I don’t know how to react to what Mrs. Velasquez just said. The only thing that I know is that she’s talking to my husband. They speak Italian. The more reaction I saw on Denver’s face, the more nervous I felt as I stood beside him.


“Non c’è matrimonio, mamma.”


“Why?” Mrs. Velasquez asked. “I supposed, you still want to continue the wedding.”


“I don’t want to force her. Please, just drop this topic.” Denver’s brows furrowed as he faced her mother.


I can’t read the room. Even Clyde was intrigued by what the two were conversing about. All I want to do right now is to leave. I can’t keep up with them.


Mrs. Velasquez really intimidates me. She’s different from the first time I saw her. Before, she was more casual and softie. But her aura now is very unusual. It speaks of power and elegance. The more reason why I am nervous to face her.


She was the one to link me with her son. She suggested the bond between us. If it weren’t for her, nothing like this would have happened. She even proposed to help us get ownership of my dad’s company. She also noticed my reaction when I first saw her son at his birthday party. It was all because of her.


So, I don’t understand why I should be nervous and scared if something happened unexpectedly because of her. She's like the mastermind and gamemaster who decides what will happen next.


“You’re scaring Sharmienne, Mom.” I heard Denver utter as he held my hand firmly. He must have felt my trembling hand.


“I did not intend to scare you, sweetie,” Mrs. Velasquez uttered. “We came here to discuss a few things.”


I nodded and guided them to the living room. Clyde helped his brother bring those paper bags upstairs. While I was left alone with their mother.


“How are you, hija?” she asked, now her sweet voice.


“I am okay, m-mom.” I kept myself composed even though I stuttered. I saw her smile a bit. “It was good living with Denver.”


“You’re still aloof,” she commented. “I was really against the live-in part. But since my son knows what he’s doing, I should trust him. Though, I wasn’t surprised that she married you immediately.”


She sighed. I sat straight and waited for what she’ll say. She's talking so casually right now. If I compare her to my mother, she was gentler and more caring. My mom happens to show her care in an unusual way.



I can’t help but smile as I stare at her. She was looking around the condominium as if she was not satisfied with its arrangement. I miss my mom and dad.


“We’re talking about your wedding, hija.” I heard her say as she looked back at me. I can see how her eyes soften when our eyes meet. I cleared the lump in my throat.


“Y-you knew?” I was hesitant to ask. “How?”



It's the only thing that shocked me. Denver assured me that no one would know about our secret marriage. Only his friends, Carmienne and Kian. I don't know what to say to her.



Is she disappointed in me?


She smiled at me, a knowing one. “Your husband didn’t tell you about his work?”


“He’s a businessman.” And a gangster.


“Rather than that, he owns an agency that gathers information. So, it was easy for us to find out. My son never hides this from us.”


“I s-see.”


She stared at me and never left my side. We waited for her sons to return, but they are also busy minding their own world. And Denver left me alone with his mom.


“My son must have told you to keep your marriage a secret,” she uttered. I nodded and bit my inside cheeks. She chuckles at my reaction. “He always has that habit.”



“Did you also know about your company, hija?” she asked.



“Denver kept some things to me; he doesn't want me to stress over it.”



With that mention of my husband's name, he showed up from the kitchen with a tray of cups of tea. Clyde was the one to bring some snacks that they’d bought.



“I will be the one to take over, Mom,” Denver uttered as she put down the tray on the center table. He sat beside me while his younger brother sat beside Mrs. Velasquez.



“I know, son.” Mrs. Velasquez sipped on his tea as she stared at me and my husband. “Yet your father wants you to take over the leadership of your brotherhood.”



“One of the Ferrer can do it. Besides, I'm already married.” He leaned his back on the sofa.



Ferrer? It was a new name to me. Must be one of his friends.



“You just married because you don't want that title,” Clyde spoke of the sudden. He smirked as he looked in our direction, but it was sarcastic.



“Shut up, Clyde.” Denver glared at him once again. I furrowed. Aren't they on good terms?



“It seems true, huh?” Clyde was persistent in annoying his brother. “Based on your reaction, your 'supposedly' wife already suffer in your d*mn filthy hands.”



“Clyde!”



I didn't stop Denver when he stood up and went near his brother. His body was tense as veins protruded through his arms as he was about to punch Clyde. His fist was almost close to his brother's face when I hugged him from behind to stop him.



“How f*cking dare you insult my wife!” Denver spits that out with anger. He was in a rage that I did not know how to stop him. My knees were trembling as I stood behind him.



“D-denver, stop it,” I mumbled. My whole body was also shivering because I hadn’t seen him react like this before. “Y-you need to c-calm down.”



I felt him breathe out a sigh. His chest moves with a harsh rhythm until he calms down. I reached for his arms and let him face me. His eyes were bloodshot already.



“If you will just ruin my day, Clyde, just f*cking leave,” Denver uttered firmly. “I don't want to dwell with you, not in front of my wife.”



“You can't even keep your cool in front of her, dude,” Clyde looks amazed as he glanced at me. “Such weakness we have here.”


“Clyde!” It was Mrs. Velasquez who spoke. “I'm warning you, son. I don't want your father to know this. Apologize.” She strictly said to her son.



He's such a spoiled brat. For a teenager like him, he's also arrogant and sarcastic. Yet I don't want to get annoyed at him. I also don't want to judge him. I want to understand his situation. He didn't spend his time with his brother when they were young. Denver was busy training in other countries. Clyde must have felt that he was neglected or perhaps alone.



Clyde stared at me. He pursed his lips and rolled his eyes. “Sorry.”



I just nodded. I felt Denver hold my waist to keep me closer. He faced his mother who was observing his son.



“Mom, if you don't have an important thing to say, you may rest in the guest room.”



“We'll leave immediately, Roque.” Mrs. Velasquez caressed Denver's cheek. “You're so whipped.”



“Mom...”



“I know, I know.” She sighed. “I apologize for what Clyde acted earlier. He just missed his brother so much. He even wants to meet you, Sharmienne.” I can feel the sarcasm in her voice as she glanced at Clyde. I didn't expect that Mrs. Velasquez would have this side of her.



“We'll visit you after Sharmienne's graduation,” Denver said. We didn't talk about it, but just imagining going home excites me already. I smiled at them as if nothing intense happened.



Mrs. Velasquez took her purse from the sofa before she stood next to us. She smiled at me before her eyes stopped at Denver. She has that small smile plastered on her lips that made me nervous.



“Make sure to explain it to her, Denver,” she uttered. My forehead creased.



Denver sighed and nodded. “I'll do it, Mom. Don't worry.”



“What is it?” I can't help but ask. My curiosity was killing me. Clyde was just observing us with pursed lips.


Mrs. Velasquez stared at me before she spoke. “The wedding was called off, hija. I supposed you know this already.”