3. Honeymoon.

"Is that all your belongings?" Nicholas asked upon putting the last box of my things at the trunk of his car. 

"Yes," I answered. 

Right after our wedding, I'll be moving in with him to his house. That's what Grandpa wanted. And also his parents' wish. 

And although it somehow made me feel giddy at the thought, I couldn't let my guard down. I knew there's something I needed to brace myself with. 

"Let's go then," Nicholas went to the side of the car and opened the back seat for me. "You will be more comfortable here."

I nodded because duh, I knew what he meant. That I would not fit in the passenger seat. But I didn't say anything.

The drive to his house was rather silent. Nicki's full attention was on the road, while I pretended to be busy with my phone. 

I still couldn't believe that I am now Mrs. Dela Vega. Even though I cannot carry his name publicly, legal documents say that I am indeed a Dela Vega from now on. 

For now, that's enough for me. 

After an hour of silent travel, the car pulled over in front of a two-storey house. It wasn't big but also not small. I somehow expected him to live in a huge mansion. But I guess, if it's just the two of us, an average but lovely house will do. 

After all, I am so used to living by myself without any help. I do the house chores like cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc. If it was going to be the case here, then I will not have a hard time adjusting. 

"So, welcome," Nicholas said, standing beside me while I looked at his house. "I hope you don't mind my place. It's small compared to your house but it's comfortable enough."

"It's fine," I said. "My unit is smaller than this. Don't worry." I was referring to my one-bedroom condo unit near the company that I manage. 

"Great. Anyway, I don't usually come here. I have my pad where I'm always at," he answered while pulling one of the boxes from his trunk. 

"So, does that mean you won't be coming home often?" I asked to set the record straight. "I mean, I need to know if I can do the same. You know, I have my life too–"

"No, Yna," he cut me. "You live here. This place is not very far from your office. You do not have a reason not to come home." 

"I see," I sarcastically commented. So I can't do the same?

I held back the other words that I wanted to say. Even if this marriage was so sudden, I still did not want an argument on the first day. 

"This is going to be your room," Nicholas said as he opened a room on the second floor. 

My room. Which probably meant he had his own room too. Nice. Separate bedrooms.

But did I expect that we would be sharing a bed? 

"Okay," I said, following him inside the huge looking and well ventilated room. It wasn't bad so I did not say anything else. 

"Mine is next door. I suppose that you didn't expect us to be sharing one bedroom, right?" He asked as if he was a telepath.

"Of course not!" I exclaimed. Too defensive I guess, because the man rewarded me with a smirk. Argh!

After putting the last box of my belongings to my room, Nicki retired to his own room. 

I sat on the bed and contemplated for a while. 

Nicholas was a mystery to me. After the wedding, I was expecting him to show his true colors to me. Like in the movies where the guy would suddenly change for the worse because he didn't love the girl?

But so far, Nicholas was just formal. The separate bedroom was understandable. Even if I were him, sleeping with me would never ever cross my mind. Even if it was supposed to be our wedding night, I'd prefer sleeping than be on the same bed with a pig.

Then it hit me, had I not been like this, would my handsome husband look at me another way? Would he consider consummating our marriage?

'What are you thinking, Yna?!' I smacked my head and stood up to take a shower. 

A warm bath calmed my nerves. In fact, I almost fell asleep in the tub. 

I quickly finished my bath and wrapped myself in a towel before stepping outside to my room. But just as I left the bath, the door of my room flew open and revealed Nicholas!

I was stunned for a while as I stood wide eyed at the equally surprised man. I wasn't able to do or say anything until I heard him clear his throat.

I hurriedly returned to the bathroom and locked the door behind me. I put a hand atop my chest as I felt my heart beating wildly inside. 

It was so embarrassing! Why did Nicki have to see me like that? I was not a delightful sight to see with only the towel barely covering my private parts. Because I'm huge and the towel was just- just—

"Yna," Nicholas called just outside the bath's door. "I came to tell you that dinner is ready. Go down when you're done, alright?"

"O-okay!" I managed to answer. Although I felt like I didn't have the spirit to face him again after that humiliating moment. 

Why didn't he knock? It was his fault! 

I calmed myself, went out and found myself a decent attire to wear. I sat in front of my mirror and stared at myself. 

I look disgusting. I'm nothing but an embarrassment to Nicholas if ever our marriage would be leaked. 

Maybe it's about time to lose some weight. But d*mn, it's hard not to eat!

Speaking of, I heard my stomach grumble. I'm hungry. But really, how would I face Nicholas? I wish I could erase my disgusting image from his head. Did he puke after that? 

I facepalmed. 

After much convincing that Nicki wasn't really bothered at what he saw earlier, I forced myself to go down for dinner. 

I found my husband texting on his phone when I arrived at the dining room. On the table was like a feast. There was so much food to eat. 

My gluttonous eyes sparkled. 

"It sure took you so long to get dressed, Yna," Nicholas commented as he stood up to pull a chair for me. 

"What's with all this food?" I asked instead of answering what he said. I didn't forget to thank him for pulling a chair for me, that's so gentlemanly of him. 

"Well, I don't know what you like so I asked Mrs. Shaw to cook everything that she thought you might like," he answered, amusement was evident in his eyes. 

