"DIEGO! ANO BA? Bakit ka tulala? Ano bang iinumin mo? Gusto ko na mag-party!" It was my wife who's shouting at me because she was desperate to dance.

"Kung ano ang sayo." She raised her brow at me as she went to the bartender.

I can clearly remember how I met her five years ago. I was ordering coffee when I saw her eating pancake. I tried to introduce myself to her, but she's hot headed.

Hindi ko alam pero gustong gusto ko siyang makita simula nang araw na 'yon. Hindi ako yung tipo na nangungulit pero... Mukhang hindi ko mapapatawad sarili ko kung hindi niya ako mapapansin.

It took months hanggang sa paunlakan niya ako at pati na rin sagutin... Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na pakasalan siya nang binigyan niya 'ko ng pahintulot. Kahit na ayaw ng mga magulang niya.

I know it's kinda disrespectful to marry her without her parents blessing.

Everything was perfect and beautiful. Everything is under control not until I decided to talk to my parents para ipaalam sakanila na balak na rin namin bumuo ng pamilya.

I can clearly remember, too, kung paano ang naging usapan namin ng magulang ko nang sabihin nila na ako ang ilalaban kay Dereck para makuha ang gusto nilang company.

"Mom." It was my first three days of staying here in my parents house. Kakatapos ko lang tumawag kay Crizia. Kinamusta niya kung anong sabi ng mga magulang ko.

My parents doesn't have any against about it.

"Brix, hijo. Come here." Umupo ako sa tapat nila. It's kinda bothering me because they're acting like this.

I already bought a plane ticket pauwi sa Pilipinas.

"What is it? Let's make this fast, Mom. My wife is waiting for me."

"I received a message from Papa." I suddenly stilled. Grandpa L. The original owner of Rivera Empire.

"Really? What is it all about?" Nagkatinginan ang dalawa.

"There's a competition, Brix." Tumango ako.

"And?"

"We need your help." Kumunot ang noo ko. My help? Anong maitutuloy ko sa competition na 'yon kung gano'n?

"What kind of help?"

If this is about money again, I can give them some.

"You need to have a child before October 13. Dereck Cole's birthday. To have the Rivera's Empire."

I can't help, but to smirk. That's kinda easy and interesting. Magkaka-anak na kami ng asawa ko, mapapasamin pa ang Empire. That's kinda easy for me. Mas ginanahan tuloy akong umuwi.

Naka-graduate na ang asawa ko. I have this passion about business. Hindi ako gano'n ka-interesado sa Rivera's Empire pero kung ito na mismo ang lumalapit sakin, bakit ko tatanggihan?

In this way, maybe my mother and father will learn how to appreciate me.

"That's easy. I'll ask Zia about it---"

"But there's a rule, having a wife while you're in this competition is strictly prohibited. You can't have a wife. Just child, Brix." I stilled.

Come again?

"What?"

"We need your cooperation, Brix." I shook my head immediately. I can't do that. I already have a wife.

"I'm not qualified. Ask someone else." Tumayo ako at handa na umalis. I'm going home to my wife.

"No! This is our dream, Brix. Now, we have a chance to win! Just produce a baby and file an annulment with your wife!" My lips parted. She's asking me to annull our marriage as if she's just asking for a fucking candy! "Bata ka pa lang, alam mo nang ito ang gusto namin!"

"I cannot do that!" I snapped.

"What?! You'll chose your wife over us?! We're a family!" It was dad. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hinahabol rin ako nito.

All this time hindi naman siya naging mabuti sakin. Never once in my life that I felt their love and here I am! Still fucking longing for my parents love.

"And she's my wife! She's my family, too! My own family, to be exact."

"What happened to the Brix who'll always obey me?! Where is my son?!" Mariin akong pumikit.

Your son? Kahit kailan hindi ko naramdamang tinuring mo 'kong anak.

"Mom! I have a good wife now. I can't just annull our marriage just to do what you want!" She shook her head at ayaw maniwala sa mga sinabi ko. I really can't do that to my Crizia.

"No, you don't understand, Brix. Ito ang pangarap namin ng dad mo noon pa. Your dad is sick! Hindi mo pa ha siya pagbibigyan? Ito na lang ang hihilingin namin sayo!"

