"BYE, Nez. It's nice meeting you again." Niyakap ni Ava si Nez.
Ngumiti si Nez. "Happy wedding anniversary ulit."
"Thanks."
Tumango naman ang asawa ni Ava na si Keanu.
Sunod naman na yumakap si Candace kay Nez. "Let's hang out when we have time. You know girls bonding, no boys."
"Sure."
"Iyong sinabi ko ha huwag mong kalimutan." Nakangising sabi ni Ava.
Namula si Nez pero nakangiti pa rin saka tumango. "Sige. I'll try."
"Don't try. Just do it. I'm telling you it will be worth it." Ava said.
"I tried it once. Worth it nga." Segunda ni Candace.
"Sige. Sige."
"What the are you telling to my wife?" Rowan asked. Ipinalibot niya ang braso sa beywang ni Nez.
"Wala. Sinasabi lang namin ang dapat niyang gawin kapag sinaktan mo siya." Sabi ni Ava saka umirap.
"You know, girls thing." Nagkibit ng balikat si Candace.
Rowan sighed. "Well, I hope it's a good thing." Aniya. Kung sa dalawang Luna rin lang, wala na siyang aasahan pa. The two Luna are good Lunas but they can't be too taken easily. They're scary.
Nagpaalam na sila at umalis na.
Habang humaharurot ang kotse, tinanong ni Rowan ang asawa. "Anong sinabi sa 'yo ni Ava at Candace? At parang close na kayong tatlo, ah." Aniya.
"Well, they're nice people." Nakangiting sabi ni Nez.
"So, anong sinabi nila sa 'yo at namumula ka kanina?"
Nag-iwas bigla ng tingin si Nez. "Wala."
Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Rowan. "Seryoso ka?"
Tumango si Nez. "Oo. Sa amin na lang 'yon." Aniya. Syempre hinding-hindi niya sasabihin kay Rowan ang mga napag-usapan nila. Ayaw niya at isa pa nakakahiya kaya.
"Then why are you blushing?" Rowan asked.
Nez looked outside the window. "I don't want to talk about it dahil hindi ko alam kung kaya ko bang gawin o hindi."
"I can help you."
Nanlaki ang mata ni Nez. "No!" Sigaw niya.
Naipikit ni Rowan ang mata. "Nez, don't yell. Katabi mo lang ako." Hinawakan niya ang sariling tainga. "I have a sensitive hearing."
Yeah, that's true. Werewolf have sharp hearing but at the same time it was sensitive.
Napahiya naman si Nez. "Sorry. It's just that...argh! It's a girl thing." Sabi na lang niya para matapos na.
At para mawala ang hiya niya, nagpatutog siya sa kotse ni Rowan. And then she sings along with the music.
Napapangiti naman si Rowan habang pinapakinggan si Nez na kumakanta. I didn't know that she has an angelic voice.
Tumahimik si Rowan at hindi na siya nagsalita hanggang sa makarating sila sa Shadow Town.
Akala ni Nez ay uuwi na sila pero tumigil ang kotse sa harapan ng malapalasyong bahay.
"Anong ginagawa natin dito?" Nagtataka niyang tanong kay Rowan.
"My parents wanted to meet you."
Lumaki ang mata ni Nez. "What?"
Rowan smiled and nodded. "Yes, Love. They wanted to meet you and I think I already given you enough time to be ready."
"You didn't tell me!" Nez accused.
Bumaba si Rowan ng kotse saka umikot patungo sa passenger seat. Binuksan niya ang pinto sa tapat ni Nez.
And Nez was reluctant to step out from the car. Kinakabahan na siya dahil biglaan ang naging desisyon ni Rowan na ipakilala siya sa magulang nito.
"They already know you, Love." Sabi ni Rowan na mas lalong nagpadagdag sa kaba ni Nez.
"Ro..."
"Come on." Hinawakan ni Rowan ang kamay ng asawa at masuyo itong hinila para bumaba ito ng kotse.
"Ro, kinakabahan ako." Sabi ni Nez.
Mahahalata mo talaga sa mukha niya ang kaba at takot.
Rowan smiled and kissed his wife's forehead. "It's okay. Mabait ang magulang ko. They will like you."
"Alam ba nila na contract marriage like tayo?" Nez asked.
Umiling si Rowan. "All they know is that we are deeply in love with each other." Hinalikan niya si Nez sa labi. "Let's go."
Before coming here, Rowan made sure that no one will commit mistake. Kaya naman pinagsabihan niya ang mga pack members niya na huwag siyang tatawing 'Alpha' kapag nakasalubong siya ng mga ito. Sigurado kasing magtatanong si Nez kung bakit ganun ang tawag sa kaniya. Hindi pa siya handa na sabihin kay Nez ang tungkol sa tunay niyang pagkatao.
Hindi pa siya handing harapin ang katotohanan.
Grabeng kaba ang nararamdaman ni Nez habang naglalakad sila ni Rowan papasok sa loob ng malapalasyong bahay.
"Ang lamig ng kamay mo."
Nez glared at Rowan. "Kinakabahan ako. Huwag kang ano diyan."
Tumawa ng mahina si Rowan. "Don't be too nervous, Love."
Umatras si Nez. "Ayaw ko na. Sa ibang araw na lang, Ro." Pero hindi siya makaalis dahil hawak ni Rowan ang kamay niya.
"Love, we're already here."
"Pero..."
"Mom, Dad, we're here!" Rowan announced their presence when they entered the living room.
Nez could see that there are more than two living rooms. The living room was massive and everything inside screams wealth.
"Oh my god." Nez muttered.
Napapangiti na lang si Rowan habang nakatingin kay Nez.
