Taming My Husband

"STOP IT, MAMA! I've already heard this for the ninth time. For God's sake!" BK couldn't help but raise his voice after hearing what his mom said. He pushed back his chair and wiped his mouth with a tissue. He hadn't even finished his meal, but he was already on his feet.

"BK!" his dad yelled, right as utensils clattered sharply against the table. His dad couldn't stand it when someone left the table with food still on their plate.

"What? I hear that every single day! Can't I decide for myself when I want to get married? I'm only twenty-six!" He looked at his mother, who seemed saddened.

"Son, we're getting older. Of course, we want to see our grandchildren from you," his mother said gently. Sadness was visible on her face. He couldn't hold a grudge against her.

"I told you, Ma, I have a girlfriend. She's just not ready to meet you yet. I need you to be patient with me. Please?" He hoped they would believe him, especially his mother. His happiness depended on it.

"I don't believe you, BK," his mother said seriously. "Do you want me to find a wife for you myself? I'm warning you!" There was a hint of threat in her tone.

Oh no!

He quickly kissed his mom on the head before leaving the table. It was a sign of respect, even when he was frustrated. She called him again, but he didn't look back.

He spent the next few moments sulking in his room.

Remembering his friend Kevin, who loved dating apps, he gave him a call. It looked like he'd have to introduce a future wife to his mother soon, in case she would disapprove of whoever she might find.

Kevin quickly texted him back, saying he had made him an account on the MatchYeah app, a dating app. Kevin used the name BK and sent him all the other details he'd set up.

He wasn't familiar with that app, so he was a bit lost at first. He'd added and messaged a few people, but he didn't like the responses he got when they exchanged messages.

He stopped scrolling when he saw a full view of a picture on his timeline. The girl was cute with long, curly hair. She had rosy cheeks and fair skin. He smiled when he read her bio-it said she was looking for a friend, someone who wouldn't leave her in times of trouble. He figured out what she probably wanted, just like others. It was all about money. But at least she was upfront about her intentions, and he appreciated that honesty. They might just get along.

He quickly pressed the add button. She accepted right away, and he smiled. He sent her a message saying he wanted to be friends. She replied right away-and that was the start of it all. It didn't take long before they agreed to meet in person-just to finally put a face to the name and get a better sense of each other

Since she was also in Metro Manila, they set a date right away. They agreed to meet at a coffee shop.

After four days of chatting on the app, she seemed nice. He hoped she'd be open to his plans when he told her later. Yes, the meeting was scheduled for today. He felt nervous, unsure if she looked like her pictures-or if she was even the same gender as him. Still, he hoped everything would go smoothly. That morning, his mom had brought up marriage again.

Grey shirt, black jacket, and black pants-that was what he wore. A casual mix-and-match with fashion shoes for a masculine look. He hoped she'd like it. Extra points for effort. He really needed this, so he had to put on a good act. But if she could understand his situation, even better. That would solve his problem.

"I have a date with Daphne, Ma," he informed his mother, who was watering the plants.

"Who's Daphne?"

"My girlfriend."

She paused and studied his face. She was good at reading people.

"Okay. Is this serious?"

"Yes, Ma. She's the girlfriend I told you about."

"I'll believe you, baby. Introduce her to me soon. I'm getting impatient." She smiled at him before returning to her plants.

"Bye, Ma!"

"Bye," she said, not even glancing at him, just waving lazily with her left hand.

They planned to meet at ten, but he left earlier than needed to swing by the barbershop. It had been a month since his last trim.

He left the mall at a quarter to ten. The MoonCup Café, owned by a friend of his, was nearby.

He glanced at his inbox when he received a text from Daphne. He had given her his number just in case he wasn't online. She mentioned she was close to their meeting place.

He couldn't help but feel nervous. He'd sent her his real picture just yesterday, and she'd sent hers too. Hopefully, she was real as well. If not, he'd return to square one in his search for a woman.

DAPHNE held her chest, feeling nervous about this date. It was her first time meeting a stranger. If it weren't for the money, she would never go on this date.

"Scandinavia, here I come!" She whispered to herself. If it weren't for her dream of going to Scandinavia, she wouldn't have registered on that dating app. It was a desperate move. They weren't born rich, so this was her way to get there and find someone she had long been wanting to see.

