Chapter 9

"He died because of cardiac arrest. The last time we talked, it seemed like he wanted to tell me something but he was having a hard time speaking. I thought he was just resting at home but no, it seems like he was hiding, that's why he was in the province."

We were all quiet as Mayor Queja's younger sibling narrated his condition. I was interested to know everything about the Mayor after that accidental wedding of mine with Mahana which he initiated.

It seems like my suspicion was right, Mayor Queja knew something about the wedding, and from his sibling's story, he was hiding because it seemed like someone was looking for them. The question is, who?

"Where's Jade?"

All eyes turned to me when I spoke. I couldn't stop myself anymore because I was so confused about what was happening. I was thirsty for information that could save me from this fate.

The woman shrugged. "I don't know where he is. Even she, just vanished like smoke without me having any idea about what's going on."

And there she couldn't stop herself from crying. Mama comforted her while I was just stunned, thinking about where Jade could be. I felt like the sky and earth fell on me with what I found out.

I excused myself to get some fresh air outside because I felt like I was going to lose my breath inside. I was thinking of a way how to start looking for Jade. He's the only one who can tell the court that everything that night was just an accident.

"Don't they have soup?"

I turned to my left when I heard that voice. Mahana was leaning against the railings, here in front of the chapel. She even glanced inside, obviously waiting for someone to give her something to eat.

"Tsk! You're more concerned about finding soup than finding Jade, huh?"

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. I was annoyed because she was just so calm while I was already losing my mind thinking about what we should do.

"I'm hungry, and we haven't had dinner yet." She rubbed her stomach, which I immediately stopped her from doing because someone might see her, it's embarrassing.

"Can you please help me think of a way? Can't you see, Mayor Queja is dead, the one who could have helped us with the annulment is dead. And Jade, he's hiding, no one knows where he is, Mahana."

I raised my voice at her because of annoyance. I even rubbed my temples slightly because I felt a throbbing pain. My hunger from earlier, vanished like smoke because of what I found out about the father and son. If I were to think about it, I don't know what I did to them so why and how did they do that to me?

"Why are you mad at me? I'm just hungry."

I walked closer to her, I put my hands in my pockets as I stood in front of her. "You're so calm! It's irritating!"

Mahana laughed humorlessly and then raised an eyebrow at me. "Well! Why, if I get mad like your posture right now, do you think Jade will just appear in front of us? Will he show up? No, right? It's because you're always angry, you don't know how to place it."

She abruptly left the railings and was about to walk inside when I said something that made her stop.

"Don't tell me you know why they're hiding that's why you're so calm, Mahana?"

A few seconds passed before she finally faced me with a raised eyebrow. She didn't like what I said and that's what I'm reading on her face.

"You're the one being helped, and you're the one who dares to doubt me. Wow ah!" She replied aggressively to me.

"Why? Did I hurt you when we were in high school, that's a valid reason for you to get back at me like this."

"If you hurt me then, I wouldn't take revenge like this. And can you please, don't take your anger out on me? I'm the one who's putting up with your antics, and you're the one who dares to be like that. Psh!"

I fought her gaze, I approached her while staring meaningfully. Her eyes were full of anger but why can't I pity her or even feel guilt?

"Are you guys fighting?"

I quickly came to my senses when I heard Lola's voice. I immediately grabbed Mahana's hand and pulled her shoulder so Lola wouldn't notice that we had an argument. Luckily, Mahana immediately went along with my pretense.

"Nope, La, we're just kidding, she's just a sore loser that's why she raised her voice at me." I lied and Mahana just agreed.

"Okay, let's go inside so we can say goodbye."

We followed Lola inside. And even though Mahana was struggling to remove her hand from my grip, I tightened it even more. I knew she was angry because I was picking on her. I glared at her when we were already near Mama. I signaled her to behave so we wouldn't get caught.

After we said goodbye to Mayor Queja's family, my family decided to stop by a restaurant to have dinner. Everyone was hungry except for me who was stealing glances at Mahana who was still quiet.