Wala sa sariling napatingin ako kay dad. Mukha ngang may sakit siya. I can easily turn my back against them, but they're still my parents. Kahit pa kailan hindi naging mabuti si dad sakin dahil palaging mainit ang ulo niya kahit no'n.

"But I love my wife! Hindi madali ang pinapagawa niyo sakin!" It was Zia who helped me to get through with everything.

"It is! Napaka dali lang, Brix! Aanakan mo lang ang iba at hihiwalayan ang asawa mo at pagkatapos no'n ay pwede mo na siyang balikan!"

"No! Hindi matatanggap ni Zia na magkakaro'n ako ng anak sa iba. She sacrifices her parents for me, mom." Nanghihinang sabi ko. I want them to understand me.

"At gano'n din ang gagawin mo? You'll sacrifice me and your dad for your wife?!" Mariin akong pumikit.

"Mom, please, don't make me choose."

"Brix, hindi pwedeng may asawa kasi."

"I said, I'm not qualified!"

"Hindi ba't gusto mong maging owner ng Rivera Empire? This is your chance!"

I don't! Kahit kailan ay hindi ko ginustong mapasakin 'yon. Sinabi ko lang na interesado ako para kahit papaano, mabigyan ako ng pansin. Hindi naman ako nabigo.

"That was before! I have Zia now."

"What about us?" Unti unting bumuhos ang luha niya.

"Mom..."

"Brix, after mong manalo ay pwede mong balikan ang asawa mo at bigyan siya ng mas maganda pang buhay."

Mariin akong pumikit. I can still think about some other way.

"Can I annull our marriage and then we'll make a baby?" Mom shook her head.

"No, Brix. Papa will do the investigation."

Fuck.

'Yon ang nangyari bago ako tuluyang nakipag-hiwalay kay Crizia. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na kaya kong amuhin siya ulit pero nang manalo ang pinsan ko, hindi ko na ulit nakita si Crizia. And naging committed ako kay Brianna.

Plinano kong magpakasal sa iba lalo na at hindi ko alam kung nasan si Crizia hanggang sa dumating si Dereck at binawi na sakin si Brianna pati na rin si Spiro.

Noong mga araw na umaalis at iniiwan ko sila kay Dereck, pumupunta ako sa Singapore dahil may nakapagsabi sakin na nandito raw si Crizia. I tried to look for her, but I failed.

I was engaged with Brianna when my lawyer talked to me and told me that I can't marry Brianna dahil nagka-problema sa papeles ko. May problema tungkol sa kasal ko noon. Ginawa kong excuse ang trabaho para makaalis ng bansa at iwan sila saglit.

I really loved her and Spiro as my second family, and my second home.

Grandpa L is my mom's father. Anak si mommy sa pangalawang babae ni Lolo. Tatlo sa unang babae, at isa sa pangalawa.

My grandfather is bitter. Hindi siya naniniwala sa kasal. But if I'm not mistaken, he was about to marry his first woman, but my grandmother, my mom's mother happened.

My parents hates me because I'm a man. They always wanted to have a daughter since they can make money, according to them. I never felt their love. Kahit kailan, hindi. That's why until I grew up, I'm still longing for their love.

Ginawa ko ang gusto nila. I was hoping that my mother will love me if ever I'm going to obey them. She was happy when I annulled my marriage with Crizia. Pero nawala rin ang saya niya nang malamang buntis na ang babae ni Dereck which is Brianna.

She was so mad at me. Katulad noon, they are blaming me. Sinisisi nila ako dahil sa pagiging mabagal bumuo ng anak.

Sa sobrang galit nila sakin, they disowned and dumped me. Hindi na kami nagkaro'n pa ng communication. Guilt and regrets ate my whole body. Kung alam ko lang, hindi ko na sana hiniwalayan pa ang asawa ko.

I am wrong. I know that. She's my wife at hindi kung sino lang. I was just so desperate to feel my mother's love.

Spiro was turning two when I met them. I helped Brianna in anyway I know not because I like her or what, but because her son is my nephew, too.

I never planned to get infatuated or love her. She's just reminding me of my wife. Brianna has a soft part at 'yon ang nagpapaalala sakin kay Zia.

Years after being closed to them, I decided to look for Crizia for the last time. I ordered my men to look for her, but they can't find her. Walang bakas kung nasan siya. Even her friend. She just vanished.

