Chapter Three

“Hey please tell me where are my things?” I said while sobbing. How can I fix my things when he carried me in bridal style immediately. I left my things on the road.

It might get stolen or worst garbage collectors might think it was a garbage and took it with them. I cried even hard while shaking his left arm.

“For the love of God Nola, would you please stop crying? You’re stressing me out!” he said and stood up to walk back and forth. His living room is so wide, it is wider than my apartment.

“My question is so easy! You don’t have to use formulas to answer it!” I shouted while still crying.

He glanced at me and sighed loudly. He walked towards me and what he did next shocked me to the core. He cupped my face and wiped my tears. “My men already took care of it. Okay?” he said softly. I pouted and nodded. I looked at the kitchen area and saw the maids hiding behind the wall.

So that’s why he was so sweet, someone’s watching. I waved at them and smiled. I laughed because they didn’t expect me to see them. They ran back to their quarters and some even pretended to cook something. Aries and I shook our heads.

“Go upstairs and get change we are going to have lunch with my family later.”

“Okay, where’s my room?”

“Our room Nola.” He emphasized the word ‘our’ and rolled his eyes. “Where’s our room honey-bunch sweetie pie, pumky-umky-umkin?” I teased. He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“The black door at the end of the hallway.” He answered while comfortably sitting on the sofa. “You don’t want to join me?” I teased him again. He scoffed and rolled his eyes for the second time.

I chuckled and went upstairs, but before I could reach the second floor I realized something. I don’t have clothes with again.

“Aries I don’t have clothes with me!” I shouted from the second floor.

“I didn’t ask!” he shouted back. That dumbass!

“Idiot! What will I wear? Do you want me to go with you naked?” I answered from the top. Minutes later, I can hear him going upstairs.

He put his hands in his waist and stared at me intently. He looks so stress because of me. “Seriously woman, what do I have to do with you?”

“That’s just easy my love, you just tell me where my things are.”

“It’s not here, it’s in my other condo.” He answered. What? Why did he bring it to his condo? I don’t have clothes here!

“What? What would I wear huh? I look dirty with this dress!”

“I bought dresses for you it’s in the closet.” He said and went downstairs. He’ll just wait for there. 

I went to our room and surprisingly, it is spotless clean. You can literally see the shimmer in every corner of the room. There were two doors on the right side of the room. I bet it’s his closet and bathroom. I opened the second door and mentally complimented myself for guessing the room right.

Psychic powers bitch!

I looked around his bathroom. Gosh! Even his bathroom screams extravagance! The golden bath tub is just so extra. I went to the shower room and as usual there were things that only a billionaire has. There were shower heads everywhere! Is this a car wash store?

“Oh shit the water is good.” I whispered when I opened the shower. I started cleaning myself and when I was done, I grabbed the cream bathrobe that was hanging outside the shower room.

I was about to enter his closet when I realize that it was locked. Only his fingerprint will be able to unlock it. Oh, wow is he hiding something inside? I went downstairs.

He immediately frowned when he saw me wearing a bathrobe. “I told you to change your clothes! I already told where it is!” he shouted. I stared at him blankly and this time, I put my hands in my waist.

“Honey bunch how can I open your damn closet if I don’t have your fingers?” I said sarcastically. He looked away and cleared his throat. Now fight me!

He stood up and I followed him upstairs. He opened his closet and he let me in. My eyes widened in amusement. This isn’t a closet, it’s a department store!

His polo are arranged according to its colors, I opened the drawers underneath and it was his pants and some casual clothes. There’s a chandelier hanging at the center of the room. Wow! Does it really require for billionaires to have a chandelier even in their closet? 

There’s a glass cabinet in the middle of the room it has his watch collection in it. It looks expensive I might steal that later. 

“Get change already.” I jumped out of shock. I thought he already closed the door?

I smirked. “You really want to see me naked.” He scoffed at my statement. “You can say it though, I’m your wife.” I said and wiggled my eyebrows to annoy him more. He rolled his eyes and was about to go outside when I called him.

“Hey where are my clothes? You’re just flexing your things to me.”

He turned his head at me. “The white door beside my shoe collection” he answered and closed the door.

