With You

Chapter 12: The Wife

Chapter 12: The Wife

"Thank you, Harrison."

"What for?"

"For... making me feel happy. And somehow... special..." then I looked away a bit.

While his eyes remained looking at me.

Then I looked at him again, smiling. "Don't worry. Babawi rin ako sa'yo..."

"You don't have to, I don't ask for something in return..." umiling siya.

"No. It's okay... And... I just want to remind you that you can continue doing the things that you like..." I gulped a bit. Then I just bravely looked at him. "I will... allow you to... still be with your women... kahit pa kasal na tayo." I tried to give him a small smile.

At pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon sa kaniya ay tinalikuran ko na rin siya agad dahil hindi ko na nakayanan.

It was one thing that I promised him before he married me. That I will not interfere with his affairs...

After all, kahit mag-asawa na kami, kasal lang pa rin naman kami sa papel.

We're not really in love. And we don't plan to... We're only here now because it's beneficial for us both...

At ang talagang nakapaloob sa kontrata na pinirmahan naming dalawa? Ito na 'yon. We will live like a couple in his house. Then I will try to be a mother to his daughter. He will give me food and shelter, he will provide for me. But I won't get a say to anything he does with his life. Kahit pa mag-asawa na kami at kasal pa kami.

And I don't have the intention to forget about our contract. He helped me. So I will be more responsible. And remember our contract always...

Harrison became quiet during our time back to the city. Bigla na lang siyang nanahimik nang umalis na kami sa beach resort. At hinayaan ko na lang din muna siya dahil inisip ko na baka pagod lang din siya galing sa trip namin. At ako man ay nakatulog din sa biyahe namin pabalik na ng Manila.

He only woke me up when we've already arrived at his mansion. "We're here..."

Tumango ako kay Harrison at sumama na sa loob ng napakalaking bahay. It's also their ancestral house. At dito na lumaki si Harrison. May iba pa naman siyang bahay. At iyong mas malapit sa trabaho niya. Ito kasi ay medyo malayo rin. Pero rito niya gustong tumira kami. And I was watching all the furnitures including the framed pictures of his family from his grandparents...

We were also welcomed and greeted by his house's servants... And I heard that these people, and even their parents and grandparents, have served Harrison's family ever since. Kaya nakita rin ng ilan sa kanila lalo na ng Mayordoma at isang matandang lalaki rin na pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga Abella ang paglaki rin ni Harrison dito sa mansyon na ito. And Harrison also seems closed to them. Napangiti na rin ako at nagpakilala. Nang ipakilala rin sila sa akin Harrison.

"Vienna, this is Manang Lourdes. And then Mang Ben. If you need anything just tell them. And you can also ask them regarding this house. It's old, but you can decide about the renovations. You can do anything here." Harrison told me.

Bumaling naman ako sa kaniya. The mansion seems old but it's understandable since it's their ancestral house. Pero maganda pa rin naman ang bahay. It has a classic exterior and interior design. And I bet that all the furnitures here and the old vases in this mansion, na sigurado rin akong mas matanda pa siguro sa akin, ay alam kong mamahalin lahat. Lumaki rin ako sa malaking bahay namin simula nang kinuha ako nina Papa nang mawala na si Mama. Pero iba rin ang kayamanan na makikita mo at sinisigaw ng bahay pa lang na ito. So I smiled at Harrison. "I like it here, Harrison." I told him. I also find it probably comfortable to live in here. Kahit ngayon pa lang ako talagang nakatapak dito.