“Hey! Where are you? I’m already here outside.”

It was Mae on video call, skipping greetings as always. They were supposed to finish their paper today, but she didn’t show up. Honestly, who would feel like going out after what happened last night? On top of that, Gian had denied her. She was scared he would get angry again if she left the house.

She sat on her bed, laptop on her lap, still on video call with Mae. Her cousin was hiding a smile and so she raised her eyebrow.

“What happened to you? You look like a panda,” Mae noticed her swollen eyes. She unconsciously touched one of them.

She laughed sarcastically. “I just cried. The story I read last night was tragic.” She lied.

“Pocketbook again? I told you to stop reading that. You’ll just break your heart.” Mae fanned herself. “It’s hot. I’m really hot.”

“Stop lecturing me! You should also quit your K-dramas. You’re starting to look like a fake Korean.”

Mae laughed. “By the way, I have something to recommend. Do you know Ate Sharon? She’s actually a romance writer. I heard the freshmen talking about her. Imagine, our cousin is a writer and we didn’t even know?”

Mae was talking about their cousin, Sir Lloyd’s girlfriend.

Speaking of their cousin, she heard that their cousin was already engaged. Lucky her.

“Wow, you’re late with the news,” she said with a laugh.

“What? You knew already? Of course, you’re a reader.” Mae chuckled. “Oh my gosh! They say even in the prologue, you can already read a bed scene.” Her cousin laughed, and so did she. “So, is that where you learned your tricks to attract Sir Gian?”

“You’re crazy!”

“Bad influence, that Ate Sharon. Always.” Mae stood. “So, are you coming? It’s too hot here. Don’t you pity me? At least pity our thesis.”

“Get out of here. You’re too nosy.”

“You’re a scammer! God, there are too many scammers these days. Even my cousin is one.”

“You’re so dramatic, Mae.” she rolled her eyes. “You know, you should be the writer. I know an editor. I’ll recommend you.”

She laughed, but Mae ignored her joke.

“By the way, Ate Sharon wants you to sew her bridal gown. I think she doesn’t trust me. Well, you did win in our bridal gown competition back in third year. Make it black, okay?” Mae laughed again.

She almost believed her cousin was insane. One moment she was dramatic, the next couple of second she was laughing. Was Mae even normal?

“Idiot! When you get married, I’ll make yours black.” she laughed with her. What else could she do with such a crazy cousin?

Mae sighed. “Vanny, I need to tell you something. But promise me first, you won’t tell anyone.”

Only Mae called her Vanny when she was serious. Serious? Sometimes her cousin’s brain seemed off.

“Why? What is it?”

“Promise first! You never listen!”

“Okay, okay. Promise.” she raised her left hand, since her right was holding her phone. “What is it? You’re making me nervous.”

“I got scammed, Vanny.” That confused her even more. Mae and her scams again.

“How much did they scam you? A million? Two million? Is that why—”

“I’m pregnant, Vanny. Kent is the father.”

Her jaw dropped. She didn’t know how to react. Damn that Kent!

~

Monday. A whole month had passed in Vanessa’s life, but to her, it felt like only a week. Her husband Gian had become even harsher with her. What’s worse, he even started bringing men into their house.

Well, his house. It was like he was showing her that she didn’t even exist in his life. That was always Gian, ignoring everything she did, treating her like nothing.

She remembered one day; she happily decorated the guest room because she wanted to sleep there. She wasn’t comfortable staying in the maid’s quarters. But Gian got so angry when he saw what she did, and it turned into a fight.

He said she had no right to interfere, because it wasn’t her house. She should be content with what she had. And yes, it was true, so she had no choice but to accept his decision and his anger.

“Deep in thought, huh? You almost drowned in it,” her cousin Sharon teased, sitting beside her.

Sharon had just gotten married that day, wearing the wedding gown they worked on together.

The gown looked so perfect on her cousin. It was actually the wedding gown she had once dreamed of wearing herself. Sharon wanted a different style, but she made the gown she had always wished to wear on her wedding day, a dream that never came true.

She gently shook her head and turned to her cousin.

