"I got it. I did the first one. Last night. Put a check mark on it."

"Boss, huwag ka munang excited, first step palang 'yon."

I found Zane and the butler bickering at the lawn first thing in the morning. Nakatalikod ang dalawa sa akin kaya hindi nila ako napapansin.

"Gusto mong mawalan ng trabaho?" Zane threatened.

Napakamot nalang sa batok ang butler na kasama habang binabasa ang bitbit na maliit na notebook.

"What's the next one?"

"E boss, ang sabi dito, share breakfast, lunch, and dinner." Napakamot ulit ang butler sa batok habang binabasa iyon.

"Anong ginagawa niyo?" mahina kong tanong.

Zane snatched the small notebook from the butler's hand and threw it away quickly before I can even come closer to them. Ang lalaking gulat naman ay agad na pinulot iyon at nagtatakbo nang hindi man lang ako tinatapunan ng tingin.

"Good morning. What a lovely day today! My wife is awake, I am awake, and everyone else in the family is awake!" He enthusiastically remarked.

"Did you do something? You look guilty..."

He shook his head repeatedly.

"Alright," may pagdududa kong sabi. "Nag-breakfast ka na? Magluluto ako kung hindi pa. What do you want?"

"Let the chefs do the cooking, your hands are not made for that. Let's talk about last night."

I nodded. I took a few steps towards him and held the handle of his wheelchair to push him towards the outdoor swing canopy nearby.

"Well, I asked mom for permission if I could start working." I started.

He nodded slowly. "Yes, and?"

"She said yes. And now, I am informing you that I will start working."

"Okay. I understand." He nodded again as he tried to process what I have said. "Okay, yeah, so when will you start?"

"As soon as possible..."

"Isn't that a bit rushed? I have money you can use. Why work?"

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mga mata. I'm afraid the situation will turn exactly like how my parents went. My dad had all the luxury in life, the wealth, the connection, the life many people dreamt of. While my mom was tossed away right after when he didn't want her anymore. I don't want to live a life unprepared for what's coming for me.

"No. For me, this isn't rush. This is the perfect timing with the right opportunity for me. May pera ka, oo, pero gusto ko may pera rin ako, Zane. Na matatawag kong akin."

"You can have all the wealth that I have, Apple. It doesn't even matter to me how you will use it." Giit niya.

Mom and dad have already done so much for me. Ang kapal na talaga ng mukha ko kung pati ang kaniya ay kukunin ko pa. I can't even call that a conjugal property because we started off track with this impulse marriage.

"Bakit ko naman gagawin 'yon? Keep yours to yourself."

"What's mine is yours though, isn't that the cardinal rule of this marriage? Ang sa 'yo ay sa 'yo, ang sa akin ay sa 'yo," he emphasized.

Woah, wait lang. Wala naman sa usapan 'yan. 

Gusto ko 'yang mentality na 'yan hm.

"Uhm... may I just remind you that this marriage was made out of impulse? And that we don't have deep emotional foundation yet for you to casually say that. And besides..." I swallowed hard out of embarrassment for the next thing I have to say. "It's not like we're really going to end up with each other. Maghihiwalay rin naman tayo eventually kapag nahanap mo na talaga ang babaeng gusto mo."

His brows furrowed. He swallowed hard and chuckled sarcastically. I realized he's completely pissed when he looked away while gripping the arm of his wheelchair tightly, as if he could throw it any moment if I continue.

"You heartless woman. How dare you say that to my face?"

I pursed my lips. Hinayaan ko siyang magsalita. He turned to me and gave me a deadly glare. Napalunok ako at sinubukang umiwas ng tingin.

"You are not to mention divorce ever again, Pomme. Never. If I hear you say that again, I'll have you cuffed inside our room so you wouldn't be able to run away."

"'Di ba parang may thirty days na waiting time pa kapag magp-process ng divorce?" bulong ko sa sarili.

Syempre, kapag nagprocess ng divorce, hindi ako pwedeng mawala agad pag-file palang ng petition. It's a lot of work and I have to be always present right then and there. Ang point lang naman dito e kahit mag-file ako ng petition, hindi rin ako makakaalis kasi may waiting time pa 'yan at mga proseso na dapat harap-harapan kong gagawin.

"Enough, Pomme."

Okay, okay.

"But can I go ahead and work? Lugmok na ako dito sa bahay o."

"Kung bored ka dito pwede namang mag-cuddle tayo araw-araw para may magawa ka. We can speed up our emotional foundation with that. That's a great idea, isn't it?"

Binigyan ko siya ng hindi makapaniwalang tingin. I never imagine him being so blunt like this. Napaka... napakawalang hiya kung magsalita. Walang kahihiyan sa katawan.

"I'll cook us breakfast..." dahan-dahan akong tumayo at umatras na para bang may nakakahawa siyang sakit.

He followed my move as I try to walk away from him as quick as I can. Muntik pa akong madapa nang makaapak ng bato sa damuhan. He tried to stand up when I nearly fall but I quickly waved my hand at him, signalling him to stay where he is and not to move an inch or I'll scream.

Nagtatakbo ako papasok sa loob ng bahay at tuluyan na siyang iniwan doon.

I have been exposed in cooking since I was a kid. My mama used to be a chef in a Michelin star restaurant somewhere in Dubai before she met my dad, kaya lumaki akong exposed sa pagluluto at nakuha na rin ang passion ni mama sa pagluluto.

Her's is way better than mine but I can also confidently say that my cooking is above average. Madalang akong makapagluto sa bahay na 'to dahil may sariling chef ang mga Cross.

"Oh, wow. We're having a very special breakfast today huh." Pumasok si mommy sa kusina.

She's all dressed up. I never really saw her come down with only Pj's on. Araw-araw ay nakaayos na siya tuwing bababa na para bang may lakad. Ang pambahay niya ay panglakad ko na noong nasa Samar pa ako e.

"What are we having?"

"Beefsteak, Tinola, and some breakfast na fried, my. Nagprito rin ako ng Ayungin kasi gumawa ako ng chili miso sauce kahapon."

I gave her an apologetic smile. Hindi ko alam kung kumakain sila ng ganoon.

"That's my first time hearing that, darling. Ang tagal na no'ng huling kain ko ng tinola, it was my mom— your grandma— who used to cook it at home."

My face lit up hearing that. Sabay kaming lumingon ni mommy nang pumasok si Zane sa bulwagan ng kusina. Ang butler ay nasa kaniyang likuran at tulak-tulak ang wheelchair niya.

"I'll eat whatever you cook." He said.

"May food restriction ka. Kung gusto mong gumaling, ang kakainin mo lang ay 'yong sinabi ng doctor na hindi bawal sa 'yo."

Nagsalubong agad ang kaniyang kilay. Akmang aalma na nang hindi sinasadyang natapunan ko siya ng masamang tingin. Napalunok si Zane at napaayos ng upo.

"My, oh," sumbong ko.