"Dati kasi tuwing naglilinis ako ng room, pinapanood ako ng mga babae," panimula niya. He looks so funny yet attractive when he speaks. "Nandoon sila sa bintana. Eh, isa ako sa cleaners, nakikita ko sila sa peripheral vision ko na pinagmamasdan nila ako."

Hindi ko mapigilang mapahagikgik. Nagta-Tagalog pala siya kapag lasing?

"Eh baka kaya ka tinitingnan kasi chine-check lang nila kung naglilinis ka ba talaga!" Anne stated her unconvincedness. Nako! May tama na talaga ang isang ito!

"No, they are from another section. And our room is located on the fourth floor, while theirs is located on the third floor. They walk right up to me to watch me."

Natawa naman ako sa itsura ni Jhon Rey habang nagkukwento. Hindi naman talaga maitatanggi na gwapo siya. Somehow, naniniwala ako sa kuwento niya. I mean, nakikita ko naman ang ebidensya.

We're at the side of the venue, which seemed like an area for chilling out. There's a long table and black couches where we are sitting right now. Our guests were in the crowd, enjoying the cuisine and the party. I think it's almost 6 p.m., and some people are saying their goodbyes to our parents.

"Blah! I don't believe you! Aaron is more attractive than you are, Jhon Rey!" she yelled.

"Ask Aaron, that guy used to be my classmate!" ayaw paawat na sagot ni Jhon Rey.

Napatingin naman ako kay Aaron. Nagkibit-balikat lang siya. Epal naman ng isang ito. Walang ka-abog abog. Dapat di na 'to inimbitahan, eh!

"Ano, Sheen May? Naniniwala ka ba sa kwento niya?" tanong ni Rod.

"Mukha namang totoo." I cast another look in John Rey's direction.

"Di ba?" tanong niya habang nakatingin sa akin. Natutuwa ako sa paraan niya ng pananalita sa akin. Para niya akong kabarkada. "I'm telling the truth. Mukha ba akong nagsisinungaling?"

Nagulat ako nang tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin. Umupo siya sa tabi ko. Napatingin naman ako kina Rod habang sumesenyas kung anong gagawin ko dahil unang beses ko lang siyang nasaksihang ganito kalasing.

Rod got up from the couch and remarked, "I think we should leave them," before walking away. I was speechless. Why would he think it was a good idea to leave us here? I still want to talk to them and catch up! Why would they leave me with this drunk man?

Aaron followed his brother while taking care of my drunk best friend, but when he was about to go out, he came back and approached me.

"Don't worry; I'll look after your best friend. Promise, I won't do anything to her, and congratulations on your wedding," he murmured hastily before vanishing entirely from my line of sight. I was taken aback when he came over to inform me of that. I thought he would ignore me forever.

"Hey, haven't I told you not to wear something like this?" Jhon Rey asked as he gently stroked the back of my neck and shoulders. His touch sent thrills down my spine whenever he touched me.

He took off his coat and put it on me. He also pulled on his neck tie to loosen it up. Hindi niya alam na sobrang gwapo niya nang gawin niya iyon.

He appeared to be looking in my direction. It is possible that the alcohol he consumed is causing his face to get red at this point. "Hey, what's up, and who are you?" My brows immediately furrowed in response to the query that was asked. "Why are you so pretty?"

I smirked. Is he trying to hit on me?

"What, you weren't familiar with me?" I asked, trying to mess with him too. He squinted and leaned closer; it seemed like he was trying to remember who I was.

"You look familiar. I think I've seen you before. Wait, hmm, did you come from the future? You looked like my future wife."

I laughed when he said that pick-up line. He chuckled too. "Oh, why are you laughing? Does it sound so funny?"

I nodded. "It is."

"It's a relief that I made you laugh. I always made you cry before."

That stopped me from laughing. Does he remember me now?

"Are you familiar with who I am at this time?" I inquired. He nods, but his gaze quickly returns to the ground. He reached for another beer and began to drink from the glass. I put a stop to the following one. He is quite inebriated at this point.

"Who am I, Jhon Rey?" He gave me a quick glance, and it seemed like he was attempting to be sober. "What exactly do you mean?"

