CHAPTER 02

"Are you happy, Fayra? Masaya ka ba dahil nagkasakitan pa ang magkapatid kagabi ng dahil sa 'yo?

Napangisi ako sa sinabing iyon ni Rose. Parehas kaming nasa may buffet ngayon. Mula sa gilid ng aking paningin ay kitang kita ko ang seryoso niyang ekspresyon habang pumipili ng kaniyang pagkain.

Two days since we've been staying here, it's only now that the four of us have eaten at the same time. But it was interrupted because the two had a sudden meeting and were still at the hotel, so Rose and I were left alone. This is the ugliest morning and breakfast I've ever had.

When I finished choosing what to eat, I went to the table prepared for us. I didn't bother to give Rose a look because I feel like my blood is about to boil for her again, as the scenario of her being together with Mateo last night comes back to me.

"Nakuha mo na si Mateo, pinag-aaway mo pa ang dalawa. Ano ba talagang gusto mong mangyari, Fayra?" Tanong niya pa.

I didn't answer even more. I don't feel like talking to her. I don't care what she thinks of me because right now all I know is that the two of them are doing worse than me by putting myself into this marriage that caused my title usurpation.

"Maging dito ba naman ay gusto mo dalawa ang atensyong nasa sa 'yo?" Bahagyang tumaas ang boses niya.

Tuluyan niyang naagaw ang aking paningin. Napasandal ako sa upuan ko at nagpunas ng bibig habang ang mata'y nakapako sa kaniya.

Hindi ko alam kung anong ipinuputok ng butsi ng isang ito. Sa katunayan nga ay siya ang may gusto ng atensyong sinasabi niya sa akin. Nagpapakalayo layo ako sa kanila, at siya naman ay nasosolo ang asawa ko habang sinosolo niya rin ang asawa niya. Sino ngayon ang sa aming dalawa ang takaw atensyon?

Napangisi ako sa harapan niya. "Bakit kaya hindi mo tanungin ang sarili mo, Rose. Bakit ba hanggang dito ay gusto mong nasa sa 'yo ang atensyon ng asawa ko?" Balik na tanong ko't humarap muli sa aking pagkain. "Nagkasakitan sila dahil mas inuna ka ng asawa ko kaysa sa akin. Kung hindi mo nilalandi si Mateo, sana ay walang nangyaring gulo sa pagitan ng magkapatid." Pagpapatuloy ko't nilingon siya.

Namumula ang pisngi nito na palatandaan na naaasar ito sa mga sinasabi ko. I know her too well, she can't never hide her reaction from me, lalo pa't simula't sapol ay mas matagal kaming naging magkaibigan. Hindi lang liko ng bituka niya ang kabisado ko, maging ang kaluluwa't buong pagkatao niya ay tandang tanda ko pa.

"Are you saying that I'm a flirt?" Andoon ang inis sa boses niya.

Nagkibit balikat ako. "If that's the correct word to describe what you've been doing, then..." I paused and smiled at her before continuing, "Yes, you are the most flirty flirt I've ever known, Rose."

I was fixed even before Rose could respond when I noticed the two brothers from behind Rose. When they looked at us, their expressions were solemn. I immediately averted my gaze and pretended not to notice them. I want to warn Rose, but I can't right now. I already know what my fate will be later.

"If I'm a flirt, then what about you Fayra? A fucking backstabber and a wench, don't you?" Hamong tanong nito kahit pa siya na mismo ang nagbigay ng description para sa sarili ko.

I can feel the footsteps of the brothers approaching. Even though I don't want to hit Rose, her description of me seems to go to my head. Wench? Why did I use my body just for Mateo? Even if that's the only choice they'll let me make during that time, I won't agree, even though I love Mateo. I have no intention of using my body just to get something or someone.

"Maybe I'm a backstabber, but I will never be a wench." Mahinang sambit ko na alam kong maririnig niya naman.

Nakayuko lamang ako at pilit pinapakalma ang aking sarili dahil malapit na ang mga ito sa mismong likod ni Rose.

"You are, Fayra. Isa kang pokpok na handang mang-agaw para lang maging masaya. Kilala kita, you're so ambitious that you can even use your body para lang maagaw mo ang gusto---"

"Fayra!"

"Fayra!"

