The Wicked Mrs. Gastrell (English version)

“What’s this for?”

I picked up the clothes Cholo threw at me. I looked at it with disgust. Really? Who the fuck still wears a plain rainbow dress in this time and place?

He went into the walk-in closet and came back dressed. He’s wearing simple khaki shorts and a white polo shirt paired with a white sneakers. His sunglasses were raised on his head while taking something from the drawer.

“Wear that. We’ll go to my mother’s house. I’ve already said yes for lunch today.”

I stood up from sitting on the bed. The strapless black dress I was wearing fell to the floor that I had been using to seduce my husband. I did all sorts of things. I arched my back, and exposed my thigh but he still ignored me.

I expected that we’ll just spent the day making love in all the corners of the house because it’s the first time that Cholo took a one-week vacation.

I got the info from the nameless girl when I went to my husband’s office.

“We’re going to mom? Why didn’t you tell me beforehand? I could have prepared something for her. What should we bring?”

I wandered around the room while remembering the last encounter between me and his mother. It’s definitely not a good one. He put something in his pocket before glancing at me for a moment.

“Don’t bother, Karina. We all knew how my mother hated you. As you might realize now, it’s just for another day of playing theatrics. It’s for the media and the people again for our image. I’m sure you know what to do, right? You already have experience.”

He stormed out of the room and left me gritting my teeth in anger.

How dare he?! How dare him casually tell me how he ruined my life! If it’s not for him and his never-ending pursuit for that good image they so badly wanted to maintain, then I should not be here in the first place. I should not be here eating every insulting remark and chewing them down as if it didn’t leave me wounded all over again.

“But if it’s for the better Cholo then I’ll willingly do it.”

I threw the clothes in the trash then went into my separate walk-in closet that I made just for me. A few major revisions have also started in the mansion which Cholo strongly opposed but nothing happened when I blackmailed him that I would burn all the portraits of his family.

He told me I’m crazy and I just laughed it off because it’s true. He knew he couldn’t stop me so he just let me be.

I went down the stairs wearing a black strapless scarf top and high waisted shorts with a studded belt. I paired it with black sneakers and a black belt bag. I also wore heavily tinted black shades, and black make-up. I don’t even wear any jewelry except for my ring on my left hand.

I wasn’t surprised when he shook his head while staring at me. For the past weeks, he has managed to adjust to my love for anything that’s black. He even compared me to the old me who likes light colors. There was some pain in his thinking about the past, but I just let it go.

“Thank you.” I smiled at him when he opened the door of the car for me.

He stopped in his tracks and just stared at me.

I saw his fists clenched as if he was holding himself back from what he wanted to do. In the end, he just fixed my seatbelt before going around to the other door and driving the car. I still heard his violent breathing.

The ride was quiet. I was confused by what he showed earlier. Could it be that he’s warming up to me? I looked at Cholo who was concentrating on driving. His biceps are flexing every time he grapples with the steering wheel.

A bittersweet smile loomed on my lips. I can still affect him in ways that could make his life a living hell. I sighed. I don’t know if it’s really a good thing or not.

It’s reassuring at the same time. I don’t know if I can handle the karma that will come in the end.

We arrived at the destination without talking. He opened the door for me and took my hand. I caught my breath when the memories of the two of us floated in my mind.

The holding hands, the kissing, the unspoken love, the betrayal, and the inferno that followed after.

“Just stick with me. They have nothing good to say to you so if you don’t want to get hurt, just stick to me.”

I smiled bitterly. He had said that to me before. I clung to him but he let go of me first.

“Sure but just a thing, hub, I don’t need anyone’s savings. I can perfectly safeguard myself but if you still insist then I can always be that girl. I’ll stick to you no matter what.”

I smiled at him as I tightened my grip on his hand. This time, I will hold this hand for as long as I can. I won’t let him go or have someone take him away from me. I even caught the small smile that appeared at the corner of his mouth before he quickly wiped it away. His hand went up to my ear and caressed it lightly.

“Come on. They must be waiting for us.”

I smiled and hugged him. I guess he is also excited. He just didn’t want to show it because he knew I would use it against him. I almost tear my hair out with joy. No one can really resist me.

We enter the Gastrells’ vacation home where his parents have permanently retired. As a tradition, they left the entire mansion to Cholo. The mansion is bequeathed to the eldest son when the first son reaches the age of 25.

“You didn’t tell me your cousins will be here,” I asked Cholo when I spotted cousins Sharlot and Seraphina sitting on chairs on the wide lawn of the house.

“I also don’t know about them being here.”

He sighed. “I don’t know if I can still believe my mother. Come on.”

Shrugging our shoulders, we headed towards the two women who were laughing happily. When they saw us, they deliberately surveyed me from head to toe and raised their brows in the air. It’s like they treat me like they don’t know me. I can still see how Sharlot stares at the lavish designer brands on my clothes.

“Hi, Cholo.”

Seraphina stood up and hugged her cousin but her eyes were only on me.

“Is it really Karina? My God! Who is her sugar daddy to look like this? She looks like a nanny in her style back then. I can’t forget the girl who doesn’t know about Christian Louboutin and Donatella Versace.”

I just smiled knowing that the only thing she wanted now was to belittle and annoy me.

“And don’t forget how she thought it’s a furniture name. Gosh! The old version of your wife cousin is a walking doughnut,” said Sharlot who hugged Cholo next. My husband sighed.

“Ladies, stop it. Where is mom?”

“Cholo, you don’t have to defend your wife. It’s an open secret in the family. All of us know the secret between the two of you.”

