Patricia''s POV (Prevailed Feelings)


    I keep looking around to make sure no one else is looking and watching my movements. I sat quietly while Raven ordered our food.


    Din niya ako rito sa paborito kong japanese restaurant. Nagtataka nga ako noong una kung bakit m nya na dito ako mahilig kumain.


    "Are you sure that''s all you want to eat?" marahan na tanong ni Raven.


    "Yes.." I smiled shortly before looking around again.


    I don''t know what I should say or react to what he''s doing. I was notfortable with his stare so I just continued to look around and gently sped my hand over the table. "So it''s true.."


    Lumingon ako sa kanya at naabutan siya''ng mariin ang tingin sa kamay ko.


    Gradually, my eyes widened to realize what he was staring at my hand. He''s specifically looking at my wedding ring!


    "Uh-what are you s-saying?" pagkukunwari ko.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    He smiled sadly before pointing to my hand that was now resting on my thigh. Hindi ko m kung bakit bi akong kinabahan at nawn ng salita.


    "You''re really married with that man" there''s no sign of emotion on his voice.


    My hands was shaking. Yumuko ako at nag-iisip kung ano ang sasabihin. Hindi ko masabing galit siya base sa reaksyon niya ngunit hindi ko rin masasabi na masaya siya para sa''kin.


    His face was nk unlike earlier that he''s smiling.


    "I''m not mad" he shooked his head. "I''m just confused.."


    Tumingin ako sa kanya at naguguluhan.


    "At first I didn''t believe the rumors but now, the truth is already pping me" he continued. "It''s just an arranged marriage, right? You''ve been married for a few months and I wonder why no one has filed an annulment between the two of you" My brows furrowed. "What are you trying to say, Raven?"


    Why do I have this feeling that he''s watching our move secretly?


    He looked at me nkly. "Vsquez Industries already belongs to Callum and they''re already one of the stock holders of yourpany so it is back to the previous high ratings.."


    Kusa akong napalunok at t may bumabara salamunan ko. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit m niya ang mga ito. Kla rin ang kompanya n at hindi naman lingid sa akin na kakumpitensya n Callum ang pamilya n. So maybe this is why he''s reacting like this? Because he''s mad at Callum and he''s even angrier because I married him?


    "Do you loved him?"


    My eyes widened at his question. There was still the nk emotion on his face.


    "W-Why are you asking me that?" my voice trembled.


    I am so affected by his presence now!


    "Do you loved him, Patricia?" he faked aughed. "Please, tell me you don''t.."


    There was longing in his eyes right now. T nagsusumamo na ang boses niya. Tumingin ako sa paligid at w naman akong napapansin na kakaiba ngunit hindi ko rin m ang isasagot ko sa kanya.


    I know his question is just simple but I don''t get why he even needs to ask that and hear my answer. I also don''t know why I was hesitant to answer his question. Bakit ako nakakaramdam ng pag aalingan ngayon? "Why can''t you answer my question?"


    I gulped before taking a deep breath. "Uh-"


    "Here''s your order.."


    Nabitin sa ere ang pagsasalita ko at gusto kong pumkpak dahil bing dumating ang isang crew at sinerve ang pagkain namin samesa.


    Raven''s attention also went to the food.


    "Let''s eat" he said without looking at me.


    T puno na ng hangin ang tiyan ko at bi akong nabusog. Pakiramdam ko ay umatras na ang gutom ko dahil sa usapan namin ni Raven. I ate quietly but that only added to the awkwardness between us.


    Bawat subo ko ng pagkain ay palihim akong sumusulyap sa kanya. Seryosong din siya na kumakain. I stared intently at the steak I was eating and forced myself to swallow it.


    "Did you liked the food?"


    Nagu ako sa biang tanong ni Raven.


    "Y-Yeah.."


    Tumangomang siya.


    I wiped my mouth using tissue when I finished eating, Raven had also finished. He also paid for our food before we left.


    Tahimik akong nakasunod sa kanya at bumabagabag sa akin kung kangan ko pa ba na mag pahatid sa kanya. Seems like he''s out of mood and seems mad?


    I know he''s dissappointed with me because of marrying Callum. Hindi nang siguro ako magpapahatid sa kanya dahil baka kung ano pa ang mangyari kapag nman niya na nagsasama na kami ni Callum sa iisang bahay. "R-Raven? Thank you for the treat, I think I need to go.."


    Raven stopped to open the car and turned to me."Yeah, ihahatid na kita-"


    "Uh-no need! I''ll just go home by myself" ap ko.


    The astonishment passed down his face.


    "Why?" his voice softened. "Is this about earlier? Did I scare you? Oh, sorry-"


    "Of course not," I said. "Nakakahiya na nilibre mo na nga ako tapos ihahatid-"


    "I promised Jess that I would take you home"


    Unti-unting nagiging ngko ang isipan ko at hindi na ako makaisip ng idadahn ko sa kanya.


    "Are you mad regarding my questions earlier?"


    "N-No, I just don''t want to bother you so I''ll just go home by myself" I clung to the strap of my bag and avoided looking at him.


    "Are you really sure?" muli niya''ng tanong kaya mabilis akong tumango.


    I heard her breathing heavily. "Fine, I won''t force you. I''m sorry about earlier again" his face was streaked with sadness now.


    "It''s nothing, Raven. Thank you again. Be careful while driving" ngumiti ako sa kanya bago tumalikod.


    Hindi na ako muling lumingon sa kanya at mas binilisan nang ang palakad. Napawi ang kaba ko at nakahinga ng maluwag dahil ak ko ay hindi tga siya papayag.


    I checked my phone if Callum has any text but there''s nothing. Nag grab ako ng taxi at habang nasa biyahe ay nalipad ang isip ko.


    My thought is still in what Raven said and what he wants to convey in his words. I realized something.


    I also thought about our situation. About why we don''t have an agreement about our married life since it''s just arranged marrige? Why didn''t he tell me how long our marriage wouldst?


    What the hell? Bakit ngayon kong ito naisip? Am I that upied and too focused on studies and pressured on our set up? Well, I admit that we haven''t discussed that matter with each other since we got married.


    Maybe because we both don''t want to make ourselves realize that we really are in thisplicated situation?


    We became estranged from each other and awkwardness always prevailed.


    Nararamdaman ko ng mpit na huminto ang taxi sa bahay kaya may nabuo na ideya sa isip ko...


    I had to tell Callum that we would have an agreement and exact date of how long our marriage wouldst. We will both benefit from it though. He can finally legalize his rtionship with Zara and it won''t be hidden anymore while me... won''t be pressured by the situation between the two of us anymore.


    We need to sign an agreement about our limits.


    Yes, this is the right thing to do. How dumb I am to think about this toote?