I released a strong slap on Rose's cheek, which was followed by the loud calling of my name by the two of them. Morgan quickly came to me and held me by the waist as if I was planning to attack Rose again. While Mateo is with Rose, who is now being comforted because she is crying.

Because of that scenario, I can feel my blood boiled. I confronted Morgan and pushed him hard, causing him to back away slightly. As soon as I faced them again, I drew my husband to my side and pushed Morgan towards Rose.

"Putangina, ito ang tamang ayos!" I yelled out of anger.

Napatigil sa pag-iyak si Rose, maging si Morgan at Mateo ay bahagyang natigilan nang mapagtantong hindi tama ang naging ayos nila kanina.

"Rose, what's happening here? Kanina ay halos hindi naman kayo nagkikibuan bakit ngayon naman ay ganito ang nadatnan namin?" Si Morgan ng makabawi.

Payak akong natawa at napatingala. Iginalaw galaw ko ang aking panga hanggang sa mapatango tango ako at muling tinitigan si Rose.

"Kailan man ay hindi ako gumamit ng katawan para lamang maagaw si Mateo sa 'yo, Rose. If I ever did that, tingin mo mararamdaman mo pa rin siya?" Pagtutukoy ko sa kanilang relasyon. Napakunot ang noo ni Morgan, halatang naguguluhan.

Rose locked her gaze on me, and I could feel Mateo's hand all over my arm, gripping me tightly.

"Fuck, Fayra! Stop this!" He yelled, but in hushed tones.

Rose couldn't speak, so I took that time to somehow vent my anger on them.

"Wala akong inagaw sa 'yo. Kahit saang sulok mo tingnan, hindi ko inagaw si Mateo sa 'yo dahil umpisa pa lang ay wala namang kayo, hindi ba?" I smiled and moved in closer. Even though Mateo tried to stop me, I didn't budge. "Everyone knows that nothing intervened between the two of you before, other than the courting of you by not just one Vejar but four of them."

"Then what are you trying to say here, Fayra. Na porket manliligaw ko ay hindi na sa akin? Na may karapatan ka ng agawin sa akin, gano'n ba?" Gigil na tanong niya.

I shook my head, disbelief of what I heard. Sinuyod ko ng tingin si Rose at si Morgan na nasa tabi niya na halos hindi na maiguhit ang reaksyon habang nakamasid sa akin.

"Kahit kailan ay wala kang naging karapatan lalo na't nagpaligaw ka sa apat na Vejar, Rose. Ni isa sa kanila ay hindi naging parte mo dahil wala ka namang sinagot maski isa, kabilang ngayon sa asawa mo---"

"I said stop it Fayra! Nakakahiya ka na!" Mateo's words cut me like a knife. But I want them... he and she must face the truth.

Nanubig ang aking mga mata at tumalim ang aking paningin kay Rose. "Let's be honest here and try to figure out what the truth is between all of us, Rose. Mateo has never been a part of you, maybe as a suitor in the past, but never as a boyfriend or lover, and you should lighten up because you're the real wench here."

After I said that, I left the restaurant without saying a word while I kept wiping away the tears that had completely escaped me.

Hindi ko gusto ang mga nasabi ko kay Rose, but she had pushed me to my breaking point. She knew I couldn't handle those words, but she still said them to me. I just wanted to eat quietly without minding her, but she pulled those triggering words on me.

Mateo called to me from behind. But I didn't bother looking at him or waiting for him to come over because I knew he'd be furious and would chastise me for doing those things to his beloved.

"What have you done?! Are you really out of your fucking mind?" Nangigil si Mateo na sumugod sa akin pagkapasok na pagkapasok niya pa lang ng kwarto.

Walang gana ko siyang tiningnan kahit pa tuloy tuloy lamang ang luha sa aking mga mata.

I feel like a flower withering as a result of my husband's reaction today. It was as if he had been there before and had witnessed the entire incident, quickly comprehending what had happened.

"N-Nasasaktan ako Mateo." Angal ko nang dakmahin niya ang aking braso papalapit sa kaniya. His fury is so extreme that I can feel it. Ang mga litid niya sa leeg ay unti unting nagsisilabasan habang ang kaniyang mga mata'y nagliliyab na sa galit.

"Why did you do that, huh?" Why did you hurt Rose and say such horrible things to her? Bakit Fayra, nasasaktan ka ba sa mga sinabi sa 'yo ni Rose? Hindi ba't 'yon naman ang totoo?" Pabulong ngunit naguumapaw ang suklam sa kaniyang boses.

