She did not explain to Harrison why she needed to rush to some grocery store all of a sudden or why he couldn't stay with her. Thankfully, Harrison had somewhere else to go to and he did not insist for further explanation. Or maybe her friend did have a hint and chose not to pry.

"Call when you get into trouble, Cass. I'm serious," he said before she rushed out of his car.

Once inside the store, she grabbed a cart and took anything her eyes landed on. She was lost between aisles of fruits when her phone rang. It was Philip, obviously.

"He really drives fast," she murmured as she punched the button. "What?" she uttered loudly.

"Where are you?"

"I'm somewhere in the fruit section," she answered, cringing her head to see if he was around. "Hey! I see you! Over here!" she waved her hand.

He was still wearing the same gray shirt and black pants and of course, that same irritated look that only got worse when he spotted her. "Don't shout. I'm coming over and stay right there." Something in his tone told her she better run and hide.

Philip strode toward her and though Cassandra knew he was angry, she couldn't help but stare with amazement. That man walking toward her, oblivious of the admiring glances of women he passed by, was her husband—her handsome angry husband.

Slap! Slap! Slap! She couldn't look at him that way. He's mean to you, a voice deep inside reminded her. He's keeping secrets from you. And he could be a Mafia. Yes, he can be a very bad guy, Cassandra. Very bad.

"Now, Philip, calm down," she took a step back and whirled her cart in front of her as a barrier and shield.

"Didn't I tell you that you can't get out without my permission?" he hissed, bumping the cart in anger.

"I know! But I thought I should do some shopping for later and you were busy working."

"I didn't see you walk out the door," he pointed out. His blue eyes were now throwing daggers at her.

"Of course I did..." not. I promised not to get out that blasted door if you can remember.

They stared at each other for a long, tense moment.

Finally, when Cassandra couldn't take it anymore, she smiled at him, "Now, babe—"

"Don't babe me right now, Cassandra."

"What? Okay, you're mad. I understand that. But since you're already here, why don't you help me? Come on..." she stepped back, taking the cart with her.

His eyes flew at the cart, and his frown deepened. "Are those avocadoes? How do you intend to serve those?"

She followed his gaze. Yeah, she didn't know she grabbed those actually. "That's a surprise," she said, her thoughts already flying to Google right now.

Without another word, he turned around.

"Where are you going?"

He glanced at her over his shoulder. "I thought we're shopping?"

"Yes, of course," she trailed behind him with the cart. He did not even make a move to help her. Great! And I told my friend you're a gentleman...

"Hurry, I still have work at home."

That moment, she wanted to run the cart straight through him in fury.

They spent another thirty minutes arguing over meats and seasonings. Cassandra of course didn't know a thing about any of it. She just opposed everything Philip chose because that was what her new main purpose in life.

By the time they wheeled their cart to the parking lot, her husband's face was a subject even the great Leonardo DaVinci couldn't have painted.

"Are you still mad?" she asked a while later as they drove home. She had rested her elbows at the backside of the front seats and squeezed her body through the space in between. Her head was turned to him, her eyes puppyish. "You now understand that I cannot be ordered around without actual valid reason, right? I did it to prove a point, Philip."

"Don't start, Cassandra. I'm pissed as hell." His voice was like from the underworld.

"You're pissed because I did not follow your pathetic rule? Try to get into my shoes. You get forced into a marriage and is expected to follow rules without being given a good reason why you should. How do you think I feel right now?" she asked.

He did not look at her, eyes still on the road, but his jaw clenched. "What if something happened to you? You don't know the neighborhood!"

"I—" she was about to tell him she had secured a safe ride but that would have caused another catastrophic outburst from him. "It was not that dangerous. And plus, I always go out alone."

"That was before you were married to me," he said coldly.

"So this is about my safety, is it? You freak out because I might have placed myself in danger. Why? Is this about the agreement you had with my father?"

He refused to answer.

"Yeah, whatever," was all she could really say at the moment. She leaned her head closer to his shoulder and asked once more, "Are you still mad?"

