SIX

Mariana, not surprisingly, had to come home to Paulino.

Along the way, the two of them didn't talk at all. Mariana chose silence, gazing at the drizzling outside the car window. She ignored Paulino on purpose. Between anger and resentment and fear everything got mixed up inside Mariana's head. It makes her chest extremely congested. Paulino, on the other hand, tried to contain his explosive emotions because he didn't want to make the situation worse.

If she got angry and screamed at Mariana in public, Mariana would go a long way. Even then, Mariana would think Paulino was a heartless man. Or worse, there'll be people who think Paulino's as mean as the house. Of course, Paulino wouldn't want to ruin his own name.

By the time they got home, it was quite quiet there. Guests' cars don't show up in the yard. Only a few officers stood guard there, welcomed Paulino and Mariana, and opened their car door.

"Please, Sir and MMa'am!"

Paulino got out of the car first and went straight into the house. So Mariana looked down, gave the family bodyguard a smile, and then followed Paulino. She knew that the situation would be more complicated now.

"Where have you been?" Mrs. Janet welcomed them into the living room, just as before but this time with a more angry expression. "You ungrateful bitch!" She approached Mariana and looked at her sarcastically. "My son has given everything to you and yet you treat this family this way?"

Paulino's on the couch. "Mom, please! "He said, loosening his tie, and leaning his back against the sofa shoulder. "No need for an extended one."

"Oh, My Son!" Mrs. Janet had a dramatic reaction to her son as if his son was a shattered glass glass glass. "You indulge this woman too much." She looked back at Mariana, then frowned. "Why do you want her as your wife? There are plenty of girls out there who are better than him. More ethical, respectful and responsible."

Mariana just looked down, didn't answer.

"Paulino!" Mrs. Janet let out a deep breath. "Didn't you see what she was doing? She made you laugh at everyone, Son. She abandoned her responsibilities as an honorable woman only to pursue her dying ex-husband. What in the hell?

"She should be grateful that you, my rich son, will accept her as part of this family. She should maintain her future husband's honor. Instead of going to her ex-husband's room? I assure you, ex-husband, not husband."

Ex-husband?

Yes, now Mariana's status with Kevin is no longer the same. Yet somehow Mariana's tears came back.

"Mom!" Paulino who realizes his mother's words have gone too far to interrupt. "Mariana, go back to your room, Darling."

Mariana nodded, then went upstairs to her bedroom. While sullen Mrs. Janet immediately stared at her son with a tone of interrogation. "What are you doing, Son? Why do you spoil her?"

"Oh, Mom!" Paulino let out a deep breath. "No one's spoilt her here. I'm just trying to be fair.

"Fair?"

"Yes. I tried to understand her feelings. Because in any case, it must not have been easy for her to forget the man. Mariana just takes time."

"Until when?"

"Until she's ready."

"She will never be ready if herself will not allow herself to be ready for you."

***

Mariana went into her room and immediately threw her high heels on the shoe rack. She leapt on to the bed without taking off her clothes and then broke down and cried uncontrollably while hugging her part.

Actually, it had three times the size of the old house, with much more luxurious and beautiful equipment but was completely empty there. It was so hollow. It's one thing to be stuck in his bedroom with Kevin being warm and simple.

Mariana wiped her tears away, she took her suitcase and took Kevin's shirt that she had brought from her old home. The shirt that still had her ex-husband's scent. Then mariana slumped.

***

As a man, Paulino would not want to be rejected by the woman he loved. He looked at himself in his steamy bathroom mirror and then let out a deep breath as if to throw away the anger he had inside him.

Paulino looked intently, full of hate.

"I wish things didn't turn out this way." Paulino muttered. "Everything's your fault. You're the guilty one, asshole. I will hunt you down and destroy everyone you love."

Paulino closed his eyes for a moment, trying to recall all the bad memories he had in the past. Memories that have ruined his life. Making him trapped in a nightmare and a desire for revenge.

