Denver Roque Velasquez POV (Part 3)
 
"Denver…"
 
I was pissed and annoyed, and I couldn’t even think for a moment when I saw her. I was sleepless and exhausted looking for her, only hoping that she was with her sister. Safe and sound. Now that I've seen her, I just want her to be with me.
 
Her hands softly caressed me. Her expression was etched with worry. I'd memorized them all as I stared intently at her. I don’t want to lose sight of her. I felt that if I ever closed my eyes or got unconscious, she would vanish in an instant. I don’t want that happen again.
 
I wrapped her in my arms, caging her into an embrace. "I’ve been looking for you. I thought I'd lose you."
 
If it weren’t for Zaine, I wouldn’t know that she was here. She texted me, but I was too preoccupied to even know it was her. I remained in that state, embracing her warmth with mine.
 
I miss her.
 
We’ve been conversing about some random things. She took a different room from her sister, and it confirms to me that Kian Forthaliez is with them. He must be the one to take her here. This was what Carmienne meant last time. They made this plan to get away from the trouble caused by The Hawk.
 
I must admit that it was the right thing to do. William and the other members have been mitigating the extent of Jake’s power over the authority. Carmienne must have seen this coming. I kind of predict that she involved herself with him just to gather information, and her having feelings for him is not as close as possible.
 
I was lost in my thoughts while looking at Sharmienne. She’s telling me something about her request. Before I could even move, she advanced to get closer and reach for my lips, leaving me shocked for a while.
 
"I want an annulment, Denver."
 
I responded quickly, not minding her request. I could do her a favor, but not this fucking one. It was on impulse that I reacted like this. Clenched jaw, heavy breathing—I can’t take her word fully. I don’t even want to consider it. I don’t even want to hear it again.
 
"You’re really unpredictable, my wife."
 
She stared at me. "You didn’t even want to talk to me for weeks. It’s better if..."
 
"No. That’s my answer."
 
It was my fault for not talking to her. I was avoiding her as I redeemed myself from the danger that awaits us. I explained to her what I’ve been busy with these past few weeks. It was their company.
 
I admitted that I was too scared that I would lose her. I told her what her sister told me. I spend my time with her. Her being close to me heated up my body with her skin touching mine. She is enjoying this. Her laugh that I can’t seem to forget. It was the moment I wanted to cherish.
 
"That was fun!" she laughed wholeheartedly. "Let’s try it again, please."
 
How could I reject that?
 
I chuckled. "Sure, wife."
 
I was enjoying my moments with her. Until then, Kian got drunk, and Sharmienne, being kindhearted and a good friend, wanted to assist him. But I won’t let her touch another man. Fuck this possessiveness.
 
I was calming myself. This is normal. I am her husband. She came back, and we had our dinner. She told me things that worry her, and I explained everything that she’s been asking me. But then I realized that I couldn’t avoid the reality between us. My secret.
 
"Are you protecting someone, Denver?"
 
It was a normal question, but it triggered me. That term ‘protect’ has always been the damage I don’t want to delve into again, as I know I am not capable of protecting someone I cherish.
 
I have always been terrified when someone gets close to me. I cherish them, but I can’t always protect them. And just like those others I want to protect, Sharmienne was at the top of my list.
 
Yet... I couldn’t assure myself that I could protect her either.
 
"Wife… No… you will not leave me, right?"
 
That was the reason. I don’t want to be abandoned again. Those whom I want to protect leave.
 
"Denver, I won’t leave you."
 
"You already know about that ‘side’ of me. You already know I am a gangster."
 
"Calm down, Denver."
 
It was like a trigger. This was what I feared most. That I would lose them again. Her. The same thing happened when my father chose to get rid of me and sent me to The Master to train endlessly. To be powerful enough to protect those I love. 
 
I was merciless before. And when Sharmienne came into my life, I knew I had changed. For the better. She told me something that I needed to prioritize. She clears up my clouded mind. She was the weakness I’ve been avoiding facing, but I am terrified that she will leave too. To relinquish from my world.
 
She let me ponder everything and gave me time to process what I would say. She understood me. She doesn’t want to rush. We spend our days at the resort, having the vacation we planned. In those times, I wanted to make my intentions clear to her. I want to confess. To get rid of misunderstandings between us.
 
Hubby… 
 
That endearment. I couldn’t help but chuckle every time I heard her call me that. Even when she got distracted by the fact that my mother and brother would come visit, I was always amazed at how she never changed. As she was comfortable with me, she couldn’t immediately be devoid of her personality.
 
I told her about my past. Why did I become like this? I was a transparent person when it came to her. My weaknesses. My relationship with my family is the reason why I conceal my emotions every time.
 
"You sacrificed a lot. You’re a great person, and I admire you."
 
