Baffled Mind

'No. I don't need that.' I told Elmo for the hundredth time. We began shopping at the city at one in the afternoon and everytime we hop into another shop, Elmo would just pick something beautiful and expensive and declares he would buy it for me. But I kept saying no because I really don't need another bag or jewelry or the evil stiletto shoes. Which clearly made him upset. 

  'Oh come on. Are you seriously getting mad because I won't let you buy me something?' He is truly exasperating. He's been ignoring me for the past hour and would continue to walk at shops like he doesn't have any company.

  'Elmo!!' 

  'What.' He snapped, turning to face me. 

  'Buti naman marunong ka pang magsalita.' I said, causing him to roll his eyes. 'Bakit ka ba kasi nagagalit dyan?' 

  'Because.' He answered. 

  'Because what?'

  'Just because.' He said, walking away again. 

  'Elmo!!' I snapped, now starting to get irritated at his childishness. 'I swear pag hindi ka umayos lalayasan kita!' 

  That made him stop and turn to face me. I smiled inside. 'Are you going to tell me now why you're acting that way, honey?' I asked again, mentally reminding myself to make it sound sarcastic. 

  He stood infront of me for a while, just staring, before finally uttering a complete sentence. 'Because you won't let me buy you anything. You just asked me to buy you a box of cookies earlier and that's not even expensive!' 

  I rolled my eyes. Now I knew what this is all about. 'So this is about your ego, isn't it? Wanting to buy me expensive limited edition stuffs that I don't even need.' 

  'What? No!' He said. I raised an eyebrow at him, challenging him to deny it again but he didn't even flinch or something. 'You don't believe me?' 

  'Fine. Then what's the reason, honey?' 

  He sighed, looking at me again with those expressive eyes he's been having from time to time. 'I just want to do something for you okay? Call it ego but I just want to satisfy you. I want to give you something. I want you to have something that came from me. Things that will remind you of me. I.. I just..' He groaned. 'You know what? Just forget it. Di mo naman ako maiintindihan.' 

  Remind me how to breathe again because that. That was something. Heck, I don't want to expect something from Elmo but he would just keep pushing me to do so. I mean, is it really possible? Is it really possible for him to even like me back? 

  I smiled hopefully as I stare at him walking away from me, probably just scouting another shop, and quickly jogged beside him. 

  'I wanted to have this particular shoes from a shop.' I said, smiling when he stopped to look back at me. 

  'Where?' He asked too quickly, looking ecstatic and excited that made me laugh so I hastily dragged him to the store I saw earlier. 

  'You want a sneaker?' He said, looking baffled for a while. But when he saw me nodding happily at him, his face immediately softened. 

  He smiled. Finally! After an hour of him being mad at me, he finally smiled. I can't believe I actually missed his smile for an hour. 

  'Then let's get you shopping, honey.' He beamed, excitedly dragging me inside. 

   --- 

'I can't believe you bought me ten pairs!!' I glared at him while he sip coffee with a grin, looking satisfied with himself. He is such a child! I specifically told him that i just wanted a pair and I thought he listened but he didn't. 

  'I was going to buy you a pair.' He laughed. 'But you tried other shoes on so I bought them. And don't tell me you didn't like them because I saw your face when you tried the others as well.' 

  'A-ano naman kung gusto ko din yung ibang designs? You practically wasted a lot of money, Elmo.' 

  'It's not a waste if it makes you happy, Julie. I can and I will buy you the whole store if thats what will make you happy.' His face now serious. 'Y-you're happy. Right?' 

  I sighed. I swear he say the sweetest thing in the world sometimes. 

  'I am happy.' I smiled genuinely, thus, making him smile widely. 'But sobrang dam-' 

  'You're happy. End of story.' He cut. Holding my free hand to squeeze it before continuing to eat, smiling all throughout our meal. 

  'Let's go grab some takeout first before going to your friends house.' Elmo said right after we hopped into the car. 'Pizza okay?' 

  'Yup.' I smiled, putting my seatbelt on. 

  We drove for about twenty minutes, excluding the time when we bought some pizza and pasta as well, before finally reaching Cholo's house. It looks very cozy with the colors white and brown and the size was just right for their new family.

  Elmo grabbed the food we brought while I took some shopping bags I have for them, especially for Sophia. We hopped off of the car, pushing the doorbell to let them know our arrival. I heard Cholo shout inside before the door opened, revealing him holding a milk bottle. 

  'Julie!' He greeted, hugging me. 'Glad you can make it.' 

  'Of course. Excited na kong mameet si Sophia.' I grinned. 

  He greeted Elmo with a man hug as well then letting us come inside. He led us into the living room where I saw Sophie on the floor with thick layers of comforter beneath her. I squealed, catching her attention. 

  'Cholo she's adorable!!' I beamed, making my way to hold her only to be stopped by another girly shriek. 

  'Julie!!!' 

  I knew that highpitched voice too well. I laughed, turning to see Krisha practically bouncing up and down the floor. She immediately rushed to my side and enveloped me with her famous bone crashing hug. 

  'I missed you so much!!' She cried. 'I'm so sorry!' 

  'I missed you too Krisha. And don't worry about it. I understand you guys.' I said, feeling my own tears as well. She broke the hug, revealing her snot face to me. I laughed. 'You look awful!' 

  'Thanks for saying it out loud, Jules.' She rolled her eyes playfully. 

  'Oh. Oo nga pala. This is Elmo. Asawa ko.' I introduced after Elmo stood beside me. He held me by my waist before holding out his free hand to Krisha.

     'Pleasure to meet you.' Elmo smiled. 

  Krisha took his hand with wide eyes and shook it. 'Ohmygod. It's true! You married the Elmo Magalona!!' 

  'Krisha please. Wag mo na dagdagan kayabangan nito.' I groaned. 

  'Thanks for the compliment, honey.' Elmo chuckled beside me. 'We brought some food by the way. Julie mentioned na were going to have dinner here.'

  'Oh yes. Thank you. We were actually grilling some barbecues at the back.' Krisha said. 

  'Can I help?' I asked her, but deeply inside, I just want to snuggle with the baby playing inches away from me. 

  'No thanks, Julie.' She laughed. 'I know you'd rather spend time with Sophie there.' 

  'Well you can't blame me. Ang cute cute niya!' 

  'Go on. Kami na ni Krisha bahala sa food. We'll just call you both pag ready na.' Cholo said, leaving me and Elmo with the baby. 

  I quickly removed my shoes, stumbling a bit, to get into the sheets with Sophie. I barely heard Elmo laughing behind me telling me to be careful since my whole senses was focused on the baby. I tied my hair into a bun swiftly and finally leaning to kiss Sophie's cheeks. 

  'Hi babyyy!' I called too sweetly. She focused her big eyes on me making me giggle. 'I'm your aunt Julie!' I said as she continue to stare at me. 

  'May balak ka bang ipakilala ako?' I heard Elmo say, stepping on the sheets as well barefooted. 'Hi there little angel. I'm your uncle Elmo. Aunt Julie's gorgeous husband.' He said, grinning down at Sophie. 

  'Wag ka ngang magsinungaling sa baby! Gorgeous? More like hideous. Right baby?' I laughed, rubbing my nose on Sophie's cheeks. 

  Elmo laughed as well, turning Sophie's attention to him. 'Hey angel, do you think uncle Elmo's pogi?' He asked, smiling down at her, pinching her nose softly than made her release a happy squeak on her tiny lips. 

  'See? She thinks I'm pogi!' He laughed. 

  'Ang duga! Bakit sakin hindi siya tumatawa??' I complained, looking at Sophie's happy face. She reached for Elmo with her tiny hands and he gladly took her in his arms. I smiled. 'You know how to carry a baby?' 

  'Oo naman. I have lots of baby cousins before and I always help at taking care of them every time they visit for the weekend.' He said, kissing Sophie's cheeks and making her squeal again. 

  Hours went by like that. Us playing with Sophie, doing our best to make her squeal and laugh. Elmo was the one who caused her to do so of course and him being the arrogant husband he is, shoves it in my face that Sophie likes him more than me. Now I can't help but to think how great a father Elmo would be someday. 

  I heard another happy shriek coming from Sophie and saw her slapping Elmo's face lightly with a big smile on her face that made me laugh. She would continue on shrieking whenever Elmo made up a funny face and would sometimes look at me like she wants me to do it as well. We practically end up doing funny faces for her. But we stopped when a flash of light caught our attention. 

  'Sorry! Ang cute nyo kasing tingnan eh.' Krisha laughed holding a camera on her hand. Crap. I forgot that she was a photographer. 'Hey don't worry. Hindi ko ikakalat to.' 

  'Can you give me a copy?' Elmo smiled, standing up with Sophie in his arms.

  'Of course.' She said. 'Tara. Dinners ready!' 

  'I'll hold her!!' I screamed, carefully snatching Sophie from Elmo and following her mother into the dining room. 

  The dinner lasted for two hours I think. An hour for eating and an hour of chatting. I was the one who put the little angel to sleep while Elmo helped in cleaning up the table. When I am completely sure that Sophie's already asleep, I carefully placed her on her crib, kissing her goodnight before going downstairs where I saw them already done with their work. 

  'Are you guys really planning to stay here?' I asked. 

  'We're not yet sure, Jules.' Cholo said. 'Siguro magstay muna kami dito for awhile para na din makapag ipon. But were still undecided kung dito na talaga kami titira.' 

  I sighed. 'If it's about the money you owe me, forget about it. Bumalik na kayo sa Pinas.' 

  'As much as we like, we can't just forget what we did to you, Julie.' Krisha smiled. 'We owe you so much and were very sorry.' 

  'I'm going to miss you guys.' I hugged them. 

  'You can visit us anytime. Same goes for us.' Krisha said, hugging me back. 'Take care okay?' 

  I nodded. 'Contact me lagi ha? And video call! I'm gonna miss Sophie so much.' 

  'We know. Don't worry, iuupdate ka namin lagi.' Cholo smiled before turning to Elmo. 'Please take care of Julie for us. Alam ko minsan hindi babae to but she's a softie. Iyakin masyado.' He laughed making me smack his head. 'Ouch! See? Ang lakas masyado.' 

  'I am well aware of that. Macho talaga ang asawa ko.' Elmo said, grunting after I elbowed him which only made him laugh even more. 

  We said our goodbyes for the tenth time before finally going inside the car to drive back to the hotel. 

  'Let's grab some ice cream on the way.' Elmo said looking at me so I just nodded. I was completely aware of him peeking a glance at me from time to time while he is driving so I told him I was fine. 

  'Don't be sad, Julie.' 

  'I know. Sobrang mamimiss ko lang talaga sila. Lalo na si Sophie.' 

  He chuckled. 'Me too.' 

  'Not as much as I will.' 

  'You're such a competitive wife.' He said, making me laugh. 'You really like kids don't you.' 

  'I freaking adore them! If I can adopt a hundred, I probably will.' I said, laughing at how Elmo's head snapped really quick to look at me. 

  'Are you serious?' He laughed, the throaty one that made me laugh as well.

  'Oo naman!' 

  He shook his head, turning the car right and parking it infront of an ice cream shop. 'I think I better save more money then.' He said, making me confused.

  'What?'

  'Well first I have to find a house big enough for our hundred kids. I know I have a lot of money, but what if they go to college all together? Then theres the clothes, foods, personal stuffs. And to think I have to buy a hundred car for each of them.' He laughed, then turning to look at me with a serious face he's trying to make, but fails. 'You better get a job if too if you want a hundred kid woman.' 

  'Wh-whaat?' I am hundred percent aware that I looked like a wide-eyed, open mouthed baby in front of him. He just laughed at me, holding my chin to close my mouth. 

  'You think I'll let you have babies with another man?' He smirked. 'Uh-uh. Not gonna happen honey.' 

  My mouth dropped. Again. And he laughed. Again. But this time, he didn't held my chin to close them. Instead, he killed me. I mean not literally because I felt like dying when he closed the freaking space between us. And instinctively, I closed my eyes. 

  Then I felt it. His lips on mine. He kissed me. I mean, he is kissing me! He is kissing me without the people we need to pretend to. He is kissing me without the prying eyes his world has. He is kissing me the first time alone and in our honeymoon. He is kissing me! Just Elmo and Julie in the scene. My head is in frenzy. 

  I don't even know if I am kissing him back or something. 

The flight was delayed for an hour so I took that opportunity to make the chicken adobo Elmo was asking for. He went down to tell me that news and that he will be taking a nap for awhile.

   After I finished cooking, I checked the time and saw that we still have an hour and a half before Elmo’s staff pick us here at the island. I was just about to wake Elmo up when I saw him entering the kitchen.

   ‘Hey.’ I smiled at him. ‘Let’s eat first. Nagluto na ko ng lunch.’ I placed the dish on the table, laughing at how Elmo’s face lit up when he saw it.

   ‘It smells great! Thanks, Julie.’ He smiled genuinely before digging in.

   'Eat slowly. Para ka namang ginutom ng matagal.’ I chuckled while getting myself some of the dish.

   'Don’t judge me. Nagutom lang ako sa pagtulog ko.’

   'Really?’ I smirked. 'Or masarap lang talaga ang luto ko?’

   Elmo smiled back with mischief in his eyes as he look at me. 'I’ll have to answer that after I finish eating. Baka mamaya agawin mo nanaman tong kinakain ko eh.’

   'Ah so balak mong laitin ang luto ko pagkatapos?’

   'Hindi ahh!’ He laughed. 'By the way, thanks for packing my stuffs.’

   'It’s nothing. Yun nga lang ginawa ko buong trip ehh.’

   'And you also cooked us a great lunch.’

   I smiled. 'Ahh thanks for finally admitting that my cooking skills are great.’

   'Not as great as mine.’ He laughed, making me roll my eyes at him. 'You ready for New York?’

   'Since the last three hours.’ I replied while he give me an amused smile.

   'Is that so?’ He grinned. 'Then let’s go and enjoy the rest of the trip, honey.’

   —-

  'Shit.’ I said right after getting out of the jet. I heard Elmo chuckle beside me and saw that he was laughing at me. 'What?’

   'Typical Julie. You’re first ever word here at New York was a curse word.’ He laughed. 'I’m glad it wasn’t directed at me though.’

   I rolled my eyes at him and continued to curse at my head. It was freezing here and even though I had a jacket on, it was not really helping.

   'What time is it here, Moe?’

   'Around six in the evening.’ He said as he place a hand at my back to guide me outside. He briefly stopped for a moment causing me to look at him.

   'What?’

   'You’re shivering.’ He said, eyes full of concern as he look down on me. I saw him quickly taking off his thick and long coat but I stopped him.

   'No! I’m okay. Naka-sweatshirt ka lang. Mas lalamigin ka.’ I told him, clearly aware he’ll freeze to death when he take his coat off.

   'I’m fine. You need it more th-’

   'Shut it, Moe. Let’s just get to the car quickly okay?’ I said, dragging him outside while he nags at me. A man was already waiting for us outside and he hurriedly guided us into the car not looking oblivious of the fact that I am freezing, I quickly muttered a thanks to him before he shut the car door.

   I settled at the warmth inside and sighed, grateful for the heat. But when I realized that that the atmosphere was too eerie, I turned to look at my husband and was confused to see that he was glaring at me. What the hell is wrong with him?

   'What’s wrong?’ I voiced out my thought.

   'No. What’s wrong with you?!’ He snapped at me and I nearly flinched at his tone.

   ’M-me??’

   'Yes!! What the hell, Julie! I told you to wear the coat but you just walked out to freeze yourself to death!’

   'Why are you shouting at me?? I didn’t take it because you needed it more!’

   'No I don’t!! I’m used to this kind of climate and you’re not! It’s a good thing Rey was already waiting for us with the car because if not, you could have been sick the whole day!’

   I stared at him shocked and confused. I mean, I guess he’s right but why the hell is he so mad? Uggh. I hate it when he’s mad. If before I didn’t care if he was mad at me or not, well not anymore. I hate that I care. I hate that I keep on falling for him everyday. And I hate how hard it is to keep it to myself.

   'You look pale.’ I heard him say, softly this time.

   'I-I’m fine.’

   'You’re not.’ He said, no, stated. As if he’s a hundred percent sure. He surprisedly grabbed both of my hands and locked them with his. 'They’re freezing.’ He said, now blowing them to keep them warm.

   I was flushed. Very flushed that I can feel my whole body heating up at that mere gesture my so called husband was doing.

   'Th-thanks.’

   'No worries.’ He smiled, still continuing to warm my hands. We got into the hotel after about ten minutes and Elmo still managed to keep my right hand warm when he intertwined it with his hand and tucked them into the right pocket of his coat. I blushed again.

