Dale’s Arrange Wife (ENGLISH VERSION)

“I hate it,” Lauren grumbled as she stayed. She’s like a child who wants to do something but can’t do it. “Hubby.” There was a begging and a gentle call to me.

“Yes?”

“I can’t get it.” I smiled as I got up. I put down the book I was holding and signaled Kiki and Lalat to enter the cat house.

“Which one can’t you get?”

“That part of the chorus.”

“That is too easy, wife.” Lauren currently played the kalimba. She studies the song Can’t Help Falling In Love. “Which one can’t you get?”

“The chorus.” I sat at her back and then held both of her hands to instruct.

“7B, 3E, 5G, 7B, 6A, 3x and then 5G, 5G, 3E, 5G, 3E, 4F, 5G try it.”

She followed what I said while I was giving her the same instruction. She repeated several times until she presented that she would do it.

“OMG, I made it, hubby,” She said enthusiastically when the music was over.

“Very good. Do it again.”

“Kiss first.” Since I am at her back, I kissed her on the cheek. “Can I sing also?”

“Sure.”

Lauren has a good voice. She sings like an angel. Literally music to the ears. The sweetness of her voice is nice to listen to. I can feel every word she sings. I also closed my eyes while listening to her.

“For I can’t help falling in love with you.” Then she looks at me when she finishes.

“OMG hubby, I really made it.”

“Congratulations. You really have a good voice wife?”

“I am?”

“Yup, if you continue to be a singer, you’ve come much further than being a model.”

“It’s easier to make money by showing your body, hubby, many people like sex.”

“Your words.”

“Sorry. Hubby?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for teaching me how to play kalimba. It’s just that easy.”

“You’re welcome.”

I played kalimba at a young age. This is my past time every time I got bored. I spend my time in my kalimba. I just stopped since it happened so unexpectedly. I lost my passion for playing when I learned to play with fire.

“But hubby, you are a better teacher. You’re good at teaching because you really explain well what each student wants to learn.” I did not respond to what she said. If only she knew——if only she knew how passionate I am about teaching.

I am one of the successful pet shop owners, I have a lot of branches. But until now, I am still longing for the real passion that I wanted to pursue—-to become a teacher. Even though I know it’s impossible, I still hope. Or maybe it’s because I just can’t escape the past?

I feel that if I become a teacher, dad will be right. I have nothing good to teach. What can I teach? To become an animal as she taught me, No more, that mistake will not be repeated.

“Hubby.”

“Hubby?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve been calling you many times, you’re spacing out.”

“Ow, sorry, I thought about your daddy’s party.”

“Oh shit.” Then she quickly faced me. “It’s tomorrow.” then stand up.”What are you doing?”

“We’ll fix it our dress to wear.”

“You can prepare that tomorrow, wife.”

“Nah, for tomorrow we can finish easy.”

I just read again while watching her. I smiled while looking at her. If it’s just me, I want Lauren to be my wife forever, but I know it’s not possible. Besides I don’t love her, she also has someone who loves her. If anything happens to us it is because of the call of the flesh.

I don’t have any romantic feelings for her but only lust. Yes, I am lusting after her. Simple as that. I am sure of my fucking feelings. Because I don’t care if they are with Hendrick. I can give her to anyone.

I am just hoping that until the end of our contract, she will not fall for me. And even though we’re annual, we’re still friends. I wish her the happiness that she deserves. A happiness that I can’t give to her.

LAUREN AND I JUST got out of the car and we are on our way to the place where her daddy’s party will be held. My family is also invited but I am not sure if they are already here.

“You look so handsome as always, hubby. My evil cousins ​​on mommy’s side will surely envy me again. Because Dy is my husband.”

“Is that it?”

“Yeah, those poor eyes on daddy’s side are always jealous.”

I never met Lauren’s family from her mother’s side. Her mom dies when she was young so her daddy is with her. When we got married, none of her mommy’s family came but she said she didn’t care. But now, they are here to celebrate her father’s 60th birthday.

Lauren told me that one of her aunts likes her dad. She is single but has no children. I didn’t meet her because she was in America and was a former teacher here in the Philippines. Well, based on her, it seems that the two are in a relationship that is not open to the public. She is said to be kind to her as well as her best friend.

The two of them seem to have become her second mother. Honestly, one of the reasons why I admire her is her guts. You’d think she’d be tough without mom around. I don’t want to question her father because for sure he loves her in his own way. The way he wants her daughter to be strong.

We entered the hall where the birthday party was held. The place is quite good. Really prepared. We looked around and I immediately saw Lauren’s daddy.

“Your father is there.” I pointed out when I saw her daddy talking to the guests. It also has a woman and others next to it.

