“Tita Rems, it's a good thing I called you. I have something to offer you. "June took a deep breath before speaking on the phone.
"What's that son? Do you have a problem on the farm?" Nanay Remmy asked worriedly.
"No, actually this is very personal—And a big problem."
"All right. I'll listen."
"Can you help me find an investigator? I hope it's the best one." There was still a tremor in his voice when he said that.
"Because I have a woman with me and she thought, I'm her husband."
"June! Don't you say you kidnapped a woman?" Nanay Remmy's cry was full of shock even though she didn't want to think badly of her nephew. That's not how he met June.
"Auntie, let me explain and don't just jump out of those conclusions," June said calmly.
He recounted all how he found May in the yard until they setup today. Mother Remmy nodded and promised to give her quick feedback. He also sent May's pictures, that may help in finding information about the girl.
"Thanks Aunt Rems, we're the only ones who know this huh?" June's reply.
"Yes, you can count on it. You'll always be careful."
He sighed as he hang up the phone. He leaned his head on the headboard. He's so tired the whole day and he badly wants to sleep. If she used to fall asleep easily, now it is no longer because of the thought of how to bring May back to her real family. The day passes quickly and he is running out of time. He only extended himself for a month.
If May stays in his power, he may not know what to do. He did not want to get used to its presence.
He decided to open the dvd player and search for a cd from his cousin Martina. He only remembers his favorite music, and usually the rnb soul genre.
He decided to play Justin Timberlake's album. There, he played "Until The End Of Time" where the said singer duets with Beyoncé who is also one of his favorite artists to listen to.
"Coz if your love is all I had,
in this life
That would be enough
Until the end of time
So rest your weary heart
And relax your mind,
Coz I'm gonna love you more
Until the end of time... "
That song is effective in making him sleepy because his eyes are gradually giving way.
He would soon have fallen asleep soundly if there had been no knock on the door.
"Is that Nanay Isay?"
He was a bit lazy to open the door if anyone knocked but he had no choice. But instead of Nanay Isay, May turned out to be the one who planned for her. Her spirit awoke and she watched her tears in astonishment.
"Why? What's the problem?"
"June, I had another bad dream. It was like a nightmare, someone was trying to take my life and wanted to kill me," May cried and hugged June.
"Hush, no one will hurt you," June whispered sympathetically. He also reciprocated with a tight hug to May and that was not against his will.
"I'm scared," May whispered as she leaned her head on June's chest. She felt at peace because it hugged her.
"You're here to sleep." She shuddered when she said that. Is this what he is saying, it is possible that more will happen because they are together under one roof.
May did not reject him. He pushed her on the bed and let her hug him.
"Thank you ..."
That was the last he heard before it beat drowsiness.
And the next day, May wrote about the happy night with June again. Well, they just slept next to each other but his heart was still singing with joy. He has no other demand, as long as he only has June with her.
She cooked breakfast well. Fortunately, he woke up earlier. Of course, he also prepared exactly what Nanay Isay could eat.
"he'll like it ..."
She was full of enthusiasm until she finished cooking. That's right, the two are awake.
"Good morning!" She greeted them warmly. That was the first time June and Nanay Isay saw May's unique energy.
"What's up?" There's a full of astonishment on the lady's face. He also looked at June.
"Just, I'm just happy even though I have a bad dream," May said and even when serving at the table, her smile still wouldn't go away.
"Wait a minute, I'll just go outside. I'll look at Puti," June said. He twitched his brows while looking at Nanay Isay, he got that he wanted to talk to her so he followed without May being aware of it.
"Someone wanted to kill May, according to his dream. She knocked on my door last night and we slept next to each other," June confessed to Nanay Isay's surprise.
"Don't say that May is so happy because—"
"Mom, it's not like that. I just told her to sleep, I didn't even touch her. And that dream of hers, it's probably part of her past. That's why I need to find her family." There was a pain in his heart when he thought that they would also part ways. He doesn't know, they haven't been together for a long time but somehow he's attached to her. And he admires May’s habit of being overly content and determined to learn.
"Let's talk later, maybe she'll notice that she's our topic," June said and re-entered the house. Nanay Isay followed him with a shrug.
***
May 30, 2019
Finally, June's long-awaited feedback also arrived from Nanay Remmy's well-known investigator. The confidential info about May was sent via email.
Coincidentally, he is still busy today due to the influx of orders on the farm. That was a blessing if it could be considered so he had to work hard to reciprocate the favor given by Nanay Remmy.
"Nay, tomorrow is May's birthday." June's smile could not be erased as he reminded Nanay Isay of the matter. The lady then rubbed her forehead.
"Yeah, May might expect us to surprise her."
"And we should really surprise her to make him happy."
Nanay Isay's eyebrows met and June was stoned with a critical look.
"I guess, you really love her, finallym"
"Not like that. I'm just laughing at what I did. Sooner or later, she will be going to forget all of these. Just think of it as a reward for her because she helps on the farm," June said. But just to think that May will be away, it seems that his heart is squeezing immediately.
He heaved a sigh. He sighed and pretended to be busy writing the sales record.
