Chapter 12

Loey

I watched as the ends of her lips curved into a smile when her hair danced along with the wind. She looks calm and at peace today, unlike the other day where she looks haggard and tired. She even got sick when we were in South Korea.

"This is what I call healing!" I heard Baron shouted, running towards the water but soon retreated when he saw an incoming wave. "Okay, wala pa akong balak mabasa kaya chill lang, tubig," natatawang saad niya na akala mo ay naiintindihan siya ng kanyang kausap.

Lahat din kami ay natawa na lang sa kanya. I may be the happy virus as they called me, but Baron is the mood maker. May mga oras naman na seryoso siya. When he gets serious, you'll badly wish to just see this side of him. Though I have to admit that he's actually one of the matured ones, and it's cool to talk to him about some serious things.

"Shall we go inside the mansion?" Primrose smiled.

"Yes!"

I stepped forward and grabbed her backpack.

"Hey, that's mine!" she hissed.

"I'm not stealing this from you, dear. I'm just carrying it for you." I chuckled.

My little wife rolled her eyes. I may sound gay right now, but calling someone my wife was actually satisfying. It's cringe, I know, but I really feel like I was in cloud nine knowing that I became a married person. I feel so proud.

Alam kong may mga ibang nagsasabi na mahirap daw kapag kinasal ka na, pero gusto ko 'yunh pakiramdam lalo na mas naging malapit kami ni Primrose kahit papaano.

"You look creepy," she commented. "Stop smiling so wide out of nowhere. Baka isipin nilang baliw ka."

Hindi ko siya pinansin at patuloy lang sa paglalakad hanggang marating namin ang isang malaking mansyon na hindi ganoon kalayuan sa dagat. When we entered, the whole house was clean that it looks like it's shining, even the white tiles on the floor looks like something that you can use as a mirror.

"I really love being here. I should have told my parents I love the pastel color, then our house would be like this one," she uttered.

Pastel kasi halos ang kulay lalo na sa sala. It's simple but sophisticated. The color of this mansion really suits this person beside me who looks like a princess.

"Dapat ba sa kwarto mo na rin ako? Besides, we're married so that would be normal," I teased.

Her eyes widened then she slapped my arms, "What the hell?"

"I'm just kidding! Geez, mapanakit ka, huh."

She sticks her tongue out. So childish, Prim. Isa iyan sa ikinatutuwa ko, pinapakita niya na ang childish side niya. Meron man noon na bihira lang, pero ngayon ay mas napapadalas lalo na kapag inaasar ko siya.

"I really hope Kaito's here," Nate said, clinging to our leader like a baby. "Bakit kasi biglaan iyong photo shoot niya sa ibang bansa. Ang wrong timing nila!"

"We can go back here next time, and we'll make sure na kasama na ang lahat," tugon ni Primrose.

Dahil doon ay lumiwanag ang mukha ni Nate at akmang yayakap sa asawa ko kaya mabilis akong humarang. He made face. He's really the baby of our group, and even though he's older than her, he acts as if Primrose was his older sister.

"You all should go to your rooms, choose what you like the most," she told us.

"I want a room beside yours," I whispered.

"There's a room beside mine. You'll know that it's my room since there's a name on the door," she replied, rolling her eyes.

I chuckled before ruffling her hair. She groaned with what I did, but I just ignored her and swiftly turned around to find the room and unpack.

"Dude, seriously? Pati rito ayaw mong magkalayo ang kwarto niyo ng asawa mo?"

"I'll wait for the day na ikasal ka rin, baka nga mas clingy ka pa kaysa sa akin, eh."

Baron laughed, "It depends. Isa pa, kung ikakasal man ako ay sa taong mahal ko talaga." Napatigil siya at tumingin sa akin na para bang nag-aalala. "I mean, we all know your set-up, man, the reason why you two got married. It's not like you're really a couple."

I sighed, "Still, masama bang umaktong asawa sa kanya? I really think she's a person who needs someone to care for her."

"I don't know, she has the Grand Knights and Ate Alice," he replied. "I like her as a friend and a younger sister, but Loey, baka kayo rin ang mahirapan niyan sa dulo, ha?"

This is the moment when he's up for a bit serious talk. He really cares for his members a lot. Inasar pa nga namin siya na bagay din siyang maging lider ng isang grupo, kaso ayaw niya raw ang responsibilidad ng posisyon na iyon.

He tapped me on my shoulder before he walked out of my room. I shook my head, considering what he told me. He's right though, it might be a bit dangerous for me and Prim, but what can I do? Since I married her even though it's for our own benefit, I still have the duty of a husband, right?

I frowned as soon I saw her on the counter, staring at her laptop.

"Seriously, Primrose," I sighed, seeing how focused she is with what she's doing. She took a quick glance at me when I sat next to her and stared at her laptop, "We're on vacation, plus our honeymoon. You should relax and enjoy, but here you are, typing that script of yours for the annual meeting."

"I can't relax knowing that I still need to work on this one," she mumbled. "It's a meeting with the shareholders, and I need to make sure that I could prove to them that I deserve the position and that I'm ready."