“Why that face? You look like it’s Holy Week,” Sharon laughed, then turned serious. “Did you fight again with your gay husband?”

“Ate…”

“What now? Are you going to defend that ex-best friend of mine again?” Sharon referred to Gian.

She lowered her eyes to her phone. She didn’t answer. What was the point of denying it? Just yesterday, Gian brought home another man.

In his house, duh!

Even if he brought a million men home, she had no say.

Fine! Let’s see if you don’t get sick from all that. You’re driving me crazy, Gian! She muttered under her breath.

“Don’t be a martyr, Vanessa. You’re making yourself look stupid,” Sharon sighed, then forced a bitter smile. “But if that’s really what you want, then I’ll just stand by you in your stupidity.”

She hugged her cousin tightly. “I really, really love him, Ate.”

“Don’t worry. Gian will wake up one day.”

I hope so, Ate… I really hope so, she wished silently. But would it always just be hope?

Later, feeling thirsty, she went to the water dispenser. She wasn’t in the mood for soda or alcohol. She just wanted water. She grabbed a cup, but before she could pour, someone got there first. She frowned and looked up, it was him.

“You again?” she snapped. The guy from the tricycle. The one she told had smelly armpits. She almost laughed at the thought.

“Don’t worry. I put on deodorant. Smells good now, you can even check,” the guy joked, then walked away.

Without thinking, she followed him with her eyes. To her shock, he went straight to her cousin’s husband, Sir Lloyd. What’s his connection to him? she wondered.

Her phone suddenly rang. Panic hit her. What if it’s Gian again, looking for me? She hadn’t even told him properly that she’d be at her cousin’s wedding. He hadn’t wanted her to go at all. They had fought about it while finishing Sharon’s wedding gown.

Back then, Sharon had confronted Gian about bringing men into the house. Anyone could see how wrong that was. But Gian, being Gian, got furious. He shouted, broke things, and screamed that it was none of their business.

He even tried to hit Sharon, but she quickly stepped in, so she became the target of his anger instead. After all, Gian was much stronger than she was.

Honestly, she can’t even recognize her husband anymore. Gian had become a monster. He wouldn’t let her leave the house without his permission.

Her dad knew nothing about his son-in-law’s behavior, and she had no plans to tell him. She still clung to the hope that Gian would change, even if that hope was close to impossible.

Quickly, she rummaged through her bag for her phone. Gian always got mad if she didn’t answer right away. She sighed in relief when she saw the name “Mae” on the screen instead of her husband’s.

Why isn’t Mae here today? She thought, before answering.

She cleared her throat. “Mae?” she said calmly, though her heart was still racing.

On the other line, Mae was crying.

“Hey, Mae? What happened? Why are you crying?” she asked in panic.

“Vanny…” Mae sobbed. “Mom found out. She’s really angry.”

She froze. She knew Mae’s mom well, strict, demanding, a perfectionist.

“What should I do now? Mama wants to take me away,” Mae cried.

“Huh? Where?”

“She’s really mad, Vanny. She said I have to stay with Grandma for now.”

“At the island?” Vanessa asked in shock.

“Yes… at Isla Berde,” Mae cried harder.

That afternoon, the sky was dark and the wind was cold. It was only four o’clock, but it already looked like evening. Vanessa hugged her arms, wishing she had brought a jacket.

The wedding reception wasn’t finished yet, but she had gone home early. Nanang Delia had called, saying Gian would be coming home sooner than expected. He told her he’d be gone for five days, but here he was, already returning.

She didn’t bother to ask where he had been or why he was coming back early. What was the point? They’d been married for almost two months, but he still hadn’t accepted her.

At least Nanang Delia was living with them now, she finally had an ally in the house.

“Nanang Delia?” she called.

“Oh, good thing you came home quickly, Ma’am,” the old woman said warmly, taking her bag. “Sir was asking for you earlier. I didn’t know what to say.”

Delia was her only ally, the only one she could trust. Even Gian trusted the woman.

“What did you tell him?” she asked nervously.

“I said you were resting. I didn’t want to get you in trouble.”

