MICHAELSomething feels off.Natasha usually notices the small things, but even after spending hours together; dining, attempting to start a conversation, and even touching her, she didn't notice my knuckles.Or maybe she just didn't care?That's impossible."We have ice cream in the freezer, do you want some?" I asked, crawling up next to her. "It's mango flavored," I added, hoping to catch her attention.She scrunched up her nose and shook her head. "I'm not in the mood for something sweet tonight.""What about something Michael-flavored?" I teased, but she didn't respond, just kept staring at the book she's holding, rubbing her thumb against the pages.What happened?I was only gone for a few hours."Are you mad at me, baby?" I reached for her arm and snuggled up closer, kissing the blade of her shoulder.She finally tore her gaze away from the book. She shook her head and let out a forced chuckle.Is this a mood swing? I'm not prepared for this. Damn it!"No," she answered, loweri
NATASHAAll night long, Michael held me in his arms while I stayed wide awake until three in the morning.My mind kept replaying what had just happened.My dad, Pierce Kaufman, wasn't my biological father? And the man from the bar..."You're so quiet," Michael noticed. He glanced at me for a second before returning his focus on the road. "I know something's bothering you. Maybe I can help."Diverting my gaze from looking outside the window, I reached for his ear and played with it using my fingers. "What do you think about... family?" I suddenly asked."Family?" He repeated with a hint of a chuckle. "The basic unit of society? That's too general, baby. Can you be more specific?"I shook my head. If I ask something about what I just figured out, it'll be too obvious. "Are you happy?" Changing the topic, I waited for his answer. "With me, I mean.""It would be an understatement if I say that I am happy with you," he replied and caught my hand, resting it on his thigh, just an inch away
MICHAEL"Wait, you're married?" Dominic, my friend, queried, his eyes wide with surprise. "Since when?"I glanced over my shoulder, and through the glass wall, I could see Natasha standing before a large painting hung on a pristine white wall. Dominic's sassy secretary was assisting her.My gaze fell on her hands, clasped behind her back.A naughty grin spread across my face, knowing she was uncomfortable strolling around without underwear."Since I met her," I responded, prompting a groan from Dominic. I turned my attention back to him. "What? You have a problem with that?"He pulled a bottle of sanitizer from his drawer and began to clean his hands. "I'm allergic to that kind of atmosphere, Michael. Marriage gives me the creeps. It's too chilling.""Just admit you're being dramatic," I teased him, and he shot me a 'I don't care' look."But there's no ring on your finger," he noted, his eyes landing on my bare ring finger."It's a work in progress," I shrugged. "But discussing my lif
NATASHAWhenever something bothers me, Michael feels it too. Yet another thing we share, neither of us wants to share these burdens with the other.Trust. We're supposed to have that. But should I risk mine?There's something bothering me, and I know that he has his own problems. But something is holding us up not to spill what's overflowing from the inside.Should I be bothered?I found myself sitting in his living room. The TV was on, but I couldn't focus on the show playing.My hands fumbled with the bowl of popcorn in my lap as I waited for him to join me, just as he had promised.Glancing out the window, I saw him talking to someone on the phone. He seemed frustrated, even furious. His body language didn't betray what was going on in his mind, but his facial expressions did.His jaw was clenched, and his eyes seemed to gaze into the distance."What's going on with him?" I found myself murmuring the question as I stared at his broad back.He was now dressed in a fresh white shirt a
MICHAEL"You called me here for that simple reason?" I asked Cole, throwing him daggers as he scratched the back of his head and fidgeted in his seat."Sorry, I just thought that you'd like it if we got some time to spend together. I mean, when was the last time you had time with us?" Gesturing at Aaron and Enzo, he reasoned.Enzo raised both of his hands, making an annoying sound. "Don't mention my name, bro. You're the one who called the emergency meeting. I just came here to drink.""Do you know what I left in the house?" Placing both of my hands on my hips, I let out a heavy breath."Look, I'm sorry, okay? I just thought that maybe you need a rest and we need to talk about something important," Cole added."Like what?" Placing my hands on my sides, I waited for his answer. "Come on, like what?"Cole couldn't utter a thing, and I found it very suspicious."Like our family," Aaron answered for him. "Man, you've been building walls since you left the city. We couldn't even reach out
NATASHAMy tongue felt numb, and I was unable to utter a word. With my head lowered, all I could do was stare at the little bubbles popping in the center of my coffee.They disappeared one by one until only the swirls of cream were left floating."I hope you understand."Thalia pleaded with me to leave, promising money that I didn't need. But what made me hesitate was when she revealed her family's current situation.The situation was as clear as crystal when she mentioned money, jail, and a wedding.It all led me back to the root of the issue, Michael. He was the only solution to prevent such a mess, and I was the only obstacle left to be removed."What you said, that I have every right because I'm the mother of my son, I know that. I feel guilty for coming here, for talking to you, for asking you to stay away. But please... sign this for me."Thalia pulled a paper from her bag and pushed it towards me."I'm not asking you to sign it right now, but I hope that you could give me your
