Agnes was able to go home early from the Acosta mansion, but just like the past few days, she and Islaw didn't leave or return together. As Brianna had insisted, her husband was being picked up and dropped off every single day. Even though they both hated the arrangement, they were powerless to refuse.
In truth, Brianna was completely trampling on her dignity as Islaw's wife. The woman did things without even consulting her. Agnes was just a servant, yes, but it was only right that Brianna ask for her permission regarding matters involving her own husband.
She had every right to set boundaries when it came to Islaw, as she was his wife and his primary caregiver. But that woman simply looked down on her. Brianna was interfering in their lives in a way that felt like she was stepping all over Agnes. It hurt that no matter what she did, she couldn't go against her boss.
She simply couldn't fight Brianna.
"Islaw?" Her brow furrowed when she spotted her husband.
She hadn't expected to run into him while walking home. She was in the middle of a row of large houses when Islaw suddenly came running toward her and pulled her into a tight hug. She stared up at his beaming face, puzzled.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, wondering how he had made it this far already.
"I-I was waiting for you at home, but you w-weren't there yet, so I t-thought I'd come pick you up."
"Me? Why would you need to pick me up? I can get home on my own."
"So you won't be alone. S-someone is always d-dropping me off and picking me up, so n-now it's my turn to do that for you."
"Oh, you. It's okay for me to walk alone. I'm used to it."
"Don't be s-stubborn, Agnes. I won't p-permit you to walk home all by yo-yourself."
"Aww, my husband is so sweet." Smiling, she hugged him back and pressed her cheek against his.
He only giggled in response.
"What made you want to pick me up all of a sudden?" she asked, pulling back slightly. She was curious.
"I saw s-something on TV about a woman who was r-raped. No one s-saved her because she was w-walking alone in the dark. It was so s-sad. I got worried that the s-same thing might happen to you."
"Is that so? But I'm strong, and I know how to protect myself."
"You're being s-stubborn again, Agnes. Stop a-arguing," he said, sounding a bit irritated.
She couldn't help but laugh as her husband scratched his head in frustration. Not long ago, she was the one scolding him and calling him stubborn; now, their roles were reversed. Now, she was the one being lectured, and Islaw was the one doing the talking.
"F-from now on, I won't l-leave you alone. From now on, I won't l-leave the house without you."
"But what about Lady Brianna? She'll surely be angry with you," she said, pouting at the mention of that woman's name, pretending to be upset.
"I won't r-ride in her car anymore if she won't l-let you ride too. We'll just walk to the mansion t-together. I'd rathe-ther be tired from walking as long as I'm w-with you and we're always t-together."
"Really? But Brianna won't be happy when she finds out you're refusing her rides."
"Agnes, Cholo said B-Brianna has no right to interfe-fere in our lives."
"He's right," she answered softly.
Brianna had no right to interfere in their marriage. Technically, Agnes had the right to forbid Brianna from coming near her husband—the right to keep Islaw all to herself. But she couldn't do it because the Acosta family held her life in their hands. It felt like she would be digging her own grave if she tried to be brave.
Despite the jealousy and pain she felt, she couldn't pull Islaw away from Brianna. It wasn't just because she was a coward, and certainly not because she was okay with Islaw ending up with another woman. It was because, for now, she was just a woman with no power—someone who had to follow the Acostas' every whim.
Another reason she didn't want to fight back was because she was thinking of Islaw. He was all she had, and she knew the Acostas, especially Brianna, weren't foolish enough not to use her husband against her. For now, she just had to obey and know her place as a servant of the Acosta family.
"It's so much f-fun walking when I'm with you," Islaw said, skipping slightly, which made her smile.
"Am I not boring to be with?"
"B-boring? I'm so happy when I'm with you."
"How are you happy? Maybe you're just sweet-talking me."
"S-sweet-talking? Why would I do that? I'm t-telling the truth, Agnes."
She didn't know why her spirits suddenly lifted. Was it because Islaw preferred her company, or simply because she was happy walking beside him while he held her hand? It felt as though all the exhaustion from her work had vanished.
"Prove it to me first. What if you're just saying you're happy with me, but deep down you're not?" She let go of his hand and crossed her arms, acting as if she were hurt.
"So sassy, huh?" he commented, making her chuckle softly.
"Answer me."
"Do I r-really need to prove I'm telling the truth? Isn't it e-enough that I told you I'm truly happy when I'm with you? I'm no l-liar." He pouted and rolled his eyes at the sky.
"Tell me more," she urged, laughing.