She almost jumped when her phone suddenly rang.

"Hey, girl! Make sure you come back safe and sound, okay?" Her friend Amelie blurted. She had already told her friend that she was meeting a guy she had just met on the MatchYeah app- a dating app for people looking to get married. Not everyone finds a spouse, as some end up breaking up without reaching marriage. It was trending, so she signed up.

"Yes, ma'am!" She joked back. Amelie had sent her a taser for self-defense, just in case. She'd told her to use it if the guy did anything bad. And it was safely in her bag.

"I really don't like your idea, you know. Just make sure to call, alright? "Amelie's voice was still filled with concern.

"Yes, ma'am!" She smiled before ending the call. She was already in front of the café. Their table was supposed to be reserved under the name BK.

She took a few deep breaths before approaching the guard. She asked him where she could inquire about reservations, and he pointed to a tall man, so she went over to him.

"Hi! We have a reservation under BK's name. Where might..."

"Ah, yes! There is one. You're Daphne, right?" He said, making her raise her brows. She had no idea how he recognized her, but she gave a small nod. "This way," he said, leading her to a quiet table in the far corner. It looked like a VIP spot.

"Thank you," she said as he pulled out her chair.

She glanced around. There were many customers, and the place seemed safe.

She pulled out her phone and messaged BK, letting him know she was already at the café.

She was just about to put her phone down when someone took the seat across from her. She stared, surprised-it was him.

It was BK!

He was even more handsome in person. One reason she had agreed to meet was because of his appearance.

"Hi!" He greeted her with a smile.

"H-hello," she stammered slightly.

"BK." He extended his hand, and she accepted it.

"Daphne."

The moment he locked eyes with her, she felt a little tense. He leaned back in his chair, eyes steady on her. Thankfully, their order came quickly, and his attention shifted to the food.

He took a slow sip of his coffee before saying a word.

"So, everything you said in the chat was true? Like your name?" He asked.

She nodded. "What about you?" She asked back.

"Almost. I wanted to save some things to tell you in person. You know what the app is for, right?" He asked seriously.

So, she was right. He was genuinely looking for a wife on the app.

"Is that why you joined MY?" She meant MatchYeah.

"Yes, and I'm f*cking serious, Daph," he said with a tone of sincerity.

"Why would you want to get married so soon? Some guys want to enjoy their single life a bit longer. But you're ending it so quickly," she commented.

He just laughed at what she said.

"If you were my wife, would you just let me do whatever I wanted?" He said instead.

She started to think about it but couldn't help but really consider it. He seemed to be hinting at something. "If I were your wife, would you let me do whatever I wanted? Would you give me everything I want?" She asked in quick succession.

"Financially? Don't worry, I can provide you with whatever you need."

He understood what she was getting at. With money, she'd have a chance to leave the country and go to Scandinavia. She also figured out what he wanted. He must have a deep reason for wanting to get married early. Whatever it was, she would accept it wholeheartedly if it meant fulfilling her dream trip. And if they got along, she was sure it would be a happy arrangement.

"Really?"

"Uhuh. Just tell me, Daph. I don't care about your reason. But I do have some conditions. Interested? I'm sure we'll both like the terms I'll lay out."

She looked at him intently. He was serious. Actually, she had already seen his profile. He was genuinely wealthy.

But she suddenly froze when she remembered her mother. She hoped her mom wouldn't be angry with her decision if it ever came to that. This was for her family. To finally realise her dream family: herself, her mom, and her father, who was in Scandinavia.

"Okay," she replied after a moment.

"DEAL?" BK asked her seriously after laying out some papers that included all the conditions and the reasons why they would marry if his mother requested it.

"Deal!"

BK smiled sweetly at her when he heard her answer. "From now on, practice calling me by whatever endearment you like, so it seems more believable. Okay?"

She thought for a moment. "What's a good one?" she wondered to herself. She looked at him then. "I'll think about it. I'll just send you my choice once I decide."

He nodded at her. "So, should I take you home? We're only going to my parents' house on Sunday, after all. We still have time to practice."