"Sha…"
 
She was smiling as she told me those things. It was relieving and comforting to hear it. It’s as if that was what I wanted to hear all this time. She was the person who understood me the most. The person who was bound to me.
 
Is this the reason why people seek marriage? To find peace with the person who will be by their side until death? Is this how it feels to be with someone who will assure you of things that are incomprehensible and always understand you?
 
It felt good to have her. To be with her.
 
It felt good that I poured my heart into her. I could be her lifesaver if she wants me to. I will give her everything, even if it means I will sacrifice everything just to keep her by my side.
 
I also told her about my gang. I didn’t explain that much about how we work. It was enough that she had an idea of what I do. I offered to help them find their cousins. It made me realize that her sister is looking for evidence that could lead her to that. She’s doing these things and risking her life to get justice for her cousins.
 
My mother visited us that day. Clyde is with her. And I couldn’t even help but get annoyed at how he’s so immature over these things. He even wanted to piss me off every time he had the chance. I want to mend the gap between us, but he’s making it hard for me.
 
"It looks like ‘my lady’ likes me." No way.
 
"Shut up, Clyde. She’s mine."
 
My mom kept on conversing with my wife, saying that she was busy attending to her. I kept quiet and just stayed with my wife as my mother did the honor of revealing the plans of our parents. I couldn’t even tell Sharmienne that myself.
 
"Quando sarà il matrimonio ufficiale?"
 
She was excited that she had revealed the secret marriage. They knew it from the start. Only Sharmienne didn’t. She told my wife about my line of work that I wasn’t able to tell her earlier.
 
"You just married because you don’t want that title."
 
"Shut up, Cyde."
 
"It seems true, huh? Based on your reaction, your supposedly wife already suffered in your damn filthy hands."
 
Clyde, on the other hand, assumed that I married Sharmienne because I didn't want to be the heir of the house of Velasquez. It was true, but it was before. I don’t even want her to be involved in any of this. I kept the marriage secret and told my father that she was just an asset to his plan. I don’t want to tell them that I wanted her to stay with me because of my personal choice.
 
I told Sharmienne about our marriage being called off. She was shocked, of course. But we were legal either way. We’re married. She needs time to digest everything revealed to her. I gave her time.
 
I was busy again tending to my father’s request when Daniel notified me about Jake Hart. He’s here at Madrigal Towers. I was immediately about to get out when I noticed that Sharmienne wasn’t inside.
 
"Where is she?"
 
I waited at the door, and as the elevator tinged, there I saw Jake, Dwayne, and my wife being dragged by someone. It was Daniel in disguise. Rage crept through me as I saw Jake Hart’s menacing smirk while the elevator door slowly closed.
 
I immediately called Sharmienne, asking her whereabouts. This feeling of not seeing her was a common one when she left me with her sister. Damn. I must’ve been so attached to her presence that even for a single hour, I would miss her.
 
"Don’t scare me like that again. Never again will I ever lose you. Never."
 
But things got out of hand. The day before her birthday. She was nowhere to be found. Her phone wasn’t ringing. Daniel lost communication with me. My phone was left somewhere while I was on a mission. Things stirred up so quickly that I wasn’t even prepared for them all.
 
Sharmienne’s gone. She’s not in our condo. The last call I had with her was a few days ago. She confessed that she loves me, but after that day, she vanished into thin air without notice. I left her with Daniel, and even my friend was nowhere to be found.
 
I didn’t receive a call from him or an update after my phone call with my wife. Fuck this. What happened while I was gone?
 
"I am sure she’s with Saavedra."
 
Days of searching for them, and William pointed out that Sharmienne’s really with Daniel right now. Daniel’s the last person she’s with. He was assigned to guard her while I did my mission in the capital.
 
"He’s also been acting strange," Elijah said. He was with him when I was busy with my wife. He knew what was happening. "This must be related to The Master."
 
"What do you mean?"
 
"He’s been complaining about you neglecting your duties because you became a husband. At the same time, The Master summoned him weeks ago for a private mission."
 
It must be related to Sharmienne. My gang mates don’t know that Sharmienne is a Galvosa. Daniel may have been tasked with keeping her guarded while I was away. At the same time, The Master already knows that Sharmienne is his daughter, and he’s making his advances. He doesn’t approve of me as his daughter’s husband. He’s protecting her in his own way by taking her away from me because I'm always in danger.
 
I focused on finding her without asking my friends’ assistance. They shouldn’t get Sharmienne involved in this mess. Not this time.
 
Just as I was on the verge of securing her information through my agency, a fellow agent delivered news that shattered my world, casting a haze over my perspective and leaving me staggered, my senses momentarily dulled. My physical strength seemed to wane, and I found myself stumbling, almost collapsing onto the floor.
 
"Sharmienne Golieza Velasquez. Found in a bomb incident caused by The Hawk."