Chapter 3 

Rival

Both Alaine and Quinn were my closest friends. But I spent more time with Alaine, especially after we got closer in high school. I shared a lot with her—my thoughts, feelings, and even details about my relationship with Javi. 

At first, when she was asking questions about Javi, I thought she was just curious. 

Little did I know that her curiosity only grew deeper. 

And there's always a reason why someone becomes overly curious about another person. 

"You're really getting married, Reese? Oh my! I'm so jealous!" she smirked at me. 

I smiled at her. "Yes, Alaine." 

"But we just graduated from college..." 

I nodded. She was right. We had just graduated a few weeks ago, and now, here I was, busy preparing for my wedding with Javi. Meanwhile, Javi was occupied with work at his father's company but still made time to help me with the preparations. 

"I will work at our company too, just after my wedding with Javi," I said. 

"Right away?" Alaine asked. 

I nodded again. "Yes." 

"What about... your honeymoon?" 

"Oh, that? Yes, of course. We'll have one. We'll be traveling around Europe after our church wedding. That's the plan," I said with a smile. 

She gave me a faint smile in return. 

"Have you two kissed already? Don't tell me your first kiss will be on your wedding day? Isn't that too much?" She laughed. 

I froze at her words, feeling a bit embarrassed. I blushed as I thought about it. Javi and I had gone on formal dates before, but no, we hadn't kissed yet. And yes, it seemed like our first kiss would be at the altar. 

Alaine's eyes widened as she studied my expression. "No way. OMG! You seriously haven't kissed him yet?" 

I slowly shook my head. 

Her eyes grew even larger. "Oh my, Therese Delos Reyes! I know you're conservative, but don't you think you're taking it too far? You're becoming boring! And you know men hate boring women," she said. 

I gaped at her words, caught off guard. I didn't completely understand what she meant, but her words stuck with me. I didn't want to be boring—not to Javi... 

"W-What should I do, then?" I asked hesitantly. 

She smirked. "Let me show you. Come with me!" 

Before I could protest, Alaine grabbed my hand and dragged me out of Ninang's shop. I had just finished checking the progress on my wedding gown, which Quinn's mom was making. 

"Where are we going, Alaine?" I asked, but she didn't answer. 

We ended up at a bar. I wasn't used to places like this since I didn't party, but I wasn't entirely clueless either. Alaine ordered cocktails for us. I took a sip, feeling unsure. I had never been drunk before and planned to keep it that way. 

"What are we doing here?" I asked her. 

"We're meeting my boyfriend," she said. 

"Oh. Your boyfriend. Si Rico ba—" 

She quickly shook her head. "No. We already broke up. I have a new boyfriend now. His name is Jake." She smiled. 

I gave her a faint smile. I'd noticed how frequently Alaine changed boyfriends, as if relationships were as disposable as clothes. 

Still, I chose not to judge her. I didn't want to lecture her, especially since I lacked experience in relationships. My only dating experience was with Javi. 

Over time, I had grown accustomed to her patterns. And despite being friends, I felt there were still parts of Alaine she kept hidden from me. 

"Jake!" She stood up excitedly to greet her boyfriend, who had just arrived. 

I almost gasped when they kissed right in front of me. My eyes widened slightly, and I stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do. 

"Babe, this is my friend Reese. Reese, this is Jake, my boyfriend," Alaine said with a smile. 

Jake greeted me politely, and I returned the gesture. I sat with them at the bar until it was time for us to leave. 

"Don't call your driver, Reese. I'll drive you home," Alaine said as we walked out of the bar. 

"Are you sure? What about Jake?" 

She shook her head. "No. He's leaving first. You know, he's also a businessman like Javi! So he's busy," she said with a smile. 

I nodded slowly but couldn't help noticing how earlier she had practically begged him on the phone to meet her at the bar. And Jake, though polite, had left quickly, claiming he was busy with work. 

I found myself comparing Jake to Javi. Javi was also busy with work. Their company was no small business. It had even struggled at one point until Tita Emerald's father helped rebuild it. 