   'Better?’ He smiled down at me, while I just managed to give him a nod. It’s the best. I thought, just walking beside him in the lobby, hands intertwined.

   I gratefully sighed when we got into our room. God I feel tired. The suite Elmo got was beautiful, spacious and very welcomy, if thats even a word, that I almost ran into the couch and rest for the entire night. Elmo might seem to notice that that’s why he dragged me into the bedroom there with a huge bed.

   'You can rest for a while here.’ He chuckled when I quickly jumped into the bed and grabbed the fluffy pillow beside me. 'I made a reservation at a restaurant near at 8. Were going to have dinner there.’ He smiled, walking inside and sitting beside me.

   I tried to move into a sitting position as well but he stopped me. Pushing me back into the comfort of the soft sheets.

   'Don’t. Just rest for a while. I’ll wake you up after an hour.’ He said. Tucking me under the sheets, making me feel more sleepy. 'Are you capable of getting ready for half an hour?’

   I nodded at him as I feel my eyes slowly closing. I briefly heard him laugh and the last thing I remember was the light kiss on my forehead before I completely give into my sleep.

   ––

I woke up at Elmo’s voice calling my name, slowly opening my eyes, it immediately landed on the good looking guy sitting beside me.

   'You have thirty minutes to get ready.’ He said, smiling down at me. I pushed myself on a sitting position and observed him. I saw that his hair was tousled but his facial hair was cleanly shaven. He clearly just got out of the shower but still looks really hot. His clothing is also hot. He is wearing a black tux and dark blue v-neck shirt underneath making it look less formal. God he looks so perfect.

   'Done checking me out, honey?’ He smirked, looking down at me with playful eyes earning him a glare. He just laughed at me again, standing up to leave. 'I’ll wait outside.’ He said, closing the door to give me time to get ready.

   'Oh you are sooo gonna check me out as well, honey.’ I laughed, dragging myself inside the bathroom for a quick shower.

   I mentally gave myself a pat in the back while I was getting a dress out of my luggage. I excitedly put it on before looking in the mirror. Perfect. I smiled, looking at me with a sexy dark blue dress that hugged my body till my waist before flowing out and reached just inches above my knee. I was glad I brought this dress because I was so gonna get back at Elmo tonight.

   Right. Am I actually thinking of flirting with him?! What the hell?

   No. I am just doing this to get back at him for earlier. Yes. That’s why I am curling my hair right now. Also why I am wearing this stupid five inches black heels. And why I am putting more effort in making myself look good. Yes. This is all because of getting back at hi-

   Oh screw it. No. This is because I want Elmo to notice me. I want him to tell me I’m beautiful. Yes I want him to look at me the way he looked at Andi when we were having dinner with her and Jake. I want him to freaking fall for me like I was falling for me. Or maybe, just maybe, I want him to love me. Like how I love him.

   'If it’s only that easy, Julie.’ I sighed before smiling at my reflection on the mirror. 'Just enjoy the night, Julie Anne.’ I told myself before walking out of the room.

   There, standing beside the huge glass window is Elmo. Looking rather raggedly handsome with his hair undone. He’s on the phone again, talking to someone that’s why he didn’t notice me walking to him.

   'We’re coming back the next day. Yes, it’s sure. Maybe. Yes, know. I’ll call you okay? Bye, Ands.’

   Andi? Again? Ladies and gentlemen, my night just got ruined. Why was he talking to her again? Is she the reason why we are going home earlier on our vacation? Did Elmo lie about it being work related? It hurts. Hell, it hurts.

   'Julie!’ He called. He was completely stiff as a pole standing there while his eyes scan all over me. 

    'W-wow.’ He cleared his throat. 'I-i mean. Uhh. You, you look great.’ He laughed nervously while scratching the back of his neck. Clearing his throat again, he composed himself, looked at my eyes and smiled.

   'You look beautiful.’

   Ladies and gentlemen, I take it back. My night just got un-ruined.

   'You done checking me out, honey?’ I smirked at him, doing what he did earlier at me.

   He laughed at what I did, and his laugh lasted for a while as well, before he grabbed me gently by my waist.

   'So you did this on purpose to get back at me did you my wife?’ He smirked, his face full of amusement.

   'No.’ I casually shrugged at him before leaning a bit closer to him. I also did not miss his quick intake of breath.

   'I am naturally this beautiful, honey.’ I shot back, feeling him tighten his grip on my waist. I gave him a smile although I am literally very nervous and going nuts inside. Where the hell did I get that confidence anyway?

   'I believe so too, honey.’ He said, his voice now husky and his face now dangerously very close to mine. I inhaled his scent which made me go more crazy because of how good he smelled.

   He was inching more closer to me. Is he going to kiss me?? Oh god that thought made me go overdrive. I dragged my eyes on his pink lips. It was inches away from mine and I was itching to wrap my arms around his neck. And all of those was ruined, again, by a phone call.

   I looked at Elmo and saw his eyes bore into mine. His eyes held an emotion I can’t put a word into. He took out his phone without breaking our eye contact and answered it.

   'What?’ He asked, obviously irritated at whom it was. I laughed inside. 'Yes. Were on our way.’ He quickly shoved his phone inside his pocket and sighed. 'It’s the restaurant.’ He tucked a stray hair behind my ear and smiled at me. 'You ready?’

   'Meron ba dung strawberry cheesecake?’ I asked, feeling very comfortable with him even though we almost kissed earlier.

   He laughed. 'Yes. And I think they serve the best desserts there.’

   'Then what are we waiting for?’

   —

The place Elmo brought us was famous for their Italian cuisines, I figured much since he loves cooking Italian food. The atmosphere was great, the music the band was playing were very soothing and the smell of the food just made it perfect. 

  We literally just talked about everything in between eating our food. We tease, or more like, Elmo kept on teasing me about just everything and I just get all flushed about it wondering when the world turned completely upside down. But I loved all these changes. Every bit of it. I love how we can be comfortable with each other every time, no awkward conversations, nothing. Just us enjoying every moment together. That’s for me at least. 

  ‘So, did you like the place?’ This is my favorite here.’ Elmo smiled at me, drowning his wine within a second.  

  ‘Yeah. I kind of figured that since you love Italian.’ I answered him, scowling at how he fill his glass again with wine. ‘Are you trying to get drunk?’

  He laughed softly at me before leaning in to touch the wrinkled skin between my eyebrows. ‘Stop scowling at me, honey.’ He grinned. ‘Last glass ko na to. Promise.’ 

  ‘It better be. You’re driving and wala pa akong balak na mamatay.’ I glared, making him laugh more at my nagging so I just rolled my eyes and gestured someone to fetch us the bill since I have no idea if it’s really his last glass. A guy came to our table and placed the bill in front of me since Elmo and I was busy having a stare contest. He has this smug look on his face and a handsome smirk on his lips which caused me to do this stare contest with him. I can stare at Elmo’s face for eternity for all I care. 

  ‘Uhm, Ma’am?’ The waiter asked, making me want to smack him for ruining the moment. 

  ‘Honey, am I that gorgeous for you not to notice the poor guy here?’ Elmo laughed, finding it entertaining for him to embarrass me to the guy. ‘I’ll take that.’ He smiled at the waiter, getting the bill from the table.

  ‘J-julie??’ The guy called, making me and Elmo snap our eyes at him. I stared at the guy confused, thinking of how he knew my name. I know him. But I just can’t figure who he i-

  ‘Ohmygod. Cholo?!’

  ‘Julie!! I can’t believe your here!’ Cholo smiled, his eyes full of happiness and regret as they stare at mine. I can’t believe I almost did not recognize this guy. His face looked more mature now with his facial hair growing. He was the best guy friend ever since. Caring, gentle and very protective of me especially since the day my parents died. 

  I feel my eyes began to water as I stare at him. I missed him and I just can’t believe he did that to me. ‘Y-you..’

  He looked defeated. He carefully grabbed both of my hands and knelt. ‘Juls, I’m so sorry. I’m very very sorry sa ginawa ko sayo. I know mali yun and I don’t have the right to ask for your forgiveness pero gagawin ko pa din.’

  ‘Wh-why? Bakit mo ginawa yun? Alam mo ba ang nangyare sakin nung ginwa mo yun? God, Cholo I was homeless! Kahit yung pera ko sa bangko kinuha mo lahat!’ I said maintaining my voice within our table for us to not cause a scene.

  ‘Julie, I’m so sorry. I was wrong. I wasn’t thinking. Sobrang nagalala lang kami ni Krisha kasi I have an unstable job, marami na kaming utang na hindi nababayaran and 1 month na lang, lalabas na si baby. So out of impulse, I took your money away. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘8 months ng buntis si Krisha?? What the hell? Bakit hindi na lang kayo lumpait sakin??’

  ‘Julie I’m so sorry. I don’t really know why I did it. Hindi rin alam ni Krisha to nung una so when she found out sa New York, muntikan na kaming maghiwalay. She’s very sorry, Julie. We tried contacting you sa email mo and cell number pero wala kang reply.’ Email? Ohgod I forgot. The last time I checked that thing was months ago.

  ‘What happened? Bakit andito kayo sa New York?’ 

  ‘Kinuha kami ng mom ni Krisha after a week. We used your money to buy an apartment here and start a new life kasi ayaw ni Krisha gamitin yung pera ng parents nya. You know her.’ He smiled sadly. Yes, of course I knew. Even though Krisha’s parents were rich, she never asked them for their money. Her parents are great but Krisha just liked being independent. 

  ‘Julie, I’m really sorry. I deposit money at your bank account everytime I get paid. Mejo malaki na din yun pero wala pa sa kalahati yun ng kinuha ko. I’m trying my best to pay you Julie. Don’t worry.’ He smiled.

  ‘H-how about Krisha?’ 

   ‘She’s doing great. She gave birth last two weeks. Mejo gipit pa din kami sa pera dito lalo na may baby na kami pero we can manage. I just want to thank you Julie. And I’m really sorry.’

  I sighed. They’re the only family I got and I love the both of them. I guess I was just mad before because they left me. ‘It’s okay, Cholo. I guess, nagalit lang ako kasi iniwan nyo ko. I felt alone. Again.’ I smiled sadly. ‘Don’t worry about the money. Bayaran mo na lang ako pag kaya nyo na.’ 

  ‘Wh-what? Julie, no. Alam kong mabait ka pero. Pero we don’t deserve this.’

  ‘Cholo. Kayo na lang Krisha ang meron ako. I love you both. So please, kay baby na lang kayo magfocus ngayon. You can pay me pag stable na kayo.’

  ‘J-julie..’ He called, wiping his tears away. 

  ‘Y-yung baby.. Anong name niya?’ I asked slowly. I saw how Cholo’s eyes turned lovingly at the mention of her daughter. He smiled at me knowingly because he knew I adore kids.

  ‘Sophia Anne.’ He smiled. ‘I don’t know how it happened pero kasing kulit mo siya.’ He laughed, making me smack his head playfully before he envelop me with his hug. ‘I missed you, Juls.’ 

  I hugged him back. Genuinely grateful to have him back. ‘I missed you too.’ I said. And that’s when Elmo made us feel his presence. He coughed loudly causing us to break the hug and look at him. 

  ‘Oh. Cholo, this is my husband. Elmo.’ I introduced him, grabbing his free hand and squeezing it, looking apologetic at Elmo for forgetting to introduce him earlier.

  ‘H-husband??’ Cholo asked, wide eyed. ‘W-wait. I knew you looked familiar! Elmo Magalona?’

  Elmo stood up and raised a hand for a shake at Cholo. ‘Yes. Nice to finally meet you.’ Cholo gladly shook it and grinned down at me.

  ‘Lupet mo talaga, Jules.’ 

  ‘Shut up.’ I ignored him, standing up as well beside Elmo. He grabbed my waist and handed the bill to Cholo. ‘C-can I visit you guys tomorrow?’

  ‘Of course! Krisha will be happy. And I know you’ll love Sophie.’ He smiled. I handed him a card where he can contact me, hugged him goodbye, and left.

  ‘So he’s the famous Cholo huh?’ Elmo asked as he drive us back into the hotel. 

  ‘Yeah.’ I smiled. Very happy about the reunion with my friend. All the hate I felt towards them were gone. I’m just happy to have them back. 

  We got back at our suite just in time for me feel drowsy again so I quickly thanked Elmo for the dinner before heading to my room. I was just about to get inside when he stopped me. Grabbing my arm carefully.We just stood there and looked at each other eyes for some time. His eyes showing different emotions as they stare at mine. And those look gave me chills. They gave me butterflies. They drove me into the edge. It’s as if he is looking at a person he loves. 

  ‘M-moe?’ I called. Because it’s killing me to not know the reason why he is looking at me like that. Because I can’t point what it is he is trying to say with those beautiful eyes. 

  He smiled at me. The smile that will melt your insides more. That will make you fall in love more and more. 

  ‘You’re a great person, Julie.’ He said, his hand caressing my left cheek. ‘And I’m not just saying this because I’m your husband.’ He laughed softly. Kissing my forehead and whispering goodnight. 

The night went perfectly well and everything was just the way a girl would dream her first date to be. An intimate dinner beside the calm sea, the cold but fresh breeze,  a romantic song playing on the portable speaker, and beautiful lights dancing around them in the dark night. Not to mention the food Elmo made was a killer.

  It was all perfect, too perfect that I might end up thinking everything is real. Or wish for it to become real. And it was scary. I was scared because whatever it is that is happening or going to happen, I know I’ll get hurt.

  ‘Julie?’ He called.

  I turned my head towards Elmo and saw him giving me a curious look. ‘W-why?’ I asked, returning his curious look at him.

   ‘You spaced out again. Kanina pa kita tinatawag.’ He said, amusement showing in his eyes. ‘Are you okay? Lagi na lang malalim iniisip mo.’

  ‘Wala. And ganda kasi nung dagat.’ I smiled. If he only knew what was going on my crazy mind.

  ‘Don’t worry. Pag may time ako, I’ll bring you here again.’ He smiled back, making me stare at him surprised.

  ‘T-talaga?’

  ‘Oo naman. I promise.’

  ‘Pano kung divorced na tayo?’ I asked him, even though I might end up regretting it later, I still did.

  ‘We have lots of time together, Julie.’ He smiled again, holding my hand for reassurance. ‘Don’t worry about it okay?’

    ‘Okay..’ I answered, feeling him squeeze my hand he was holding. ‘Thank you for the dinner, Moe. I loved it.’ I added, giving him a genuine smile.

  ‘You’re very much welcome, Julie.’ He said, standing up and dragging me with him. ‘But still, it’s not a complete date if we don’t watch a movie right?’ He grinned while leading the way back into the beach house.

  ‘Very typical. I wonder if this date also involves a scary movie so that I will get all scared and you’ll protect me from the monsters with your arms wrapped all around me.’ I raised a brow at him, making him stop to look back at me.

  ‘Oh Julie. You know me too damn much.’ He smirked, adding a wink after he saw my blush.

  —

 I woke up in the morning, tucked in the bed inside my bedroom. The last thing I remember was me and Elmo watching a movie on the spacious living room here, how Elmo kept teasing me whenever I get scared, and how his arm wrap on my shoulders comfortably. I sighed, it felt nice how I seem to feel very comfortable around him.

  Puzzled on how I ended up here, I quickly went to the bathroom to wash myself and change my clothes. It was already eight in the morning so Elmo would probably want a breakfast when he woke up so I went straight to the kitchen. Only to find him there, busy preparing our breakfast with a sexy apron.

   ‘Good morning Julie.’ He beamed at me. ‘Come sit here. Malapit na tong maluto.’

  ‘ Bakit ang aga mong nagising? I was planning to prepare our breakfast.’ I said. Following him and sitting at the chair he pulled for me. The table was now covered with pancakes, eggs and some fresh orange juice, the only important thing missing was my bacons.

  ‘It’s a habit. I jog early in the morning at the beach whenever I come here.’ He answered while placing the mouthwatering bacons near me.

  ‘I see. Ako na lang magluluto ng lunch natin. Nakakahiya naman, ever since we got here ikaw lang nagluluto.’

  He chuckled. ‘Don’t worry about it, Julie. It’s my pleasure. Pero since nagoffer ka, can you cook your famous chicken adobo? I was kinda craving for it.’ He asked, a sheepish smile on his face.

  I smirked at him, amused at his request. ‘Talaga lang ah. To think nilait lait mo pa luto ko dati.’

  ‘Hey I took it back!’ He laughed. ‘Pleeease?’

  Can he just be more cruel? Why does he need to give me that pout and cute puppy look? I bit my cheeks inside to prevent myself from giving a wide smile. ‘Fine. I’ll cook your adobo.’

  ‘Yes!! Thanks, wifey!’