She couldn't help but smile at the word "practice," as if it were a play.

"Sure," she agreed. It was a good thing, too, because she had plenty of laundry to do.

"Let's go," he said next.

He would take her home so he'd know where to pick her up on Sunday.

BK walked ahead of her but stopped in front of the guy he approached earlier. BK had mentioned that this guy was his friend and was actually the cafe owner.

He helped her into his car, and she felt a little shy because it was so fancy-it was her first time riding in a car like this. The nicest ride she'd ever taken was a taxi. Cars weren't common in her neighbourhood. Her compound was in a narrow alley where tricycles were the only vehicles parked outside. Their homes were packed closely together, making fires dangerous.

She glanced at the screen when BK typed in the address she gave him. His car was so fancy-her soon-to-be husband really was rich. Her mom was sure to be shocked.

She couldn't help but smile. She'd be wealthy too if this worked out. She was lucky to be marrying someone good-looking and wealthy-a complete package.

Only music filled the car as they drove in silence. BK didn't say anything more. Well, they had already talked about everything earlier.

It took them over an hour to get home because of the heavy traffic. That's the problem with her area-it's always so crowded.

"Just here," she said to BK, looking outside. She could see the narrow alley leading to her friend's house.

"What? Is your house down there? That looks like a factory," he said, frowning as he looked at where they stopped.

"See that alley? Just go through there. Everyone knows me, so they'll find me if needed."

He rubbed his forehead. "Alright. Let's just update each other later."

She nodded in agreement. "If you need to talk to me, just text first so I can turn on my data. We don't have Wi-Fi."

"Sure," he said, and she got out. He didn't even open the door for her.

He gave a short honk before backing up. Once he drove off, she walked into the alley.

She looked at her phone and smiled, remembering they had taken a photo together. They had a few cute ones. BK even said he'd show them to his mom. She'd also asked for a copy and showed it to her friend, Amelie.

"O.M.G!" her friend exclaimed when she saw the photo of them at the cafe. "Don't let him go! It's like winning the lottery; he's rich and yummy! Just don't forget about me, huh?"

She smiled back. "Of course not. You're my friend," she replied and went straight to her room.

THURSDAY arrived, and BK called her. He wanted her to come to his condo because they needed to discuss things and rehearse. It would be tough to convince his mom, he said. So she went right away.

After all, she still didn't know him that well. Even though he had shared his likes, it was different to meet in person.

She left early that day and stopped by the market to buy some fruit.

They were going to bond all day. He thought a day would be enough to get to know each other better, just for his parents.

She had some trouble finding his condo. BGC was so big! She finally relaxed when she saw the building.

"Did you bring it?" he asked her when he opened the door. He'd asked her to bring Longan, which was his favorite. She had a hard time finding it earlier-he was more demanding than a pregnant woman!

"Here," she said, showing him the bag.

He smiled as he took it and led her inside his condo. He went to the kitchen, probably to get a dish for the fruit.

She couldn't help but admire the condo's interior. BK had good taste-or maybe he had a designer?

He returned to the living room with a tray of longan and was already eating some. He offered her some but said she could only take five, which made her wince. Why offer if the amount is limited? She decided not to ask for more.

Nothing really happened that day-they eventually did their own thing. She stayed in the living room, and BK went to his room. So much for bonding. She didn't know what he was doing inside his room, and she didn't want to interfere.

Around five o'clock, she said goodbye. She knocked a few times before he finally opened the door. When she peeked in, he was busy playing a game. He didn't go to the office that day so they could spend time together-but he ended up just gaming instead.

It looks like she would have to get used to him if this continued. He wasn't exactly a gentleman. He didn't even see her out. Oh well, they had a deal, after all.

The days flew by, and Sunday came. As planned, she and BK were going to his family's home.

She felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Even though she looked nice in her outfit, she was still nervous. She had a foreign heritage, so anything looked good on her. She didn't look poor.

BK had chosen her outfit-simple but elegant. His mother wouldn't mind her style, he said. Sometimes, she even preferred simple looks.

Her phone lit up with a message from BK saying he was nearby. She didn't have to wait long before he arrived; she was already outside.