She smiled in relief, dimples showing. “Thank you so much, Nanang.”

The woman held her hand. “I still believe one day you and Sir will work things out.”

“I hope so too, Nanang. But if he doesn’t stop what he’s doing—”

“I don’t believe your husband has men,” the old woman cut her off.

“And what do you call the men he keeps bringing home then? Friends?”

“Well, maybe.” Delia chuckled and went back to the table where she was making hotcakes. “Let’s not talk about that, Ma’am. It just makes me older.”

“Just call me Vanessa, Nanang. I’m not your boss here.”

“You’re Sir’s wife, so—”

“I don’t even have a husband, Nanang Delia!”

The words froze her heart. She turned, and there he was, Gian.

Just hearing his voice made her whole-body tremble, like a thief caught red-handed. She didn’t know if it was fear or something else that made her pulse race.

Footsteps, loud and heavy. Even the sound of his steps filled her with dread. Gian was behind her now. She felt his presence, and from the tense look on Nanang Delia’s face, she knew he was angry.

“And you, woman, where have you been? Look at what you’re wearing, you look like a slut. You actually went to your cousin’s wedding dressed like that?” he shouted.

She kept quiet. She waited for the slap or the hair-pulling. Delia looked scared too.

“Answer me! Damn it!”

“Sir—”

“I wasn’t talking to you, Nanang Delia!” Gian snapped.

She turned to face him. She had reached her limit. “First of all, I’m not a slut! Second, my cousin Sharon is not shameless. We both know who the shameless one here, Gian—”

“You bitch! You’re talking back—”

“No. I’m correcting what you said earlier.”

She looked him in the eyes. He was wearing black shorts and a jacket, carrying a bag. And behind him was yet another young man, probably her age.

Another guy, Gian? Really?

“So, you brought someone again. Enjoy, Sir Gian,” she said coldly. She went up to the man and took his bag. “Let me carry this for you, Sir.”

So that’s why he denies that I’m his wife because he keeps bringing men home. Ugh!

The guy looked embarrassed. “Oh no, it’s fine, Ma’am. I can carry it. It’s heavy.”

What a waste, you’re handsome, but you went for a gay guy? she thought bitterly.

“Suit yourself. Nothing to be ashamed of with me,” she said. Then, leaning closer, she whispered, “You know Gian? He finishes quickly, and well, let’s just say you won’t enjoy it much.” The man frowned, and she laughed, winking at him. “Well, I hope you enjoy it.”

Why did I even say that? She thought. But what else could she do? Gian had just called her a slut and now brought another man into their house, right in front of her. Ever heard of motels, Gian?

Dios mio, she thought, it’s hard when your husband is gay because your rivals aren’t women, but men. I don’t even know if that’s an advantage or not.

She shook her head and grabbed a hotcake from the table. What a damn life.

Vanessa woke up in the middle of the night because even though it was already late, her room was still very hot. Before she went to sleep, she had even placed a small fan beside her bed just to lessen the heat a little. And just to make things worse, her bed was hard as a freaking stone. Her back ached every time she lay down. She honestly didn’t know how she managed to survive this kind of setup. And she doesn’t even know if she will get used to it.

She changed her position and closed her eyes again, hoping sleep would come back to her senses. But bad luck seemed to always follow her and sleep had already abandoned her completely.

She finally decided to leave her room and of course, just like her luck, her room was the only one in the whole house without an air-conditioner. That’s how selfish her husband could be. Very gentleman, as it is.

Sometimes she wondered if Gian was Lucifer’s brother. All he just needed now were horns on his head. She shook her head and reminded her mind.

I’m basically a maid here, right? So, what do I expect?

“Does Nanang’s room have an air-con, I wonder?” she asked herself.

She slipped into her slippers, grabbed her pillow and blanket, and decided to sleep on the sofa instead.

She really couldn’t stand her bedroom. Hot, hard bed, and no comfort at all. Why did she lose her air-con the moment she got married? Where was justice? Why did it feel like luck kept running away from her?

