Chapter 3

The week started and as usual. I will cook for breakfast while Travis will cook for lunch and dinner.

I saw Travis heading this way to the kitchen. I bet he didn't notice me yet.

I patted his back.

"Hey, Travis," I said and sat. He didn't answered.

"Hey, Travis," I repeated.

"Heeey!"

"What?!" I was surprised. For the first time, he raised a voice at me.

My mouth was left half open and I was still staring at him and quickly looked away.

"Eat your breakfast," I said and stood up. I ran to the room. I slammed the door.

I heard Kuya Chris who just woke up and asked Travis what happened.

I didn't care anymore all I know is that I'm upset.

I was really shocked back there. He's not like that.

~TOKTOKTOK~

"Come in," I said and wiped my tears.

The door opened and I saw Travis.

"Hey, what's up?" I smiled.

He smiled back nervously.

"Dude I'm okay," I reassured him.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you back there."

"Why?"

"I got tired last night. Because of your brother." He held his left shoulder.

0.0

"What did you two do last night?"

"He ordered me to do push-ups or I'll tell the truth if I like-- If I admit his questions correctly."

I felt relief. I held my chest and breathed out.

"Why did you ask?"

"Nothing, sorry I thought you are gay."

He was startled.

"I just thought of it. I didn't say you are gay."

He laughed at me. What a bully!

I glared at him and he slowly stood up from the bed and moved near the door.

"What's so funny?" I gritted my teeth.

"Nothing, It's because of your thought of me being gay."

"I just thought of that and now what?" I asked calmly.

"H-hey Hope... I think we should. Uhm talk this out? You know, friend to friend. Hubby to wifey talk?"

"Sure," I said and relaxed.

***

Were done meddling our problem in the room. We went out and saw a sticky note from Kuya Chris.

(I'll be back after 9 pm. Stay safe and have FUN.;))

Fun?

"Okay," I said.

"I'm gonna take a bath," I added.

So I did take a bath. I wore a black sando and a pajama. I'm going to stay and I'm not going anywhere today.

"Travis, have you seen my phone?" When I saw him in the living room.

He looked for it and raised it. When I was about to get it from him he hid it.

"Why?"

He smiled with a tease. I put my both hands in my waist. Showing him how annoyed I am.

"Give.it.back," I said calmly.

"Nope." He said.

"Okay fine." I sat beside him and when he didn't notice is that I sat on his lap intentionally to instantly take my phone in his hand. My plan? Didn't work.

"What a strategy miss." He said while I'm still on his lap.

"Huh, what?" I asked and hurried to get off his lap.

"You're not going?" He stood up.

"Where?"

"At the club."

"Ah, club. Club what now?"

"Where you go party, drink, and stuff."

"You're going with?"

"With you? If you like."

"Don't tell me there are hot girls out there huh?"

"U-uh, no?" I raised a brow.

"Fine, you can go. As if I hold your freedom or anything. You're free to go." A smile flashed in his face and suddenly became sad.

"Why? What's wrong?"

He sat beside me and look at my eyes.

"You're don't worry that I'm gonna' cheat?"

I put my hand on my chin.

"That thought came to me but why would I worry? If you are having fun out there then I should be happy for you."

He looked away.

"Are you making me feel guilty?" He asked.

"Why would I?"

He let out a sigh.

"Fine, I'm not going anywhere." He said and turned the TV on.

I smiled. It works! 📱 Got it!

***

After we watch I thought of cooking mac and cheese. Travis took a bath and still not done yet. I put the ready to eat mac and cheese on the microwave.

While I was waiting.

~TOKTOKTOK~

"Coming!" I said and opened the door.

"Wait. What are you guys doing here?" I smiled widely.

"Hey, girl. It's Sembreak you know?" Faith said and gave me a hug.

"We ask your mom where your location is. Ugh, we almost got lost. You know?" Charity said pointing her phone. I gave her a hug.

What's with the 'you know' thing?

"We're going to stay here for the next few weeks!" Faith announced joyfully.

"Really?"

"Uhuh, really." They both said.

"But Kuya Chris is here too and Travis. We only got two rooms. I don't think we're gonna fit." I held my nape.

"Boys will adjust for us girls." Charity said and sat on the sofa.

"My room is on the left side."