"Sorry for the wait, Daph. Traffic's really bad here," he said, breathing deeply.

"It's okay," she replied.

He glanced at her. "You look good."

"Thanks. You have good taste."

"Actually, someone else picked it. I just showed them your picture, and voilà!" He smiled and started the car.

Their trip took over an hour from her place.

She held her chest when they entered a fancy subdivision.

"I'm nervous," she whispered.

BK glanced at her. "Relax. They don't bite. My parents will like you, and they'll love you even more."

She took a deep breath and said, "It's still nerve-wracking. What if they don't like me?"

"That's impossible, Daph. I'm sure they'll like you. Just have faith, okay?"

"Hopefully."

He held her hand, and they both paused at the spark they felt. They exchanged a glance.

She gasped when they arrived at a beautiful house. Her heart beat faster.

"Come on," BK said as she got out of the car. He opened the car door for her for the first time-and even held open the front door of the house.

"Here they are," BK whispered to her, his arm wrapping around her waist, making her gulp. "Hi, Mom! Dad!" BK waved at his parents, who were coming down the stairs.

They walked toward them.

"Meet my lovely girlfriend, Daphne Frost." BK introduced her with a smile, then looked at her fondly. "Baby, my parents." He gestured toward his parents.

She couldn't help but stare at him because of the endearment he used. Why did "baby" sound so nice? She still hadn't decided on an endearment herself. She turned her attention to his parents, who were smiling at her.

"H-hello. Good evening," she stammered slightly.

"Daphne is even more beautiful in person, huh!" BK's mom greeted them cheerfully.

She couldn't help but feel awkward as his mom gave her a cheek-to-cheek kiss. "Welcome to the family," the woman said, making her eyebrows furrow slightly. BK had only mentioned her as his girlfriend, so what was with the warm welcome? Did this mean his parents were excited about their possible marriage? Was she already approved as BK's future wife?

"Thank you," she replied since she didn't know what else to say.

She shook hands with BK's dad after. BK was right; he did look like his father. She could just imagine what BK would look like when he was older.

"Is Judge ready, honey?" BK's mom asked his dad.

She and BK exchanged glances. They both swallowed hard.

Why was she asking if the judge was ready? Did she mean they'd get married right away?

"He's on his way, sweetheart," replied BK's dad.

"Mom, I just need to show Daph something in my room." BK took her hand and clasped it in his.

"Alright. I'll call you both when we're ready. Okay?" His mom smiled as she looked at her, and she returned the smile.

BK locked his room door once they were inside.

"F*ck! I thought Mom was joking!" he muttered, looking at her.

"About what?"

"Didn't you hear? Judge Israel is on the way to marry us! Damn it!"

Her mouth fell open. "W-what do we do?"

"Didn't we discuss this? We expected this might happen. I just didn't think it would be today. I guess Mom didn't buy our little act."

She gazed at him. "I'm fine with the wedding being today, BK."

"Are you serious?" he asked with a scrunched-up face. She nodded. He sighed deeply and sat on the bed. "Alright."

AS THEY HAD EXPECTED, BK's mom wanted them to get married immediately. It looked like she had planned everything, since some family members were there. BK's other two siblings, who had their own families, also showed up.

Daphne didn't expect BK's mom to have a simple wedding gown ready for her. She had to admit it was impressive since the white dress fit her perfectly.

"You're so beautiful, dear!" his mom said, adjusting her veil. "Don't worry, we'll have your family at the church wedding. But for now, I just want to make sure you two are married. Okay?" She gave the best smile she could after that. His mom led her downstairs, and they walked toward the pool.

Her mouth slightly opened when she saw BK in a tuxedo. Her friend was right-her soon-to-be husband was definitely hot. He looked very handsome in his dark green tuxedo, though his serious face made him look a bit less friendly. She smiled at him, and he smiled back as she stepped onto the red carpet. He was waiting for her there.

"Meet Andy, my only daughter. Andy, this is Daphne," his mom introduced her with a smile.

"Welcome to the Hernandez family, Daphne. I'm happy you finally got our youngest to settle down. If you ever need anything, we're here. You know, girl power!" She laughed and nodded at Andy's words.