“That’s Aunt Laura, my mom’s sister. That’s what I’m telling you who like my daddy or should I say, they are in a relationship. Beside her are Aunt Claudia and Aunt Maricel. With their kids, oh isn’t it plastic? Since they know that daddy has money because there are many investors they often see them. Well, thanks to your dad.”

“I think we should go to them.” I want us to look romantic to help Lauren tease her cousins. I held her waist as we walked. “Are you ready to meet them?” I ask.

“It’s been a long time, I just don’t know if they’re ready to be insecure about me.”

“That’s my girl.”

When we got closer, they immediately looked at us. I immediately noticed her cousins ​​staring at me. That’s why I hold Lauren’s waist even more.

“Happy Birthday, dad.” Lauren kisses her dad.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Happy birthday, dad,” I greeted him as well.

“Thanks for coming.” Lauren introduced me to her aunts and cousins. I shake their hands one by one until the last cousin. But I immediately noticed her firm grip on my hand.

“You’re more handsome in person, Dwayne.”

“Thanks.” But she still didn’t let go of my hand.

“You can let go of my husband’s hand, Mika.” Her cousin was a little embarrassed and immediately let go. Lauren is different from Lauren my wife. This she is showing now is the Lauren I used to see on tv.

“How’s everything, Dwayne?” her father asked me. “Can you control my daughter’s wickedness?” Lauren rolls her eyes.

“Well, she’s a perfect wife dad.”

“Really?” her cousins ​​asked at the same time.

“But Lauren is a brat,” Mika said. The one who held my hand earlier.

“You’re a brat too, aren’t you? But your boyfriend is patient with you. What more with Dale that he is my husband?” I want to laugh at her answer.

“As a couple, there are things Lauren and I agree on, dad. Enough reason for our marriage to be good. We covered each other’s lapses and imperfections,” I answered.

“For sure they are jealous. More,” she whispered, making me laugh.

“Silly.” I kissed her on the cheek.

“But you’re just an arranged marriage, right?” One of her cousins asks. Sorry, but I forgot her name.

“Yeah, but we’re friends. Even though we are arranged marriages but we still have a commitment to each other. Arrange or not, we are still married.” Older people nod. While three of her cousins ​​raised their eyebrows.

“I hope you can be together. You’re a perfect match.” This is Lauren’s aunt name is Laura—the former teacher in America who lived and was kind to her. And close to her mommy when she was still alive.

“You can have a lot of guys Lau because you know many people in showbiz. For sure, Dwayne is also easy to find a replacement because apart from being handsome, he also has a good body.”

“And good in bed. You will be exhausted from the pleasure until you pass out,” she added to what her cousin Mika said. “But, hubby doesn’t like leftovers. Because he likes the one who doesn’t know and he’s the one who teaches, right hubby?” I laughed and shook my head at what she said.

“You’re so naughty Hija.”

Her daddy stole the topic so it was all about business. But since the guests came one by one, he said goodbye to us. I also saw that mommy and daddy came but because there were many people to meet them, we didn’t mess with them.

“Anyway Lauren, do you remember your aunt Carmona? My best friend.” Her aunt Laura asked that make me stop. I know there are many Carmonas in the world but why——-why am I nervous?

“Aunt Mona, what about her? I miss her so much.”

“Yes, she is. Recently she had an accident that put her in a wheelchair. She lost her two legs, Hija.”

“OMG” Lauren was still gagging. “How’s she? Is she still in America?” she asked again.

“No, I brought her here. She has no husband and children and she has problems with her siblings as well as with her former employer. There is no one else to take care of her so it’s just me. She’s still in the dressing room,” she answered.

“Oh, she’s already there.”

I didn’t turn around even though they were all looking behind me. I don’t have a good feeling about the name. I just hope it’s not her.

“Aunt Mona. I miss you.” Lauren removed my hand to her waist. I didn’t know what they were doing but I remained standing.

“Lauren, daughter. I miss you, too.” And this time, I am sure that she is. Just her voice gave me a strange shock. I don’t know what it’s for. If you are nervous from fear or nervous from trauma brought by memories of the past.

They talked when I still didn’t move. It looked like no one noticed me because the attention was focused on the two and Lauren’s weak sobs could be heard. Sobbing with pity and longing for her aunt Laura’s best friend whom she called aunt Mona.

I don’t want to move. I feel nervous while thinking that maybe it was her. I can’t see her face. I’m afraid.

“Auntie, let me introduce you to my husband.” I heard Lauren say. “Hubby.”

I approached slowly while my heart was filled with trepidation. And unexpectedly I saw the face of the person who ruined my life.

“Dwayne Dale,” she said when she saw me. As if she already expected me. The woman who took my innocence is here right now in front of me. Pitiful and look helpless.