"We're already here so there no turning back." Faith said and pulled her baggage. And went to my room.

"Aaaaaahhh!" We heard a loud scream from faith. We ran fast to her and felt relief when we saw Travis.

I looked back at him and saw him half-naked. He was wearing shorts though. I ran towards him and pushed him back inside his room.

"Wear your shirt," I said.

"Concerned? Or afraid that your friends might 'see' me?" He's teasing me again.

"I'm not!"

"Really?" He walked towards me and I slowly took a step back each time he walk and me without noticing I suddenly got pinned at the wall. He trapped me in his arms and looked at me.

"I have fallen for you, have you been feeling this way?"

I can feel his cold breath. I changed my face directly to the side to avoid too much contact.

"W-what are you doing?"

His face got closer to my ear and whispered.

"I love you, wife."

It gave me goosebumps.

"W-what?" I slowly looked at him. I can see him biting his lower lip and roaming his eyes around my face.

"I said, I love you wife." He smiled.

For the past few weeks, I've been comfortable with him and we're like. Like,

A couple.

I didn't bother to look at what situation I'm in. I just stare on his plump lips.

I firmly closed my eyes and opened it again.

I didn't notice his ways of making me comfortable with him and sometimes I just found myself staring at him.

I didn't have the chance to think about what I'm feeling for him. But all I knew Is that I like him too.

I've been reading books about fantasy and romance. I didn't have a chance to apply to what I'm reading. It won't matter anymore.

This isn't a fantasy anymore.

"I like you too, but I'm not sure if I love you," I said. Shyly.

He smiled and shifted away.

"It's okay then I'll make you fall for me just like you did to me." He said and walked away.

I felt relief when went out. I followed him and there I saw Charity and Faith with a wide smile.

"What's that loud thud huh?" -Charity.

"Yeah, and what are you doing in there huh?" -Faith.

"Have you hit the jackpot round?" -Charity

"Or they already did it when they're alone." -Faith.

"What happened? Tell me!" -Faith

"What?" I touched my head. They're giving me a free headache.

***

In the afternoon we went to the beach and took pictures.

Charity was holding my phone while I was posing but Travis snatched my phone.

"Hey!" I said.

"You're too attractive wife." He whispered.

"WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING AT. ALL." Faith said.

I pouted while waiting for him to give my phone back.

"Can I check my newsfeed?"

He looked at my phone and showed me that there is no notification.

"Hmm!" I crossed my arms and looked at Charity and Faith was still taking pictures.

A brilliant idea came up.

"Just take photos of me instead," I suggested.

I can see him blushing.

"Sure." A grin marked my face.

"1,2,3." He counted.

I was thinking of a sexy pose. So I putt my hand on my waist and curved my body to the left. I looked at my phone and...

*click*

I noticed Travis getting nervous. I smiled secretly.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?" I asked.

"N-nothing, you're too showy." He said.

"Okay, I'm done," I said and went to the cottage.

He followed me and hand me my phone.

"Thanks." I smiled.

"Let's eat." He said and drank water.

I've been noticing he always wants to eat but he's not getting fat.

"Hope!" Charity shouted.

I glanced at them and found them enjoying something so I went near them.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked. I stopped and noticed that there are a lot of boys talking to them. They stop talking and looked at me. I waved and excused myself to go to the cottage but they stopped me.

"Uh, we're supposed to eat. So, I have to go." I almost got out of their circle of 'friends' but Faith insisted for me to stay. So I stayed.

While introducing themselves to me I just nod as if I understand a thing and try to call Travis for help but he seemed busy talking with other girls. I felt jealous. But I looked for Faith and Charity but they're not here. They're swimming.

For the last time, I try to get a glimpse at Travis but he's still busy talking to others.

"Uhm excuses me," I said and left the boys. They have no time to react because I immediately ran towards the cottage.

I stopped a meter away from them.

"You have a girlfriend?"

"N-no but I have a,"

"Oh yeah?" The girl said.

"So you wanna join us for the night?" A blonde girl said seductively.

"Uh, I'm not sure." He said.

"Aww, why not?" The other girl bent near him. I gritted my teeth and continued.

"Hey, let's eat. Charity and Faith are still swimming." I said and took the snacks and throw him one.

"Oh." The girl who bent earlier looked at me.