She heard him take in a deep breath and saw his hands clasp the steering wheel tighter.

"Okay, you're still mad," she sighed and pulled back to sit back on her seat. "You better simmer down before your folks come for dinner."

Again, no answer.

Cassandra had feared for round two of another outburst from Philip when they neared his house. But as they did, two cars were already parked outside, one of which was her parents'. She frowned.

"I guess we have company," Philip said in a neutral tone and he stopped the car. "Transfer to the front."

Cassandra obliged willingly. She didn't want her in-laws and her mother to raise questions as to why she was seated at the back. The same claustrophobic feeling enveloped her the moment she closed the passenger door, but at least she wouldn't endure it for too long.

"Smile," Philip told her as he parked the car just behind her parent's black sedan.

Smiling had become so easy for her, so it was not so much as a problem.

"My mother has a key," Philip explained to her as they climbed out and went to the trunk to retrieve the shopping bags. She did not answer. She was thinking about how she would ask her mother to help her with the cooking.

The doors opened as they neared the front steps and Mary's happy face greeted them.

"Hello, Mary," Cassandra greeted her and was surprised when she received a warm affectionate hug from her mother-in-law. With her free hand, she hugged the beautiful woman back. The smile on her face was now genuine.

"So, how was your honeymoon?" Mary's gentle voice asked them.

"It was wonderful," Philip smiled as he gave his mother a peck.

Cassandra just stared at him in wonder. She liked it better when he was acting.

"We came earlier because William was out early from his physical therapy session," she looked at Cassandra and added, "Your parents were happy to join us as well. They wanted to surprise you."

"Well, it worked!" She thought she overdid her excited tone because Philip threw her a look of warning. "Anyway, I guess I have to start cooking."

"It's a good thing Philip got a wife who knows how to cook," Mary said as they entered the house.

"Very lucky indeed," Philip caught up with them after closing the door. "You should have a taste of her amazing cooking, right babe?" he looked at her with a mocking proud smile.

"Oh, don't flatter me..." was all she could say. Her mind was already reeling. I'm going to kill you, you bastard.

"Everyone's in the living room," Mary led the way.

"I'll just go get these to the kitchen," Cassandra said and turned to her husband, "Babe, can you call mom for me?"

He looked at her suspiciously as he handed her the shopping bag in his arms. "Sure..."

Cassandra didn't care if he thought she would ask her mother for help. What was important was that she had to serve a sumptuous meal for his family.

*****

When she stepped inside the kitchen, she stalked around the room in panic. Cooking was never her thing—never.

Thankfully, her mother came in wearing her ever jolly face, her face excited.

"So, tell me all about your honeymoon, sweetheart," Valerie asked her daughter.

"Mom, let's talk about it later. For now, you have to help me cook. And you can't tell a soul that you did."

Her mother looked at her with a frown. "What do you mean?"

"Philip told everyone I'm preparing dinner which I have no idea how to do because I don't know a thing about using knives and peeling and meat and avocadoes and—"

"Avocadoes? What are you babbling about, darling?"

"I can't cook, mom!" she hissed.

"Cassandra, stop. Stop rumbling," her mother touched her by the shoulders. "Okay, I'll help you. And while we are cooking, you'll tell me all about your honeymoon, the places you went to, etcetera."

"Okay, of course I will."

Her mother gave her a naughty knowing smile which she did not understand. She pointed at the shopping bags and said, "Take a look and see what we can fix with those."

"Sure, I will. But first, go to William and Hope. They are ecstatic to see you, honey. Your dad is with them. He's been a bit weird lately and he won't tell me why. Go console him and get back here instantly."

Cassandra suddenly remembered her father must have been feeling anxious and she understood why. Yes, she was still angry but she had been trying to understand his actions.

What her father did, he did it for a reason. She couldn't forgive him just yet but she might if he and Philip would just tell her the truth. So she went to the living room where her husband was talking with her dad and his family.

"Hi, dad," she gave her father a quick peck and went to Hope and received yet another warm gracious hug. William took her by surprise when he hugged her tightly.

