The Secret Life of Mrs. de Silva

Chapter 2 - Rules

Rules

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." -Katharine Hepburn

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Jude's POV

Did I really marry this woman? I must be crazy. Should I get a divorce tomorrow?

I shook my head to disperse the thoughts that will further ruin my plan. I need to stick to my decision, which means only one thing, I need to stick with this woman whether I like it or not.

She's sitting regally in front of me wearing the most horrible dress I have ever seen in my life. It's a black long sleeve dress, turtle neck, which is bare from any designs. No prints whatsoever. It covered her entire body except for her face.

"My face will stay the same no matter how long you gawk at me." She said irritably looking at me straight in the eyes. That attitude fascinates me. I have this feeling that she never cower to anyone, not to her parents and definitely not to me. "And no, I'm not going for a plastic surgery."

I maintained my formal expression even deep inside I'm starting to get amuse. "I have no intention to change you. Besides, I have no problem with your face."

She raised her brow with that comment and smiled with that sarcastic smile of hers. It's a bit worrisome for me. "I see. You've got a big problem with your eyes."

She's got a tongue. A sharp one. But I ignored it.

"We need to set some rules." I said getting directly to the point. She never responded, but her brow is at even higher level now. I will not be surprise if it reaches her scalp.

"My rule is simple. Whenever you're here in New York with me, you'll follow my orders." She's smiling sarcastically again while shaking her head. "Meaning, I'll set the rules here in New York."

"Fine with me." She said with a shrug. Great. I thought we're going round and round with this. But thanks God she's easy to talk to, which again surprised me.

Except she has other idea.

"But," she made a dramatic pause, "when you're in Manila, it's my rules."

I don't like the sound of that, at all. But I never argued. She has a point actually. That makes us even. Besides it's just for a week. What will possibly happen during that short period of time? I can handle it. And definitely, I can handle this woman.

"Fine with me." I said in my business tone.

"And one more thing, the very important rule." She paused for a while probably assessing my reaction. I maintained my blank expression but she got my full attention now. Very important rule? What is that?

"Don't ever fall in love with me." She said very seriously, which shocked me. I looked at her in disbelief. Did she really say that? And then I really lost it. My control. I burst out laughing to my heart's content. That's the best joke I've heard so far.

"Look, Danielle. Rest assured that will never happen." I said formally when I recovered from my fits of laughter. "I don't want to offend you but right now even if you kneel in front of me and beg, that will never happen."

To my surprise, she burst out laughing. It's not an amused laugh. It sounds like of those witches in movies when they're about to eat their victims alive.

"Very well said." She got up from her sit but slowly turned to me as if she forgot something important. "Oh, by the way darling just an important reminder, you don't want me kneeling in front of you, because the moment I did, I'll make sure you'll be the one begging."