Despite of the doubts and what I've read, I'm still hoping that everything's just a lie. I know I'm stupid but I don't want to believe that.

I want Hoax to tell me that he married me just to know who the Universe is. Gusto kong marinig mismo na nanggaling sa bibig niya ang mga salitang iyon.

I walked near Hoax as I saw him glanced on his phone. Alam ko na nakita niya na hawak ko iyon.

Bahagya akong ngumiti. "Can...we talk?" I nervously asked.

Akala ko ay tatanggihan niya iyon dahil nilagpasan niya ako at umupo sa gilid ng aming kama.

He nodded his head. "Come here."

Akmang uupo ako sa tabi niya ngunit nahuli niya ang aking braso at marahang hilahin patungo sa kanya.

He tapped his right lap. "Here." Agad ko namang nakuha ang nais niyang iparating.

I sat down on his lap. Patagilid akong umupo sa hita niya. Naramdaman kong pumulupot sa aking baywang ang kanyang braso dahil muntik na 'kong mahulog doon. "Hon, careful." His voices were firm yet I feel comfortable.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"What is it?" He asked.

I looked at him and our eyes met. Para bang kumakalma ako kapag nakikita ang paraan ng pagtingin niya sa akin. He has a dark features, even darker than his brother but the way he looked at me makes me feel calm.

"Do you have something to tell me?" Tanong ko at nakita kong bahagya siyang natigilan.

Hinapit niya ang aking baywang bago marahang umiling.

I sighed. "You know Cosmos, right?" Marami akong dapat sabihin ngunit iyon lang ang naitanong ko. Right at this moment, I'm hesitant. Naiisip ko si Mirae at ang magiging reaksyon niya sa mga gagawin ko.

He nodded while intently looking at me.

I want to see his reaction, if he really knew then-- I hope he doesn't know a thing. But I already know the answer, I just don't want to accept it. I bit my lower lip and continued. "I'm one of the-"

"Shhh," He hushed me as he pulled me closer to him. Tumama ako sa dibdib niya. Naramdaman ko ang paglapat ng kanyang labi sa tuktok ng aking ulo. "L-let's not talk about that." Para bang nanghihinang sambit niya.

Tears immediately formed in my eyes when I heard him stammered. A year dating him and almost a year being married to him, he's always sure in everything he says. I never heard him stammer. Ngayon lang.

"Some other time, Hon," He whispered.

Hinarap ko siya ngunit hindi na ako nakapagsalita nang sakupin niya ang aking labi. My eyes shut closed when I felt his soft lips, moving against mine. His kisses were soft, na para bang sa isang maling galaw niya ay mababasag ang aking mga labi. I clung my arms around his nape as he deepened the kiss.

Pinagpalit niya ang aming pwesto. My back's now resting on the mattress.

"Fuck!" I cursed between our kisses when I felt my heart skipping a beat.

Why does it feels like I'm a virgin teenager when in fact we already did this the moment we got married? What the hell Astrid Celestina!

I woke up feeling tired. Akmang babangon ako nang maramdaman ang brasong nakapulupot sa aking baywang. Marahan ko iyong inalis upang masiguro na hindi magigising si Hoax. Napatingin ako sa orasan at namilog ang aking mga mata nang makita kung anong oras na. It's almost six.

I rose up and smiled when I saw that I'm already wearing my underwear. Nagsimula akong pulutin ang mga nagkalat na damit sa lapag.

"What the fuck?" Nahihiwagaang bulong ko nang makita na warak ang aking blouse.

I rolled my eyes as I started wearing Hoax's Armani dress shirt. Umabot ang haba noon sa gitna ng aking mga hita.

I went out of the master's bedroom. I walked down the stairs. Bumagal ang aking paglalakad dahil sa nakita. I saw a woman wandering around like a guess.

Nagtama ang aming tingin at nahuli ko ang pagtaas ng kilay nito. Mariin kong pinaglapat ang aking mga labi bago dumiretso sa babae. "Excuse me but may I know who are you?"

Tumaas ang gilid ng labi nito bago sumagot at inilahad sa akin ang kamay. "Mia, Hoax's girlfriend."

Napalabi ako roon, bahagyang nagulat ngunit agad na nakabawi. "Astrid, Hoax's wife. It's so nice to meet you, Mia," Sambit ko gamit ang marahan ngunit mapangasar na tono at nakipagkamay sa kanya.

Marahas niyang binawi ang kanyang kamay at nanlilisik ang mga matang tumingin sa akin.

"Why?" Tanong ko habang nananatili ang mapangasar na ngiti sa aking mga labi.

Bahagya siyang kumalma at taas noong ngumisi sa akin. "I'll tell you something, Hoax doesn't love you. Pinakasalan ka lang naman niya dahil may kaylangan siya sa'yo," Ngising sambit niya.

"At least he married me, right? How about you? Do you think he loves you? You said you're his girlfriend yet you doesn't have any idea that he married someone. How awful is that?" I chuckled, pilit na pinipigilan ang sarili na mapangisi. I assumed she's the woman with an unregistered number on Hoax's phone.