She set her pillow and blanket down on the sofa, then went to the kitchen to make herself a glass of milk, maybe that would help her fall asleep.

But then she saw Klenth, her husband’s man, busier than a flirtatious cat in heat. Klenth was typing something on his laptop. She walked closer.

“So, how’s Gian’s balls? Still intact?” she asked while laughing.

She stopped for a moment to peek at what he was doing. He was working on a PowerPoint presentation. Probably for school.

“Still black,” he answered. “Why are you still awake?”

She shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”

He nodded. “I see.” Then she went back to typing.

“You want coffee?” she asked.

He seemed polite enough, but you know what they say, don’t judge a book by its cover. Maybe he was just pretending to be nice.

And besides, the guy was her age. Didn’t Gian always say he didn’t like younger ones?

Look who’s lying now, she thought bitterly. If he wanted someone younger, he could’ve just told me. I’m easy to talk to.

She rolled her eyes in disgust. Maybe her husband just didn’t like young girls. Maybe he preferred boys. After all, Gian liked soldiers, not caves.

That thought made her smile to herself.

“Yes, please. Black coffee. Thanks in advance,” Klenth replied.

“You really like everything black, huh? Even Gian’s balls.”

“Just a little,” he said dryly, looking down at the mug she placed in front of him.

Ugh, how boring. She thought to herself. I guess my husband doesn’t have good taste after all. If it were up to me, I’d prefer someone a little louder. Like Gian used to be…

Gian again. Always Gian.

After making the coffee, she sat down beside him.

“By the way, what’s your course?” she asked.

“Electrical Engineering. You?”

Wow, a future engineer. She was impressed.

“Education. A future teacher. But if things don’t work out, maybe I’ll just be your future instead,” she teased with a playful laugh. Let’s see if Gian thinks he’s the only one who can flirt.

“You’re kind of flirty with that line, girl,” Klenth said, imitating a gay voice.

What the hell? She was shocked. An engineering student who’s also gay? Seriously?

“Oh my god, are you gay too?” she blurted out.

He burst out laughing. “No! I was just joking. I’m straight.”

Yeah, right. She blew on her glass of milk. “Good. That’s better.”

If you say so.

Why are there so many gays these days? she wondered. And worse, most of them are good-looking. Should I just turn lesbian? Ugh. No.

“By the way, I don’t believe you’re Kuya Gian’s maid. What are you really to him?” he asked seriously, locking his light-brown eyes on hers.

“What do you think?” she shot back, meeting his gaze. “How about you? Are you Gian’s boyfriend? Or maybe one of Janine’s boyfriends? No offense, but Gian has plenty. Honestly, I can’t even count them on my fingers anymore.”

She sipped her milk while hearing him laugh. Goodness, his laugh reminded her so much of Gian that she almost wished her husband were straight.

“Hey, I’m not joking,” she insisted. “I’m not even badmouthing your boyfriend.”

Klenth laughed even harder. “I can’t believe you actually thought I was Gian’s boyfriend. Jesus!”

“Wait, Kuya? Gian is your cousin?”

He nodded, taking another sip of the coffee she made.

“Yeah. Kuya Gian is my third-degree cousin. We grew up in the same compound in Butuan, only for the Saldivar family. Even with the age gap, we’ve always been close.”

Oh god. For Christ’s sake, my instincts failed me again. Do I even have a brain left?

“But still, I can’t get over the fact that you thought I was his boyfriend,” Klenth said, laughing again. “You made me laugh so hard but I don’t even know your name. What’s your name, honey?”

She caught the way he called her honey.

Does he think I’m a bee?

If Gian had said that, she’d probably faint from happiness. But since it came from Klenth, deadma. She doesn't care.

“You made me your clown, idiot.” She rolled her eyes.

“I like it when you do that,” he said.

“When do I do what?” she asked, puzzled.

“Uh, nothing.” He forced a smile.

“So, what’s your name again?” he asked.

“Vanessa Alvarez-Saldivar,” she answered. He raised his brows. “You heard me right. I’m Gian’s wife.”

The moment he heard it, Klenth choked and spat his coffee all over his laptop.