"Ah, my wife is here. Excuse us." Travis said and wrapped his hand around my waist.

I got a bit anxious.

The girls have no choice but to leave.

"Wife,"

"H-huh?" I asked.

"Wife, want do you want to do?" He smiled and sat beside me.

"I want to sleep."

"Hope, we found cute seashells--" Charity ran toward us and stopped.

"O-oh."

"Hope, have you seen this?" Charity blocked Faith using her hand and whispered something. She nodded as response and smiled at us.

Weird.

They walked quietly towards us.

"I was thinking if we go to the club." Faith suggested.

Travis and I looked at each other. It made us remembered what we talked about earlier.

"Sure," I answered directly.

"Are you sure?" Travis asked. I just agreed, even if it is my first time going to a club.

We're done hanging out on the beach. Most of the time I stayed in the cottage because I don't want to get my skin darker.

Travis called me to swim but when I said no he immediately sat beside me. We spent a few more minutes and he started teasing me. But, patience is key.

I survived babysitting a kid-like Travis the whole afternoon. I cleaned the cottage and carried everything I could carry but Travis grabbed the bag to me. Charity and Faith are too excited so they left us. Mention that they're my best friends. I'll let it slide for now.

"Travis! Wait up!" I heard someone called him. We both looked back and saw a girl waving.

I took a glance at Travis, he's turning pale and I quickly changed my gaze.

"Hey Travis, what's up?" The girl asked.

"H-hey," Travis said. My brow arched and felt awkward.

"I'm going, just catch up okay," I said and was about to go when he held my wrist.

"Stay." He said.

I stayed.

The girl saw it.

"Hey is she you're girlfriend?" She asked.

"No," Travis answered.

"Good thing I found you here. If she's not you're girlfriend or a fling. Who cares? Let's get back together." She pushed me and hugged his arm.

Oh, it's his ex-girlfriend.

"She's not my girlfriend 'cause she's my wife and we're not getting back together," Travis said and pushed her away. He grabbed my wrist and left her.

"Who is she again?" I asked while he's still grabbing my wrist.

Even though I know it's her ex.

"My ex."

"What's her name?"

He sighed.

"Valerie." He said.

***

"Hope, are you ready?" Charity said outside while I'm choosing what to wear.

After a few minutes, I went out wearing a crop top and cargo pants and boots.

I'm amazed by Charity's sparkly bottom with a plain top and black heels.

"Wow, we're really ready to partaaay!" Faith raised her hands and acted like holding a laso.

She stopped in front of us and flexed her glittery bodycon dress and silver flats. She is taller than us so maybe she didn't pick heels to wear for the night.

I was getting nervous because I have no experience inside a club. We stopped chatting when Travis got out of his room wearing a white tee to the black jeans, and a black jacket.

Mono style it is.

"You're so cute!" Faith said and pinched his cheeks and slapped him lightly. He greeted.

"Make a cute niece for me okay." She directly said and headed out.

We awkwardly smiled at each other.

"Let's go girl." We got out and kuya Chris exactly got home.

"Where are you going?"

"At the club, come on Chris!" Faith said and laughed.

"Your outfit is okay Chris." Charity added.

It's okay he's just wearing a button-up shirt and trousers and leather shoes.

***

We entered the club and find a vacant table. I was shocked because there are women that are almost half-naked dancing on the pole. I pulled Travis and make him sit beside me where he's not facing the seductive dancers. He smirked when I got mad at him. I also told kuya Chis not to face the dancers but he didn't listen. Charity and Faith laughed and ordered a bucket of beer.

"Let's play truth or dare!" Faith shouted because the music is too loud.

"Me first!" -Charity

She spun the bottled and it pointed at Travis.

"Truth or dare?"

Travis poured beer in the glass and drank it.

"Dare." -Travis.

"Nice! I dare you to kiss Hope!"

I looked at him and felt blood rushing through my cheeks. It gave me a flashback on what happened last week.

"Is it okay?"

I nodded unconsciously.

He moved a bit and gave me a kiss. A smack.

"Aww! I'm jealous!" Faith said.

"Next!"

We've done many dares and got wasted but I didn't drink that much so the alcohol doesn't affect me that much.

The guys are too wasted while Charity and Faith dancing with the crowd. I was just sitting here beside Travis and kuya Chris.

