Kaori

Kaharap ko si Mommy at Daddy kasama si Hussein. Hussein wanted to do things in a hard and bloody way. Gusto yatang daanin sa santong paspasan. I was waiting for him to make a move, hindi 'yong puro lang siya salita. I low-key kept reminding him about mine and Aoki's wedding everytime we talk. We broke up but that doesn't mean I don't love him anymore. He's still the one I am into.

"Aren't you threatened yet, De Russo?" dad asked.

"No, Sir."

"Anak, what's this?" mahinahong tanong ni mommy sa 'kin.

"Mom, I can't marry Aoki. I don't want to." Iling ko.

"What do you mean?! Tatalikuran mo lahat para lang sa lalaking 'to?! You're unbelievable, Kaori!" Dad was beyond mad.

"With all due respect, Mr. and Mrs. Norhaya." Hussein casually interrupted. "Kaori is pregnant with my child. I have set my plans with her in the near future already."

"Don't fucking ruin my family, De Russo! You are nothing but a hindrance to my family's success!"

"By using your own daughter for personal benefits? That's a fucked up reason, Mr. Norhaya," Hussein chuckled.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay nito. He sensed it and turned to me with soft eyes.

"I know the secrets behind all this, Mr. Norhaya. I will have your daughter wether you like it or not."

Dad paled, so as mom. She looked worried for a second. The moment she turned to me, her eyes were pleading and is about to cry. Naramdaman ko ang sakit na dumaloy sa sistema ko nang makita iyon. Nangingilid na ang luha ng mommy ko at mahigpit ang hawak sa kamay ni daddy. I want to comfort my mom so bad.

"Kaori, tell this man to fuck off. You are getting married to Aoki and that's final! I don't care if it's his child you're bearing. You are marrying the man I chose for you." Mariing utos ni daddy.

"Dad, I don't want to marry Aoki!" I protested.

"That's my girl," Hussein gently whispered.

"You ungrateful brat! After all the things we did for you! How dare you!" Namula sa galit si daddy, si mommy naman ay umiiyak na.

My heart sank with the scene in front of me. My mad dad and the crying face of my mom. Para akong mabubuwal sa kinauupuan ko.

"Shout at my wife again and we'll have to do this my way, Mr. Norhaya. I don't give a damn if you're her father. I play dirty more than you do." Hussein's voice roared in the room.

He was just sitting like a master but with a daunting expression.

"Kaori, don't do this to us. You already agreed to this, you can't back out now." Mom sobbed.

"Mom, I will never be happy with this marriage. We can still figure things out. We'll think of some alternatives. H-hindi ko pala talaga kaya, Mommy. Sorry po."

Tangina. Parang no'ng isang araw lang go na go pa ako sa pagpapakasal kay Aoki. I was so sure with my decisions. Pero napagtanto kong hindi ako magiging masaya kapag pinakasalan ko si Aoki. At alam kong gano'n rin siya sa 'kin. Pareho kaming naiipit sa sitwasyong hindi naman namin ginusto. I'll be stuck with a loveless unhappy marriage.

"Kaori..." nanginig ang labi ni mommy nang sunod-sunod ang pag-agos ng luha ko.

"Tinanggap ko 'to ng buo noon, pero hindi ko talaga kakayanin ang manatili sa isang bagay na hindi ko gusto, mommy. This marriage is just for show. I have this man whom I love, mommy. Marriage is not something to be joked about. I can't do marriage for convenience." Napalunok ako. "I will never learn to love Aoki just because we were married in papers. Iba kasi 'to sa sitwasyon niyo ni Daddy. Mahal ko po si Hussein at nagbunga nga po 'yon. Hussein initiated what happened between us and I gave him full consent because I wanted it too."

"Pwede namang hindi ako eh, 'di ba? Just because I am the first born of the Hijazi and Norhaya's doesn't mean I have the privilege to be the next queen. Mommy, may kapatid ka na may anak, so as you, Daddy. Oba wa oji to kekkon shite ori, karera wa ryōhō tomo hijaji to noruhayadaeri, musuko ga imasu, kare wa sono chii ni pittaridesu." I cried. Auntie married uncle, they're both a Hijazi and Norhaya and they have a son, he is a good fit for the position.

They did the same to mom and dad's siblings. They forced them to marry each other. Nagkaroon sila ng anak na lalaki na mas bata sa 'kin. I hate the thought of me passing this burden to my cousin, but this is the only alternative that I can think of. I am indeed selfish and a brat.

"What is wrong with you, Kaori? Dahil lang sa lalaking 'to nagkakaganiyan ka na? He's nothing compared to you. You don't fit for each other. You're a royalty and he's just a villein!"

Hussein chuckled. "And this villein can ruin your family name in seconds. Let's go, my love." Hussein held my hand and we walked to the door. "We'll be announcing our marriage later. Stay tuned for the next updates." He added before we left.

