Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8: SEEING HIS FORMER IN-LAWS

My eyes widened and I froze in my seat.

His soft lips caused an electrifying feeling that made my whole body numb—paralyzing my system. 

He pulled away as quickly as his lips touched mine. Ears and neck turned red before he buried his face in the curve of my neck. If it wasn’t for his hand touching my waist, I wouldn’t come to my senses. 

I swallowed a few times and gently removed his head from my shoulder. 

“Rest now. I’ll wake you up when the food is ready.”

He must have sensed my avoidance because he gently squeezed my waist before slowly letting go. I helped him lie down in bed. 

The next day, the new chef arrived at the mansion. I knew her back in high school. Analyn was my friend together with Meimei. The woman used to be a troublemaker back then, but now, she’s one of the in-demand chefs’ in the country. 

She gave me the infamous ‘criminal offensive side-eye’ and I rolled my eyes at her, in return. 

Analyn laughed.

Nexus looked fresh in his white t-shirt and khaki shorts. 

I took his hand and signaled Rex to push Nexus’ wheelchair out of the house. Alejandro’s men helped Nexus to get into my car. We sat together in the backseat while one of the bodyguards drove the vehicle. 

While on our way to the main office of Casa Amara, Nexus kept looking out the window while squeezing my hand. I could read that he was familiar with the place we were passing through. 

How could he not when we used to visit my parent’s house whenever we came home to this province?

Casa Amara was composed of villas and rest houses that were inside the big compound. The houses were far enough from each other so the guests could have their privacy. Clients can choose the type of villa we have. Some rest houses were made of bamboo for fresher feels, while others were made of concrete.

The car stopped in front of my office. I helped Nexus sit in his wheelchair again. My secretary, Anjeanette, came afterward and greeted me. 

“Good morning, Ma’am/ Your office is—” she couldn’t finish what she said because I saw my mother standing from her seat, with my father, looking at Nexus intently. 

“What is this, Amara Stephanie?” Dad asked in a furious tone when I pulled them to my office. “Why is that man with you now?”

“Dad, calm down.” 

“Listen to your daughter, Stegh.” My mom’s eyes were now on me. “Why is your ex-husband here?”

“Have you two gotten back together?”

That made me exclaim. “Mom!”

“Oh, why? I can’t think of any other reason. And it’s not impossible to happen.”

“Impossible, Ara. It’s impossible!” My father protested; his eyebrows almost met in annoyance. 

“Why are you getting upset? There’s nothing impossible if they want it. Remember, you were the one pushing your daughter to be with Nexus before.”

“That was before. I regret it now. I thought—”

“Nexus is my employee.” I lied, interrupting them. 

“What?!” 

I sighed as the both of them looked at me with wide eyes. “He doesn’t remember anything.”

In short but clearly, I explained to them the accident that had happened to Nexus and his current condition. I also shared the deal I made with Leticia that made my parents raise their eyebrows. I couldn’t blame them; they knew Leticia caused trouble with my marriage life. 

“Is this just for the money, Stephanie? Are you putting up being with that man for money?” my father questioned in a disappointed tone. 

“I’m being practical, Dad. I need it for the expansion of Casa Amara.”

“No one told you to be overly rich.”

“But that’s what I want.”

My father sighed in defeat and looked down. Silence enveloped us for a moment before Mom stood up. 

“We’re going home.”

I nod my head and hold Dad’s wheelchair.

“I have Jules drive you home,” I said, referring to one of my employees. I didn’t hear any objections from them but we were silent ‘til Jules drove the car out of the property. 

Nexus was under a big beach umbrella when I went to him at the back of the Casa Amara office. His private nurse was sitting on one of the benches nearby, a few steps away from his boss. 

“W-Where is D-Dad?” He turned to me when he felt my presence approaching.

“He went home. How did you know he’s my father?”

“A-Alejandro told me. I already s-saw a p-picture of your s-sister.”

In my mind, I am already cursing Alejandro Almeradez. He shouldn’t bring in my family with this mess!

“W-Why is Dad mad at m-me?” Nexus asked, upset. 

“He’s not angry.”

“He i-is. He g-glared at m-me,” he insisted. 

I repeat my lies. “No, he is not.”

In the end, he nodded his head when he sensed my growing irritation. I held the handle of his wheelchair and signaled Rex to follow us inside. I introduced him to my employees and showed him around the building, including the small departments like finance and service. 

He was fast to understand and seemed interested in how Casa Amara operates. Businessmen run in his veins naturally. 

During lunchtime, we were in the pantry of my office. Rex refused my invitation to join us and said he would eat at the cafeteria instead. 

“Chef Nads cooked these for you. You must eat them all.”

“Not you?” 

“I can’t cook,” I replied. Mind having a brief flashback when I cooked for Nexus and I almost set his penthouse on fire. 

“Did I cook for us before?” he asked with a smile while accepting the food I was giving him. “I will cook for you when I’m already fine.”

I ignored his promising voice. I knew it would be a broken promise again just like what happened with our vow.   

“You’re going to Manila next week.”

Let’s go to the mall. Rex said it’s a nice place.”

“I can’t go with you.” He really acts like a child, starting to wonder about places and new things. Can’t blame him though, he’s working and has been a straight-A type of person, for almost half of his life. 

“Why?” Sadness filled his eyes. 

“I have a lot of things to do here in the office,”

“Will you miss me?” He reached for my hand. 

“Yes. So, you should do your best.”

He pulled me and I closed my eyes as he pressed his lips against mine. I’m not surprised by his sudden act anymore. 

“I will miss you so much, Steph. I love you.”