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SYNOPSISSYNOPSIS:Thorn Calderon, a pâtissier and the owner of Délicieux Cuisines had long given up on love and marriage. He was happy to be a bachelor. At the age of thirty-one, he already accepted the fact that he would never find the 'right' woman for him -not that he was looking. Unlike his frien...

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SYNOPSIS SYNOPSIS: Thorn Calderon, a pâtissier and the owner of Délicieux Cuisines had long given up on love and marriage. He was happy to be a bachelor. At the age of thirty-one, he already accepted the fact that he would never find the 'right' woman for him -not that he was looking. Unlike his friends who were already happily married, he remained a bachelor. He figured that maybe love and marriage was not for him. Until his parents suddenly announced that they found the 'right' woman for him and told him to tie the knot with her. Thorn wanted to disobey his parents, but he was already too tired of fighting against their wishes. At his age, he just didn't care anymore. As long as the marriage wouldn't interfere with him and his Restaurant the love of his life- then he wouldn't mind obeying his parents once and for all, and maybe, just like what his parents wanted, have a family of his own. But just when he accepted the changes in his life and did everything he could to make his wife comfortable ... his wife dropped a ludicrous bomb that rendered him speechless and later introduced him to celibacy. 'I only agreed to marry you because I know you bat for the other team.' At that moment, Thorn couldn't help asking himself. Who was it again who said that happy wife means happy life?

CECELIB | C.C. Let's welcome Thorn Calderon, one of the lunatics Valerian Volkzki cursed. PROLOGUE PROLOGUE THORN never thought in his life that he would agree to an arranged marriage, but here he was, signing a marriage contract like he was signing a business deal. No grand wedding in church like his friends' weddings, no extravagant reception and nothing more than a Judge in front of him and his bride in a private room of a Restaurant, overseeing them sign so he could process their marriage, immediately and legally. Only their parents were present and they all looked pleased after he and his bride signed. Why did I even agree to this? Thorn thought. Was it his parents bombarding him to have family all the time? Or was it because it's convenient? Yes. Convenient indeed. As long as his wife wouldn't hinder him and his restaurant, then this marriage will work just fine. Having a wife could instantly repel clingy women, having a wife also saved him from his parents constant reminder to get married and not only that, he would have a family. Just like his friends. He was not getting any younger. At that moment, Thorn knew it was a good decision to marry a woman with a good background. Who didn't want a good wife? His mother insured him again and again that Ms. Cassia Engelyn Wisper, now Mrs. Cassia Engelyn Wisper-Calderon, was a good woman and a good match for him. So at the age of thirty-one, Thorn Calderon finally settled down. Not because of love -he was not as sappy as his friends - but because it was convenient and convenience was what he needed in his life. All he need to do now to make this marriage work was to make his wife happy. He may not love her, but he will surely take care of her. It's the least he could do. Pasimple siyang bumaling sa 'asawa' niya na nakaupo sa tabi niya. She had been silent the whole ordeal, only talking when talked to and asked. She was sophisticated and graceful. She looked like a perfect beautiful adorned statue while sitting silently and unmoving beside him. Dahil sa walang emosyon nitong mukha, hindi tuloy niya makita kung ayaw o gusto ba nito ang napagkasunduan ng mga magulang nila. Arranged marriage was after all a thing in the past. It doesn't exist