"Young lady, you're getting prettier by the day," the old man said.

She flushed. "Thank you, William."

"Come sit with us for a while, dear," Hope told her.

"But I have to fix dinner, remember?" she said aloud.

"It's only four in the afternoon. Dinner can wait," Mary told her. She looked at Philip and he just gave her a smile.

"She can fix food in a flash," he said with meaning.

I'll kill you, she roared in her mind as she smiled at him.

******

She stayed for another half hour before she returned to the kitchen and when she did, her mother was already making some kind of pasta with chicken and herbs she did not remember buying earlier. She helped in every way that she could and they talked about the honeymoon. She could have been a very accomplished writer by the way she narrated and fabricated most part of the days she shared with her husband in the Philippines. Her mother, ever romantic, listened and questioned almost every detail and Cassandra silently hoped she would not forget what she said and jumble stories up later. There was not a hint that the woman had an inkling of the truth.

Mary joined them after some time and Cassandra was even more than happy to accommodate another help. Of course, she tried her best to handle the kitchen equipment with as much expertise as she could. Hope, William, Philip, and her dad decided to set up a table outside near the edge of the woods with candles. Hope said it would be like a welcoming celebration for the couple. And just when everything was about to be served, Philip came into the kitchen, disrupting Mary's story of his childhood which Cassandra found too amusing.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt, ladies, but I have an emergency." He looked at her and said, "We have to go."

"Go where?"

"The mall."

"Why?"

"Chanty needs our help."

"Isn't she coming over?"

"No, my dear," Mary answered for her. "She and Angelica are going on a road trip or something."

"At night?" she asked incredulously.

"No, first thing in the morning," Philip answered, a sign of irritation in his eyes now. "Go get ready. We need to meet her in thirty minutes."

Confused, she obliged but was happy to drop every foreign kitchen instrument in her hand. She followed Philip out the door.

*****

"What does Chanty want?" His wife asked later as they drove to the city.

"I don't know. She was in a rush and didn't tell me," he answered.

When the silence lingered longer than he expected whenever Cassandra was around, Philip checked through the rearview mirror and found her sleeping, her head falling back against the headrest. What in the hell did she do today that wore her out?

His phone beeped and he slowed down the car when he realized it was from Henry.

Got another one from Anders today.

Philip's eyes went to his sleeping wife.

At the rate of things, they might not have to wait for six months.

*****

"Hey, wake up," she felt Philip's hand tapping her shoulders.

"What?"

"Get up. We're here."

She immediately straightened in a sitting position and their heads collided in a smack. "Ow! Shit, what are you doing bending over me?" she demanded.

"I was trying to wake you up," he almost shouted as he massaged his forehead. He pulled away from the door and said. "Hurry. The others are waiting for us back home."

"Why don't you go check out what Chanty wants? I'll just wait here," she laid back and closed her eyes.

"No, I can't leave you here."

"Why? Some gangs are out to take me?"

He simply narrowed his eyes.

"I don't care. I'm beat from shopping and cooking. I'll stay here."

"You didn't really shop alone and I'm damn sure you did not do any cooking." He bent down, grabbed her hand and pulled.

She groaned in protest but let him pull her out of the car and across the parking lot. She was still in the clouds, her hand still clasped with Philip's, when she heard Chanty's familiar voice and that irritating purring sound that only belonged to one woman: Angelica.

Cassandra's eyes opened fully as she peered at the red haired woman who dared to kiss her husband in front of her just a couple of weeks ago.

"Hello, Philip," Angelica said with a toying body language that would make any lady flare up in anger and pounce at her.

A strong feeling of animosity and irritation rushed through her and she tightened her hold on Philip's hand. This time, she was ready for a fight if ever.

Philip nodded at Angelica, "Feeling better? You were drunk last time."