"I'm sorry, Darling!" This is a big apology. "I don't want to ruin your life at all, just because I have to, Mariana. I love you so much. Trust me."

Paulino opened his eyes and walked toward the tub before splashing himself there. Nice warm water bath, at least for now. However, Paulino's gaze fell on his right breast scar. A gunshot wound he'll never forget in his life.

"Wait for my vengeance, Little Devil."

***

Mariana woke up just as a warm sunlight touched her body. Through a large glass window overlooking the sea, as well as the characteristic fresh hills, mariana was greeted by sunlight. She quickly got out of bed, then restuffed Kevin's shirt, which she had spent the night hugging back into the suitcase.

Before Paulino finds out where the property is, Mariana better hide it. Because this is all she's got.

Ma 'am!" From behind the door, Mariana heard a voice calling out to her.

Mariana hurried to get a comb and trim her hair, and then she opened the door. "Why?"

The smiling young servant greeted Mariana. "You're due for breakfast."

"Okay. But I'm going to take a shower first."

"I'll pass it on to Mr. Paulino."

"Thank you," Mariana said.

"You're welcome, Ma 'am! "Said the attendant. "Do you have a special request for breakfast this time?"

Mariana's forehead is frown. Confused. "Anything," she replied. "I like any food. Don't worry."

Speaking of breakfast, Mariana got reminded of her kids. What are they eating right now? Does Lunar have enough time to make breakfast for his little brother and sister? And, did Junior and Lucy like their sister's homemade food?

Junior had a hard time eating, and he had a little trouble growing up asa baby. As a result, she should get special treatment for that. But without Mariana and Kevin, would that boy be okay?

As for Lucy, the little girl's sleep would certainly not burst without her parents' embrace. Lucy is more spoilt than her two siblings. But what's there to say? This is how it all went down.

This is how it all went down.

"You're finally up," Mrs. Janet said as she watched Mariana go downstairs to the dining room. "I thought you were dead in the room by ingesting poison."

Mariana remained silent, reluctant to respond to her future mother-in-law's remark.

"Darling." Paulino was drinking coffee and reading the book at the dinner table turned his head. "Sit beside me!" He said, pointing to the empty chair on his left. "What do you want to eat?"

Mariana replied, "whatever."

"Eat more fruit so you are refreshed!" Mrs. Janet is back doing the Mariana thing. She cuts meat off her plate. "Don't let anyone think that our family isn't good enough to take care of you."

"Good morning, Mom, Brother!" A handsome young man with a thin sidebar enters the dining room to greet them. He sat next to Mrs. Janet and smiled. "You look beautiful today, Mom."

"Rodrigo!" Mrs. Janet took her second son's arm and smiled. "Where are you going? Why wear a suit?"

Rodrigo replied, "I'll get to work."

"Today?"

"Of course, mom." Rodrigo picks up a fork and eats the vegetable salat in his bowl. "It's gonna be a tough time."

"Why, brother? Are you uncomfortable with your new workplace?"

Rodrigo's head. "I love my new office, it's just I'm a little nervous in the new place."

Paulino smiled. "You'll get used to it. But if you stay out of the way, I'll open up to you if you want to work in our family's company."

"Thank you, Brother. But I want to pursue my dreams first. If I always count on our family, I won't thrive."

From the looks of him, Paulino seemed very proud of his younger brother.

"Rodrigo, this is Mariana. Do you know each other?" Paulino held her hand softly, as if he were flaunting it.

Rodrigo's head. "I thought she was the whore you hired, Bro. But she's Mariana."

"Watch your tongue, Rodrigo! "Shout Mrs. Janet.

"Just relax, Mom! Anyway, no matter what happens, she can't leave my brother, right?"

Rodrigo's words instantly hurt Mariana's feelings. It was obvious that the young man was making fun of her. Shaming her. However, Mariana remained unable to answer. In fact, she is a whore even though there is no real meaning. Mariana sold her life for Kevin's recovery.