(Red’s POV)“Me?” Aya raised her eyebrows, her palm on her chest as she confirmed that Violet was asking for her, not Scarlett.When our housekeepers knew Violet was okay, they left Aya and me in the hallway, just outside my daughter’s bedroom, giving us the privacy to talk.“Yeah, you,” I affirmed, although I was also unsure about it.Among my children, Violet was the only one who never called her mommy, just Aya, but today, she didn’t need me, not even Scarlett or anyone from our family. Only Aya.“Okay. I’ll check on her,” She smiled anxiously, breathing out nervously as she entered the bedroom.I followed her and sat on the edge of Violet’s bed, watching her and thinking about what would happen. Aya glanced at me; her lips trembled as she smiled before turning to the closed door.“Violet,” she knocked softly and called her.My daughter immediately opened the door for her, and when she entered the bathroom, Violet immediately locked it. A few minutes later, Aya went out, and Violet
(Aya’s POV)I did not move, pretended I had fallen asleep, dead-tired after our long day together. I could hear Red’s even breathing a few minutes after he switched off the main light. The only ones left were the dim wall light, enough for us not to stumble toward the bathroom just in case we wanted to use it at night.Slowly, I moved, rolling to my other side, but I was scared to open my eyes and see Scarlett sleeping between Red and me. My imagination went wild, wanting to move closer to my husband, but whenever it happened, my subconscious mind would scare me to death, seeing Scarlett’s spirit lurking in the shadows.Sighing, I rolled to my other side again while my mind screamed at me for believing a dead could hurt me. I had been married to Red for almost a week, and I could imagine myself dead before we could even celebrate our first year together. Cause of death? Nightmares. Crazy imagination of seeing Scarlett and thinking she would never share anyone of her family with me.I
(Aya’s POV)‘Just like me, they long to be… Close to you.’My eyelids opened, but I could still hear my mother’s voice singing her favorite song in my dream. My lips curved into a sad smile, missing her terribly and remembering how she would sing any of the Carpenters’ songs whenever she cooked breakfast in the kitchen.Red, pulling me closer to him, reminded me of what had happened last night. Nothing erotic or sensual happened, except we had that heartwarming conversation, and then I fell asleep in his arms. I blinked and gazed at my new favorite color, Red, and thought how lucky I was to be in the arms of a gorgeous, really tempting-to-kiss, sweet-smelling husband.I raised my hand, my index finger trailing his soft lips, wishing to kiss him, but my body jolted, startled when Red grabbed my wrist and playfully bit my finger.“You scared me,” I growled in a low voice, pretending to be angry at him and pulling back my hand.He chuckled, opened his eyes, and gazed at me. “Go back to s
(Aya’s POV) “Daddy’s free today. What do you want to do?” Red asked, looking at his children quietly eating their breakfast. I sucked my lips in when five children began talking at once. It was like they were bidding in an auction in their own noisy way. I could hear the zoo, museum, and amusement park… and Violet’s growl, annoyed with her siblings. “Whew!” Red turned his head at me. “I should have just asked you what you want to do.” I chuckled and turned to our children. “Kids, what did I tell you about speaking at the same time?” “You go first, mommy,” Sapphire grinned. “What do you want to do?” My eyes narrowed, wrinkling my nose as I thought. “I can’t think of anything in particular, but I want to have a great time with you.” “I want to go to the zoo,” Blue murmured, his lips pouting and his eyes squinting at his spoon. “Let’s not go there,” Violet sneered, rolling her eyes at him. “You’ll only realize you’re adopted,” she said and mimicked the sound of a monkey. “Daddy!”
(Aya’s POV)“You really want to go here, huh?” Red muttered, pointing his index finger at our current location on the map board.We stopped in front of the map board of The Oak Lake and compared it with the brochure given to us at the main entrance. It was a huge park with a camping site and recreational activities for companies who wanted to conduct team-building events or for families and friends who just wanted to commune with nature to do hiking or water ventures like boating, swimming, or fishing at the lake. In my case, I went here for a particular reason. I nodded, smiling, and maybe even my eyes were sparkling with delight for coming here.“And you’re not here for the amenities and activities?” he asked again.“Nope. I’m here for Chef Arvin,” I chuckled disappointingly, looking back at the seafood restaurant, which was closed because it was under renovation, before holding his hand and tugging him toward the road with a signage Central Oak Market.I heaved a sigh and looked
(Red’s POV)“You’re the best, Aya,” Vin smiled, his index finger pointing at his plate.My private bodyguard glanced at me and smiled apologetically for talking to my wife casually. He had been with the family since Violet was born, but he had never talked this way to Scarlett. She treated our household staff well and with great kindness, making sure they were well compensated but limited only to an employer-employee relationship kind of thing.We were seated at a picnic table, and everyone could not decline when Aya insisted we all eat at one table. Vin explained to her that they must be on the lookout and vigilant all the time, but Aya only said that unless aliens threatened to kidnap her and me, especially me, they must be on guard.“Thank you, Vin,” she grinned, standing up and taking her plate.“Na-ah!” Dante shook his head, taking the plate from her hands. “You fed us already, so I’m clearing this up.”The others murmured their thanks, saying they would go back to their posts an
(Red’s POV)“Answer me, Aya. Did your sister take care of you?”I pursed my lips, unsure why I was mad, maybe because she took the responsibility of taking care of Katie and attending to the needs of his sick father instead of her sister.She chuckled. “She obviously didn’t, and I really don’t care, Red.”“Why do you have to be so kind?” I sneered, gritting my teeth as I pinned my eyes on the slow water flow in the creek.Aya rested her head on my shoulder. “I’m not, Red. At that time, I thought my mother was right, giving us equal love, only prioritizing her more because Myra’s too awesome to be neglected. Did I tell you why it was so important for mom for my sister to become a doctor?”I shook my head. She turned around, leaning her back on the protective fence of the bridge, not minding me facing her as I held on to the railing, imprisoning her.“Love’s at fault here,” she chuckled, amused by her own answer. “Mom’s a city girl who fell in love with this poor farmer boy.” She rolled
(Red’s POV)“This is your fault, Red,” Aya could not stop laughing as we reached the end of the bridge.“How did this become my fault?” I asked, looking at the sky as I panted; my heart was still pounding fast after our run. “You made the sky cry,” she breathed out, raising her head and squinting her eyes as if checking on the place.I clucked my tongue and shook my head. “Nope! You’re the one who made the sky cry.”“I guess I did. Still, it’s your fault for bringing up my past.” She curled her lips and moved her mouth from side to side as she looked ahead. “Oh, there!” She lifted her arm to point at the gazebo that looked like the usual stop for guests before deciding whether to continue their journey, hike or just sightsee in The Oak Lake park.“Red!” It was Vin’s voice.Aya and I turned our heads from his voice’s direction, and after a few seconds, we saw him dashing the bridge with an extra umbrella in his hand. He twitched his lips and shook his head when he saw us.“I guess yo