Andie expertly scooped the pancakes out of the pan and into a plate before she turned on the coffee maker. Hinalo rin niya ang scrambled eggs na nasa kabilang pan bago niya iyon isinalin sa plato. Sakto namang tumunog ang air fryer, signaling her that the bacons are already cooked. Agad niya rin iyong inahon sa air fryer bago inilagay sa plato.

She was happily prancing in the kitchen na para bang hindi siya ulit pinuyat ni Dax kagabi. It had just been the third day of being married to Dax and yet she's convinced that she can get use to being his wife for the rest of her life. But still there's that issue again with Chief and the agency. They have completely gone off grid now that they're in hiding. And she knows after they will be discovered, consequences are inevitable.

She shook her head slowly, trying to dismiss the awful thoughts even before it begins to mess with her day. She must treasure every day she spends with Dax—making the most of their time together before they will be discovered.

Nagsasalin na siya ng kape sa mug nang umingit pabukas ang pinto ng kuwarto sa cottage. Pupungas-pungas na iniluwa ng pinto ang asawa niya.

"Mon amour?" anito, singkit ang mga mata habang nakahawak sa door knob ng pinto.

"Góðan morgun! (Goodmorning!)" nakangiting bati niya sa asawa. Dax chuckled and took a few steps towards her. Yumakap ito mula sa kanyang likuran at ibinuro ang ilong nito sa leeg niya.

"Good morning," ani Dax, masuyong humalik sa leeg niya. "Ang bango ng misis ko. Puwede," komento nito bago muling inamoy-amoy ang ang leeg niya.  His hot breath sending delicious tingles all over her. 

"Stop it, Dax. Nakikiliti ako," napapahagikgik na sabi niya. Subalit imbes na tumigil, lalo lang humigpit ang  pagyakap nito sa kanya at lalong pinupog ng halik ang batok niya. 

"Dax!" reklamo niya kunwari bago pilit na pinihit ang sarili paharap dito. His lips immediately landed on hers as soon as she turned to him. Again she melted into his arms as she responded to his delicious kisses. But as soon as she realized that they will be going with again, he hesitantly tore his lips from her. 

"We should stop, mon amour," he declared in between breaths. "I planned to do lots of things with you outside today. And if we won't stop now..." He huffed before planting a chaste kiss on her forehead.

Napakunot-noo siya. "Lalabas tayo? Saan tayo pupunta?"

Ngumisi ito, kumindat. "That's a surprise, mon cherie."

She scoffed. "Nakaplano ka na't lahat, pero hind mo pa 'ko tinatanong kung gusto kong sumama sa 'yo?"

Ngumiti ito bago humawak sa pisngi niya. "Will you go out with me today, Andrea Lavigne?"

She rolled her eyes in fake annoyance. She likes her new name. So much that she feels like all mushy inside. Pero siyempre hindi niya iyon gustong ipahalata. Sigurado siya kasi na papasukin na naman ng hangin ang utak nito kapag nalaman nitong totoo talaga, mahal na mahal niya ito. 

"Pa'no kapag sinabi kong ayoko? What would you do, Mr. Lavigne?" 

His eyes narrowed on her in a naughty way. "Then... I'll convince you, Mrs. Lavigne," he declared as his eyes became hooded with passion. 

He held her by the waist again without warning before crashing his lips on hers. The kiss was seeking and provoking-- making her surrender to his will. Her body instantly melded with his as she threw her arms around his neck. A familiar heat coursed through her sending her all logical reason away. 

Maya-maya pa, pinangko siya nito pabalik sa kanilang kuwarto. He quickly pulled their clothes away as soon as he deposited her on the soft bed. Not a while longer, they were once again  reaching for that peak of glorious satisfaction. They both called out each other's name as orgasm ripped through their bodies in an erotic unison. 

"Are you convinced now, Mrs. Lavigne?" tanong ni Dax sa kanya habang habol nito ang hininga. 

She giggled and reached for his face. "Take me to wherever. I'm all yours, Mr. Lavigne."

He reached for her again before planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "Then come join me in the shower."

