"Are you okay?" He asks, shifting his eyes to me. I look at him, and I can see in his eyes that he has so many questions. At least he remained calm, because I was scared of him losing his cool to the annoying bastard. "I am. But I wouldn't mind a hug." He embraces me tightly, calming me down. He really doesn't need to put in any effort. That is how strong his magic is for me. "You have such an annoying ex." He says behind me, and I pull away from the hug, but he keeps me pressed to him. I look into his beautiful eyes. "He is not my ex." I say, tightening my hands around his neck. "I like your definition of that word. Why does he seem so mad at you? Did you bite his balls?" Shit, Andy! I hate it when you act dirty because you make my mind go haywire. But I love it all the same because you arouse the dark side of me that I never knew existed. What charm do you use on me? "Seriously, I wish I did. That way, he would have a good reason to be mad at me." "Well, forget that, because
I slowly limp back from the bathroom to my bed, feeling so tired of this room. It has been two good weeks since I had that accident, but it was not as serious as Andy is making it look. I only got a few injuries on the back of my head and my hip, and a very minor one on the hand, but this Andy guy has made a great deal out of it. I don't get to do a single thing in this house. He has taken up all the responsibilities. He has even reduced himself to working from the house since the day I suffered the accident. He takes Angel to and from school, and he has hired a cleaner to do the laundry for us and mop the house. Well, since he can't cook and I have a sense that he can't allow anyone else in his kitchen, we have gone back to eating ordered food. The food from outside has its own special taste, I must admit, but the sweetest of our meals is the breakfast. Why? Andy devoted himself to making it for us. I don't enjoy being babysat at all, but getting that special treatment from Andy hit
He sprawls me gently on his bed and lies beside me, his chest on mine, our eyes scanning our faces. I don't know why he prefers his bedroom over mine, but I like it even more. I like that he wants to live with our memories close to him. On his bed. He lifts his T-shirt, which is acting as my dress to cover my nakedness. He pulls it out, leaving me with nothing. The devilish smile on his face says how well he loves the idea that I have nothing but my birth suit. He runs his hand through my bare skin, giving my nipples a soft pinch each, and he takes pleasure in admiring them for a while. I know he loves my boobs; he has told me that countless times. "How do you like the sight?" I ask, unbuttoning his shirt one button after the other, not forgetting to run my fingers on his chest where I can. I love how tight his muscles are. "I love it." He says, helping me throw his shirt on the floor where my T-shirt lies. I ran my hands savagely on his chest, playfully pinching and pulling his ni
I waddle slowly down the stairs without making any alarming noises because I want to surprise these two people, who have become integral to me. I can't stay cooked up in that room of mine anymore. It has suffocated me adequately. Moreover, my hip doesn't hurt that much. See, I am not even trudging anymore. Andy is just taking advantage so that he can keep cuddling me on the bed all day. I don't mind, though, but at least he should let me walk around. I cross the sitting room and proceed to the kitchen. I wonder what they are doing. The aroma is so inviting from afar, but why the silence? Why am I not hearing their little chit-chats or their outbursts of laughter? "Something smells so sweet in here! What are you guys cooking?" I start announcing my presence the moment I set foot inside the beautiful kitchen, but I stop midway. The aroma is sweet, no doubt, but the atmosphere here is something else. "What happened? What's wrong?" I ask, strolling to where Andy and his daughter are perc
We all walk to the dining area and have our dinner like the happy, beautiful family that we are going to be. Angel's appetite quite skyrocketed today. Oh, I love her. I love them. On the other hand, I feel like number one. I am the luckiest woman on earth to have these two beautiful souls in my life. I feel like I own the entire world. Love is really sweet. I can't wait to have this beast of mine all to myself so that I can show him just how much I appreciate it. Oh, I am itching for that. Andy offers to clean the dishes after we are done eating that burned roast chicken he prepared for us. I don't blame him at all. We drew all our attention to the crucial matter a while ago, and we solely forgot about everything else, including the chicken that was cooking in the oven. Since it was too late when we resolved the matter and because it was past Angel's bedtime, we decided to eat the chicken just the way it was, but most of it went to waste. It was sweet, if only it didn't burn. So her
We pull up in front of a classic hotel someplace I don't know, because again, Andy decided to corner me into one of his tricks. Not that he has done that many times, actually, and to be precise, he did it just once. That day, I refused to talk to him, and he asked Mark to kidnap me and take me to his office. Well, not exactly kidnapping, because I didn't have a gun pointed at my head, nor was I bundled into or forced into his limousine. He just played with my mind then, like he did today. The only difference with today is that he sent me a text asking me to get ready by eight and that Mark would pick me up and drop me somewhere. He had Mark fetch Angel from school, and I am presuming that he took her to this place he brought me to. Andy also had a package containing a special dress and shoes delivered to me, and on it was a note that said, "I can't wait to lay my eyes on you tonight, dazzling in this silver dress. Te Amo." And him being the sweet annoying ass that he is sometimes, he
