THE HILARIOUS HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #2)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

INSULT

❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥

MATAPOS ang dinner namin ni Hope sa malapit na restaurant sa Lee Entertainment, nagpumilit na akong puntahan ang sasakyan ko para habang maaga ay makahanap ako ng hotel kung saan ako p'wedeng mag-check in. Hindi ko kasi masabi sa kaniya na wala akong balak umuwi sa amin dahil sa insidente sa opisina ni Dad.

"Hatid na kita. Convoy tayo," suhestyon niya oras na makababa kami sa sasakyan niya pagbalik sa Lee Entertainment.

Nilingon ko siya at bahagyang tinaasan ng kilay. "No thanks. I can make it home on my own without getting lost."

He chuckled softly, clearly not buying my excuse. "It's not about getting lost, Elisse." His voice gentle yet persistent. "I just want to make sure you're safe."

Safe, my ass!

Napakagat ako sa labi ko, trying not to show the frustration bubbling inside me. He had no idea about the mess going on with my family, and I wasn't ready to explain it now. I just wanted to be alone, to clear my head and escape, even if just for one night.

"I'll be fine, Hope," pinal kong sabi, kasunod ang pagbukas ko sa pinto ng driver's seat ng sasakyan ko before he could argue further. "Thank you for tonight," I added, trying to soften my tone, but I kept my eyes straight ahead para maiwasan ang tingin niya dahil ramdam ko ang mainit niyang titig sa akin.

With a final nod, he stepped back. "Sige. Ikaw bahala. Just text me kapag nakauwi ka na. And don't you dare block me again." May pagbabanta sa boses niya.

Bahagyang pagtango lang ang naging tugon ko sa kaniya at hindi na sumagot pa. 'Tsaka ko isinara ang pinto sa tapat ko at in-start na ang sasakyan.

I gripped the steering wheel, my fingers tightening as I tried to focus on the road ahead. The weight of the day clung to me—Dad's harsh words, the pressure I couldn't shake. Going home wasn't an option tonight. Wala pa akong lakas ng loob na harapin isa man sa pamilya ko, especially not Dad. Not after what happened.

I found a hotel nearby, just a place where I could disappear for a while. I parked the car and walked into the lobby, feeling a strange sense of relief as I handed my ID to the receptionist. Her smile was polite, maybe a little too cheerful for what I was feeling, but I didn't have the energy to care. I just needed the key, a room, and some quiet.

Pagdating sa kuwarto, itinapon ko ang bag ko sa upuan at tumayo saglit, tinititigan ang espasyo sa paligid ko. It felt foreign, almost too empty, but I welcomed it. Kailangan ko ito, kahit isang gabi lang. My eyes wandered to the bathroom, and I knew what I needed—a hot shower to wash away the day, to relax my body and mind, if that was even possible.

The water hit my skin, warm and comforting, but my thoughts were still a mess. I wanted to stop thinking, to stop feeling, but it wasn't that easy. Hindi lang ang issue sa amin ni Dad at sa Garcinema ang nagpapabigat sa dibdib ko, maging ang nalalapit kong pagpapakasal kay Hope Ryker Lee.

Ang totoo, ayoko talaga siyang gamitin. Ngayon pa lang ay nakukunsensya na ako. Pero sa ngayon ay 'yon lang ang tanging paraan na mayroon ako—kami—para maisalba ang Garcinema at ang mamanahin ko, idagdag pa ang posisyong matagal ko nang gusto—bilang bagong CEO.

But everything feels so heavy.

After the shower, I found a white robe hanging neatly in the room. I hadn't brought anything with me kaya 'yon lang ang maaari kong itakip muna sa katawan ko pansamantala. I slipped it on, the soft fabric brushing against my skin, and made my way to the bed.