REESE and Severus left earlier at the beach resort that made them arrive early at the villa they chose to live permanently.
As the car entered the villa, Reese can't help but to admire the beauty of the place.
This place suits her and her condition, there were tall trees surrounding the villa that obviously blocked the sunlight and it would be safe for her to stroll around during daylight.
It's not like Reese hasn't seen such a place, but this is new for her.
Maybe living in this place would be fun for her, change is really coming for her.
Napatingin si Reese kay Severus na tinanggal ang suot-suot na seatbelt at ngayon niya lang napansin na mukhang iba ang mood ng binata ngayon.
The car was silent the whole morning they travelled back and that is really unusual for Severus, though they just only met for about a week, she already knows some things about him.
Reese felt that Severus has also his cold side, it's not like Reese cares because she won't mind his private matters.
Naunang bumaba si Severus at walang nagawa si Reese kung 'di mapa buntong hininga at tinanggal niya rin ang seatbelt niya at napatingin sa nag bukas ng pinto ng kotse para sa kanya.
"Young lady, shall we go inside? It's not safe for you to stay here for too long." Wika ni Butler Mo sa kanya.
Kaagad na hinawakan ni Reese ang bag niya at bumaba, hindi niya na kailangan pa na gumamit ng payong para protektahan ang sarili niya sa ilaw dahil hindi masyadong tinatamaan ng ilaw ang lugar.
Reese looked at the whole villa and she was happy that she finally had the best place for her to stay without any worries.
Reese saw Severus entering the villa without waiting for her and that makes Reese think that from now on until the day she files annulment.
She will be sharing the same place with him.
But what makes Reese feel relieved is that she also has Butler Mo and Ms. Ann too.
Reese took the chance to enter the villa, as she entered the place she saw an elegant formal living room that fits the current interior of the place.
Mahahalata rin na matagal na ang lugar dahil sa kung paano ito naka disenyo.
Butler heaved a sigh and he also gave a smile.
"The place still looks fine, just like how it's been left. It's been over eight years ever since the young master left the place." Butler Mo said.
"The place is really cozy and I think the color should change depending on how the place was originally built. The villa was built in a warm and cozy manner, I think it would be better if we changed the interior's color into cozy colors --- either it can be a neutral or saturated tone." Reese said as she looked around.
"It seems like you're good at things like that, young lady. The young master really loved this villa because this is where he grew up and this is one of his treasured places and I'm happy to know that this is the house the two of you picked." Nakangiting wika ni Butler Mo, "I'll just put your things into your bedroom, young lady. You can look around the villa if you want."
Tanging tango nalang ang na sagot ni Reese kay Butler Mo, nang nakaakyat na si Butler Mo kaagad na nagsimula si Reese na mag-ikot sa loob ng villa.
Reese entered the dining room and the kitchen was just beside it and Reese seems to like how it was decorated in a fashionable way and it has a great space for cooking and dining that makes the place comfortable.
Reese saw the different rooms on the first floor of the villa and she liked the way the color of the translucent curtain fits the current color of the wall.
Reese was also surprised to see a small garden at the back of the villa, while the pool was on the other side of the villa.
Reese went inside the villa and she went upstairs. She liked the way the curved stairs were customized.
There were carved designs on the wooden staircase that fascinated her.
As soon as Reese reached the second floor, she saw four bedrooms on both sides and Reese knew that the rooms were fancy.
The other two rooms were for the guest and Reese didn't bother to go to the roof terrace because it's still sunny outside and it would be dangerous for her if she goes up.
Reese was startled when one of the doors opened and she thought that it was Butler Mo, but it was Severus.
He changed his clothes into his comfortable shirt and sweatpants. Reese decided to ignore him, so she just walked past him and she was stopped half way.
Reese looked at him. "Is there anything you need?" Reese asked him.
"Your room's beside my room. Take a bath and we have to talk with the interior designer and decorator." Pagkasabi no'n ni Severus ay akmang aalis na sana ito nang pigilan ito ni Reese.
Naalala bigla ni Reese ang sinabi ni Butler Mo sa kanya kanina.
This is one of his treasured places, then why is he allowing her to re-decorate the place as she wishes?
"You don't need to call the interior designer and decorator. Let the place stay the way it is, after all, this is where you grew up. You hold special memories in this place." Saad ni Reese at napansin niya na nabigla ang binata sa sinabi niya.
Nagpunta si Reese sa pinto ng kuwarto niya at tinignan muli si Severus.
"Don't be too shocked, I'm not that cold-hearted. Of course I should consider my husband's memories, right?" Dagdag pa ni Reese at pumasok sa loob ng kuwarto niya.