Akmang sasagot siya ngunit agad na natigilan at napatingin sa aking likuran. I glanced at my back and saw Hoax walking down the stairs. He's now wearing a shirt and shorts while looking at Mia's direction, frowning.

"Babe-"

"Hon!" I called, cutting Mia's words. Napatingin naman sa akin si Hoax. I smiled at him. "Come here, your girlfriend's waiting for you," Masiglang sambit ko.

Napakunot ang noo ni Hoax doon habang diretsong nakatingin sa akin. "I don't have a girlfriend," Sambit niya at saktong pagtigil niya sa aking tabi. We're now facing Mia with so much anger evident on her face.

Umakto akong nagulat. I even placed my hand on my mouth. "Oh, but she said-"

"You bitch!" Angil sa akin ni Mia.

"Mia!" Hoax's voice thundered and I saw the woman stilled.

"B-babe-"

"You're not my girlfriend. Now, leave." He muttered using a firm and cold voice.

Mia slowly shook her head while looking at me. "We're not yet done."

Hoax walked towards Mia as he held her arm and started walking towards the elevator. "Aray, Hoax! Ano ba nasasaktan ako!"

Nakita ko ang pagbuka ng bibig ni Hoax, may sinabi kay Mia. Hindi ko iyon narinig dahil para bang sinadya niya na hindi iparinig sa akin iyon.

Tinalikuran ko ang dalawa at nagtungo na sa kitchen.

"Congratulations, Hon!" Hoax greeted as he pulled me closer to kiss my forehead. "I'm so proud of you," He whispered as he gave me a peck on my lips.

I smiled. "Thank you."

Finally, I'm now wearing my black toga above the Dolce and Gabanna dress.

I saw my Mom and Dad approaching. Mommy's as usual, smiling. Ganoon din si Dad. We exchanged greetings for a few minutes until Mommy handed me an elegant box and a ribbon on top of it.

"That's from your friend. Nagmamadali kaya sa akin na lang pinabigay." Kunot noong tinanggap ko iyon.

A friend? Who? Seriously, I don't have anyone but Mirae and the three guys. Imposibleng isa sa kanila galing ito dahil may usapan na kaming lahat mamaya.

"Who sent me a gift earlier?" I asked when I remember the gift. Iniwan ko na iyon sa penthouse at hindi na nabuksan sa kakamadali.

"Not me, there's my gift." Mirae even glanced on the gift she gave.

"Same," Dasher answered.

Napatingin ako sa dalawa ngunit ganoon din ang naging sagot nila.

"What gift?" Napabaling ako kay Creed.

I shrugged. "I don't know, hindi ko pa nabubuksan, pinaabot lang kay Mommy. Hindi rin niya kilala. Ang pakilala raw, friend ko."

"From a friend! Dapat kilala mo na kung sino," Archer said in a matter of fact tone.

I raised my brow on him. "Do you think I have other friends?"

"Then who the hell gave you that?" Mirae asked as her brow rose.

"I have no idea."

"Tell us if there's something suspicious on the gift, if ever."

I nodded at Mirae. "I will."

Ilang sandali lang ay nawala na naman sa isip ko ang regalong iyon.

I woke up with throbbing head. Parang binibiyak ang ulo ko dahil sa sakit noon. Naramdaman ko ang brasong nakayakap sa akin. I suddenly remember what happened last night.

I remember Creed drove me back to my penthouse. I can still drive but he insisted. Hindi ko na lang hinayaan na ihatid niya pa ako sa mismong penthouse dahil baka hindi siya makapagtimpi kay Hoax.

I entered the our penthouse and I frowned when I stumbled because because I can't see anything but darkness. I literally almost dive. Mabuti na lang ay may agad akong nakapitan kaya naman hindi ako tuluyang bumagsak sa lapag. But it felt weird. Am I drunk or lumubog talaga 'yong nahawakan ko bago ako tuluyang makahawak sa matigas na bagay?

"Fuck!" I heard someone cursed. "Why did I even listened to Callum about turning the lights off?" I heard Hoax muttered something but I guess I'm too drunk to understand it. Kasabay noon ang pagliwanag ng paligid.

I saw Hoax looking at me. Siya pala 'yong nahawakan ko. Dumako ang tingin ko sa aking kamay na nakalapat sa kanyang dibdib. I frowned when I saw something on his white shirt.

"Oh-" Napahinto ako nang may maramdaman sa aking paa, napatingin ako roon at natigilan. "Oh my God!" Cake! Shit, kaya lumubog!

I looked at Hoax with wide eyes. I tried to speak but nothing came out of it.

His jaw clenched. "I'm sorry for that. Congratulations?" Alanganin siyang ngumiti sa akin.

"Y-yeah, thank you." Sagot ko habang ang aking atensyon ay naroon pa rin sa cake na nahulog sa lapag.

"Fuck, Callum." I heard him whispered. I ended up laughing and crying maybe because of happiness but who the hell am I kidding? I know there's also a glint of pain.

Naputol ang aking iniisip nang maramdaman ko ang paggalaw ni Hoax sa aking tabi.

I turned to him and saw him sleeping peacefully. I stared at his face like I'm memorizing every part of it.