"Anyway, you can fool me but you can't fool your heart," said Nanay Isay.
June was repeatedly shaken until they heard a knock on the entrance door of the house. They looked at each other because they knew they had no expected visitor today.
"I'll be the one to open it," June said. He quickly opened the man intentionally to them.
"Good day, what are you up to?" friendly and formal opening of June. He was facing a woman in her mid-thirties and with thick lenses of eyeglasses.
"Sir, I was just wondering if you saw a woman in your area? Here she is," the woman replied. He snatched the cellphone from his pocket and showed June a picture.
June's heart was pounding when she saw the picture. No matter how many times he spit on it, it was really May. And in its order in the picture, it looks like it came from an aristocratic family.
"Here, you might look better in another picture." The lady swiped her phone's screen. Next the focused photo of May flashed and she was wearing a fancy wedding dress.
’She's married?’
His throat seemed to dry up immediately and he was unable to speak. Even if he wanted to say that he was with the man the woman was looking for, he still couldn't trust her. Here is what he has been waiting for the longest, to find May's true identity. But now that progress has been made, he still hesitates. And he didn't seem to want her away from him either.
"Sir, you don't really know her?" He turned around when the stranger spoke.
"Maybe you should tell me why are you looking for her? Is she a fugitive of the law?" June asked. Perhaps with the woman's answer, his other suspicions about May's personality will be completely dispelled.
"But Sir, why do I have to tell you? I just want to know if you saw him or not." There was a strong protest in the woman's voice because she had no intention of answering June's question.
"You have to tell me because I saw her."
***
June first took the woman to the farm where few people could see them. It just so happened that he didn't let the staff in first because there weren't many vegetable deliveries that day.
The woman introduced herself as Maria Lourdes or Malou, Vanessa Montefalco's secretary.
‘Vanessa Montefalco— her name sounds so expensive.’
Malou's story is that Vanessa comes from a rich family and is a battered wife. She was about to divorce her husband but suddenly disappeared. Her acquaintances thought she was dead.
But Malou did not give up on the search. Her hopes grew because he remembered that May had ordered something from her before she disappeared.
"Malou, just in case something happens to me, you can and will still find me."
It seems that his boss already knows the consequences, maybe he is already receiving threats. Vanessa showed him the watch which was expensive but looked ordinary.
"This watch has gps. You can see the location when you go to this website." Vanessa typed the website's address while in front of her laptop. Malou was just behind and listening intently to whatever she had to say.
"Never trust anyone, especially Leonel. And even if I lose, she won't get a single cent," Vanessa reminds. The wrinkle deepened on Malou's forehead and she hugged her beloved boss.
"Ma'am, your words sound like you're about to say goodbye." Her tears flowed spontaneously. He is as good as Vanessa's boss and even though he sighs, he pays her fairly and treats her like a real family member. She has also been serving his family for a long time. Vanessa was still a teenager when her father hired her as a personal assistant. The father was as conscious of Vanessa's safety as he was so he hired a caretaker and could be assigned to help with office tasks, since she was still young and while still studying, Vanessa was taught to handle business.
But before June could answer the information Malou needed, she previewed the email the investigator had provided. It turns out that all information from Malou and from that investigator were completely similar..
His heart was pounding harder. He felt bad for May or Vanessa. He even judged her before. But that turned out to be the worst thing that happened to her with an abusive husband.
So June finally confessed to pretending that she was May's wife just to stop her from leaving. Malou has nothing to worry about because June tells her that it doesn't touch her boss. And to be sure, he took June's full information as well as the address and names of the people around him. The young man nodded as he wished.
"Sir June, thank you for taking care of Ma'am Vanessa. And I trust you because you also hired an investigator to find her family. I can't take Ma'am Vanessa home first, the mansion is too chaotic and dangerous. yet, "Malou replied worriedly.
"Take care of her, please? I really love that boss of mine," he added.
"Of course, I'll just put on her watch and I'll also let you know what she's going to do while we're together," June replied with a smile.
Malou said goodbye to him first, because he was going home to Manila and would take the next step for Vanessa's safety.
June was left stunned and decided to stay in the hut first. It's only been an hour since Malou left but she still can't forget the things he discovered.
May has to return to her family but there is an urge from her heart to protect her from her real husband. But how would he do it? And why would he do that? Even though she doesn't have to worry anymore because Malou can be trusted and she doesn't feel that deeply about May.
If there had been no knock on the door he might still be stunned to this day. As usual, he took another deep sigh and when he opened it, May's clear face appeared.
"I told you so and you're here," was his gentle introduction to him.
"How did you know?" June eased the door open to let his fake wife in.
"I just feel like when we're married it's like our lives are connected to each other." The smile widened on May's thin lips and she laid the two lunch boxes on the table. "I brought food for the two of us. Nanay Isay is going somewhere. I don't want to eat alone because it's sad."
"Okay, all right. Let's eat together." There is a chisel in every word June utters. May sat down next to him and let him rest his head on his shoulder.
"I missed you right away," May said and even hooked her arm around June's arm.
"I miss you too. I miss you so much," he whispered. True, he is used to May's sweetness and maybe he should admit that he may have completely forgotten the bitterness caused by the loss of Sasha due to its presence.
