Chapter 12

 "I just hope we get something out of this idea of yours, Luis, and if not, you're the one who's going to explain to the girl I'm courting. We have a date today, man, wrong timing."

 Since we left Kenneth's condo, he's been constantly complaining because he was supposed to have a date with Alona, the girl he's courting. If I hadn't appealed to his conscience earlier, he wouldn't have come with me.

 "Are you really going to prioritize that over me? This trip of ours is important, man, just be good at making excuses to her later."

 He just scratched his head while driving. It's like I have chili in my butt and I can't sit still. I'm itching to get that copy of the CCTV footage. That's the only thing that can save me.

 I received a call from Rhaiven and Chris that they were already at the bar. They arrived there earlier because it's near their work, unlike Ken and I who still had to endure the heat with motorists because of the traffic.

 "What's going on that the four of us rushed here? Did any of you break up?" Rhaiven looked back and forth at us after we met in front of the bar. "The sun is blazing hot, man, it's noon and we're already here to drink, you couldn't even wait for it to get dark."

 "I need you, Rhaiven, don't ask any questions, just prepare your checkbook. We'll be using it later." I put my arm around his shoulder as we entered the bar.

 "Don't tell me, you're going to borrow money again? Damn it, Luis, why don't you just let me adopt you, you idiot. You've already used up all my money." He complained to me and tried to wiggle out of my arm around his shoulder.

 "Even if you make me your slave after this, just help me financially."

 Rhaiven and I went ahead and entered the bar. There was no one around because it was still early. It was only about two in the afternoon. There were a few staff members scattered around arranging the chairs and tables. Even the DJ seemed to be practicing for his job later that night.

 "Good afternoon, sirs, what can I do for you?" The man who was busy arranging the drinks at the counter replied politely. He noticed our arrival, so he hurriedly approached us.

 "We want to talk to the manager." I replied and looked around because I was trying to remember the night Mahana and I got married. Even if I racked my brains, I really couldn't remember her being with me.

 "This way, sirs."

 He led us into an office on the left side, the right side of which leads to the rooms, and at the end there are restrooms. We just followed the man who assisted us, and when we entered the office, we were greeted by a man, probably in his mid-forties.

 "Mr. Mendoza, what brought you here?"

 He first recognized Rhaiven because it seems they are business partners. I knew it, I could use Rhaiven to make everything easier.

 "My friend has a concern, so I came with him if you don't mind, Sir." Rhaiven said formally while pointing at me.

 "Sure, have a seat." We each took a seat on the sofa in the manager's office. "So, what can I do for you?"

 "We would like to request a copy of the CCTV footage from when we were here once. Rhaiven will pay a large amount, so don't worry."

 I immediately received a light nudge from Rhaiven because of what I said. He even glared at me slightly, so I just laughed.

 "Sure, no problem."

 After I explained my concern, he led us to a room where there was a man monitoring the bar's CCTVs.

 "What do you need it for, Sir?"

 "Just do your job, don't ask any questions." My head was getting hot because I thought it would be easy to get it, but it wasn't. With the number of TVs connected in front of the man, we would have a hard time because it was a long time ago.

 "Sir, it will take me a long time to find that, it was last year. I don't think I can review it in just one day." The man replied while busy clicking the mouse he was holding.

 "Shit!" I whispered.

 Kenneth put his arm around my shoulder and tried to calm me down. We stayed there for a few more hours, but we still couldn't find it. It was obvious that it was difficult to find, so we decided to just get it another day when it was available or when the man himself called us.

 "Calm down, the guy has a point. It's not easy to find it that quickly." Rhaiven replied as we exited the bar.

 "Man, I need to get that as soon as possible."

 "What can you do if it's really difficult? Just wait for it. At least now you have something to show as evidence against your accidental marriage. Just be confident for now." Chris lectured. "Oh well, I'll go ahead. My Jaime's waiting for me." Chris said goodbye when we finally reached the parking lot.

 "Me too, I have a meeting. Thanks for bothering me." The CEO replied to me and then messed up my hair.

 "Me too, I still have to explain to Alona why I didn't show up for our date. I'll definitely punch you if she doesn't forgive me." Kenneth replied and threw my car keys at me because he was meeting Alona just around the corner.

 In the end, I was left alone. Tsk!

 "You're all busy."

 I got into my car and started the engine because I decided to meet with the Attorney to let him know about the CCTV footage copy. And also to discuss other things regarding our annulment with Mahana.

 "Good job, Luis. That's strong evidence if it happens. But still, you need to find Jade because we also need her testimony." The Attorney said happily, even he was pleased with what I told him. "Anyway, where's Mahana?"

 "Uhm, she has work so she couldn't come, but I will still let her know about this."

 The Attorney just reminded me of a few things about the footage, after which he excused himself because he had an important errand to run. In my joy, it was as if a spirit possessed me because I just found myself in front of the coffee shop where Mahana works.