I took a deep breath and looked at him with teary eyes. "I'm not an w-wench, " I said between sobs. "I've never been a wench, Mateo."

Mateo chuckled as he tightened his hold on my arm. "Then what was supposed to describe you, Fayra? An angel who just consented to my grandfather's and your parents' wishes?"

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig. "M-Mateo..."

"If you're not a wench, then why did you agree to become my wife in an exchange of a large amount that my grandfather offered to your family, huh?"

"You're unbelievable for saying that to my face, Mateo. You're so ruthless!"

Mateo's gaw clenched and dragged me towards the bed. He then pushed me, which made me lie down on top.

"Whatever you say, my wife, but the truth remains the truth. You are paid to become my wife. My grandfather bought you to become my wife, that's the truth of all truth. And for you to lighten up that's already made you a wench."

While I was looking out the car window back home, I was just silent. It started when we got off the plane. I have no intention of moving. I have no words and no strength to speak now. And one more thing: the words he said to me yesterday were too painful to get out of my mind right away. Those words were worse than the three daggers that could be thrust into me.

Ngayon tuloy ay napapaisip ako.

Am I truly worse off than Rose?

It was like I was bombarded again and again every second I remembered Mateo's words to me. There is some truth in what he said, but I am confused if it is true that I am called a paid woman because my family received money from Don Madeo after the wedding. Am I really that low, even though I didn't use it? Is that the label?

Ngunit sa pagkakaalam ko ay regalo lamang iyon ng kanilang pamilya, sa pagkakaalam ko rin ay ginagawa nila iyon dahil sa tradisyon na kanilang nakasanayan at sinusunod. Na kung ang ikakasal mula sa kanilang angkan ay isang lalaki, magbibigay sila ng kalahati ng kanilang kayamanan o makikipagkasosyo sa pamilya ng babae. But to go back to Mateo's words, parang ang hirap ng paniwalaan na tradisyon lamang iyon.

Napasandal ako sa may bintana ng sasakyan kung saan ako nakapuwesto. Ang tingin ko ay nasa labas pa rin habang mahinang bumuntong hininga.

"Copy, Sir."

Naagaw ng driver ang paningin ko ng basagin niya ang katahimikang lumulukob sa buong sasakyan. Umayos ako ng upo at sinilip siya sa may review mirror.

"Bakit ka lumiko?" Takang tanong ko dahil malapit na kami sa subdivision nang magdirediretso naman siya sa pagmamaneho.

"Convoy daw tayo Ma'am sa sasakyan ni Sir, Mateo." Tipid niyang sagot, nabitin naman ako sa ikli no'n.

"Where are we going then?" Usisa ko habang seryosong nagtatanong.

"Sa mansion daw ho." Sagot niya't natigilan ako.

Napaayos ako ng upo at napatingin sa harapan kung saan tanaw ang sasakyan ni Mateo na halos ang bilis ng pagpapatakbo. Maging kami ay pabilis na rin nang pabilis upang masabayan si Mateo. Pagtataka naman ang namumutawi sa akin ngunit ikinalma ko ang aking sarili.

Nagmamadali ata siya?

Mayamaya pa ay mayro'n na namang kausap ang driver kong si Roger na sa pagkakadinig ko ay si Morgan, na kalaunan ay nakasunod na rin ang sasakyan sa amin.

Sandali ang lumipas at mula sa labas ng subdivision ng mga Vejar ay ipinarada ni Roger ang sasakyan hindi kalayuan sa may gate. Tanaw kong lumabas si Mateo sa kaniyang sasakyan at patakbong tinungo ang sasakyan na sinasakyan ko. Hindi pa man nakakalapit ng tuluyan ay sinenyasan niya si Roger na bumaba. Sandali silang nag-usap at maya'y pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko na naman bago lumabas.

"Sa sasakyan daw ho kayo ni Sir, Mateo." Aniya sabay alalay sa akin palapit sa amo niya.

Mateo immediately held my hand at halos makaladkad ako sa bilis ng pagtakbo niya. Napapangiwi na lang ako. Mabilis niya akong pinapasok sa sasakyan niya at maya'y nagsenyas kay Morgan na sumunod sa kaniya.