"I don't know what else to s-say. You're so d-difficult to please," he grumbled.
"Oh, so you know how to be dramatic now?" she laughed.
"Hmm? F-fine, I'll answer. But once I do, h-hold my hand again, okay?"
"Of course. But if I'm not satisfied with your answer, you're the one washing the dishes."
"Deal!" he answered firmly.
She laughed as Islaw stared at her intently, eye to eye. Just by looking into his beautiful eyes, she could see he was serious about answering her question, even though she was just teasing him to keep their walk from being boring. But her husband took it to heart.
"You know, Agnes, I'm not r-really sure what this f-feeling is when I'm with you. It's hard to know the real d-definition of happy."
"All I know is, I want to be w-with you always. I f-feel something inside. My heart feels like it's j-jumping with joy when you're there, and I feel e-energi-gized."
Agnes smiled.
"But when you're not there, when I can't s-see you or be with you, I'm so sad. It's like s-something is missing. I f-feel like my day is complete when you're b-by my side." After a moment, he stopped walking and turned to face her properly.
"You know, we don't really do much b-besides talk, walk, eat t-together, and sleep t-together. But tho-those simple things are eno-nough for me. Maybe because I'm happy."
Islaw gave Agnes a sweet smile and shyly took hold of her pinky finger. She fell silent for a moment, wanting to savor the feeling of them staring at each other under the moonlight, which acted like a natural spotlight.
It was only then that Agnes realized the world hadn't been entirely cruel to her. She might have been deprived of a family, friends, a good life, and happiness, but here was the most beautiful gift she had ever received: the man standing in front of her. The merman who brought light to what she once thought was a worthless life.
She took a deep breath, and a moment later, she smiled and voluntarily intertwined their fingers. She faced forward and started walking again, and Islaw followed. They still had a long way to go, but she didn't want the walk to end. It felt wonderful walking with Islaw under the light of the moon.
"My Agnes?"
"Yes, my Islaw?"
"You held my hand, so that means I don't have to w-wash the d-dishes?" he asked, suddenly making her laugh.
Way to ruin the moment.
"Fine, you don't have to wash the dishes later."
"Yay! There are just so many d-dishes to wash."
"What do you mean so many? There are only three of us eating."
"Is that how it works? When f-fewer people eat, there are f-fewer d-dishes?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Does that m-mean when we have a baby, I'll have to w-wash a lot of d-dishes?" He pouted, making her burst into laughter.
"Yes, Islaw. More kids mean more dishes to wash."
"Oh no, I really hate w-washing d-dishes."
"What? Do you still want to have a baby then?"
"Hmm-hmm." He nodded eagerly. Was he really sure about having a child?
"I'll just make them w-wash the d-dishes."
"What? So you only want kids so you'll have someone to wash the dishes at home?"
"Could be." Islaw let out a cute giggle, and Agnes just laughed along.
As they walked slowly, they did nothing but talk and laugh. But they stopped when they passed a large house where many people were eating delicious food. It looked like someone was celebrating a birthday tonight.
"Agnes, what's going on?"
"A birthday," she answered shortly before continuing her walk.
"B-birt-hi-day?"
"Birthday, Islaw. A celebration of one's birth."
"What does that mean?" he asked, looking back at the house with its colorful lights and loud music.
She explained the meaning of a birthday to him.
"Is it f-fun to have a birt-hi-day?" he asked, tripping over the word.
"Yes, it's fun. Everyone is kind to you; they greet you like you're very important. You receive gifts, money, food, and anything you want. On that day, you're special, so people treat you specially too."
Agnes looked down as she spoke. She suddenly remembered all the birthdays she had let pass by. On her own birthdays, no one ever made her feel special. Even when she was with Erick, he never made her feel special, not even for a single day. Her birthdays always felt like just another normal day.
"My Agnes, have you ever had a b-birt-hi-day?"
"Last year."
"Was your b-birt-hi-day happy?" he asked, a question she couldn't answer immediately.
"Agnes?"
"Of course, I was happy on my last birthday. But I'm sure my next one will be even happier if you're there on that special day."
"Yay! You'll be h-happy if I'm there because I'll m-make you happy." He gave her a sweet smile that brought her spirits back.
"I'll count on that," she whispered.
"What about you, Islaw? Do you have birthdays where you're from?"
"None," he answered immediately, pouting. "I-I want to have a birt-hi-day too, Agnes." He affectionately wrapped his arms around her waist as they continued walking.
"Alright, when do you want your birthday to be?"
"Tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow? So soon?" She laughed, pulling away from the cute merman.
"Please? J-just please?" He gave her puppy-dog eyes, and she couldn't resist. She couldn't say no to him.
"Alright, I'll prepare something for you tomorrow and give you a gift."
"Yay, I'm so ex-excited!" he exclaimed, stumbling over his words as he jumped for joy.
So cute!
"But Islaw, I can't guarantee a grand feast." She spoke softly, holding his hand. "I want to prepare delicious food for you. Just like the house we passed, I want to give you the best, especially since tomorrow will be the first time you celebrate your birthday. But I can't afford that right now, Islaw. I'm sorry."
"Agnes, even just no-noobles and bread are eno-nough for me. Even just a t-tiny teddy bear as a gift would make me happy. Even if you w-were my teddy bear, I'd be so happy."
"Agnes, let's just have n-noobles tomorrow," he said with a giggle.
Agnes was speechless again because of the sweet and heart-melting words Islaw had for her. She didn't know what to say to this man who seemed to have fallen from heaven, other than thank you. Thank you because Islaw was the only one bringing joy to her life. This merman beside her was the only one, besides Cholo, who made her feel special.
"Thank you, Islaw. But before I get too emotional, let me correct you. It's noodles, not noobles."
"Same thing," he answered with a pout, scratching his head.
She just chuckled softly.
The rest of their walk was filled with quiet plans and shared dreams. When they finally reached home, sleep claimed them quickly, but Agnes was already awake before the sun to make sure the day started perfectly.
"Islaw, happy birthday."
Agnes's tender, soft voice was what roused Islaw from his sleep. He frowned slightly, rubbing one eye before staring at her as if he were completely clueless.
"W-what was that again, Agnes?" he asked cutely, making her chuckle.
"I said, happy birthday to my very cute and affectionate husband."
Before he could even react, Agnes wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his. Islaw became restless, shouting with joy like a child who had just been gifted a new toy. It was adorable.
"Happy birthday!" Cholo greeted.
"It's my birt-hi-day today!" he exclaimed, jumping up and down the moment she let him go.
"Yes, Islaw. It's your birthday, so we're going to have a celebration today."
"Yay!" He clapped his hands before rushing to hug her again.
"You seem so happy, Islaw."
"It's my birt-hi-day, I'm s-special today. I-I'm important today."
"Geez, Big brother. You're only special and important on your birthday if there's a feast and you're feeding people. But in reality, people don't actually care about you," Cholo remarked as he walked into the room.
Agnes shot him a secret glare.
"I don't care! At l-least I became s-special and important!" Islaw shot back defensively, as if holding a grudge against Cholo.
"You're right. This day is very special for you, so I'll do my best to make you happy," she interjected. "But always remember that for me, you don't need a birthday to be special. You've been important to me for a long time—especially in my life." She carefully placed her palm on his soft cheek, stroking it gently with her thumb.
Islaw gave a tearful smile.
"Must be nice," Cholo muttered with a roll of his eyes as he left the room, leaving Agnes laughing.
After their moment in the bedroom, they didn't waste any time. As soon as Islaw got up, he headed straight for the shower while Agnes cooked breakfast and got herself ready. They still had work to do. She planned to celebrate his birthday in the evening so it would be more worth it and they wouldn't have any chores left.
Once they were ready, she and Islaw headed to the Acosta mansion together. Just as Islaw had told her, he no longer wanted to be picked up or dropped off by Brianna's personal driver. They walked together until they reached the mansion. They found Brianna waiting in the living room, glaring at Agnes.
"Are you really trying my patience, Agnes?!" Brianna hissed, dragging her into the kitchen so Islaw wouldn't see her true colors.
"Lady Brianna, I am not doing anything against you," Agnes said firmly. She had somehow found her courage.
"You stupid bitch! You're controlling him, you're manipulating him!"
"It isn't my habit to control or manipulate people, My lady," Agnes replied with a pointed undertone.
"What a liar. Didn't I say he was to be picked up from now on? He would have been here earlier. But because of you—"
"Because of me, your plan was ruined?" Agnes finished in a low tone. "Lady Brianna, I know your tactics to steal my husband from me. But even so, I didn't control or manipulate him to distance himself from you." she said firmly.
"Islaw himself chose to walk with me instead of riding in your expensive car. In short, he prefers my company," she added quietly.
"Are you really testing me? You have no right to answer back!"
Brianna's teeth ground together in rage. She gripped Agnes's right arm tightly and raised her hand to slap her. But before her palm could land on Agnes's cheek, Islaw suddenly appeared from the living room with a bright smile.
