Joelle remained herself a blank expression and hugged her mother for the last time.
She wanted to cry, express her pain and her feelings but she can't. She must stay strong for her mother. She must show her that she is happy but deep inside, no.
How can she be happy when she is married to a man that doesn't even reciprocate her love?
"I love you Mama. Please be healthy. I will always call you."
"I will honey. I will." Malambing at mahina ang boses na sabi ng kanyang ina habang magaan ang kamay na hinahaplos ang likod ng kanyang ulo pababa sa kanyang buhok at baywang.
Her mother is suffering from a heart failure and she must not sadden her. She must not tell her that she just saw her husband last night making out with his half-sister in their own bedroom.
Bahagya siyang tumingin sa taas nang marinig niya ang pagsirado ng pinto. Sigurado siyang may ginagawa na namang milagro ang kanyang asawa at kapatid. Mga walang hiya at ang kakapal ng mga mukha.
She smiled at her mother and gave her a kiss on her cheek as she waited for her husband stepping down the stairs followed by her half-sister wiping her mouth like nothing happened.
Hindi niya tuloy mapigilang mandiri.
"Ezio... Hijo." Agad na salubong ng kanyang Lolo Sergio sa kanyang asawa nang makababa na ito.
Ezio smiled and stretched his hand for a shake hands.
"Sergio... Thank you for the services. I promise to take good care of your precious principessa." Nakangiting sabi ni Ezio at naglakad pa palapit sa kanya. Agad siya nitong hinapit sa baywang. They might see him acting sweet towards her but she can feel his force gripped on her waist trying to make her smile in front of her family.
Sino nga ba siya para hindi ito sundin? She has no choice but to smile or else... She will not see her own mother anymore. And she can't bear that to happen. Her mother is just the only person in the Seguerra's mansion who loves her.
"My pleasure Ezio. You are always welcome in my home."
"Thank you Sergio."
"Send my regards to Franco." tukoy nito sa kaibigan nito na Lolo ni Ezio.
"I will."
"Signore..." Sambit ng lalaki kay Ezio para sabihin na oras na para umalis na sila.
For the last time again, Joelle turned to her mother and hugged her tightly. Kahit labag sa kalooban niya ay yumakap na rin siya kay Jamaica.
"Good luck on your marriage sister. Please make my man happy." May halong pang-aasar pa na bulong nito sa kanya.
Lihim niyang ikinuyom ang kamao sa galit. Pero kahit ganun ay pinilit pa rin niya ang sarili na ngumiti.
"Thank you." Sabi na lang niya saka mabilis na lumayo sa yakap nito at niyakap din ang kanyang lolo Sergio.
"You are a Seguerra. Please do your duty properly with the Forlangierre."
Lihim na naikuyom ni Joelle ang kamao saka pilit din na ngumiti sa kanyang lolo. Tila balewala na rin sa kanya ang nakikitang paglalampungan ng asawa at kapatid sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata habang nagpapaalam ang mga ito sa isa't-isa.
"Let's go." Sabi ni Ezio at nagpatiuna na sa paglalakad.
She smiled and followed him. Pinagbuksan pa siya nito ng pinto ng sasakyan bago ito pumasok at tumabi sa kanya.
He is very sweet towards her in front of her mother. Sinusunod nga nito ang pakiusap niya dito. As soon as the door closed and the driver start driving, the reaction of his face changed quickly.
Yumuko siya at lihim na napakuyom ang kamao kasabay ng malalim na pagbutong-hininga.
She doesn't know what will be her life in Italy as his wife. Ngayon pa lang alam na niyang puro pasakit at lungkot lang ang mararamdaman niya doon pero para sa Mama niya at ng mansion nila na mahal na mahal ng nanay niya ay gagawin niya ang kanyang tungkulin at magpanggap na isang mabuting asawa kahit mahirap.
"Don't wear that ugly face in front of me. Your grandfather married you to me to pay his debt. In other words, you're just my slave. You only carry my name but not my heart."
Joelle looked at him. She can see the coldness in his eyes. She already knew that she can not have his heart. Kasalanan ba niyang siya ang napili ng lolo nito para dito? Kasalanan ba niyang aminin sa lolo nito na may namumuo siyang damdamin dito nang tanungin siya nito?
She took a deep breath and smiled.
"Don't worry. I promised not to give you shame as your wife."
Ezio stared at her coldly especially on her butterfly tattoo on her left neck. She can see how he clenched his jaw trying to calm himself from anger.
He's angry again for a reason that she doesn't even know.
"You are not my wife. You are just my slave."
Masakit man pero ngumiti pa rin siya.
"Yes, master." Bahagya pang yumuko na sagot niya.