Chapter 12A

Medellin is located in the northenmost part of the province. The city, which Gideon invited her into, is located in the middle. People go to and fro in the morning and during nightime is when everything becomes romantic as night life is what the city's known for.

The long drive made Jewel dizzy but Gideon's there to alleviate her nausea by humming her a tone while she rested her head in his shoulder. Her husband hired someone to drive their SUV towards the south. Dalya and Pedro was at the back while she and Gideon was sitting in the middle.

Old Tang remained in Medellin to take care of the house.

It took hours before the car stopped. Jewel was too tired to even lift her head and asked Gideon to carry her into the hotel. The man had no choice but to follow his wife's words.

"Is the hospital far from here?" she asked after Gideon lowered her in the bed.

"A ride or two."

She looked at the doorstep where Dalya and Pedro were conversing with each other. "They can't wait any longer," she reminded him.

Gideon stared at her and smiled. He gently pat her head like a pet, and Jewel scowled at him. She slapped his hand away. "Stop that!"

His brow raised at what she did. "Not afraid eh?" he teased before he turned around.

The sorrounding returned to its stillness after Gideon went out. Her lips twitched when she remembered his words. Not afraid? It might be true.

After Gideon helped her, she grew depended on him. She was no longer afraid nor anxious of the uncertainty of her future with him. To be honest, she was starting to trust Gideon more and more.

She spent the entire afternoon inside the hotel while Gideon drove Dalya and Pedro to the hospital. The sun was setting in the west when her husband returned carrying a big serving of lechon, a famous delicacy in the province.

Her eyes shone as her mouth watered at the sight of the dish. Gideon laughed as he prepared the table. He even bought rice in the form of pusu.

After that dinner, Gideon brought Jewel to the highest tower near the hotel they were staying into. It had been a two days since Jewel entered Gideon's house but a lot already happened. The Santacruzan might be a tricky part but Jewel decided to not go back in her father's mansion this summer. She would rely on her husband's influence in Cansanit until her vacation ended.

Standing in the highest place overlooking the city dazzling under the moon, Jewel could not help but to exclaimed. She was most familiar with the salty and cool breeze that was blowing past her face.

Unexpectedly, the city lights stopped in the distance and the sea waves glistened under the moonlight. Such splendid view was enough to let Jewel relaxed her tight muscle. It was only then she felt tired. Gideon held her in his arms.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he whispered as they both looked at the marvelous scene ahead.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I've been following their will. I neglected my happiness and comfort just to follow their arrangements. But.... why?"

There was silence in between them and Jewel didn't utter another word. It was Gideon who broke the silence. "The human heart is unpredictable."

The corner of her lips curved. "Indeed," she whispered. "I guess you're no different from them."

"Why you think so?"

She went silent. Thinking about what Gideon did earlier, it seemed like she was wrong. But her intuition was telling her that her husband was the same; someone who wanted to control her life.

"If I crossed your bottom line one day, will you send me back?" she asked, whispering in the passing wind.

"You should know the answer."

She frowned at his vague answer. The thing that she feared the most was betrayal. It was not difficult to put her trust on her husband who was trying to build a good relationship with her, but her previous experience made her reluctant to completely trust this man. There was still a thin wall in between them that Jewel feared to destroy.

"Then, what is your bottom line, Gideon?" she asked suddenly.

Gideon chuckled and put his arm around her shoulder. "Before I answer that, answer me first. Why are you drawing the line?"

"Am I?" Her brow raised and glanced at him.

He flicked her nose and smiled. "Asking my bottom line, are you drawing a line between us?" Seeing her confused gaze, Gideon chuckled again. "If you're afraid of crossing my bottom line, do you really think I'll give you up?" He sighed when Jewel nodded. "Then you should know, my bottom line.... is you."

That dazzling smile made Jewel's heart skipped a beat. She looked away as her cheeks burned hot. The occasional caressing of the cold breeze on her cheek elevate their redness. Her lips quivered.

"What are your plans for Dalya and Pedro?" he asked after awhile.

Jewel recovered her calmness and sighed. "They can't go back. My parents will hunt them down."

"Speaking of your parents, they called earlier. They still want you to attend Santacruzan and hope you'll go back next week."

Next week. Of course, they need some days to restrain their anger. Her eyes casted low and she closed her fist tightly. It seemed like her parents were eager to push their goal. But going back?

She laughed bitterly. "Even though they know my vices, they still want to push their wishes," she whispered and gritted her teeth.

Gideon glanced at her. "You don't want to attend?"

"Attend?" she smiled bitterly. "They expect me to apologize and give up my vices. Is there anything astonishing for me to go back?"

She just wanted to be happy and reading those kind of books gave her pleasure and happiness. Thinking of this, she believed there's nothing for her to apologize. Giving up her books was out of question.

In Jewel's eyes, there's nothing wrong reading explicit scenes and fantasizing about them. All these years of being an erotic fanatic, she kept her passion a secret because she knew her parents wouldn't approve of it.

The innocent and modest heiress of Mangubat is addicted to erotica? What a scandal! She would become the laughing stock of the town. Of course, it's not that it's forbidden but the conservative thinking of the people around the Hasyenda Mangubat would make the Mangubat's reputation plummet down. If it'll happen, her father wouldn't let her go easily!

"I expect you to apologize," Gideon said.

Like a stone thrown into the lake, his words created ripples in Jewel's mind. She looked at her husband who was staring intently at her. "Y-You want me to go and apologize?"

Her astonished gaze made Gideon darkened his expression. "If your parents are not tolerating your vices, I won't tolerate it either."

"Y-You..."

Their gazes met for a few minutes before Jewel averted her gaze and stepped back. Gideon tried to hold her again but she shook her head. Her sharp gaze landed on his handsome face. Suddenly, her laughter could be heard. "Gideon I thought you're different from them, but no, you're the same.... you're all the same!"

A glint flashed in Gideon's eyes before he looked away. "You certainly don't understand what I'm saying but Jewel, it'll only cost your soul."

"Whatever!" She scorned at him. "I will not believe you!"

"Don't be too stubborn."

She pursed her lips and crossed her arms. "You promised, you'll never control me, but you're asking me now to give up my vices? A promise is indeed tend to be broken. In the future... " She glanced at him. "Don't swear to me ever again, Gideon Manasseh."