The long wooden table with gigantic chairs were set up on their backyard near the pool area. May tag-limang upuan sa magkabilang side ng mesa.Malamig ang ihip nang hangin kahit na tirik ang araw dahil sa transparent na UV at heat filter na pinasadya sa tapat ng buong bakuran.

Nakaupo si Vaughn Filan sa kabisera. Sa kabilang dulo naman nakapuwesto si Uni Verse Kaye. Hindi sumama ang asawa nito bilang respeto sa ama ni Klein Rich na nakaupo sa kanan ng ginang. Mr. Kurt Walgreen is seated on Uni Verse's right, next to Klein Rich. Katabi ni Vanna Lei ang nobyo. Her mother is seated one chair away from her, next to her dad. Her brother's are seated on their father's right side facing them.

"Ayoko nang magpaligoy-ligoy. I didn't like what you did to my daughter, Klein Rich. Binuntis mo ang anak ko nang hindi mo pinakakasalan," Vaughn stated.

Cloud stiffened. Ramdam iyon ni Vanna dahil nakahawak ito sa kamay niya sa ilalim ng mesa.

"Daddy naman. It was a mutual decision," saad niya sa ama.

"I did not ask you to speak," Vaughn said sternly reprimanding her. Pinisil ni Cloud ang kamay niya nang makitang sasagot pa siya.

Von Liam who's seated infront of her shook his head.

"I will take full responsibility about that, sir. Kaya nga po gusto kong ikasal na kami sa lalong madaling panahon," Klein stated bravely meeting her father's gaze. Nginitian niya ang nobyo. The latter held her hand tightly under the table and smiled lovingly at her.

"Do you think I would like my daughter to march to the altar with a bulging tummy?" striktong saad ng ama. She saw how Klein swallowed hard. Hindi ito nakasagot.

"May I butt in," Uni Verse interjected. Napatingin sila rito.

"Perhaps, you can have the church wedding after Vanna gives birth, but we can arrange their civil wedding for legality. Para bago maipanganak ang baby kasal na sila," pahayag nito.

"Sounds great," Lianna seconded. Vaughn didn't look convinced.

"Sana kasi pinakasalan mo muna ang anak ko bago mo binuntis," saad ulit nito kay Klein.

Uni Verse cleared her throat.

"Ang totoo niyan, balae. Pinakasalan naman talaga ng anak ko si Vanna," nakangiting pahayag ng ginang.

"Sa lahat pa nga ng bansa sa mundo. Iyon nga lang sa maling paraan at hindi alam ni Vanna." Uni Verse chuckled. She blinked twice upon hearing Uni Verse's statement. She didn't expect their global head to announced that confidential information.

Vaughn's forehead creased. Sumulyap ito kay Klein na nahihiyang napayuko.

"He hacked the registry of the world and registered a marriage between them," Uni Verse added.

Napapantastikuhang napatingin ang pamilya niya kay Klein. The latter smiled nervously as he leveled his gaze.

"I dissolved it later on. Nagalit kasi si Vanna," depensa agad ng binata. Her family already knew that Klein is the head of IF.

Nagulat siya nang biglang ngumiti ang ina ng malapad.

"Oh my God, that was so sweet of you," Lianna exclaimed.

"Nang-hacked siya ng sistema. That's a crime. You found it sweet?" naiinis namang tanong ni Vaughn sa asawa.

Lianna laughed at her husband.

"Hindi mo lang matanggap na ang mapapangasawa ng anak mo kapareho mo ng ugali," natatawang saad ng ginang. Napatawa siya ng mahina sa tinuran ng ina. She observed the same thing too. Klein is a tamer version of her father.

Vaughn gave Lianna a warning look but the latter just shook her head and chuckled softly.

Vaughn later looked at Kurt Walgreen.

"So, what can you say about the situation, Mr. Walgreen," Vaughn asked. Tahimik lang kasi itong nakikinig. He could understand Filipino, but he can't speak fluently.

"I think the suggestion to have them married before Vanna gives birth is a great idea." Sumulyap ito sa dating asawa. Ngumiti lang din ang isa bilang paggalang sa sinabi nito.

