina. Naisipan ko mag spam at itlog na lang.

Kalagitnaan ng pagluluto ay nakita ko na si Vermone na pinapanood ako habang may ginagawa sa laptop.

Nang matapos sa pagluluto ay lumapit muna 'ko kay Vermone. Uupo na sana ako sa tabi n'ya nang bigla ay hinila n'ya 'ko dahilan para mapaupo ako sa hita n'ya.

"When did you start this milk tea business?" Tanong ni Vermone.

"Four or five years ago? I can't remember."

"You look so beautiful in your picture as the CEO of Empire Tealicious." He smirked and looked at his laptop.

Napatingin na rin ako roon at napangiwi nang makita ang itsura ko 3 years ago! Nag-aaral pa 'ko niyan, ha! I looked so innocent and fresh pa niyan.

"My CEO." He kissed my neck.

I chuckled a bit and stopped him midway dahil malapit na mapunta halik n'ya sa bandang dibdib ko.

"Kain muna tayo, Ver!" Pinalo ko nang marahan ang braso n'ya and he chuckled.

Kumain na kami ng breakfast namin at ito na ulit. Napunta na kami sa topic ng business namin ni Kyla.

"Don't worry too much, okay? My cousin can handle this."

"Can I talk to him?" I asked in a little voice.

Tinignan ako ni Vermone at tinaasan ng kilay. "For what?" Pagsusungit n'ya bigla.

"What?" I laughed. "Of course, I'm the CEO of our business! I want to talk to him-"

"No need to do that because the husband of Adeline Thania who's the CEO of Empire Tealicious already talked to their lawyer." Pilyong sagot n'ya at tumawa lang ako.

"Napaka seloso mo!" Tawa pa rin ako nang tawa.

Napatigil ako sa pagtawa nang makatanggap ng text mula kay Kyla at tinignan ko na 'yon.

From: Kyla

HINDI MO NAMAN AKO ININFORM BEH NA ANG GWAPO GWAPO NITO! SABAGAY COLLINS NGA PALA HEHEHEHEHEH

Napataas ako ng kilay ko at natawa.

Habang nata-type ako ng reply ay nakapag send na naman kaagad ng message si Kyla.

From: Kyla

DAMN GURL. LAWYER NATIN TOH! ATTORNEY VINSON SCOTT COLLINS SHET FAFA

Natawa na 'ko kaya napatingin na naman si Vermone sa'kin at kumunot ang noo n'ya.

To: Kyla

Akala ko ba loyal ka sa high school crush mo? HAHAHAHAH

From: Kyla

Pabayaan mo hindi ko naman siya nakilala duh! HAHAHAHAHA Collins here I go!

Napailing na lang ako at hindi na rineplayan si Kyla. Dahil puro kalandian lang n'ya niyan ang mangyayari.

"That's Kyla?" Tanong ni Vermone.

"Yes, gwapo raw ng pinsan mo." I chuckled and he scoffed.

May kung ano-ano nang binubulong ngayon si Vermone sa sarili n'ya. Seloso kong asawa, ay!

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at pumunta sa harap n'ya. Dahil nakaupo s'ya sa high chair ay nakatingala pa 'ko nang kaunti. Hinalikan ko ang labi n'ya nang marahan.

"Pero ikaw ang pinakagwapong lalaki na kilala ko sa mundong 'to." Panlalambing ko.

I saw Vermone pout and look at me furiously.

"Tell your best friend that my cousin is already taken." He smirked.

Ngumuwi ako at natawa. Broken hearted na naman si Kyla!

"He's married?" I asked him.

"No. Ako ang pinakaunang nakasal saaming magpipinsan." Hinila n'ya 'ko palapit sa kaniya.

"Ikaw ang bunso pero ikaw pa naunang ikasal." I chuckled.

"Ikaw nga na walang jowa sa magkakaibigan pero ikaw ang naunang ikasal." Laban n'ya at pabirong matalim ko siyang tinignan. "And I'm... the luckiest man alive to marry Adeline Thania. You're my Collins, baby." He said so sweetly and kissed my lips repeatedly.

Nag-asaran na kami dahil tumatiyansing na naman si Vermone kaya tumatakas ako at naghabulan kami sa loob ng bahay na para bang mga bata kami. Alam kong nagbibiruan lang kami pero ang saya lang niyang asarin dahilan para mapikon s'ya pero 'di rin n'ya 'ko matiis at natatawa na lang din.

Hanggang sa napunta kami sa dalampasigan ay nahuli na n'ya 'ko at binuhat n'ya 'ko. Hingal na hingal kaming dalawa katatawa at katatakbo.

Binaba n'ya 'ko at kinulong sa mga braso n'ya. I cupped his cheeks and gave him one deep kiss.

I love you...

Nang bumitiw ako ay puro hampas ng mga alon sa buhangin sa dalampasigan ang naririnig ko kasama ang malakas na hangin at ang mabigat na paghinga namin ni Vermone.

Pareho lang naming tinitignan ang isa't isa na para bang may komunikasyon na nagaganap sa mga mata namin.

Vermone kissed my forehead and I closed my eyes as I felt it.

I wanted to be selfish... I want him to be mine... forever. I want to be his... forever. Oh, how I wish you love me too, Vermone. Because me? I already lost, baby. I'm in love with you.

"What are you thinking?" He asked after our long silence.

Our divorce... I smiled and just shook my head. I hugged him.

Susulitin ko na 'to mahal ko...

He hugged me back tighter at nagbawian na naman kami pero dahil mas malakas si Vermone saakin physically ay alam kong talo ako. We both laughed as we keep making fun of each other.