"Oh my god! Rowan is here! Julian, come down here!"
Kumunot ang nuo ni Nez nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses ng babae. "She is..."
Lumaki ang mata ni Nez nang makita si Ma'am Rebecca na pababa ng hagdan. She looked at Rowan and her handsome husband just smiled at her. "She's..."
"She is my mother."
"No way." Pag-iling ni Nez.
Ngumiti si Rowan. "Yes way, Love. She is my mother. Rebecca Mejia."
Rebecca was smiling sweetly. "Hi, Nez."
Nez blinked. "I... I d-didn't know that you are his mother, Ma'am."
"Don't be too nervous, Nez. It's okay. I know everything. And I know that you like my son and it was already enough for me. In times like this it's already hard to find someone who will love me like you do." Rebecca said seriously.
Nez was speechless.
"Mom, you sounded like I can't find a decent love and a decent wife." Rowan complaint.
Rebecca just tsked. She smiled and pulled Nez into a hug. "My daughter-in-law, no need to feel awkward around me. Now call me 'mommy'."
"H-ho?"
"Mom, don't scare my wife." Rowan said.
"I'm not."
"You are." Giit ni Rowan.
"M-Mommy." It's been a while since she said that word. Noong huli niyang binanggit ang salitang 'yon ay noong nabubuhay pa ang kaniyang ina.
Rowan's mother suddenly squeals like a teenager. "Yiieee! I like it. So cute." Pinisil niya ang pisngi ni Nez.
Ngumiti na lang si Nez. Looking at Rowan's mother, she noticed that Rowan and his mother had the same eyes and smile. No wonder I felt familiar to those eyes and smiles whenever I saw Ma'am Rebecca. It's turns out that they are a mother and son.
Napailing naman si Rowan. "Where's dad?"
"I'm here, son."
Napatingin si Nez sa lalaking pababa ng hagdan. Kamukha ito ni Rowan kaya naman hindi maikakaila na ito ang ama ni Rowan.
"Hi, Nez. I'm Julian, Rowan's father. It's finally nice to meet you. Welcome to the family."
"Thank you po." Sabi ni Nez.
"Now, call me 'daddy'." Niyakap niya ang asawa ng anak niya. "Magtatampo ako kapag hindi mo ako tatawaging 'daddy'."
Alanganing napangiti si Nez. "D-daddy."
"You're my daughter now. Itinatakwil ko na si Rowan bilang anak ko." Sabi ni Julian.
Nahilot na lang ni Rowan ang sariling sentido. His parent's approach to Nez was so... napailing na lang siya. "Really, dad?"
Natawa si Rebecca. "Your dad wanted a girl after having you but we never got another blessing kaya si Nez na ngayon ang mai-spoil."
"So, live here now." Sabi ni Julian. "I and your mother will spoil your wife."
"No." Rowan protested. "Only I can spoil my wife. Wala ng iba. Not even you and mom." Tiningnan ni Rowan ang ama nito ng masama.
Julian chuckled. "Possessive."
"Yes, I am."
"Not too much, son. Baka iwan ka naman ni Nez."
Rowan stilled and looked at his wife who were smiling while looking at them. "You won't leave me, right?"
Nez smiled. "I won't if you won't tie me on the neck."
Rowan kissed his wife's forehead. "I won't."
Bahagyang itinulak ni Nez ang asawa. "Mahiya ka nga. Nasa harapan tayo ng magulang."
Rowan sighed. "Mas malala pa sila kaysa sa akin." Then he quickly changes the topic before his parents could react. "Where's Ian and Harry?"
"Busy." Simpleng sagot ni Julian. "Anyway, son, I have to tell you something. Come with me."
"Go, Rowan. Mamaya pa ang dinner natin. The chef was still cooking." Rebecca said.
"Okay." Rowan looked at his wife. "Are you going to be okay here?"
Tumango si Nez.
Umalis ang mag-ama kaya si Rebecca at Nez lang ang natira sa living room.
"Let's have a seat, Nez."
Kabadong umupo si Nez na ikinatawa ni Rebecca. "Huwag kang masyadong kabahan. Ako lang 'to."
Nagbaba ng tingin si Nez.
Rebecca chuckled. "I'm not mad, Nez. I was actually happy that you and Rowan are in love."
Mabilis na nag-angat ng tingin si Nez. "Ma'am..."
Sumimangot si Rebecca. "I told you to call me Mommy."
"Mommy, sorry po."
Umiling si Rebecca. "I understand you, Nez. But I'm really happy that you are my son's mate..." tumikhim si Rebecca. "...wife."
Napatango si Nez.
Rebecca sighed. "Will you just promise me one thing, anak?"
"Ano po 'yon?"
"Can you promise me that you won't leave my son and stay by his side forever?"
Tumango si Nez. "I promise, Mommy."
Ngumiti si Rebecca. "Salamat. I was worried that my son would never be happy like this. He was never close to other woman except you."
Lumaki ang mata ni Nez. "Did he never have a girlfriend before, mommy?"
Umiling si Rebecca. "No. Ikaw lang."
Nez smiled happily.
"So, please, don't break his heart."
"I won't, Mommy. I promise I will take care of him." Nez promised sincerely.
"I'll hold onto that promise, Nez."
But no one knew if Nez could hold onto her promise if she learns the truth about her husband one day.
A/N: Hi po. Thank you for reading my stories. And if gusto niyo pong basahin ang story na 'Wife of a Mafia Boss', pwede niyo na siyang mabasa sa GN. 'The Billionaire's Heir' (formerly entitled as The Tycoon's Heir), nasa Dreame na po siya at magsisimula ang daily update niya this coming June. Thank you po and godbless.