Chapter 26: Stubborn wife
"Are you looking for your wife?" I turned around to see Tatay Berto smiling at me.
"Yes, have you seen her Tatay Berto?"
He smiled and pointed the kitchen door. "She's in the kitchen with your Nanay Emily."
"Thank you." I smiled and walk straight towards the kitchen.
I just came out from the gym and still wearing my gym attire. I haven't changed yet as I decided to look for her. I need to talk to her about her bruises last night. "Where did you get all of that?"
I heard Nanay Emily's voice when I reached the kitchen door.
"I got these from the rehearsals, Nanay," Sophia replied pointing her bruised arm. "I just fell from the harness."
My eyes widened when I heard her answer but she just chuckled as if those were just nothing to her.
"We didn't notice that it wasn't locked-----"
"You didn't notice that it wasn't locked?" I shouted from behind that caused them to jump on their seats.
"Jesus, Daniel!" Her startled eyes met mine as she lifted her hand over her chest. "Do you really have to shout?"
I ignored her question and took three long strides towards her.
"You fell from a fucking harness and you still can laugh?" I grabbed her arm and checked her large bruise.
"And what do you want me to do, to cry over just a simple accident?" She asked me sarcastically pulling her arm back.
Does this woman know that I was the one who brought her to her room last night and put ice on her bruises?
"Just a simple accident, really Sophia? If that was just a simple accident, you wouldn't have these bruises! It could have been worse or you had taken more serious injury!"
"Excuse me, Mr. Kelley? But the last time I checked, this is my body and not yours, so I'm the only one who has the right to complain about these bruises! And would you please mind your own business?" "We need to talk, Sophia!" I said ignoring her last statement.
"I'm sorry, but we have nothing to talk about and I have no time to talk to you."
"Ohh... sweetheart, believe me we have lot of things to talk about, like your upcoming competition." I said putting some loose strands of her hair behind her ear.
"And why do we have to talk about my competition, Mr. Kelley? Does it bother you?"
I smirked when she swatted my hand.
"Let's just talk about this inside my study room."
"No! We're not going to talk about anything, especially my competition! Why don't you just leave me alone so I can continue putting Ice gel on my arm?"
"You can continue that later after we talk."
"No, I won't talk to you!"
-'What a stubborn woman!'-
"Just tell me if you don't want to walk, sweetheart and I'll carry you to the study room." I said looking straight into her eyes.
I tried not to smile when I noticed how she clenched her jaws. I've realized how cute she is when she's angry.
"Fine, I'll talk to you but why do we have to go inside your study room, can't we just talk here?"
"Jesus Christ, woman, you have a lot of whys!" I brushed my hair with my fingers.
"Let go of my hand!" She said glaring at me.
"I'll just let go of it when you come with me to the study room." I said tightening my hold to her hand. Actually, I'm enjoying holding it, it's so soft and it fits perfectly to my big hand. When she still not moving, I bend down to lift her in bridal style but she slapped my hands.
"What are you doing?"
"I told you I'll carry you---"
"I have two legs! I can walk on my own!"
"Okay, follow me to the study room." I shrugged.
"Yes, Sir!" She yelled rolling her eyes.
I bite my lips to suppress the smile that secretly formed on my face and left her annoyed.
I entered the study room with her following behind me.
"What do you want?" She asked me crossing her hands over her chest the moment we stepped inside.
I turned my eyes away and walked towards my desk. This is not the right time for my wild imagination.
"You will no longer be participating in that competition."
"What did you say?" Her eyes widened when she screamed.
"I said you can no longer participate in the competition!"
At first she just looked at me and didn't say anything, but after a few seconds she started to laugh as if what I said was the funniest joke she had ever heard.
"What did you say, Mr. Kelley I can no longer participate in the competition?" She asked me still laughing. "Why? Are you my manager?"
"I'm fucking serious, Sophia!"
"I know." She shrugged and already stopped from laughing. "Because I can't remember the last time you talked to me without mentioning that you're 'fucking serious."" I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Why are you suddenly become interested in my life?" She asked raising her eyebrow.
"You're wrong, sweetheart. I'm not interested in your life and I have no interest in you!"
"Then why do you want me to quit in the finals? Why are you suddenly meddling my business?" She raised her voice.
"Because you get bruises on your body and it doesn't look good on my image! I have my reputation, Sophia!"
She just chuckled.
"Why do you want to win that competition, just for fame or for money?"
"That's none of your fucking business, Mr. Kelley! Whatever my reason for joining this contest, it has nothing to do with you!" She said through gritted teeth.
But I ignored her and the feeling inside me to pull her and kiss her red and soft lips.
"If you just want to give the money to the typhoon survivors in Amador City, then drop it! I will double the winning prize and give it directly to the institution that manages the typhoon casualties."
I don't know what she found funny with what I said, because she laughed at me again.
"Then do it, Mr. Kelley, double the winning prize and if you want or if you're too generous, make it triple and I don't care!" She paused sneering at me and crossed her arms in front of her that pushed her chest up.
-'Jesus Christ!-' I swallowed hard and formed my fists.
"Actually, I don't fucking care whether you donate or not even a single cent, but I won't quit this competition just because you said so! You're not my boss, so stop meddling my business!"
I grabbed her arm but she winced when I touched her bruise.
"I'm sorry." I said dropping it immediately. I know based on her reaction she was shocked hearing my apology. "Yeah, you're right I'm not your boss but your husband for one year, and this is included in the agreement that you need to show yourself presentable in the public!"
She pulled back her hand and glared at me.
"Don't worry, Mr. Kelley, I still don't forget my role in this marriage. I know you're just thinking yourself and your reputation but as I said, I won't do anything that will defile your image. I will be your puppet wife in the public eye and the loving wife that will kiss you in front of your business colleagues. But when it comes to my personal life, you have no right to dictate me what I should or should not do because your not my real husband, we're just married in a piece of paper!"
I was left speechless after her long statement until she walked towards the door.
"Another thing, Mr. Kelley, even if you donate all your millions to the casualties in Amador or in the whole America, I still won't quit!" She gave me one last glare before slamming the door behind her.
I blinked my eyes for a second to realize that I am now alone.
"Argh! How did I get a stubborn wife? Mom, this is all your fault!" I said frustratingly brushing my hair.