A Chance Encounter

CHAPTER 12

NAPABUGA NG HANGIN si Audrey nang makasakay siya sa loob ng kotse ni Emerson. It was a tiring day. Gabi na at katatapos lamang ng wedding reception. Pagkatapos niyang nagpalit ng damit ay umalis na sila ni Emerson.

“Ano ‘to?” tanong ni Audrey nang makita niya ang maliit na paper bag sa may dashboard. Nagtanong siya kasi nakasulat roon ang pangalan niya pati na ang pangalan ni Emerson. It seems to be a gift.

Emerson looked at the paper bag. “It’s from Jeff. He told me he would put his gift in my car.”

“Oh.”

“Open it,” Emerson said, and he leaned to his wife to put on her seatbelt. Then, after putting on his wife’s seatbelt, he buckled his own seatbelt and started the engine.

Kinuha naman ni Audrey ang paper bag saka binuksan. Inilabas niya ang laman ng paper bag. “What is this? It says ‘extra safe’.”

Mabilis na napatingin si Emerson sa hawak ng asawa. He facepalmed. I’m going to kill you, Jefferson!

“Ano ‘to?” inosenteng tanong ni Audrey kay Emerson.

Kalmadong ngumiti si Emerson saka inagaw ang condom box mula kay Audrey. “Candy.” Sagot niya. “But it’s not good for you. It’s too sweet. Baka sumakit ang ngipin mo.”

Emerson facepalmed because of his stupid answer.

Ibinulsa ni Emerson ang condom box. Hindi na lang magpapakita sa kaniya ang Jefferson na ‘yon dahil talagang babalatan niya ito ng buhay. No wonder Jefferson was smiling mysteriously. Tama ang kutob niyang may ginawa itong kalokohan.

But his wife… Emerson looked at Audrey. She doesn’t know what a condom was. My intuition was right from the beginning. She was naïve at some things.

“Oh.” Wika ni Audrey saka tinignan ang loob ng paper bag. Nagtaka siya nang makita niyang may card doon. At may piraso ng papel kung saan nakasulat ang apat na numero. Mukhang ito ang password ng card. Inilabas niya ito saka ipinakita kay Emerson. “Card?”

Tinignan ni Emerson ang card. “It was his gift. So generous of him, huh? It’s yours.”

Lumaki ang mata ni Audrey. “It’s mine? But Mom and Dad gave me cards earlier. Sabi nila wedding gift raw.” Aniya.

Actually, hindi lang ‘yon ang binigay ng pamilya ni Emerson sa kaniya. The other day, Emerson’s mother gave her jewelry. Ayaw niya sanang tanggapin pero nahihiya naman siyang tanggihan ang ina ni Emerson. Inilagay na lamang niya ang mga ‘yon sa safe para hindi mawala. Hindi naman kasi siya mahilig magsuot ng mga alahas.

Ngumiti si Emerson. “So generous of them, huh." Mukhang mas mahal ka na nila kaysa sa akin. They didn’t even bother to talk to me earlier. They’re just talking to you.”

Tumingin si Audrey kay Emerson. “You sounded like a jealous man. Hindi ko naman inaagaw ang magulang mo mula sa ‘yo.”

Emerson chuckled and maneuvered the car. He drove his car towards home. Naging tahimik na silang dalawa hanggang sa makarating sila sa penthouse.

Arriving at the penthouse, Audrey suddenly felt nervous. Napahawak siya sa tapat ng kaniyang puso. It was their wedding night. Their first night as husband and wife. And as a wife, it was her duty to fulfill what her husband needed.

She took a deep breath and looked at Emerson. Inilalagay nito ang mga damit nito sa closet.

“Take a shower first, Baby. I’ll just unpack my clothes.”

“Huh?” Nagulat si Audrey sa itinawag sa kaniya ni Emerson. “Baby?”

Emerson smiled. “It’s my endearment to you. Noong tinawag kitang Baby Girl hindi ka nag-react.”

Natahimik si Audrey. Anong hindi nag-react? Hindi niya lang kasi pinagtuunan ng pansin ang tawag sa kaniya noon ni Emerson. Pero iba ngayon dahil magkaharap na silang dalawa. Nagkibit na lamang siya ng balikat saka kumuha ng pantulog at pumasok sa banyo. She took a shower and wore her satin pajamas.

Pagkalabas ni Audrey ng banyo, hindi niya nakita si Emerson sa loob ng kwarto. Pero hindi doon nakatuon ang atensiyon niya kundi sa puso niyang mabilis ang t***k. Kinakabahan siya. Alam niyang may mangyayari ngayong gabi. Since she and Emerson were legally married now.

Audrey took a deep breath. Umupo siya sa gilid ng kama saka hinintay ang asawa. Napangiwi siya bigla dahil parang ang awkward na tawagin niyang asawa si Emerson. Pero dahil siguro sa hindi pa siya sanay.

MEANWHILE, Emerson was in the other room and had just finished showering. Tnawagan niya si Jeff at agad namang sumagot ang loko.

“Miss me?”

Emerson wanted to vomit. “Damn you, Jeff. Huwag kang magpapakita sa akin. Talagang mapapatay kita.”

Malakas na tumawa si Jeff. Mukhang nakita na ni Emerson ang regalo niya rito. “Come on, bud. That was the best gift from me.”