“Wow he has a shoe collection, while I have flip-flops collection some doesn’t have a pair.” I whispered and went to his shoe collection and opened the white door.

“What the actual fuck, is this a boutique?” I asked myself as I look around the room.

The walls were painted pink and white, I also can see a little pit of purple in some areas but the room was dominated with pink and white. There are so many dresses hanged in the cabinets. Dresses, bags, shoes you name it, it’s all here.

The white floral dress caught my attention. It was V-neck flared sleeve pleated chiffon dress. I looked at its tag to see what brand it is.

Gucci.

My eyes widened. What the fuck?

I shrugged my shoulders and wore the dress. I wandered around and saw a box from the same brand. This time it was a light pink GG Marmont sandals. It looks legit because of its authenticity card inside. I looked at the sandals, it was embellished across the front with an antique gold-tone iteration of the GG emblem. I googled its price and I felt like a wearing a whole house.

It was fucking 676 euros. 

How much is this in the Philippines?

Oh, whatever! I wore the sandals and decided to fix myself. I tied my hair into half ponytail and let out some baby hairs in front. I went downstairs when I was contented with my look.

“What took you so long?” he complained the moment he saw me walking down.

“Oh I’m sorry, I thought that it was just a dress that you bought. I didn’t know you bought a whole Gucci store.” I said sarcastically and rolled my eyes. I twirled in front of him. “Is it okay? Do I look like the wife of the most sought after billionaire bachelor in the country?”

He leaned his head forwards and rested his chin on his hands. He pretended to think. I raised a brow. “So you’re having second thoughts now huh?” he laughed because of what I said.

He stood up and offered his hand. “Yeah you look decent now. Let’s go grandma is already waiting for us.” He said and grabbed his coat. 

“Bye everyone! Let’s talk later!” I said and waved at the maids. I even heard Aristotle’s ‘tsk’ beside me while the maids were awkwardly waving back at us.

He wrapped his hand around my waist when we got out of his mansion. He even open the car’s door for me. Wow, gentleman. He started the car’s engine and drove somewhere. He didn’t tell me where we are having our lunch.

I frowned when he parked the car at the Higgins Hotel and Restaurant. “Hey are we really going there?” I asked him. There are so many restaurants here in the city, and they chose the restaurant where I work?

“Where do you expect us having lunch?” he asks while raising a brow.

“Uh Jollibee?”

He shook his head and we went inside. The eyes of the staffs instantly widened seeing me with Aries. 

“Hey it’s just me.” I joked at the security guard. He wasn’t able to say anything, so we went inside.

He wrapped his hand around my waist as we walk towards his family. They were in the table in the corner of the restaurant. While we are walking, the eyes from different girls inside stared at Aries. Some of them are even glaring at me. Seriously what’s their problem? 

I rolled my eyes at them and stick out my tongue. Sorry girls your man of dreams are mine.

“Stop that Nola Florentina.” Aries reprimanded me when he caught me sticking out my tongue to a random woman.

I waved my hand at the glass wall where I can clearly see my co-workers. As usual, they just stared at me for a second and went back to their works after. I frowned.

“Here they are!” Grandma Adel embraced me while she kissed the cheek of Aries. Mama Sadie also kissed our cheek and Papa Augustus and Grandpa Benji hugged us. They already ordered food so we ate the food first.

“So how’s your wedding night? Nola did Aries hit the home run last night? I want quadruplets!” I choked on my drink because of his statement. What the hell? Pushing one child seems very hard what more if four?!

Aries rubbed my back and I was just coughing. “Grandpa you're startling my wife.” Aries said.

Mama Sadie chuckled. “I’m sorry my dear, did I scare you? I apologize, it’s just that I really want many great-grandchildren from Aries.” Grandpa said.

“I’m sorry Grandma I was just shocked.”

I leaned at Aries and whispered. “What the hell Aristotle I didn’t know Grandpa wants four at the same time! Is it okay if we do it every other year?” this time he choked on his drink.

“Are you okay Aries?” Papa Augustus asked worriedly. He glared at me while still coughing, and I was just rubbing his back.

I winced when he pinched my legs. What did I do?

He just nodded while wiping his tears because of coughing. I was fighting the urge to laugh when he glared at me for the second time.