MICHAEL"Make love to me," I heard her say, her voice clear and filled with desire.I never expected her to use those words before. She's always been more reserved, never explicitly expressing her feelings. But now, she's making her desires known.What does this request mean? Does she have a specific intention, or am I overthinking it?"Did I hear you right?" I asked, needing confirmation. "You want us to make love?"A small, genuine smile graced her lips as she opened her eyes and looked at me. "Yes, please?"In that moment, my mind went blank, and all I could think about were the things I wanted to do to her.All of my anger and worries seemed to fade away with her simple request. I couldn't refuse her."Tell me that you want me," I demanded, pulling her closer to the bed. "Tell me that you need me."She pressed herself against me, pulling my head down to meet her lips in a sweet kiss.Her kisses still held an innocence, a hint of hesitation, but she was learning. She matched my rhy
NATASHAWe lay in bed together until the sun peeked and the birds began singing. The sound of the ocean waves brought a sense of calm, as the faint noises decorated the peacefulness.Everything seems perfect, but the troubles in our heads are too loud to ignore."Hey, sleepyhead," Michael greeted as he buttoned his shirt in front of me. "It's barely morning, baby."Rubbing my eyes, I glanced at the clock. It's less than an hour before noon."You were sleeping like a baby, so I didn't wake you up." He sat at the edge of the bed and leaned in for a kiss. "I know I tired you out last night."I tried to move my legs, but the soreness made me groan."Does it hurt?" He placed his hand on my thigh and softly caressed it."You're leaving?" I noticed that he was dressed formally, and I couldn't help but feel a longing for him even before he left.Clad in his dashing black shirt with an embroidered rose on the left chest, paired with black slacks, he looked majestic.If I could have him permane
MICHAELMarried, patched up the past, and currently facing some challenges."Whoa!" I exclaimed as a flying vase welcomed me the moment I entered the house. It nearly hit my face if not for my quick reflexes."I don't want to see your face!" Natasha shouted, catching me off guard.I knew she was in a bad mood when I left this morning, but what had I done wrong?Setting the vase down on the floor, I was greeted by another jar, but this time, I failed to catch it, and it hit the wall, shattering into pieces."Baby, what's wrong? What did I do?" I asked, completely clueless about the situation."You were seeing another woman!" She accused, grabbing a flower vase from the coffee table."Baby! Baby! Stop, okay? Let's talk this through.""Talk?" She threw the vase, hitting the door. "Only guilty people would want to talk because they know they were caught!""What?" I sighed, walking closer to her."Don't you dare take another step, Michael Montero," she pointed her index finger at me, but I
NATASHAI let out a yelp as Michael suddenly scooped me up from the ground when we entered the house.The entire day had been a mix of nervousness and excitement. Now, we're wrapping it up by expressing the love we vowed in front of the altar and, well... by making love."How does it feel to finally be my Mrs. Montero?" He inquired, kissing my jaw as we climbed the stairs."I haven't felt it yet, but I think I'll find out once we get to the bed," I mischievously replied, knowing he enjoyed it.The way his face lit up and his eyes sparkled, I knew my naughty Michael enjoyed it when I let myself go wild. He likes it whenever I ride along in his mischievous side."Oh-ho, you definitely will," he chuckled, pushing open the door to our bedroom and gently laying me down on the bed, being careful not to hurt my stomach. "I want to be rough, but I can't, right?""Nope," I shook my head, biting my lower lip."That's a shame," he whispered before leaning in to kiss my lips.I could sense his ex
MICHAELThe church is ready, everyone is prepared, and I am all set. However, what's not ready is the schedule; Natasha is still not walking down the aisle.Aaron's laughter beside me only adds to my irritation. "Chill, man. I'm pretty sure Tasha won't run away this time. She's head over heels for you."Choosing him as my best man might have been a mistake. I could have picked Quintus instead, but he insisted on giving up that spot and settled for a seat in the audience. But, Pierce intervened, insisting that they both accompany Natasha down the aisle together.The process of the wedding was a challenge, it was a lot of work, a lot of planning, but now, everything was perfect.I just wish that Natasha will see this as what she expected it to be."You're sweating. I bet you'll be drenched like someone poured a bucket of water on you once she finally arrives," he teased.Rolling my eyes, I silently prayed that I wouldn't do anything inappropriate in the church, or I'd end up in hell soo
NATASHAPromises are being fulfilled one by one, leading me closer to exchanging vows with the person I want to spend my life with."Are you really sure about your choice?" Laura's question felt weighty, as if we were discussing something serious, even though we were just ordering a slice of cake at the café."I clearly said I wanted it," I replied matter-of-factly. "You're acting like you're footing the bill," I added, handing the girl at the bar the money to settle everything I ordered."I'm just worried about you. Michael mentioned you've been into sweets lately. Have you seen all the treats you ordered? All sweets," she gestured towards the three paper bags being readied at the counter. "Yes, you asked for one slice, but did you order every flavor available?"Looking around with a pout, I noticed how Laura's nagging had caught the attention of some customers."If you plan on bloating up like a balloon, you might want to postpone the wedding because the gown won't fit," she teased.