anymore in the modern society, so to be arranged with him, his 'wife' should have complains. Maybe she just couldn't voiced it out because of her parents. He could tell that her parents were strict. Thorn took a small deep breath before placing the pen on the table after signing, then he looked at his 'wife'', "is this really okay? I'm okay with a grand wedding." Since he accepted this set-up, he wanted to be good husband. "It's okay, hijo." Ang sumagot ay ang ina ni Cassia na halata namang peke ang ngiti na naka-plaster sa mga labi, "Cassia here doesn't need a grand wedding. It was already too much that you accepted her." Pasimpleng natigilan si Thorn sa narinig. That didn't sound right to him. He could hear a tinge of hostility in that statement. Thorn glanced at his silent wife, waiting for her to speak for her self, but she didn't, so he looked at his wife's parents again to talked to them, but they were already living, like they were forced to be there and they wanted to leave pronto. Thorn slightly frowned. Am I missing something? A family drama perhaps? But even though there was a drama, weren't they concern about their daughter's well being? I'm a stranger after all. They only knew him through his parents. Kahit pa kasusyo ng mga ito sa negosyo ang mga magulang niya, nakakapagtaka pa rin na parang wala man lang pag-aalala sa mukha ng mga ito na ipaubaya sa kaniya ang anak nitong babae. "We have to go now." Paalam ng ina ni Cassia sa lahat ng nasa mesa, "thank you for your hospitality. We're so sorry that we have to leave early. We have a business meeting in an hour." Then she looked at Engel strictly, "don't disappoint us and your husband. Be a good wife." Cassia nodded. "Good." Then after bidding goodbye to everyone including the Judge, his wife's parents left, leaving their daughter with him. A stranger. Thorn looked at his wife again, "you okay?" He asked. They may not know each other, but she was his wife now and according to his lunatic friends, happy wife mean happy life. He had to apply it to his marriage now. Cassia just nodded and the dinner continued. Thorn parents tried to open a conversation to lighten up the mood and to erase the awkward air around the newlyweds, but nothing was working until Thorn parents finally gave up and just let the newlyweds talked to themselves by them leaving and giving the two privacy. Nang makaalis ang mga magulang ni Thorn, mas lalong nabalot ng katahimikan ang dalawa. Even Thorn didn't know what to do with the awkward air around them. This was the weirdest wedding he had been into, and It was his own wedding! To actually get married in a restaurant was by far the worst wedding he could think of, but it was his bride's family idea. And for some reason, his parents agreed. Thorn cleared his throat, but instantly stilled when his wife moved away from him, and by moving away, he means leaving the chair beside him and sitting on the chair in front of him. He blinked at his wife. Why do I feel like I have a contagious disease? I'm pretty sure I'm clean. And I made sure to smell good before coming here. Thorn cleared his throat the second time before pulling himself together and finally finding his voice to speak. "I'm Thorn Calderon," it was weird, introducing himself to his wife. Husband and wife supposed to know each other pretty well, but they are the opposite, "thirty one years old. Owner of a Restaurant. How about you? How do I address you?" For the first time, his wife looked at him in the eyes, "Cassia Engelyn Wisper. I'm twenty eight years old. I'm an Assistant Marketing Manager in my parents company and you can call me anything you want." There was a bit frown on Thorn's eyebrow, "why assistant Marketing Manager? I mean, It's your parents company. Shouldn't you be part of the higher up?" An irritation crossed Cassia's face, but it quickly disappeared. "I don't know. Ask my parents." That means fuck off. Thorn took a deep breath, "okay. I won't ask about your work anymore. As for how I'll call you, how about cinnamon?" Cassia couldn't help raising her eyebrow, "my name is Cassia Engelyn, there's no cinnamon in there." Thorn leaned back on his seat as he watched how his wife raised her eyebrow at him, "sure there is. Your first name - Cassia. It's related to cinnamon." He smiled, "sweet and spicy."

