JHARIED'S POV
The moment I reached our spot, I jumped off my motorcycle and entered. They all looked at me. What was their problem this time?!
"Oh, so this is what a married man does? Still going out even though it's the middle of the night?" Lara scoffed at me, busy typing on her laptop.
I ignored her. I walked straight to the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the refrigerator.
Is it wrong for me to go out? Besides, she's not really my wife; we're only married on paper. Why would I act like a husband to her!
"Broken-hearted?" she asked again, this time chuckling softly. Just drinking a beer means I'm broken-hearted?
"Oh, or maybe you're in love with her?" she added.
I gave her a stern look; she asks too many questions--why can't she just mind her work?
"Find me a woman who can carry my child. One who won't chase after me once the baby is born." I ordered seriously. After all, it's just a child; I'll give them plenty of grandchildren.
"You're an idiot, Jharied. You have a wife, and you're telling me to find a woman for you to impregnate?" she asked, incredulous. And so? This would end my problem; I know they'll keep nagging me about it.
"She doesn't want to. What am I supposed to do? I'll find someone else!" I grumbled back.
"You're just stupid. That kind of thing shouldn't be rushed. Are you crazy?" she said, laughing.
"Maybe Filia was just shocked when you told her that. Besides, it's unbelievable that you want a child. You're a playboy. I understand Filia."
I sat down, leaning back. Damn it!
"You're really troubled, boy. Admit it…do you have feelings for her now?" she asked again. Why do women always know so much!
"No. As if. I would never like that Amazon. She is not my ideal girl. We can get divorced next year." I replied. She smirked.
"Really? What if another guy courts her? Another man. Would that be okay with you? You wouldn't care?" she teased.
"They can live together for all I care," I replied immediately.
"Oh really? We'll see. You might end up eating your words. Stick to that, Mr. Cojuangco," Lara said. I rolled my eyes at her and drank again.
"Oh, why are you here Jharied?"Zander asked, having just walked in.
"Don't I have the right to come here?" I shot back. He scratched the back of his neck.
"Where's Arman?" I asked.
"They're in the underground. I think they wanted to work up a sweat, so they went there," he said, sitting down beside Lara.
"Let's go; I need to work up a sweat, too," I urged.
"Looks like it. To ease your frustration with your wife," Lara teased. Zander burst out laughing.
"Are you falling for Filia?" Zander teased again.
"No. You're just too dramatic, Lara. Let's go!" I walked out first. They followed.
We got on our respective motorcycles, and with my helmet on, I sped out of the alley.
Suddenly, a fast motorcycle cut in front of me, making me brake hard.
I looked at the license plate of that bike.
"Hey! What was that? You almost crashed!" snapped Lara.
I just ignored her and continued to stare at the motorcycle until I saw several others coming behind it.
"Looks like those guys are also heading to the Underground," said Zander.
"Lara, find out whose bike that is," I said coldly before speeding off on my motorcycle again.
Upon arriving at the UG, there were a lot of people. I looked around for Rey and the others.
"Hello, Jharied," a woman said. She was smiling, though I just nodded. I went back to scanning the place.
"Where are they, Zander?" I asked, still unable to see them.
"I don't remember. They were just up front a while ago," he replied.
"You're useless. Your memory is so weak, Zander," Lara lectured, hitting him on his head.
She walked over to the emcee and whispered something to him. Zander and I just stood there.
A moment later, the MC pointed at something. We looked.
My eyes narrowed as I saw Rey and the others in the center, heating things up with some women.
Lara looked back at us and gestured for us to follow her.
"Hey Zander, I thought they were going to work up a sweat. I guess these fools had a different kind of 'heating up' in mind!" Lara hissed as we got to them.
"What's going on? Jharied is here? You might get picked up by your wife here," Arman said, laughing.
"Damn you. What do you think I am, whipped?" I cursed at him. He just shrugged.
We sat in the empty seats. I looked at the stage—two groups were about to fight.
Roy elbowed me.
"Bro, is that Heartfilia?" he said, pointing.
I looked in the direction he pointed. It was a group of girls leaving the Underground. I only saw their backs, but…
My brow furrowed.
"What would she be doing here?" I asked, still looking.
"Idiot, that really was Filia! Isn't Nicole her friend? I saw her with Nicole!" he insisted.
I shrugged. I returned my attention to the fighters.
What would she be doing here? I know she's brave, and has the nerve to punch me, but she wouldn't be able to get in here. Mom is strict.
The fight got intense; it looks like there are a lot of strong new contenders now.
They all want to rise quickly and be recognized, while we're just chillin', in no hurry to make a name for ourselves.
"The fight is intense tonight, huh? I don't regret coming here at all," Roy said, clearly enjoying himself.
"I want the next fight to be this good, too. Obviously, every team has some aggression to work off," said Zander. I didn't say a word but continued to watch the match.
"Buddy, Filia and her friends are gone, aren't they? You should be keeping an eye on your wife; she might be with who knows who," Roy said jocularly, my attention snapping to him.
"Is she a child that I need to babysit? What do I care who that woman hangs out with!" I replied, irritably turning my attention back to the fight. But I surreptitiously looked at the place where Filia had been, indeed, a while ago.
She was certainly not there, nor were her friends.
Where could she have gone?
Was she home already?