Dahil mainit pa ay naisipan namin na pumasok muna sa bahay. Habang nanonood kami ng movie ay may tumawag kay Vermone. Lumabas s'ya at pagbalik ay parang naaasar naman.

"Shut the f**k up, Vin! Here's my wife." Asar na sabi ni Vermone.

Linoud speaker bigla ni Vermone ang phone n'ya at tumabi sa'kin.

Narinig ko ang tawa ng pinsan n'ya.

"You jealous freak!"

"Shut up!" Mas pikon na sabi ni Vermone kaya napangiti naman ako.

"Where's your wife, fucker?"

Tumikhim ako. "Hi, this is Adeline Thania-"

"Collins." Dugtong ng katabi ko at natawa ako pati si Vinson ay narinig kong natawa.

"This is Adeline Thania Collins."

"Your husband is one f*****g jealous husband. Sorry about my cousin, Adeline. Kung nasasakal ka sa kaniya ay pwede namang ako maging attorney ninyo for annulment-"

"f**k YOU, VINSON!" Nanggigigil na talaga asawa ko kaya natawa ako lalo.

Si Vinson ay mas lumakas ang tawa.

"Okay, I'll stop. Anyway, Adeline, your co-partner to this business which you call Empire Tealicious said that you became the CEO just 2 years ago of this business which is only a franchise but the real CEO... may I know who?" Pagseryoso n'ya bigla.

"Ah, yes. The real owner of that business is Harrickson Buenaventura but he dropped the business and passed it to me. So, yes, I'm the CEO of the whole business, not just one franchise." Sambit ko.

Sana hindi na ma-involve rito si Sir. Harrickson. Napakabait pa naman n'on.

"Okay, found his details. Harrickson Dizon Buenaventura. 25 years old."

"Uh, Attorney Vinson Collins." I called his attention pero asawa ko ang tumingin sa'kin. "I just hope na hindi na madadamay dito si Sir. Harrickson sa gulong 'to. He trusted his business to me and kahit pa naipasa ang business na 'yon saakin ay hindi maiaalis na s'ya ang tunay na owner."

"Well, don't worry, Adeline. Hindi s'ya madadamay. Pero... dati niyo ng naranasan ang ganitong crisis, correct?"

"Yes. Pero not to the point na ipapasara kami. It's only suspension because of expired food..." Tumikhim ako.

"And you handled that matter. Who's your lawyer back then?"

Alam ko wala...

"None. We didn't have a lawyer back then. Ako mismo ang humarap."

"Brave."

I bit my lower lip when he said that at natigil lang dahil sobrang sama ng tingin sa'kin ni Vermone. Nararamdaman ko na kanina n'ya pa gusto mag salita pero pinipigilan lang n'ya sarili n'ya.

Nakaisip naman ako ng paraan para hindi na magtampo ang asawa ko.

"Attorney Vinson, ang sabi ng asawa ko ay sa family ng mother n'ya ang nabiktima?" Tanong ko at diniinan ko ang asawa.

Napatingin si Vermone sa'kin at nawala na ang pagkunot ng noo. There.

"Yes, from the devil's family." Vinson chuckled. "Malalaman ko rin ito so for now, nag inspection kami sa milk tea shop mo at wala naman nahanap namali pati sa pagprepare ng food at serve from CCTV footage ay pinanood na namin. So sit back and relax, Attorney Vinson Collins got you."

"Okay, that's enough." Singit na ni Vermone at sabay kaming natawa ni Vinson.

"Okay, Adeline, may I have your email or contact to update-"

"You can update me, Vin." Putol kaagad ni Vermone sa pinsan.

"Oh, what the hell. Fine! Fine! Will call soon." Natatawang ani Vin.

Nang namatay ang call ay ngumisi ako kay Vermone. He scoffed at iniwan na 'ko roon sa sala. Natawa na lang ako sa mga kinikilos n'ya. Sinundan ko s'ya sa kwarto namin at sinunggaban ng yakap dahilan para mapahiga kami.

"You jealous hubby."

"Tsk! I hate being jealous." He murmured.

I kissed his cheeks repeatedly para malambing ko ang asawa ko. "Should we now build our sandcastle?" Tanong ko at tumango lang si Vermone.

I just wore my sando and some dolphin shorts dahil 'di naman namin balak mag swimming ngayon. Hapon na kaya 'di na gano'n kainit. Kinuha ni Vermone ang mga gamit na panggawa ng sandcastle.

We spent fifteen minutes or twenty in making our sandcastle. Hindi kalakihan pero ang cute!

We both took a picture of it at nagulat ako na may kinuha pa ng pang-mold si Vermone at mukhang mga bata. Itinabi n'ya 'yon sa tabi naming dalawa sa sandcastle.

1...2...3...4...5...

"Five?" Kinakabahan kong tanong.

"Yeah, I want five children." He smirked.

Nag selfie kami roon at nang padilim na ay naisipan namin gamitin ang jacuzzi. Nauna na si Vermone roon. Naghubad na 'ko sa kwarto at sinuot ang bathrobe ko.

Paglabas ko ay bumubula na ang tubig sa jacuzzi. Seeing him stare at me made me feel so hot. I removed my bathrobe and slowly joined him.

Iginiya naman n'ya 'ko papunta sa taas n'ya dahilan para mapahingal ako. Ang mga binti ko ay nasa magkabilang side n'ya. He kissed my breasts slowly and I moaned.

"Ver,"

"Let's stop teasing each other, baby." Bulong n'ya at hinalikan ako kung saan mas nag-init na ang mga katawan namin.