THE HILARIOUS HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #2)

Chapter 59

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

UPSET

❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥

PAGDATING ng sasakyan ko sa bahay ng mga Lee, their high-tech gate automatically opened, allowing me to drive in. After parking and stepping out, Ate Emy—their one and only housemaid—immediately came out to greet me.

"Narito po ba si Hope?" I asked right away. It was Saturday, so I wasn't sure if he had any plans.

"Oo. Nasa loob. Pasok ka." Nauna siyang humakbang para igiya ako sa loob.

Two weeks. Hope had been staying here for two weeks, at ngayon pa lamang ako pumunta rito para bisitahin siya at... sunduin na sana. Napatagal kasi ang pag-aasikaso ko kay Ella. After I'd picked her up from Dr. Mendoza's house, we'd had a long, honest conversation. I kept the psychiatrist's advice in mind, reminding myself to be patient and understanding of Ella's situation. Although I had so many questions, I resisted asking. After all, I already knew the reason behind her actions.

First week ay nanatili si Ella sa bahay namin ni Hope para kahit papa'no ay maobserbahan ko muna siya. Pero siyempre, bago ko 'yon ginawa ay ipinaalam ko sa Mommyla ni Hope ang bagay na 'yon. Since Hope and I had a contract that prohibited us from spending a single night apart, I explained everything to Mrs. Vivar, including Dr. Mendoza's advice that Hope should have minimal interactions with Ella. Mabuti at pinayagan ako nito. However, she made it clear that she would only give us two weeks to sort things out—then Hope was expected to come back to our home.

Then, noong ikalawang linggo na ni Ella sa bahay at wala pa rin akong naiisip na paraan kung saan ko siya ipagkakatiwala—because I couldn't, in good conscience, send her back to live under our father's harsh authority—ay si Mrs. Vivar na ang mismong nag-offer ng tulong sa 'kin.

She assured me that she would arrange a safe, well-maintained apartment for Ella, close to her school. Not only that, but she promised to hire someone who could stay with her, taking care of her meals, keeping the apartment clean, at 'yong mababantayan siya at magsisilbing tagapag-alaga niya. They would also cover all of Ella's medical requirements, to ensure her continued care and stability. Sa gano'ng paraan daw ay mababawasan ang pag-aalala ko kay Ella at mas makakapag-focus ako hindi lamang sa Lee Entertainment, most importantly, on repairing my relationship with Hope.

And now, here I was, ready to bring him back home.

Nasa maluwang na living room na ako, nakaupo at naghihintay, habang si Ate Emy ay umakyat sa taas para tawagin si Hope. Tahimik ang bahay nila ngayon, mukhang wala ang parents nila. Noon kasi kapag nagpupunta kami rito ay ang Mommy ni Hope ang unang sumasalubong sa amin.

After a few moments, I noticed Emy descending the stairs, followed by two very familiar faces. Two very identical faces, both looking uncannily like Hope. One was dressed in white cotton shorts and a simple white signature T-shirt, while the other sported black sweatpants and a matching sweater, both bearing the same brand logo.

"Hi, sis-in-law," one of them greeted with a soft smile. That gentle expression... Faith Zeican. I recognized him immediately. Sa bagay, hindi na ako magtataka kung narito siya. Sa pagkakaalam ko kasi ay dito sila nag-s-stay ng wife niyang si Poppy kapag weekend. And beside him, with the colder demeanor, was clearly Love Andrei, na siyang nakasuot ng sweatpants at sweater.

Yes, Hope and his brothers look practically identical, and if you didn't know their personalities, you'd really struggle to tell them apart. But for me, natutunan ko na silang kilalanin based on their distinct "aura."

With Hope, there's a unique energy he brings—a mischievous vibe, like he's always cooking up something, especially when he smiles. It's the kind of look that makes you feel like you're in on a secret, and that's how I always know when it's him in front of me.

Napilitan akong ngumiti nang bahagya. "Uhm... where's Hope?"

"Nasa kwarto niya, tulog pa." Si Faith.

"Does he know I'm here?"

"Yes, Ate Emy told him," Love replied, his tone as steady as ever. "Pero sabi niya, wala s'yang pake." He cleared his throat, then added, "Looks like our twin is seriously upset with you."

"Imagine leaving him here for two weeks nang hindi mo man lang kinukumusta," Faith added with a gentle but pointed look. "If Poppy treated me that way, siguro magtatampo rin ako tulad ni Hopia."

Love turned to Faith with a smirk. "If Poppy did that to you, what would it take to win you back and get you to come home?"

"Of course, hindi ako papayag na gano'n-gano'n lang. Kailangan ko nang matindi-tinding bed performance."

Hindi ko naiwasang mapairap, sinamantala ko habang hindi sila nakatingin. It was obvious their comments were meant for me. They were teasing, but the message was clear: if I wanted Hope to come home, I'd have to put in the effort to mend things.

"Oh my gosh, are you guys incapable of thinking about anything besides your d*cks?" Summer's voice cut through as she walked over, rolling her eyes. Obvious na narinig niya ang sinabi ni Faith.

Nakaupo na siya ngayon sa tabi ko, magkakrus ang mga kamay sa harap at nakatingin nang matalim sa dalawa niyang kuya. "Or 'yong pangalawang ulo n'yo na walang utak ang ginagamit n'yo sa pag-iisip?"

Bahagya akong napayuko para magpigil ng tawa. Somehow, this family had a way of making even the most ridiculous moments feel strangely normal.

Summer turned to me with a reassuring smile. "Don't mind them, Ate Elisse. Let me give you the real advice to win Kuya Hope over. It's simple, really—just pamper him, charm him, and give him everything he wants until he melts."

Everything... he wants? So, ibig sabihin, kasama na rin doon ang bed performance na binanggit ni Faith?

"Ligawan mo na lang," Love Andrei suggested.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Ligawan?"

"Well, yeah. Mas okay 'yon," Love said with a slight grin. "Get him some flowers. Ilang-Ilang will do—he's not that choo—"

"Oh, he is choosy," Faith cut in, smirking. "Gusto no'n ay..." Faith motioned for me to come closer, his grin widening. I leaned in, and he whispered the exact kind of flower Hope preferred, as if sharing some top-secret information. Maging ang paborito nitong snack ay binanggit din ni Faith, kailangan ay bilhin ko rin daw 'yon at ibigay kay Hope kasama ng bulaklak.

Hindi na ako kumibo at agad nang tumayo, heading out with a mission: to buy flowers and snacks for that ridiculous man. I'd do it, too, if it meant he'd finally talk to me so I could apologize.

Ilang hakbang pa lang ang nagagawa ko nang marinig ko ang tunog ng high-five ni Faith at Love. Alam kong sila 'yon dahil bahagya pa silang natawa. Ganunpaman, hindi ko na sila nilingon pa.

To be continued...