"Okay. Whatever floats your boat." Sagot ni Engelyn na ayaw makipagtalo. All her life, she knew argument would only lead to her getting hurt and humiliated. Thorn's smile remained, "okay. Cinnamon it is." Cassia nodded, then she looked at her husband for the second time that night. Thorn Calderon was a handsome man. With his body built, his height, his tawny hair and that gray eyes of his that would turn baby blue every time the lights hit it, It was easy for a woman to be attractive to him. Fortunately, she knew the truth about him. This gorgeous man in front of her would never take a woman. For him to actually took her as his wife, he must have an ulterior motive just like her. Pasimpleng huminga ng malalim si Cassia habang nakatingin sa mga mata ng asawa na parang nanghihigop ng lakas sa sobrang pungay no'n. Pulling herself together, she spoke. "Since we're now husband and wife, can we be honest with each other. Is that okay with you?" Thorn was laid back as he sipped his wine and nod, "sure. I like that. Honesty is good, especially that we're just starting." Cassia nodded and pushed herself to be honest. If she wanted someone to be honest with her, then she should take the initiative and be honest first, "I have my reason why I agreed to marry you." Thorn was still sipping his win leisurely, "I know. I have mine too. Don't worry about it." Hearing that, Cassia slightly relaxed. "I understand your reason. It must have been hard keeping it a secret, with your family background and all. It's okay. I accept you as you. There won't be problem on my part." A frown made its way to Thorn's forehead, "ahm..." he was confused. Were they on the same page? "It's not really a secret. My parents knew my reason." Cassia was now looking at Thorn in admiration, "that's so brave of you. I admire you for that." Thorn was even more confused at that point of their conversation. "Thanks ... I guess?" Cassia smiled for the first time that night. She was relieved. Her decision to marry Thorn Calderon was right after all. "Don't worry. I won't be a problem to you. I will be your good wife in public and I will not hinder you to be with the person you truly desire and love. I promise." At that point, Thorn was lost. "Ah?" Cassia's smile widened, not noticing the confusion on Thorn's face. "I'm really relieved," she even put her clasped hands in front of her chest like she was praying and thanking God for a blessing, "I'm happy that i will not be with a perverted man. That's why I support your decision to be who you really are. I promise, I will be a good wife to you. I know it was bad of me to take advantage of your orientation, knowing about your true self, that's why I want to be honest with you." Thorn was trying to understand his wife, but he had been lost since earlier. What is she talking about? Cassia looked at Thorn, eye to eye, honesty was in her eyes as she spoke, "I only agreed to marry you because I know you bat for the other team." Thorn stilled. He was speechless. He knew he dropped the glass of wine he was holding, but he didn't care. As his mind went blank, he finally understood what she was talking about earlier. Her words. The changes in her demeanor. Her reaction. Her sudden smile and happiness. At that moment, Thorn couldn't help asking himself. Who was it again who said that happy wife means happy life? Whoever It was, he wanted to ask that lunatic if he should still make his wife happy after learning that his wife thinks he's gay. Jesus Christ ... when the hell did I bat for the other team?!

CECELIB | C.C. CHAPTER 1 THORN kept glancing at his wife while they were both moving her thing from her car to his house in Bachelor's Village. Every time he sees her calm expression and movement, Thorn couldn't help but

