If I could have opened my mouth any wider, I would have eaten the apple in one bite. As it was, I took off a quarter of it in one massive chomp of my gnashers. Then I crunched it up with my mouth, almost parting every time I chewed, treating them to a view of the partially masticated fruit. Then I gulped it down, and without pausing to breathe, I took another swinging bite at the apple.

"My God, Paris, what are you? A pig?" Lance and her harsh comment.

"Hay nako, Lance. You should've seen her yesterday!" Tumatawang sabi ni Romee. "Walang wala pa 'yan! She took four plates of steak as since she had her ass seated on the cushion,"

As if I heard nothing, I continued eating my apple happily. I know that apple tastes good, but right now, it's even better. It can actually beat the taste of Aidan's lips. Speaking of Aidan, I miss him. He'd been busy for days now, palagi siyang nasa opisina at madalas ginagabi na sa pag-uwi. Kung minsan nga'y hindi na siya nakakauwi, kagaya na lamang kagabi. He often misses to take me out for lunch because he's loaded, which I fully understand. Last week ay gumuho ang itinatayong gusali ng Castañeda Holdings sa Camiguin, many were reportedly injured, and thank God it didn't cost life of anyone. But still, it cost Aidan a handful of jobs.

"Anong balita kay Zach?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan, it's nonsense if we talk about my eating. "Nahanap na ba siya?"

Lance moved her shoulders in a shrug. She doesn't look bothered that her brother has been missing for days. "He's not answering any of our calls,"

"I should be worried, even mine were rejected. I mean, Zach never did that. Whatever he's doing, wherever he is, even in the middle of steamy fucking, he'll find a way to fill the other line. So, I don't really get it now."

Sandali kong inihinto ang aking pagkain bago matalim na sulyapan si Romee. "You and your filthy mouth! Kaya kung anu-ano ang natututunan ni Ricos, eh"

After hearing the word fucking from Romee, Ricos had been very curious about profanities. Good thing Aidan is very patient in explaining things to him. And since my son looks up to his father high enough, if Aidan said that it isn't a word for him and he doesn't wanna hear him saying those words, Ricos is quick to understand and to obey. That kind of bond they got.

"Oh," humagikgik ito at bahagyang tinapik ang bibig. "My bad, kasi naman! I can't really play nice when that oaf is around,"

"Oaf who? Ethan?" Lance asked.

"Zander,"

"Bitch, stop mentioning that name!" Iritadong sabi ni Romee.

Ngumisi ako bago nag-kibit-balikat at muling binalingan ang mansanas saking kamay. Samantalang si Lance naman ay muli lamang napaikot ng kaniyang mga mata.

"What happened to Romee can't go without Zander, thing you've got years back?" Lance teased.

"That was me in my stupid self," irap ni Romee. "Drop it, Lance. Let's go back to what we're talking, so, it's Mama Dana who doesn't want dad or anyone look for Zach?"

"Yeah, you know Zach, he's a huge ass of a Mama's boy. He's mommy's baby, like forever. She'll fight tooth for tooth to save my sorry-ass brother," Lance shook her head. "She said, Zach needs time to absorb things. Funny, na parang si Zach pa ang babae. But yeah, maybe mom's right,"

"Zach doesn't like Sasa," Romee said in a quiet tone. It's as if she knows something we don't.

My cousin, Zach Lawrence Dela Paz, got into deep trouble after getting Sasa Montezor pregnant. Causing chaos between our families. The Montezors are good friends with us through my dad, Tito Tristan, mom, and Tita Nisha. And, of course, with Tita Moana and Tito Exodus, we're almost family, so this issue can't really be crumpled into nothing. That is why my parents and the Montezors are in the city.

"If he doesn't like her, then why touch her?" I said.

"Zach screws everyone!" Romee exclaimed.

"Then he just screwed his own life," I shrugged. "He should man up to the consequences of his actions. Siya ang gumawa niyan, then suffer."

Somehow, Zach's case reminds me of Aidan and I before Ricos. He got me pregnant, Zach got Sasa pregnant. Same thing; the only difference is that Aidan didn't run off. He'd been man enough to stand still, knowing I was Red Franco's daughter. I wouldn't know what I would've done if Aidan left me then. I might've lost my mind.

Tahimik lamang akong nakinig sa palitan ng usapan nila Romee at Lance hanggang sa dumating na oras ng lunch break. They both stood up from the couch and ready their things.

"You sure hindi ka sasabay samin ng lunch?" Romee asked.

Umiling ako bago ngumisi. I've already planned it earlier. I will have a takeout lunch for Aidan and me, and we'll eat it in his office. I called his secretary earlier. Aidan is so busy that he seldom leaves his desk. I've asked her to order lunch for us.

"I'm going to Aidan, we'll both have lunch."