"We are not yet done, damn it! Keibi!" Guard!

Suddenly, security guards surrounded us. There were too many of them. Hussein held my hand tightly and hid me in his back.

"Kaori?"

"Yes?"

"Just know that we perfectly fit each other. Will you marry me?"

I stopped breathing for a moment. Without any thoughts, I answered.

"Yes. Yes, I will marry you."

"Now that's the answer I've been wanting to hear. Never leave my side ever again, Norhaya. I'll chase you wherever the fuck you go."

Ilang segundo ang lumipas ay may mga nakaitim na lalaking pumasok sa mansyon at tinutukan ng baril ang bawat security guard ni dad. Marami rin sila at halos sakupin na ang buong living room ng mansyon. The living room was very spacious, and when I say spacious, it really is. Pero ngayon ay parang naiipit kami at lumiliit ng lumiliit ang espasyo.

"We're dead," I flatly remarked.

"Says who, baby?" Hussein chuckled and carried me in a bridal style before walking casually in the middle.

Dad's guards weren't shooting. Hindi naman talaga hanggat walang sinasabi si Daddy.

"They wouldn't dare shoot us." Hussein fixed me in the passenger seat.

"Hm, they didn't. But what if they did?"

"My men will do it first."

When the car started moving, I looked back at the mansion. Few cars were following us, probably my man's men. Mom and dad were at the terrace, watching us leave. I disappointed them again. They won't forgive me after this.

Itatakwil nila ako. Ayos na rin 'yon. At least ako lang. Mabuti na rin at hindi payag ang mommy at daddy sa naging desisyon ko. Dahil kung payag sila, malaki ang posibilidad na itakwil sila ng pamilya namin. It might be better if it's only me. They can still live their luxurious life without me. I'm okay with that. I'll still have them as family even though they will kick me out of it. Nothing will change. Maybe the bond will, other than that, none.

"Let's start planning for our marriage, shall we?" Hussein's hands made its way on my thigh.

I moved my thighs away from him and frowned. His hand gripped my thighs tightly and proceeds to brush it with his palms in a gentle manner.

Napaka-unbothered naman nito. Kitang nasa gitna kami ng problema eh.

"Saka na. Kapag ayos na lahat."

When we arrived at the house, I unbuckled my seatbelt. I tried to get out of the car but a huge hands reached for it and closed it back. Napalingon ako sa kaniya nang bumaba ito at tumakbo papunta sa side ko. He opened the door for me and extended his hand. I was about to reach for it but he scoop me up and carried me all the way inside.

"Manang, can you prepare my wife's milk?"

"Yes, Sir." Manang saluted that sent smile to my lips.

"So pretty." Mariin ang titig nito sa 'kin habang naglalakad papunta sa kwarto.

"Sa daan ang tingin baka mabangga ka sa pader," kastigo ko.

"Yes, Ma'am."

He opened the door and dropped me on the bed. He then bent on his knees to level the bed and pulled up my top. Hussein planted soft kisses all over my belly while whispering inaudible things on it.

"I love you," he whispered.

"Aren't you too obsessed with me, big boy?" I teased.

"Damn right. I literally am, sweetheart. Whipped."

Hinila ko ang leeg nito palapit sa 'kin at pinatakan ng halik ang mamula-mulang labi nito.

"I missed you," nagtatampong ani ko.

"You want cuddles?"

Tumango ako. Hinubad nito ang relo at sapatos saka pumatong sa kama. Sumandal ito sa headboard at tinapik ang hita.

"Sit and let's cuddle, baby."

I obeyed like a good kid. Umupo ako sa hita nito at agad namang pumalibot ang braso nito sa baywang ko.

"Dim lights, please," I whispered.

He reached for the light controller and turned off the lights, leaving only the lamp. His fingers started stroking my hair. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya at ngumuso. Napangisi ito at dumukwang para halikan ako. Tatlong beses iyon saka bumaba ang ulo nito palapit sa leeg ko. He sucked my skin, gaining a moan from me. He likes it when I moan his name.

Nakaramdam ako ng malamig na bagay sa daliri ko kaya tinignan ko iyon. It was an elegant dainty ring.

"I will marry you in wherever church you desire, Kaori. I will marry you countless times if that's what you wish."

"It's too pretty, love. Thank you," I cried.

"My heart belongs to you and only you, my love. So as my body, mind, and soul."

I closed my eyes and pampered myself with his scent. His hands were busy roaming around my body. Giving me the feeling of having butterflies in my stomach.

"Who do you belong to, Norhaya?" he huskily asked.

"De Russo." I answered.

Malalim na natawa ito at hinalikan ang buhok ko.

"That's right, sweetheart. You belong to me. You are mine. You are a De Russo's property. Marked and claimed."

*****