She laughed at his reaction. Of course, anyone would be shocked to know she was married to Gian Saldivar.

“What the fuck!” Klenth cursed. “My god, the laptop! This is Kuya’s laptop!”

That’s what you get, playboy. Throwing ‘honey-honey’ at me.

“Good night, Klenth,” she said, grabbing her milk and walking away.

Maybe I should change the taste. Engineers aren’t my thing anymore, she thought to herself.

~

She woke up with a start when ice-cold water splashed across her face. It felt like it came straight from the fridge.

“Who the hell poured water on me?!” she shouted, still rubbing her face.

Another splash of cold water hit her. Damn it! Maybe it was Klenth, getting back at her for what happened last night. It wasn’t her fault his cousin’s laptop got soaked in coffee!

“What the hell! Do you want me to pour boiling water on you?!” she screamed again, wiping her face with her blanket.

“Try it.”

Her eyes shot open when she heard that voice. Gian.

Of course. Who else would ruin her morning? He was holding a pitcher, clearly the one he used to drench her.

She glared at him, her chest heaving with anger. Who the hell would be happy waking up like this?

Calm down, Vanessa. Calm down. She told herself.

But no. This couldn’t be solved with calmness.

“What’s your problem, Gian?” she yelled.

He ignored her and just stood there.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed her pillow, throwing it straight at his head. Bullseye!

If only she were Cinderella, she’d throw her glass heel at him instead. He turned to her, his light brown eyes burning with anger, his thick brows furrowed.

“Did you just throw your pillow at me?”

Obviously! She wanted to snap, but she kept it to herself.

“You’re lucky it was just a pillow. That was just practice,” she muttered.

She was fuming, but she had to control herself. Tiis-ganda. That’s the price of being married to this drama queen.

She stomped over to grab her blanket. Her neck hurt from sleeping on the sofa. And it made her even angrier remembering her hot, uncomfortable room last night. All because of stingy Gian.

“Why did you pour water on me?” she demanded.

“Why did you throw a pillow at me?” he asked back, holding it up.

“I asked first, so answer me!” she screamed.

“I’m your boss here, Vanessa, so don’t order me around!” he yelled.

She rolled her eyes again. Oh my god, he even copied my tone. He’s really pushing my limits.

“I wasn’t ordering you, I was asking! That’s different! And for the record, Gian, you’re not my boss. You’re my husband, you gay idiot!”

“You wish, girl! God, I don’t have a wife as bratty as you. Ugh, the drama!” he snapped in his flamboyant tone before storming off like a runway model.

She swore under her breath. What kind of curse is this?

What had she done to deserve this karma?

She stomped her foot in frustration. God, I just want to drag Gian’s face to my cave so he’ll finally be straight!

“So, irritating!”

Vanessa sat alone in front of the computer. As usual, she was in their department’s computer lab. This had become her usual spot ever since her life turned into a mess.

It’s been a week since her nosy cousin Mae left for Isla Verde. Apparently, she’s living there now with her grandma on her mother’s side. Vanessa had never set foot on that island, but based on Mae’s stories, it was really beautiful, breathtaking even.

But after one accident, she wasn't sure she ever wanted to go there. An accident she never wanted to remember.

Now, she had no choice but to finish their research paper alone. They had started it together, but now Mae was gone. Such a waste. They were already graduating, and now this had to happen. Life’s really unfair sometimes, you never know what’s coming. Life is so unfair. She let out a sigh.

And seriously, Mae? She had to spread her legs and not even use protection? Not even withdrawal?! Dios mio. And that’s why this country’s population keeps going up, too many unwanted pregnancies.

All she could say was, knowledge is power!

Vanessa shook her head hard. Why was she even stressing about Mae’s problem? She had more than enough of her own! She closed her eyes tight and let out a long sigh.

She opened her Facebook account.

Hay naku, Vanessa! That’s why you’re not finishing your thesis because you’re busy flirting with Facebook! And then what? What will you get out of it? More issues. More problems. And now you’re stuck with your thesis because you keep scrolling. Think, girl, think! Her brain scolded her.

