Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

Patricia's POV (Prevailed Feelings)

I keep looking around to make sure no one else is looking and watching my movements. I sat quietly while Raven ordered our food.

Dinala niya ako rito sa paborito kong japanese restaurant. Nagtataka nga ako noong una kung bakit alam nya na dito ako mahilig kumain.

"Are you sure that's all you want to eat?" marahan na tanong ni Raven.

"Yes.." I smiled shortly before looking around again.

I don't know what I should say or react to what he's doing. I was not comfortable with his stare so I just continued to look around and gently clasped my hand over the table. "So it's true.."

Lumingon ako sa kanya at naabutan siya'ng mariin ang tingin sa kamay ko.

Gradually, my eyes widened to realize what he was staring at my hand. He's specifically looking at my wedding ring!

"Uh-what are you s-saying?" pagkukunwari ko.

He smiled sadly before pointing to my hand that was now resting on my thigh. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan at nawalan ng salita.

"You're really married with that man" there's no sign of emotion on his voice.

My hands was shaking. Yumuko ako at nag-iisip kung ano ang sasabihin. Hindi ko masabing galit siya base sa reaksyon niya ngunit hindi ko rin masasabi na masaya siya para sa'kin.

His face was blank unlike earlier that he's smiling.

"I'm not mad" he shooked his head. "I'm just confused.."

Tumingin ako sa kanya at naguguluhan.

"At first I didn't believe the rumors but now, the truth is already slapping me" he continued. "It's just an arranged marriage, right? You've been married for a few months and I wonder why no one has filed an annulment between the two of you" My brows furrowed. "What are you trying to say, Raven?"

Why do I have this feeling that he's watching our move secretly?

He looked at me blankly. "Velasquez Industries already belongs to Callum and they're already one of the stock holders of your company so it is back to the previous high ratings.."

Kusa akong napalunok at tila may bumabara sa lalamunan ko. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit alam niya ang mga ito. Kilala rin ang kompanya nila at hindi naman lingid sa akin na kakumpitensya nila Callum ang pamilya nila. So maybe this is why he's reacting like this? Because he's mad at Callum and he's even angrier because I married him?

"Do you loved him?"

My eyes widened at his question. There was still the blank emotion on his face.

"W-Why are you asking me that?" my voice trembled.

I am so affected by his presence now!

"Do you loved him, Patricia?" he faked a laughed. "Please, tell me you don't.."

There was longing in his eyes right now. Tila nagsusumamo na ang boses niya. Tumingin ako sa paligid at wala naman akong napapansin na kakaiba ngunit hindi ko rin alam ang isasagot ko sa kanya.

I know his question is just simple but I don't get why he even needs to ask that and hear my answer. I also don't know why I was hesitant to answer his question. Bakit ako nakakaramdam ng pag aalinlangan ngayon? "Why can't you answer my question?"

I gulped before taking a deep breath. "Uh-"

"Here's your order.."

Nabitin sa ere ang pagsasalita ko at gusto kong pumalakpak dahil biglang dumating ang isang crew at sinerve ang pagkain namin sa lamesa.

Raven's attention also went to the food.

"Let's eat" he said without looking at me.

Tila puno na ng hangin ang tiyan ko at bigla akong nabusog. Pakiramdam ko ay umatras na ang gutom ko dahil sa usapan namin ni Raven. I ate quietly but that only added to the awkwardness between us.

Bawat subo ko ng pagkain ay palihim akong sumusulyap sa kanya. Seryoso lang din siya na kumakain. I stared intently at the steak I was eating and forced myself to swallow it.

"Did you liked the food?"

Nagutla ako sa biglaang tanong ni Raven.

"Y-Yeah.."

Tumango lamang siya.

I wiped my mouth using tissue when I finished eating, Raven had also finished. He also paid for our food before we left.

Tahimik akong nakasunod sa kanya at bumabagabag sa akin kung kailangan ko pa ba na mag pahatid sa kanya. Seems like he's out of mood and seems mad?

I know he's dissappointed with me because of marrying Callum. Hindi na lang siguro ako magpapahatid sa kanya dahil baka kung ano pa ang mangyari kapag nalaman niya na nagsasama na kami ni Callum sa iisang bahay. "R-Raven? Thank you for the treat, I think I need to go.."

Raven stopped to open the car and turned to me."Yeah, ihahatid na kita-"

"Uh-no need! I'll just go home by myself" apila ko.

The astonishment passed down his face.

"Why?" his voice softened. "Is this about earlier? Did I scare you? Oh, sorry-"

"Of course not," I said. "Nakakahiya na nilibre mo na nga ako tapos ihahatid-"

"I promised Jess that I would take you home"

Unti-unting nagiging blangko ang isipan ko at hindi na ako makaisip ng idadahilan ko sa kanya.

"Are you mad regarding my questions earlier?"

"N-No, I just don't want to bother you so I'll just go home by myself" I clung to the strap of my bag and avoided looking at him.

"Are you really sure?" muli niya'ng tanong kaya mabilis akong tumango.

I heard her breathing heavily. "Fine, I won't force you. I'm sorry about earlier again" his face was streaked with sadness now.

"It's nothing, Raven. Thank you again. Be careful while driving" ngumiti ako sa kanya bago tumalikod.

Hindi na ako muling lumingon sa kanya at mas binilisan na lang ang paglalakad. Napawi ang kaba ko at nakahinga ng maluwag dahil akala ko ay hindi talaga siya papayag.

I checked my phone if Callum has any text but there's nothing. Nag grab ako ng taxi at habang nasa biyahe ay nalipad ang isip ko.

My thought is still in what Raven said and what he wants to convey in his words. I realized something.

I also thought about our situation. About why we don't have an agreement about our married life since it's just arranged marrige? Why didn't he tell me how long our marriage would last?

What the hell? Bakit ngayon ko lang ito naisip? Am I that occupied and too focused on studies and pressured on our set up? Well, I admit that we haven't discussed that matter with each other since we got married.

Maybe because we both don't want to make ourselves realize that we really are in this complicated situation?

We became estranged from each other and awkwardness always prevailed.

Nararamdaman ko ng malapit na huminto ang taxi sa bahay kaya may nabuo na ideya sa isip ko...

I had to tell Callum that we would have an agreement and exact date of how long our marriage would last. We will both benefit from it though. He can finally legalize his relationship with Zara and it won't be hidden anymore while me... won't be pressured by the situation between the two of us anymore.

We need to sign an agreement about our limits.

Yes, this is the right thing to do. How dumb I am to think about this too late?