"Let's go home," I said and tried to carry Travis but he is too heavy.

I tried to call Charity but she's still dancing like crazy with Faith headbanging in the air.

What to do?

"Hey, Travis." I tried to wake him up.

"Mmm."

"Wake up babe." I accidentally said and stopped when I realized what I just said.

I noticed Travis slowly opened his eyes.

"Did... You just... called me?" He blinked. "Babe?"

"Uh." I don't know what to say.

"Babe, le'ts go home." He said and stood up and glanced at kuya Chris.

I was surprised because he quickly got out of his hangover. While he carried kuya Chris by the arm and walked out. I searched for Charity and Faith. Luckily, I found them by the counter.

"let's go home." I grabbed their arms and forced them to stand up. We walked to the exit and saw Travis approaching he helped me carry Charity. I noticed he called a taxi.

Before I get in I checked if we got everything. I was about to sit but then I remembered the most important thing. The thing I'm with every time I open my eyes every morning, that thing that is always with me. My comfort zone. My phone!

"I think I forget something. I'll be back!"

I ran inside the club and looked for my phone at our table earlier. Luckily it's still there. Then my phone rang. It's Travis.

"Hope, where are you?"

"Oh, hey. Yeah, coming. I forgo--" I didn't finish what I said because someone stood in front of me.

"Hi, miss." The guy said.

"Uh, hi? excuse me." I said and was about to leave but he blocked me.

"I like you, miss." He scanned me. I felt awkward.

He grabbed my arm and forced me to sit. I tried to run but he holds both of my arms.

"Let me go!"

"You're with me, baby." He said and that gave me goosebumps.

Baby?! No way!

My face is traced with disgust but he's still smirking.

"What's your name beautiful?" Earlier he called me baby and now beautiful? Is he joking?

"I'm not interested. I'm going." But he did not let me. I considered a way to call for help but it's too tricky. I slowly took my phone out but he caught me.

"Are with someone milady?"

"It's none of your business!"

"Hmm, feisty. I like it." I was shocked.

Travis. Where are you? Help me.

Another thought came up, what if he harasses me? Well I mean he hasn't done anything except by forcing me to seat beside him.

On the other hand:

Travis' POV

WHERE is she? What did took her so long? I gotta' check her.

I ran to the club to find Hope. As I enter the bar I can feel myself covered with so much anger when I saw Hope sitting beside a guy. I can see how nervous she was.

The time before I knew the guy began to caress her legs.

"Hope, let's go home," I said.

"Do you know this guy milady?"

She slightly nodded.

"H-he's my husband." She said in a low voice. Terror punched the guy in the face. I can't help but to smirk.

Yea, right.

"I'm sorry I beg your forgiveness." He immediately said and gave Hope a way to stand.

We didn't bother to talk to him I just grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the club.

***

We head home with our drunk friends.

I feel a little embarrassment about earlier. We paid a lot to the taxi driver because we made him wait for us.

I carried Charity and Faith to my room. I was at ease when they didn't vomit on the road.

I changed their clothes even if they were too heavy I don't want my bed to smell like alcohol.

After I handled the two drunk. I went out to drink some water and saw Travis in the kitchen.

"Are you done?"

"I am, how about you?"

"Your brother is too clingy. When he's drunk."

I laughed because it is true. "Yeah, he really is."

"You seemed tired you should get to sleep," I said and slanted my head.

He just smiled.

He yawned. "Yeah, I guess I am. But my bed is occupied." He went to the dining room and lay on the sofa.

"Can I ask you?" He said.

"Yeah sure."

"What did the guy do to you earlier?"

"Nothing, really." I looked away.

"I'm your husband right?"

"Uhm yeah?"

He chuckled. "I wanna be a dad soon." He whispered. It gives me tingles to my spine.

I throw a pillow to him. I know it's just a joke but I felt embarrassed.

"It's not funny." I covered my face using my hands.

"Sorry. I'm just kidding."

I uncovered my face.

"But really, I want--"

He stopped when he saw my face.

"What happened to your face? Are allergic or something?"

My face is red like a tomato.

"I said I'm sorry!" He said when I stood up and ran to my room. Even if I'm still in my room it's like I can imagine him smirking at me.

Demmit!

To be continued...