When we entered the village, we were immediately greeted by Vejar's staff. At the gate of Don Madeo, his bodyguards did not exceed twenty, followed by the assistants, who I counted around fifteen, and waited for us to enter.

When we got down, Mateo came closer to Morgan, and the two talked seriously. I just looked away when Rose got out of the car and they both supported her head.

Nag-inhale at exhale ko, ayaw ko munang isipin ang mga kalandian nila. Nandito kami kay Don Madeo, delikado kaming lahat kung mag-umpisang mag-init ang ulo ko't maisumbong ko sila ng wala sa oras.

Ngayon pa lang kahit wala naman akong ginawang kababalaghan ay alam kong madadawit ako, maging si Morgan. Sa ugali ng Don, hindi na ako magtataka.

"Where's lolo?" Si Morgan nang iabot niya sa isang tauhan ang susi ng kaniyang sasakyan.

"Nasa loob ho, kayo na lamang ang hinihintay, Sir."

Muling nagkatinginan ang magkapatid at binalingan ang tauhan.

"What do you mean by kami na lang ang hinihintay? Andito na ba silang lahat?" Tanong ulit ni Morgan.

Tumango ito. "Nauna hong dumating dito ang mga pinsan niyo, kasama na rin po sa loob ang mga bisitang inimbitahan ng Don." Maikling paliwanag niya.

We were already walking when Mateo signaled to Morgan. The couple went ahead while we were just walking in front, but I was stunned when Mateo came to me and put his hand on my waist. He gave me a warning look.

"Just like we always did, act normal and pretend that we are a happy lovey couple, as what my grandpa always wants." Sarkastiko niyang paalala.

"I know, you don't need to remind me."

Mateo chuckled. "Then that's good. We're not having a problem here, but once you make a scene again with Rose, I'll make sure you regret it. Understand?"

I nodded and continued walking with him. I immediately put on my fake smile and brighten my eyes so Don Madeo doesn't suspect me. This is nothing new to me. I could say I'm a great actor for a month in a row. Maybe if I had pursued my dreams as a child, I could have won an Oscar.

"The wait is over for everyone; my favorite grandchildren are now complete," Don Madeo said as he saw us. I smiled broadly and turned my gaze to the visitors.

I was astounded by how many people had gathered at Don Madeo's Mansion. There are so many that I can't even count them on my fingers. I still rolled my eyes at everyone, and from where I was standing, I noticed Matthias, Maximilian, and Massimo winking at me. As I saw them laughing and giving me the peace sign, I shook my head.

Inalalayan ako ni Mateo na humanap ng bakanteng lamesa para sa aming dalawa, hindi naman naging mabagal iyon dahil nagpapasok pa si Don Madeo ng ilang lamesa para sa mga ilang nakatayong bisita.

I wasn't able to properly look at his guests, and now that we were seated and facing everyone, I looked at their faces one by one. I wasn't surprised to see families close to the Vejars like the Monrids, Parisi, Rossi, Bourbon, and my family, the Fabians.

Five families that have never been lost among the guests of Don Madeo. Five families that will not let their connection to the Vejars be lost, and neither will the Vejars.

"I still can't believe how well our companies are doing together and how our projects are expanding nationwide," he says. "But now, I just want to tell everyone to keep up the good work, because this isn't the end. We can be even be better ten or one hundred times if we keep going with what we've started." He said, raising his glass with a glass of champagne. "Anyways, I called you all here today not to talk all day about businesses, but to party and celebrate our success. We can't be here if you, my dear stockholders, back out. " Don Madeo's laughed and shouted cheers for everyone.

Nagtuloy tuloy pa ang ilang anunsyon ng Don bago niya iniwan nang tuluyan ang kaninang puwesto upang tumutok naman sa mga bigating kasosyo sa kanilang negosyo na galing pang iba't ibang bansa.

I followed the Don, and from where he stopped, I saw my mother smile when our eyes met. I felt a pain in the corner of my eye. I also clenched my fist to stop my own tears in front of them all.

Later, dad also gave me a sidelong glance as mommy grinned at me. Dad also did the same and gave me a flying kiss, which caused me to smile somewhat as well.

I'm missing them. If I could just run to them right now, I would.

"I can't handle his jokes anymore, kaunti na lang ay mapupuno na ako kay Lolo." Angal ni Massimo habang panay ang subo ng pagkain sa kaniyang bibig. Para itong paslit sa kaniyang pagkakanguso. "Tingnan niyo nga ang matandang 'yan," he added. "Look at how happy he is. Look at that old man."