We continued talking about random things. We also talked about my sister’s situation, she is scheduled to have surgery next week. 

I also went to the hospital with him after to visit my sister.

I knocked on the door and an old lady opened the door. “You’re so pretty today Nola! And who’s that beautiful man?” she whispered the last sentence.

I chuckled. “He’s my husband.” She slapped my arm. “Right Aries?” I glanced at Aries who just rolled his eyes and eventually nodded. “See!” I said and laughed.

“Hey Nola Flore- Oh lalala…” Caleb wasn’t able to call my name fully when he saw the man behind me.

“Do you believe me now?” I teased. He didn’t mind me and went in front of my husband and offer his hand. “Hi! I’m Caleb, Nola’s best friend.” He introduced himself. Caleb gasped when Aries shake hands with him. That bitch.

“I’m Aristotle.” Aries introduced himself.

“The philosopher? Joke! C’mon let’s go to our area”.

“Grandma Adel bought foods for you here.” I said and put the plastic bag at the small table then I turned to wake my sister up. “Niah…” I called her while gently rubbing her cheeks. Maybe she got tired because it was her schedule for her therapy a while ago. I wasn’t able to stay with her because we had lunch with Aries’ family.

“Nola?” she called my name weakly. I smiled and brushed her hair gently. “I brought foods c’mon let’s eat.” I said. 

“You look pretty today.” She complimented me. I chuckled lightly, she then glanced at Aries who was still standing at the edge of her bed. “Is he your husband?” she asks.

“Yes now eat.” I said and put a plate with food on her table.

She smiled and waved his hand weakly “Hello! I’m Niah, Nola’s little sister.”

“Hello… I’m Aries, Nola’s husband.” He greeted my sister and brushed her hair. She stared at the both of us and smiled. “I guess it’s okay for me to go anytime soon. Someone will take care of my sister.” She whispered while staring at Aristotle.

The three of us looked at each other. “Niah don’t say that.” I said. She just smiled and she started eating.

We stayed there for a couple of hours until Caleb throw us out. “Are you sure? Do you have any appointments tomorrow?” I asked him.

He shook his head and made some hand gestures. “ I’m okay here sis so be with your husband first! Have some quality time with him! Play with each other!” I smacked him in the head.

“Gaga, tomorrow I’ll be with Niah until the next day. Go and have a quality time with yourself.” I said. 

“Thank you for your concern but I’m okay here. Talking with the other guardians here is fun.” He said and pushed me out of the room. I bid goodbye at the both of them before going out.

“I want to talk with Aries for a minute.” Niah said when we are about to go home. Aries and I looked at each other, and he went to her bed. Caleb and I went out first and wait for Aries outside. 

“Let’s go?” Aries said when he stepped out of the room. I hugged Caleb before going to Aries.

“What did my sister said?” I asked him when we are in his car on the way home.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing, nothingna mo.” I whispered a curse word. He suddenly stopped the car at the side of the road and stared at me while raising a brow.

“What did you say?” he asked again using his scary voice. I’m not afraid actually. I can bash his head on the window.

I cursed at him again, and he flicked his finger on my mouth. I slapped his arm. Damn that hurts! I wasn’t able to dodge it because it was so sudden. “Why would you do that?” I hissed.

“That’s unwomanly Nola.” He only said and continued driving. Unwomanly his ass!

I got out first and didn’t look at him. I heard him call my name but I didn’t bother looking at him. I went straight to the kitchen where the maids are talking. “Rosa can you check if my mouth is red.” I said.

“Oh my… It’s red. What happened Ma’am?” she asked.

“Well there is some jerk who flicked a finger on my mouth.” I said and frowned. The other maids went to us to check on me.

“Is it Sir Aries, Ma’am?” one of them asked.

“Yes!” They were all startled because of my sudden shouting. “I’m sorry, I was just triggered.” I apologized. The all laughed at me.

We started gossiping about Aries’ past relationships. “Really?” I gasped and started laughing.

“Yes Ma’am! The other woman was very unhygienic! She leaves her used napkin at the sink! How gross is that?” said the head of the maids in the house. We all winced at what she said.

“Yuck! That’s just disgusting!”

“But it’s all in the past now, you’re his wife. You’re a chef right Ma’am?” the other maid asked.

