Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

PATRICIA'S POV (Another Confusion)

I just woke up that Callum was not beside me anymore.

Luminga ako sa paligid at napagtanto na napasarap ang tulog ko sa bahay na ito kahit ngayon pa lang kami namalagi rito.

Umupo ako sa kama ng biglang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto. Pumasok si Callum na nakasuot lang ng boxer shorts at sando. "Morning," he gave me a sweet kiss. "How was your sleep?"

"Good morning!" I said and hugged him. "My sleep was good. It's much better here, Callum..."

"Of course, you're with me..." he chuckled. "Let's eat breakfast,"

Tumango ako at hawak kamay kaming lumabas ng kwarto.

"You cooked all of these?"

Maraming pagkain ang nakahain sa lamesa. Some fried rice, bacon, hotdog and coffee. Lahat ay bagong luto pa.

Tumango naman siya bago nilagyan nang pagkain ang plato ko.

I noticed that he's not only good at handling a company but also a good cook. Madalas niya na rin ako'ng pag lutuan nitong nakaraan.

"I don't have errands this morning. We will buy some appliances and stuffs for this house,"

I stopped from eating. "Are you sure? We're not in a rush. May bahay naman tayo di 'ba?"

Isinukbit niya ang iilang buhok ko sa likod ng aking tenga.

"I want us to leave here as soon as possible. Let's start a new phase and have a peaceful leaving here," he reached my hand, caressing it. "I also had plan to change some structures of this house. That's why I bring you here, maybe you had some suggestions or you want some designs?"

Halos mapaubo ako sa sinabi niya.

"Me?" I pointed myself. "Why do I have to suggests-"

"Because this is our house" he cut me off. "I also need your opinion. Hindi lang naman ako ang titira dito. Tayong dalawa,"

I slowly nodded, still processing what he uttered.

"Uh...what about our other house? Sayang naman 'yon at malaki rin,”

Ano'ng gusto niya? Na wala ng titira sa bahay na 'yon? Sayang naman!

"We can go there sometimes if you want once we finalized this house" he answered. "Or maybe celebrating some occasions there. You decide,"

Nag init ang mukha ko. He's really sure about me. Building a family with me. I smiled secretly because of that.

Nang matapos kaming kumain ay naligo na agad ako.

Mamimili kami ng ilang gamit para dito sa bahay kaya simpleng blouse at trouser lang ang isinuot ko, Ganoon din si Callum, simpleng shirt at jeans lang.

Ewan ko ba kung ano pa ang mga iniisip ni Callum. Tingin ko ay masyado siya'ng nagmamadali para rito pero kaguustuhan niya 'yon. I just need to support him.

-

Pumunta muna kami sa isang malapit na furniture shop. Namili kami roon ng mga gamit na babagay sa bahay.

I just want Callum to choose by his own but he always considered my opinion. So we were both choose things for our house.

May inutusan siya na mga tao para mag deliver ng mga binili namin sa bahay. Pagkatapos ay dumiretso na kami sa mall para bumili rin ng ibang gamit tulad ng mga sofa at kitchen utensils.

We bought 3 set of sofa's and also things for bedrooms.

Ako rin ang pumili ng mga gamit para sa kusina habang si Callum ay binili lahat ang klase ng mga paglulutuan gaya ng kaldero. Halos mahilo ako sa dami ng mga binili namin. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang box na ang mga 'yon. Tulad ng nauna, ipinadeliver din lahat 'yon ni Callum.

"I'll just look for some dress before we eat. Ayos lang ba?" paalam ko kay Callum dahil tila hinihila ako ng magagandang damit sa boutique.

"Do what you want. I can wait," he uttered and held my hand.

Ngumiti ako bago siya hinila sa halera ng mga damit. My eyes almost spark seeing beautiful dresses! Tinignan ko ang mga 'yon isa-isa. Lahat ay magaganda! Ang tagal na rin simula noong nakapamili ako ng damit kaya ngayon ay nasasabik ako.

Saglit kong binitawan ang kamay ni Callum para hawakan ang mga damit. Nanatili siya sa likuran ko at sumusunod kung saan ako pumunta.