"Andy?" I whisper, a whisper that can only be heard by me, and maybe the components of the air surrounding me are not more than a centimetre away. Andy? My Greek beauty god, my prince charming, my knight in shining armour, the apple of my eye, my rib, and my sweet beloved Andy are right in front of me. I won't say he is standing before me because he is not standing. He is down on one knee, a shining precious jewel dazzling in one hand, his gorgeous dark brown eyes on me, and a half-smile on his lips. I am in dreamland, right? I believe I am, and that is why I have to take slow, weak steps, driven by confusion towards this man in front of me, to confirm whether this is a fairytale. Or a sweet dream. If it is, then I want to live in this moment forever. But if this is real, I will treasure this moment my entire life. I take slow, calculated steps forward, my eyes full of questions and uncertainty, not leaving his. I want him to give me a sign that I am not dreaming, but he seems lost
"Say yes, mommy. Please?" I glance at the happy, chubby kid shouting her plea from the crowd behind me. As if she understands what saying yes to this means. Kids nowadays, though! But for her too, I want this. I want to be the mother she never had. I want to give her a complete family, which she both deserves and longs for. I love her like my own, and I vouch she will never know the discrepancy between her and my own children because I consider her my first child. I want to make both of them so happy and choke them with my unconditional love and care. I turn to my amore. "Even if you ask me this a million times, my answer is and will always be the same. YES! I want to be your wife, Adrian Ashton. I will marry you." I mumble, and as he slides the gold ring on my middle finger, his face shinning with a beautiful smile, the room is filled with shouts of cheers, laughter, and claps that are too loud, summoning in some young people in red with trays in their hands. I turn to Andy, wrappi
As I tap my stilettos at a tortoise pace on the red carpet down the aisle, my lips are curved up to an expansive, salacious smile. All my senses are receptive, attesting to the happiest day of my life. The day I bid goodbye to my youth and embrace marriage and all the commitments that come with it. I'm neither apprehensive nor fearful, and I am not walking into this with any of the myths out there about marriages. I know mine will not be like any other, and that is the difference. Life with Andy has been blissful for those eight months I have known him, despite the drawbacks and challenges, and I have no qualms that this is yet another onslaught to a heavenly incredible life. This, conclusively, is my sunniest day under the face of the earth, and it will infinitely be nurtured in my heart, alongside all the days I have had and ever will spend with my better half. The man who melts my heart even without a word or any action. All I need is to think of him or cast a glance at him, and ev
"Ooh, I said I could walk, Daddy. Just put me down." Angel snorts to her dad after we get out of the car, making us all laugh. She is acting all tough and strong for someone who just left the hospital, but we are all happy that she isn't now experiencing much pain. At least her attitude doesn't say that. "Are you sure you can walk, princess?" Andy and his worries as he puts her down, albeit unwillingly. "Of course, daddy. Princesses are strong, right?" She chirps, taping her feet on the ground and walking a few steps ahead of us as we watch her. "See, I can walk." "Okay, but just be careful, okay? Don't run." She smiles as she leads us inside the house, marching with so much vigour. She must have been so exhausted from being constrained in that hospital bed. I would be as overjoyed if I were her.Stepping inside, she stops just a step away from the door, her eyes darting around to the new faces awaiting her inside—my family. We walk in, Andy and I standing on her sides. "Hi, cuti
FAST FORWARD. TWO DAYS LATER We park at the hospital's parking lot and step out, Andy hooking his hand around my small waist as we make our way to Angel's room. He is becoming so overprotective as the days go by, and I can't lie that I don't like it. As I had anticipated, the news of our baby has blown his mind. It seems like an accomplishment for him, and I can't be less enthusiastic. As early as now, I can't wait to hold my cute little angel in my arms when it's born. I just can't wait. We stroll to where Ambrose and Rita are perched on the leather couch just outside the door, and they stand to acknowledge our presence. They have been of tremendous help these past three days. We have been alternating shifts to watch over Angel, and for that, among many other things, like bundling me to my prince charming, I will always be indebted to them. They are indeed friends worth keeping. We hug them and rack in front of them. This guy beside me has been procrastinating on talking to them f