 "What ill wind brought you here?" She retorted as she was walking to hail a taxi to take her home.

 "Tsk! Can't you just say thank you?" I replied annoyedly. "By the way, I have good news."

 Curiosity formed on her face. "What is it?"

 "We already have evidence to present to the court." I happily announced.

 She was surprised by what I said. I couldn't tell from her face if she was happy or what because I was reading something different from her expression.

 "W-wow! That's good."

 "But, nothing yet because I just had the CCTV footage reviewed by the staff at the bar, it's still in process. But, I hope, they can give us a good footage so it will be worth it."

 "That's good news." She replied, and I couldn't tell if she was really happy or not.

 "Oh, why don't you seem happy?" I asked.

 "What do you mean I'm not? I'm happy, idiot, I'm just probably tired. I want to go home now." She replied, and it seemed like it was just probably because of fatigue that she had that reaction.

 "Then, let's go."

 While we were on the way, she was still quiet. This is probably how this woman is when she's tired, she doesn't talk. I knew she was tired from work, so I decided to just keep quiet for now and not argue with her. Somehow, I also have pity for her even though she's annoying.

 "Mahana, our pretense is still on, even though our annulment is in process. We can move a little more freely now because Grandma and the others have left for America."

 "They left? Why did you still have me come here to your condo?"

 "Mahana, Grandma has many eyes here even if she's not around. Her money can do a lot. She can pay a lot just to have us watched. It's better that we're both careful, or my reward might not push through." I explained.

 Grandma is capable of doing anything, so even if she's not here, I know she has someone watching Mahana and me.

 "As long as my salary keeps coming, I'm game." She said. She was in front of the mirror, applying her skincare while I had just come out of the bathroom, having just finished showering.

 Our night wouldn't be complete without knowing who would sleep on the bed using the magic coin. So after she applied her skincare, she came to the bed, sat on the left side while already holding the coin.

 "Give me a break, Mahana, it's always you."

 "I don't want to!"

 "Tsk!"

 She did the ritual, and I was very nervous, as if I was about to engage in a bloody battle because of our fight over the bed. I stared intently at her hand as she slowly removed the cover from the coin.

 "Damn it!" I stood up in annoyance.

 "Oh, go away, you're on the sofa again." She shooed me away and even laughed.

 "You're cheating. That's your last night sleeping on the bed. Jerk. I'll beat you tomorrow." I plopped down on the sofa in annoyance. When will I ever win against this woman? My body is already tired of sleeping here on the sofa. Tsk.

 *

 "Damn! My back hurts."

 I stretched my arms after getting up from the somewhat stiff sofa in my room. I've been dealing with back pain for a few days now because I can't seem to win against Mahana. I feel like my back might break from the hardness of my bed.

 I walked over to my study table and drank a glass of water there. Then my gaze landed on Mahana, who was still sound asleep. She looked so comfortable while I felt like I was about to get arthritis.

 This woman looks so gentle when she's asleep, but when she's awake, she outshouts a clucking chicken. She does have a certain beauty, but it doesn't meet my standards. She's still the Mahana I found unattractive back in high school. So irritating.

 Just before I could fully enter the bathroom, my phone rang, so I grabbed it from the side table. It was the staff from the bar I had asked to review the CCTV footage, and I answered it immediately.

 "Boss, you can pick up the copy today."

 Shit! This is it. Excited, I quickly informed Rhaiven. They were all pleased, especially since they found a way to expedite the review.

 "Attorney, are you busy right now? Let's meet up; I'll give you the copy of the CCTV footage. Okay?"

 I immediately took a shower to get ready. I was so happy that I found myself singing in the shower, as if I had just won a million dollars. When I came out of the bathroom, Mahana was no longer in bed; she was probably in the kitchen cooking. After getting dressed, I went downstairs, and I was not prepared for what I saw.

 "Grandma? What are you doing here?"

 Grandma was sitting on the sofa while Mahana was busy preparing tea for her. Fuck!

 "Good morning, hubby," Mahana greeted me with a fake smile and kissed me on the cheek before placing Grandma's tea on the center table.

 "Why do you look like you're not happy that I'm here, my favorite grandchild?" Grandma said, her face showing disappointment at my reaction. I approached her to kiss her on the cheek as a sign of respect.

 "I was just surprised, Grandma. I thought you went to America with Mom."

 "Oh! I got lazy, so I didn't go. I decided to stay here to bond with you and your wife. I want to create memories with you, couple. So, fix your things now because we're leaving."

 Mahana and I exchanged glances at what Grandma just said. Shit! Not now! I have plans.

 "Fix our things? Why, Grandma, where are we going?" I asked, filled with confusion.

 "From now on, you two will be living in my house with me," she announced, shattering my world.

 Fuck! No way!