We were using the same car with Lola in the front, Mahana and I were in the back while Mama and Papa were using their own car. It was a good thing that Lola was busy playing Candy Crush Saga on her phone in the front so she didn't pay attention to Mahana and me.

"Where's your wedding ring? Why aren't you wearing it?"

My blood boiled again when I noticed that Mahana wasn't wearing the wedding ring I gave her. Her head was leaning while staring out the window. It's like I have a serious illness and she doesn't want to get near me.

"We're not okay so I won't wear it." She replied coldly. She abruptly moved her shoulder bag away from me as if I was interested in it. Maybe she forgot that I was the one who bought it. Psh!

"You're such a kid, Mahana. Behave yourself." I lectured her, and she just gave me a side-eye.

"Nyenyenye!"

Until we got to the restaurant, Mahana and I were still exchanging glares. She's feisty and very stubborn, I just hope I don't get annoyed with her.

* "She's too much of a snob, man. Damn it!"

I immediately stormed into Kenneth's condo after we got home. Mahana and I had another argument so the ending was she left my condo and I don't know where she went.

"Well, it's your fault, why did you have to say that, she got offended.."

Kenneth was busy choosing what we were going to watch while we were drinking. I also ordered some snacks online. As usual, the two of us were together in drinking, the other two were absent because they were busy with their own lives.

"I just said that because I was annoyed earlier." I angrily chugged the bottle of alcohol I was holding. "Besides, why did she get offended? That just means she's guilty."

Kenneth shook his head at what I was saying. "You know, Luis, if you really push her patience, you're going to cry. She might suddenly leave you and you'll say goodbye to your reward."

"She won't do that, maybe she forgot that I have her passport."

"You never know if that will work." Kenneth replied and handed me the newly opened bottle of alcohol. "So what's your plan now? Mayor Queja is dead, you'll have a hard time with your annulment."

"The other one is still alive but the problem is, I don't know where to find him." I rubbed my temples in annoyance.

I'm still wondering who's behind our wedding. If Mayor Queja did it and they're hiding, then maybe someone else ordered them to do that to us. Maybe because they're afraid that the truth will be revealed, they're hiding.

"It's still a big puzzle for you who's behind your wedding. If Mayor Queja and his son did it and then they hid, then maybe someone else ordered them to do that to you. Maybe because they're afraid that the truth will be revealed, they're hiding."

That's what I was thinking earlier. If they're not guilty, why would they hide? If they don't know anything, why did they choose to hide instead of telling us the truth?

"Who would do that to me? With how kind I am, I even feel sorry for killing mosquitoes."

"I've already hired all the best private investigators I know. I really don't know what else to do if they still can't find Jade. For now, focus on your pretense with Mahana. Instead of drinking alcohol here in my condo, why don't you go see her and make up with her?" Kenneth suggested in a lecturing tone.

"Psh! What is she, gold? She can make up with herself. She's irritating." I sank deeper into the soft sofa. If we're going to have a battle of stubbornness, well, I won't lose.

* "Damn it! She's so stubborn! I thought she already went home. Hays!"

I also ate all the words I said to Kenneth earlier, I was even complaining that I wouldn't go to Mahana to make up with her but I just found myself riding the elevator to go see Mahana at their place. Tsk!

Kenneth had a point, while we still haven't found where Jade is hiding, I should prioritize our pretense with Mahana. The money I borrowed from Rhaiven is also running out, so I need to get the reward from Lola as soon as possible.

"Hi handsome!"

"Damn! So handsome, who's the lucky one who got out of poverty again?"

"Handsome! Psst!"

These are just some of the things I heard while walking towards Mahana's place. I didn't waste a minute to pay attention to them because I was in a hurry. It was getting late and I wanted to rest. Somehow, I already knew the way to Mahana's place so I didn't have a hard time.

When I entered the alley where Mahana's house is located, I stopped because I saw a familiar figure. I tried to squint a few times to make sure if it was her and I wasn't wrong.

When did they become close to Mama? Why is my mother here? What are they talking about?