"Kakaligo ko lang," protesta niya kunwari.

 Subalit nang muli siyang pangkuin ni Dax patungo sa banyo,  hindi na siya ulit nagreklamo. Alam niya kasi, pagdating kay Dax, lahat ng protesta niya, wala ring silbi. 

-----

Nakatutok ang mga mata ni Andie sa mga nadadaanan nilang bundok na nababalutan ng snow ang mga tuktok.   It's still summer in Gjogv subalit malamig pa rin. Subalit kahit na gano'n,  hindi pa rin niya mapigilan ang mamangha sa mga tanawing nakapalibot sa kanila. Sa totoo lang, given a choice, she'd hike one of those snow-capped mountains to see their magic upclose. 

That would be an amazing experience. 

Bumaling siya kay Dax na noon ay nasa manibela. Napangiti siya nang mapagtanto niyang wala nang iba pang saya ang hihigit pa sa nararamdaman niya ngayon na kasama niya si Dax. 

No beauty, or splendor nor magic could ever surpass her joy of being with her husband right at that very moment. Their love had been through so much. And now that they are finally together, she wouldn't let anyone or anything get in their way. 

Siguro nailang ito sa kakatitig niya kaya bumaling ito sa kanya. Ngumiti ito at kinuha ang kamay niya bago iyon dinala sa labi nito at hinalikan. 

Napangiti lang siya sa ginawa nito. She was too happy to speak. And so she just gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Maya-maya pa, lumiko sila sa isang makipot na daan. Ilang metro lang silang nag-drive bago tuluyang itinigil ni Dax ang kotse sa tapat ng isang bahay. 

"Let's go," anito bago ito tuluyang bumaba ng sasakyan. 

Agad siyang nangaligkig nang sumalubong sa kanya ang malamig na hangin. Tinabihan siya ni Dax at niyakap. She reveled in the warmth of his embrace for a while before she lifted her head and surveyed the place. 

They're almost at the foot of a mountain. Around them were a carpet of grass that stretches for a  mile. A couple of houses with grass on the roof are nearby, each house were guarded by white picket fences. 

Maya-maya pa, naglakad sila palapit sa isang bahay. Lumabas doon ang isang lalaki na agad silang nginitian. 

"Mr. Lavigne," anang lalaki nang tuluyan silang makalapit dito. 

"Hans," sabi naman ni Dax, kinamayan pa ang lalaki. "Nice to meet you again. By the way, this is my wife, Andrea," pagpapakilala ni Dax sa kanya. 

The man gave her a warm smile and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lavigne," anito bago bumaling sa maliit na bahay na pinanggalingan nito. "I will just get the things that you will need for the hike," anito bago muling humakbang papasok sa bahay. 

Agad siyang bumaling kay Dax. "Hike? We're going on a hike?" tanong niya sa asawa. Ngumiti ito. Tumango. 

"We haven't been out of the cottage for days now. I want to officially take you on a date as my wife," anito, malawak ang ngiti. 

"E ba't tayo magha-hike? A good dinner to some place will do."

"I want today to be very special.  Besides, Hans told me that the view from Trælanípa is a must see here when we visit Sørvágsvatn Lake. I wouldn't want to miss that. Who knows, maybe we can make out in between the big rocks and--"

Hinampas na niya ang braso nito. Her cheeks heating up, nervously looking around-- afraid that someone might've heard Dax and his outrageous fantasies! 

"You are such a perv, Dax!" gigil na saway niya rito nang masigurong walang ibang tao sa paligid. 

He furrowed his brows. "Why, what difference does it make? We made out under an old bridge. We're kind of adventurous when it come to our... passion." He whispered the last word.

She unbelievably gaped at him. Sakto namang may dumaan namatandang babae. May bitbit itong payong, ngumiti sa kanila, kumaway pa bago naglakad palayo.

May narinig kaya ang matanda? Sana naman wala. Dahil kung hindi... 

She secretly groaned in shame. Her face heating up some more. 