‘And I will miss you. Am I falling in love with you?’
***
Surprised, It's just May because there is so much food on the table. But surprisingly, June and Nanay Isay were not there.
"This one looks delicious," he said, referring to the spice and roasting. After he also glanced at the food, he decided to inspect every corner of the house.
When he came out he saw the banner hanging.
"Happy birthday May!"
Her forehead furrowed but she also suddenly smiled. "It's my birthday today?"
A few moments later, June and Nanay Isay also appeared. They wa
was just hiding in the corner.
"Happy birthday!" simultaneous greeting of the two. Mother Isay came first and stroked May's hair.
"June thought of it, he really wants to surprise you."
"Really?" May turned to June.
"Yes, because ... Just, I want you to be happy," she replied with a shrug. May smiled even more and hugged June.
"Thank you."
June's heartbeat quickened again. He shook his head when he hugged May back and then he glanced at Nanay Isay who was obviously happy with that scene.
‘Thank you for coming into our lives, Vanessa.’
The day passed and May's joy was empty because of its overflow. She spent all day dancing, eating and chatting with June and Nanay Isay.
He wrote something else in her diary and even took a picture of the two with a digital camera.
"Can June and I take a picture?" May's request to Nanay Isay after they took a group picture.
"All right," Nanay Isay replied with a smile and took the camera in her hand.
June and May stood aside and both smiled as they hugged. This is their first photo together so May is also excited to print it out and put it in the diary.
As long as the night deepens. Nanay Isay also put away the other food and told June to take May to her room. It's obvious that May is tired but she still doesn't want to sleep because she enjoyed the fake birthday so much.
"Time to sleep," June said. May nodded as he approached her. "I'm too lazy to climb."
"All right, I'll lift you."
June carried her in a sweeter way, as if they were newlyweds. Not as much as at first as if a wrestler originated in a wrestling fight.
He gently put May on her bed. Both do not lose their smiles in those moments.
"I'm so happy today," May said. He caressed his wife's handsome face. Even though she was drowsy, she still didn't want to let go of his eyes because she just wanted to keep an eye on June.
"I know. And I'm glad because Nanay Isay and I made you happy. If only we could live like this forever," June said sincerely.
He just hugged May and was about to leave the room but he suddenly pulled her until she sank into it. Their faces were almost touching and he almost kissed her.
"There, I'm going to sleep," June whispered and she couldn't take her eyes off her husband. Its beauty is still obvious. It makes him weak. Everything about May or Vanessa makes him weak.
He just thought that it would go back to the old life and the memory would return, as if his world was immediately shocked.
"June, let's get married but you don't ignore me, you don't kiss me and we haven't done those—"
"There's no room for that topic. Just stop. I told you I won't touch you until your memory returns, right? I want to respect your space." June pulled herself away then took a deep breath.
Where did May get such ideas? Perhaps it got the idea to those interacting on the outside.
Some people knew that he's already married to her. I hope he doesn't let May explore the farm. The lie he told only got worse.
"I understand June. I'm sorry, I get excited when I think we're going to have a baby. I also want that to happen," May replied in her sad voice.
June pleaded, she offended May so she kept quiet.
"Are you upset? I'm sorry," he said and decided to stand beside May. "If you want I'll just watch over you in your sleep."
May giggled but didn't utter any word. She immediately squeezed herself into June and hugged her.
"I love you so much," May said, so June turned around. He was affected by what May said because he didn't think that was the kind of word that would come out of her lips.
He's not convinced that May love him already. It may simply not be able to differentiate the kindness he shows from true love.
But even so, his heart still celebrated. It's not possible, he has to control that feeling because May is already married.
"What did you say?"June repeatedly asked.
"I said, I love you so much," May replied quickly and traced the overflowing astonishment in her eyes. "Don't you love me June?"
June smiled sparingly and swallowed more. "Of course, I love you."
"That's it. So you'll get used to it because you can always hear me love you," May replied with a sweet smile on her lips.
"What if we're not really married? What if someone else owns you and I don't?" Although June wanted to hold back the tears that welled up in his eyes, he couldn't stop them from flowing.
He quickly wiped away the tears. May also turned around and picked up her diary.
"What is that?" June asked and pointed to the tool in May's hand.
"It's my diary. Here I write the happy things we both have while with Puti and Nanay Isay," May said proudly.
"For when my memory comes back, I'll just read it for proof that you really love me."
"But May, you haven't answered my question yet. What if we're not the ones scheduled? What if I'm not your husband?" The expression on June's face went blank. He removed his diary from May's hand. "There's no sense for you to do this, when you go back to the past, you will hate me."
"I don't hate the person who saved my life. June, I know I love you and I'm happy with how I feel. Please, don't deny that." Her eyes were pleading.
"To calm you down, I will say that I will make a way to get back to you in case I find out that we are not destined for each other. No matter how far you are, it will still take you. Because I love you so much. "That's all I want to feel when I'm with you." May's voice became more pleading as she hugged June.
"There, I love you too."
May's embrace with her husband became even tighter. "It's pleasing to hear in the ear."