Joyce finished submitting her requirements, and she walked over to Nephtali, who was waiting for her and on the phone.
Nephtali said, "Let's just meet later after Joyce and I go out. We still have a lot to buy. Just call me. Okay, bye."
"Are you going somewhere after our stroll?" she asked.
"Just a get-together with the guys," he replied. "They're introducing their new girlfriends. Did you submit your requirements?"
"I did," she said, nodding. "I'll go back in two days for orientation. This is my last year with the scholarship, but they recommended me to St. Paul University because of my grades."
"Do you want to go there?" he asked, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "It's a great school. I got my degree there."
"Just tell me you want me to study there so your men can keep an eye on me," she said with a teasing smile. "I'll follow your lead because I know you're only thinking of what's best for me."
"How did you know what I was thinking?" he said, a look of surprise on his face.
"Boss, don't tease me. I'm hungry," she said. "I need to take my medicine, or you'll have to carry me home."
He laughed. "We'll eat first before we go out. I also need to buy your medication and some other things for the house."
Joyce smiled, thinking about their situation. Nephtali took her hand, and she looked at him. "What are you laughing about?" he asked.
"We act like we're married," she said.
"Why?" he said, his voice low. "Am I not your husband?"
"You have a real wife who's far away," she said. "I'm just your girlfriend, or maybe your mistress, because you're still married."
"Do you remember when I left without telling you to go to another country?" he asked, his grip tightening on her hand. "I settled our divorce and even our annulment here when I came back. So I can marry you when you reach legal age."
"You'll marry me when I reach legal age?" she asked, her heart fluttering. "My debut is next year, but I want to finish my studies first, for my parents. Can you wait four more years for me?"
"You know I'll do whatever you say, and I respect your decision," he said, his eyes full of love. "I'll wait for you. I'm not in a hurry, as long as you don't leave my side."
"I won't leave your side, Boss," she said, her voice full of emotion. "I promise."
He kissed her hand, and they smiled at each other. After they ate, they went to the mall to shop for what they needed. Joyce was looking for bedsheets when she bumped into June, who didn't recognize her.
"Sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to."
June looked her up and down. "Don't you watch where you're going? Look at my sandals. You got them dirty. This isn't a marketplace where you can just bump into anyone."
"I said I was sorry, and I told you it was an accident," Joyce said, trying to stay calm. "I was looking for something up high, so I didn't see you right away."
"Sorry?" June scoffed. "Wipe my sandals, and then I'll accept your apology. Do you know my boyfriend just bought these for me? They're more expensive than your entire outfit, so wipe my sandals with your handkerchief!"
"June! Who are you yelling at now?" Jerry's voice came from behind her.
He saw Joyce and froze, his eyes widening.
"This woman!" June shrieked. "She got my sandals dirty! I was about to meet your friends, and now I'll have to face them like this."
Joyce's phone vibrated with a message from Nephtali. They needed to go to the overview restaurant where his friends were waiting.
"Sorry again, but my husband is waiting for me," Joyce said, her voice sweet.
She gave Jerry a knowing smile and walked away, leaving him in a state of panic.
"Jerry, didn't you see what that woman did?" June asked.
"What did you do to her, June?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Did you disrespect her? Tell me what you did!"
"I just swore at her because she got my sandals dirty!" June said, confused by his reaction.
Jerry slapped her, and she stared at him in shock.
"My family will be in a bad position because of you!" he yelled.
"What are you talking about?" she said, her eyes welling up with tears. "I don't understand!"
***
Joyce and Nephtali arrived at the restaurant, which had a beautiful view of the city. Rafael arrived with his staff, handing some documents to Nephtali.
"Boss, these are the investors who want to come to the province," Rafael said. "I don't know most of them, so I'm hesitant to let their businesses in."
Nephtali looked through the folders. Dranreb arrived with his wife, Danica, followed by Dave and Mina.
"Can I borrow the first lady for a bit, Boss?" Mina asked with a smile.
"Don't tire her out too much," Nephtali said, a hint of seriousness in his voice. "She just took her medicine."
"We're just going to talk," Joyce said. "We'll leave you to it."
Everyone was looking at Joyce, and Nephtali turned to Dranreb, who immediately went over to his men and instructed them to keep a close eye on her.