remember what happened at their wedding night. Instead of a hot steamy night like he was hoping for, he was mistaken as gay by his own wife. It was so fucked up, but he didn't correct her because of the relief and happiness on Cassia's face. It was like, him, being gay was a blessing to his wife - like it was a good thing. Nang gabing 'yon, parang pinapili siya sa pagitan ng dignidad niya o kasiyahan ng asawa niya. And because Cassia was his wife, he felt responsible for her happiness so he kept her sexual orientation to himself. Kasalanan 'to ng kung sino man ang nagsabi ng happy wife is happy life. He thinks it was Tyron who said it. Damn you, Zapanta. Now I'm stuck! Now he felt like his wife's happiness was important than anything because that was what he learned from his friends. Thorn was new to this marriage thing, months ago, he didn't even consider getting married and he used to teased his married friends for being sappy, but now, he was like an infant trying to crawl and walk in this marriage thing. Nangangapa siya sa kung anong dapat at hindi dapat niyang gawin. I should've stayed single. Now I have to be responsible for my wife since I accepted this set-up in the first place. Thorn wanted to blame his parents for this and of course, blame himself for just deciding out of the blue to settle down just because he thought it was a good thing to get married and have a family like his friends. But it was he who signed the marriage contract. No one forced him, so he had to be responsible for his decisions and actions. But I'm still confused as fuck! "Saan ko ilalagay itong box na may lamang damit ko?" Boses iyon ng asawa na pumukaw sa pag-iisip ni Thorn. Kaagad siyang sumagot habang buhat-buhat ang isang karton papasok sa bahay niya, "just put it on the living room. Ako na ang mag-aakyat niyan sa kuwarto natin." Napatigil sa pagpasok sa kabahayan si Cassia sa narinig saka nilingon si Thorn. "K-kuwarto natin?" Thorn stilled too, "yeah. I still have to clear half of my closet for your clothes." Cassia pressed her lips together. "we're ... sharing the same room?" Thorn frowned, "well, we're husband and wife, aren't we? And it's not like I'm going to touch you inappropriately." Thorn said that to appease Cassia's mind that he was not a perverted husband. But Cassia interpreted it differently. What she thought was Thorn would never touch her inappropriately because he didn't like women and that made Cassia smile and relaxed. "Okay. Thank you!" Nang makitang pumasok si Cassia sa loob ng bahay na may ngiti sa labi, napa-face palm si Thorn ng marealized kung anong posibleng rason ng ngiting 'yon ni Cassia. "Baka ano na naman ang pagkaka-intindi no'n sa sinabi ko." Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Thorn ng maisip na malaking posibilidad nga na iba ang pagkakaintindi nito sa sinabi niya. Now he realized, they were not only on the same page, there were not even on the same book! Sighing, Thorn carried the boxes to his house and then he found Cassia looking around the living room and checking the pictures and furnitures. Nang mapansin nito ang presensiya niya, kaagad itong umikot paharap sa kaniya at ngumiti. "Your house is nice." Komento ni Cassia. Narinig ni Cassia mula sa ina na mayaman si Thorn pero hindi niya inaasahan na ganito kagara ang bahay nito. "Our house you mean." Pagtataman ni Thorn kay Cassia. "Oo nga pala." Cassia clasped her hands behind her back while facing Thorn, "Siya nga pala," nag-iisip si Cassia ng kung anong tamang sasabihin at salita na gagamitin bago magpatuloy sa pagsasalita, "anong gagawin ko bilang asawa mo?" Napangiwi si Cassia sa sariling tanong, "I mean, hindi ko kasi alam ang dapat kong gawin bilang asawa mo, e. I have an idea, but I'm not sure?" Thorn couldn't help chuckling because they were thinking the same thing - they were both not sure how this marriage thing worked. They were just stranger few days ago and now, they're living in the same house. "I'm not sure too." Pag-amin ni Thorn, "few months ago, I don't really want to get married and then one thing lead to another and here we are." Cassia let out a strained laugh. "Ano ba 'yan, ang weird ng relasyon natin." Thorn chuckled, "you and me both, Cinnamon."

