Aviena's POV Silence enveloped the two of us which he also immediately broke because I did not speak. I was still surprised by his sudden call. “My family will go here. My grandfather will probably go to ask about you,” he said so I just smiled to myself. Right. What do I even expect? Do I really expect him to wait for me? That he will call me because he misses me even though his beloved Marissa is there. "Alright… I'll go…" I said and didn't wait for him to say anything, I immediately turned off the call. I don't want to expect from him anymore. What did they even do? They probably spend their luxury time together. I haven't heard on television that his girlfriend is different or anything so I don't think he did anything to tarnish my name. I’m just pretty sure he did something. I just smiled at the thought before shaking my head. I don’t have to care about that anymore. "Who's that, Big Sister?" Marieta asked me when I returned to the table. “Hmm, I think I need to go back to Manila. I need to work,” I said and smiled at them. No one really knows that I'm married to someone. Big Sister Rose and I decided to keep it to ourselves. I also prefer that because I'm afraid that they'll meet River. I don't want to feel bad introducing him to them and at last, we'll just go on our own paths. I’m also afraid they’ll worry more about me. They will be even more guilty. They'll probably think that I did it for them again. "You're going home? Give me some money then, ” Auntie Puschia said so Auntie Madeth immediately look at her. “Your Big Sister Rose is able to give us allowance even if your salary is higher than her. You should be like her, ” Auntie Puschia said. I don't know why when it comes to me she's furious. She can't just really get angry at Big Sister. Big Sister Rose is out of the country right now because I don’t have much of a schedule yet. I’m so busy arranging the wedding. I just smiled before handing over the money. I will give them even if she doesn't force me to. She's really more annoying when she keeps on telling me that it's my fault that they don't have money. As if it was my responsibility for life to carry them until I die. I took them out first before I go back to Manila. Veron doesn't update who's at home right now. I often text her but she doesn’t reply right now. I was in the car when she texted. Veronica: I'm just going back to work, Ma'am Veronica: You will not believe this I didn't see some of her chats since I started driving. I also had fun accompanying the songs in my car. When I arrived at the mansion, I was a little relieved to see some cars coming from outside. It looks like River’s family is leaving too early. "Hey, you're amazing!" I almost jumped in shock because of Veron. “Did you read my chat? Your husband's family will surely kill you,” she whispered to me. "Huh?" “You are not here, eh! The only one they saw was Sir River. His mistress is not here. I think she heard them going. The reason why she immediately leave!” Veron laughed. "Where have you been?" I asked because she said she just come home here. "I'm leaving, Ma'am," she said, averting her eyes. I couldn't help but frown at her. "Why?" I wonder again. "It's secret, Ma'am!" My eyes just narrowed and I was even curious anymore. She also doesn't like to be asked questions when I stay silent so It's embarrassing if I do, right? When I entered, the surroundings became quiet, River's family looked at me and even looked at my suitcase. I restrained myself from bowing because of their judgmental looks. I just remained silent before stepping toward them to greet them. “Is that how a sensible wife is? Wandering around while my husband is just at home and work? ” his Aunt said to me when I got closer. I haven't even been able to bless yet. I couldn't stop the smirk from my lips there. I was about to say something when I heard River's voice saying goodbye to his mother. “My, I’ll be fetching my wife. I'll go first,” River said who was in a hurry but stopped walking when he saw me. Just then he gave me a gentle smile. "Hmm, you're here…" he said as he approached me. Suddenly his cold aura is now gone. I didn't know that he really knew how to act. "I miss you, Wife," he said as he kiss my forehead. At first, I was just a statue because of his sudden kiss but because I was born being an artist, I slowly hugged him before kissing him on the side of the lip. He was slightly surprised at what I did and looked at me. I gave him a wide smile. He also recovered and held me close to him. "Where did your wife go? Does she thinks she's still like a girl who can go out whenever she wants?" His Aunt commented to me. "She also has a job and she didn't marry me to become a housewife." I don't know if I was just thinking too much or River's voice was really cold when he said that. He just kept holding me by the waist when his Grandfather, who had just arrived, laughed. “You don't have to