"Agnes, Agnes!" Islaw skipped toward her.
"W-what is it, Islaw?"
"Madame B-Beattrice said we can go to the m-market later!"
"The market? For what? To run from your tasks? Agnes, you're not going anywhere. I have so much for you to do; I'm going to make your life miserable," Brianna whispered harshly to her.
"I-I'm going too, Agnes."
"Islaw, you don't need to go to that smelly, dirty market. There are plenty of stocks here at the mansion," Brianna said.
"N-no! We're going to the market because it's my bir-hi-day today. We're going to buy f-food for my cel-celebration!" Islaw exclaimed excitedly.
"What? Today is his birthday? Why didn't you tell me?" Brianna shot Agnes a furious look.
"Lady Brianna, I didn't feel the need to inform you—"
"You're really testing me, aren't you? I swear, I'll make you suffer," Brianna threatened before turning back to her husband. "Islaw, we're going out today."
"Lady Brianna, where are you taking Islaw?"
"None of your business," Brianna snapped.
"W-where are we going?" Islaw asked, tilting his head.
"Well, we're going to the Mall. I'll show you around, buy you new and expensive things, and get you whatever you want."
Islaw's eyes widened at the news. His shock was soon replaced by intense joy at the thought of Brianna being willing to spend on anything he wanted. Agnes stood there, silently watching her husband's happy reaction.
"You'll buy me toy c-cars and a ball?"
"Yes! I'll buy everything you want. I'll even take you to the most expensive restaurant—something your wife could never do for you," Brianna smirked, her voice low so only the two of them could hear.
"Wow! Yay!" Islaw jumped for joy, which sent a sharp pang through Agnes's heart.
Why did it hurt so much?
"Is the M-mall nice? Is it like the market?"
"Yes, Islaw. It's like a market, but the market is just a cheap and dirty version. Agnes fits right in there," Brianna said with a mocking smirk toward Agnes.
"Agnes, are you r-ready? She said we're going." Islaw hugged her happily.
"Islaw, that woman isn't coming. It's just the two of us."
"What? I don't want to. If Agnes doesn't c-come, I don't want to g-go." He pouted, looking ready to cry.
"Islaw, don't make me mad at you. You're coming with me, just the two of us," Brianna said, her tone becoming irritated, which alarmed Agnes.
She knew that tone. It meant Brianna was no longer amused, and she feared Brianna might take her anger out on Islaw. She knew exactly what Brianna was capable of. Before the lady could lose her temper with Islaw, Agnes stepped in.
"Islaw, go with Lady Brianna. She has many gifts for you, so go with her. You'll have fun there," she told the innocent merman with a smile, though her heart felt like it was breaking.
"Agnes, w-what about you?"
"I still have work to take care of. Then I'll go to the market for your celebration. I'll just see you at home."
"Are you s-sure, my Agnes? I won't go if you don't want me to."
If only she could. If only Agnes could tell Islaw that she didn't want him to go—that she didn't want him with Brianna. She wanted to be the only one with him on his birthday. But she couldn't say it.
"It's okay, Islaw. Go on, get going." She smiled and turned away.
She walked away and pretended to be busy cooking breakfast for their boss, but the truth was she didn't want Islaw to see how much it hurt that he was spending his special day with Brianna instead of her. But what else could she do but pretend she was fine?
Agnes gasped when Islaw suddenly hugged her from behind. He gave her a loud kiss on the cheek before Brianna forcibly pulled him away. She was left alone, but her heart felt slightly lighter because of what Islaw had done.
So sweet.
She spent hours doing chores before asking Madame Beattrice for permission to go to the market. Her budget could only cover some noodles, spring rolls, and chicken, but she insisted on buying two slices of cake for Islaw and Cholo.
After shopping, Agnes rushed back to the mansion to finish her remaining tasks. It was around three o'clock when she finally finished and went home. She didn't even think about resting; she immediately started cooking and decorating the house so Islaw would be happy when he returned.
"Big brother, you're here!" Cholo greeted a smiling Islaw enthusiastically as he walked into the living room.
"Agnes!"
"Islaw, I'm glad you're home." Agnes smiled, picking up her gift and intending to hand it to him, but she stopped when Cholo spoke.
"Big brother, you look so happy!"
"Yes, Bri-Brianna and I had so m-much fun earlier!" his exclamation made her freeze. Agnes could feel Cholo's eyes on her.
"Agnes, look! Look!" He excitedly laid out the paper bags he was carrying.