After that, they told her to walk down the red carpet toward BK and the judge.

She walked slowly as "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele played. She hadn't chosen it, but she liked that song.

She gazed intensely at her future husband as she walked, and he looked back at her the same way. She was nervous. She didn't understand herself. They didn't have feelings for each other, but she felt like crying. She held herself together to avoid tears.

She smiled at BK's parents once she reached them. They hugged and congratulated her.

She held onto BK's arm. She gasped when he kissed her head before they walked toward the judge. She hadn't expected that move from BK. It looked like he had planned it well for this act.

The ceremony felt quick to her. She wanted to skip the moment when the judge announced that they could seal their vows with a kiss.

She placed her hand on her husband's chest as he pulled her closer by the waist. She closed her eyes when his lips pressed against hers. There was something different about their kiss. Maybe it was because it was her first. It was a quick kiss, but it felt long. She felt like his lips had lingered on hers.

Applause surrounded them afterwards. She looked shyly at the guests. BK, on the other hand, was grinning widely.

She couldn't move away when BK leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "Welcome to married life, Daphne Sevilla Frost Hernandez."

DAPHNE looked at BK after he greeted her. As if he was the only one who got married.

"Our deal, huh? " She was referring to her planned trip to Scandinavia. She was so excited to process her papers.

"Don't worry. No matter which country you want to go to, you'll get there. Just don't forget our agreement."

She smiled at what he said. As if she would? No matter what he did, she didn't care-as long as she got to Scandinavia. Annulments were fast when you had money.

"Congratulations, little brother and Daphne!" Andy greeted them cheerfully. She was with her husband and kids. She returned her hug when she hugged her.

"Thank you," she said shyly.

"Congratulations on getting married," she heard Andy's husband say to her husband. Then, he turned to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek before greeting her.

Moments later, BK's oldest sibling, Astin, approached them. He looked like their father too, but BK inherited all their father's features.

She felt like BK's relatives' cheeks were already sticking to her face. There were so many of them. She figured it wasn't just relatives present but also close friends. Still, they didn't seem chaotic. And they all came from wealthy families. She felt like she was the only pauper there. She couldn't help but feel out of place.

She smiled to herself. She left single earlier, and now she was going home married. Her friend would surely sulk for not being invited.

Getting married was exhausting. She had just changed, and she was now wearing BK's clothes since she didn't bring any.

She glanced at the mansion's living room. The guests had all left. There were so many gifts. She hadn't expected the guests to be so prepared with presents. That meant they had been informed in advance.

She looked at BK when he approached her. He led her into his room.

"Do you have the envelope from Mama?" her husband asked when they got inside.

She took out the envelope she had tucked into her chest earlier.

"What the fuck, Daph?! That's where you put it?" BK asked in disbelief.

"It smells good, okay?" She handed him the now slightly crumpled envelope.

"Damn! It's all creased now." He examined it and shook his head.

"What is it, anyway?"

She moved closer to take a look. Her eyes widened in amazement when she saw what it was-a ticket to Hawaii.

"Oh my God! Hawaii?!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah. They want us to have our honeymoon there. And they expect something to be in there when we return." He gestured to her stomach.

"Aww! Really? What now?" she said, feeling a bit sad.

"Of course, we'll just say yes. How would they even know if we actually did it or not, right?" Her husband smirked and pinched her cheek.

"Ow! That hurts!" She glared at him. "My trip, huh?!" she reminded him.

He just formed a heart shape with his hands and fell onto the bed. She shook her head as she watched him. He must be tired. It was really late. She was exhausted too and wanted to lie down. But then she remembered the gifts and woke him up.

"What about the gifts in the living room?"

"Hmm... We'll deal with them tomorrow. Let's sleep," he said, pulling her down beside him.

He didn't let her go. He hugged her tightly, draping his leg over hers. It looked awkward, but she just let him be.

They woke up the next morning to persistent knocking. Since BK was still fast asleep, she got up to open the door.

"What time is it, child? Why aren't you ready yet?" BK's mother asked when she opened the door.

"What?!" she asked, confused.

"Didn't BK mention it to you? You're leaving for Hawaii tomorrow. You should start packing. You have a passport, right?"