"Then you should finish that one and rest, okay? No more work while we're here," I replied calmly.

She nodded without glancing at me, "Okay."

With that, I was happy to sit silently beside her until she finished her work. I've been aching to move around and talk, but looking at her serious face, I couldn't help but stay still.

"Why did you let her cook the rice?" I asked in horror. "And she didn't even use a rice cooker!"

Dredleigh sighed, "She said she wanted to help."

Tiningnan ko ang kanin na sunog. Akala ko si Dred ang nasa kusina kanina, hanggang sa makita ko siya na nagpahinga sa kwarto. Nang bumaba naman ay ako ay naamoy ko agad na parang may nasusunog, at hindi ako nagkamali.

"Magsasaing na lang ako ulit," aniya.

"Sorry. I slept," Primrose apologized with her head down.

I chuckled, "Well, I guess you are really not suited to be in the kitchen."

She glared at me but I just shrugged with a smirk on my face.

"Primrose, is it okay if you wake the boys up? I'll help Dred to prepare the lunch."

She nodded, but stomped her feet as she walked out. I burst into laughter seeing her being a bit upset because of what happened.

I helped Dred while we waited for her and the boys. We decided to have lunch outdoors. Besides, we're isolated in this beach, so there's nothing to worry about. Sila Primrose rin ang may-ari nito kaya naman pinasara nila't sinigurado na walang ibang makakapunta rito't makakakita sa amin.

Rich girl, indeed. Still, she's still humble and worked hard to achieve her goal. May bratty attitude pa rin naman siya, pero hindi kagaya ng karamihang mayayaman na kaedad niya.

"I'm so full!" she exclaimed. "You really are the best, Dred."

"Thank you."

"Shall we play a game?" I suggested. "Bago natin ayusin itong mga pinagkainan."

Baron's face lit up. "Yeah, sure! Ang apat na beses matalo ang siyang maghuhugas nito."

I turned to him and gave him a high-five. We're really into this kind of punishment, or something physical but Prim's with us so we need to settle with the other.

"Let's go for the attendance game," I announced.

"What's that?" Primrose blinked.

Matt raised his hands, "I'll explain the game to her!" He volunteered. "So, napapanuod kasi namin ito dati sa mga reality shows, tapos nilaro na rin namin kapag wala kaming magawa."

"So, ang attendance game ay tatawag ka ng isang pangalan at dapat magturo ka ng tao na hindi siya, kapag ang pangalang tinawag mo ang tinuro mo, talo ka," saad niya. "Dapat ang tinawag mo rin ay sasagot ng present at dapat magtaas ng isang kamay then siya na ang magtuturo ng susunod, kapag hindi siya nakapagtaas ng kamay at nakasagot agad, talo siya."

She nodded excitedly. We decided to first have a practice game where we saw that she's already good with the game. Ngayon niya lang ba talaga ito nalaro? Mas magaling pa siya kay kuya Eros, eh.

"Primrose," Dred started the last game.

"Dredleigh," she countered, pointing to Nate.

I pursed my lips, seeing Nate being in an awkward position. Siya lang kasi ang tinuturo ng dalawa.

"Eros!" she shouted.

The guy was laughing, that's why it took him a minute to answer. We all laughed, especially when he pouted at Primrose as if he was betrayed.

"You're really bad when it comes to games, leader," I smirked.

Lalo siyang napasimangot dahil doon. Isa-isa kaming umalis at iniwan siya, gustong tumulong ni Dred pero sabi ni kuya Eros ay kaya niya na raw iyon, lalo na bihira lang naman siya maglipgpit at maghugas ng mga pinagkainan.

"You drink?" I asked her.

"Yep!" she squealed. "Though, sobrang bihira lang kasi ayaw ni Ate Alice na umiinom ako."

I nodded before handing her a can of beer. We sat on a bench outside, while Dred set up the speaker for music.

"It's time to party!" Baron roared, drinking his beer but later on, he spit it out. "Yuck. My baby buds can't really handle the taste."

"Plus, you have super low tolerance, brother," Nate giggled like a baby. "I pity you."

"It's fine, besides, I'm not a drunkard like you."

"That's what you call, enjoying your youth, Kuya Baron."

I shook my head. Si Baron at Kuya Eros ang hindi gaanong umiinom sa amin, samantalang kami nina Nate, Matt at kuya Jinmin ay mahilig uminom, ang iba naman ay kung ano lang trip nila.

But seriously, Baron has a sensitive taste bud, that's why he couldn't handle the taste of a beer or even wine. He'll drink though when we forced him, but there's still a limit. After all, we don't want to take care of a drunken Baron. Mas maingay at makulit siya kapag lasing, eh. Ang hirap niyang alagaan kaysa kay Nate na bigla na lang umaastang mas matanda sa amin kapag lasing. Minsan biglang tatawagin ka niyang apo o anak. Ewan ko ba riyan sa bunso ng grupo.

He sat right next to Primrose, "Since I can't drink that much, I'll be the only sober person later then." He shrugged, "Besides, can't wait to see our youngest member turn into an old man when he gets drunk."

"Excuse me? I don't get drunk that easily! So I'll be sober until tomorrow."