Dax chuckled and snaked his arm around her waist. "That's Henrietta. Hans' mother. I helped them when I went to the grocery store yesterday. They invited me to come over and have a visit. Don't worry, she cannot speak English." Tumikwas lang ang nguso niya. Lalo naman itong natawa. "I was kidding, okay? Para kasing ayaw mo na agad sa pupuntahan natin e hindi mo pa naman nakikita. I did my research. I swear you'd enjoy the place."

She rolled her eyes in fake annoyance. "And if I don't?"

"Punch me in the face, Mrs. Lavigne. O kaya ilaglag mo ko sa pupuntahan nating bangin."

She scoffed. "Nasasabi mo lang 'yan kasi alam mong hindi ko 'yan magagawa sa 'yo. We're married. I'd be the prime suspect when you're killed."

Tumango-tango ito, muling ngumisi. "Then I won't die. For you, mon cherie,  I'd live forever." She scoffed and rolled her eyes. 

Magsasalita pa sana siya kaya lang lumabas na ulit sa bahay nito si Hans. May bitbit itong isang hiker's backpack at dalawang thermal jacket. 

"Here. Everything you need is there," anang lalaki habang iniaabot kay Dax ang bag. Inabot naman saa kanya ni Hans ang thermal jackets. 

Dax examined the backpack immediately. All the essentials were there. A first aid kit, a thermal jug, a flashlight, a small blanket and some Scandinavian biscuits. 

"Thank you, Hans. I really appreciate it,"ani Dax maya-maya.

"Don't mention it. Have a great time up there. The map is in the front pocket of the bag, Mr. Lavigne," sabi pa nito, bumaling sa kanya at ngumiti. "Enjoy!" 

Ilang sandali pa, they began hiking the trail that would lead them to the Sørvágsvatn Lake, the lake above the sea. 

The hike was easy. Lalo pa at hindi madulas ang lupa dahil hindi umulan nang nagdaang gabi. It was still chilly though. Mabuti na lang at makapal ang suot niyang jeans at nakasuot din siya ng thermal socks. 

Faroe Islands is a dream. It was like a place taken out of fairy tales. Faroese sheeps were grazing freely on the hills overlooking the Atlantic Sea while the sun blesses the whole island with it's light and the wind dancing around it. 

It was picturesque-- a literal image of peace.

"Liking the view, mon amour?" pukaw ni Dax sa kanya maya-maya. 

She looked at Dax who was just two steps away in front of her. He was grinning from ear to ear and she had to roll her eyes to suppress as a smile. "Liking it so far," she replied, shrugging her shoulders before continuing to walk on the trail. 

Natawa si Dax bago sumunod sa kanya. When the trail became steeper, muling  nauna si Dax sa kanya-- hawak nito ang kamay niya habang patuloy sila sa pag-akyat. 

Ilang sandali pa,narating din nila ang Sørvágsvatn Lake. The water was cool and clear-- fresh and inviting. 

But Dax encouraged her to continue walking towards their destination is the highest peak, the Trælanípa. And so she continues walking, trusting her husband every step of the way. 

Few moments more, and she was already standing close to the edge of a cliff-- the Trælanípa. From there she can see the Sørvágsvatn and the Atlantic Sea-- its majestic waves crashing to the towers of rocks underneath. 

The view from there was like no other. She feels like she's on the edge of the world-- surrounded by its beauty and wonders.

She closed her eyes and stretch her arms--feeling the wind swirl around her.

Freedom. 

That's her first taste of freedom. She was free from all the lies her loved ones had boxed her in. She was free from all the pain she thought her love for Dax had brought. And she was now free to dream of a good life with Dax-- the man she'll only love for the rest of her life. 

Maya-maya pa, naramdaman niya ang pagyakap ng pamilyar na mga bisig sa kanyang baywang. Ngumiti siya at tuluyang sumandal sa dibdib ni Dax. 

"Liking the view, Mrs. Lavigne?" he asked in a teasing tone. 

She chuckled, recalling how wrong she was earlier. "I love it, Mr. Lavigne," she answered before she turned to him. "But I love you more, Damien Xander Lavigne. Always." She tiptoed and kissed him-- pouring into the kiss every emotion she couldn't put in words. His hands tightened around her waist, pulling her closer to him-- awarding her lips with the kiss she will never ever get tired of. 