Cassandra wanted to kick him. He never threw her the same look he was now giving the red-haired vixen in front of them and she wanted to wring his neck there and then. She gripped his hand tighter to get his attention. That didn't work. His eyes were still busy looking at Angelica's perfect body dressed in a white fitting blouse and skinny pants. Not Cassandra's type, but obviously Philip liked his women that way.

"Hi, Cassy," Chanty's voice grabbed everyone's attention. Her sister-in-law gave her a quick peck and would have given her a hug if not for the big bulging thing she was carrying in her arms.

"Hi," she gave Philip's sister a broad smile. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," she looked at Philip, "except one problem."

Philip finally tore his eyes away from Angelica who chose to totally ignore Cassandra and looked at his sister—then at the thing in her arms. His approaching frown did a U-turn when he realized what it was. Curious, Cassandra peered closer and almost gasped. It was a baby.

All of a sudden, Philip was smiling, his blue eyes glinting as he stepped closer to his sister and bent down, tapping his forefinger at the baby's cheek. Cassandra didn't know what to do. At that moment, while her husband and his sister were busy looking at the baby, Cassandra's eyes travelled back to Angelica and found out that the lady she had learned to hate after just two meetings was already glaring at her with eyes almost the same color as her hair.

Cassandra stared right back in the same fiery manner, raised one eyebrow and released a taunting smile she knew always worked. It did, because she saw her enemy's nostrils flare even more.

Contented, she returned her attention back to her husband and Chanty and the baby.

"How cute..." she murmured, stepping closer. Giving Angelica another quick glance, she gave a smile that said I may be new, but I'm family and you're not.

Who could blame her? She she couldn't contain her anger. That's for flirting with someone else's husband, bitch.

As if on cue, the other side of her brain told her she did not have the right to say that. But for the first time, she chose to ignore it. Philip was her husband no matter what. In short, Philip belonged to her for the remaining of six months.

"Cassy, meet my son Willie," Chanty announced proudly.

Cassandra hid the surprise in her voice when she said, "Wow...a...son..." Okay, she did not really hide it that well. Chanty had a son? What the hell!

"Philip didn't tell you?" This time, it was Chanty's turn to be surprised.

"What? Of course he did. I'm just...still surprised to know...you...got...a...son..." she cleared her throat.

"She tends to forget a lot of things," Philip came to her defense.

How could he miss something big like this? He should have told me, Cassandra thought. It should have been in his profile!

"Well, anyway," Chanty took it easily as she expected. "I did not bring him to the wedding because he was sick that time. I wanted you to meet him," her sister-in-law smiled.

"I'm glad to finally meet him," she answered gently.

"So, what do you need? We really have to go in a few minutes. The family's waiting for us back at our place," he motioned to Cassandra as he said it. Our place. Good thing he did not miss that little detail.

Cassandra saw Angelica glaring at her and she answered by a raising her brows in a very taunting way.

"It's just a tiny favor..." Chanty trailed off. "As you might know by now, Ange and I are going on a road trip tomorrow and we've been planning this for almost a year and I need you to babysit for me." She said it all in just one simple sentence, but Cassandra and Philip stood there frozen without any reaction.

"What!" they both exclaimed at the same time when her statement finally registered in their stupefied brains.

Philip's brows were already crossed. "Don't you have a babysitter?"

"She called this afternoon saying she couldn't make it. She caught a flu or something and I can't risk that. Willie just came out of it. Mom and granny will be going with grandpa to Chicago tomorrow afternoon for a charity party and they will be staying there for three days so they are out of the picture. You two are my only hope," Chanty batted her eyes at them.

Cassandra stared at Philip and at that moment, she was sure they were thinking of the same thing: I don't have any idea about babies.

"Please, Philip..." Chanty urged.

Philip was silent for a long time before he finally sighed and said, "Okay, but only for three days."

His sister squealed at the word okay and jumped with the baby in her arms. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She turned to Cassandra who just awkwardly smiled. "I hope this is not so much of a bother. I promise to send the babysitter as soon as she gets better."

Cassandra saw how Angelica arched her brow. The woman was giving her a challenging look. "Don't worry, Chanty. I'm cool with it."