Agnes slept soundly, thanks to finishing her work early with the help of Islaw and Cholo. To make it even better, she had the most wonderful dream. She saw herself in a lush, shimmering white gown, walking toward an altar where a handsome man stood waiting for her—it was none other than her husband.
In her dream, she was getting married to Islaw.
It was already six in the morning, but Agnes didn't notice. Her eyes didn't want to open, and her body refused to get out of bed. Even with her eyes closed, her hand wandered across the bed, searching. She felt a rough hand and immediately pulled it toward her.
Still not satisfied, she let her hand slide up his muscular arm and hugged it tight. She even wrapped her leg around him, clinging as if she were squeezing a favorite pillow. She only stopped when she heard a low groan, as if she had hurt someone.
"O-ouch, Agnes. That hurts," Islaw said, causing her eyes to snap open.
"Islaw!"
She immediately let go of his arm and bolted upright. As she woke up, she realized it was Islaw's arm she had been squeezing so fiercely. He was sitting on the bed, hunched over, his arm nearly mangled by her grip. She hadn't noticed earlier, she had just been too lost in her sleep.
"I'm sorry, Islaw. I didn't realize."
"That really hurt, Agnes," Islaw said with a pout.
"I'm so sorry, Islaw. I didn't mean to."
Guilt-ridden, she moved closer and took the hand she had nearly broken. She gently stroked and massaged his arm, which was already a bit red. She must have really been gripping him hard. Was she really that eager?
"Does it still hurt?"
"Not as m-much anymore."
"Then why are you still pouting if it doesn't hurt?"
"Nothing. I'm just acting c-cute for you," he answered before giggling, though he wasn't satisfied and pouted again.
"Something's missing. You're not quite cute enough for me yet."
"What? I'm not super c-cute yet? What's m-missing?" He scowled, stomping his feet on the bed.
"Hold on."
Smiling, Agnes leaned in and kissed Islaw on the cheek, catching him by surprise. Even she was a little shocked by her own boldness. Lately, despite her busy schedule, she had become much more affectionate and clingy toward Islaw. She didn't know why, but she was acting even sweeter than the couples she saw on TV.
"A-Agnes, you kissed me!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide. Both of his cheeks turned bright red.
"There. You became much cuter when your cheeks turned red. Plus, those wide eyes of yours." She laughed, covering her mouth with her palm.
"Really? Am I super c-cute now?"
"Yes. You look like Mrs. Merna's pet bird. You look like an owl."
"An o-owl? That's not cute!" he grumbled, annoyed.
Mrs. Merna was one of the vegetable vendors at the market, and they were regular customers of hers. The old woman had a pet owl that she often brought to the market, so Islaw knew exactly what kind of animal it was. In fact, Islaw was terrified of the owl because he thought its stare was deadly.
"An o-owl isn't cute! It's s-scary! That means I'm not cute. I'm s-scary." Islaw pouted even deeper, and his eyebrows began to redden.
"Here you go again. My Islaw is about to cry."
She immediately began to soothe him.
"Don't cry anymore. You should probably take a bath because we have work to do. Brianna will scold us if we're late to the plaza again."
"Okay."
As she said, they both got up from the bed to start their daily routine before heading to work. Before going to the kitchen, she fixed the chair that served as her bed and then cleaned Islaw's room. That man was a restless sleeper, so his room was always a mess.
"Islaw?" When Agnes entered the kitchen, she immediately hugged her husband from behind. He was busy washing a knife.
"Agnes, I'll handle the cooking, okay?"
"Are you sure? You're always the one cooking in the morning and evening."
It was true. Ever since Islaw learned how to cook and help with the chores, he wouldn't let her do any housework. He even insisted on getting her water himself. Islaw treated her better than a princess.
"I love you, so I'll do e-everything for you." The young man turned slightly with a smile before starting to peel the onions and garlic.
"Thank you, my Islaw." Teasingly, she blew into his ear, making him giggle.
"Welcome."
"Because of that, I take back what I said earlier. You don't really look like an owl."
"Really?!" He turned to her, his face lighting up.
"Yes. You don't look like that because you're so cute and very handsome. No one can beat you." She playfully pinched both of his cheeks.
"Yay!" He clapped his hands happily.
"I'm going to take a bath now."
"Okay. By the time you're done, the f-fried rice and eggs will be ready," Islaw said, stumbling over his words.
She didn't answer and went to the room to get her clothes for work. Her shower only took about five minutes, and by the time she was done, Islaw was finished cooking. Just like every other day, they ate together until they finished their morning tasks.
Agnes and Islaw arrived at the plaza at seven in the morning. Agnes had decided to hire a tricycle since she had woken up late—something that was sure to make Brianna explode with rage. As soon as they stepped off the tricycle, they were met by a massive crowd of people, all busy with their own tasks.
