Three months later.

It was so nice to listen to every wave rolling upon the shore. The moonlight was our main light on the sand along with the wind that tickled our skin. It’s really fun to have a vacation with family. The fun was doubled because we checked in at the Queen Coron Resort in Palawan.

"Why it took you so long to decide?" my husband asked as we sat on the sand.

"I don't want to make a wrong decision that's why."

"Why did you choose to marry me?"

"Because of Magdalen. For Magdalen. I want her to have a whole family. You already know that, but you still asked."

I decided whether I would marry him or not for almost a month. Then, I chose to marry him. Things went well after I made the decision, the wedding was arranged right away. I could say that the wedding was grand because of all the support we received from Constance's family. Everything in the wedding was planned, so problems which occurred were minimal. They were happy for us especially Magdalen and Constance’s three brothers. Madam Bria already accepted me as her son's wife. Constance's daddy welcomed me as well. However, our feelings for each other failed.

After the wedding, we transferred to another house with Constance. Moving to a new home was equivalent to a new life. Constance and I didn't have a fight because we didn't talk very often. It's hard to admit but we're just married on paper. We're not a couple who were deeply in love for each other. Well, what could you expect from a couple who got married suddenly? We’re just sweet to each other when Magdalen was around. Magdalen had her own room and I often stayed with her. Constance was often alone in our room. Nothing happened to us and I was thankful because he respected me.

"Do you love me?" he said almost in a whisper and he was obviously embarrassed.

"It's cold here. Let’s go inside," I whispered.

"You're not answering my question."

"Constance, I don't know. I still can't believe that I'm an Artiles now. I'm married to you. Many women have dreamed to marry you but you just married a woman like me. I feel like you don't deserve me. You deserve better. You deserve a woman with the same level of you and she’s obviously not me." It’s cold already and we’re talking that way.

"That's the problem with you. You're belittling yourself. You know what, I love you for who you are."

"It's just hard to believe. You're too high for me."

"High? No, Yvo, I'm not. You're the only one who thinks that. I'm your husband now, so we're just equal. I'm sorry if you feel that you're in prison just because of me. Let's divorce if you want. I don't want you to suffer because of our marriage. It's not healthy if you'll stay even if you don't want to. I'll understand if you want to be separated from me."

His voice was sad that my conscience bothered me more. Maybe if I hadn’t married him, he would have had Krida or Goddessa. Perhaps, one of them would like and love him dearly. He wouldn’t have been hurt now because of me. I couldn't understand myself why I couldn't appreciate him. I felt more butterflies in my stomach when were not married rather than when we got married. Maybe it was because of our cold war before.

"No. We can't separate. It's too early," I seriously said. "They might say that we shouldn’t get married in the first place if we would just get divorced after. Your daddy might be angry."

"I'm sure dad will understand the situation. He won't be angry anymore because I've already given him the marriage that he requested for. By the way, thanks for helping me in fulfilling his request."

We just stared at the sea as the waves continued to roll upon the shore.

"You're welcome. It's nothing. Now that I know that it's okay for you for us to divorce. Let me tell you my decision when I’m really sure of it. I'm still thinking about how Magdalen will feel. Of course, when you remarry, she will ask why you have another wife. That little girl will be curious. I don't want to hurt her. Do you know that she requested me to marry you, so that we would be a happy family. I couldn’t disappoint her, so I married you. "

"I'll wait for the day you say you love me," he seriously said with a sad voice.

"I hope you never get tired of waiting."

"I'll try. There are a lot of women who want to marry me, but what can I do if you are the one my heart has chosen? I will wait as long as I can."

"Thank you. I'm glad to know that you're willing to wait. Let's go inside because the night is getting deeper."

"I hope like night, your love for me will get deeper."

"You're corny," I said. Those words of him seemed to touch my heart. I hoped so. "Let's go inside."

I walked away from the beach first and he just followed me. We took an elevator to reach the second floor of Kibaw Building where we were staying. A person who worked there said that "Kibaw Building" is said to be derived from the name of a clam shell called ‘kibaw’ that can be found in Coron, Palawan.
Constance's parents and some housemaids went on vacation with us. While Tux, Hots, and Iwo were left in Manila to watch over the company and to take care of other things. Constance chose the VIP room for us, so the space was really big and there were two beds. The other one was good for three people and the other one was good for two people. Magdalen would sleep in a bed good for two and I could also sleep next to her if she wanted me to.