interfere with them anymore, Steff. They are the ones who were living with each other, they already understand each other,” Don Crisostomo said. I greeted him too. “Don't think about them anymore. They probably get their Grandmother's resentment,” he told me. Don Crisostomo is really treating me like one of his granddaughters so I can't help but feel guilty because River and I are fooling him. I also don't know about Don Crisostomo, he wanted his grandchild to be married just to give him the heir. River won't grow old alone especially since he has a lot of women around him. I was really stuck with them the whole time River's Aunt just keep on making me feel so bad about myself. I don’t know if she's insulting me or she just doesn’t like me. I also realized that she just didn't really like me when Marissa came. I don't know where she came from but everyone likes her. I just silently watched them all. “Omg! I miss you so much, Marissa!” Ocean screamed as she hugged Marissa who was also happy to see them. All of River's family welcome her with a warm hug. I was just smiling at them, with the smile I always wear in front of everyone. I just kept looking like that. I could see their simple look at me and the sly grin. The look on my face did not change. I will never let anyone see my pain. “How long will you stay here? Until River’s wedding?” they asked Marissa curiously. "Yes, Auntie. River and I actually plan to see the beach together. We're going there, aren't we? I can't wait to hang out with you po. I really miss you so much!” Marissa said while trying to hug them. “I missed you too! It's a pity that River and you didn't get married, I hope— ” River's Aunt Steff didn't continue to say but I noticed the smirk on her lips as she looked at me. I just quietly averted my eyes. "What's wrong with you, Auntie? Don't even try to insult my wife in front of me," River said while he was getting annoyed by his Auntie. Why am I even surrounded by older women who don’t know how to treat someone respectively? I would have removed River's grip on my waist when it tightened even more. I turned to him, I could see that his eyes were only on me. "Stay here with me for a while." I'm not leaving either. What am I going to do? I have to put up with this. River is really clingy because his family is here and especially his Grandfather. His Grandfather was very happy as he looked at the two of us. I answer their questions. Even if it looks like they just want to insult me. "Did you graduate?" Auntie Steff asked me. I shook my head slowly. "I only finished grade 12," I said. I didn't go to college and started working right away because I didn't want Marieta to quit just so I could go to college. I will really blame myself in case that happens. My sister is so smart. “Oh…” There was a look of disgust on her face. I just smiled, still not showing real emotion. “This Marissa is finishing law school. This boy is really talented,” they said. I could see Marissa looking at me. There was a trace of conscience on her face but the smile remained on my lips as if I was wearing a mask. “Oh? Congrats then,” I said, still smiling. I could see Aunt Steff River's eyebrow-raising at me. How should I react to that? Should I be jealous of her? It was as if I were going to pick up a rock to hit on my head if I tried law school. Even in senior high, I didn't know how to pass. I couldn't do it, that's for sure. I don't really feel insecure about it years ago. Years ago. When Marissa isn't there. When there were no River and Marissa in my life. But now I feel bad that I'm just like this, that I'm just this. I feel bad because I will never be like her who is beautiful, smart, and more than anything River’s family wants. But why do I care about that? I was just attracted to River, but I didn't like him. Really, Aviena? It's a good thing that they left the conversation when it came to that diploma because I had nothing to contribute when it came to that. River almost didn't want to let me go away from him so his family kept glancing at us and back to Marissa who was busy talking to them. I don't know if she is aware that River is looking at her but why am I still criticizing him? What is it to me? “Your wedding is near. We should enjoy ourselves. Don’t you have a bridal shower?” Gwen, one of River's cousins, asked me. "Ah, I don't have one." They all know that we're married to River but based on their smile, I feel like they are planning something. “We didn't even have a bridal shower! Let's have one! Ocean and I will be the ones who will facilitate. The same goes for the bachelor's party, ” she said. But both River and I are not bachelor and bachelorette anymore. “Stop it, Gwen. No one will have a party. ” River gave Gwen a glare but Gwen immediately raised an eyebrow. I can still see the smirk on her lips now. “What about you, Vena? What do you think? ” All their attention is turned to me now.