Yet, despite his busy schedule, Javi always found time to pick me up and take me on dates. 

I glanced at Alaine. She was my friend, and I wanted the best for her. But I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling I had about Jake, just like I'd felt with her past boyfriends. I didn't think they took her seriously. 

"Bye," I said politely as Jake left. 

Alaine smiled and kissed him goodbye in front of me again. I turned my gaze away, feeling awkward. 

"Did you see that?" Alaine asked proudly once Jake was gone. 

"Uh, what?" 

She sighed, looking unimpressed by my reaction. "Will you stop that, Reese? You'll bore Javi in no time! Don't make him regret marrying you." 

My eyes widened slightly. 

"What you saw with Jake and me earlier. Us kissing. You should do that with Javi too! So he doesn't get bored of you. Men get bored easily," she said. 

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. 

At first, I thought Alaine was just concerned about me and my relationship with Javi. I even smiled, appreciating her advice. 

But little did I know, her concern wasn't for me. It was for Javi—marrying a "boring" woman like me. 

I trusted her, never doubting her intentions. 

I didn't realize she saw me as a rival. 

I had no idea we were even competing. I didn't see her that way. But she did. 

When I went out with Javi on a date again, bago ako bumaba sa sasakyan niya nang ihatid niya ako sa bahay, dinampian ko siya ng isang halik sa labi. Hindi ko kasi maalis sa isip ko ang sinabi sa akin ni Alaine. What I did was just a quick peck on the lips. 

Pareho kaming nagulat sa ginawa ko. Even though I initiated it, wala naman talaga akong alam sa paghalik. 

Nagkatinginan kami pagkatapos. Kita ko pa ang gulat sa mukha niya, at ramdam ko ang pamumula ng mukha ko. I felt shy and embarrassed after what I did. 

"T-Thank you again for today, Javi," I said hurriedly before quickly getting out of his car. 

"Wait, Reese—!" 

Narinig ko pa siyang tinawag ako, pero mabilis ko na siyang tinalikuran. Mariin akong pumikit sa kahihiyan na naramdaman ko, at mabilis akong tumakbo papasok sa bahay namin. 

The next time we were together, nagpunta kami sa food tasting para sa ilang pagkain na ihahanda para sa wedding reception namin. After that, we were in Javi's car again as he was driving me home. He parked his car just outside our gate. 

Before I could get out of the car, I think we made out a little inside. We only kissed, and this time, he initiated it. I believe it was my real first kiss. He even taught me how to kiss him properly. 

Napaisip tuloy ako na baka iyon din ang first kiss niya. Kasi never pa naman siyang nagkaroon ng girlfriend noon. Pareho lang kami. 

That night, I was smiling alone in my room, kinikilig habang iniisip ang nangyari. 

Our wedding day came shortly after we finished all the preparations. Mommy and Tita Emerald helped us a lot. On the day of our wedding, I knew that both Javi and I were happy and relaxed. 

I walked down the beautifully decorated church aisle adorned with fresh flowers, habang naghihintay si Javi sa altar. He looked so handsome, smiling in his neat white tuxedo. I was smiling too, both at him and at our guests as I made my way to him. 

I wore a beautiful white wedding gown made by Quinn's mom. Nandoon din sina Quinn at Alaine sa kasal namin. Ang dami naming bisita, kaya we chose a bigger church to accommodate everyone. 

"I, Javier Mendoza, take you, Therese Delos Reyes, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part,
according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith."

"I, Therese Delos Reyes, take you, Javier Mendoza, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith."

After that, we exchanged rings.

"With this ring, I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen..."

After that, we went on our honeymoon. We spent two weeks in Europe, exploring the cities, landmarks, and everything in between. I enjoyed every moment with Javi. I realized how fun and easy it was to be with him. It was also the first time we were together for such an extended period, just the two of us. During the trip, I found myself relying on him more, and he proved to be dependable and caring. 

It was such a memorable trip with him—my husband, Javi. 