"So, we have this entire house to ourselves, baby." Andy says this as we make our way out of the shower in our master bedroom. Apparently, he bought a new house for my family to stay in, as we couldn't have accommodated them all here. Well, we would have, but he just has some stringent beliefs of his, which I concede. Like, how could we let my parents sleep in a room that has been used? It's not right. I applaud him for his wise sentiments. We haven't discussed anything with them yet because they suggested we get a little sleep and some freshening up first before we can talk. Sleep huh! It's not like there is a case or a motion to dispute it. It's just the formal introduction and some clarifications here and there. Mina and Mira needed a lot of rest too, so my parents chaperoned them to the house Andy got for them, while Rita and Ambrose stayed back to watch Angel. We don't have much time since we know Angel will inquire about us when she wakes up, but our desires can't just let thi
We all stand up when the door to Angel's room opens, with the doctor standing in front of us. We are all here—all my family members and also Rita and her husband. Andy called them up, though they haven't conversed, but at least they feel appreciated even by just being here. "Well, doc? How did it go?" I ask because Andy seems to be contemplating something that I don't know. "It went well, Mr. Ashton. The transfusion was a success." The doctor replies, causing us all to relax. Everyone was tense. "Can we see her now?" I ask after breathing out a sigh of relief. "Sure, but don't bother her so much as she needs a lot of rest. Only two people at a time." The doctor says this and excuses himself. My parents nod at me, implying that Andy and I go in first. That was deduced. We are her parents anyway, and we just can't introduce them to her in her hospital bed. I looked at Andy. He is still lost, to the point that I had to shake him to reality. "Let's go in." I ask, afraid of what he lo
My family pulls me for a family bear hug the moment they get out of the car. I missed them so much, and I am so glad that they have arrived safely. I was really worried because Damian is still on the loose. You can't trust crazy maniacs like him. You just can't tell what way they would use to get back at you. But finally, I am at peace. I pill away, and their eyes fall to the bandage on my head, my mother's hands travelling to it. "My dear." "How are you all?" "We are okay, Tania. How are you?" Father responds? "I'm okay. We are okay." "Hi, everyone." Andy greets me from behind me and allows them to exchange pleasantries. He still hasn't said anything about Angel, and I am afraid of asking him anything. I fear for the poor kid, and I want to believe that he is just going through an emotional crisis that won't last long. "Babe?" He calls, and I look up at him, Mina and Mira standing beside him. "I'll just show them to the doctor." He explains. "Okay." I respond, and then he tu
"You don't know what a cranky and stringent jerk that jerk of yours is, Tania." Ambrose speaks. "Hey! Watch your mouth, will you? If he hears you, we are done!" Rita warns.What will I do about these three? They surely can't continue like this. "Is there anything else that you two aren't telling us, Tania?" Ambrose is the first one to speak, and guessing by the pregnant look on his wife's face, I know she has tons of questions too. "Yes, Tania. Why can't any of you donate blood to Angel? And why is Adrian acting so overly protective of you? We've been watching from a distance, and you two are acting weirdly odd. What's up? Is there a problem?" Huh, these two! I understand their worry, but still, I'm not opening my mouth. "Come on, Tania! The situation isn't that bad to shut us out like this." Ambrose pleads, his worry and concern palpable in his voice. "I still don't understand what your faces are doing here because our agreement still stands." Whoa!They cower back in fear agai
"Don't you at least need to sit down, babe? You are pacing too much, and that is not good for you." Andy says. Huh! See why I refused to tell him right away? What will pacing do to a one-month-old foetus? Goodness! I have heard stories of expectant women participating in and winning running marathons. But to Adrian Ashton, pacing, standing, or anything at all except eating is not good for me. Leave aside that for now, because I know I have not seen anything yet, but how on earth can even I stop this freaking pacing if no one is picking up my calls for the tenth time back at home? Where the heck is that family of mine when I need them the most? "Still no response, Andy! What are we going to do?" I ask, worry washing over me. My twin sisters are the only hope we have right now to save Angel, but I can't get a hold of them. Who the hell is with that damn phone? "Relax, babe! Just sit first." Huh, this Andy again. He guides me to the leather seat and assists me to crouch down with ca
"Tania!"I turn around to hear the voice of Rita behind me, her husband beside her. They are shocked at my state. "Ambrose. Please find doctor Shannia and ask her to take you to where Andy is taking a bath. " I say, and he turns around on his long strands. I hope he arrives in time to find Andy still in the bathroom. Otherwise, it would be impossible to get him back there again. "How are you, my friend?" Tania speaks before I can forget that there is someone around me. I need comfort. I need a friend, and she has always been the only one.I fall into her arms, and she hugs me tight, the weight of what I have been carrying for the last couple of hours coming out in drops of tears. I rest on her chest until I realize I am almost soaking her top wet with my tears. I pull away. "I am so afraid, Rita." I mutter, keeping my sobs at bay and drying some of my tears. "Everything will be fine, Tania." She consoles. "When, Rita? Every time we think this is about to be over, something happe