  ‘You’re welcome, Mosey.’

  ‘That’s not how you respond, wifey.’

  ‘What?’ I looked at him before stuffing my mouth with some pancakes.

  ‘When I call you wifey, call me hubby.’ He said, almost making me believe he was sincere when he looked so serious.

  ‘No way. I’m not calling you that. Baduy.’

  ‘Fine.’ He took a sip from his glass before talking again. ‘How about babe?’

  ‘Na-uh. Not happening.’

  ‘Why? You used to call your ex babe?’

  ‘No. I never had a boyfriend, Mr. Magalona.’ I said, making him dumbfounded. I smiled inside seeing how his mouth opened a bit and his eyes dilated.

  ‘Wh-what??’

  ‘You heard me.’

  ‘Seriously?’ I nodded. ‘Wow. I feel very honored.’ He grinned.

  ‘Honored ka dyan. Sapak gusto mo?’

  He laughed. ‘So ako pala first mo sa lahat. First kiss, date, boyfriend slash husband.’

  ‘And so?’

  ‘You’re very adorable. And with that I will now officially call you honey.’ He declared making me smile at how he said that declaration.

  ‘Akala ko ba babe? Bat naging honey?’

  ‘Wala lang. Mas cute ang honey eh. And because you’re cute, sweet, good for the heart and stuff, I’m going to call you honey. Very married din pakinggnan.’ He said seriously. ‘And I love honey.’ I looked at him stunned.

  ‘Wh-what?’

  ‘You know. I use honey instead of sugar sometimes, I love how it mix with other ingredients as well. It tastes amazing so I love it. You should try it sometimes.’

  Of course. Dream on, Julie.

  ‘Oo nga pala. I’m sorry to tell you this pero we need to go back to Philippines the next day. May nangyari kasi sa office kaya ayun. Mommy Dins said she was very sorry.’ Elmo said making me a bit sad. I loved the place and I was planning to stay here much longer than planned. But I guess it’s not happening.

  ‘It’s okay. Baka kaylagan ka na talaga dun.’ I gave him a reassuring smile.

  ‘I promise I’ll bring you here again.’ He smiled back. ‘Do you want to go shopping? I think mom will be expecting some souvenirs when we go back. Especially my sister.’

  ‘Sure. San tayo bibili?’

  ‘I was planning for us to stay at New York today. 5 hours lang naman ang travel time. Ateast we have all day tomorrow to explore the city.’ He looked at me, obviously anticipating my reaction. ‘What do you say?’ He grinned.

  ‘Freakin’ yes!!! Ohgod. You’re serious right??’ I said smiling widely at him, clearly excited since I haven’t been to New York. This is one helluva of a honeymoon.

  ‘Yes Julie. I am serious.’ He laughed at my excitement. I wonder if he found that either crazy or cute. ‘You better pack now coz we are leaving in two hours or so..’

  I didn’t get the chance to hear Elmo’s complete sentence since I squealed right after he said pack and ran as fast as I can to my room to start packing. I guess he was entertained at my reactions since I clearly heard him laughing when I bolted away from the table.

  I only brought two bags so it wasn’t that hard for me to prepare my things. I literally just stuffed all of my things on the bigger bag and kept my personal belongings on my handbag. I changed my pajamas into some jeans and shirt, smiling after checking the time on my wristwatch and realizing that it just took me half an hour to get ready. I was that excited.

  Grabbing my luggage, I went downstairs to place them on the couch when I heard Elmo still on the kitchen talking to someone on the phone. I walked inside, confused at why he was still in there and saw him doing the dishes. I am a horrible wife.

  ‘Yes. What time is it? … Okay, get here after an hour.’ He dismissed the call. I think it was his staff he was talking to.

  ‘I am so sorry!!!’ I said, guilty as hell.

  ‘Julie! Bakit ka nagsosorry?’ He chuckled, wiping his hands on a clean towel. He moved away from the sink and I saw that the dishes were already done.

  ‘Ughh. I was so excited I forgot the dishes.’ I groaned, covering my face with both hands. ‘Wala na kong natulong sa buong trip.’

  This is the most embarrassing thing ever. How could I forget Elmo? And the dishes? Not to mention I just realized that I literally did nothing the whole trip besides sleeping, eating, and relaxing.  

  ‘Hey, it’s okay.’ He laughed. Damn he’s not upset. And damn when did he become so gentle. ‘I still have an hour to get ready.’

  I removed my hands from my face to look at him and realized that he was already standing in front of me. I looked up at him since he was freaking tall and saw him smiling down at me. ‘You’re not mad?’

  ‘No, I’m not.’

  ‘Are you sure an hour is enough for you to get ready?’

  He grinned ‘Yes, I am sure.’

  ‘C-can I help?’

  ‘I’m fine, Julie. I’ll just take a quick shower and pack my stuffs.’

  I nodded. ‘Okay. How about you take your time in the shower while I pack your things?’ I suggested since I really really feel that I need to do something even though he’s not upset.

  ‘Julie. You don’t need to d-‘

  I stopped him and pushed him outside the kitchen since I’ll do what I suggested whether he agrees or not. ‘Come on, Moe. Wala din naman akong gagawin.’

  ‘Fine.’ He said, though I can sense him smiling.

  When we got to his room, Elmo handed me the bags he brought before he went inside the shower and shouting ‘Wag kang maninilip ahh!’ I just threw a shirt at him while he was laughing. I started packing Elmo’s stuffs after he got into the shower and it was a lot easier since everything was in order inside his room. I swear he is more organized than me. Not to mention I’m a girl.

  Placing the last set of shirts on the bag, I gently zipped it up, smiling down at the neat luggage on the bed. I was about to call out Elmo and tell him I was done when the bathroom door opened, letting my mind think about a lot of things. And some are very inappropriate I tell you. For about god knows how long, I was literally just glued on my feet, staring at Elmo whose only clothe was a towel wrapped under him while he was drying his hair with a smaller towel. When did the room get so freaking hot?

  ‘Julie? Julie!’

  I snapped out of it when I heard Elmo calling me, so I looked up at him and saw his smirk. ‘You okay? Kanina pa kita tinatawag. ‘He said, his smile getting even more bigger. Ughh.

  ‘I-I’ll just wait outside.’ I said, walking-no-running outside as fast as I can while the asshole laugh inside. I slammed the door close and gripped my crazily fast beating heart while fanning myself with my other hand.

I stirred on my sleep, hearing some noises inside the house. After waiting for it to go away, I lazily dragged myself up annoyed by the sounds coming from somewhere. I glanced at the bedside clock and realized I slept throughout the day after getting back from the main island earlier. 

  ‘Sino ba yung maingaaay?’ I whined, opening the bedroom door, surprised to see Elmo whose about to knock. He smiled at me and placed his hand down.

  ‘Good. You’re awake.’ 

  ‘Bat andito ka pa?’ I curiously asked while he curiously looked at me. 

  ‘What?’ 

  ‘Diba aalis ka ngayong gabi?’ 

  ‘Again, what?’ He asked back, and I noticed how his brows furrowed even more.

  ‘Diba sabi mo sakin kanina you have plans tonight? Why are you still here?’ I said, noticing his confusion fade a little.

  ‘You thought I was going out? Alone?’ 

  ‘Well, yeah… Hi-hindi ba?’ 

  He shook his head, amused. ‘You seriously think I will leave you here alone?’ he smiled. ‘Wait. Is that why you were upset earlier?’ 

  ‘Uhh.. Well.. I just thought na.. Na iiwan mo ko..’ I admitted. God Julie nakakahiya ka talagaa. 

  ‘Well I won’t.’ He laughed, handing me a big box. ‘Wear this and go down after. Sa may beach. I’ll wait for you.’ And with that he left, me standing there completely dumbfounded with a big box on my hand.

  ---- 

  I stared at my reflection one last time before going out of my room. I wore the beautiful blue summer dress that is inside the box Elmo gave me. I ran my hand over the fabric again to straighten the non visible folds and sighed. 

   Please, Moe. Don't make this harder for me. Glancing at my reflection briefly before going out. 

  I heard Elmo at the kitchen talking, probably on his phone, so I went there to check up on him. Stopping in an instant when I heard something.

  'Yes, Andi. Were good here. Yeah, I'll call you back. Sure, ofcourse. Okay. Bye, Ands.' He said before cutting the call. Way to go Elmo, thank you for ruining my day. 

  I waited for a short moment before revealing my presence at the kitchen where he was, rummaging the refrigerator for something. When he got what he needed, he carelessly shut the fridge with his right foot, looking up at me with wide eyes.

  ‘Julie! Ginulat mo naman ako.’ He said letting out a sigh but quickly forming a smile on his face. ‘You look great.’ 

  ‘Uhh, thanks.’ I blushed, the only thing I am best at whenever Elmo is around. ‘We’re drinking?’ I asked, eyeing the bottle of wine on his hand. 

  ‘Yepp.’ He smiled. The gorgeous sincere smile that makes my heart go thump. Why? Why do you do this?? Get a grip, Julie. This is a fake marriage!

  ‘Ahh. Ano ba occasion?’ I laughed nervously. ‘Bakit parang ang special naman ng dinner na to?’ 

‘Julie! Hey open the door!’ Elmo shouted from outside and I have been ignoring it for the past 20 minutes.

  If you’re curious why we ended up here upstairs instead of finishing our dinner, it is because that no good son of a frog annoyed the hell out of me. I was completely stiff after he pulled out that stunt of taking his shirt off and I was aware that my face looked like a freaking tomato and still he rubbed it in my face turning me into a more deep shade of red. Hell I wanted to kill him because that was indeed embarrassing. 

  ‘Julie come on! I was kidding!’ He whined, grunting and sighing every time. Who am I kidding. I’m just completely irritated at the fact that Elmo affected me more that I could think of. And that shit is really getting into my nerves. He has this effect on me whenever he’s around which I can’t put a name on and it’s terrifying because I know that if these continue, I might end up regretting this fake marriage and wanting a real one instead.

  ‘Julie please.’ He sighed. ‘Look I’m really sorry! You’re not the type to get irritated easily at my cockiness and I was used to you snapping a fucking good comeback every time I say something.’ 

  I laughed silently at his frustration. 

  ‘Julie, if it’s your time of the month I completely understa-‘ 

  I cut him off, opening the door to glare at him. ‘It’s not my time of the month.’

  ‘Uh I, I mean..’ he said scratching the back of his neck before giving me a sheepish smile. ‘Sorry?’ He grinned. 

  ‘I swear Elmo, if you plan to annoy me the whole trip, ipapakain kita sa mga pating!’ 

  ‘I promise to try.’ He chuckled. ‘So am I forgiven?’ 

  I rolled my eyes at him and started to go down the stairs to finish my dinner feeling him getting close from behind. He placed his right arm on my shoulder immediately after catching up. ‘Seriously Julie. Mababaliw ako pag hindi mo ko pinatawad.’ He laughed and my breathing stopped. ‘Mga isda na ang kinakausap ko ngayon if you didn’t open that door.’     

  I sighed. Sa isda pala nabaliw.

   ------- 

  ‘Julie, fasteeer.’ I heard Elmo grunt as I make my way downstairs. 

  ‘Eto na! Bat ka ba kasi nagmamadali?’ 

  ‘Ayoko lang na gabihin tayo. I have plans!’ 

  ‘You have plans pala eh edi wag ka na sumama.’ I snapped. Why the hell would he make plans in the evening without her anyway? I bet he’s going to do bar hopping later.

  ‘I’m not going to let you go to our public island alone. Madaming tao dun ngayon.’ 

  ‘So what? I’m already 24 if you’re not aware, Mr. Magalona.’ I snapped, getting inside the boat first. 

  ‘Bat ba ang init ng ulo mo? Okay ka naman kanina ahh?’ 

  ‘Whatever.’  

  I completely ignored him during the trip back to the main island where we first went. I hopped off the boat when we got there, putting on my shades and striding on the sand beneath the heat of the sun. It was surprisingly hot in there and I was glad chose to wear a black bikini under my white loose shirt and shorts. I scanned the area and it’s already packed with lots of men, women and even children on their beach outfits. I continued to walk around the place, not looking behind me where I know Elmo is patiently following. 

  ‘Julie wait.’ He called from behind, grabbing my wrist to turn me around. ‘May problema ba?’ 

  Yes. I said to myself. ‘Wala. Bakit?’

  ‘You’re obviously mad or upset about something.’ He said, looking confused and worried. ‘Please tell me. I don’t want us fighting the whole trip.’ 

  I sighed, catching how his face soften, I just can’t tell him that him having other plans for the evening upsets me, right? I mean, I’m his fake wife for pete’s sake and it’s not pleasant for me to just get mad at him because this is all fake. For him atleast. 

  ‘Julie?’

  ‘Look, I’m sorry.’ I sighed, looking up to meet his eyes. ‘Sa init lang siguro dito ngayon kaya ganto ako.’ I said trying to smile. 

  ‘Moody din kasi talaga weather dito sa California ngayon. Parang ikaw.’ He smiled teasingly. 

  ‘Sige, dagdagan mo pa inis ko Magalona.’ 

  He laughed, carefully putting his arm on my shoulders. ‘Joke lang, wifey. Wag ka na magsungit ah.’ 

  ‘Oo na.’ 

  ‘Good.’ He said pinching my nose playfully making me blush. I just didn’t let his see that though. ‘Soo, where to mi’lady?’

  ‘Ewan ko sayo.’ I laughed at his accent. ‘Let’s just sit there for a while, nakakapapagod eh.’

  ‘Yeah, tara.’ He smiled down at me before leading me to one of the vacant seats there in the beach, his hand on my back. I sat down immediately hiding myself under the umbrella. 

  ‘Namumula ka na Juls.’ He said, staring down at me. 

  ‘Uhh, yeah. Namumula kasi talaga ako pag sobrang init ehh.’ I said shyly, removing my sunglasses to inspect the pinkish parts of my skin.

  ‘Wait here. I’ll go get something to drink.’ And he left without even letting me say anything.

  I dragged my eyes around the beach again watching the crowd enjoy the sun. I suddenly got conscious on the shirt I am wearing since I am the only one in the entire place who's wearing a shirt, completely forgotten that were on a different state. So I reached for the hem of my shirt, tugging it off of me, leaving my shorts and a black bikini top. It felt good, feeling my skin cool down. I grabbed the sunblock beside and started applying some on my skin when I heard someone clearing his throat, seeing a tall shirtless guy infront of me when i looked up.

  ‘Hi.’ He grinned and I admit he is quite a charmer. But he got nothing on Elmo.

  ‘Would you like some help with that?’

  ‘I’m sorry what?’

  He laughed. ‘Want me to put the cream for you on your back or something?’ 

  ‘Uh.. No. No thank you. I’m good.’ I said, not liking the smile on the guy’s face. 

  ‘Oh come on, let me help you.’ He stepped a bit closer to me just to get dragged behind immediately after. 

  ‘I clearly heard my WIFE rejecting your offer, so get the fuck away from her.’ Elmo growled at the guy, sending him daggers and pushing him away to come to me. The guy walked away since he was smart enough to see that Elmo was a lot bigger than him.

  ‘What are you wearing?!’ Now he’s shouting at me. Great. 

  ‘Elmo, I’m wearing the appropriate outfit for a beach.’ 

  ‘No! Isuot mo ulit yung shirt mo Julie.’ He said, still mad. 

  ‘Ayoko nga! Ang init init eh. At tsaka bakit ba sakin ka nagagalit ha??’ 

  ‘Can you just put the fucking shirt back on? Every guy on this fucking place is fucking staring at you!’ He snapped at me. And me, eventually realizing he was right, placed my shirt back uncomfortably and looked down after. I heard Elmo sigh, kneeling so he was now face to face with me.

  ‘Hey I’m sorry for shouting.’ He said, holding one of my hand. ‘Nagalit lang talaga ako when I saw most of the guys slowly coming here. Then I saw you.. You wearing that.. That thing and..’

  ‘I know. You probably thought I’m a slut right?’ I said, looking at him in the eyes. I saw how his expression changed and he shook his head immediately.

  ‘God Julie no! You’re hot and you look great that’s why they were looking at you. And I don’t like it because you’re mine, I’m your husband and they don’t get to see you like that.’ He said almost breathless. ‘Sorry for shouting at you earlier. 

  Okay. What. Did. He. Just. Say?? I stared at him, completely stiff on my seat. What the hell? How did he manage to say that and act like it was okay because it was not okay for me to hear those because i can fucking feel myself falling for him even more so he should just stop those god not to mention I am babbling and my heart is beating rapidly right now like oh my god oh my god oh my god!!