I entered a relationship with Brianna and I did my duty as a father to Spiro even though I'm not his real father. My relationship with Brianna was cool and peaceful. Never akong nag-take advantage sakanya. Ni hindi ko siya hinahalikan sa labi.

I don't know. I can't yet. Nang ma-engaged kami, that was the first time I kissed her. When I closed my eyes and feel her lips, I can't help, but to remember my Zia.

Dereck happened. Dereck came. Dereck came back para bawiin ang mag-ina niya sakin. Nalilito si Brianna sa desisyon niya at naiintindihan ko 'yon.

It's not easy to let someone go who means a lot to you. I was always there for her and for her son.

She's still in love with my cousin, but I know... sa ilang taong relasyon namin, hindi niya pinaramdam saking may iba siyang mahal. Siguro... bumalik lang lahat nang sumulpot si Dereck.

I don't want to be bitter pero may mga gano'ng pagkakataon lang talaga. She cheated on me kahit na hindi niya ginusto.

Hindi niya alam kung paano niya ako bibitawan at kung papaano niya sasabihing si Dereck parin ang mahal niya. Cheating is a sin. Maling mali 'yon, but at some point, naiintindihan ko siya. Dahil kung ako rin ang nasa sitwasyon niya at bumalik si Zia, I will definitely choose Crizia, too.

"Ano ba 'yan! Gusto mo ba talagang mag-party o napilitan ka lang?" Biglang sumulpot si Zia na may dalang baso para samin. Her face is so red.

"I was just waiting for you," Inirapan niya ako bago ininom ang nasa baso niya.

I can't help, but to stare at her. She's wearing this lacey red dress at kanina pa siya pakalat kalat dito. Kung pwede ko lang siyang ibulsa ay ginawa ko na.

Sumubo siya ng chips before she licked her fingers na ginamit. Her hair is messy, sinadya niyang guluhin 'yon kanina habang nag-aayos siya.

"Fix your dress," Sambit ko nang napansin kong umangat ang dress niya dahil bahagya siyang sumasayaw.

"Madumi ang kamay ko, may hawak pa ako. Paki-ayos na lang." I pouted my lips before I pulled down her dress. "Oh, boobs ko naman nakita!" Reklamo niya kaya agad kong tinignan ang dibdib ko.

Mariin akong lumunok bago ko inayos ang sa dibdib niya. Nang dumikit ang daliri ko sa malambot niyang dibdib ay nagkatinginan kami.

"Sige, tyansing pa." Malaki ang ngisi niya na hindi ko na lang din pinansin.

Actually, she's right. Lumaki nga ang dibdib niya pero hindi ko na lang pinapansin ang sinasabi niyang 'yon dahil lalaki lang ang ulo niya.

Nagbago siya. Tumapang at mas naging mas maganda na siya ngayon. The first time I saw her after 5 years, gusto ko na lang maging parte ng pang araw araw niyang gamit.

Hindi ko alam na nag-apply pala siya sa Resort ko kasama ang kaibigan niyang si Paula. I was so shocked and happy at the same time dahil muling nag-krus ang landas namin.

Nagulat rin ako dahil marunong na siyang sumagot nang pabalang. When she graduated college, para siyang maamong tupa.

I went closer to her nang makita kong may mga lalaking nakatingin sa asawa ko. Uminit agad ang ulo ko.

Hinawakan ko ang bewang niya dahil kung bakit siya natigilan. I raised my brow when she smirked at me. Iniisip na naman siguro niya na minamanyak ko siya o ano.

"Just stay here, madaming tumitingin sa'yo." She chuckled.

"Yes, boss." Umirap ako sa inasta niya. "Sungit mo talaga."

"Whatever you say."

Humalakhak siya at sumayaw muli sa harapan ko. Her eyes widened when she heard the next song.

[ Now playing : Shout Out to My Ex - Little Mix ]

Humalakhak siya bago ako hinila sa dance floor. I really don't want to go with her pero mas ayokong may lalapit sakanya.

Nakatayo ako ro'n habang maligalig siya sa harap ko.

"This is a shout to my ex! Heard he in love with some other chick!" Kanta niya habang sumasayaw parin sa harap ko.