The festival had officially begun.
"Big sister, Big brother!" Cholo suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Oh! Cholo, you're here. Who are you with?"
"With my parents. It's the festival today, so my mother has no work and father isn't out fishing."
"I'm happy for you, Cholo. Finally, you get to go around with your family again."
"Yes, Big sis."
"Cholo, your mom is so fat," Islaw suddenly interjected, poking Cholo and pointing toward his parents.
"Of course. Father takes really good care of her."
"She looks like a w-whale. There are many w-hales in the sea, but she also looks like my friend, the puf-pufferfish. Their t-teeth looks the same."
"Islaw, that's bad!" Agnes scolded him secretly, but Cholo just laughed.
"And your dad looks like a fishbone," Islaw added.
"Because father is really thin. Mother is quite a big eater, so she always ends up finishing father's food," Cholo replied, laughing.
"Doesn't your mom c-crush your dad?"
"All the time, so father's used to it by now."
"You two... when it comes to mischief, you're perfectly in sync." Agnes laughed, ruffling both of their hair. "Anyway, Cholo, we'll see you later. Your big brother and I have things to take care of."
"Big sister, you still have work? It's the festival today. Isn't everyone supposed to be off?"
"You know how special I am to the Acosta family," she said meaningfully.
"That's unfair. You and big brother should be on a date today."
"A date? Agnes, I want a date!" Islaw suddenly exclaimed.
"Sorry, Islaw, not yet. We have work today. Come on, let's go."
Agnes said a quick goodbye to Cholo and waved at his parents before pulling Islaw by the hand toward the back of the plaza. They were heading to the aquarium again, and this time, she held his hand with an iron grip. Agnes had no intention of letting go; she wasn't going to let what happened yesterday repeat itself.
"Everything looks in order. The mermaid show starts at eight tonight, and since there are no issues, we can head out for now."
"Where are we going, Agnes?"
"We're going to the restaurant of—" she stopped for a moment to take a breath.
"Of?"
"Erick's. Lady Brianna's boyfriend."
"What are we g-going to do there, Agnes?"
"We're picking up all of Mr. Morris's food orders. In other towns, people prepare their own food. But in our town, the mayor prepares everything for the festival and feeds everyone."
"Are we the only ones picking up the food?"
"Yes. Lady Brianna wouldn't let me ask for help. She loves making things hard for me," I whispered, though Islaw didn't hear. "Is it okay if I ask for your help?"
"Of cour-course, Agnes. We're husband and wife, so we help e-each other."
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
They took the van to Erick's newly built restaurant. Stepping out, Agnes couldn't help but stare at the tall, two-story building. It was in Erick and Brianna's restaurant where their deception and betrayal toward her had all begun. She could never forget even the smallest detail.
"Agnes, I w-worked here before!" Islaw shouted.
She remembered how Erick had forced Islaw to carry all the furniture inside, only to pay him coins. That Erick was truly a terrible person, she couldn't believe she once loved him. If she could turn back time, she would never have given him a chance.
"Agnes! Why are you only arriving now?!" Brianna barked the moment they entered the kitchen.
She expected that. "I'm sorry, Lady Brianna."
"Sorry again? Agnes, I'm getting tired of that line. Are you really testing my patience?!" She irritably poked her forehead hard.
"Don't!" her husband immediately stepped in between them.
"Don't get involved in this, Islaw. This woman of yours never learns."
"She's not j-just a woman, s-she's my wife!" Islaw snapped, which seemed to make Brianna even more furious.
"I don't care. This woman needs to be taught a lesson!"
"Why?" Islaw tilted his head.
"She's pushing me! I was running out of patience with that woman!"
"I'm sorry, Lady Brianna. It won't happen again."
"It certainly won't once you taste my slap—"
Brianna moved to slap Agnes, and she had no intention of dodging it; doing so would only make Brianna's rage harder. But before her palm could land on Agnes's face, Islaw caught the slap intended for her.
"Islaw, are you okay?" she asked, full of worry as she comforted her husband, whose cheek was already turning red.
"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!" Brianna exclaimed, but then she pushed Agnes away from Islaw.
"It hurts!" Islaw looked at Agnes, tears in his eyes.
"This is your fault, Agnes!" Brianna screamed.
Agnes didn't answer. Instead, she bypassed Brianna and hugged Islaw, who looked ready to cry at any moment. She didn't care what Brianna would say or do anymore. She wanted to comfort him; from the sound of that slap, she knew it wasn't a joke.
"Hush now, don't cry. I know how brave my husband is," she whispered, gently rubbing his back.
"I'm s-strong!"
"Yes, that's right. My husband is strong. My Islaw is brave."
That seemed to calm him down.