Emerson sighed. “My wife sees it.”

“So, what? You two are legally married. That’s normal.”

“Jeff, Audrey were naïve at some things. Hindi nga niya alam na condom ‘yon.”

Napaawang ang labi ni Jefferson. “Talaga? Then you are one lucky man.”

Napabuntong hininga si Emerson. “Don’t give a gift like that again, Jeff. By the way, thank you for the card.”

“Hey, that’s for your wife. It’s not for you.”

Emerson snorted and ended the call. After wearing his satin pajamas, he went back to the master’s bedroom. He saw his wife sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked like she was waiting for him.

“Bakit hindi ka natutulog?”

Audrey looked at her husband. Tumayo siya saka napatitig kay Emerson.

“What’s the matter, Baby?” Emerson asked.

Kahit kinakabahan at nahihiya, Audrey encourages herself to become brave. “I know. I’m your wife now, and it’s my responsibility to fulfill my duty as your wife to fulfill your desires.” Audrey unbuttoned her satin upper garment and undressed in front of her husband.

Bahagyang lumaki ang mata ni Emerson nang masilayan niya ang maputing balikat ng asawa. Napalunok siya pero mas nanaig ang pagiging gentleman niya.

“Audrey, what are you doing?” Emerson quickly picked up his wife’s clothes that fell onto the floor. Mabilis niyang ipinasuot kay Audrey ang hinubad nitong damit saka hinila ang kumot. He put the blanket on his wife.

Niyakap ni Emerson ang asawa. “Audrey, don’t force yourself. Remember, you’re my wife now. No one can force you to do the things you don’t want to do, even I. I would never force you. I won’t do that. So, I will wait until you are willing to give yourself to me, not because it is your responsibility.”

Audrey was stunned and was touched by her husband’s words. Isang ngiti ang sumilay sa labi ni Audrey. “Salamat.”

Emerson distanced himself from his wife. “Fix your clothes.” Aniya saka tumalikod.

Mabilis namang ibinutones ni Audrey ang satin pajama saka nahiga sa kama.

Kinuha naman ni Emerson ang Black Card mula sa pitaka niya saka hinarap ang asawa. “Baby, here is my salary card. You are my wife now, so I’ll hand it to you.”

Itinuro ni Audrey ang sarili. “You’re giving it to me?”

Tumango si Emerson. Umupo siya sa kama saka sumandal sa headboard. “It’s the most basic thing for a husband to hand over his salary to his wife. A man should act like a married man after getting married, right, Mrs. Montenegro? Isa pa, ang pera ko ay pera mo. All my property is also your property. In short, marital property, Baby.”

Napakurap si Audrey kay Emerson. “Have you forgotten that my father sold me to you?”

“So, what? You are my wife. I wanted to spoil you. Your father has nothing to do with this.” Sabi ni Emerson.

Bumangon si Audrey saka nag-crossed-legged sa kama. “Em…”

“I know what you are thinking, Baby. Huwag mong maliitin ang sarili mo. I married you not because your father sold you to me. I married you because I wanted to.” Ngumiti si Emerson saka hinaplos ang buhok ni Audrey. “Of course, I will wait for the day until you accept me. But can I ask something from you, Baby?”

“Ano ‘yon?”

“Though we have no emotional foundation, I wanted this marriage to work. I will stay faithful to this marriage. So, can you let me kiss you, hug and hold your hand?”

Napatitig si Audrey kay Emerson. Hindi niya inaasahan ang hiling nito. But there was already a husband and wife. Those things are normal to do. Tumango siya. “Pero huwag mo akong bibiglain kung gagawin mo ‘yon baka masaktan kita.”

Tumango si Emerson.

Audrey smiled. Humiga na siya sa kama.

“You forgot something.”

“Ano ‘yon?”

Emerson showed her his black card. “My black card.” Kinuha niya ang kamay ni Audrey at inilagay sa palad nito ang Black Card. “Baby, I was often busy at work. Kaya hindi ko matignan kung ano ang kulang rito sa penthouse. So, if you think it is still lacking, you can buy it. You don’t have to worry about the money on the card. Black cards don’t have a limit. You can spend it on whatever you like. Hindi mo na kailangang magpaalam sa akin.”

Napatitig si Audrey sa Black Card na nasa palad niya. “Aren’t you afraid that I will squander your money?” nanghahamon niyang tanong kay Emerson.

Ngumiti si Emerson. “Bakit naman ako matatakot? I will be happy if you spend my money. Isa pa, hindi mo mauubos ang laman niyan, Baby. I have enough money to support you.”

Is this what rich people do? Napailing si Audrey saka inilagay ang Black Card sa may bedside table. She was overwhelmed by what Emerson had said. But she was happy because Emerson seemed to be different from the rumors. Mukhang mabait naman ito.

Humarap si Audrey kay Emerson. “I can’t promise you anything, but I will try my best to be a good wife to you.”

Ngumiti si Emerson. “Just don’t force yourself. I will give you time to get used to me and our marriage life. So, let’s sleep now.” Humiga na rin siya sa kama.

Their first time isn’t bad at all.

This was the start of their married life. A new chapter of their lives as husband and wife. And Audrey needs a lot to learn and do.