"But I think on top of these all, they should be the ones to decide, not us. We are their parents and we can only guide them, not dictate what they want with their lives. Afterall, it is theirs to waste." Tumingin si Mr. Walgreen sa kanila ni Klein at ngumiti ng tipid. They both nodded in recognition of his opinion.

Napansin ni Vanna ang pagtingin ng ina sa daddy niya. Gusto niyang matawa nang mahinuha sa mata ng ina na tsini-cheer nito ang ama na sumagot at huwag magpatalo. She knew her mom. Gano'ng-ganoon ito tumingin noon kapag nasa entablado siya at sumasali sa oratorical at speech contests sa paaralan.

Her father was about to speak when she butted in.

"Actually, I like dad's idea, too. Ayoko ring magmartsa ng buntis sa simbahan," she stated smiling at everyone. Baka kasi makipagdiskusyon pa ang ama at makipagtaasan sa daddy ni Klein.

"Well then, that settles everything," Vaughn stated after a minute of silence. Sinegundahan naman ito ni Uni Verse.

"How about you, boys? May gusto ba kayong sabihin?" tanong ni Vaughn sa mga kapatid niya. Tahimik lang kasi ang mga ito.

Vander cleared his throat.

"Basta alagaan mo lang ang ate namin at huwag sasaktan dahil kung hindi, lima kaming makakalaban mo," saad ni Vander at diretsong nakatingin kay Klein. She smiled at her brother's concern.

Napakunot siya nang tapikin ito ni Leandrei sa balikat.

"Apat na lang tayo, bro, huwag mo nang isali si Dad, matanda na, baka di na makasabak sa laban. Taga-utos na lang siya," natatawa nitong saad sa kapatid. They all laughed at him.

"What?!" Her dad asked violently. Agad namang nag-peace sign si Leandrei sa ama. Loko-loko talaga ito madalas.

"Joke lang, dad. Ikaw ang ibabala namin sa tanker kapag nagloko si kuya Klein," he joked again. Nailing na lang ang ama. Samantalang silang lahat ay natawa. Pati ang daddy ni Klein ay natawa rin. Mother Uni looked amused at Leandrei.

Liam cleared his throat when the laughter died down.

"I agree with Vander, alagaan mo sana ang ate namin," saad ni to kay Klein. Hindi pa agad naka-react ang binata.

"Maka-ate ka naman! Kambal tayo 'noh!" Binato niya ng table napkin ang kapatid na natatawa naman nitong sinalo.

"Mom, will you tell Vanna how many minutes she is older than me," natatawa nitong baling sa ina.

"Five minutes!" agad namang sagot ng ina.

"See, ate?" salo agad ni Liam. Nagtawanan silang lahat maliban sa kanya.

"Maka-ate naman kayo!" Irap niya sa mga ito. Natawa lang ang mga lalaking kapatid.

"At least, I have a happy lovelife now," she said leaning on Klein's chest when they stopped. Natutuwa naman siyang kinabig ng nobyo.

They all laughed again.

"Eh di kayo na ang masaya ang lovelife," Vander commented. She knew it was a joke but it sounded bitter.

Agad naman itong inakbayan ni Vance na nasa tabi lang nito. Vander was seated between Leandrei and Vance.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, bro. Babalikan ka rin ni Aubrey," sambit nito. She smiled at what Vance said. It sounded sweet for a brother.

"Maliit pa raw kasi ang ano mo, palakihin mo muna saka siya babalik," natatawa nitong dugtong. Nagulat pa siya sa biro ng kapatid. It didn't sound like him. Tahimik lang kasi ang kapatid at hindi mapagbiro.

"Oo nga bro, maliit kaya ka iniwan ni Aubrey. Gumamit ka kasi ng Titan gel," Leandrei added chuckling. Vander clenched his jaw. Pinaglipat-lipat nito ang tingin sa dalawa na tumawa lang.

"What's a Titan gel?" she asked looking at Leandrei. He chuckled nervously and looked around. Liam was controlling a laughter. Vance was already chuckling.

Tumingala siya kay Klein. Kinabig naman siya nito at hinalikan sa sentido.