  ‘Julie! Okay ka lang ba talaga? Ang pula mo na lalo.’ He said touching the side of my face. ‘That’s it. Were going back.’ 

  And I just went with him back to the boat, silently. Looking at him from time to time. Still hyperventilating inside. 

  God Elmo, you’re killing me.

‘Julie..’ I heard someone say. ‘Julie.. Come on, were here.’ That voice again said. After having the most back and butt aching sleep in my entire existence here on earth, I decided to open my eyes, finding his beautiful brown eyes immediately.

  ‘Hmm.. Dito na tayo?’ I asked, still in my sleepy voice. 

  ‘Well, almost. We still need to ride a yacht to get there.’ Elmo said making my eyes go wide in anticipation.

  ‘Really??’

  ‘Yes. You look excited.’ He said, smiling back at me. Why wouldn’t I be?? Heck, it’s been years since I had a vacation. 

  ‘Because I am excited, Elmo.’ I laughed, getting out of the car as I felt the cold wind hit my body. I skimmed my eyes over the place and the view is just amazing. We were at a beach hotel that is really huge and every inch of the place is just perfect. 

  ‘I thought we need to ride a yacht to get there?’ I asked confused at what Elmo was referring to as ‘there’ when we are already here.

  ‘This is not the place I planned to take you Julie.’ He smiled at me, then turning to the American boy to give directions, telling him to get our bags and put it on the yacht. I was disappointed that we aren’t staying here in this amazing place though. 

  ‘ Let’s go.’ Elmo said, grabbing my hand and leading the way. We walked for a few minutes after getting to the deck where I quickly spotted a white yacht. I excitedly pulled Elmo, entering the spacious water vehicle. 

  ‘It’s a gorge!’ I said admiring the yacht.

  ‘Hahaha. Of course, Julie. This is one of my babies.’ He said, smirking. ‘You can relax inside while I drive this thing. It’ll just take a few minutes though.’

  ‘No, I’m okay here. Gusto ko din makita yung view eh.’ I said, staying just a few meters away from where Elmo would be driving. He just smiled and nodded.

  My eyes were glued on the clear water the whole trip. It was so beautiful. I can even see some of the coral reefs and lots of different sea creatures on the water. The breeze was chilly but I ignored it, admiring everything around me. I also glance at Elmo from time to time, smiling at myself whenever I catch him looking at me. Being beautiful is not crime. I evil laughed inside, remembering how he looked when I caught him for the third time. 

  I was still mentally laughing when my eyes caught an island. It’s not as huge as the one before, but it was big. You can clearly see that it has only one huge house there, built in the very center on the island. 

  ‘That’s where we will be staying.’ Elmo said, pointing at the island. He stopped the yacht near the shore and four men welcomed us. They greeted us and went inside the yacht while we get off. Three of them carried our bags into the house and one stayed. 

  ‘You can go back to the hotel when they come back. I’ll just call when we need you guys here.’ Elmo instructed the guy before turning to me. ‘So… You like it?’ 

  ‘Hell yes!! This is perfect!!!’ I squealed making him laugh. ‘Pero bat parang walang tao?’ 

  ‘This is ours Julie. The whole island.’ He said smiling. ‘Well, originally this is mom and dad’s but they gave it to us. Wedding gift.’ He shrugged. ‘Shall we?’ he offered his hand and I gratefully accepted it. 

  ‘We shall.’

     --------

  The place is a paradise. Literally! And I am very thankful that Elmo brought me here. A place that is peaceful and beautiful, away from the noisy city life. I pushed myself to the queen size bed in the room I will be staying at and shut my eyes close. Now I can feel how exhausted I was. After minute or so, the door opened but I didn’t bother to move since I know that the only person here on the island besides me is Elmo. 

  ‘Hey, I’m cooking lunch. What do you want?’ he said, as I feel him enter my room.

  ‘Kahit ano. Di naman ako mapili.’ 

  He laughed and commented. ‘Kaya ang taba mo eh.’ 

  ‘WHAT?!?!’ I quickly sat up, glaring at him. ‘Anong mataba?!?!’ 

  ‘Hahaha! You know.. Fat, chubby… Baboy..’ He smirked, no no, scratch that, he smiled his devious evil smile! I glared at him, making his smile grew wider. No one! Not a single person here on this planet ever called me fat! Lalong lalo na baboy!

  ‘Hoy Elmo Magalonang mukang unggoy! Hindi ako mataba!! Sexy ako!! S-E-X-Y!!!!’ 

  ‘Hahahaha! Oo na lang!’

  ‘Aba’t talagang sinusubukan mo ko ahh!’ I taunted him. I was about to strangle him and beat his ass to death when he held his hand up. Pausing my murderous act.

  ‘Hahaha. Save it Julie. I know you’re tired. Mamaya na tayo magwrestling sa kama ko.’ He said, winking at me after sprinting away from the bed.

  ‘BABOY!!!!’ I shouted. Napaka manyak talaga netong lalaking to. Uggh!

  ‘Hahaha! Pikon!’ He shouted back, opening another door in the room, which I suppose is the bathroom. He looked back at me and gave me his boyish smile which I like. ‘Hey, I’ll run you a bath okay? Relax yourself a bit while I prepare our lunch.’ 

  Anoo daw? His mood swings are worst than females in their time of the month. I looked at him confused and raised a brow at him which he noticed.

  ‘Hindi kita sisilipan. Kahit end of the world na bukas.’ He laughed, shaking his head. He went inside the bathroom still chuckling. I heard the running water inside until it fades and Elmo getting out after. ‘Sige na. Just come down pag tapos ka na.’ He smiled. 

  I just stared at him until he was out of my sight, shaking my head while I get some fresh clothes on my travel bag. ‘Lakas talaga ng tama nun.’ 

  I stayed at the tub for almost half an hour, finally deciding to get out of the water since my hands are starting to get wrinkled. I put on a simple gray sweater and pants, dried my long brown hair and finally went downstairs. I searched for the kitchen inside the mansion and followed an amazing smell which immediately made me hungry. I quickened my pace until I saw Elmo facing the kitchen counter while singing One Republic’s Love runs out. I laughed quietly and sat on one of the highchairs there. 

  ‘Bango ah.’ I said, making him jump a little before turning to face me. 

  ‘God Julie! You scared me.’ He said shaking his head. ‘And talagang mabango ako.’ He added with that famous smirk of his.

  ‘Utot! Yang niluluto mo!’ 

  He narrowed his eyes at me and laughed. ‘Words, Julie. We are at the presence of the most appetizing food in the world.’ 

  ‘Blah blah. Whatever.  Ano bayan? Nakakagutom naman.’ I asked eying the dish he was preparing.

  ‘Chicken parmigiano and Risotto ala Elmo.’ He said, wiggling his eyebrows at me. 

  ‘Naks. Mukhang masarap yan ahh.’ I said, but regretting that I did the moment he looked at me with a teasing smile.

  ‘Julie, Julie, Julie. Nilagyan ko lang ng ala Elmo, masarap na?’ He laughed in the most possibly annoying way. ‘Masarap talaga ako, Wifey.’ 

  I narrowed my eyes at the laughing asshole in front of me which made him laugh even more. ‘Could you stop?’ I snapped, irritated. 

  ‘Hey I was kidding, ang sungit mo naman.’ Elmo pouted intentionally, making me want to kiss those beautiful red lips….

  Wait what?? I did not just say that. 

  I mentally slapped myself for thinking like a sexually deprived teenage girl. But who the heck won’t when there’s a gorgeous human being in front you really? God I need to stop these horrendous thoughts about my fake husband!!

  ‘Hey!’ I snapped out of it when I felt something cold brush against my left cheek, which is a tall glass of mango shake I guess? 

  ‘What?’ I asked Elmo whose still holding out the glass to me. 

  ‘Well you obviously spaced out, honey.’ He chuckled, I can see the amusement in his eyes. ‘I was asking you if mango shake is okay. It’s fresh and I made it.’ 

  ‘Oh. Uh, yes it’s okay.’ I smiled, taking the glass from his hand. ‘Bakit hindi ka na lang nagculinary? You obviously love food.’ 

  ‘I studied culinary for two years. Hindi ko na natapos because my schedule gets more busier every year.’ 

  ‘Ahh. But do you plan on continuing?’ 

  ‘Not sure.’ He said, placing the dish in front of me, immediately making me drool. ‘But I like to. Gusto ko rin magtayo ng restaurant in France someday.’ He said as he slid on the chair across me. 

  I smiled at him, admiring how his eyes lit up when he told me that. ‘That’s really nice. But if you have to choose, actor or whatever you call you’re cooking dream?’ 

  He laughed, shaking his head at my choice of words. ‘Well I love acting.’ He smirked. ‘You know because everyone can have the privilege to look and admire my gorgeous being.’ 

  ‘Of course..’ I snorted, crunching my nose up like I was disgusted. ‘The privilege of getting their eyes infected for looking at your hideous face and obese body.’ I laughed, adding a fake gag at the end. When I didn’t hear any egoistic comeback from Elmo, I glanced at him checking if my words offended him, but instead, I saw a wide smile on his face and the playful glint in his eyes that made me shudder. 

  Oh no.. 

  ‘Julie. My dear Julie.’ He smirked. ‘If you want to see my body just ask me babe. You don’t need to insult my body for an excuse to make me feel all worked up and conscious so that I will eventually take my shirt off to show you…’ he said, only pausing to take his shirt off of him. And it’s the sexiest thing I have ever seen in my entire fucking life.

    Julie’s POV

    ‘Julie!!! Come on!!’ I heard Elmo downstairs. I checked on my watch again and saw that it was already 8am. Screw Elmo! Bakit ba kasi ngayon nya lang sinabi na aalis pala kami ngayon?! So now here I am in my messy bedroom shoving clothes on my travel bags.

After my panic packing, satisfied on my clothes, I quickly checked myself on the mirror, grabbing my bags and storming downstairs. 

    ‘What took you so long?’ Elmo beamed at me. Really?? He just told me an hour ago that we were going to LA for Pete’s sake!

    ‘Aba at galit ka pa?? Hindi ako ready para dito noh! Kanina mo lang kaya sinabi!’ 

    ‘You should have thought that after every weddings, are honeymoons.’ He rolled his eyes. He grabbed the bags on my hand and went outside. Spell moody!! I just rolled my eyes on him as well and followed. 

    It was just a 30 mins drive to the airport. Just in time. Honestly, this is just my second time leaving the country. My first was with my parents and it was the best day of my life. They took me into Disneyland. I smiled at the thought. 

    ‘Why are you smiling?’ I heard Elmo, looking at me confused. 

    ‘Naalala ko lang sila mama.’ I replied silently. 

    ‘Are you okay?’ He asked again, I can see that he’s worried so I can’t help but to smile at the thought of him caring for me. 

    ‘Yepp.’ 

    ‘Alright. Let’s go then.’ He grabbed my hand again, and heck, I keep on smiling at those hands that were totally perfectly fit for each other. I looked up at him and saw him staring.

    ‘What?’ I curiously asked. May dumi ba ko sa muka? 

    ‘You keep on smiling. Baliw ka naba?’ He asked with an amused smile. Why does his smile needs to be so perfect?! Ughh get a hold of yourself Julie!!!

    ‘Che!’ I said rolling my eyes on him. Then he laughed. Okay! Wala na! Inlove na ko! Uggghhh shit no!!!!!

    ‘Meron ka ata eh?’ He asked again so I glared at him. ‘Joke lang, misis.’ He said with his playful smile now. I gave him an eyeroll again, baka mahalata nyang kinilig ako so I need to stay this way. But eventually, I was defeated by my ownself. As a smile crept in my lips. I am so messed up. 

    The flight was long and tiring, yes, even though we just sat there for hours it was tiring. We landed at LA and now taking a three hour drive to wherever Elmo is taking us. I guess he knew some people here. Since the man driving the car address him as Sir Elmo. He’s American though.

     ‘Are you tired?’ He asked. I just gave him a small smile. Then he did it again. He carefully placed my head on his chest, laying our back on the seat. I can probably do a happy dance. ‘Sleep, Julie. Malayo pa tayo.’ 

    ‘Where are we going anyway?’ I yawned. Feeling my eyelids get heavier. 

    ‘You’ll see when we get there.’ He said, I can sense him smiling though. I hear the man on the driver seat ask Elmo something but I just heard mumbles, drifting into sleep in a minute. 

    --

    Elmo’s POV 

    We were on the road, travelling again to get to where I wanted Julie to see. It was a resthouse that my family owns, and it’s one of my favorite places. It was too big for a resthouse anyway so they decided to make it public, building hotels beside the beach. But not the private island we stay at. We are the only ones who can go there. 

    I glanced at Julie beside me. Her eyes glued on the television inside the car but she’s not really paying attention, seeing her eyes close every now and then. 

    ‘Are you tired?’ I asked, obviously Elmo. She looked at me for a brief moment and smiled. She’s really pretty today by the way. She’s just wearing a pink hoodie and pants. Her hair tied up with some strands falling, and her face devoid of make up. Just her natural pinkish cheeks and lips.

Without having second thoughts, I placed her head on my chest again, wanting to feel her close to me again. I smiled when she didn't wnet stiff again like last night. 'Sleep, Julie. Malayo pa tayo.' I said.

    'Where are we going anyway?' She asked me, yawning after. Which I find very cute. 

    Julie was inside her hotel room waiting. She wanted an alone time 1o minutes before the ceremony after Tina finished her work. She took a few steps closer to the human sized mirror beside the bed and stared at her reflection. She was wearing this perfect white mermaid wedding gown with touches of blue on the top, and laced bare back that showed her flawless skin. Her silky long brown hair, curled and messily pinned up in perfection. And her shoes, well she never liked wearing heels and her gown is too long, so she quickly changed her stiletto into her blue sneakers the moment Tina left the room. She giggled at herself remembering her naughty act. 

    She turned to the sofa there, rested her back, closed her eyes and took a long breath. Now she’s nervous. Very nervous, that her whole body is shaking. 

    Oh god. Calm down. You need to calm down, Julie. She whispered to herself. But then she dismissed the thought. Who the hell wouldn’t get nervous when you are about to marry someone you are totally not allowed to fall for but eventually is about to… She’s definitely screwed up. 

    ‘Ehem.’ A tall man whose about in his early 50s entered the room. He’s wearing a metallic blue Armani suit and yes, he is goodlooking despite his age. ‘Julie, right?’ he asked. 

    ‘Y-yes. Ako nga po.’ She obediently smiled. She was about to stand up when the man gestured to not bother doing it so. 

    ‘It’s alright. Just sit down. I don’t want my son’s soon to be wife to ruin her wedding dress.’ He smiled. 

    ‘Oh. Uhm, Hello po sir. I didn’t know your Elmo’s father.’ Julie said surprised. 

    ‘I am well aware of that. He looks more like his mother. I’m Chris Magalona, Elmo’s father.’ He said, extending his hand to Julie for a handshake which she gladly took. ‘I hope the both of you really thought this through. Marriage is not an easy thing. Lalo na si Elmo pa ang mapapngasawa mo. You’ll need tons of patience.’ He smirked.

    Elmo definitely got that smile from his father. Julie thought. ‘Yes, tito. Alam ko po yun. Hahaha.’ 

    ‘Haha. You should start calling me dad.’

    She smiled. ‘Yes, dad.’ 

    ‘Very good.’ He chuckled. ‘We better get going. You wouldn’t want to get late on your wedding day.’ They laughed, he helped Julie stand up and led the way outside. 

    They both stopped at the closed big beautiful wooden door, the church’s main entrance, alongside with two men in uniform. 

    This is it. Julie thought. She took a deep breath and smiled. 

    ‘Are you ready?’ Chris asked her and she nodded. He gestured at the men on the door and the opened it. Welcoming them with flashes of light coming from the cameras. After a second of blindness due to the flashes, a white and blue themed wedding welcomed Julie’s eyes. It was perfection.

   They are walking on a long blue carpet that leads to the aisle. She never knew that Elmo would pick her favorite color, which is blue, to be their wedding theme. And she was grateful because that totally made her nervousness go away. She scanned hey eyes through the people inside the big hotel church. Smiling at their guest as she pass through them, also spotting Jake and Andi. She knew a lot of them actually, since she’s been seeing them on the television the past years. Then her eyes drifted infront. Seeing him standing in his white tux smiling at her.

   Gosh, he looks gorgeous. She thought. She just glued her eyes on him the whole time. 

    ‘Julie?’ Chris called her. She didn’t even realized that they were already infront of Elmo. 

    ‘Uh. Yes?’ 

    ‘You spaced out.’ Elmo grinned at her making his father laugh.  ‘Well I guess I’m handing her over to you now son. Treat her right, understood?’ 