Maya maya may mga lumapit na rin sa dance floor kaya natabunan kami. I watched her while she's singing and dancing at the same time. Ngumuso ako dahil mukhang nahihilo na siya dahil ilang beses na rin siyang uminom kanina.

"I hope she's gettin' better sex. Hope she ain't fakin' it like I did, babe!" She winked at me kaya tumaas ang kilay ko.

Sinasabi niya bang hindi siya kontento sa mga ginagawa ko noon sakanya when it comes to bed?

Tuloy tuloy siya sa pag-kanta habang nakatayo lang ako ro'n at pinagmamasdan siya.

My eyes widened mang bigla niya akong akbayan. Hindi hamak na mas matangkad ako sakanya kaya nang akbayan niya ako, napayuko ako!

What the hell?

"Shout to my ex, you really quite the man. You made my heart break and that made me who I am!" Kanta niya sa tainga ko.

"Zia, you're drunk!" Humalakhak siya at mas lalong nagpabigat.

"Here's to my ex, hey, look at me now. Well, I, I'm all the way up. I swear you'll ever bring me down!"

"Damn it!"

Kinarga ko na siya paalis sa dance floor kesa magkalat siya do'n. She's really giving me a headache.

"Hey, stop it!" Halakhak niya. "I'm not yet done drinking!"

"We're going home, Crizia. Lasing ka na!" Umirap siya.

Wala na siyang nagawa nang pinasok ko siya sa loob ng kotse. She's still singing like an idiot while I was driving home.

"Diego..."

"What?" Iritado kong sagot.

"Galit?" Tumawa niya.

Muntik na akong mapatalon nang lumapat ang kamay niya sa hita ko at hinaplos 'yon.

"Stop it." Inalis ko ang kamay niya sa hita ko.

"Nahihilo na 'ko..."

"Malapit na tayo, don't worry." Umungol lang siya.

"Maliligo muna ako bago matulog..." I laughed sarcastically.

"As if you can? Ni hindi ka na nga makalakad." Ngumuso siya at pumikit na lang. I pulled down her dress a little dahil umaangat 'yon.

"Baka kasi may mangyari satin tapos hindi ako naligo. Baka sabihin mo hindi na ako maingat o malinis sa katawan." Nasamid ako aa sinabi niyang 'yon.

"Crizia, what the hell?"

Nang makapag-park kami ay binuhat ko na ulit siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa penthouse namin. Tumatawa siya habang inaayos ko ang buhok niya.

"Akyat na 'ko!"

Kumukuha ako ng tubig nang sinigaw niya 'yon. When I looked at her, nakita kong gumagapang na siya paakyat.

"Shit!" Nilapitan ko siya agad dala ang baso ng tubig. "Uminom ka muna." Matamis siyang ngumiti sakin bago niya ininom ang tubig.

Nilapag ko sa kung saan ang baso bago ko siya binuhat at dinala sa kwarto namin.

I gently putted her down on our bed.

Umungol siya at pumikit. I think she's asleep. Pumunta ako sa bandang paanan niya para alisin ang pumps na suot niya. She chuckled because of what I did.

Pumunta ako sa walk-in-closet para kuhanan siya ng shirt at shorts pang tulog. Ngumuso ako nang makitang gumugulong siya sa kama.

"Bibihisan kita." I said.

"Sure," She chuckled again.

Hinila ko muna paangat ang dress niya bago ko siya pinaupo at pinasandal sa hita ko. Tuluyang nawala sa katawan niya ang dress niyang maliit.

"It's cold..." She whispered.

"What's that?" Tukoy ko sa dibdib niya. Unti unti siyang dumilat at tinignan rin 'yon.

"Silicone bra" She chuckled even more. Walang pasabing inalis niya 'yon. I immediately looked away.

Sinuot ko agad ang shirt niya sakanya. I pulled down her cycling shorts, too. I gulped when I saw her black lacey panty. Sinuot ko na lang rin sakanya ang shorts niya.

Maingat ko siyang hiniga ulit para makatulog na. How about her makeups? Siya na ang bahala do'n bukas. I want to take a bath.

Tatayo na sana ako nang hulihin niya ang kamay ko.

"Diego, I'm horny..." She whispered, but the words she whispered gives me a goosebumps.

happy birthday to sa bebe kong si Jimin!