"I will use one tonight so you'll know," he whispered. Kumindat ito nang tingalain niya.

"Kaso baka mahirapan ka kasi malaki na 'yong akin tapos lalaki pa ulit," he murmured in her ear. Her face reddened realizing what it was. Napatayo siya at agad na binunot ang baril at iniumang sa triplets.

"Mga bastos kayo ah," asik niya. Agad namang nagtaas ng kamay ang tatlo bilang pagsuko.

"Ate, si Leandrei," agad na depensa ni Vance.

"Siya ang nagpasimuno, ate," turo naman ni Leandrei kay Vance.

"Wala akong alam diyan, ate!" singit naman ni Vander.

She wanted to laugh at the three when they acted like kids pointing each other, but she maintained her grimace.

"Hey, Vanna. Put that down," saway ni Lianna. Napasulyap siya sa ina. Liam and Vaughn was looking at each other controlling a laughter.

"Kayo namang tatlo, dito pa kayo nagbiruan, may mga bisita tayo," baling ng ina sa triplets.

Hindi nagsalita ang tatlo. Pinandilatan niya ang mga ito bago unti-unting naupo. Tinakot lang naman niya ang tatlo dahil sa pagbibiro ng kabastusan.

"Pasensiya na kayo balae, ganyan talaga magbiruan ang mga 'yan," hinging paumanhin ni Lianna sa mga magulang ni Klein.

Uni Verse smiled.

"Okay lang 'yan. Ang saya nga nilang tingnan. Masaya pala ang maraming anak," tugon ng ginang.

"I agree," Mr. Walgreen seconded.

"I am happy that my son will be a part of a perfectly happy and complete family, something he never had. He's very lucky," he added.

Natahimik silang lahat sa pahayag nito. Ngumiti lang ng tipid si Uni Verse at sumulyap kay Klein na sinuklian din ng binata ng tipid na ngiti.

"No family is ever perfect, and our family is not an exemption," Lianna commented. They all looked at her. Ngumiti ito kay Mr. Walgreen.

"Klein Rich isn't lucky because he'll be a part of a complete family. That will never be the basis of being lucky. He is lucky because he found love," Lianna added. It rendered them speechless.

"Kumpleto man o hindi ang pamilya ng taong minamahal natin, masuwerte pa rin tayo kasi nakatagpo tayo ng taong karapat-dapat sa pagmamahal natin." Lianna smiled. She looked at Klein Rich.

"My Vanna Lei is lucky because Klein Rich is willing to break all rules just to be with her," she said smiling sincerely at Klein. She really admires her mother's wisdom eversince. Napakalawak ng pang-unawa nito.

Napatingala siya siya kay Klein. He smiled at her mom, too.

"T-thank you, po," he stammered. Lianna nodded.

"Call me, mom," Lianna told him. Napasulyap ang nobyo sa kanya at ngumiti ng matamis.

He stood up and went to hug Lianna.

"Thanks, mom," sambit nito. Natatawa naman itong niyakap ng ina.

"I-hug mo rin ang daddy mo," saad nito at iminuwestra kay Vaughn. Akala niya ay tatanggi ang ama pero tumayo ito sa kinauupuan.

"Take care of my daughter," he told him before he hugged Klein Rich. Maluha-luha pa si Klein nang bumalik sa puwesto.

Their lunch was served a while later and the happy conversations started.

Inabot na sila hanggang alas tres na nagkukuwentuhan. Mas lalo na namang naging masaya at magulo nang dumating ang kani-kaniyang asawa ng mga kapatid at dalawang anak ni Vander na nag-lunchout para mabigyan sila ng oras na mag-usap-usap.

Uni Verse made a way to talk to them at a distance minutes later. Ang ama naman ni Klein ay kinausap ng daddy niya.

Sinabi ni Mother Uni Verse na naihain na ang kaso ng NoKOr sa International Tribunal. Sila na raw ang bahala sa bansa. The negotiation and mediation with NoKor is also ongoing, but there is a news blackout about it. Kaya walang lumalabas sa kahit na anong media outlet tungkol doon. In the end, she told them that there is nothing to worry about.