We first went to Madam Bria's room to pick up Magdalen who was asleep already. Constance carried her while I was the first one to walk because I would open the door of our room. I looked at them once and it was nice to see Magdalen sleeping while Constance was carrying her.
"Put her down on the other bed and you sleep first," I said to Constance as we entered the room.

He carefully put Magdalen on the bed, so that she wouldn’t wake up. "Aren't you going to sleep yet?"

"Later. Don't worry because I’ll be sleeping next to you later. I’ll just cover her with a blanket and will observe for a moment if she's okay in this bed."

"Okay."

Constance cleaned his body and put on his pajamas before he finally went to sleep. I did the same before I went to bed. He turned his back on me, so I just imitated his position and stared at his back. It was like I wanted to hug him but I was embarrassed to do so. I didn’t have the courage to hug him even though I knew he was asleep already. I was afraid it would wake him up. I covered him with blanket instead before I turned around as well. He sleeps peacefully and he doesn’t snooze so I always sleep well.

At six o'clock in the morning, I woke up and found out that Constance was not beside me anymore. Magdalen was still asleep. I just thought that maybe he just went somewhere for a while. There was a restaurant downstairs and you could ask them to deliver your food in your room. I chose to have our food delivered in our room after I asked Magdalen about the food that she wanted to eat. The food arrived quickly and I let Magdalen to eat first. I didn't eat because I planned to wait for Constance to come, so I could accompany him.

But when it was eight o'clock in the morning and he wasn't there yet, I decided to eat because I was going to take Magdalen for a walk on the beach. I just left the food for Constance in the room, so he would have some food when he came back. He had a key to open the door even without us.

It is nice to have a walk near the sea especially when the heat from the sun is still manageable. The beach is right in front of the resort and it is perfect for those people who love sea water. The sea color is very blue and the sands are very white. When you look at the resort closely, you will immediately notice the two gigantic buildings known as “Kasoy Building” and “Kibaw Building” as they call it. The wall of the building is covered with very white and fine sands that the buildings turned white even without the use of paint. They look like durable sand castles.
I held Magdalen’s hand as we walked on the sand and watched the waves which seemed to dance. We had a few people with us in enjoying the view, while Madam Bria and the others were inside their rooms to get some rest.

"Are you happy, darling?"

"Yes-yes!" she replied before grabbing the sand. "Mom, can we swim?"

"Of course, but not now. Let's wait for you grandmother. Is that okay?"

"Yes mom!"

"Very good," I said before I gently pinched her nose. "You're so cute, darling."

She tried to reach my nose, so I let her. She also gently pinched my nose. "Hehe, because my mom is cute too!"

"Oh, darling. You're cuter, of course." My daughter also knew how to make me smile.

"Mom, where's daddy?" she asked.

"I don't know either, darling."

"Let's find him, mama. Let's go there, oh." She pointed to the other building.

"No–"

"Please, mama. Please," she said in a sad tone. She really knew how she could convince me.

"Okay, let's go."

We made our way to the Kasoy Building until we reached it. The receptionist warmly welcomed us and even introduced us to a staff who would accompany us on a tour of the entire building. I didn't intend to go through each room one by one, so we just went to the restaurant. But we didn't find Constance there.

"Let's go back to our room, darling. Maybe your daddy is already there." Magdalen nodded before smiling. "Miss, thank you for accompanying us."

"You’re welcome, ma'am."

While walking back to the building where we were staying, I noticed people coming from the backyard of the Kasoy Building. I was intrigued, so I first brought Magdalen to Madam Bria's room before I went back to the Kasoy Building and went behind it.

There are cottages at the back of the building and a mini garden. I looked at each cottage one by one until I found who I was looking for. I suddenly felt annoyed when a woman came and hugged her.

"Why is there a need for a hug?! Only his wife has the right to embrace that man!" I madly thought.

I walked quickly towards them and realized who the woman was when I was only a few steps away from them... Goddessa Petery.

Keep calm, Yvo. Just calm down. Don't pull her hair, ah.

"Your daughter has been looking for you for a while," I calmly said before putting my arm around Constance’s shoulder. Goddessa's eyes widened at what I did. I just smiled at her.

Constance couldn't speak right away because of my sudden appearance. I spoke again, "I've been looking for you for a while too."

"And I hate seeing you with another woman!" I thought.