“Ah yes,” I answered shyly and scratched the back of my head. “Please don’t call me Ma’am I’m not your teacher. You can call me Nola or Nola pretty.” I said and giggled.

Someone cleared his throat behind me, and we all stopped talking. I turned my head and saw Aries at the door resting his back on the wall, arms crossed. He is wearing his pajamas while I’m still wearing the dress.

I rolled my eyes. “What?” 

“Let’s sleep.” He said while still standing in front of me. I stick out my tongue and crossed my arms. “Don’t want to.”

The maids chuckled at my attitude towards their boss. “Can’t you see we are still talking! You’re disturbing us!” I said.

“Nola c’mon let’s sleep…”

“You know honeybunch sweetie pie if you’re already sleepy, why don’t you go and sleep without me? Am I carrying the bed that you can sleep without me?” I asked him sarcastically.

“Sir, Miss Nola is upset because you flicked your fingers on her mouth. Look her mouth is red.” Rosa said.

Aries' brows furrowed and went nearer and cupped my face to examine it. “Nah, it’s fine, a kiss will do.” He said and the maids giggled. I frowned. Aren’t they having goose bumps because of this man?

He dragged me out of the kitchen to go upstairs. “Hey wait! My feet hurt!” he stopped and started walking slowly.

When we entered our room, he immediately pushed me towards the bathroom. Am I that stinky? I shrugged and took a shower for the third time this day. When I was finished, I saw a pair of pajamas and even under wears neatly folded on the bed.

I looked at Aries who was laying comfortably on the bed. He raised his brow and shrugged. I also raised a brow and grabbed the pajama and went back inside the bathroom to change.

After that, I went beside him and covered my body with a duvet. “Are you really upset?” he asked while poking the comforter

“No, I’m going to sleep, I have to go to work tomorrow and be with Niah after.” I said.

“Hey I’m sorry…” he begged like a child.

I didn’t mind him. I heard his sigh and turned off the television. He also covered himself with my comforter causing us to look at each other. “I’m sorry okay?” he apologized again.

“Yeah! Yeah! whatever! I’m going to sleep!” I turned my back on him. He chuckled and turned off the lights using the remote control beside him.

I woke up early the next day just like what I always do. I washed my face and went downstairs to cook. Good thing the maids are still eating their breakfast. “Good morning everyone!” I greeted the maids and his drivers outside eating their breakfast.

“Oh my Miss! You’re up early we didn’t prepare food for you!” the startled maids immediately entered the kitchen and was about to cook something when I stopped them. 

“You’re calling me Miss now because I don’t want to be called ma’am.” I said and chuckled. “Don’t use honorifics on me please. And continue eating your breakfast I can cook!” I said and jokingly pushed them out of the kitchen.

I fried the bacons and hot dogs, when some maids were finished eating they went inside and helped me in baking muffins and cake. They also made fried rice to pair with the bacons and hot dogs.

I baked the cake for their dessert or snack later. “Wow! That smells good miss!” they complimented.

“Of course! I made that. I’m going to put this in the refrigerator it’s for all of you okay? Don’t let Aristotle eat that, if he did smack him in the head if it gets you in trouble call me. I’ll smack him again” I said, and they all chuckled and clapped like a seal in happiness. 

As if on cue, Aristotle went downstairs wearing a full business attire, while I was still in my pajamas. “Where are we going Mayor?” I teased. He rolled his eyes and went to his seat.

“You made these?” he picked a muffin. I nodded and stared at him anticipating for his answer. He rested her elbows on the table which made me uncomfortable, my parents always reprimand me when I am resting my elbows on the table. He pretended to think and stared at the muffin. “I wonder how you became a pastry chef, this tastes well, incomplete.” 

“What?” I stared at him in disbelief. I picked up another muffin and gave it to a maid who was pouring a milk on my glass. “It tastes good right?” I said while staring at her using puppy dog eyes. 

“Yeah, It tastes good!” the maid said while chewing.

“See! Next time I won’t cook for you anymore! You’re destroying my self-confidence!” I clearly upset alright! How dare he? Does he know that his restaurant is booming because of my cakes? That ungrateful bastard!