    ‘Ofcourse dad.’ He smiled. Now taking Julie’s hand and guiding her infront of the altar. 

    ‘You look very beautiful, Julie.’ Elmo whispered at her sending chills to Julie’s body as she felt him very close to her.

    ‘You look good as well, Mr. Magalona.’ She smiled, looking up on him. Seeing his smile turn into a lopsided one.

    ‘Thank you, Mrs. Magalona.’ 

    They had the usual wedding ceremony. The priest blessing them, saying their vows to each other, putting their rings on each other and kissing each other. Which Elmo made quick since he doesn’t even know if Julie would like it. 

    All of them went into the wedding reception after, which was a glamorous hall also inside the hotel. Everyone greeting them and giving them blessing. Dancing, chatting, eating and drinking the whole night. Julie was specifically dead tired. She stormed her way past through the crowd and sat on one of the white couches there. Followed by Elmo.

    ‘Tired?’

    ‘Soooobra.’ Julie replied leaning her head on the couch and shutting her eyes. 

    Elmo chuckled at the sight finding her very cute when she yawned. He carefully grabbed her head, resting it on his chest as he lay his back on the couch making her eyes pop. He felt her stiffen making him smile.

    ‘Relax, Julie. I’m your husband now. I can do this okay? I don’t want you getting uncomfortable.’ He said, feeling her body relax.

    ‘Sorry, di lang ako sanay na sweet ka.’ She laughed a little.

    ‘Hey. I’m a gentleman since birth.’ He snapped laughing with her.

    ‘So kakapanganak mo pa lang pala.’ She said with her sleepy voice.

    ‘Galing mo talaga mangasar. Haha. Are you sleepy?’ 

    ‘Hmm.’ She nodded.

    ‘Then let’s go home.’

    ‘Nakakahiyang umalis andami pang bisita-aaaaahh’ she said yawning at her last word.

    ‘Hahaha. Cute. They won’t mind, Julie. Alam nilang pagod na tayo. And may honeymoon pa tayo.’ He teased earning him a grunt as she elbowed him. ‘Tulog na nga lakas pa din.’ He laughed.

    ‘Di ako tulog. Antok lang.’ 

    ‘That’s it. Were going home.’ He said, carefully standing up and holding Julie’s hand to make her stand as well. They made their way into Chris and Paula. 

    ‘Mom, Dad. Were going. Julie’s tired.’

    ‘Oh. Sure son. Kami na bahala dito.’ Paula smiled, giving them both hugs and kisses as she bid them goodbye. 

    ‘And by the way, 10am ang flight nyo tomorrow so you two better not stay up too late, okay?’ Chris teased, making them laugh besides Julie who turned red. 

    ‘I can’t promise that, dad.’ Elmo said looking playfully at Julie whom gave him a painful pinch on his arm, making them all laugh.

   They bid the guests farewell first before storming outside the hotel.

   'Julie, are you sure you don't like to spend the night here? 30 mins drive pa pauwi and you look so tired.' Elmo asked her, concerned she might not be comfortable in the car. 

   'Ayaw. Gusto ko sa bahay.' She pouted with her eyes closed. Feeling drowsy and ready to fall asleep standing.

   'Hahaha. Nagpapacute ka ba sakin??' Elmo laughed, finding her adorable. Julie just stayed still on her position making Elmo laugh again as he shook his head. 'Fine. Let's go.' 

   He placed his hand on Julie's back and led her to his car. He was still laughing because Julie was half asleep walking, her eyes still closed and half of her weight is on Elmo's hand on her back so he decided to just carry her. He slipped her off her feet and carried her bridestyle.She's his bride afterall.

   'Ohmygod!' Julie quickly reacted after he carried her. 'Anong ginagawa mo?? May paa ako! Kaya ko maglakad!' She insisted.

   Elmo looked down at her and gave her an amused smile. 'Really? Kaya mong maglakad? Ng tulog?' he laughed, shaking his head. 

   'Ahh ehh....' 

   'Save it Julie. Were almost there.' He said. One of the guard there quickly opened the passenger seat's door as Elmo settled Julie inside. He quickly gave the man a tip,but much more a thank you. And went inside the car. 

   'Julie. Seatbelt.' He said, putting on his and starting the engine. 'He did a quick glance on her and saw that she already sleeping. He smiled at the sight and put the seatbelt on for her. 

   The 30 mins drive he thought became an hour because of the heavy traffic.He always glance on Julie every now and then to check if she was still asleep or not, or to see if she comfortable enough on her seat. 

   He quickly pulled over when they arrived their house, going round the car to open Julie's door, whom he found still in sleep. 

    'Julie... Were here.' He softly called. But she just moved to nuzzle her more in her sleep. Elmo laughed silently and decided to just carry her inside the house.  

    He grabbed her on the seat, and kicked the car door closed. He typed the passcode on their house, bending his knees a little making him grunt to reach the knob. He felt Julie bury her face more on his chest making his smile.

   'Selfish wife.' He chuckled thinking of how hard it is for him to carry her all the way to her bedroom while she sleeps soundly in his arms.

   After going through the hell stairs and into her bedroom, he carefully placed her on her bed,  shaking his head while looking at Julie all comfortable in her sleep. He bent down a little and removed the strands of hair on her face, smiling as he watch how she cringe her nose a little. He stared at her for a while before deciding to go. Moving his head down more, and kissed her forehead. 

      The whole country was hustling for the wedding of the year. Big artists were busy doing their own preparations for the wedding, the reporters and medias were gathering up on the church five hours earlier, fans were a lot more busy meeting their fanclubs, collecting and buying wedding gifts for Elmo and Julie, finding some sites where they can watch the wedding live, and trending the event on twitter worldwide. While the groom and bride was still soundlessly sleeping.

    ‘Hmm.’ Julie moaned, turning on the other side of the bed and hugging the pillow beside her. Eyes still closed, her forehead creased. Ang tigas naman netong unan. She thought. Amoy Elmo pa.

    ‘Julie..’

    Aba! Boses Elmo pa!

    ‘Julie…..’

    And with that second call, Julie immediately opened her eyes, seeing Elmo beside her, her head resting on his chest, her left hand hugging his waist, and her left leg draped all over his.

    ‘Julie, It’s already late.’ He said looking down at her.

    But Julie wasn’t still on her right mind, she stared at him for a while before completely getting up to scream on the top of her lungs.

    ‘AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! BAKIT KA ANDITO SA KWARTO KO???!!!! AHHHHH!! MANYAK KAAA!! MANYAK!!!!!’

    ‘Julie!!!!!!! Cut it out!!! Ang sakit sa tenga!!!!’

    ‘AHHH!! HINDI PWEDE TOH!!! HINDI NA KO VIRGIN!! AHHHH!!!! BABOY KAAAAA!!!!’ Julie continuously screamed.

    Having enough of her, Elmo with all his strength, made Julie lie down on the bed trapping her with his body as he put his right hand on her mouth. ‘Ano?? Sisigaw ka pa??’

    ‘Hmmm!!!’ Julie screamed on his hand, trying to get away from him with force.

    ‘Ugh!! Julie!! Could you calm down?!’ Elmo irritably said. ‘First of all, this is my room, not yours. Second, hindi ako manyak, ikaw yung pumunta ditto kagabi sa kwarto ko and asked if you could sleep here because you’re afraid of the thunders, umiiyak ka na kagabi kaya I had no choice but to say yes. Third, walang nangyari satin kasi dun ako sa couch natulog hindi ditto sa kama.’ He explained pointing on the couch inside his bedroom. ‘Ano? Okay ka na?’

    She stared at him for while, and slowly nodded so Elmo carefully removed himself from Julie. They sat on the bed and fixed themselves up first.

    ‘Teka. Eh bakit nung pagkagising ko, katabi kita nas nakayap ka na sakin????’ Julie asked, her eyes big.

    Elmo rolled his eyes at her and sighed. ‘I was waking you up. Hinila mo ko pahiga sa kama. And correction! Ikaw ang nakayakap sakin.’

    ‘I.. I was not!!’

    ‘Huh. Really?’ he smirked. ‘Then why are you all red?’

    ‘Alam mo. Assuming ka lang talaga. Ewan ko sayo. Bahala ka dyan.’

    ‘Hahahaha! Kinikilig ka noh? Ayiiiiee!’ Elmo continued to tease.

    ‘Ha! Ako?! Kikiligin sayo?? ASA KA MAGALONA!!!’

    ‘Sinong Magalona? Ikaw? Hahahahaha!’

    ‘Ugghh! Di ka ba titigil??’

    ‘Hahahahaha. Pikon!!’

    ‘Bwisit ka!!! Bahala ka nga dyan!! Isip bata!!’ Julie screamed. She was about to leave Elmo alone inside his bedroom when she saw how his face soften. ‘Oh? Anyare? Nawala na yung demonyo sayo?’

    Elmo softly laughed and smiled at Julie. ‘Today’s our wedding.’ He said, causing Julie to stop breathing for a while.

    ‘Oh… Oo nga pala.’ She said.

    ‘Are you ready?’

    ‘Well, are you?’ she asked back, making Elmo smirk.

    ‘Of course I am. May honeymoon pa eh.’ He joked. Making Julie smile and roll her eyes.

    ‘Siraulo ka talaga!’

    ‘Hahaha. Joke lang. But seriously, ready ka na ba? I already called Tina and the team is on their way here. You can turn back now, because I won’t allow it later if were already in the church. Hahabulin kita pag tumakbo ka. Haha.’

    Julie smiled. Sighed. And closed her eyes. ‘Eh andito na tayo eh. Edi ituloy na natin! AJaps!!’

    ‘Ajaps?’ Elmo curiously asked.

    ‘Haha. Japs. Julie Anne Peñaflorida San Jose.’

    ‘Ahhh. Dapat AJAPSM! Hahahaha.’ Elmo teased again, making Julie laugh.

    ‘At bakit naman AJAPSM?? Hahahaha.’

    ‘Suuus! Tinatanong mo pa, eh alam mo naman na!’ Elmo laughed while Julie is slapping him. ‘Gusto mo pa talagang sabihin ko ahh! Hahahaha! Lumalandi ka na ngayon Mrs!! Hahaha.’

      Elmo said they were just going to have dinner. But scratch that simple one small table dinner with family idea. Because the dinner he was pertaining to was a big dinner party on a big mansion with literally the WHOLE family idea. Julie really felt her legs go jiggly after entering the house.

    ‘Uhh..M-moe.. Family dinner niyo to?’ she asked surprised.

    ‘Hahaha. Yes, Julie. We are a big family.’

    ‘Bro!!’ four men walked to their place, fisting with Elmo.

    ‘It’s been a while guys.’ Elmo said. ‘Mga playboy pa rin ba? Hahaha.’

    ‘Hahaha. Mana lang kami sayo.’ One of them said.

    ‘Shutup. Guys, this is my fiancé Julie. Julie they’re my cousins Jon, Michael, Anthony and Shawn.’

    ‘Hi Julie!!’ all of them greeted.

    ‘Hello!’ she smiled.

    Half of the night was like that. Elmo introducing her to all the family members. His uncles, aunts, cousins and his grandmother. And everyone was very welcoming and warm to her. She never felt like these before since she was an only child. And she feels great.

    ‘Uh, mom? Where’s dad?’

    ‘Oh son. You know your father. Busy lagi sa hospital nya. Pero he said that he’ll try to go home earlier.’

    ‘Ahh. It’s fine. Bibisita na lang kami ulit ni Julie.’

    ‘Okay then, let’s go and eat.’

    The dinner was perfect and a bit chaotic since there were like 20 people there but it was very fun. A lot of them were jokers and they keep on teasing Elmo on how he’s finally not gay to bring a girlfriend home. Julie was also asked different question everytime that she liked for it made her feel really welcomed to their family.

    After the dinner, all of them gathered up on the living room, drinking wines, eating some food again, and continuing their chats. All were happy, laughing at some stories one after the other were telling. Making Elmo sometimes snort or embarrass when they talk about some childhood stories of him. Teasing both of them that they end up both blushing. And even asked them to kiss, but just on the cheek though. After all of these, all of the family even went out of the house when they were about to leave to bid them goodbye. Which melted Julie’s heart even more.

    Elmo and Julie were now on their way home, but it was silent inside the car. He was confused because Julie was very cheerful earlier and now, she’s just silent looking at the window.

    ‘Julie? Are, are you okay?’ he asked. He then got worried when he heard her sniff, putting the car on the side of the road quickly. ‘H-hey. Umiiyak ka ba??’

    ‘Uh.. I’m sorry. Na-napuwing lang ko.’ She said, wiping her tears.

    ‘Julie. Were inside the car.’ Elmo said. Julie fell silent again after that. So he just drove again until he stopped the car again somewhere. ‘Get down.’

    ‘Bat andito tayo? Di pa ba tayo uuwi?’ she asked confused.

    ‘Dun ka muna, may bibilhin lang ko.’

    She nodded, both getting off the car. She watched Elmo first running into a store before she walked into the park. It was already in the middle of the night so the park was deserted. She dragged herself on one of the swings and sighed. Staring at nothing.

    ‘Here.’ Elmo said, giving her an ice cream cone before sitting on the other swing beside Julie.

    ‘Para san to?’ Julie asked, staring at Elmo.

    ‘Nung bata pa ko, sobra daw akong iyakin. May hindi lang ibigay sakin, iiyak na ko. Madapa lang ako, iiyak na ko. That’s how sensitive I am before. Kaya this particular person always give me ice cream whenever I cry. She just hand it to me smiling. And I end up feeling better.’  Elmo narrated, biting at his own icecream after.

    Julie continued to stare at him after his story. Amused and puzzled of the sudden story he told. She grabbed a bite to her own icecream and sighed.

    ‘You have a great family, Moe.’ She said that made Elmo turn to look at her. ‘I’ve never seen such happy family. Nakakainggit.’ She sighed again. ‘Only child lang kasi ako eh. Tapos lagi pang busy sila mama at papa sa work nila. Kaya I always end up being alone in that big house. I have always liked parties eversince kasi I can see a lot people.’ She laughed. ‘Hindi naman sa loner ako pero ayaw nila mama na lumalabas ako ng bahay nun kasi sakitin ako. They loved me both dearly. Kaya sobra akong nasaktan nung namatay sila. Miss na miss ko na talaga sila.’ She teared up again, smiling.

    Elmo unreluctantly reached to Julie and wiped her tears off. ‘Well then cheer up, cry baby. You’re about to become my wife. And they’ll also become your family.’ He said, smiling at her.

    ‘Haha. As if naman na totoo yung kasal natin.’ She laughed a sad one.

    ‘Julie.’ He called in a serious tone, making her look at him. ‘Fake marriage or not. You’re going to be my wife. You’re gonna live with me. You will become part of the family. And I’ll make sure you’ll be happy. Okay? So stop wailing. Ang pangit mo na.’

    ‘Okay n asana eh. Nangasar ka pa.’ Julie laughed, now a happy one.

    ‘Haha. Kidding. Okay ka naba?’

    ‘Yes, Elmo. Thank you for cheering me up.’ She smiled.

      Three more days till she change from a single woman, into a married one. And it scares the hell out of her.

    ‘It’s not too late to back out, right?’ Julie said to herself. Her mind preoccupied everyday by just a single enormous event that will happen in 72 hours. Her wedding day.

    ‘Ohgod, ano ba tong pinasok ko?? Ugghhh.’ She whined. She’s been staying in her bedroom all day long, not caring about Elmo’s breakfast, the dishes she should wash on the sink, their laundry, everything. All she thinks about is the wedding. Not until she got interrupted by a knock on her door.

    ‘Julie!!’ Elmo called. ‘Why the hell aren’t you going out?? Ang dumi na ng bahay!!’ he said as he continue to knock. ‘Julie!!’

    ‘Ano ba?!’ she shouted after opening her bedroom’s door that startled Elmo for a while.

    ‘Bat ka sumisigaw??’

    ‘Eh ikaw nga tong sigaw ng sigaw sa pinto ko eh! Bat ba?!’ Julie frustratedly bent out.

    ‘Bat ka ba galit?? Kanina pa kaya ako gutom! It’s already lunch time!’

    ‘God, Elmo! Don’t you know how to cook? May noodles naman jan ah! We have breads! Ang arte neto.’

    ‘Why would I bother when you’re here?? Let me remind you, Ms. San Jose. You’re here to serve me. Now go down and prepare something for me.’ He smirked. ‘Honey.’  He added, winking at Julie before going downstairs.

    ‘Bwisit ka!!!!’ she shouted after recovering from his future husband’s gorgeous smirk and wink.