"Alam mo, Nate, uminom ka na lang diyan."

Primrose giggled as if she's watching a show.

"Enjoying?" I asked.

"Uh-huh," she murmured, drinking her beer. "I really enjoy seeing the childish sides of the SBG." Her eyes roamed around the boys who were laughing, "You see, I may adore your group, but I had doubts that what I see on the screen was all just a facade as an artist. Well, we all know that there's a difference in how others act in front and behind the camera, right?"

Nodding my head, I looked away. To be honest, it's a bit offending, still, I can't blame her with that thought. Kahit hindi siya kumikilos sa kompanya ay may mga koneksyon na siya, at minulat na siya noon pa man paano tumakbo sa mundong ginagalawan namin.

When I was with kuya Yeshua for our collaboration, he told me that Primrose encountered a lot of celebrities who were kind when there's a camera, but rude without it, some groups who looked close together, in reality? They're not. They also scheme and pull each other down just to gain even just a bit of fame, or steal the spotlight of their other members.

Kung tutuusin kahit naman kaming SBG ay hindi talaga malapit sa isa't isa, lalo na noong trainees pa lang kami. We see each other as a threat. We can't be at ease knowing that others were all fighting for the same reason, a position in a group with the opportunity to debut.

"May mga bagay pa naman na hindi alam ng fans sa amin, lalo na kung sino ba talaga kami o ano ang nararamdaman namin," tugon ko't kumuha muli ng isa pang beer sa lamesa. "After all, we are entertainers. Meaning, we show anything that will only please the public."

"True," she agreed. She looked straight to my eyes, "Please tell me that what you're showing me is all genuine. Your personalities and everything that you showed me, that's your true self, right?"

Her voice was low and she sounded a bit hurt. Why?

"Yes, Primrose," I answered carefully. "What you see is not the Loey of SBG, but the Loey as a normal human being."

Hindi na siya sumagot. Maya-maya lang ay nagpaalam siyang may kukunin sa loob.

Someone put his arm around my shoulder, "Heard your conversation, man. It seems like she wanted to trust us, especially you. Kaso hindi niya magawa dahil nga hindi niya alam kung ano ang totoo o hindi sa mga pinapakita mo." Baron then heaved a deep sigh before continuing, "After all, we are entertainers. We act and lie for our image."

I was about to say something when Primrose returned with two bottles of soju and a Yakult.

"I'm really not into beer, guys, so how about soju?" she raised the bottle with a huge smile.

Nate walked towards her, putting his arm on her shoulder, "That's what we're talking about! A soju for the night."

She giggled, letting him take the bottles and the yakult. And damn, she giggled a lot today, which I really find it cute. Hindi iyong madalas siyang nagtataray lalo na sa akin.

Hindi ako gaano uminom at pinanuod lang silang magsaya. Si Nate at Primrose ang halos magkasama buong gabi dahil para silang magtropa nag i-inuman sa bar, nagtatawanan at sumasayaw sa tugtog. They actually look wasted, especially my little wife who looks like a tomato right now. She's pale, that's why the redness of her cheeks was visible.

"My daughter," he caressed her hair and she giggled. "Take care of my son-in-law, okay?"

"Yes, daddy!"

I almost choked when I heard their conversation. Shit, Nate's acting like an old man again, and he's acting like Primrose's dad! He's really wasted. For sure, magsusuka na iyan mamaya.

"I'm not informed that he's your father-in-law," Baron laughed, watching the two acting like a father and daughter. "Fuck, they look cute though."

We both stared at them until kuya Eros approached the two, shaking his head at our youngest. Nate protested when he grabbed his hand to stand, basically telling him that he's drunk and he should rest. Even Prim was protesting that they're not yet done.

"You should take care of your wife now, man."

Isa-isa silang umalis lalo na si Leigh na natulog lang ulit sa isang sulok. Pagkatingin kong muli kay Primrose ay nakapikit na siya't nakasandal sa kanyang inuupuan.

Lumapit ako sakanya at maingat na tinapik siya sa braso niya. Ilang beses ko siyang tinapik at tinawag sa pangalan pero nakapikit lang siya na para bang nakatulog na. Wala na akong nagawa kundi buhatin siya pabalik sa kanyang kwarto.

I carefully put Primrose on her bed. While fixing her pillow, she then opened her eyes with a giggle, "I'm not sleeping!" she said childishly. "I feel like a baby when you carry me."

"Hmm," I nodded. "You should sleep now."

My lips parted when she sat on her bed and stared at me while pouting, "I'm not yet sleepy, Loey," she tapped her side, "Sit."

Sighing, I sat next to her.

I felt my heart melted when she leaned her head on my shoulder, "I've been thinking, what if one of us wanted to make this marriage work? What if one of us wanted to try making this as a real one?" she paused, but I almost swear when I heard how small her voice was. "I'm crazy for thinking of that possibility. Still, we all know you're an artist under my company, so that would be impossible, right? I should remind myself about it."

I listened to her and didn't utter a word.

She then faced me again, "But just this once, let me do something stupid."

Before I could even ask what she's talking about, she pressed her soft lips against mine.

****