"I love you too, Andrea. For always," he declared after he ended the kiss, brushing his nose on hers. Kissing her forehead after. 

Muli niyang niyakap ang asawa. 

For always. The words rang on her ears and she realized something. 

Dax was all she needed. He was her now and future. And no, she won't look back anymore. She has made up her mind. She will stay with her husband. She chose to be with him and will continue to choose him over and over for the rest of her life. And she will protect what they have... no matter what it takes. 

---

Gabi na nang makabalik sila sa nirerentahan nilang cabin sa Gjogv. At kahit na pagod mula sa hike, she feels like her strength was renewed after that short trip with her husband.

"Thank you for today, mon amour," ani Dax sa kanya, ang mga mata nasa daan. Marahan nitong dinala sa bibig nito ang kamay niyang hawak nito. 

"No, mon amour. It's me who needs to say thank you. Thank you for bringing me to the edge of the world with you. I like it there. Maybe we should visit more places like that. So stop tiring me at night para may energy tayong gumala."

He chuckled. "Mamasyal  tayo pero magpupuyat pa rin tayo." 

Nanikwas ang nguso niya. "You're impossible."

"Can't blame me. You're so damn irresistible," sagot nito, muling kinintalan ng halik ang kamay niya bago iyon binitiwan.  

He maneuvered the car to the street where their rented cottage was. Ilang sandali pa, Dax was already pulling the car over infront of their cottage. Nauna itong bumaba sa kanya. Sumunod siya. They held hands as they walked on the short driveway towards their cottage. 

"You want me to borrow the tub again? I can make another relaxing bath for you," sabi ni Dax sa kanya, may kakaibang ngiti sa labi. 

"May iba ka na namang plano?"

"Meron."

Natawa na siya. "Aren't you tired?"

"With you? Never," he declared, pulling her closer to him once again. 

Sasagot pa sana siya kaya lang may narinig silang paparating na mga sasakyan. Sabay silang lumingon ni Dax. And there they saw three black cars pulling over behind their rented car. 

They both turned slowly. Agad na tinambol ng kaba ang dibdib niya nang makita ang ilan sa mga pamilyar na mukha ng mga kasamahan nila sa The Organization. 

They found them! That soon? How?

Hindi pa man niya naipoproseso ang mga katanungan sa isip niya, the familiar form of Kevin emerged from the last car, followed by Chief. Madilim ang mukha ng mga ito habang nakatingin sa magkahugpong na mga kamay nila ni Dax. 

She bit the insides of her cheeks, trying her best to stop the memory of their deceit from overwhelming her. But she cannot help it. Seeing them that soon was angering her. Moreso when they looked at Dax like he was the one responsible for all the sins of the world!

Nang magsimulang maglakad palapit sa kanila sina Kevin at Chief, Dax squeezed her hand again. "I will speak. Don't say anything--"

"No. It's me who they want. I will speak," putol niya sa asawa bago humugot ng malalim na hininga. 

Kevin and Chief stopped just a few steps away from them. She met their angry gaze, pain and fury coursing through her. 

"We've been looking for you everywhere, Andrea. Why are you here and not in Spain?" ani Chief, in a composed yet deadly tone. 

"Shouldn't I be the one who must be asking you that, Chief? Why are you here with your men and not out there saving the world?" she replied.  "Clearly, no one needs saving here, Chief."

Hindi sumagot si Chief. Humugot lang ng malalim na hininga, muling tumitig sa kanya. She remembered how she considered him her hero, the father she never had. But now... it has come to that,  each of them at the opposite ends of the conversation. He, for her was the deceiver and she, for him as the ungrateful ward who threw everything way for love. 

"Andie, umuwi na tayo," si Kevin, tinangka pang lumapit sa kanya. But she took a step back, giving him a warning look to stop any attempts to walk closer. 

"I am not going anywhere with any of you," she declared in a stern voice. "I'm married now, Chief. I married Dax."###

----

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10:11pm

A/N: Kumusta kayo? 😊