THE HILARIOUS HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #2)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

WILD IMAGINATION

★HOPE RYKER LEE★

GAYA ng ipinangako ni Mommyla, nag-set siya ng isang family dinner ngayong gabi, dito mismo sa mansyon niya. The entire setting was carefully prepared—from the elegant table set with crystal glasses and porcelain plates to the flowers meticulously arranged in the center. The occasion was supposed to officially introduce Elisse and me to each other, pero hindi ko naiwasang mapaisip kung bakit nag-iisa lang siya na kaharap namin ngayon. None of her family members were present.

Sabagay, nabanggit na sa 'kin ni Mommyla na namayapa na ang Mommy ni Elisse na siyang nakipagkasundo raw noon kay Don Adolfo, pati ang lolo niya, para i-match kaming dalawa. It was strange to think that a deal like that had been made so long ago, especially knowing that her mother was no longer here.

'Yong daddy naman niya na si Vladimir Garcia, ibang usapan na 'yon. Hindi ko siya kilala nang personal, pero kilalang-kilala ang pangalan niya dahil sa mga balitang kumalat noon na hanggang ngayon ay tanda ko pa. Ang sabi, marami itong naging asawa—hindi ko nga lang alam kung pang-ilan na 'yong kinakasama nito ngayon dahil sa dami ng mga naging iskandalo niya. Parang bawat isa sa mga anak niya, iba-iba ang ina, isang bagay na bulung-bulungan kaya kahit hindi ko balakin alamin, kusa ko pa ring naririnig.

Hindi ako tsismoso, pero ang kwento kasing 'yon, kahit saan ka pumunta, maririnig mo. 'Yong usap-usapan na kahit ayaw mo man makinig, hindi mo na maiwasan. Iba ang ina ni Elisse, at iba-iba rin ang mga ina ng tatlo pa niyang kapatid. 'Yon ang pagkakaalam ko. Baka mamaya niyan kasi masabihan na naman akong tsismoso.

Ganunpaman, dapat man lang sana ay sinamahan siya ngayon ng daddy niya o kaya'y ng ilan sa mga kapatid niya.

She sat quietly at the end of the table, looking composed and calm despite being our only guest. She wore a simple yet elegant dress that accentuated her beauty. Mommyla, always the gracious host, greeted us warmly at sinenyasan niya na doon sa tabi ni Elisse ako maupo. Of course, dahil masunurin, mabait at guwapo akong apo, sumunod ako.

I took a seat beside Elisse as the first course was served. The atmosphere was quiet and full of anticipation, with everyone's attention focused on Elisse and me.

"Thank you for joining us tonight, Elisse," Mommyla began, gently patting Elisse's hand in a reassuring gesture. "We're delighted to have you here."

"Thank you, Mrs. Vivar. It's an honor to be here with all of you." Saglit gumala ang tingin ni Elisse sa pamilya ko, hanggang doon sa cute kong sister-in-law na si Poppy, na bine-baby ni Faith sa pagkain. Siya pa ang nagsusubo rito. 

Habang nagbabatian sila, nag-focus naman ako kay Elisse. Gusto kong mag-ala-Faithfully, na sa iisang babae lang nakatingin, kaya naman tinuon ko ang atensyon ko sa kaniya. Hanggang sa bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot niyang ivory color dress na medyo umikli dahil nakaupo siya.

As I glanced down, my eyes couldn't help but trace the curve of her smooth, flawless legs. The red heels she wore tonight caught my attention—again. This time, they were adorned with shimmering stones that sparkled with every subtle movement she made. Hindi na naman naiwasang maglakbay ng utak ko sa ibang mundo. My mind filling with images I shouldn't entertain here but couldn't resist.

I imagined her with nothing else on, just those heels, while I f*cked her, the way her body would respond to me, how those stones would glint in the dim light as we moved together in rhythm, my name on her lips, moaning it.

'Hoooope. Aaahh~ Yamete kudasai~'

The thought of her skin against mine—it was almost too much to keep my composure. Naramdaman ko ang paninikip ng pantalon ko and I shook my head slightly, trying to focus, but the image lingered, teasing me. How would she look, how would she feel, with just those heels while her legs spread just for me? Ano'ng pakiramdam kapag bumabaon na sa balat ko ang mga kuko niyang may glittery polish? The idea of her under me, completely vulnerable yet empowered in those red heels, was driving me insane.

F*ck it.

Inabot ko agad ang inumin ko at tinungga 'yon agad hanggang sa masimot ang laman ng baso. Dahil do'n, naagaw ko ang atensyon nilang lahat.

"You okay, son?" may pag-aalalang tanong sa 'kin ni Dad.

Tumango ako at bahagyang ngumiti sa kanila para hindi sila magduda sa mga bagay na tumatakbo sa isip ko. "Yes, Dad. Ayos lang ako. Buhay pa naman." Buhay na buhay pati 'yong nasa baba ko. Sh*t.

Nagpatuloy ang dinner namin sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagkuwentuhan nila kay Elisse. Nagpaliwanag na si Elisse kung bakit hindi niya kasama ang pamilya niya, dahil may kani-kaniya raw itong inaasikaso. Nang matapos ang dinner at naligpit na ng mga maids ang pinagkainan namin, kumilos naman si Mommyla para kuhanin ang ilang dokumento para i-orient kami sa kasunduan noon ni Don Adolfo at ng Mommy ni Elisse, pati na rin ng lolo niya.

I stared at the documents spread out in front of me and Elisse—contracts detailing our arranged marriage and the merging of our companies, Lee Entertainment and Garcinema. Naalala ko tuloy ang kwento ni Mommyla, na tulad ni Poppy, bata pa lang din si Elisse ay ipinagkasundo na siya ng kanyang ina at lolo—ang yumaong si Mr. Bernie Garcia. Magkaibigan daw kasi si Don Adolfo at si Mr. Bernie, kaya hindi na rin nakapagtataka na nakilala ng pamilya ni Elisse ang amin.

But it's not just about the marriage. It's also about the business. On paper, it sounds like a great idea. But behind the smiles and formalities, I know there's a deeper reason for this arrangement. Recent reports have shown that Garcinema is in dire straits. Most of their major investors have pulled out due to the scandals involving Mr. Vladimir Garcia, the head of the company, Elisse's father.

Pero hindi naman na 'to bagong balita. Garcinema has been on a slow decline for a while now. And now, they're on the brink of total collapse. Kaya hindi na rin nakapagtataka na wala man lang pagtutol ang mga Garcia sa arrangement na 'to, maliban kay Elisse. Yes. Hindi man verbal, pero ramdam kong ayaw niya sa 'kin. At ramdam ko rin na wala lang siyang choice kaya siya narito ngayon sa harap namin.

After discussing the terms of our agreement, Mommyla dropped the next bombshell: the date for our engagement.

"Next month na ang engagement party n'yo mga anak," sabi niya sa amin ni Elisse.

Mommyla was the epitome of grace as she laid out the details. The engagement was set for a month from now, and it would be a grand affair, attended by both families and key business associates. It felt surreal to think about being engaged, especially when it was all planned out by others. I couldn't deny the pressure that came with the arrangement—being tied not just to Elisse, but also to the future of both our families' businesses.

Pero siyempre, aaminin kong may excitement din akong nararamdaman dahil once na kasal na kami, hell yeah. Lahat ng ini-imagine ko sa isip ko, puwede ng maging totoo.

To be continued...

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