What stood out the most about that trip, however, was our first night together. It was our first time—my first time. Javi was so gentle, treating me like I was fragile, as if I might shatter at any moment. I remember tearing up a little, and he comforted me with his patience and tenderness. That night was truly unforgettable, something I would cherish forever. 

"So, you're back from your honeymoon!" Alaine exclaimed when we met after I returned. 

I smiled at her. 

"So, how was it?" she asked, her excitement making her sound like a child eager for a bedtime story. 

I began telling her about the places we visited, the food we tried, and how we spent our days shopping and sightseeing in Europe. 

"That's all? What about your first night?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. 

I froze momentarily at her question. I wasn't comfortable sharing those details, especially not about Javi. When I didn't respond, she just laughed and called me boring again. 

But I didn't mind. Some things were just too private to talk about, even with a friend like her. 

"Javi..." I softly called his name. 

He was on top of me in our bed. What we started during our honeymoon didn't end there. Even after returning home, being intimate with my husband had become a natural and normal part of our lives. 

"I... love you," I murmured in the middle of our lovemaking, my voice trembling slightly. 

He stopped for a moment, looking down at me. His face hovered close to mine, his expression soft and tender. 

We had admitted to liking each other before. It was one of the reasons we agreed to marry—not just because we had no other romantic attachments, but because we genuinely felt a connection. 

But love—saying those words—was different. It carried so much weight. I said it because I felt it, and because I wanted to grow closer to him, to deepen our bond, and to share that part of myself with him. 

"Hey, why are you looking away?" he asked gently, his hand cupping my cheek as he turned my face back toward him. 

I looked into his eyes again, the same way he was looking at me now. I had averted my gaze earlier, feeling shy after confessing my feelings. 

"I love you too, Reese," he said softly, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead before capturing my lips. 

A smile broke across my lips as I kissed him back. 

After that, he resumed moving above me, pulling and pushing himself against me, his body perfectly aligned with mine. 

"Ah!" I moaned, unable to hold it in, the wet sounds of our bodies becoming one filling the room as we gave in to the moment. 

They say there's such a thing as the honeymoon phase. During the first few weeks and months of our marriage, it felt like I was on cloud nine. But that phase didn't last long... 

I winced when Quinn grabbed my arm. The pain in that spot was still fresh. 

"What's wrong, Reese?" His gaze dropped to my arm where he had accidentally touched it. 

I couldn't speak right away, feeling the dull ache of the bruise beneath my clothing. I had been wearing long sleeves and pants, layering a light blazer over my top to conceal the purplish mark on my skin. 

But Quinn, being as perceptive as ever, rolled up my cardigan sleeve to my elbow. That's when he saw it—a deep bruise on my wrist. His eyes widened in shock. 

"What is this, Reese?!" His voice rose sharply, his expression hardening as he looked at me. 

I quickly shook my head. "It's nothing, Quinn. It's my own doing. I slipped and used my hand to catch myself—" 

But he didn't believe me. His jaw clenched, and I could see the anger brewing in his eyes. He was ready to confront Javi about it right then and there. Panic rose in me, and I instinctively held him back. I didn't want him and Javi to get into a fight. 

"Quinn, please calm down." 

"How can I calm down, Reese? What is your husband doing to you? Tell me!" he demanded, his voice trembling with fury. 

I shook my head again, refusing to answer. 

Thankfully, I managed to stop Quinn, at least for now. He was busy with his games anyway. He had become a professional athlete and was excelling in basketball—something he had always been great at. 

But everything truly started with the rumors. Whispers about the famous actress and model Alaine Lopez being involved with my husband, the esteemed businessman Javier Mendoza. 

My husband was having an affair with my best friend... 

Never in my wildest dreams had I thought something like this could happen between Javi and Alaine. The thought alone made my chest tighten with disbelief and pain. 

I confronted Javi immediately. But I couldn't keep my emotions in check. My anger and hurt got the better of me, and I didn't give him the chance to explain himself. The argument escalated quickly. 

It ended with me accidentally falling down the stairs in our home...

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