    -----------

    Elmo was watching Julie the whole time while she was preparing lunch. He noticed how she would frequently stop and just stare at nowhere. She’s really troubled about something, that’s he’s sure of.

    Julie finished cooking, she placed the dishes on the table and both started to eat in silence. Elmo, glancing over her from time to time.

    ‘Julie..’ he called softly. But she just continued to eat. ‘Julie? Julie!’

    ‘Ha?’ she lifted her head, confused.

    ‘Kanina pa kita tinatawag.’ He worried.  ‘Are you okay? Kanina ka pa tahimik.’   

    ‘Ha? Uhh.. Wala to.’

    ‘Is it about our wedding?’ Elmo straightforwardly asked, causing Julie to look at him for a moment, before letting out a sigh.

    ‘I’m sorry. Hindi lang ako komportable these days. I don’t know why.’

    ‘Honestly? Ako din naman eh.’ He nervously laughed. ‘But, I know you know that I need to do this. Just for a few months, then we’ll divorce. I promise.’

    ‘I know..’ Julie whispered. ‘Maybe it’s just wedding jitters? ‘ she said, making them both laugh.

    ‘Don’t worry. I’ll be a good husband.’ Elmo smiled. ‘And kakayanin ko ding tiisin ang pagkabrutal mo.’

    ‘Hahaha. Good luck with that.’

    ‘Are you okay now?’

    ‘Medyo. Haha. Just worried.’

    Elmo smiled at Julie, a reassuring smile which he taught would lighten her up. ‘Just a few months. Then we’ll be separated. Nothing to worry about, okay?’ he said, before standing up. He smiled at her again for the last time before heading his way into his bedroom.

    Julie followed him with her eyes, and stared at the last place he was visible in her eyes. Her heart baffled and nervous. And maybe, a bit sad.

    ‘That’s what worries me, Elmo.’ She sighed. ‘I’m not so sure I can leave you after all this.’

-

    Julie was still feeling gloomy after their lunch with Elmo reassuring her of their separation after few months of their wedding. She kept on over thinking little things making her head messed up and ache. Falling asleep on the couch at living room unexpectedly.

    At was past 6 when Elmo woke up from his nap. He went downstairs and found Julie sleeping on the couch, coming near her to wake her up.

    ‘Julie.. Wake up.’ He nudged her hand.

    ‘Uhh. Nakatulog pala ako.’ She opened after sitting up. ‘Anong oras na?’

    ‘6 in the evening.’

    ‘Ahh.’ She yawned. ‘Sige, wait. Mag-peprepare na ko ng dinner.’

    ‘No. Magbihis ka na lang. May pupuntahan tayo. Dun na lang din tayo magdidinner.’

    ‘Ahh. San naman?’

    ‘You’ll know when we get there. Dress nicely, okay?’ he smiled. Leaving her again to change.

-------

    ‘Uhh.. Moe, kaninong bahay to?’ Julie asked immediately after getting off the front seat. Her eyes focused on the huge, beautiful house in front of them.

    ‘Ours.’ Elmo plainly said, busy on getting some stuffs on the back seat.

    ‘Ours?’

    He closed the car’s door and joyfully smiled at Julie. ‘Well, you’re gonna be a Magalona, so your part of the family now.’

    ‘Wh-what? Di kita magets, gago.’

    ‘Hahaha! I’ll introduce you to my family, Julie. This is our house.’

    ‘Oh..’ she mumbled. ‘Wait what?! Baliw ka ba?! Bakit di mo man lang ako sinabihan?? I could’ve dressed more nicely!! Ohmygod. Baka kung ano sabihin ng parents mo sakin. Baka di nila ako magustuhan! Gosh! I’m not prepared, Moe! Bakit ba kasi di mo man lang ako sinab-‘

    ‘Julie! Stop! Hahaha.’ Elmo laughed, amused by Julie’s expressions. ‘Could you calm down? I’m sure they’re gonna like you okay? Your dress looks nice and you look beautiful. And you don’t need to prepare for something. Julie, your personality is great. Just show them the real you and everything going to be good.’ He smiled at her. ‘You okay now? Haha.’

    ‘Tss. Lakas talaga neto mambola.’ Julie reacted, rolling her eyes at him with a smile playing on her lips.

    ‘Haha. It’s true.’

    ‘Oo na! Alam ko namang maganda talaga ako eh.’

    ‘Hahaha. Joke. Nambola lang talaga ako.’ Elmo teased her. ‘Pangit mo.’

    ‘Ah ganon? Ha?’ Julie smacked his arm, trying her best to look threatening. ‘Pangit ako?’

    ‘Ano ba! Nananakit ka nnman eh! Hahaha! Amasona!’

    ‘Hahaha. Amasona pala ha!’ she laughed now walking closer to Elmo to smack him again. Of course Elmo doesn’t like to get hurt again so he kept on taking few steps backward from her, but Julie would just reach him again, pinching him this time, both laughing loudly.

    ‘Ehem.’ a voice appeared, stopping both of them. They looked where the voice came from, and saw a woman standing just few meters away.

    ‘Mom!’ Elmo called, walking to hug the woman. She was dressed very simple, yet she looks very beautiful and elegant.

    ‘Hey Moeey.’ another beautiful woman called. This one is just gorgeous, perfect skin, hair, face, everything. ‘It’s been a long time little brother.’ She smiled making her more beautiful.

    ‘Scar!’ Elmo greeted her. ‘Since when did you arrive here?’

    ‘Just a while ago.’ She plainly said, then smacking Elmo’s head after. ‘Mokong ka talaga. Ikakasal ka na pala kanina lang naming nalaman nila mommy! Siraulo ka talaga noh?!’

    ‘Ahh! Ate naman eh!! Kahit kelan talaga ang brutal neto. We were just busy okay?’

    ‘Moe, you haven’t introduced your company to us yet.’ Elmo’s mom smiled, now looking at Julie.

    ‘Sorry, Mom. You’re too excited. Haha. Guys, this is Julie. Julie Anne San Jose. My fiancé.’ He introduced, smiling widely at them. ‘And Julie, this is my Mom, Paula. And my evil sister, Scarlet.’

    Paula moved slowly closer to Julie and held her hand. ‘Hiii!’ she greeted Julie nervously. ‘Haha. Ohgod, I’m so sorry. It’s just that, you’re the first girl Elmo brought here. Soo, medyo naexcite lang ako. Haha. You’re very beautiful!’ she beemed, kissing Julie’s both cheeks.

    ‘Haha. Mom! I told you, behave. Sorry Julie, childish lang yan si Mom.’

    ‘Anong childish?! I just feel happy na finally, may babae pa palang nakakatiis sa tigas ng ulo mo. Right, Julie?’

    ‘Ahh. Haha. Tama po kayo.’ Julie smiled, feeling shy.

    ‘Hahaha. See? I like this girl!’

    ‘Mom. You’re very talkative.’ Scarlet interrupted. ‘Hi Julie, I’m Scarlet. You can just call me Scar.’ She smiled, kissing Julie’s cheek after.  

    ‘Oh. Madaldal ba ko masyado? Haha. Sorry!’ Paula reacted.

    ‘Ay. Hehe. Okay lang po, tita.’ Julie said.

    ‘Tita? You should be calling me mom.’

    ‘Okay okaaaaay! Stop. Nasa labas pa lang tayo ng bahay dami mo na kaagad nasabi, mom. Haha.’ Elmo cut, now walking beside Julie and grabbing her waist after. He laughed when he saw his mom smiled widely after he did that. He looked at Julie and saw that she blushed making him laugh even more.

    ‘Mom, let’s go inside first. I bet my baby here is gonna pass out if she meets the whole family.’

    The minute Elmo’s car arrived at the venue of the press conference, the media people came rushing to their car.

    ‘Wait for me.’ Elmo said to Julie before getting out of the car.

    It was a bit hard for him to go past through the media and go to the other side of the car. The moment he reached her door side, he immediately blocked all the reporters from Julie, locking her in his arms to prevent her from hurting.

    ‘Moeee..’ Julie called, a bit afraid.

    ‘Don’t worry. The securities are here. Kapit ka lang sakin.’ Elmo looked down at her, giving her a reassuring smile.

    The security personnel came rushing to them together with Dina, his manager and Dan, his personal assistant, helping them get through the crowd. Circling them so that they won’t get hurt. Elmo on the other hand, still locking Julie in his arms.

    ‘Whoo. And dami naman nun. Okay lang kayo?’ Dan asked, the moment they got inside the private room there.

    ‘Moe, I’m telling you. A lot of reporters are in there and questions will be asked in frenzy. Be careful, okay?’ Dina told them.

    ‘Yes, Mommy Dins. I know. Akong bahala.’

    ‘Okay. We’ll leave the both of you first. Mukhang di pa okay si Julie. The conference will start in twenty minutes.’ She said, walking closer to Julie and patting her back. ‘It’s normal, Iha. You’re fiancé is sort of an asshole superstar here. Masasanay ka din.’ Dina chuckled, making Julie smile. ‘Let’s go, Dan.’ She finished, storming out of the room with Dan.

    ‘Hey, you okay?’ Elmo asked Julie, guiding her on the couch there.

    Julie sat on the couch first before releasing a big sigh. ‘Whoo. Grabe. Araw araw kang ginaganun?’ she opened with a scared and amused tone.

    Elmo chuckled, sitting beside her. ‘Yep. But only during a big events kung san invited sila. Pag public kasi fans yung hinahabol ako eh.’

    ‘Grabe. Nakakaloko.’ 

    ‘Are you sure you’re okay? Di ka ba nasaktan kanina?’

    ‘I’m fine. Nakakatakot lang talaga kanina, ang dami nila.’ Julie reassured him. ‘Ikaw? Hindi ka ba nasaktan?’

    ‘Okay lang ako. After all sanay na ko sa mga hampas at kurot mo. Hahaha.’

    ‘Ah ganon?’ Julie chuckled, hitting his left arm at the same time.

    ‘Ahh!’ Elmo reacted in pain, which surprised Julie.

    ‘Okay ka lang?’ she paused, looking worried. ‘Wait, ano to?’ she asked pertaining to the small tint of red inked on his white long sleeves.  ‘Nasugatan ka ba kanina??’

    ‘Oh sht. Kaya pala mahapdi.’ Elmo said, seeing the small amount of blood on his clothe.

    Julie on the other hand, stood up immediately and came back with an emergency kit after, sitting beside Elmo again. 

    ‘Hubad.’ Julie instructed, that caught Elmo off guard.

    ‘Hahaha. Julie, mamaya na lang sa bahay. Maraming tao dito.’ Elmo teased, making Julie blush a little.

    ‘Tanga! Titingan ko yang sugat mo! Kapal.’

    ‘Haha. Fine.’ Elmo chuckled, as he started to unbutton his long sleeves. And halfway done with it, unexpectedly, the door burst open revealing Harry with a surprised face.  

    ‘Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to… Interrupt.’ Harry smiled, controlling himself from laughing. ‘Guys, sa bahay nyo na lang kaya ituloy yan? May presscon pa kayo. Hahaha.’ He teased, that made Elmo laugh and Julie to completely turn red.

    ‘Hahaha! Sinabi ko na nga kay Julie na mamaya na lang eh. Kaso mapilit. Hahaha.’ Elmo added, earning him a painful slap again from Julie. ‘Ahhhh! Ouch. Joke lang.’

    ‘Ang kapal mo talaga!’ she slapped him again. ‘Nasugatan kasi to si Moe kanina nung dinumog kami nung media kaya tinitingnan ko. Gagamutin ko lang.’ Julie explained to Harry.

    ‘Ahhh. Haha. I thought… Hahaha. Ok go on with it.’ Harry smiled.

    ‘Oh tingnan mo! Ang haba ng kalmot mo.’ Julie reacted upon seeing his wound.

    ‘Oo nga eh. Tas hinahampas mo pa.’

    ‘Feeler ka kase. Amin na.’ She said, reaching for it to apply some medicine.

    ‘Amasona ka lang kas-aahhhh!’

    ‘Ano?!’

    ‘Wala! Wala! Wag mo diinan! Masake-aaahh! Julie!’ Elmo shouted in pain, eyeing the smiling Julie beside him.

    ‘Oh ayan. Magbihis ka na.’

    ‘Sure ka? Di mo muna ba ko pagnanasaan? Hahah-ouch! Ahh! Kanina ka pa ah! Pag di ka tumigil!’

    ‘Ano?!’

    ‘Hahalikan kita!’ Elmo said, stunning and turning Julie red, which made him smile.

    ‘Shut up. Magbihis ka na nga!’     

    ‘Hahaha. Yes, baby.’ Elmo continued teasing. Both not aware of Harry laughing on the side, as he take pictures of them.

    ----------

    Flashing cameras welcomed both of them again when they entered the conference room. Elmo guided Julie in the stage, pulling the chair for her.

    ‘Good evening Mr. and, may I say, Mrs. Magalona.’ One of the female reporters greeted them, making them all laugh except for Julie who smiled nervously. ‘You’re engagement was the biggest blast in the showbiz news now. We all thought you were single, Mr. Magalona, not until you brought your girlfriend to the Stars Co. party. How long have you two been together?’

    ‘Good evening, everyone. I would just like to remind you that I will be the one answering your questions often, since my fiancé isn’t really used to this stuff. Mahiyain po kasi si Julie.’ Elmo revealed, making the people laugh. ‘And we’ve been together for a month.’

    ‘A month? And then you proposed already?’ another reporter asked.

    ‘Yes.’ He smiled again, now looking at Julie. ‘Because I’m sure she’s the one.’ He added, making the female reporters go ‘aawww’ and the male ones smile.

    ‘That’s very sweet. You two look good together, really. I love putting you guys on the cover of our magazines. So, can we know how the both of you met?’

    ‘Oh. Haha. That was the craziest moment in my life.’ Elmo started. ‘We first met at a resort. Julie’s sometimes a sadist.’ He laughed, making Julie’s eyes go wide.

    ‘Ahh. Haha. Yes. I slapped him the first time we met. He was hiding on my car’s trunk that time. Mukha kasing magnanakaw.’ Julie added, making Elmo nudge her feet below the table, as the people continue to laugh.

    ‘Hahaha. That was very unusual. So you guys are one of the enemies turned to lovers couple?’

    ‘Haha. Yes. Nevertheless, I always thought she was beautiful.’ Elmo answered, a smile not leaving his lips.

    ‘Mr. Magalona, one last question. Some people think that this engagement thing is just made for you to be able to hide your issues. But as we can see, maybe it was not true. So what is your reason for announcing your marriage unexpectedly in the middle of your career issues?’ a reporter asked again, putting the crowd on silent.

        ‘I only have one reason.’ Elmo paused, shifting his gaze to Julie again. ‘And that is because I love her.’ He added making everyone look lovingly at them. He politely smiled at the crowd, as the both of them stand and pose for some pictures, making the people very excited with his last statements.

    ‘What’s taking them so long?’ Elmo fretted, impatiently waiting for Tina at the living room, whose been glammering up Julie for about three hours now.

    Harry moved to sit beside Elmo and patted his friend’s back. ‘So eager to see her, huh?’ he chuckled. ‘Ano ka ba bro. You know Tina, ang daming rituals sa mga client for them to look perfect. Hahaha.’

    ‘Yeah right.’ Elmo hissed at him, followed by his whisper which he thought Harry didn’t hear. ‘Julie’s already pretty anyway, so why bother?’

    ‘Hahahahaha! He’s fallen.’ Harry said to himself outloud that made Elmo crease his brow at him. Harry just shrugged at him, still laughing.

    ‘Okay, gentlemen. My works done.’ Tina cheerfully announced as she strides down the staircase.  ‘She’s absolutely a gorge.’ She winked at Elmo.

    ‘You exaggerate too mu-‘ Elmo objected, but stopped the moment he caught a glimpse of Julie, descending from the stairs.

    ‘Who’s exaggerating again, Moe?’ Harry laughed with Tina.

    ‘Harry. Hi. Kanina ka pa?’ Julie greeted him after coming up to their stance.

    ‘Came here two hours ago. You look amazing, Julie.’ Harry said greeting Julie with a kiss on the cheek. ‘You’re fiancé’s too stunned.’ He whispered to her, chuckling, making Julie laugh as well.

    ‘Sooo? What do you think? Huh, Moe?’ Tina snickered, moving her eyebrow up and down to tease Elmo.

    Julie was wearing a beige color bodycon backless dress paired up with a black stiletto, her curled hair pinned up messily with few curled hair strands falling, finishing it with a light makeup and her radiant red lips. Yep, pretty sums up to perfection.

    ‘It’s..’ Elmo started, clearing his throat. ‘Well, Uh, It’s fine. Yeah.’ He stammered.