As soon Reese closed the door, she looked around the room they prepared for her. It really suits her taste, even her study table is enough for her.
She also saw her violin hanging on it's place like how she kept them in her maiden room.
Reese saw that there were two other doors inside her room, she opened the first door and it was her bathroom and everything she used for her bath and after bath were all there.
Even the products she always uses are there, it was the exact same.
She opened the next door and she was shocked to see that it was a walk-in closet, it was twice larger than her own walk-in closet back in her maiden room.
There were new clothes that she doesn't own and it was probably prepared by her mother-in-law for her mother-in-law mentioned before she left that she has a lot of gifts for her.
Reese just gave a light chuckle and she closed the walk-in closet's door. She immediately went inside her bathroom and took a bath.
Everything felt the same and Reese never knew she would feel comfortable living in a new house she never knew she would.
Reese was about to use her soap when she suddenly saw her ring out of the blue.
The ring she dreamed to wear was not this ring and it was not from the person she wanted to receive her dream ring.
Instead of receiving the ring, she returned the ring to the person she once wished to get wedded.
She has no rights to feel sad and down about what happened because she was the one who told Sebastian to stay away.
She already gave him the cold shoulder, dapat ay hindi magsisi si Reese sa ginawa niya.
She should not feel guilty for Sebastian and to herself also, it's not like it was her fault from the start.
And what Severus asked her earlier at the beach resort was not the best question at all.
Hindi kasi niya gustong marinig ang kahit anong tungkol kay Sebastian dahil nagiging malalim ang iniisip niya at nawawala siya sa sarili niya dahil nga mahal niya pa ito.
And for Severus' part, it would be a bit of shameful for him to get married to a person like her who's really heartless by telling her husband honestly that she's still in love with her ex-boyfriend.
Even if they have agreed to stay away at each other's privacy, it would be a very offensive move not just for Severus but to the Lim family too.
The Lim family treated her very well and they made her think that she's really a part of the Lim family even if they knew that they don't have that affection from each other.
Reese turned the shower off and she reached for her towel to dry her body before wearing her undies and bathrobe.
She went to the mirror and she used the hair dryer to dry her wet hair before changing into her clothes.
This would be the best day for Reese to relax and finish her manuscript before the said deadline.
It would be a lot easier for her if she'll be able to do the half of the unfinished manuscript.
Naging masaya naman si Reese sa ginawa niyang pangkabuhayan. Writing what's on her mind and unique ideas she always gives to her readers.
Writing became a hobby for Reese before she started it.
Because of her condition, she never got to attend a fan meeting from her famous books that prevented her from having the title 'unknown author' for the past years.
She was fond of writing and it made her busy and occupied when Reese got nothing to do at all.
Lalo na at tinigil niya ang pag-aaral niya dahil sa pagka walang gana niya dahil sa pagiging mapili ng magulang niya.
They put too much pressure on her to the point that Reese just chose to give up what she liked so that her parents could stop annoying her and abusing her.
During those times her grandfather was not beside her to support her and little did he know that she never finished college because of it.
Her parents didn't show support with everything she does unless it will benefit them.
Just like this marriage, they showed full support for this and as far as Reese can remember, now that her sister, Reema, had taken such liking to Severus — they are now asking her to leave Severus and give him to her sister.
Anong akala nila kay Severus? A toy that can be borrowed from time to time whenever they want to?
Reese doesn't even know why did she even have an unreasonable, stupid little sister that she can't bear anymore.
Reese just gave out a sigh and she combed her dry hair using the brush beside the hair dryer.
She went outside the bathroom and she went inside the walk-in closet to wear something comfortable.
As soon as she finished fixing herself, she went to her study table and sat on the swivel chair in front of the study table.
Since she told Severus that they don't need to re- decorate the villa, then it's fine for her to stay with her until she finishes her work.
Reese opened her laptop and she also got the papers she had started when she tried to finish the manuscript then.
She was about to input the password of her laptop when her stomach suddenly grumbled.
She suddenly remembered that she only ate a small amount of breakfast on their way back to this villa because Reese was afraid of getting nauseous on the way back.
She stood up and went outside of the room to find Ms. Ann and asked her for some food she could eat.
In her usual lifestyle when she was in the Chen's mansion, she needed not to find the housekeeper or the cook for the food.
They always have food that was set aside for her when they had already eaten their meal without her.
Reese felt like she was treated like a dog during her stay there whenever her grandpa's not around.
Reese went to the kitchen to find Ms. Ann, but she did see her there but instead, she saw Severus drinking a glass of water there.
