Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

Callum's POV (Unbothered)

I became too busy with the company. Meeting with the boards and sharing some structural ideas with the members was not that easy.

I was trying my best to manage my time but Patricia herself also makes way to avoid me.

"I talked to Mr. Clemente yesterday, he said that you have appointment with him?"

Pagod ako'ng tumingin kay mommy na nakaupo sa harap ko. Katatapos lang ng meeting ko kasama ang mga shareholders at mamaya ay may panibago na naman. My mind was already tired. "Yes, mom. He's encouraging me to invest to that specific property" sagot ko sa malamlam na boses.

"What's your plan?" she asked curiously.

Nag kibit-balikat ako. "I was planning to trapped him and make him look like he can't fool me. He's working on another way to pay off his debts" "Hmm, he's really an abuser" mapait na sabi ni mommy. "By the way, you look so trouble at the meeting earlier. Is anything bothering you, Callum?"

"No, mom. I'm just tired maybe..." isinandal ko ang katawan sa upuan bago pumikit.

I can't sleep well the past few days because of what Austine reported to me. It's been days since I talk to Austine because he also became busy but he promised to talk to me later.

I can't talk to Patricia anymore. She's so hard to please. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ako naaapektuhan ng ganito sa kanya na kahit ang trabaho ko ay hindi ko nagagawa ng tama.

"Look at your eyes! Are you even sleeping?" itinuro ni mommy ang mata ko. "Are you having hard time with Patricia? Do you want me to talk to her-"

"No need, mom" agad kong sabi. "I think she's just not happy with me?"

"What? Bakit naman? Nag-aaway ba kayo? Tungkol saan? I thought she's staying to her parents every weekend para hindi mabore sa bahay niyo kapag may work ka?"

"She's too busy with med school. Maybe she was pressured every time she sees me?" pilit kong iniisip kung ano pa ba ang posibleng dahilan ni Patricia. "I think it's a good idea if..." my heart skipped a bit. "we gave her back to her parents?" Her eyes automatically grew bigger.

Dinampot niya ang isang folder sa table at huli na para makaiwas ako, the folder already hit my head.

What the hell?

"What was that for, mom?!"

I grunt when she give me a punch on my arm.

"You dumb! I didn't raise you just to be this irresponsible!" bakas ang irita sa kanya. "If that's the case then fix your problem with her! She's your wife,"

"But I don't know-"

"Gumawa ka ng paraan. Why don't you have a rest and stay to your house with your wife? Mag date kayo o bakasyon!"Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

I let out a sigh. "It won't help. She'll just ignore me-"

"Oh, come on!" mom grunted. "You're talking as if you're not a man! That's your fault though. Noon ko pa sinabi sayo na I really like Patricia for you. Madaling solusyunan ang problema kung gusto mo. Ayaw kong marinig kay Nanay Nelia na hindi parin kayo ayos ng asawa mo. Do you understand?"

Wala sa sariling napatango ako. How come that it's my fault? My mother is really getting to my nerves.

"Tandaan mo ang mga sinabi ko sayo"

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng tumayo na si mommy. Tumayo rin ako at inihatid siya sa pintuan.

"See you when I see you..." she teasingly kissed my head before leaving my office.

Pagod ako'ng bumalik sa lamesa ko at muling hinaplos ang ulo ko na binato ni mommy kanina. Hindi ko na tuloy alam kung paano ulit sisimulan ang trabaho ko dahil sa mga sinabi niya. "Sir?"

Bumukas ang pinto at sumilip ang secretary ko.

"What do you need?"

Pumasok siya at ipinakita ang hawak na mga papeles. "Dumating po ang mga ito galing sa Valeria Enterprice"

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"Yeah. I have a meeting with them next week, right?"

"Yes, sir. Tumawag po pala si Mr. Clemente, he's asking about your free time-"

"Declined that. Tell him that my schedule was hectic"

Natahimik siya at tumango bago lumabas.

Nireview ko ang mga bagong dating na documents at nang pumatak ang alas-dose ay panibagong meeting na naman ang pinuntahan ko.

Katulad ng nangyari sa una kong meeting ay wala parin ako sa focus. I'm trying to understand what we were talking about but I can't help but to check on my phone time to time.

Waiting for Nanay Nelia's update about Patricia.

"I was pointing that it's better if we pushed our first plan. It's way better because it has more benefits. Malaki ang maidaragdag sa funds natin..." one of the people in the board said. "Do you agree with that, Mr. Callum?" Nag vibrate ang phone ko at nakita ang message mula kay Nanay Nelia. Akma ko na itong babasahin ng may tumawag sa pangalan ko.

"Mr. Velasquez?"

Nag angat ako ng tingin at nagulat dahil halos lahat ng memebers ay nakatingin sa'kin. "Uh, y-yes?"

"I was asking if it's okay for you to pursue our first plan-"

"Of course, if it has a better outcome" sabi ko sa normal na tono at hindi ininda ang titig nila.

Alam kong nagtataka rin sila sa inaasta ko but I can't help it!

Nag focus na lang muna ako sa meeting hanggang matapos ito. Bumalik ako sa office at nadatnan ko roon ang nakangiting si Austine.

"Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita?" kunot-noo kong tanong at dumiretso sa lamesa.

"I told you. I have some errands,"

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"Don't fool me. Did you know what Patricia did to that freaking hospital?"

He sigh. "I told you to get the envelope didn't I?"

"Sneaking into a woman's room was not my thing-"

"What the hell, bro?" he started laughing. "We're talking about your wife here. Asawa mo. Don't tell me, hindi ka pa nakakapasok sa kwarto niya? Kahit as a husband?" nag iba ang tono ng boses niya. "Or maybe...doing that thing?" "Shut your fucking mouth!" pagalit kong sabi.

Mas lumakas ang tawa ni Austine habang itinuturo ang mukha ko. "Hell! You're blushing! Hahahaha❞

Fuck. I want to punch him. Bigla tuloy ako'ng napahawak sa mukha dahil nag init ito sa sinabi niya.

"One more silly word, I'll kicked you out of my office" pagbabanta ko.

Nawala ang ngiti niya ng makita ang galit kong mata.

"Tsk, you're too serious. I talked with the doctor again and believe me, she's spilling lies-"

"Giver her money as a bait-"

"I already did but that woman seems loyal to your wife"

Seryoso ang mukha niya kaya sigurado ako'ng hindi siya nagsisinungaling. I rest my arm to the table and thinking some ways.

"But don't worry, may iba pa ako'ng paraan"

"What?"

"Through her friend, Jessica Davis," tila hindi ko nagustuhan ang pilyong ngiti sa labi niya. "She's lovely and seems friendly so I can get information-" "Jerk, don't you dare disturb her, Austine!"