    ‘Hahaha. Fine? With the look you had earlier? Hahahaha. If you say so.’ Tina teased more, earning her a glare from Elmo.

    ‘Shutup. We need to go. It’s gonna start in an hour.’

    ‘Uhh, Moe? San ba tayo pupunta?’ Julie asked, walking closer to Elmo.

    ‘Huh? Uhh..’ he groped for words as his heart begins to thump faster again. What the hell? ‘Uhh, a presscon.’ He answered, as he slowly take steps backward, not being able to breathe easily with Julie close to him.

    ‘Presscon? For what?’ Julie asked again.

    ‘Para sa kasal natin. Para mawala na lahat ng issues. We need to do this.’ Elmo answered and Julie nodded immediately. Then his heart raced again, making him very nervous as he see Julie slowly closing their space again. ‘Wh-why?’

    ‘Teka lang.’ Julie said, as she continues to walk closer to Elmo.

    ‘A-ano bang gagawin mo?’ he asked nervously as his heart beats rapidly. ‘Wag ka ngang lumapit!!!’ he shouted making  Julie, Harry and Tina confuse. ‘M-may sipon ako. Baka, baka mahawa ka.’

    Julie just rolled her eyes on him and quickly closed their gaps, closing her face to his and stopping within a meter away, causing Elmo’s breathing to stop as he stare at her face.

    Julie lift her right hand and moved it to touch Elmo’s left cheek, making him burn with her touch. ‘Pilikmata.’ She smiled, then moved away from him immediately. ‘Tara. Baka malate na tayo.’ She said, leading the way outside their house and leaving Elmo a statue.

    ‘Huy. Moe. Are you okay?’ Harry asked him, a smile playing on his lips.

    ‘Bro, kaylangan ko ata ng doctor.’ Elmo replied seriously.

    ‘Ha? Bakit? Malala na ba talaga sipon mo?’ he worriedly asked again.

    'Ha? Hindi, hindi. Kanina pa kasi ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko eh. Tapos, hindi ako makahinga kanina eh. Bigla na lang akong di nakahnga nung lumapit si Julie. Bro, ang bilis talaga nung tibok nung puso ko. I even thought I was gonna pass out earlier. At eto pa, parang napaso ako kanina nung hinawakan ako ni Julie.’ He stated, shaking his head. ‘Cancel na kaya natin yung presscon? Baka lagnatin ako eh.’ He finished up with a worried face.

    Harry just stared at Elmo right after he finished. His blank expression slowly changing into a smile, to a smirk, to a toothy smile until he burst out laughing. 'Hahahahaha! What the hell?! Hahahaha!'

    ‘What? Anong nakakatawa dun??’

    ‘Hahahahaha! Bro. Tara na. Papatayin mo ko sa kakatawa ditto eh. Let’s go. Your gonna be late. Hahaha.’

    ‘Wait. Baka lagnatin ako. I need to see a doctor.’ Elmo protested but Harry just laughed again at him.

    ‘Hahaha. Tanga, Si Julie lang kaylangan mo. Hahaha.’ 

    'Bro! I'm serious here!' Elmo said.

    'What's taking you guys so long? At tawa ka ng tawa, Harry?' Julie asked, entering their house again.

    'Hahaha! Etong si Moe! Lalagnatin ata.' Harry said, still not beig able to control his laugh. 

    'What?' Julie said with a worried expression. She quickly reached over Elmo and touched his forehead, surprising Elmo which caused him to feel the Julie-is-near-my-heart-is-thumping-and-I-can't-breathe feels again. 'Wala naman ah. But, you're sweating. Okay ka lang ba, Moe?' 

    Julie asked him, but expectedly, Elmo just stood there staring at Julie with very controlled breathes. 

    'Hahaha. Don't worry, Julie. Baka napaso lang yan. Hahaha.' Harry said.

    'Napaso? Saan?' 

    'Hahaha. Wala, wala. Don't mind me. Tara na.' 

    Julie looked at Elmo worriedly again after. 'You sure you're okay?' she asked, and got a nod from him. 'Okay. Let's go.' she said, leaving first.

    Harry and Elmo started walking after Julie when Elmo elbowed Harry, who still has a big smile on his face.

    'Uy!' Elmo called.

    'What?'

    I had been staying inside the university’s library for about an hour now. Sitting comfortably at a table far enough for the librarian to not to see me, with both feet plopped on the table, my earphones plucked on my ears, and a book lying in front of my face. I really love doing this during break times. It calms and soothes me everytime.    

    I was already about to fall asleep with the beautiful song playing on my iPod, when I felt someone tapping the top of my red sneakers and snatching the book on my face, seeing my bestfriend now sitting in front of me.

    ‘I knew it. Andito ka nanaman.’ Frencheska beamed at me with an eye roll. I noticed that some of her hair had already escaped from the grip of her ponytail making me look at her amused. She obviously looked for me all over the campus.  

    ‘God, I’ve been looking for you all over! Did you hear the news? Elmo broke up with his girl again. I mean she’s like, his third this month?’ Maqui said. I can see frustration all over her face making me feel nice, because I feel the same everytime that kind of news break.

    ‘I’ve heard it. Kanina pa.’ I said, a bit uncomfortable.

    ‘Sooooo? Anong masasabi mo?’ she asked looking at me intently, curious on my reaction. How the hell should I react anyway? Rant at her again for feeling hurt blah blah blah because Elmo just dated another different girl again? I sighed, feeling defeated. So I just looked at her and gave her small smile.

    I saw her open her mouth for a while but closed it right after, smiling back at me instead, making me feel very grateful. I know she knew how I feel right now because she is very aware that I had feelings for this guy. The captain of the soccer team, the handsome smart guy, our friend. My childhood friend. My guy bestfriend.  

    ‘Haaay. Ang complicated naman kasi ni Elmo eh.’ Maqui suddenly uttered, making me raise a brow on her. I was about to ask her what she meant by that when a figure suddenly sat beside me, carefully draping is arm over my shoulder, stiffening me on my seat.

    ‘Hi beautiful ladies.’ He said, smiling widely at my direction as his eyes bore into mine. Like seriously, I could flip out in just a bit.

    ‘Would you look at that. Mr. Player seems very happy?’ Maqui commented before slapping his right arm,  making me giggle. Yep, he could change my mood in an instant. So I am clearly in deep shitlove with this freaking hot guy beside me.

    ‘Ouch! Masakit, Maq ah!’ Elmo wailed, massaging the arm Maqui hit. ‘What was that for?’ he asked pouting a bit that really made him cute.

    ‘That’s for you. You’re such a pain in the ass.’  

    ‘What?’ he asked, not aware of what she was saying.

    ‘Lagi mo na lang sinasaktan ang bestfriend ko-‘ she said, stopping in the middle of her remarks, realizing what she just said as my eyes grew wide.

    ‘What the hell?’ I mouthed, glaring at her when I am sure Elmo has his eyes on her.

    ‘Sinasaktan? Si Julie?’ he asked, now more confused of what Maqui was referring to.

    Maqui uncomfortably shifted on her seat, trying to cam up on omething for an excuse.  ‘Ah.. Oo! Tsaka ako!’ she aid, wishing Elmo would believe whatever she was about to say. She secretly kicked my foot for help but I just gave her a you-better-fix-this look.

    ‘Ako? Sinasaktan kayo ni Julie? Would you like to enlighten me more?’ Elmo said curiously looking at us.

    ‘Eh kasi naman! Whenever you break up with your girlfriends, they always come to us para lang magsumbong! And we so freaking hate their shrieks and nonsense complaints! Ang sakit sakit kaya sa tenga! Diba, Juls!!’

    ‘Ha? Ah eh.. Oo!’ I quickly reacted, nodding my head. ‘Umayos ka na kasi Moe. Baka bumaha pa lalo dito sa Pinas dahil sa dami ng babaeng pinapaiyak mo eh.’ I said, looking at him who is already looking at me. There he goes, there he goes agaaaain. I secretly sang in my head.

    Elmo nervously laughed at my remarks and scratched his head a bit. ‘I’m sorry guys. I know it’s my fault. ‘ he paused, a smirk slowly forming on his lips. ‘Well, partly. I guess having this perfect face and gorgeous body isn’t my fault now, so you better rant those to mom.’ He added, causing Maqui to look up at him unbelievably as I burst into giggles instead.

    ‘Julie. Could you stop laughing like that? Ayokong murahin ka.’ Elmo suddenly said, his eyes locked on mine. I suddenly gasped on what he just said. Making me stiff as I try to understand him. Was he mad at me for laughing?

    ‘A-ano?’ I stuttered, still in disbelief.

    ‘Sabi ko, ayokong murahin ka. Kasi gusto ko, mahalin ka.’ He suddenly said, smiling, still looking intently at me as my heart made some dancing. But I stopped it. I shall not fall for him very very deeply since I am just in love with him deep. He was always like that. Saying cheesy things to me and doing sweet things whenever were together. So who the hell won’t fall for this guy really?

    ‘Let me guess, you’ve already used that a hundred times for your girls, haven’t you?’ I laughed, pushing aside the giddiness I felt when he said that.

    ‘No actually. Sayo lang naman ganito eh.’ He added, making my heart flutter once more. I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE.

    ‘Hep hep hep! Are you flirting with Julie?’ Maqui butted in, eyeing Elmo.  ‘You can’t flirt with my bestfriend, you player.’

    ‘And why can’t I?’

    ‘Simply because you’re a player.’ Maqui smirked, putting her tongue out to him. ‘Oo nga pala, bakit kayo nagbreak nun?’ she diverted topics, as she look at me with a grin. I can see her eyes obviously laughing at me for how many times I stiffened in front of them.

    Elmo smirked across us, looking at Maqui amused. ‘Maq, you know that I don’t-‘

    ‘talk about the reasons blah blah blah.’ Maqui butted in again. ‘You know, that’s one thing na super curious ako. For your thousand ex girlfriends..’

    ‘Maq, they’re not my ex girlfriends, mga assuming ex girlfriends lang sila. I only date with girls.’ He said, assuring us. I felt myself doing another happy dance because of that.

    ‘Fine, fine. But still, not even one reason of your breakups with your so called ex girlfriends, hindi ka nagkwento samin. You keep on saying you don’t know why.’ Maqui asked again. Me myself is as curious as her as well. For the past two years Elmo had starting dating different girls and when he dumped all of them, he never told us his reasons why he did.

    ‘Coz I really didn’t knew why before. I just figured it out yesterday.‘ he smiled beautifully.

    ‘Totoo? Then, what are your reasons?’

    Elmo smirked beautifully at us as he laugh. ‘Actually, I only have one reason for dumping all those girls.’ He said making both me and Maqui drop our mouth open. So he only had one reason for dumping those hundred of girls he dated? Wow.

    ‘Just one?! So what the hell is your reason you player?’ my bestfriend blurted out, annoyed for him making the excitement last.

    ‘Third party.’ He shrugged casually, as if it was not a big deal.

    We stared at him for a bit longer before actually taking it up all in. I was completely blown away with that. Third party? God, he really was a player!

    ‘So you mean, sa lahat ng nakadate mo, sa lahat lahat! You turned them all down because, because you have another girl waiting so you just… you just dump the current one with you?’ I asked, still confused a bit. I was silently praying that he would answer me with a no. Because in case these were all true, I swear my heart would not be broken, but be crushed into tinsy tiny little pieces. Very little that you would never be able to fix them again.

    ‘Yepp.’ He answered, still looking at me with this beautiful gorgeous smile making me more hurt. I just watch him with this sad and confused eyes, trying to take it all in while my heart crush one by one. The smile plastered on his face was there for a little while, but then somehow I noticed him shift on his seat very often as he drag his eyes away from me. He looks uncomfortable. I heard him heave a deep sigh first, before he looked up again, locking our gazes.

    ‘So Julie, don’t you find it awkward that your name is Julie when your surname is Right?’ he out of the blue asked, hearing Maqui laugh in front of me. I looked at her and saw that her face was all glowed up, wearing this happy smile on her face making me confused. I looked back at Elmo after and raised my brow on him.

    ‘What are you talking about? Moe, my surname is San Jose.’ I said, not taking my eyes off of him.

    ‘What?! Crap, really? Because I could have sworn you were my Mrs. Right!’ he announced faking a surprised tone and giving me his best smile after. Grinning very wide.

    I snapped my eyes at him wide, not believing that he just flirted again with me. He was sweet to me yes, but not flirty!

    ‘Seriously, Moe?! You even had time to come up with that?!’ I shouted, a bit shocked and angry.

    ‘Huh? Wh-why are you mad, Julie?’ he asked, now very worried.

    ‘I am mad at you because you’re a freaking player! I can’t believe I actually loved you for all these years when you’re this guy who just dump girls just because he has another one on his back! I swear I would cut the heads of those girls involved in your third parties! God Moe! You’re an asshole!!’ I screamed at him. I was very mad at him. And me. I quickly pulled myself up, running outside the library ignoring the librarian glare at me after shouting there inside. But fuck off, I don’t care. I was freaking mad and badly hurt, that I didn’t even noticed the tears streaming down my face.

    I was walking fast on the corridor, cursing myself for tearing up. Good thing it was already way past the class hours so the corridor was empty. I sped up my pace instantly after hearing someone shouting my name at my back. I knew it was him. Shit, I don’t want him to see me crying. I added more speed to my pace till I started to run. Heck, that was no use. He already caught up to me, holding my hand and turning me to face him.

    ‘Shit. Why are you crying??’ he said, holding up his both hands to wipe my cheeks. ‘Seriously Julie. Don’t ever runaway from me like that again.’  

     ‘What do you want?’ I sniffed, not looking at him.

    ‘You love me.’ He said, making me stiff again. ‘You’ve always loved me.’ He repeated. I can obviously hear a glint of happiness from his when he said that so I couldn’t help myself from looking at him and found him smiling down at me.

    ‘Oh eh ano?’ I asked him with a hard face, making him laugh.

    ‘I just followed you here to give you this.’ He said handing over a pair of scissors to me. I stared at it confused.

    ‘What the hell do you want me to do with that?’ I asked him again, baffled with his actions.

    ‘Well, earlier you said that you would cut the heads of the girls who were involved in my third parties, right?’ he said, grinning at me like an idiot. ‘Well, I would just like to tell you that it’s just a singular. It’s just a girl, not girls.’ He added making me more and more confused. Maybe he really was an idiot.

    ‘What?’

    He laughed at my expression and started to walk closer to me. ‘What I’m saying is that, there is just one girl involved here. That I dumped all of those girls on my dates just because of this one girl. That I didn’t actually knew about that and just found out yesterday. That those dates just won’t work because I only wanted to date this girl. That I only wanted her. That it’s all clear to me now. That she is the reason. That I had been in love for this girl from the very start. That Julie Anne San Jose,’ he paused, resting both of his hands on my cheeks again. ‘You’re that girl.’  He finished, closing our gaps and kissing my on the lips.

    I froze for a moment there. No, scratch a moment, for the whole time! He just confessed and stole my first kiss for heaven’s sake! Ohgod, I could literally die now.

    ‘Hey. Are you okay?’ he asked, making me jump a little. Making me realize that he was not kissing me anymore.

    ‘Uhh.. I guess..’ I answered. Feeling very embarrassed that I just stood there like a rock when he kissed me earlier. Could the floor just open up and swallow me?

    ‘Still dazed, huh? Weren’t really expecting that?’ he chuckled as he bore his eyes unto mine again.

    ‘Yeah..’ I said, still recovering from him.

    ‘Can I ask you a favor and not rip your head off for being the reason why I dumped all those girls for?’ he teased me, flashing his gorgeous smirk to me.

    I slapped his chest lightly and laughed. ‘Jerk.’

    ‘I love you, Julie. I really do.’ He out of the blue said again sending bundles of joy through me and butterflies to my stomach.

    ‘I love you too, player.’ I teased, smiling as he move his body impossibly closer to mine, lowering his head.

    ‘Now could you do me another favor and kiss me back this time?’

    Did he just kissed me?

    Uh,no. He did kissed me.

    He fucking kissed me! Again! With all those people!

    ‘UGH!! THAT’S IT!’ Julie screamed, getting up early on bed to interrogate Elmo.

    All throughout yesterday, after the kiss, Julie gave Elmo silent treatment. Not talking to him and not answering his questions which clearly made Elmo both frustrated and worried. Not that she’s mad yesterday. She was just still in deep shit, or shock. Still recovering whether he really did that or not. God he even gave her a quick kiss after that Eskimo kiss!

    ‘He already kissed me three times!!’ she clamored once more as she stump her feet towards Elmo’s room across hers. Not having second thoughts, she pound her fist on his door not caring if he would be mad after waking him up early in the morning.