Everyone turned to the source of the voice except me. I gathered air to ease the hatred I felt before smiling and turning to the lady whose beauty was still unfading despite her old age. I slowly looked into her eyes.

And it’s as if my heart stopped beating. My eyes watered because I was staring at a pair of eyes I would love to see again. I genuinely smiled at Cholo’s mother and walked towards her. I hugged her mother with a smile and closed my eyes.

In my mind I remember a scene that I will keep going back to every day, every night that passes, every second that passes until my last breath.

Donya Teodora stiffened but did not push me away. Everyone was silent. A few seconds passed before I calmed down and moved slightly away to kiss the old woman’s cheek.

“Good afternoon, mom. I’m sorry because we are only able to visit you now. Cholo wants to spend all his time with me. He missed me so much,” I said giggling.

Sharlot was surprised and coughed from the champagne she was drinking. Seraphina and Donya Teodora were also looking at us in disbelief. As for Cholo, I didn’t bother to look at him. I know he is frowning.

“You’ve been fucking her Cholo?! How about Elizabeth?” Sharlot exclaimed.

I shot them with cold eyes.

“What’s wrong with a husband having sex with his wife? It’s natural. What’s not right is to do it with a personal driver to release the heat that you can’t relieve on your own.”

Sharlot’s eyes became sharp as she immediately drank from the glass in her hand.

“That’s enough,” Donya Teodora scolded us authoritatively. She looked at me intently.

“Some things don’t really change, Karina. Even if you wrap yourself in pretend wealth and cover up where you once came from, your true stench will always stink.”

“Mom, enough,” Cholo stopped her this but she ignored it.

“I don’t know why you have brought her here. I don’t want to lose my appetite, son.”

“Karina is still my wife even if it’s just in the name. You should still respect her. Let’s go inside to eat.”

Cholo pulled me in by the hand. I left only a triumphant smile to the three of them, their faces contorted with annoyance. We entered the dining area where the table was full of food.

“Wow! How many battalions will your mother feed to prepare this lavishly? Maybe she just missed me too much. Oh well, not th-”

I stopped talking when Elizabeth’s face appeared from the dirty kitchen with a platter of seafood.

I felt Cholo stop and sigh. He slipped his hold on my hand but before I let him let go of me the second time around, I chased his finger and locked his hands on me again.

“I invited your fiancee here,” said Donya Teodora’s voice behind us. “Son, Elizabeth, sit now.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I looked at Cholo and raised an eyebrow. He just dismissed me and pulled a chair for me. I was very grateful that he stood beside me.

If he didn’t then they would have to bid goodbye to all these sumptuous food because I will gladly throw these on their faces.

Elizabeth sat across the table with Cholo’s cousins on her sides. Teodora sat at the front of the table. I took good care of Cholo. I put food on him and filled his glass with something to drink. I even volunteered to cut the meat for him but he shook his head to decline. His face was still frowning as he stole a glance at Elizabeth from time to time.

“So Cholo, when will you annul Karina? Right after my brother wins the election or will you give it another month to let the chatter die down first?” Charlotte asked.

I stopped chewing on the very tender meat and turned to my husband who had clenched jaws.

“Sharlot, I don’t think it’s right to discuss my personal life with you. Remember the problem you and your husband are dealing with before you interfere in the lives of others.”

I stopped myself from laughing so I just giggled.

“Oops sorry. I mean, where’s the lie?” I said to them when they looked at me evilly again.

“Cholo, I don’t think there’s any more important than family matters. She will only damage the name of our clan if that woman continues to cling to you. Who would know what she would do while dragging our name in the process? She might even use the influence attached to our family for her own good. She will just taint our family’s name,” Seraphina joined the conversation.

“Precisely my point. And what about Elizabeth’s reputation? The whole of Cerro Roca knows that you promised her marriage. You have to discard this bitch and redeem yourself! It’s embarrassing for the Asturias!” Sharlot pushed for the topic.

“Your cousin has a point, Cholo. I suggest you file for an annulment after the election. I know it’s my fault for registering your marriage years ago. I was only driven by fears that someone might actually look for real evidence. But now, times have changed already. The people now are crucifying anyone who is accused of cheating especially inside the marriage. What do you think?”

I was silent while cutting the meat. I’m waiting for my husband to speak to press me further or to defend me.

“Mom, leave my personal life alone. I can handle it,” Cholo said shortly.

I rolled my eyes. I don’t think he can once I started being the brat wife.

I took a bite of the asparagus before speaking.

“Cholo is right, mom. Leave this to us. My husband and I should solve this since we are the ones who caused this problem.”

I glanced at the direction of Elizabeth who was very quiet before continuing.

“But rest assured that we will fix our relationship. In fact, we are actually preparing for our second wedding. Cholo wants to give me a second marriage in the church.”

I placed my hand on Cholo’s fist that was on the table and smiled sweetly.

“Right, hub?”

“What?!” Sharlot at Seraphina shouted in unison.

“Are you crazy, Cholo? You are going to marry that woman who fooled you?! My god! What are you thinking?!” Sharlot exclaimed.

I glanced again at Elizabeth who had stopped eating. I don’t see any hint of panic in her eyes. She raised her hand and appeased Donya Teodora whose face was red with anger. Then her gaze shifted to me and his face was full of seriousness as she spoke.

“I won’t let that happen, Karina. I won’t let the father of my child marry another woman.”

My smile faded and my chest tightened. I turned harshly at Cholo who looked as surprised as everyone else in the table. My hand seemed to lose strength as it slowly let go of Cholo’s hand. I gasped for air to stop my eyes from clouding up.

Elizabeth Asturia, you beat me for the third time again.