"Danica, this is Joyce, the one I've been telling you about," Mina said. "Joyce, this is Danica, Dranreb's wife. They got married last year and are thinking of having a baby next year."
"We're not ready yet," Danica said with a shy smile. "We have a lot to take care of, and we're thinking about the baby's welfare. You really are beautiful, Joyce. I've heard a lot about you. Maybe you can join Mina and me at the spa sometime to relax."
"I'm still recovering," Joyce said, a little sad. "I still have to go through a few treatments to make sure I'm okay. Maybe in four years, I can do the things you do."
"I forgot to tell you that there are still some things Joyce isn't allowed to do," Mina said, looking at Danica. "She still needs a long treatment because of her condition, but the Boss takes good care of her."
"When are you and the Boss getting married?" Danica asked. "You're already known as his fiancée, so everyone expects your wedding to be soon."
"I can't say yet," Joyce said. "We still have a lot to do."
Gadriel arrived with his new girlfriend. Her movements were formal and graceful. He walked over to the women to introduce her. "How are you, ladies?" he said. "This is my fiancée, Grace Chiong."
Mina and Danica exchanged glances.
"Grace, this is Mina Nolasco, Dave Nolasco's wife," Gadriel said. "This is Danica Vasquez, the wife of Dranreb, the Chief of Police of this province. And this is Nephtali Gonzaga's fiancée, actually, his wife. Liezel Joyce Almonte-Gonzaga."
Grace stopped, her eyes wide as she looked at Joyce. She walked over and greeted her warmly. "I'm so pleased to meet you, ladies. Especially you, Mrs. Gonzaga."
"Same here," Joyce said with a warm smile. "Please call me Joyce. Have a seat and join us. They're talking about business over there, so we can talk girl talk here. Is that okay with you, Gadriel?"
"Of course," he said, pleased. "Grace, don't say no to Joyce."
"I wasn't going to," Grace said, her eyes twinkling. "I'll be just fine here. Go to your friends."
***
Nephtali silently read the documents as the men waited for his thoughts. Joyce stood up, and he immediately noticed.
"Boss, your fiancée is just going to the restroom," Dave said.
"Dave, if your fiancée was that beautiful, you would stare at her too," Gadriel said, his eyes on Joyce. "The waiters and customers are looking at her like she's a goddess. I wouldn't let her out of my sight."
"Why don't you give her personal security, Boss?" Rafael suggested.
"I thought about it, but she doesn't want anyone following her," Nephtali said. "By the way, where's your brother, Thor?"
"Still in school," Dranreb said with a sigh. "He's always with his girlfriend. Why, Boss?"
"Why is he still studying?" Nephtali asked.
"He keeps changing his course because his girlfriend keeps changing hers," Rafael explained. "That's why he's still in school. You know he's our father's favorite. He gets whatever he wants. They're studying at St. Paul University with Kyle Lozana and Jerome Marcial, who are also illegitimate children."
"Aren't you guys used to your fathers' illegitimate children?" Nephtali said with a hint of a laugh. "You know it's natural for our family to have children with different women."
"We're all men," Dranreb said. "Even if we have children, our firstborns will still be male, just like our generation. There are no girls. Why did you ask about them, Boss?"
"Joyce is graduating this year and will be attending St. Paul University next year," Nephtali said, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "I want them to watch over her on campus."
"Boss, those kids are more reckless than we are," Gadriel said, looking worried. "Many people are afraid of them. They have bodyguards so they don't cause trouble, and you're entrusting Joyce to them?"
"Who do you think they learned to be reckless from?" Nephtali said, a knowing smile on his face. "From us. Joyce won't be in any danger with them because they know what it's like when I get angry."
Joyce left the restroom and went to the lobby to get a tissue. Jerry and June just arrived, and June saw her.
"Are you following us?" June shrieked. "What are you doing here?"
Everyone in the lobby turned to look at them. Jerry tried to calm her down.
"June, stop it!"
"Is she your girlfriend, so you're defending her?" June yelled. "Why won't you say anything, woman? Are you one of the women who are crazy about Jerry, so you're here too? I'm telling you, I'm the only one he's going to marry! I'll be Mrs. Salvador, so he's mine!"
"You're not worthy of a respectable family like the Salvadors," Joyce said, her voice calm and steady. "Do you think you belong in their family?"