"Okay," Romee smiled and kissed my cheek. "Do you want us to drop you off his office?"

I shook my head again. "Dad's here, monthly checkup ni Lolo, so I can just ask for his driver's service. Out of way din naman sa pupuntahan niyo ang office ni Aidan."

"Oh, basta take care we'll go ahead!"

"Yeah, bye!"

Kagaya ng siyang plano ko ay dumiretso na ako sa labas nang makaalis sila Romee, hindi ko na pupuntahan pa si daddy para mag-paalam, he might be up on something, kaya nag-bilin nalang ako sa guard. Hindi naman malayo ang opisina ni Aidan sa ospital kaya agad din akong nakarating doon.

I was welcomed at the building with warm smiles. They all know me as Aidan's wife. Aidan brought me here once and introduced me to everyone. I was immediately assisted by a guard to the private lift, na siyang ginagamit lamang ng mga Castañeda. I have no issues with using a public elevator, though.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am" agad akong sinalubong ni Angie, ang secretary ni Aidan nang makalabas ako ng lift. "Nandito na po ang pina-order niyo, nasa loob din po si Sir. Hindi pa po siya lumalabas simula nang dumating kaninang umaga,"

"Oh, thank you," I smiled, taking the paper bag from her. "Sobrang busy ba?"

"Medyo po, ayaw magpa-abala. Hindi nga rin po ako inutusan na ikuha siya ng lunch, eh"

Tinanguan ko ito at muling nginitian. "Sige, ako na ang bahala."

Hindi na ako kumatok pa at agad na lamang binuksan ang pinto. There I saw Aidan, sitting behind his desk with all his attention focused on the papers he's doing.

"Angie, sinabi ko-"

"Baby, I'm not Angie," I chuckled, closing the door behind me. Making sure it's locked, goodness, in this view of Aidan, I'm just not sure we can both stay decent.

Mabilis na lumipat ang kaniyang mga mata saking kinatatayuan, his eyes widened in both pleasure and surprise. His lips curved in a beautiful smile.

"You up for lunch?" itinaas ko ang hawak kong paper bag.

Agad na umangat ang kaniyang kilay, nilingon niya sandali ang ginagawa.

"Please? Sandali lang naman," pakiusap ko.

I know Aidan won't turn me down, kaya naman napangisi ako nang tumayo siya sakanyang kinauupuan upang lapitan ako. He held my elbow and guided me to the couch nearby, kinuha rin nito ang dala kong pagkain.

Uupo sana ako nang pigilan niya ako at unahang maupo, he then tapped his lap.

"Come here, I'm so tired I can eat so you've gotta feed me," parang bata na ngumuso ito.

"Okay, Daddy Ricos!" Natatawang sabi ko bago maupo sa kandungan nito, marahan din itong natawa bago yakapin ang aking bewang at sumiksik saking leeg.

"Ang bango naman," he whispered and kissed me there.

I instantly shivered, I know he felt it too. "Aidan! Wag kang makulit, mag-e-eat nga tayo!"

"Hmm?" Painosenteng umangat pa ang mga kilay nito. "Wala naman akong ginagawa, ah"

I rolled my eyes, Aidan love this game. Inasikaso ko ang paghahanda ng pagkain namin na nasa center table samantalang ito naman ay panay parin ang pag-halik saking leeg. Kahit nang mag-simula kaming kumain ay hindi niya ako pinakawalan.

I rested my back on his chest and felt his hand on my stomach. His nose brushed the side of my head before he kissed my temple. I closed my eyes.

"Uuwi ka mamaya?"

"Miss mo ko?" bulong niya saking tenga.

Tumango ako. "But if you can't, I understand. I will have Pilar send you some clothes and dinner-"

"Sunduin kita after work, uuwi tayo" he said. "Miss na miss kita, eh"

Napangiti ako at masayang humarap sakanya. He's smiling at me. "Really?"

He wiggled his brows as an answer.

"Oh, my God! I won't wear anything tonight!" I giggled and gave him a brief kiss, na siyang ikinatawa rin nito.

"Gusto ko, pero miss ko na rin hubaran ka" bastos na pagkakasabi ni Aidan, bumaba pa ang kamay nito saking kandungan at marahang humaplos doon.

Tinapik ko naman ito. "Mamaya na! We're eating, Aidan Zeus!"

Hindi madaling sawayin si Aidan, most especially when it come to this thing. But I've managed to feed us both, habang simpleng nag-kkwentuhan. Well, Aidan can't keep his hands off me.

Saktong tapos namin kumain ay siyang pagkatok naman ng kaniyang sekretarya upang sabihin na ipinapatawag si Aidan ng kaniyang ama sa opisina nito. Aidan doesn't want to leave me alone, but I told him that it's fine, I'll just wait for him.

