Aviena's POV
"River's not replying, Vena?" Tessy asked me. It was as if she wanted to say something but chose to keep her mouth shut. I just smiled a little before looking at my phone. I don't know what's wrong with River but he rarely replies for the past few days. Because of the trouble that happened here on the set, our shoot in Batanes lasted for 7 days.
I just typed a message to update him on what I was doing.
Me:
We're going to our last stop here in Batanes. See you in Sunday!
Me:
Have you eaten your lunch?
Husband:
Yup.
After that, he had no reply. I don’t know if he was just too busy with his work or just he was really cold to me right now. I just shrugged my shoulders. He probably just has a lot of things to do like me.
“Vena, my boyfriend saw River in some bars in Manila. I don't know if you know this but they said that he was with a girl,” Julie said when I passed by their side. I just furrowed my forehead at her. These past few days they always say that to me but I don't really believe them.
River is not the type who will not follow the contract. We can't date someone in public. I also stopped thinking because of that. Public. Right. We can't date someone in public but we can date in private.
I also can't help but remember some conversations my sister and I had. Right. River and I just have a contract marriage. I don't know why I'm getting serious about what we have right now. Is it because I’m happy with what we have? I'm not sure either.
I just bit my lip so hard and joined the shoot with deep thought. The shoot was repeated several times because I'm not being myself. I just apologized. Direk couldn't do anything because of me. Almost everyone is afraid to criticize me because they feel I can afford to destroy them. They thought that I had a backup, which was River.
That's what happens for the next few days. I haven't gone back to Manila but I've heard so many things about him. He always says he was in a meeting which I also believe because I don't think it's his job to lie. I just couldn’t help but feel sad that he was cold to me.
“Thanks for your time. We can visit different places here tomorrow! I'm sorry that we got delays. Let's have dinner together!” Direk said that's why some staff immediately agreed. I also did nothing but follow them.
Me:
Hey, we have dinner together with all the staff tonight. We won't be able to call each other again: ((
I saw River's reply. River and I hardly talked anymore because he was busy with work while we were so serious with the shoot too.
Husband:
Enjoy.
I can't help but pout. Why was he so cold? Is he too lazy to type again? Then he can call me instead if that's the case?
Me:
Have you eaten? Don't forget to eat po
Husband:
Not yet. I'll eat later.
Me:
Okieee. Can I call later? Don't you miss mee??? I miss you a bit.
Husband:
Alright. I'll call you later.
Me:
What are you doing now? Still busy?
Husband:
Meeting.
I just nodded there before I put down my phone. I just stopped smiling as well. I don't know what's wrong with him but I know
just a little tenderness in that one is back to normal. I already know how he really tickles.
"Vena!" Julie called me when we left the resto after eating with Direk. I can't stop furrowing my eyebrows because of her.
“Look, to make you believe. Greta's Instagram live just ended,” she said before showing the replay video of Greta's live. River entered the bar with a woman. I turned to Julie and just smiled. I'm happy that she's concerned about me now but it seems like she's not the only one who knows because some staff is also watching my expression. Some were still smiling so I also couldn’t help but look back on the live.
“He’s in his meeting. He said that to me,” I said so Julie immediately looked at me.
“Are you sure, Vena? But I heard that this past few days, he always comes back there. Please don't be offended. The woman is also his ex-girlfriend. A famous model from other countries,” Julie told me. She looks like she's really worried about me.
I just nodded before smiling.
“Thank you for your concern, Julie, but it’s really fine. River told me his whereabouts, don't worry,” I said, acting as if I know all about it. Julie turned to me before nodding slowly.
“You’re really lucky to have him, Vena. I hope for the two of you to last for so long!” she said to me so I just smiled slightly again.
I also said goodbye to them saying that I would be returning to the hotel.
I was even able to search again for the name of Greta, in another staff account close to us. I tried to look at her live. It's really River and the girl she was with is really pretty. I know her. Kylie Denise. The caliber of River's likes is also really different. He can really get anyone to marry him. Much more beautiful than me.
I looked at myself in the mirror. I never really feel insecure about myself but I can't help but be annoyed because I was the same as those girls he like. I just mean I'm no different, we're just really the same. He has that certain type of woman. Big boobs, seducing face, and sexy one. Those you'll think mature when you see them in photos. I'm also like that but just a little bit different in person.
But of course, what is it to me if he was there? Maybe they just accidentally met? Or do they have meetings in the bar? Really, Vena? Meeting at the bar? Wow.
My mind was already arguing but I just chose to talk to River.
Me:
Hi, are you home now?
It was just minutes from now when he entered the bar. In less than a minute he replied.
River:
I'm already home.
Liar.
I couldn’t help but irritate myself when I threw away my phone after I asked Julie to ask Greta if River was still in the bar with his ex.
Or is it even his ex? Maybe they are not just an ex-lover now? What about me then? We don't have any relationship with each other except for the fact that we are married for convenience. I can't help but be annoyed by the thought that I was getting jealous and mad when I don't have any right to do so.
I also slept irritably that night but it wasn't easy either because I was annoyed with myself too.
I expected River and myself. I expected that we are fine. You're really fine, Aviena. It's you who are thinking that you're not. You assume things again when you already know how things are between the two of you.
I just woke up the next day with no text from River except the text that he had come home. I just smiled there. Why? Was he so busy with his ex that he forgot to call me?
You're so stupid, Aviena. Why are you even thinking things like that?
Instead of going out and touring here in Batanes, I just found myself focused on my phone while looking for Kylie Denise’s account. I couldn't help but be pissed when I found her account. I even came across those articles about River and her back then. I was upset when I found out that they both love adventure. They have a lot of photos together in some adventurous places.
"Wow, they look so good together, huh?" I couldn't help but whisper to myself. They really look good together. I wonder why they broke up?
She probably likes the sea. Snorkeling and other adventurous sports that River loves. I just smiled bitterly at myself.
I admit, I was really jealous. I also want to stop looking for information about the two of them but I also can't really control myself. Maybe it's just a desire to know if I should keep myself away from the pain.
She has a public Instagram. She's also really sexy. I can't deny the fact that she seems to have smooth skin and a nice body shape. I was about to leave her profile when I saw a name there. It was like a dummy private account. I also saw a request that she follow my private account and also on River's public account. I don't know what was wrong with me but I accepted it and followed her back.
In less than a few minutes, she accepted my follow request. My mouth widened when I saw many pictures of Kylie Denise. Some are just recently. It seems like this was Kylie Denise's private account. It looks like her friends also know this, they are commenting on some of her posts.
I scrolled from the start of her Instagram account. It's really Kylie Denise's Instagram. I'm really sure this time. There are so many captions when she's posting River. Some photos are from the past but as I scroll up, some are just a few days ago but seems like those photos are already from the past.
'I miss you, Rivs, see you soon!'
'I hope you're doing fine, Rivs. I love you! '
Some are with those captions. I can't help but stare at it until I see his post these past few days. It's always with River. Some were even stolen shots of River. I couldn’t help but grin at myself. So this is what he's busy with? Meeting, huh?
Liar.
I can't believe he's really lying all this time. He acted as if he miss me but he was already busy with someone else. He's waiting for me to come home when he already has someone waiting for him.
There is still a photo almost posted just a few minutes ago. It's the clothes he was wearing last night from Greta's live show.
Wow. Nice, huh?
I just smiled to myself because this is exactly what we talked about. He can date anyone he likes but privately. That's what the girl doing. She's not even posting any related posts with River on her public IG account but is crazy in love in private. Nice. Their story is like a novel. I want to puke in their love sto