"I offered a position at IF for Clyde," Uni Verse told them a while later. She didn't expect that, but maybe Uni Verse saw something in him that might be a great help to the agency. Pati rin naman kasi siya ay humanga sa galing nito sa labanan.

"Did he accept?" tanong niya sa ginang. Tumango naman ito. They were all silent after that.

Liam came a minute later with his wife and asked to talk to Mother Uni Verse. So, the three went off.

Kinabig siya ni Klein payakap nang makaalis ang tatlo.

"I am so happy how everything turned out," he said kissing the top of her head. Niyakap niya ang nobyo. Maging siya ay masaya na naayos din sa wakas ang lahat.

"Okay lang sa 'yo na kinuha ni Mother Uni si Clyde sa IF?" tanong niya kay Klein. Tiningala niya ito.

"Nag-usap na kami ni mommy tungkol diyan," nakangisi nitong tugon. Her forehead creased looking at his reaction. Natawa naman ito. He pinched her nose lightly before kissing it softly.

"Sinabi kong idestino niya sa malayo para 'di kayo magkita," natatawa nitong sambit.

"Grabe ka!" hinampas niya ito sa dibdib na ikinatawa nito. May connivance pala ang mag-ina.

"Pero seryoso, para naman 'yon sa kanya. Hindi siya makaka-move on mula sa 'yo kung lagi ka niyang nakikita," seryoso nitong saad. Napatango na lamang siya. He had a point.

She hoped that Clyde will find someone who will love him truly because he so deserves it.

"Tara na," aya sa kanya ng nobyo matapos ang ilang saglit.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong niya rito. Klein smiled.

"Magpapaalam sa daddy mo na iuuwi na kita ngayong gabi para makita mo kung ano ang gamit ng Titan gel," he kidded. Kumindat pa ito. Natatawa naman niya itong hinampas sa braso.

She thought, Klein wouldn't have the courage to ask her dad to take her home but he did it without even stammering.

Tiningnan pa ito ng mataman ng ama. She expected her dad to bombard him with words right away but he remained silent for a minute.

"Bukas na lang kayo umuwi. Dito muna kayo sa bahay ngayong gabi," mahinahong tugon ng daddy niya.

That was good enough. So, they just agreed.

They went back to the table when the snacks were served. Nagpaalam na ang ama ni Klein pagkatapos ng meryenda. An hour later, mother Uni also excused herself. Kahit anong kumbinsi ng ina na mag-dinner muna ito sa bahay nila ay tumanggi ito baka raw kasi magselos ang asawa nito kapag hanggang dinner pa siya. Uni Verse remarried when Klein was 10. Maganda naman ang turing ng stepdad ni Klein rito kaya hindi naging issue kay Klein. He's civil to his stepdad.

Nakihalubilo siya sa mga hipag nang sila na lang samantalang si Klein ay pinagbigyan ang mga kapatid niya na tunguhin ang bar area ng bahay.

Klein was a bit tipsy at dinnertime. Panay na kasi ang lambing nito sa kanya. Gusto pa siya nitong subuan na tinatanggihan niya. Panay rin ang akbay nito sa kanya at halik sa buhok.

Pati rin ang mga kapatid niya ay talagang nakainom na dahil lumalakas na ang mga boses at tawa pa ng tawa.

"Pag 'di kayo nanahimik, pagbabarilin ko kayo," banta niya sa triplets nang sabay-sabay na nagsalita at umingay ang komedor. Nanahimik naman ang tatlo hanggang matapos ang dinner.

"Mga bayaw, mauna na kami sa taas. Kailangang magpahinga ang buntis," saludo ni Klein sa mga kapatid niya nang matapos silang kumain. Nakainom na talaga ito.

"Mommy, Daddy, una na po kami," baling nito sa mga magulang niya. His voice toned down a bit. Her dad only nodded while her mom said yes.

Hapit siya nito sa baywang papunta sa elevator hanggang sa kuwarto. 

The moment they entered the room, Klein immediately kissed her. It's been a week since he was hospitalized. Naghilom na rin ang karamihan sa mga sugat nito. His arm is already okay. He didn't need to use sling.