Pumipili ako ng magandang blouse ng marinig kong may tumawag sa kanya. Sinenyasan niya ako na lalayo muna siya para sagutin ang tawag. Tumango naman ako at nag patuloy sa ginagawa. Halos bumigat na ang kamay ko sa dami ng damit na pinili ko.

"I will go for shirts," bulong ko sa sarili at pumunta na sa hanay ng mga shirts.

Ito na ang last dahil baka matapos na si Callum sa kausap niya ay pumipili parin ako.

Abala ako sa pag kilatis ng magandang quality ng shirt para kay Callum ng biglang may pamilyar na boses ang tumawag sa pangalan ko.

"Patricia? It's been a while,"

Nanlaki ang mata ko ng makita si Raven. He was standing behind me while smiling.

"R-Raven!" I even shuttered because of shocked.

I can't help myself but to hug him. "Long time no see. How are you?"

Kumalas ako sa yakap at bakas ang gulat niya sa biglang pag yakap ko. Mabilis rin akong dumistansya sa kanya. I noticed his face. It matured more. He also had a new haircut.

Raven cleared his throat. "Uh, you look good. I'm sorry I didn't visit you when you got hospitalized."

Ngumiti ako. "It's okay. I'm already recovered"

His face softened. He then came closer and held my arm carefully.

"It's good to hear that you recovered. I really wanted to look for you after I heard what happened. I tried to see you to make sure that you're okay but your security is too tight. They are not allowing me to get near you especially your husband-"

"Fuck off, Laurier"

A big but terrifying voice suddenly thundered.

My eyes literally grew bigger when I saw Callum walking towards us. Anger seemed to be coming out of his eyes when he saw Raven's hand, holding my arm.

Raven was also shocked to see Callum.

I immediately distanced myself from Raven.

"You're not allowed to get near or just fucking touch her" Callum said seriously and bumped Raven's shoulder before covering me behind him. Napuno ako ng pagtataka at nakaramdam ng kaba at takot.

"C-Callum, what's the problem?" I asked worriedly.

He turned to me with his serious eyes. "Don't talk to him. He's just a waste of time-"

"Why so serious, Velasquez?" sabi ni Raven. "You're over reacting. I'm just consulting if she's already okay-"

"She don't need to your care, she don't need you either" I saw Callum clenched his fist. "Why you have to anyway? Sino ka ba? Stop pestering her" Hinawakan ni Callum ang braso ko. "Let's go,"

Raven suddenly laughed teasingly. "What is this behavior, Callum? Tungkol parin ba ito sa pangbibintang mo sa amin tungkol sa nangyari kay Patricia-"

"Don't fucking open that topic in front of her. And stop using that tone as if you're family are not guilty" he took two step towards Raven.

Naguguluhan akong tumingin sa kanila. Pinagbibintangan nila Callum ang mga Laurier na nasa likod ng pag ambush sa amin?

"Then don't include my family if you don't have concrete and strong evidence against us!" Raven uttered back, his dagger eyes showing how mad he is right now. They're both heating with anger.

Pinigilan ko ang braso ni Callum ng akma siya'ng lalapit kay Raven. There's determination in his eyes and also to Raven.

Maraming tao rito sa mall kaya nakakahiya kung makita silang nag-aaway.

Binalingan ko si Raven. "Uh...we're going now. Sorry for the-"

"No, don't apologize to him" Callum interrupted me. "He's just a mess,"

Napatianod ako nang hilahin ako ni Callum paalis. Naguguluhan kong nilingon si Raven at nakitang masama ang tingin niya kay Callum pero lumambot ito ng mapatingin siya sa akin. Naguguluhan ako. Tahimik si Callum at seryoso ang tingin sa daan hanggang makarating kami sa sasakyan.

He was gasping heavily while I remained silent. I know he's still mad but I'm confused!

"S-Sorry about earlier," Callum started. "W-Where do you want to eat?"

"Sa bahay na lang siguro. Magluluto ako," sagot ko habang nakatingin sa labas.