I heard Don Madeo's grandchildren sigh at the same time. We all followed Massimo's snorting face. Don Madeo can be seen from where we are sitting, and his incessant laughter, that is always followed by his drinking of alcohol, can also be heard from here.

"Hindi dapat 'yan umiinom, pero tingnan niyo, talagang andaming inihandang alak na akala mo para sa mga bisita pero ang totoo kalahati sa kaniya ang nandiyan." Si Massimo ulit, pikon na pikon talaga 'to kay Don Madeo.

"Allow him to have whatever he wants now, but not after this party. Kunin na na'tin lahat ng mga alak niya, tutal ay hindi niya naman 'yon kailangan. Mabuti pang kape na lamang ang isama niya sa handa sa susunod, lamay mang tingnan, mas maigi naman 'yon sa kalusugan nila." Saad ni Maximilian na sinundan nang pagtango nilang lahat.

Naiwan ang tingin ko kay Don Madeo. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi magpigil nang ngiti sa kaniyang asal ngayon, masayang masaya ang Don, ngunit sa kabila ng kaniyang mga halakhak ay ang mga apo niyang gigil na gigil na sa kaniya. Alam kong gusto niya lang namang mabigyan siya ng atensyon, katulad noon, ngunit hindi naman maganda ang kaniyang biro. Lalo na sa nangyari ng pagmamaneobra ni Mateo kanina nang dahil sa pagmamadali.

Mateo drove fast like he owned the road a while ago. Even Morgan on our back was driving so freaking fast. Kung wala lang nga siguro si Rose ay mas mabilis pa ata doon ang magiging patakbo niya.

"I canceled all my meetings for him," Matthias explained, "and I even dropped my real estate project with the Hilton group for him. My date was even canceled... lagi na lang, ganito rin ang nangyari noon."

Pagkasabi niya no'n ay hindi nakatakas sa atensyon ko ang pagtingin ni Matthias kay Rose, He gave her a quick glance before turning away and finishing his glass of wine. My brow furrowed as I remembered the day he started courting Rose and asked her out on a date, but Don Madeo wouldn't let him go and grounded him for courting a woman who was also being courted by three other Vejar.

"I'll just go to my family." Nasunod ang tingin namin nang walang ano ano'y tumayo si Rose. Hinabol pa siya ng mga mata ko dahil sa biglaan niyang pag-alis na alam ko namang naalala din niya ang nakaraan.

Silence and awkwardness surrounded our table. Later on, Maximilian and Massimo broke the silence.

"Should we scare him too?" Bigla na lamang sabi ni Massimo na mabilis na nabatukan ni Maximilian.

Massimo glared at him like he was going to do the same, but when Morgan interrupted, he pouted.

"Try to get back at him; I'll punch you." Banta ni Morgan.

"Tch, you know I'll never do that, and I don't have the guts to do it. Takot ko lang sa inyo, lalo na sa 'yo." Bulong niya ngunit rinig pa rin namin. "Pero gusto ko talaga iparamdam kay lolo kung papaano tayo nag-alala---"

"Es-tu stupide, Massimo?!" (Are you stupid, Massimo?!) Nanlalaki ang mata ni Maximilian habang bumibigkas ng kanilang lenggwahe "If you ever do that, baka naman tuluyang atakihin si Lolo, pensez-vous même, hein?!" (Are you even thinking, huh?!)

"Oo na, oo na." Sukong saad nito ngunit bigla na lamang kinalabit si Mateo.

Mateo, on the other hand, raised his brows. "I won't help you; we're no longer children; just drink and forget what our Lolo did." Sabay bukas nang panibagong alak.

Even though Don Madeo was a royal pain in their asses for not doing what they wanted for his health, they still loved him. Ramdam ko ang pag-aalala sa kanila, na kahit may mga ginagawa silang importante ay kaya pa rin nilang iwanan iyon, makita lamang ang kalagayan ni Don Madeo. After all, family matters the most.

Pagkatapos nang ilang pag-uusap nila ay nagpaalam ang tatlo na lilipat muna ng lamesa, nakita daw nila ang isa sa mga partner nila sa real state project na plinaplano ni Massimo kasama sila Matthias. Ang lagay ngayon ay kami na namang apat ang nasa iisang lamesa, sakto din kasing bumalik si Rose at ang atmosphere ay napaka-awkward. Para kaming nasa burol although nagtatawanan ang buong nakapaligid sa amin.