She kissed him back. She misses him so badly. Pinagbawalan kasi siya ng ama na dalawin ito nang nagdaang linggo. Pinagbigyan naman niya ang ama para lumamig ang galit nito kay Klein.

Klein held her waist tightly as he kissed her torridly. His tongue is devouring every part of her mouth. It was searching and needing.

Sinalubong naman niya ang paggalugad ng dila nito. She nipped and suck his tongue as well. Nang bumaba ang paghalik nito sa leeg niya ay napaungol pa siya.

She leaned back to give him more access. Her hand was ravaging his hard chest. Naglakbay din ang kamay nito sa likod niya papunta sa harap.

His tongue ravaged her ear making her whimper in desire. Nang iangat nito ang blusa niya ay tinulungan pa niya. He unclasped her brassiere and immediately cupped her breast as he kissed her again on the lips.

Napaliyad siya nang bumaba ang paghalik nito sa dibdib niya. Bawat pagdampi ng mainit nitong dila sa balat niya ay nakakapagpaungol sa kanya. Mas lalo diyang idinikit ang katawan kay Klein. It was mind shuttering. All she could feel was pleasure as he sucked her bre@st wildly.

He carried her towards the bed as he nibbled her n!pple pleasurably. Nakakaliyo. Nakakahibang ang ginagawa nitong paghalik. It felt like the first time. She didn't protest when he removed her pants and undergarment with urgency. Mabilis din itong nagtanggal ng shirt.

She stared at his abs as he unbuckled his belt. He was about to remove his pants when they heard the fire alarm.

They stared at each other for few seconds, but the alarm went on. Then, water sprinkled all over the room. Mabilis siyang hinila ni Klein patayo at binalot ng kumot. Saka siya nito hinila palabas ng kuwarto.

They halted when Vaughn Filan was standing infront of her door on the hallway.

He was holding a remote control. Katabi nito ang ina. Nagugulumihan siyang tumingin sa mga magulang. The alarm went off when they closed the door. Sa loob lang pala ng kuwarto niya tumunog ang alarm.

"Sinasabi ko nga ba! Mabilis ka talaga Walgreen! Kakapasok niyo pa lang ng kuwarto, nahubaran mo na ang anak ko," saad ng ama habang nakatingin sa nakabalot sa katawan niyang comforter.

Sumulyap sa kanya si Klein. His expression was a mixture of shock, shyness, and amusement.

"Dad!!!" reklamo niya sa ama. Her eyebrows furrowed but he didn't mind her.

"Sinubukan kong pigilan," her mom said controlling a chuckle.

"Daddy naman eh," parang bata niyang baling sa ama. She almost stomped her feet.

"Kaya hindi kita pinayagang iuwi ng lalaking 'to para mabantayan kita. Doon ka matulog sa kuwarto namin ng mommy mo," seryoso nitong saad.

"Dad, are you serious?!" she asked.

"Yes," Vaughn answered seriously.

Tumingin siya kay Klein. Tinanguan naman siya nito. Signaling her to just follow.

Tumingin siya sa ina.

"Pagbigyan mo na ang daddy mo, tumatanda na," she said with a chuckle. Pinandilatan ito ng ama pero tumawa pa rin.

"Ngayong gabi lang naman. Just for tonight, be mommy and daddy's little girl," pangungumbinsi ng mommy niya. She looked at Klein. He smiled letting her knew, it was okay with him.

"Kukuha lang ako ng damit," nakanguso niyang saad saka inis na bumalik sa loob ng kuwarto. Susunod sana si Klein pero narinig niyang pinagsabihan ito nang ama na huwag sumunod.

Nailing na lang siya sa kaartehan ng mga magulang niya.

She went out wearing her night gown. They were still waiting for her at the hallway.

"Tatakas ako mamaya," bulong niya kay Klein nang lagpasan niya ito. Kumindat naman ito sa kanya.

They both smiled at each other before she went inside her parent's room.

THE END

*****Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed. Epilogue na lang ang kulang.

*****The Ignored Wife (Lianna and Vaughn's story) is now available on booksale boosktores nationwide and online at shopee.ph. Please grab a copy. Thanks!

*****Sa lahat po ng nakabili na, maraming-maraming salamat.