"What did you say?" June said, stunned.
"Don't be so proud in front of me," Joyce said, her eyes gleaming with anger. "I can trample on you if I want to."
Jerry let go of June, and she looked at him, confused. "Jerry?"
Joyce turned and walked away. Jerry followed her, leaving June behind. Everyone in the restaurant watched as Joyce walked to Nephtali and sat down, her hand still in his. June stared at her, still confused and angry.
"We won't get involved in your problems," Nephtali said, his voice cold. "My wife just told you the truth. It's still your decision what you do with your life. People think highly of the Salvadors, but your family name is already getting ruined. If you marry this woman, your name will be even more tarnished."
"I'm going to marry Elena, not June," Jerry said, his voice full of resolve. "My mind is made up."
"Jerry, what are you saying?" June pleaded, her eyes wide with shock. "We've been together for so long! Your relationship with Elena isn't serious! Why are you listening to what they're saying?"
"Because they're right," he said. "If I marry you, our name will be even more tarnished. People think highly of us. I don't want our family to be a laughingstock. I'm sorry, June, but I have to protect my family's reputation."
"You're lying!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "You said you loved me! You said you would give me everything I wanted and we would be together! Jerry, I need you in my life!"
She was begging him, but he wasn't listening. June looked at Joyce, grabbed a glass of water, and threw it at her. Nephtali quickly covered Joyce, and he got soaked. Joyce stared at him, her eyes wide with shock.
"What did you do?!" Jerry yelled, grabbing June.
It was too late. Joyce gently wiped the water off Nephtali's cheek. Everyone in the restaurant was staring. Ram and his girlfriend, Anna, just arrived and saw what was happening.
"What's happening here?" Ram asked.
Joyce stood up and walked to June. She slapped her so hard that June fell to the floor, her lip bleeding.
"Since you love to cause a scene so much, I'll give you the attention you want," Joyce said, her voice a dangerous whisper. "You want attention, don't you? So I'll give you what you want. Strip her!"
Mina and Danica gasped in shock. The security guards grabbed June and stripped her down to her bra and panties. She was crying, humiliated, and ashamed.
"Now, you have everyone's attention," Joyce said, her voice as cold as ice. "You're lucky this is all I did to you. You should be kneeling in front of me, but it's better if you walk around naked. That will get you the attention you want."
"Who are you to do this to me?!" June shrieked.
"I am Liezel Joyce Gonzaga, the wife of Nephtali Gonzaga," she said, her voice filled with power.
June was stunned. Nephtali looked at Joyce, a proud and happy smile on his face.
"Get her out of here," Joyce said. "She doesn't belong here. Throw her clothes away. I'm sure she'll get the attention she wants outside."
Joyce went back to Nephtali and helped him wipe himself. The security guards escorted June out, and she was crying and humiliated. Anna looked at the woman and shuddered.
"Don't be scared," Ram said, holding her. "Joyce just taught that woman a lesson. What she did was right. She's always causing a scene. Joyce is a good person when you get to know her."
"Mr. Gonzaga's wife is really beautiful," Anna said. "I've heard a lot about her, but doesn't she have a sickness?"
"Yeah," Ram said. "She's still recovering."
Rafael handed Nephtali a polo shirt and a t-shirt. "Boss, I have an extra polo and a t-shirt here. Go change."
"Go change, Boss," Joyce said. "You might get sick."
"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.
"I'm okay," she said. "My hand hurts from slapping her, but I'm fine. I'm also thirsty after what I did. Go, change."
"I'll be quick," he said. "Just relax, okay?"
Nephtali went to the restroom to change, and Joyce sat down, trying to compose herself.
"You really are a good first lady for the Boss, Joyce," Dave said, a hint of awe in his voice. "You're just as scary as him when you're angry. No one can mess with you."
"I'm sorry, Joyce," Jerry said, walking over to her. "This won't happen again. I'm going to arrange my engagement to Elena so we can prepare for our wedding."
"I'm glad I brought Grace here," Gadriel said. "She's the woman my family wants me to marry. Is she worthy of my family, Joyce?"
"She's beautiful and intelligent," Joyce said, her voice calm and steady. "She comes from a good family and has a good reputation. But do you trust her?"
The men were silent, and Gadriel looked at Joyce, deep in thought.