    ‘Elmo!!’ she pound the door for about five more times before it finally opened, revealing a topless, messy hair Elmo whose pouting and rubbing his left eye. Leaving Julie speechless.

    ‘What?’ Elmo asked, voice still husky from his sleep. He managed to open his eyes a little after not hearing anything from Julie.

    ‘Ah.. Ano..’ Julie stuttered coping up for words to say.

    ‘Are you still mad?’ he asked again, now fully awake. ‘Bout me kissing you?’

    Julie can see that he is still nervous and worried for what she would say. But, she can’t explain it. Why on earth doesn’t she feel angry at him? Why the hell she ain’t mad?

    ‘Look, Julie. I’m really sorry. I.. I thought it was, it was okay for me to do that. I mean… Were now, like, boyfriend and girlfriend, right?’ he paused to look at her reaction and saw that her brow raised a little. ‘I.. I.. I mean… Like fake couples. Right? Uhhh..’   he sighed, looking apologetic to her. ‘Please say anything. You’re killing me.’ He begged again. Getting more and more worried as she just stood there, not saying anything. But got relieved when he heard her sigh.

    ‘Can I just… Pwedeng… pwedeng pasampal ng isa?’ she finally said, looking frustrated, but not mad. Making Elmo feel relieved.

    ‘Uhh.. I guess?’ he smiled, finding her first ever statement after their kiss yesterday, amusing.

    ‘Because you like.. You like kissed me for three times yesterday!’ she said making him a bit confused.

    ‘Uhh.. I only kissed you two time yes-‘

    ‘You Eskimo kissed me you jerk!’ she cut him off, surprising him.

    ‘Oh. I.. did..’

    ‘Ugh! You even stole my first kiss during that party! Bakit ba kasi halik ka ng halik? Pahalikan ko kaya sayo tong kamao ko ng magtanda ka?!’ she shouted with too much exasperation. ‘What?’ she asked upon seeing his amused face. ‘Why are you smiling like that?’

    ‘Wait, wait. So.. I’m your first kiss?’ Elmo asked with a lopsided smile on his face. ‘I mean, I was your only kiss?’

    ‘Gusto mo ba talagang masapak?’

    ‘Haha! Fine, you can hit me. Para naman din a sumama ang loob mo sakin.’ He cheered, finding Julie’s annoyed face cute.

    ‘Go on. Sapakin mo na ko.’ He said, but she just stood there glaring at him. ‘Oh wait wait! Not the face okay? Anywhere, but not the face, ok- AHHHH!’ he shouted, after Julie stepped on his right foot. ‘Wala man lang warning?!’

    ‘Whatever.’ Julie said, turning to go downstairs. Leaving Elmo in pain.

    ‘Ahh. Shit. Grabe talaga yun. May bakal ba yun sa paa?!’ he whinned, following Julie with his eyes.

    -----

    Elmo was lying comfortably on the couch on the living room, reading a book on his hands. But he wasn’t really reading. He was watching Julie mop the floor on the corner of his eye. He still wasn’t sure if the girl is still giving his the silent treatment because no one was talking when they had their breakfast. And he felt relieved when the doorbell suddenly rang, breaking the stupid silence that filled the room.

    Julie immediately left the mop on the floor, causing a sound that made Elmo jump a little, to get the door. Coming in again with Tina.

    ‘It’s nice to see again, Julie.’ He heard Tina say.

    ‘Same here.’ Julie replied, smiling at her.

    ‘Hey!’ Elmo stood up, raising his right hand to greet Tina.

    ‘Hey. I brought my team with me. So, should I start?’ Tina asked Elmo, whose currently limping to their stance. ‘What wrong with your foot?’

    ‘Don’t mind it. And yes, you have three hours to prepare. I’ll just rest in my room. Kayo na bahala kung san niyo gusto gawin yan.’ He instructed Tina, then turning to Julie. ‘Julie, were going somewhere later. Sila na bahala sayo, okay?’ he smiled, limping his way to the stairs.

    Julie felt her heart ache when he smiled at her. Feeling really guilty that he didn’t even got mad at her for what she did. So she quickly ran into the kitchen, causing Elmo and Tina to stop their doings and watch her. She ran back into the living after two minutes with an ice bag, rushing to Elmo’s side and hugging his waist sidewards. Making him reeeeally surprised.

    ‘Ju-julie.. Wh-what?’ he asked, looking down at her, since he was taller.

    ‘Wag ka nang maarte. Tinutulungan na nga eh.’ She said, turning to her back for a while. ‘Uhm, Tina, wait lang ha. Aalalayan ko lang si Elmo.’

    ‘Uh, of course. Sure sure, take your time.’ Tina smiled, looking lovingly at them that made Julie a bit uncomfortable.

    ‘Tara.’ Julie lead, hugging his waist more since he was a bit heavy, making Elmo smile widely. He placed one of his arms on Julie’s shoulder and began to follow her lead, still having the big goofy grin. But of course he would hide it whenever Julie looks up, then grin again after she looks down. He really was loving, uh no, liking, just liking the attention she was giving him.

    It was a long and slow walk to his bedroom, and when then finally reached his bed, Julie immediately pushed him there.

    ‘Ahh! Grabe ang bigat mo!’ she complained, massaging her shoulder. ‘Oh. Ilagay mo dyan sa paa mo.’ She said, giving him the ice bag.

    ‘Thanks.’ Elmo smiled at her, grabbing the ice bag on her hand. ‘So, di ka nagalit?’

    ‘Hm? Di naman ako galit ah?’ she said, raising her eyebrow on him.

    ‘Talaga? Eh ba’t di mo ko pinapansin kanina?’

    ‘Nagpapapansin ka ba?’ she curiously asked, making Elmo laugh.

    ‘Uhh, siguro?’

    ‘Masakit ba talaga?’ she suddenly asked, gazing at his foot.

    ‘Yup. May bakal ka ata sa paa eh.’ He joked, making Julie glare at her again. ‘Hahaha! Joke!’ he added immediately, seeing a glimpse of Julie’s smile which made him smile too.

    ‘Uhh.. I better go down. Naghihintay na si Tina.’ She said, changing the awkward feeling she got which Elmo was aware of.

    ‘Haha. Sure sure.’ He said, enjoying how she tries to hide her smile. He watched her turn her back on him, and she was just about to leave when he called for her again causing her to turn.

    ‘Julie! Thank you.’ He said, smiling, and hoping she will smile back at him too. And she did. Making Elmo’s heart beat rapidly when she gave him that beautiful smile before closing the door. He harshly grabbed his shirt just above his chest and looked at it in awe, feeling it’s fast heartbeat, and recalling that the first time he felt that was also with Julie.

    Julie kept on stirring side to side on her sleep, murmuring some curses on her bed, or more likely on the thin layers of soft fabrics on the floor making her back ache every night. She really didn’t expect Elmo to buy her a huge bed on her bedroom after all. But still, it sucks. Her bedroom is as plain as white. Her so called bed in the middle, a white wooden chair and a table, a small closet on the side which can only carry few clothes, and a door leading to her beautiful bathroom, before, now  it’s just an ugly shit . And it was very far from her bedroom when she was still alone, living there. Though it was very messy. Since she doesn’t really do the house chores and just call for housekeeping every other week.

    Thinking of those things made her cringe once more, remembering her friends who sold her house. And she just really wants to find them and beat them to death. But then she realized, maybe she should beat herself first to death for waking up very late. Heck, it was already 10 in the morning. She let out a frustrated scream first before finally pulling herself up to the bathroom, then storming down the stairs.

    ‘Ugh! Lagot ka talaga Julie Anne!’ she said, tapping her forehead three times. ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid!’

    She slowed down her pace when she stepped on the last staircase, walking observantly inside the house and checking for any signs of Elmo.

    ‘Umalis na kaya yun? Hala! Anong kinain nun?’ she worried, running to the kitchen. The kitchen was neat, and had no traces of unfinished dishes on the sink that made her more worried for him, and also for her.

    ‘Patay. Hindi ata nagbreakfast. Lagot talaga ako neto eh! Kainis!’ she cried, pouting as she go to the fridge to grab her some food. She carelessly opened the fridge but paused for a while. Her forehead creased, thinking she saw something on the fridge’s door. She slowly closed the fridge, and stared on the note there.

    I’ll be picking you up in the afternoon so get ready. We’re going somewhere.  –Elmo

    ‘Anong meron?’ she curiously asked herself and was about to say another word when the doorbell rang, making her jump a little. She ran to the main door and opened it.

    ‘Hi!’ the guy smiled, greeting her.

    ‘Uy, Harry. Hello.’ Julie smiled back. ‘Pasok ka.’ She invited him, closing the door when he got in.

    ‘Wow. Ang ganda na ng bahay nyo ah. Very nice.’ He said, roaming his eyes on the huge house then stopping for a while to face Julie. ‘Ah! Oo nga pala. Congrats!’ he beamed cheerfully.

    ‘Ha? Para saan?’ Julie asked, looking confused.

    ‘On your engagement. Uh, I mean, fake engagement. Hehe.’

    ‘You knew?’

    ‘Uhh, yes. Hehe. Don’t worry. I’m veeeery trustworthy.’ He said, raising his right hand. ‘Oh right, I forgot. Here.’ He reached for something on his pocket and passed her something.

    ‘Is this… My car keys? Pano?’ Julie asked, now more confused. She remembered giving Elmo those keys when he went to the grocery store to fetch her.

    ‘Elmo gave that to me. He asked me to get your car on the grocery store. Naiwan mo daw kasi dun.’

    ‘Ahh. Salamat.’ She smiled.

    ‘Don’t worry. Pinadaan na din sakin yan ni Moe sa gas station.’ He chuckled. ‘He even asked me to take it to the Car Customs for repainting and customizing. Wanna check?’

    Julie mindlessly nod her head, following Harry outside the house. She stopped at her tracks just meters away from the main gate and got her eyes really wide when she saw her car. Her faded blue pick up now turned into a beautiful one. A glossy royal blue car now parked in front of her.

    ‘Oh.. my.. god.. I- It looks new!’ she cheered, her eyes glistening.

    ‘Sure it does.’ He chuckled. ‘I guess Elmo’s really playing a fiancé’s job very well, huh?’

    ‘T-totoo? Siya yung... Yung nagpagawa nito?’

    Harry smiled brightly at her. ‘Yup. And one more thing, he told me to tell you to get ready. Aalis daw kayo mamaya.’

    ‘Ahh yes. Nagiwan nga siya ng note.’

    ‘So, I better go. I still have work.’

    ‘Ah sure sure. Thank you for bringing my car. Ingat ka.’

    ‘Enjoy your date!’ Harry said, laughing as he go inside his own car.

    ‘Date?!’

    --------------

‘What are we doing here?’ Julie asked Elmo after he dragged her into a store inside the mall.

    ‘Choose a phone.’ He said, leaving her to roam around inside. But Julie quickly paced up with him.

    ‘What?’ she asked, confused.

    ‘Just pick a phone, okay? You have to have one.’

    ‘But. Wala akong pera!’

    ‘Julie, tingin mo hindi ko alam yun?’ he faced her, now irritated. ‘I’m going to buy you a phone so I can call you.’

    ‘Pero..’

    Elmo rolled his eyes, turning his back at her. He walked a bit more inside the shop and talked to the man in the counter. ‘Wrap this up for me.’ He said, pointing at the gadget inside the glass ambry.

    ‘Teka! Wag na yan! Ang mahal nyan!’ Julie stopped him, but she only got a glare from him. She just watched him hand his card to the man, and hand the bag to him.

    ‘Let’s go.’ Elmo said, leading the way out of the store and entering another one. But a restaurant this time. He was the one who ordered their food, and he was obviously starting to get irritated at the waitress who keeps on eyeing on him. He was wearing a cap and an aviator just for disguise. He was tired and has no time to run for the screaming fangirls of his wherever he go.

    ‘Uh, miss. Okay na. You can go.’ Julie smiled, dismissing the girl because of the sour face Elmo’s hiding.

    ‘Dapat kasi inutusan mo na lang akon bumili nyan. You look tired.’ She said.

    ‘Eh kanina pa nga lang ayaw mo na pumili eh, bumili pa kaya?’ Elmo said after removing his sunglass. He rummaged the paperbag and opened the phone, typing something in it and passing it to Julie after. ‘Here. I saved my number there.’

    Julie was about to get the phone from his grip when he snatched it back. Making her look at him confused.

    ‘Hey. Don’t you dare save other numbers here. Number ko lang dapat ang nakasave ditto, okay?’ Elmo added, making Julie smirk.

    ‘Ha? Kahit na number ni Jacob bawal?’ she teased, her eyes cheerful.

    Elmo raised his brow at her and scowled. ‘Seriously? You’re asking me that?’

    ‘Hahaha! Joke lang. Sungit!’ she laughed, causing Elmo to roll his eyes on her.

    ‘By the way, dadaan tayo sa boutique mamaya ni Tina. I have to ask her to come to our house tomorrow.’

    ‘Why? Ipapabalik mo yung mga shirt mong naiwan dun?’ she teased again, but regretted it when Elmo’s lips curved into his smirk.

    ‘No. Why? Jealous again, my wife?’ he chuckled.

    Now it’s time for Julie to roll her eyes on him. ‘Jerk.’

    ‘I knew it!!’ a loud voice interrupted. ‘It’s Elmo!!!! Ahhhh!!’

    Julie and Elmo quickly turned and saw that everyone inside the restaurant are now looking at them and the girls are all smiling and shrieking.

    ‘Oh shit.’ Elmo whispered. ‘Julie, I think this is the best time for us to start our contract.’

    ‘What?’ Julie asked, puzzled.

    ‘Act like a fiancé. My fiancé.’ He said, smiling across her as the people starts to enter the restaurant and fill the tables, and they are mostly his fans. He suddenly grabbed Julie’s hand and intertwined it with his, making Julie glare at him. Good thing her back was on them.

    ‘God, Julie! Don’t look at me like that!’ Elmo shouted, whispering at her, not taking his smile off of his face.

    ‘Eh nanggugulat ka eh!’ she said, still glaring at him.

    ‘Wag ka ngang sumigaw!’

    ‘Hi Elmo!!! Ohmygod were your number one fans! Aaaahh!’ some group of girls approached them.

    ‘Oh Hi! Haha. Thank you, thank you!’ Elmo greeted them with his beautiful smile that made the girls scream again.

    ‘Pwede pa-autograph?’ a girl said, handing over his new released cover magazine. ‘Wait, ikaw ba si Julie Anne San Jose??’

    ‘Ahh, yeah.’ Julie said smiling at her.

    ‘Ayy. Ang ganda mo nga! Totoo ngang may girlfriend ka na Elmo.’ they said, happy and disappointed.

    ‘Uh, no girls. She’s not my girlfriend.’ Elmo said, after giving back the signed magazine back. He intertwined hands with Julie again and raised it to his fans. ‘She’s my fiancé.’

    ‘Yiiiieeeeeeeee!’ the people inside cheered making Elmo smile widely. He really intended to say it out loud for all of them to hear. His smile turned into small laughs when he glanced back at Julie. She has this smile on her face even though her head is down. He can also see her blushing face clearly that made him smile even more.

    ‘KIIIIISSS! KISS!’ the people cheered again, while continuing to take pictures and videos of them.

    Julie quickly shot her head up when she heard them scream. Turning her back at Elmo to look at the people behind, waving her both hands to them, indicating a no for their request. But the crowd just laughed at Julie’s beautiful blushing face and continued to chant.

    ‘KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!’

    ‘Ahh. Hehe. Nooo! Ahh. I have colds! Hehe. Noo!’ Julie kept on saying to the crowd behind her. Waving her hand and crossing her arms to form an ‘x’.  But the screams grew louder.

    ‘KISS! KISS! KISS!’

    ‘KISS HER!’

    ‘KISS HIM!’

    Getting very nervous and frustrated, Julie turned her head  to tell Elmo something when an unexpected thing happened. Julie’s eyes grew wide as the screams grew louder. Elmo was up on his seat across her, leaning over the table, reaching her side, making his lips land on hers when she suddenly turned. She felt Elmo lean on her much more so that their lips could fit more perfectly causing Julie to close her eyes. When Elmo felt Julie’s eyes were now closed, he did a quick glance to check on her, and saw her beautiful face turn more red making him smile on their kiss, deepening it more after shutting his eyes close.

    They were like that for a minute or two. Julie sitting while Elmo’s half body is leaned over her. Kissing like a real couple in love with screaming people surrounding them. Julie was the one who broke their kiss after finally waking up on her stupor. They both stared at each other still on their position. Elmo smiled widely at Julie whose obviously still in daze, leaning closer to her again, brushing his nose over hers.