Chapter 5

Ronald decided to take me out and take me to the restaurant which was owned by one of his associates. His associate took us inside without people in the restaurant getting suspicious and drawing attention to us. Inside, there's also a table and chair just like how it appears outside.

"I have organized this and asked him to make this for you," said Ronald, smiling. "I'm sorry if I wasn't the one who made this, I was just busy dealing with my personal stuff," he explained and planted a kiss at the top of my forehead.

"It's okay, I understand," I replied.

He pushed backward a chair for me so I can sit before he went to the left chair and pushed backward a chair for himself. There's a musician playing a romantic violin for us and at the center of the table there's a flower vase containing roses, and a lit candle.

Hinintay namin ang i-se-serve na pagkain para sa amin. Nang saktong ilalagay na sa mesa namin ay naamoy ko kaagad ang mabangong aroma ng pagkain. Napangiti ako ng makita ko kung ano iyon.

“Chicken Marsala is one of our specialty, so enjoy the food,” sabi ng waiter.

Napansin ko rin na inilapag nila ang iba't-ibang uri ng masasarap na pagkain kabilang na ang Braciole at Pappardelle with White Bolognese. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at tinigan siya sa kaniyang mga mata. Agad naman itong nag-iwas ng tingin at tila pinipigilan nitong ipakita ang nararamdaman niya sa gabing ito.

Inilapag rin nila ang inumin namin na Iced fruit teas at sparkling water. Sinadya niyang mag-order ng non-alcoholic drinks dahil nga buntis ako at dala-dala ko sa may sinapupunan ko ang batang magdadala ng pangalan niya.

“Thank you for these delicious foods,” nakangiti kong sambit sabay kuha ng plato at binaliktad ito

Kinuha ko na rin ang kutsara at tinidor, saktong kukuha pa lang sana ako ng pagkain ng nilagyan niya bigla ng Braciole ang plato ko kaya palihim na lang akong napangiti. May mga nagbabantay pa rin siyang tauhan sa paligid namin at nakamasid lang ito kasama ang mga tauhan ko.

Tumikhim naman ang associate niya. “Enjoy the night, boss.” Nakangiti niyang sambit sabay talikod at umalis.

"You can eat all you want for you to be healthy and for our baby," sambit nito sa akin kaya tinanguan ko na lang ito. "Just tell me, if you still want more food," dagdag pa nito at kinuha ang sparkling water sabay higop rito.

"I appreciate this, Ronald," I said, a warm smile spread across my face. The food was delicious, and his thoughtfulness touched me deeply.

He glanced up, a slow smile playing on his lips as he swallowed his food. "You're welcome, la mia regina," he said, his voice deep and warm.

His eyes held mine, a warmth spreading through me as they stayed on my face. He reached for a napkin, his fingers brushing against mine as he pulled it from the dispenser. With a gentle touch, he wiped a bit of food near my lips, his thumb pausing there for a moment before he pulled away.

Habang tumatagal ang pagtugtog ng musikero sa violin, parang pakiramdam ko parang kaming dalawa lang ang narito. Nagsisimula na namang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at ang pakiramdam na tila ba may kuryenteng dumadaloy sa buo kong katawan.

Parang may isang pulang tali na nagkokonekta sa aming dalawa na tila ayaw kong putulin at hayaan na lang habang buhay na matali ako sa lalaking nasa harapan ko ngayon.

"How's the operation you were doing?" I asked, so he paused for a moment.

"It's all fine," he replied.

"We also did smuggling to gather more weapons since the arm dealer doesn't want to sell firearms and other strong knife weapons we can use," he explained and took a plenty sip of his drink.

"Oh, you're doing well then," I responded, and his eyes gazed up to me. "But doesn't he report you to the police?" I asked, and his expression became serious.

"He will keep his silence at the eternity of his life," he uttered seriously. "And can we stop talking about these matters please?" he asked, so I nodded.

"We should talk on how we will going to take care of the baby and how could I keep you away from your father," he suggested and stood up from his seat, planting a warm and gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Yeah, you're right," I said, forcing a smile that felt tight and unnatural. My cheeks burned, and I could feel the heat spreading up my neck.

"I want this night to be romantic, so I guess we should talk about our love because we are on the darker side of love, la mia regina." He uttered that, a wave of dizziness washed over me.

I didn't want to be a weak woman,but my knees felt shaky and I could felt like I could pass out.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently, it was evident in his voice that he was concerned.

He even touched my hand and placed his hand on my forehead to check if I had a flu or something. I was unable to speak, and it seems I had lost words again. I was speechless.

"Yes, I am fine, and you know I am just thinking about something, and maybe we should enjoy the rest of the night." I said, my voice a soft whisper that barely reached his ears.

The words felt strangely distant, like they were coming from someone else. His smile spread across his lips and face, a bright light in the darkness.

Every time he touched my hand, he was around, my heart hammered against my ribs, a worried drumbeat in my chest, shouting his name repeatedly. His eyes were like stars shining brightly in the darkness, and his lips were like a warm and soft pillow that I'd always love to touch with mine. His lips tasted come il mio.