"Where's Ms. Ann?" Reese asked Severus while her eyes looked around to see if Ms. Ann was anywhere to be seen.
Tinignan siya ni Severus at tanging pagtaas lang ng balikat ang sinagot nito sa kanya. What a great way of answering a question.
Since Ms. Ann was not around, it's better if she'll stay in her room until Ms. Ann's back.
She was about to leave when her stomach suddenly grumbled a lot loud that it did earlier in her room.
Reese was not shy about it, but she's really hungry and she only knows how to cook noodles and instant food. She's not in the mood to eat noodles.
"What would you like to eat?" Severus suddenly asked her out of the blue. "Ms. Ann's not around, she went out to do grocery." Dagdag nito.
Reese looked at him and she raised an eyebrow.
"I will just wait for Ms. Ann to arrive. My hunger can wait." Wika ni Reese.
"Just tell what you would like to eat and I'll cook for you. I'm here so why wait for Ms. Ann?" Wika ni Severus at kinuha ang apron. "You really want to get sick at this point? Wala namang masama kung magsasabi ka, diba?"
Reese rolled her eyes and she never knew that the person she thought that was nice from the start would be this sarcastic and rude in front of her.
There's always a saying that, don't judge a book by it's cover.
Reese cleared her throat. "You can cook? How can I trust you? I'm afraid that you'll burn the kitchen up." Reese said in a mocking manner.
"You talk. Can you cook? I take the question back to you, Mrs. Lim."
Natigilan si Reese sa paraan ng pagtawag nito sa kanya.
Hindi siya na-offend sa tinanong nito pero mas paiiralin niya ba ang pride niya kaysa sa kagustuhan niyang kumain?
Reese turned away and she cleared her throat.
"I want sweet and sour pork." Mahinang wika ni Reese.
"See? It's easy if you had answered my question earlier." Wika ni Severus at narinig niya ang pag bukas at pagsara ng refrigerator. "No need to be arrogant. I'm already giving you a favor."
Reese bit her lower lip, kaagad na hinablot ang isa pang apron at sinuot.
"Let me wash the vegetables." She said in an arrogant manner. "I don't want to owe you a favor." Dagdag pa ni Reese.
She took the vegetables and she washed it.
Every time she finishes washing a vegetable, she puts it in the tray beside the chopping board Severus will be using.
As soon as she finished washing the vegetables, she looked at Severus who's cutting the vegetables in a very serious manner.
Reese can't help but to laugh silently because he looks like he's dealing with a very important client because of the way he looks while he's chopping the vegetables.
Reese was startled when he accidentally cut his finger.
"Shit…" Severus muttered and he immediately opened the faucet and started washing the blood.
"Are you sleepy?" Wika ni Reese at kaagad na kinuha ni Reese ang medical kit na naka tabi sa isang cabinet at kaagad na hinablot ni Reese ang daliri.
"You even got your finger a small cut with just chopping a vegetable." Dagdag na wika ni Reese.
"So now it's my fault?" Saad nito, "How can I properly cut the vegetables when I completely lose my focus because you were staring at me."
Reese sighed. "So, it was my fault, huh?" Nagtatakang wika ni Reese at kaagad tinignan ang sugat nito.
Reese suddenly stopped when she saw the blood from the cut Severus had.
Is it normal to have that much blood coming from a small cut? Reese felt a bit uncomfortable while she's looking at his wound.
She's starting to feel thirst and she's started craving for a familiar taste of something she won't call a drink.
Reese swallowed several times and her heart kept on beating really fast that made her really uncomfortable.
Her lips were twitching and she's slowly losing her mind by just staring at the wound.
"Reese!" Bumalik sa huwisyo si Reese nang tawagin siya ni Severus.
"Are you sure you can treat my wound? Are you afraid of blood?" Pagtatanong nito.
Kaagad na binitawan ni Reese ang kamay ni Severus at tinanggal ang apron na suot-suot niya.
"I… I need to use the bathroom." Mahinang wika ni Reese at kaagad na umalis sa kusina at kaagad na pumasok sa banyo.
She opened the faucet and she started to wash her face using the cold tap water and she looked at her reflection.
Reese was shocked when she saw her natural cognac color eyes started to turn darker than her usual eye color.
She felt really thirsty and she's not craving for water. She can't stop herself from reacting aggressively without drinking what she's craving for.
She closed her eyes and she tried to calm down, but Reese can't really calm herself down.
Reese looked at her reflection once again and she suddenly remembered the drink that her doctor asked her to drink everyday.
Kaagad na lumabas ng banyo si Reese at umakyat sa kuwarto niya.
There was a small refrigerator on her room where her drinks are kept.