Umupo si Cassia sa gilid ng mahabang sofa habang nakatingin pa rin kay Thorn, "how about we set some rules and stuff?" Suhestiyon ni Cassia sa asawa, "I mean, pareho tayong nangangapa kasi hindi natin kilala ang isa't-isa tapos bago sa'tin pareho 'tong pinasok na'tin. But I think we're matured enough to handle this right, right?" Cassia was hoping for a favorable response. Mukha naman kasing maayos na kausap si Thorn. She really wanted this marriage to work. Wala na kasi siyang pupuntahan pang iba kung pati ito hindi magiging maayos. But Thorn didn't answer immediately, he sat on the single sofa first, his elbows resting on his knees and facing Cassia before he spoke. "How about we start with getting to know each other? No pressure." Cassia nodded. That could work. "Okay. Ahm ... what do you want to know about me?" "Food." Kaagad na sagot ni Thron. "As a chef, I want to know your favorite food." "Kahit ano. Hindi naman ako mapili." "Sweet tooth?" Cassia smiled. "Almond with chocolates." "Allergies?" "Not that I know of." She answered. Tumango-tango si Thorn bago nagtanong ulit, "any ex-boyfriend that I should know about? I mean, is there a guy who wants you back? Just in case, so I can prepare my knives." Cassie actually laughed at Thorn's joke before shaking her head. "No. Walang ganun." Thorn frowned. "Wala kang naging ex?" "Mayroon, pero, maayos naman ang paghihiwalay namin." "That's good." Thorn was relieved that no one would bother them. It was a good start. "How about you?" Si Cassia naman ang nagtanong kay Thorn, "may kailangan ba akong malaman sa love life mo?" I don't want to hinder his happiness. "Don't worry. I'll support you all the way." Thorn wanted nothing more but to correct his Cinnamon, but thinking that him being gay was the only reason why she was this relaxed and casual with him and not cold and indifferent like that time they got married, he just smiled and said, "I don't want to talk about it. Let's leave it at that for now." Cassia frowned hearing bitterness on Thorn's voice. "Did you two broke up?" With that question, Thorn didn't know what to do, but gaped at his wife and stared at her blankly. Seeing Thorn's stunned face, Cassia immediately scolded herself for being nosy. "Sorry. I didn't mean to pry." "It's okay," ani Thorn ng makabawi sa pagkabigla sa narinig. Just who the fuck did I break up with? And by his Cinnamon's tone, he broke up with a dude. Jesus christ! "Sorry." Sabi ulit ni Cassia, "hindi na ako magtatanong ulit sa love life mo." Thorn just nodded because he didn't know what to say or do. "How about you? Anong paborito mong pagkain?" Mabilis na pag-iiba ni Cassia sa pinag-uusapan para mawala ang nakakailang na pakiramdam sa paligid nila. "I'm not picky." Sagot ni Thorn. He appreciate his wife changing the topic, "but I'm leaning to sweets and desserts." "Is there anything you don't like a person doing to you? Para maiwasan ko at hindi ko gawin." Wika ulit ni Cassia. There is one. Thorn thought. "I hate it when someone wakes me up. I'll wake up on my own." Cassia nodded. "Noted. 'Yon lang ba?" Tumango si Thorn saka tumayo na para ipagpatuloy ang pagbubuhat sa mga karton patungo sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay. Si Cassia naman ay tumulong din sa pagbubuhat, pero 'yong maliliit at magagaang karton lang, hindi kasi niya kaya ang mabibigat na. Nang sa wakas ay naipasok na nila lahat, inayos ni Thorn ang walk-in closet at binakante ang kalahati niyon para sa asawa. "You can put your clothes here." Ani Thorn sabay muwestra ng kamay sa binakanteng parte ng walk-in closet. "if you want, I can make another closet for you if you're uncomfortable sharing a closet with me-" "No. It's okay." Pigil ni Cassia sa iba pang sasabihin ni Thorn, "okay na sakin 'to." Masuwerte na nga siya na maayos ang pakikitungo sa kaniya ni Thorn, hindi na siya dapat humingi pa ng kung ano-ano. Being treated nicely was already enough for her. She shouldn't be greedy.

It was really a good decision to marry Thorn. Kung hindi ito ang pinakasalan niya, siguradong mapupunta siya sa mga lalaking hayok sa laman at baka kung anong mangyari sa kaniya. She was really lucky to be arranged with Thorn. Because of his sexual orientation, she was relaxed around him. She liked that she was not always on guard. With Thorn, she could be as relaxed and casual as she could be. "Need any help?" Umiling si Cassia kay Thorn. "Kaya ko na 'to. Ako na ang bahala sa mga gamit ko." "Then I'll leave you to it. You can put your stuff anywhere you want." Naglakad na si Thorn pala...