"Hey, are you mad?" he quickly held my hand. "Sorry, I got carried away seeing that guy"

"Okay lang," ngumiti ako. "Let's go,"

I fastened my seat belt. I even saw him looking at me before started driving. He looks hesitant.

Noon pa man ay alam kong kalaban ng kompanya nila ang kompanya nila Raven, ang mga Laurier pero hindi ko alam na kaaway nila ito ng personal.

Hindi ako mapakali sa kinauupuan dahil iniisip ko parin ang mga sinabi ni Raven kanina. Tumingin ako kay Callum at nag-iisip kung tama ba na mag tanong ako tungkol doon. I'm involved on that ambush so I think I have the rights to know a little information about it?

"Uhm, Callum?" I cleared my throat. "I know this is insensitive but can I asked something about the...ambush?"

I saw his jaw moved aggressively. His eyes softened when he looked at me.

"What about it?" namamaos niya'ng sabi.

"Based on what I heard earlier... is it true that you are accusing raven's family? That's a heavy charge, Callum-"

"I know," he cut me off. "That's why we are still looking for evidence"

I looked at him confused. "How can you say that they are involve, then? Hindi maganda na mag bintang tayo, Callum! And I don't think Raven-"

"You don't know him completely yet" he said coldly. "Let's just wait for the investigation and you'll see..."

Natahimik kami at hindi na nag usap. Dumiretso kami sa mismong bahay namin at hindi roon sa sinasabi niya'ng dream house niya.

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Mabilis ako'ng nag luto at hanggang sa pagkain ay hindi kami nag-uusap. It was so awkward. Walang may gusto na mag salilta sa aming dalawa. Pansin ko na panay ang sulyap niya sa akin pero hindi ko 'yon pinansin.

Ako ang unang natapos kumain kaya dumiretso na ako sa kwarto. Naligo ako habang iniisip parin ang kanina.

I only had a towel wrapped around my body when I came out of the bathroom. I saw Callum sitting on the bed.

Nag angat siya ng tingin sa akin. "Hey..."

Lumihis ako ng tingin at lumapit sa closet. Naramdaman ko agad ang presensya niya sa likod ko.

"Are you mad?" he asked softly. "I'm really sorry,"

"I'm not mad," sambit ko at kumuha ng damit.

Niyakap niya ako patalikod. Kinalibutan ako ng maramdaman ang mainit niya'ng hininga sa leeg ko.

I bit my lower lip. "C-Callum, magbibihis ako,"

"Are we good?" bulong niya.

Mas humigpit ang yakap niya kaya hindi ako nakasagot.

"Love, are we good?" namamaos niya'ng ulit.

"Y-Yes...of course, we're g-good," utal kong sabi at halos kumalabog ang puso ko sa epekto ng ginagawa niya sa'kin.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag bago ako hinalikan sa ulo.

"Promise, after the investigation, I'll tell you everything,"

"You should,"

He chuckled. "Don't get mad at me anymore, please. Hindi ko kaya," he gave me another. "I need to go in the company now. See you later,"

Tumango ako at ngumiti. Niyakap niya ulit ako bago tuluyang umalis.

Nag bihis agad ako at pagkatapos ay humarap sa vanity mirror na malaki. Ako ang nag request kay Callum na ilagay ito rito since mahilig ako mag ayos. While blowing dry hair, my eyes accidentally darted on Callum's drawer just beside of his table.

Medyo nakabukas 'yon at nakalabas ang ilang papel kaya tumayo ako para lapitan 'yon.

I shook my head while opening the drawer. I took the papers inside and arranged it. While I was sorting through the papers, I saw some printed photos.

My face gradually turned serious when I realized who was in the photo. It was d-daddy. He's wearing different clothes in the pictures so they are in different locations.

May nakangiti si daddy habang kausap ang isang matanda at ang iba naman ay nakaupo si dddy sa isang table at maraming kasama.

It was inside of casino.

"Mr. Lim..." I read the name below the pictures.

My brows are furrowed while flipping the papers. I took my phone and took a picture of those.

My hands were trembling.

Ano na naman ito? Is it another confusion?