I bit my lower lip. The face of the landlady greeted me. She was the most nicest landlady I’ve ever had. She always give a long time due date and always took care of me when I had nothing. So, seeing her enraged expression is making me nervous.

“I heard from Antonio that you lost your job?” she asked, referring to the young Ton Ton.

I scratched the back of my neck. “Y-Yes, that’s why I might not be able to pay the rent yet. I’m really sorry I’ll look for a way to pay it tomorrow.”

I was about to close the door when she raised her hand. “Ouch! You brat!” she hissed when her hand got in between the door and the door frame. I quickly opened it again.

“I’m sorry!” I exclaimed.

This time I was the who groaned in pain when she hitted my head her fist.

It’s getting late—maybe four o’clock in the afternoon. “I won’t be charging you for trying to break my finger because you helped me take care of Marielle in the past,” she said while referring to her son’s wife, Andrew.

“By the way, that’s not what I came here for. Do you still remember my daughter Allison? That bitch ran away last night!” she said, struggling with her angry litany while still scratching his already wrinkled forehead.

I winced because of wshe said—what do I care about Allison, we never got along before. And one more thing: if she ran away, I hope she doesn’t come back.

The landlay handed me some paper. “What is this for?”

“That’s my sister Teresita’s address. There is a job vacancy there where she works; that’s why I would have hired Allison because the salary is high, but as you already know, that girl has a hobby of laziness that’s why she prefer running away from home instead of fixing her life. Then it’s just right that I give it to you, and you also need a job; you just go and I’ll tell hsd,” she explained.

My eyes immediately widened. Maybe in the heat of the moment, I was hugged the landlady tightly. She just patted my back in response.

On the contrary, maybe today is not so bad.

***

“This will be your room; food and water are free here, so there’s no problem.”

The landlady’s sister works as a helper; she is a master helper in this house. Being an assistant isn’t bad either; at this point, I’ll probably finish all the legal work.

The salary is great; all I have to do is take care of a child. I think I can do it; it’s not like I don’t have an experience taking care of a child.

I put down my baggage first before following her upstairs. The house is big. I’ve always dreamed of living in a house like this. How I wish I had a lot of money.

We stopped at a blue door. There was a piece of cardboard hanging there with the name Aki written on it. It looks like I will take care of a boy.

A crying boy’s face greeted me upon entering. But my eyes didn’t stop there, it landed on the man beside him.

He’s wearing a suit, and his tie is on the loose. I swallowed hard at the same time as he stared at me. I swear to God, the man over there is different from the guy I saw a few days ago. He wasn’t wearing a playful grin; instead, both of his eybr were furrowed as if he’s observing me.

“We meet again.”

I promised that if I saw that guy in the police station again, I would kick him really hard until he was barren. Now, can I still do that? I don’t think so.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

“What are you dozing off?”

I snapped out of my reverie. I looked at the person next to me. I simply rolled my eyeballs at him. Simply because I’m afraid that he might slap me. Even though we are married, he is still my boss, and he pays my salary, so we shouldn’t have any problems.

He rudely raised an eyebrow at me, so I hit him with a chair—kidding. “Nothing, my love,” I answered in my softest voice.

I saw his left eyebrow raise even more after he sat up. Is there a problem?

I just ignored him and watched the guests have fun. From here, I can feel the bad looks that is those woman throwing at me. Huh! Keep looking, cause you will see more soon.

My eyes fell on Stellar I know her. She was one of my fellow actresses two years ago; she was a rising star like me at the time, and even now her eyes are still full of envy. Who wouldn’t be angry, right? I just snag the man she likes, yikes!

If you are close to this shameless person every day, you will also be irritated. What a bad attitude!

There are no cameras here, if there are only those taking pictures, and no more press. Which means that when I simply pinch Rivaill, no one will notice.

“What’s funny? You’re freaking me out,” said the person next to me, causing me to grin even more.

The people next to us at the table, who are said to be the godfather and godmother, are busy talking. I don’t even know if it’s really a wedding or a business meeting. What else do you expect from the rich? I don’t care, even if they build a building right in front of me. I’ll be having my money later, just thinking of how would I spent it thrilled me.

“Honey, will you be angry if I stab you with a fork?” I whispered, just enough for Rivaill to hear.

“What?” he exclaimed while frowning. I took the fork and, jokingly, offered it to him.

His face is priceless, which I find funny.

“Mr. Fontero.”

We both stopped arguing because of the voice that called out to him. That was my cue; I immediately turned on wife mode. Kidding aside, I really just have to act sweet to him whenever there’s guest approaching.

***

Fast forward to four o’clock, and I spooned the fork I was holding into the cake on my plate. “Honey, say ah,” I gently ordered him.

He didn’t like that, but he had no other choice but to open his mouth and chew what I offered. I even saw him grinding his teeth while munching the cake. “My love is great.” I pretended to praise him innocently.

“How sweet! I remember the day my wife and I got married,” laughed the man who called her.

The man looks old. Even his beard and mustache are now white. Marlon Quanco Alfiere, the one Rivaill says is their distant relative. That’s why I need to improve my acting so that we don’t get caught.

My eyes widened when he came to me instead of Rivaill. He motioned for me to bring my ear closer to him.

“Make sure to make a lot of babies for our family,” he whispered, laughing, which made me fake laugh as well.

“Of course, if this is what my future children would look like, I won’t be a loser either,” I joked while touching the face of Rivaill who’s next to me, whom I am sure not knowing what was going on. “Isn’t it, dear?” I asked jokingly, but all I got was a smug look from him.

I widened my eyes at him.