Okay. I was wrong with what I said earlier. He did change. Prior to our wedding and just right after, he was always giving me a cold gaze. But now, he was becoming a very very little bit warmer. 

Maybe the right term was, he was showing a little bit of emotion instead of his notable blank stares.

Making him more mysterious to me. How could I possibly know what's on his mind? 

"Thank you!" I said, my happy tummy couldn't hide its excitement. "But really, one or two dishes would've been enough. Please tell Mrs. Shaw, whoever she is, that I eat anything. I'm not a picky eater." 

"Mrs. Shaw is our househelp. You can tell her yourself. Let's eat."

"Okay." 

I ate heartily. I didn't care what Nicki might think of my voracious eating.

He didn't try to stop me either. He just let me eat to my heart's content. 

"By the way, I'll be on a business trip tomorrow until Friday. So, I won't be coming home," he said while wiping his mouth with a napkin gracefully. 

"What am I supposed to say?" I asked. "I understand that you have to be away most of the time." 

"Well, as my wife, I'm expected to tell you my whereabouts, right?" He frowned at me. 

"If we married for the right reason, yes," I answered, looking straight into his eyes. I had to ask him what's been bothering me all this time. For my peace of mind. So, before I could stop myself, I already blurted out the question. "Why did you agree to marry me, Nicholas?" 

He was taken aback at first. My quick mind was able to count the time it took before my question sunk into him.

Ten seconds. After which, he smiled and stood up. 

"I have no ill intentions with you, Yna," Nicki answered. "Be at peace. I am not what you think I am." 

Of course he wouldn't tell me just yet. But I am not dumb. It's impossible that he agreed to marry me if he wouldn't gain anything. 

But I am not about to push my point. So, I also stood up and thanked him for the dinner before I began cleaning up the table. 

"Leave it. Mrs. Shaw will take care of the dishes," Nicki stopped me. "Good night, Yna." 

Then he walked out of the dining room first. I watched him leave until he disappeared by the stairs. 

"I swear. I will find out the truth about you," I whispered.

"How's the dinner, Mrs. Dela Vega?" The question almost startled me. 

When I turned to look, I saw a woman in her late fifties. She was smiling kindly at me. 

"Hi!" I greeted. "You must be Mrs. Shaw. Thanks for the dinner. I enjoyed every dish!" I honestly praised her cooking.

"Thank you, Mrs. Dela Vega."

"Please, just call me Yna," I said.

"I can't, madam Yna."

"Okay then. I guess that's better." I haven't warmed up with the Mrs. Dela Vega thing.

I bid her goodbye a little later and went back to my room. 

And that was the first night. 

The following morning, Nicholas had already left for work when I woke up. And just like what he said, he didn't come home on the days that followed. 

Strange. But I felt weird living in his house. I was not expecting a normal married life with Nicholas. But I was half expecting we would try. 

Guess it will not happen. 

On Friday morning, while I'm busy scanning the daily business news, I stumbled upon an article that made my hands shake as I clicked on the title.

'Young CEO Nicholas Dela Vega to tie the knot with Hotel Heiress, Roxanne White.'

I didn't bother reading it though as my mind panicked to call my Grandfather's assistant slash caregiver, Amanda.

I inherited my habit of reading the news every morning from Grandpa. So I knew that he would see that article if I don't do something about it. 

I am worried that he will get mad. I am worried that he might worry for me. 

Convincing myself that my concern was my grandfather's health and not my heart that's aching inside of me, I hurriedly dialed the mansion's landline.

"Amanda, don't let Grandpa read the news today," I said at once when my call was picked up.

"Have you read it, Yna? My team's already removing it from the internet."

I was surprised when I heard Nicki's calm voice on the other line. What was he doing in my grandfather's house?

"N-Nicholas?" I stuttered. 

"I was also worried that Grandpa had heard of the news. So, I immediately went here," he explained. 

Great. He was worried about my grandfather but not with me? Am I not the wife here? Then again, it only showed what was obvious. 

He did not want to disappoint him because something's at stake in this marriage of ours. 

"It's not true, Yna. I would never make an announcement like that," Nicki continued. "You don't believe it, do you?"

"Your affairs aren't my business. I know my place, Nicholas," I answered, pretending to be unaffected.

Well, I'm Angelina Samaniego. Even if I am not attractive on the outside, I knew my worth. And I am not about to admit my real feelings for Nicholas. Especially about how I felt about the news. My pride was the only thing I had left. 

"I'm sorry," I heard him say. "How about a trip this weekend? A sort of honeymoon for us."

"H-honeymoon, what?" I couldn't help but be surprised. Did I hear him right? 

I heard him chuckle a bit. "Yes, I'll have my assistant book us a flight now. And Yna, I don't take no for an answer."

With that, he hung up. 

I felt my whole face burn with shame even if no one's in the room with me. It was as though my whole system was having a short circuit. 

It was just a honeymoon. Something married people do. Right. Why am I being like this? 

Was Nicki serious about this? He wasn't seriously considering doing the 'act' with me, right?

Before I hyperventilated, I called Tiffany in and asked for my icecream. 

"Rocky road, please…"