"That's enough of your flirtation, Agnes. Be thankful that Islaw is here. Get back to work." Brianna gave a flirtatious smile and tried to approach Islaw, but Agnes immediately grabbed his arm.
"You're right, I need to get back to work. We'll start moving the food to the van so we can bring it to the court."
"Who said you're taking Islaw? Islaw will be staying here. It's Islaw's day off, I'm taking him out."
"Day o-off?" Islaw frowned.
"Yes, day off. You have no work today. Agnes will do everything. And you, Islaw, are coming with me. Let's roam together."
"No!" Islaw immediately hid behind Agnes.
That's her Islaw.
"Islaw, do not try to disobey me!"
"Lady Brianna, with all due respect..." Agnes couldn't take it anymore and finally spoke up. "Perhaps my husband and I are powerless because we are just your workers. But please, know your place. Know where you belong and who you are in my husband's life."
"You're just his boss, and I am the wife." she gave a mocking smile that made Brianna's teeth grind.
"You! Not long ago, you were like a shivering wreck who was terrified of me. You could almost urinate for fear of me back then. But now that you're in front of Islaw, you're acting tough. You're acting like you're something, when in reality, you're a loser!"
What Brianna said was true; Agnes couldn't deny that she used to be paralyzed by fear of her. She couldn't even protect or defend herself. But things were different now. When Islaw arrived, so much changed. He taught her to be brave. She had to be brave for him.
"I'm not acting tough, Lady Brianna. And I'm not looking for a fight. But when Islaw is involved, I'm showing you that I can fight back."
"The audacity!" Brianna smirked in annoyance. Based on her reaction, she was reaching her boiling point.
"I never intended to oppose you, but now I am ready to give up everything and face everything for Islaw. Even you, Brianna—I will face you and fight you just so I don't lose my husband." Agnes glanced briefly at Islaw, who had been staring at the delicious food the whole time. He had no idea she and Brianna were in a heated argument.
"You have a lot of nerve, you hypocrite!"
"I'm just telling the truth, my Lady. Besides Islaw, you were the one who taught me to be brave and fight back. You stole from me before, but not anymore."
"That's where you're wrong. I've done it before, and I can do it again. I stole Erick from you without effort, and I can do it again—and this time, it's Islaw you'll lose. Just wait, you'll see an annulment paper as a gift from Islaw soon enough."
"Go ahead, I'll be waiting. But Lady Brianna, like you said, you did that before. And now, you won't be able to do it again because I already know your style." she gave a sweet smile as Brianna was left speechless.
"We'll be going now, my Lady." Agnes turned away, but after a moment, she looked back. "Oh, by the way, about what you said earlier. I'm a loser—I admit that. But for Islaw, between the two of us, I am the winner."
Her words turned Brianna red with pure rage.
Agnes finally turned her back. Her legs felt weak as she walked to the table and, with Islaw's help, started carrying out the food trays. After loading the food into the van, she nearly collapsed. Luckily, Islaw caught her, looking extremely worried.
"Agnes, Agnes! Are you okay?"
"Calm down, Islaw. You look like you're the one about to faint because you're so worried." she laughed as she got into the vehicle.
The driver started the van.
"Are you tired? D-does your head hurt? Are you hungry? Do you want to eat? Do you want to r-rest first? Are you thi-thirsty? What do you want—" Islaw was stumbling over his questions, showing just how much he cared.
"Islaw, calm down. I'm fine."
"B-but why did you fall? You w-wouldn't fall if you were okay!" He hugged her with a pout, burying his face in her neck, not caring that the driver was taking quick peeks at them.
"I just lost a bit of strength when I talked back to Lady Brianna. I didn't expect I could answer her like that."
"You talked back to B-Brianna? Did she ask a q-question? What was the q-question?" Islaw looked at her, tilting his head.
"She didn't literally ask a question. I meant we had an argument—we fought with words."
"Agnes, why is she a-always mad at you?"
"Many reasons, Islaw. Ever since we were kids, she's been like that."
"Do you always fight w-with her?"
"No. Even before, I couldn't find it in me to fight for myself. But then you arrived. You taught me how to be brave."
"Me?" He pointed at himself in shock, making her laugh.
"Yes, you. I became brave, and my cowardice disappeared because of you. Now, I'm ready to face everything, fight everything, and gamble everything I have just for you," she whispered softly in his ear.
"You'd do that for me?"
"Of course. I'm brave, right?"
"My Agnes is brave!" Islaw shouted, clapping his hands.
Agnes learned so much about life because of Islaw. She know talking back to Brianna was a huge risk, and she don't know what will happen next, but it doesn't matter. What's important is that she let Brianna know she's not the coward who couldn't fight for Erick anymore.
Because she will fight for Islaw, no matter what happens.