MICHAELI can feel the coldness of her hands against mine; I can see how edgy she becomes as she fidgets on her seat for the past few minutes.The soft song coming from the speakers isn't loud enough to drown out the loud beating of her heart because from where I am, I can hear it."Relax, baby. No one's going to eat you here aside from me," I joked and squeezed her hand lightly. "Unless you need me to ease you down. I'd be glad to attend you in one of the rooms available in Dad's house," I whispered to her.I expected her to scold me and slap my shoulder, but instead, she stood up and pulled me with her.Looks like her hormones are getting stronger and stronger. I like it when she's the one insisting.Passing by Richie, who's carrying a tray of food, probably for Nathaniel, I nodded at him when he looked at us with a frown. Must be because the party is about to start, and we're heading back inside the house.Wincing, I discreetly pointed at Natasha, and he already knew what it means.
NATASHAMy choice was right to drop everything I planned ahead and settle at home, in bed with my husband.I feel like a woman, a strong person while he makes me weak at the same time."You're-- you're pulling back," I said, noticing the way he doesn't move the way he did back then. Every thrust he gives me is careful and slow, tickling me."Shhh...." he hushed me before claiming my lips and kissing me endearingly. Every suck he makes on my lower lip urges me to make a sound, and every time he thrusts deep inside me, I catch my breath.My fingers run through his hair, yanking and pulling. Wanting him closer."I missed you so much," he whispered in my ear as he moved inside me.The air between us is supposed to give us the freedom to breathe properly, yet we only feel suffocated. Our skin begins glistening, sweat rolls in a breezy morning.The wind coming from the open balcony door can't outdo the heat we're making."Ah!" I scream when he hits the right spot, deep. "I'm coming," I gasp
NATASHATwo months after the incident, I've become more cautious about what's around me, the people I encounter, and the smallest details that I could see.Michael told me everything, what happened before the incident and after.I figured out that Elena manipulated everything and he admitted to me that he also fell for her trap. He said that he thanked me, or else, he would have secured the wrong person.The aftermath, everything became a lot different than before. It's like everyone believed that we have moved on, but we haven't. Or is it just me who can't move forward?The aroma of the caffeine reached my senses as I stirred the coffee with a spoon, standing by the sink, my eyes looking through the window and found Michael heading to the back door while wiping his greasy hands."I finally fixed it, didn't I say so?" He proudly uttered as he opened the back door. "I'm Michael Montero, baby." He came close to me, and I immediately stopped him."Oh my God, Michael. Don't you touch me w
MICHAELI could barely hold the wheel. My hands were sweating. I was a bit on edge, thinking about getting caught in an accident for getting too distracted."We're three cars behind you, Mr. Montero. We got your back," Detective Han said over the phone. "I have my team keeping an eye on your house. Just one wrong move from them, and they're all canceled.""Thank you, Detective."I feared not being held captive, but for my family.There were no words coming from any criminal's mouth that I could trust. All I knew was that while the sharks were around, I needed to keep myself from bleeding. But my family was the bait. I would let my blood stain the sea."I've arrived at the house, Detective," I announced as I pulled over in front of the gates. "Take the shot when I'm in the open.""We got you, Mr. Montero."Leaving everything inside the car, I hopped out, looking around, counting how many visible eyes were on me.The concrete floor felt like it was getting hotter with every step I took,
NATASHATime was ticking, and my heart seemed to fail with every passing second. I kept my mouth shut, even as the man who had us tied up bore a hole in me with his gaze."This is itching my fingers to pull the trigger," he murmured, tossing aside the fork he used to eat the skewered meat Dad Quintus had grilled.The clanking noise made my shoulders tense, gasping for air as I closed my eyes.I could feel a sudden pain in my stomach. My baby, no! I had to stay calm.Breathing in through my nose and exhaling slowly through my mouth, thinking about Michael calmed me, but I couldn't help feeling even more nervous.Every footstep the man took decorated the air with silence, a noise I didn't want to hear. The tapping of the soles of his shoes described menace, and I felt threatened every second.The smell of his odor clung to danger. I could smell it, and I could feel the approaching distress."Hey, you," he pointed at one of his men who was shamelessly feasting on the food from the table