Kaagad na kumuha si Reese nang isang inumin at kaagad na uminom mula rito at walang pang ilang segundo ay naubos niya ang isang inumin, but her thirst won't just stop.
She grabbed another one and she started drinking her second drink.
Reese felt satisfied as soon as she got to finish her drink and she kept on panting due to sudden exhaustion she can't explain
She went to look at herself in her vanity mirror, her eyes were back to their original color and Reese can tell that it was just her imagination that her eye color changed.
But what's wrong with her body just now? What was happening to her? Why did she react that way?
Reese drank the water on her table to remove the stain of her thick drink on her teeth.
She looked at her reflection once again and she started suspecting that she was sick.
This is also how she reacted that day… That day when she murdered the man…
Reese reached for her phone and searched for the article about that crime two days ago.
As soon as she saw the article, she started to read it and she looked for the photos of the person she murdered that night.
How can she still be so calm when in fact she murdered someone? She's a killer…
What's happening to her? Is she experiencing something she should not? Is this a mental disorder? Is she mentally ill?
Reese scrolled down and she stopped when she saw a photo of the bite mark on the man's neck, it looked like it was bitten using two sharp teeths.
Napatakip si Reese sa bibig niya at nanginginig ang kamay niya dahil sa takot sa nangyari.
Nabigla si Reese nang may kumatok sa pintuan niya, kaagad na tumayo si Reese at tinapon ang nagkalat na juice box na ininom niya.
She also closed her mini refrigerator before she went to the door and opened it.
"Young lady, the young master had asked me to call you for your lunch." Nakangiting wika ni Ms. Ann. "He just finished cooking the food you wanted, young miss." Dagdag pa nito.
Napatango si Reese at lumabas sa kuwarto. She closed the door and she gave Ms. Ann a smile.
"Is everything okay, young lady? You look pale." Nag-aalalang tanong ni Ms. Ann sa kanya.
Reese gave Ms. Ann a nod and a smile.
"I'm fine, Ms. Ann. I'm just a bit tired from our trip back here." Nakangiting wika ni Reese.
"If that's the case, young lady… it would be better if you take a rest first after eating." Wika ni Ms. Ann.
Nang makababa na sila sa hagdan ay sabay silang pumunta sa hapag at naabutan niya si Severus na naglalagay ng bandage sa sugat nito.
Reese closed her eyes and she gulped. She went on the table and sat on the chair across Severus, she avoided looking at him and his wound.
The scent of the sweet and sour pork caught Reese's attention.
Sweet and sour pork was her all time favorite dish and she does know why did she even ask him to cook this for her.
"Tititigan mo nalang ba 'yan? I thought you were hungry…"
Napatingin si Reese kay Severus na inaayos ang medical kit na nasa harap nito ngayon.
Reese looked away and she took the plate with rice.
"Your wound… Masakit ba?" Pagtatanong ni Reese kay Severus habang kumukuha ng ulam na niluto ng binata para sa kanya.
"No need to worry about this small cut, it won't kill me." Wika ni Severus at binigay kay Butler Mo ang medical kit. "How's the food? Masarap ba?"
Napangisi si Reese at tinignan si Severus na mayroong mapang-asar na ngiti.
"Why? Want me to compliment you?" Wika ni Reese at tinikman ang pagkain na nakahanda sa harap niya.
Reese was surprised on how the food tastes. It's delicious! This is the best flavor of her favorite food she had tasted ever since!
Hindi na nag-abala pang magsalita si Reese at nanatili na lang siya sa pag kain ng tahimik dahil matindi ang naramdaman niyang gutom mula kanina pa.
Reese suddenly stopped chewing her food when she just realized that her taste is getting really weird these days.
She's getting better sight, smell, hearing, taste and sense of touch. She has to think ways on how she'll solve her problems with her body.
Now that she just committed a sin that she can't erase anymore, how will she change these weird things on her body?
"Reese, you look pale. Is there something wrong with the food?" Pagtawag ni Severus sa atensyon niya.
Umiling si Reese at nagpatuloy sa pag kain.
"No, there's nothing wrong with it. I just feel tired…" Sagot ni Reese sa mahinang tono. Reese just can't tell anyone what she did and she has to keep it until the case will be closed.
Reese just can't remove what happened to her mind. It felt like it was a dream but it was the reality, she never knew she could murder someone in that way.
No ---- she never knew she can murder someone and it was out of her control!
Leaving that place was the best choice and she has to control her mind and body from now on, now that she thinks that there's absolutely something wrong with her body.