"I thought you remembered me; then tell me who I am."

"You're my wife," he stated. I give a kind smile and nod.

"Yes, I am your wife. I am Sheen May Velasco-Carpio, and I promise you I'll take care of you always, even if you're drunk like this." I hold his hand and look at the crowd that's enjoying our reception. "To be honest, I am scared that you might ask for a divorce later on after our family's business is settled, but I can't hide how happy I am now that you're with me for the time being," I stated, trying to take all of these overwhelming feelings I have inside.

"Why are you saying this?" he inquired.

"I am saying this because I don't want you to be worried about me. I am not finding a place in your heart because I know there's someone there. I just want to say that I am not your enemy, Jhon Rey."

Nanatili siyang nakatingin sa akin. Mukhang hindi niya inasahan ang sinabi ko. "Do you love me that much?"

"Wasn't I able to show it to you? Don't you feel it?" I replied.

"Yeah, it's heartwarming and comforting. It makes me sober up." It made me chuckle. "But it hurts me sometimes," he added.

"Why?" nangangamba kong tanong.

"Because I can't reciprocate your feelings."

I made an effort to smile despite the pain of being turned down again. I saw it coming. Hindi na dapat ako umasa. Everything was a facade.

"I am clearly doing this for the sake of our family's business, Sheen May, and I am thankful that you fully understand me and my situation. Thank you for always being there for me, even now. I am really grateful."

I nod and contain myself. Hindi ako iiyak sa harap niya. Hindi niya dapat makita na nasasaktan ako sa mga narinig ko at para akong tinutusok ng mga salitang iyon at ginigising sa katotohanan. Ito na, nasa harap ko na ang lahat ng sagot. Lahat pala ng mga ginagawa niya ay walang ibig sabihin.

"To be honest, Quency and I are planning to get married after this."

I was rendered speechless by the shock. I could never have anticipated that he would be so forthright in front of me. I can only pray that he was lying about that one. I suppose the fact that he is willing to say something like that shows that I have entirely earned his trust. It seemed like I wouldn't recover from this.

Akala ko ay may aasahan ako, wala pa rin pala, pero at least ngayon, malinaw na sa akin ang lahat.

After the reception, we went straight to the house that was gifted to us by his parents. Derrick drove for us since Jhon Rey was too drunk to take care of me. He helped me put him down on the bed.

"Thank you for your service, Derrick," I stated as we walked outside of the room. I accompanied him to the entrance.

"You're welcome, Miss Velasco. And I also want to tell you that I will no longer be at your service. Your father assigned me to something so you won't be seeing me anymore."

That took me completely by surprise. I couldn't help but feel miserable after hearing what he had to say. Today is my birthday and my wedding day. After starting the day feeling quite happy and content, I can't believe I'm already in such a bad mood now. Nagwakas ang araw sa kalungkutan.

"I see. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm used to having you follow in my footsteps. Anyway, thank you so much for making my life easier, Derrick. I am grateful to you for all of your hard work."

"It's my pleasure, Miss Velasco. I mean, Mrs. Carpio."

I nodded. He was about to go out when he came back. "Mrs. Carpio, I don't know if this is too much to ask, but can I ask why I can see that you're sad? Is it because I am leaving you, or is there another reason?"

I chuckled. "I'm fine. Don't tell Dad about this."

He nodded as he said goodbye to me. I stared at the door until he drove the car away.

I heaved a sigh as I shut the door behind me and made my way to the room where I had left Jhon Rey. He collapsed into the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Tinanggal ko ang sapatos at ang medyas niya. I tried to take off some of his clothes and fix him on the bed. Medyo nasakop niya na ang kama kaya muli, nagdecide akong sa couch na lang matulog. Gusto kong magreflect sa mga nangyari ngayong araw. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang kasal at may asawa na ako.

Kinumutan ko na siya. I was about to leave when I heard him.

"Take care of me, my dear wife."

I smiled. At least he was aware that I was his wife when he was sleeping.

Is he dreaming?

But my smile disappeared when he mentioned the name I didn't expect.

"Quency..."