Sometimes her brain actually made sense.

She was about to log out and close Facebook when she saw a picture. It was from her sister Sharon’s wedding with Sir Lloyd.

It was Sharon flashing a peace sign beside… wait a second… him. The guy with the stinky armpits!

Don’t tell me Sharon is close with this guy? Vanessa blinked a few times, hoping maybe her eyes were just playing tricks. Nope. Still him. It was him.

“Is this a sign that Alvarez actually likes me?”

Vanessa almost jumped out of her chair when she heard that voice. Her heart skipped and started beating like crazy.

Oh no. No, no, no. It was him. The guy from the picture. Standing right behind her.

She closed her eyes and prayed that it was just a dream. Sharon, when will luck ever kiss me instead?

The guy cleared his throat. “Well, silence means yes,” he teased. She heard him laugh behind her. She raised her eyebrows.

“I look handsome there, right? Don’t worry, I used Rexona today. My armpits smell good now.” He even smells his own armpit.

She rolled her eyes in disgust. Oh, wow. The confidence of this guy! She turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

“Are you a mushroom?” she asked.

“Why?” His lips curled into a grin.

She laughed. “It’s not a pick-up line, stupid.”

The guy burst out laughing at her comeback. “You’re really something,” he said, pouting, then sat beside her. “Wait. I just need to update something. I can’t open my account here in the lab,” he explained before walking over to the lab staff.

Did I ask? Vanessa wanted to snap back but held her tongue. Weirdly enough, her sass didn’t work on this guy.

She looked back at the monitor and checked who posted the photo. “Alex David Fuentes,” she read aloud.

So that was his name. And apparently, they were already Facebook friends! Since when did I accept a friend request from Mister Stinky Armpits?

“You’re staring at my picture, huh?” Alex’s voice came again. “Admit it, you think I’m handsome. Don’t deny it. I won’t get mad.”

She frowned. This guy really was like a mushroom, popping up everywhere. She turned to him and glared.

“So, your name is Alex David Fuentes?” she asked slowly.

Alex grinned and nodded.

“It’s pronounced Day-vid, not Da-vid. My God!” he complained dramatically, even smacking her shoulder. “You tortured my beautiful name!”

Her jaw dropped. “Do you want me to call you Ey-lex instead of Alex? Now tell me who’s the dramatic one between us?” she shot back.

Alex chuckled and took the computer beside her, even though there were a lot of other empty seats. She wanted to complain, but she didn’t want to give him another reason to call her “dramatic.”

He placed his dark blue bag under the desk, fixed his chair, and even dusted off his slacks like there was dirt on them. She made a face. Wow, this guy might actually be more dramatic than me. She shook her head.

He looked about 5’6” tall.

Seriously, Vanessa? You’re measuring his height now? Do you have a tape measure in your bag? her brain teased.

But to be fair… he was tall. About the same height as her husband Gian. She shook her head quickly. Nope. No comparisons allowed. Gian was her husband. Case closed.

“Anyway,” she said to Alex, trying to change the topic. “Are you friends with Ate Sharon?”

“Maybe yes, maybe no. What do you think?” he teased. “Why do you ask? Curious about me? Yieee.” He laughed, which only irritated her more.

“I’m serious! What’s so funny about that?” she snapped.

“Oh, well.” He cleared his throat. “Sharon and I—”

“Oh gosh, don’t tell me you’re her ex-boyfriend?” she cut in, making him laugh again.

“You’re unbelievable. Why ask if you already have your own conclusion?”

She rolled her eyes again. Ugh, men.

“So, what then?” she pushed.

“Sharon is my co-writer. We collaborated on the Hacienda Series—”

“What the! You’re Davina?!” She blurted out, her jaw dropping. She looked him up and down. “You don’t even look like a writer. And why Davina? I thought Davina was a girl!”

Alex laughed even harder. “Well, well, well. Looks like you’re one of my readers.” He winked at her.

“Excuse me? The only reason I read your works was because of Sharon,” she lied. Truth was, she was a fan.

“Then thank you, Sharon!” he said, grinning.