"What are those?" Cholo asked.
"So much f-food! There are clothes, s-shoes, s-shorts, and I even have toys." Islaw talked as if showing off his haul.
Agnes quietly hid her gift behind her back.
"Brianna g-gave you all of that?"
"Yes, Agnes."
"Really? You look very happy, Islaw." She gave him a sweet smile, though she couldn't understand why her eyes were starting to water.
"Hmm-hmm! I'm so happy because B-Brianna took me to so many beautiful p-places. Then she b-bought me lots of f-food. There was s-spaghetti, c-chocolate, and c-chicken. She also bought a ball and toy cars." He went on and on.
Agnes couldn't deny the tightening in her chest after hearing him. She could see the pure joy on his face as he told his stories, and perhaps that was what hurt her the most.
She glanced toward the kitchen. She saw the humble decorations she had put up—just construction paper taped to the wall with "Happy Birthday" written on it. On the table sat the modest amount of food she had prepared.
"Big sis, are you okay?" Cholo asked her.
"I'm just going to clear away the food," she answered, heading to the kitchen. The two followed her.
"Hmm? What are you doing, Agnes?" Islaw frowned, tilting his head.
"She's putting away the things she prepared for your birthday, because it seems you don't need them since you're already so happy with Brianna's celebration," Cholo answered grumpily before leaving them.
"Agnes?" Islaw pouted, walking over to her.
"I'm sorry, Islaw. I'm your wife, but I couldn't even do the things Brianna did for your birthday. I couldn't even give you the things she gave you." She couldn't stop the tears from falling.
It might have looked emotional, but she couldn't help it. She was hurting deeply. She was the wife, but it was Brianna who spent the whole day with him on his special day. Brianna gave Islaw the things that she should have been providing. She felt like all she could do was mope while Brianna did whatever she wanted.
"This is all I can give you. I'm not like her. I'm not as high-class. I'm not as rich. Her things are expensive and beautiful, but look at me. I look like your aunt because of how I look. Most of all, she can give you everything you want, which I can't do."
"I'm not like her, Islaw." She turned away, but Islaw immediately hugged her, making her startle.
"Agnes, I love you. I'm okay with w-whatever food you have. I'm okay with whatever d-design for my birt-hi-day as long as it's from you. I'm already happy and content."
"You don't have to lie to make me feel better, Islaw. It's okay. I know and I can see how happy you were with what she gi—"
"N-no! I-I don't need those t-things. I was with B-Brianna earlier, but you were always on my mind." He stamped his feet and began to wail.
Agnes was speechless as Islaw ran to the living room, and she was shocked by what he did next. He grabbed the food and toys Brianna had bought and started throwing them one by one. She saw Islaw like a child having a tantrum, which made her sigh.
"I don't want this! I don't want any of it!"
"Islaw, stop it," she scolded, but instead of stopping, he turned to the table.
"This is what I want! This, only this!"
Without a word, Islaw grabbed the noodles with his bare hands and shoved them into his mouth like a starving child. He didn't even skip the cake. Agnes just shook her head and let him be. She realized he wouldn't listen to her anyway, especially since his face was flushed with emotion.
"So what if you're not as h-high-class as B-Brianna? So what if you're not as r-rich? So what if her clo-clothes and things are e-ex-expensive? And so what if she can give me everything? You're not l-like her. You'll never be like her, because you're the only one in my h-heart."
"Islaw." She was speechless at the passionate words he had just spoken.
"I love you, my Agnes."
"I love you too, Islaw," he whispered, effectively ending their argument.
Islaw hugged her, and she immediately hugged him back, holding each other tightly. After their emotional embrace, the three of them began to eat, ignoring the gifts and food from Brianna scattered on the floor.
"Islaw, happy birthday." She smiled and handed him a small paper bag.
"Wow! A g-gift for me!" He clapped his hands in delight.
"I'm sure you'll like that, big brother."
Islaw didn't say a word, too excited to open the gift he had received from her. He practically tore the paper bag. When he saw what was inside, his eyes sparkled. That alone was enough to make her smile.
"A teddy bear!" he exclaimed, stomping his feet.
"Do you like it, Islaw?"
"Hmm-hmm! I love it so m-much!" He hugged her while squealing.
"It was cheap. I only bought it for a hundred, but I'm glad you like it."
"Even if it only cost a p-peso, I love it!"
"Well, there you go. Let's eat again," Cholo said, making them all laugh.
"Thank you, my Agnes," Islaw whispered before kissing her.
He kissed her on the lips.