He looked at me like he regretted the things he said a while ago. “Hey… I’m just kidding.” He said clearly afraid of my face right now.

“Jerk!” I mumbled and started eating fast and walked away after. I went to our room to prepare for work.

When I went downstairs, I saw him in the living room patiently waiting for me. “Oh, why are you still here?"

“Are you upset?” I rolled my eyes.

“No.” Yes you bastard! I’m very upset! I put my efforts in baking that damn muffin only to get my self-confidence destroyed.

“I was just kidding, c’mon I’m sorry…” he said while trying to wrap his arms around my waist. I stuck out my tongue and was about to go outside when he called my name.

“What?”

“I’ll drop you off to the hotel, I have to go to my office there anyway. Just wait a minute.” He said and called Rosa. She went out of the kitchen holding a plain looking box. My brows furrowed. What’s that?

“What’s that?”

“Your muffins.” He answered shortly and we went out of the house.

What the hell? Is he going to throw it out? I glared at him. “Are you going to throw it?”

“What? No!” he shouted clearly taken aback.

“Then what are you going to do with that? It tastes bad for you right?” I shouted back clearly annoyed.

He sighed in exasperation. “I was just kidding a while ago Nola! I brought it with me because my friend are coming over for a meeting. It’s our snacks!” he yelled. I pouted and went inside his car and slammed the door in front of him.

He went over to the driver seat, and we went to the hotel. When we arrive, I got out first and I even heard hi call my name but I didn’t look back. I entered the restaurant. “The first lady of Higgins Hotel is here!” the staff shouted.

I showed my middle finger at him and he laughed. “Dumbass.”

I saw our managing chef doing something, so I approached him. I was about to ask for his permission about my leave. Niah is scheduled to have a surgery next week I’m planning to leave for a week.

“Chef…” I trailed.

“Oh why Nola?” he asked while his attention was on the pan.

“I’m about to file my leave for a week because my sister is scheduled to have a surgery next week.” I said. He turned off the stove and stared at me like I said something funny. He laughed loudly.

“Are you really asking for my permission Nola? Ask permission at your husband!” he said while still laughing.

My mouth formed and o when I’ve just realized that my husband is the owner. I only nodded and went to my station.

“Nola!” the waiter went inside. “Sir Aries wants you to cook his lunch.” He said.

“I’m a pastry chef not his personal chef, say that to him.” I said.

“Wow… I can’t reach the level of your courage” Lea mumbled.

“Perks of being the wife of the owner.” I joked, she smacked my head.

The waiter went back inside the kitchen not long after. “Nola he’ll fire you if you don’t follow him.” he said.

“That motherfucker.” I whispered. Lea snickered beside me and went back to her station. I know this isn’t the job he was talking to, he was referring to the other one. “What does my dear husband want?” I asked.

The waiter looked at his list. “Seared lamb medallions and shrimp fettuccine Alfredo. He wants you to serve it on their table.” He answered and went outside to do his job. I have no choice but to cook his food.

“Here’s your food, your highness.” I said sarcastically as I put his food he ordered. His friends are also here.

“I didn’t know that there’s a special treatment here in this restaurant.” Keegan joked while eating his food.

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll go now.” I said and waved goodbye at them. The three of them waved back at me while Aristotle was just eating. Link wasn’t here, he’s not a businessman after all.

As I was walking back to the kitchen, someone just groped my ass. I turned my back and saw a disgusting old man smirking at me. I scoffed and glared at him. “What did you do?” I asked.

“What are you going to do? Tell the manager?” he scoffed and the looked at me. “I know the owner of this hotel, I can make you jobless in just a call from him.” wow he’s the one that’s mad and what did he say? I laughed.

He was about to touch me in the most private part of my body when I twist his arm. He screamed in pain but managed to slap me with his other hand. I lost grip on his hand and was frozen in place. Damn that hurt.

“You little bitch!” he screamed again like a boy. He was about to slap me again when an arm stopped it from landing on my cheek. I looked up and saw Aries raging in anger. I can literally see the fire in his blue eyes. 

The old man widened his eyes when he saw Aries. “Mr. Higgins!”

“Touch and hurt my wife again and I’ll burn you and your petty company into ashes.” He said with so much anger.