"Can I discuss something with you, Reese?" Pagtatanong ni Severus sa kanya at binaba nito sang hawak nitong kutsara't tinidor.
Reese looked at him and gave him a nod. "Sure, what is it?" She said as she wiped her ips using the table napkin.
"I applied you to Imperial University. All I need now is your confirmation whether you would like to study and continue what you left."
Natigilan si Reese sa sinabi ni Severus sa kanya. Imperial University?
The university she used to go to before she stopped studying, the university who's best known for it's interior design course and famous university here in the country.
Reema also goes to that university and she's under business management course.
Reese wanted to agree to study and Severus looks like he's determined to support her with it, maybe he pities her.
He still remembers what she told him last night and Reese doesn't want him to pity her.
It was her decision after all to stop studying.
Reese finished the food on her plate and she drank her water, she looked at Severus with a serious face.
"No need for you to bother about it, Severus. It was my decision to stop and I don't need you to do this because you pity me. I hate it when someone pities me." Reese answered in a cold tone.
Severus sighed and he gave her a document holder.
"I saw your potential, Reese. If you'll be able to continue what you left, you are capable of being the best on what you want. This is your dream and as your husband I am supporting you. I remember you told me that you stopped because your parents didn't support you, now that you have someone supporting you from what you love… you should continue what you left." Reese took the document and it was an application paper for the course she'll be continuing and all she had to do was to fill it up.
Reese was speechless because of what Severus told her and she was moved from what he just said to her.
He did it because he wants her to continue what she really wanted and because now, Reese has someone who supports her with what she wants.
Nakatitig si Reese sa dokumentong binigay sa kanya ni Severus at hindi mapigilan ni Reese na mag dalawang isip sa gagawin niyang desisyon.
Dapat ba niyang tanggapin ito at ituloy ang gusto niya?
But, what about her sun allergy? She can't be careless and don't think about her health.
"I would like to continue my studies, Severus. But I can't just always do as I wish, I still have to take care and think of my condition." Paliwanag ni Reese at binaba ang hawak niyang dokumento.
"It's not always easy for me to make decisions because of my condition." Dagdag pa ni Reese at napa buntong hininga.
"It's not like the whole campus is in an open area. The place is also covered with trees, I can also have someone to look after you. If you really want to prove something to your parents, then don't hesitate to continue what you stopped." Wika nito, "They won't be able to bully you now you're my wife, you are part of the Lim family now."
Reese doesn't know what to say anymore. What's wrong with him? Why is he being nice to her like this?
"Excuse me, young master… young lady…" Butler Mo excused himself and he went over to Severus. "Young master, Secretary Cindy was looking for you." Butler Mo informed him.
"Let her in." Wika ni Severus at pinunasan ang gilid ng labi nito gamit ang table napkin.
A fine lady went inside the dining room and Reese was stunned by Severus' secretary. She looks really elegant and a beautiful lady, Reese felt a bit insecure.
"Good afternoon, Sir…" Bati nito kay Severus at lumingon rin ito sa kanya at prenteng yumuko katulad ng ginawa nito nung binati niya si Severus.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Lim…" Bati nito sa kanya. "Sorry to disturb your meal, sir. But I am here to report something at the company. There will be a meeting held after lunch and you are needed there, sir."
Napatango si Severus. "If that's the case, I'll get ready. Wait for me in the car." Wika nito.
"Yes, sir." Kaagad na sinunod ni Secretary Cindy ang sinabi ni Severus at umalis ito sa dining room.
Binalik ni Severus ang tingin sa kanya.
"Now, is it a yes or a no?" Pagtatanong ni Severus.
Severus had a point when he tried to explain some things to her.
It would be a great way to prove her own parents that she can do better and she's better than her own sister.
"I'll fill this paper up." Sagot ni Reese at tumayo sa kinauupuan at kinuha ang dokumento.
Napa ngisi si Severus. "Just give it to Butler Mo after you fill it up. And I hope you won't forget that you have to put 'Lim' as for your last name." Saad nito at lumapit ito sa kanya at nabigla si Reese nang yakapin siya nito.
"What the ---" Hindi naituloy ni Reese ang sasabihin niya nang biglaang may binulong ito sa kanya.
"See you tonight, my wife." Wika nito at hinalikan siya sa nuo.
Umalis ito kaagad at hindi mapigilan ni Reese ang inis sa ginawa nito biglaan.
What the hell was he doing?
"Jerk." Reese muttered.
"Young lady, did you say something?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Butler Mo sa kanya.
Umiling si Reese at ngumiti.
"No, no." Wika niya at napatingin sa dokumento a hawak niya.
This would be a new step for her, she'll definitely have fun.