I immediately removed his arm on my waist as I rose up when I remember the weird gift.

Agad ko iyong nakita sa kung saan ko iyon iniwan kahapon. Kinuha ko iyon at umupo sa gilid ng kama, sa tabi ni Hoax.

The box is as large as the regular size of a book. I pulled the ribbon to finally opened it.

Napakunot ang aking noo dahil sa naroon. The box contains pictures and a flash drive.

Inilabas ko ang tatlong litratong naroon at malinaw na nakita ang mga ito.

Agad na namuo ang mga luha aking mata dahil sa nakita kasabay ang pagsikip ng aking dibdib. The first picture is Hoax and Mia in a...room? Kissing while my husband's cupping Mia's face. Ganoon din ang pangalawa. Ang pangatlo ay mukhang kinuhanan habang ang dalawa ay nasa loob ng cafe. Nakapulupot ang mga braso ni Mia kay Hoax, medyo malayo ang kuha noon ngunit malinaw ang mukha ni Hoax. The last picture, I know it happened just recently because Hoax's wearing the watch I gave him.

I glanced at Hoax. Mapait akong napangiti at napailing. My tears are rolling down my cheeks but I immediately wiped it when I remember the flash drive.

I grabbed it and went out of the master's bedroom, I walked towards the room beside it. Agad akong pumasok sa opisina ni Hoax at namataan ang laptop sa ibabaw ng table.

I pulled the swivel chair as I sat on it. My hand's trembling as I opened the laptop. Agad kong ipinasok ang flash drive. I stilled when I saw two videos in it. I was just staring at it for a few minutes while my tears are continously rolling down my cheeks like I already knew what's inside that video.

I heaved a deep sigh and finally have the courage to open one of it. I clicked the video and I was right. It was the last picture's video. Sandali lang iyon ngunit kitang kita ang halikan ng dalawa. Mia's arms are encircled around Hoax's nape while he held her waist and that’s when the video ended. And they're inside the cafe, what more when they're in a private place.

I exited the video as I decided to open the other one. I stilled when it started playing as tears continously rolling down my cheeks. I want to cover my ears, I wanna close my eyes but I cannot. I was just here, sitting on the swivel chair while watching the video dated on the night before our wedding day.

I placed my hand on my mouth as I watch the woman kneeling in front of my husband while he's grabbing a handful of her hair. Hoax's fully clothed while the woman's wearing nothing. I'm not a fool, I know what they're doing.

I clutched my chest when I feel it tightening.

I felt the door opened but I didn't even glanced on it. Nakapako ang aking tingin sa video. I know Hoax is very much aware of this video because of the camera's position.

"Hon-" Hoax stopped, natigilan din siya sa paglapit sa akin. Either its because he saw me crying or he heard the video, maybe both, I don't care.

Tumayo ako at pinalis ang mga luha sa aking mata ngunit walang saysay iyon dahil patuloy lang sa pagtulo ang aking mga luha. Ihinarap sa kanya ang laptop. "This really happened, right?"

Bahagya siyang natigilan. I saw his jaw clenched. "That-"

"It's just a yes or no, Hoax." I cutted his words. "What?" I impatiently asked.

"Yes." He answered and I felt my tears. Naguunaunahang tumulo ang mga aking luha. I want to clutch my chest once again but I can't move.

Really? A night before our wedding day? Fuck!

I saw him, he wants to walk near me but I shook my head. "Don't," I muttered. Laking pasalamat ko nang huminto siya sa paglapit.

"C-Cosmos. You know I'm part of it right? That's why you married me?" Because he thought I'll tell him who the Universe is when he married me.

"Astrid, it's not-" Seriously, I don't want to hear his words right now. I don't want to hear his lies again.

"Just tell me, have you ever thought of marrying me to know who the Universe is?" Pahina nang pahina ang aking boses ngunit alam ko na sapat iyon upang marinig niya.

"Answer me," Marahang sambit ko nang hindi siya sumagot at nanatili lang na nakatitig sa akin. He's looking at me like he wants to wipe me tears but no thanks, I don't need his fake concern.

"It's just a yes or no, Hoax! Mahirap ba 'yong sagutin?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi magtaas ng boses. "Ano! Answer me-"

"Yes." I stopped when I heard his firm voice. "Yes, Astrid but-"

Umiling ako. "No buts, Hoax. Just plain yes."

I don't believed Mia when she told me Hoax didn't love me 'cause I can feel it. He loves me! He made me feel it!
Since the day he started walking with me because I don't want to ride on his car. Since he acted like a perfect boyfriend when I was busy building walls between us. Since the day when I almost failed on my fourth year in college and he's there, he did everything just to make sure I'll graduate. I can still remember him helping me to accomplished my requirements and tutor me the things I need to know. Since the day he started reminding me to eat because I always forgot. Since the day he married me, I never feel unloved.

I looked at his eyes and I saw it. The way he stares at me, the way he acts. He made me feel that he loves me, so much!

"I'll send you our divorce papers," Mariing sambit ko bago siya nilagpasan.

Ganoon pala talaga, may mga tao talaga na lahat kayang gawin para lang makuha ang gusto nila.

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