Iniligpit ko ang aming pinagkainan nang makaalis si Aidan. Minutes passed, and he wasn't back yet, so I decided to check his table to see if there was something helpful I could do. The scattered papers contain information about their injured employees. Aidan has sent people there, but he still has to do these things. I saw some crumpled paper under the table, nahulog din doon ang isang susi. I know that key. It's the key here in his office.

I shook my head and cleaned up the mess, matapos ay ipinatong ko sa ibabaw ng lamesa ang susi na nahulog. I sat on his swivel chair and relaxed. I smiled, looking at the framed photo of us with Ricos sitting above the desk. Inabot ko iyon at pinagmasdan, it's from Ricos' christening. I can't believe how fast time has flowed. I've been in love with my husband for years, and I don't think I'll stop.

A ringing phone caught my attention, hinanap ko kung saan nanggagaling ang tunog, from one of the drawers of his table. Just when I was about to open the drawer, it stopped. Frowning, I pulled it open.

Lalong lumalim ang kunot saking noo nang makita ko roon ang isang cellphone. I've never seen this phone before. It isn't Aidan's. Inangat ko iyon upang kuhain, to my horror, I saw a piece of clothing underneath. I gasped when I realized what it was. Just as I was about to pick it up, the phone in my hand vibrated again.

I toggled the screen and one message from Viel. Seeing her name there didn't work well in my system. I opened the message, and my whole world stopped.

Thanks for last night, Aidan. Hope you enjoyed it much as I did. Keep that, I know you're a sucker for thongs.

Wala akong maintindihan. Everything rumbled in my head.

Aidan.

Viel.

Thongs.

Last night.

"No, no..." I shook my head repeatedly while my eyes started to water.

I don't wanna think in advance, but no. I can't stop it. I can feel my chest tighten, and I can't breathe. I bit my lower lip hard. No, Aidan is not cheating on me. There's no reason for him to cheat! I'm all that he needs for a wife! Or so I thought?

Bumukas ang pinto, Aidan came smiling. With the sight of him, anger boiled inside me. Without further thinking, I threw the phone in his direction. Muntik na siyang matamaan ngunit mabilis niya iyong nailagan. I stood up, kahit pa nanginginig na ang mga binti ko.

"Fuck, Paris! What's that for?!" He said, walking up to me.

"Don't!" I shouted. "Don't go near me, fucking asshole!"

Inangat ko ang aking kamay na agad na nagpahinto rito, his brows were meeting at the center of a deep frown. His eyes lowered on my hand when I pulled up the hem of my dress and started to remove my underwear with tears flooding my face. My heart aches so bad.

"Fuck, baby, why are you crying?" he almost sounded begging.

Ibinato ko sakanya iyon na siyang nagpabigla sakanya, his eyes were wide open as I started marching at the door.

"Sana sinabi mo saking, you have your nose stick with thongs? Then there you go, motherfucker!" I stormed out of his office, crying vehemently.

"Paris!" Galit na sigaw ni Aidan habang nakasunod sakin.

Mabilis akong tumakbo patungo sa elevator, it closes before he reached me. I was crying so hard that I didn't even mind the people watching me pass the lobby, half running.

Agad na nagmaneho pabalik ng ospital ang driver. He's glancing at me from time to time, but that hasn't stopped me from crying. It pains me to think that Aidan is cheating on me. I can't. I love him so much, and he said he loves me too. You don't cheat on people you love. If you did, then it's not love.

Nang huminto ang sasakyan sa tapat ng ospital ay mabilis akong bumaba. Still in tears, I didn't mind the eyes watching me. Fuck I'm hurt.

"Paris,"

I saw Wendell looking at me. He was about to come near me with his worried expression when I yelled at him. "Go away!"

"Paris, what happened? What's wrong?" Hindi siya nakinig bagkus ay nagpatuloy pa sa pag-lapit.

"I said just go!" Frustrated, I walked past him, but he grabbed my arm. That's when I shouted at the top of my lungs. "Don't fucking touch me!"

I almost stumbled when I snatched my arm back. Then I felt an excruciating pain in my stomach, equalling the pain in my chest. Followed by hot fluid running through my legs.

"Paris, you're bleeding!" Bulalas ni Wendell, matapos ay muli akong nilapitan.

I'm lost.

Akmang papangkuin ako ni Wendell nang meron ng gumawa noon.

"You fucking get your hands off my daughter,"

"D-daddy..."

Dad held me into his arms with so much care. Lumapit samin ang ibang medics, but Dad shoved them away. He didn't want anyone to touch me.

"I got my girl," he told the nurses following us, walking as fast as he could. "You go and get ahold of that guy, I'll have him settled for later."

"Daddy, dad... my baby," I whispered as my eyelids came closing.

"I will fucking kill, Amanda. If you ever passed out on me."