Naagaw lamang ang aming atensyon ng muling tumayo si Don Madeo at pinakiusapan ang lahat na ibigay muna kahit sandali ang atensyon sa kaniya. Halatang may tama na sa kaniyang iniinom ang Don.

His grandchildren were alarmed by the behavior of the Don. From my front, I could see that anytime Morgan signaled, Mateo would act quickly.

"You know, I'm about to die." The old man was drunk but did not even tremble when he spoke. The guests hummed and told the Don that he was still strong and young. The old man laughed again. "But I'm not really joking. I know I only have a little time left in this world, so I'm doing everything I can, especially the plan I have for my beloved grandchildren."

Natigilan ang lahat ng suminghot si Don Madeo.

"Lolo, may mga media, ayaw kong makita kang headline sa diyaryo o sa television bukas!" Sigaw ni Massimo.

The Don raised an eyebrow and pointed to his grandson. "Massimo?" His eyes narrowed. "My grandson is already crippled by me," he laughed when he realized it was Massimo. The Don sighed and took a serious stance.

"For the past few years, I, Vejar, have made a deal with one of my closest families here that I will do anything to enhance our friendship. My grandson Morgan Flavio Vejar is now wed to Rose Saverina, a Monrid." He proudly pointed at Morgan and Rose.

Morgan's face brightens, and I know it's due to Don Madeo's words. Rose, on the other hand, had been preoccupied with her cake the entire time.

Lumingon ang Don sa aming gawi, ngumiti ito sa akin.

"And on the other hand, I have Mateo Alarkin Vejar, who's married to Fayra Amora Fabian." Galak ang tono sa kaniyang boses.

Mateo caught my gaze. His face was emotionless, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was upset by what his grandfather said.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at payak na napangisi.

"At ang iba ko namang mga apo ay ayon, hinahanapan ko pa rin ng mapapangasawa mula sa mga pamilyang nakikitaan ko na makakabuti ang babae nilang anak para sa aking mga apo." Don Madeo shook his head. "Other people called me names for ruling my grandson's life, but to tell you, I know what I'm doing." Pagmamalaki ng Don na tinanguan ng ilan.

"I just want them to be happy, hindi man nila nakikita ng lubusan ang parteng 'yon. Tiwala ako sa naging pasya ko." Pagkasabi no'n ay humarap muli ito sa amin at tumutok ang tingin kay Mateo, mas lalong lumapad ang pagkakangiti ni Don Madeo, halatang may gustong sabihin ngunit isinarili na lamang.

"When I'm gone, I know they'll thank me for ruling their lives. Hindi ako mabibigo, at hindi mawawasak nang mabilis ang pamilyang gusto kong simulan para sa kanila."

Don Madeo's words played over and over in my head. What if he discovers that his decisions are not always correct? What if tolf him that he was suffocating his grandchildren because of the choice he made for them?

Napapaisip tuloy ako, Don Madeo's words are unbreakable, sa lahat ng naging bukambibig niya wala pa talagang hindi nagkatotoo, but pertaining to my situation right now with his grandson, palpak siya doon.

"Mauna ka nang umuwi, sumabay ka kay Massimo at magpahatid sa bahay." Turan ni Mateo nang makalabas kami ng mansyon.

Huminto ito at naglabas ng sigarilyo't nagsindi at lumingon sa akin.

"Put lolo's words out of your mind. He's not a fortune teller to claim that we'll be grateful to him for ruining our lives, particularly mine. I'm still unhappy that I wed a woman like you, even on the last day of my life."

That struck me hard. Mateo left after saying those words to my face. He was spilling his guts about being married to me.

Ramdam ko ang pagbagsak ng aking luha, sinabayan pa iyon nang mahinang pagtawa ni Rose na nakasunod lang pala sa amin. She's not with Morgan; she's all alone by herself.

"The next time Mateo says those words to you, nasa tabi niya na ako, tatawanan ka't iingitin. You're legal, but only on paper, so don't expect too much, dahil once na hindi na makayanan ni Mateo ang patago naming relasyon, baka magising ka na lang na wala nang bisa ang pagiging mag-asawa niyo."

...