Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"Fvck!" a profanity was released by Valjerome the moment I pushed him and gave him a hard slap.

I was about to leave his lap when he quickly grabbed me and restrained me in place.

"You will never get away from me," he said as his jaw tightened.

I laughed sarcastically and glared at him. "Fvck.You," the corners of my eyes began to tear up so I avoided his gaze.

"Should we try?" he said coldly.

I quickly turned my gaze back to him and looked to slap him again, but he immediately caught my hand in the air before it even landed on his cheek.

"I would not let you hurt me again, once is enough," he said emphatically.

When I laughed and bit my lower lip. "It is unfair, do you know that?" I said hoarsely as I stared at him. "Because I am letting you hurt me over and over again," I added as a lone tear fell on my cheek.

His eyes quickly softened. He gently lifted his hand to my cheek and wiped away my tears with his thumb.

"Bestfriend turned to wife realquick, huh?" I tried to laugh, but I cried instead.

I faintly punch his chest. "Is it hard? Is it hard to admit that I am your wife?" I said in full resentment.

"Enough, Jazzie," he said in a calm voice and grabbed my hands.

"How come that you became this ruthless, Valjerome?" I asked and stared at his eyes. "We used to be happy together, what happened?"

He did not answer and just kept on staring at me with his drunken eyes.

"You have been my friend since then. We're fine, happy, how did it happen, that when your parents arranged our wedding, you changed then?" I asked desperately. "Why? Is it because you really don't like me?" I added.

"Stop it," he uttered and tried to pull me for a hug, but I pushed him.

"Can't you make yourself like me back? Just please like me, if you can’t even love me. I am not asking for too much." I tried to smile then weakly lowered my head to his shoulder.

There I silently sobbed as I remembered how fast everything had changed. Like I said, I am an orphan. Ever since my parents had passed away, Valjerome's family has taken care of me. The two of us became close, we are always together at school and in everything. He treated me so well then, if I was just illusioning things, I would think that we both liked each other because of what he was making me feel.

Until one day, everything suddenly changed. His parents called me and said I needed to marry Valjerome. It is said that the other group that opposes their organization is getting too strong so they need to strengthen theirs. Although I was confused about why they chose me and what I could do about it, marriage was the only thing that really went through my mind.

"W-What was V-Val's decision?" I politely inquired despite my nervousness.

I simply looked at him. He was sitting on the sofa and without any emotion, watching us talk to his parents.

"Valjerome accepted the decision, hija. You do not have to worry," his mother comforted me.

I could not help but feel thrilled and happy to what I have heard.

Does that mean we both fell for each other?

"A-All right then. I also agree," I whispered and bit my lower lip. "Ahmm ... when will be the wedding?" I am ashamed to ask.

His parents' smiled at me.

"Tomorrow, dear," his dad answered.

My jaw dropped automatically and I blinked several times. Valjerome's parents both laughed at me then hugged me.

"Welcome to the family," said his father. "Officially," added his mother.

I couldn’t help but cry. I have always felt their kindness to me. I glanced at Valjerome who's still watching us intently. Wondering how serious he was, I just chose to ignore it.

Maybe, he is also nervous and excited.

JUST like what Valjerome's parents wanted, we got married the next day. It was not elegantly grand because they are still worried about my safety, besides I am a model so it will be cluttered on social media once this news is released. I’m ignorant if I say I am not happy with what has had happened. I like Valjerome since then. I fell in love with him even more each day we were together.

"Be careful on your way home," his mother reminded us with a smile as the wedding has ended and we were on our way to the house they had gifted for us.

"Yes. You too," I said politely.

They nodded and then looked at Valjerome. "Take good care of your wife, son," said his mother.

Valjerome sighed and snaked his arm around my waist. I was startled but tried not to reveal it.

"I will. Don't worry," he replied.

We stayed at the venue for a few more seconds until we finally went to our own house. My chest throbbed as we walked in, thinking about what a couple does after the wedding. I immediately felt the heat on my cheek because of that.

"Val—" silence has gotten all over me when a woman greeted him.

"Hi babe!" she greeted and kissed my husband.

I stiffened in my stance as he began to respond to the woman's kiss. My vision began to cloud as thousands of questions entered my mind.

After a few seconds of exchanging kisses, he turned to me. There was no emotion in his eyes and it made me feel that I am just nothing on him.

"Manang," he seriously called out of the blue.

From a direction, a not-so-old woman came out. " Señior," she greeted and bowed slightly.

"Take Jazzie to her room," he ordered.

The lady looked at me and weighed to act. "Come on, hija," she said softly and gently took my arm.

I blinked many times and out of my sense, followed the old woman once my husband kissed the woman he was facing.

That was the day when everything turned upside down. From that one caring and loving friend, it was replaced by an indifferent and cruel Valjerome.

"I miss the way you treated me before; the care, the friendship we had. What did I do to you to treat me like this, Val?" I whispered against my sob. "If you will remain doing this to me all the time, then maybe, they are right. Just hand me over to someone else," I added weakly.

"Jaime," he spoke coldly.

I did not even bother to leave where I was. The bitterness remained in my system because what I said seemed useless to him. This is the first time that I burst out without being drunk.

"Drive faster," Valjerome seriously added as I felt his hand tightening his hold on my back.

I felt him slightly bend over my ear. "I will kill that someone else first before I hand you to him," he murmured.