Her mouth fell open. Tomorrow already? That was so fast. But then again, honeymooners really left the next day-or even right after the ceremony, if it was a local wedding.

"Yes, I do," she said.

Of course, she had a passport. She had already prepared one for her planned trip to Scandinavia. She had a strong feeling back then that she'd find a way to go, so she prioritised getting a passport since its expiration took a while.

"Good. Wake BK up so you two can start choosing what to bring. Breakfast is ready too, okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am." She smiled, but it faded when she noticed Bk's mother didn't smile back.

"I told you, hija. Call me Mama. That's what you should call me now that you're married to my son."

"Mama," she finally said.

The older woman smiled at her. "See? Sounds nice, right, hija? Alright, hurry up, okay? Your Papa is coming down soon too."

Her smile returned. She had nothing bad to say about BK's mother. She was so kind. She even spoke so gently.

She immediately woke BK up and told him everything his mother had said. He claimed he didn't remember that their flight was scheduled for the next day.

They just went along with his mother's plans. She even accompanied them while shopping for things they'd need in Hawaii-especially beachwear, which she had never worn before. Whenever they swam in the sea, shorts and T-shirts were enough. But the ones BK's mother picked? Swimsuits! Her whole existence would be exposed. It was embarrassing to wear those.

"What now? I don't wear things like these," she told her husband as she spread them out in front of BK. He just laughed.

"Seriously?" he asked.

"Yes. As in, BK!"

"Why?"

"Because we were poor. And in the province, those weren't a thing."

He nodded in understanding. "Why don't you try them on? See if they suit you," he suggested.

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? You might find it weird."

"Tsk. Come on, Daph. I'm used to seeing people naked. Remember, it's our honeymoon. And they expect you to wear those-especially Mama since she bought them. If you don't, she might get upset. And she's really soft-hearted."

She suddenly thought about it. His mother did buy it, so she should wear it.

"Fine. I'll just try it on." She walked into the bathroom to change.

She winced as she looked at herself in the mirror. It suited her, but it was embarrassing since this was her first time wearing something this daring. A two-piece suit, meaning almost her entire soul was exposed. Even though her backside was covered, it still felt uncomfortable.

"Are you done, Daph?"

She looked at the door when BK called out, knocking at the same time.

She swallowed. She didn't want to leave the bathroom. What if BK found her outfit weird?

"I'm good! I think I'll just try it on out-" She didn't finish her sentence because the bathroom door suddenly swung open, revealing BK. She hadn't locked it.

"Can I see-"

She swallowed hard when BK froze. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. He must have found her unpleasant-looking based on his reaction.

It took him a while to recover. She even saw him shake his head.

"Nice," was all he said before turning away.

"That's it?" she muttered to herself.

She must have looked terrible, so she hurriedly changed and stepped out. She found her husband drinking alcohol.

Feeling down, she put the items his mother bought back into the paper bag. BK must not have liked them since he wasn't paying her any attention.

She laid out an extra mat on the floor and started sorting out the clothes she and BK would bring. Earlier, they stopped by her friend's house to pick up some of her stuff. Their flight to Hawaii was tomorrow.

It would be her first time leaving the country, so it was exciting. But this was their honeymoon. Would it be fun? What would they do there? And two weeks? That was such a long time!

She fell asleep before BK, as he had gone out with his friend. She had no idea what time he got back. All she knew was that when she woke up, it was already morning.

Their journey from Moore Airport to Honolulu took over 12 hours. Then, it was another half-hour to reach their hotel.

A chauffeur picked them up-someone who, apparently, worked for BK. She hadn't expected that his family owned the hotel they were staying in. Meaning, there were plenty of eyes watching them.

"We need two rooms," BK whispered to her, leaving her stunned.

"Why?"

"I have a lot of things to do. I might disturb you. If we stay in separate rooms, you can do whatever you want," he said, almost tempting her.

She pondered over what BK said.

He had a point. What if he brought acquaintances or even other women, and she was there? That would be so awkward. And embarrassing.

As they had agreed, they booked separate rooms at the hotel-though they were right next to each other. BK had also spoken with some of the staff, asking them not to let his parents know about their setup.