Chapter 73

Our kisses continued to deepen as we felt each other's body by caressing it with our hand. Jaxson's touch on my body is like a wood being thrown to the fire, making the sensation that I am feeling in my body rise up. His hand ran from my arms down to my chest. I felt my heart racing with its highest speed that very tender touch of his palm on mine. Slowly he moves as it makes space between our fingers and clutches my hand tightly.

When we felt tired, we both let go of our kisses as we pressed our foreheads together with both grins on our lips and exchanged breaths.

It took a few seconds before Jaxson slowly crawled his hand back to my chin and brushed his lips against mine very lightly and removed it in a fraction of seconds, teasing me to crave for his lips more. My hand motioned, returning it to the back of his head, caressing his hair as I kept an eye contact. I can see through his eyes the desire and obsession. I had my hands wrapped around him with my mouth hanging open, waiting for his soft and warm lips to touch mine again, as if craving for something that I really want.

Jaxson little by little pressed his lips against mine, but this time, very gently. I am feeling more amorous because of the rhythm because of how he is moving his lips very slowly. This is a whole new experience for me and I can't deny that I am loving it.

My hands began to roam in Jaxson's upper body as he did the same to me.

I feel like I am currently experiencing what real peace is.

This is better than I ever imagined. Is it giving me a different feeling after knowing that the man that is kissing me right now loves me? I don't know, really.

I am craving for making this last longer. I want the time to just stop and give us a whole night to spend being this close together, in our paradise.

I let go of our kisses when I am short of breath. I smiled at Jaxson before hugging him tightly which he quickly returned to me.

Even without the words, I know that right now, I am loved.

"I wish to have a whole long day to spend with you and just stay like this..." I softly whispered in his ear as I rest my head on his chest.

"Spending a whole day kissing seems fun, but it really is tiring you see."

I slapped his shoulder once again because of how silly he always thinks.

"I meant being this close to you and just having you together in a quiet place. I have never been so content before.” I said honestly as I giggled. "Come, the guests may be arriving and they also need help in the kitchen to distribute food for the guests. We're already done with the tables and its designs so the last part maybe is serving the food to the guests."

"You people are really this enthusiastic to welcome your guests? What are they? The presidents of each and different countries?” Jaxson complained again like a child who was forced by his mother to go with him.

"I know that right now, you don't really understand. But, the children's life here is very different from what you have. Or even from what I had when I was at their age. The orphanage has to please and thank the guests for them to continue contributing to this place. They need to raise money by inviting guests from organizations and companies, hoping for them to give donations just like what Manager Sol did earlier.” I explained calmly to Jaxson. "If wealthy people like you will know more about children like them, and the stories behind their adorable and innocent faces, I think you guys will understand how much they need your help to continue living a life that they deserve."

In my almost several years helping here at the orphanage, I feel like I didn't just recognize these children by their faces. But for their stories that they keep as well. At first glance, you might be thinking that they are just children that don't have a house to live in and a family to call it a home. But it's deeper than what it seems to be. And helping them made me understand the deeper meaning of the orphanage and how kind the sisters are to take care of the children, discipline them, and teach them life lessons that they can bring even after they grow old.

I always told myself that when I become rich I will build a big house and I will also make it an orphanage to receive children whose parents can no longer take care of them or those babies who have been abandoned by their families. I feel like it will complete the purpose of my life if I can do that. But, I am sadly not that wealthy enough to buy a big house that I can call my own.

It's also funny sometimes that most of the rich don't manage to look down to see the people who really need their help.

"Hello, Sister Glenda. How's it going today?" I greeted as I entered the kitchen where Sister Glenda was there and I think she was about to finish what she was cooking because she is already doing the plating.

"I was ecstatic when I heard that there will be more guests tonight than usual, but I didn't know that a princess would come." She said as she continued doing the plates.

"It's been so long, Sister Glenda, and you haven't aged a bit!" I said with a giggle. "And your food smells amazing as always."

"You are still the sweetest Cattleya that I used to know. The last time you came here, you weren't really in a good condition. I'm sorry about your father, Catt. I know he'll be happy to see you right now. Because, I heard that you brought us a husband tonight." She exclaimed, giving a noticeable stress in his words. "So, would you mind introducing me to your husband, now?"

I can't help but to laugh softly at the way she is obviously raising her tone.

"Jax, this is Sister Glenda. She is in charge of the orphanage's food catering.” I used my hand to gesture by pointing at him and bringing it to Sister Glenda. "Uh, this is Jaxson Madrigal, my husband." I smiled but something seemed to block the corner of my lips and I couldn't widen my smile.

Every time I introduce Jaxson as my husband it's still giving me the bizarre feeling that this man is my husband and I am his wife. Like, how great is that?

"You got a Madrigal husband?"

I was shocked by the tone of Sister Glenda's speech as well as the movement of her eyes from Jaxson's head down to his feet.

"It's a good thing, you already knew me. I'm Cattleya's husband." Jaxson said politely as he extended his hand to Sister Glenda to greet her.

"I know your family name of course. Who wouldn't know of the Madrigals, huh?"

I was kind of guilty because of what she said. Because apparently until this time Jaxson was proving to me that he is a famous personality and I had never even heard his name.

I helped Sister Glenda as she began to move the plates that had already been plated in their trays.

"Besides, you guys are all over this country. So how can someone really never hear of the Madrigals? Look at this Ruegold in this mayonnaise bottle, you see. Not only that you guys are on all over the soaps, the name of your company is also on almost every product in here.” Sister Glenda smiled at Jaxson as she raised the bottle of the mayonnaise to show the name on the back before pouring it in a salad.

Jaxson just showed her a short smile as he responded.

"-Could you guys help me serve this to the guests later?" Sister Glenda added. "We will be needing people as the kids will be busy performing for their own performance tonight."

"That's why we're here!" I exclaimed excitedly. "I actually miss serving guests, so I will gladly help, Sister Glenda." I said politely.

It's only been a few days since I stopped working at the nightclub, but it seems like a long time since then.

"There will be VIP guests which we have to serve very carefully and still classy. I am very sorry for pressuring you, but I hope that I can count on you. The guests in the orphanage this time are a big catch and we can't lose them so please do everything that will please our guests. We really appreciate your help.” Sister Glenda said with a smile on her lips but her concern was obvious.

I held Jaxson's hand to talk to him, his eyes shifted to me before it returned to Sister Glenda.

"We will do our best." Jaxson uttered which surprised me.

I looked at him in disbelief because of his determined face as he helped us put plates on the tray to be taken out later to serve.

***

"The opening of the event started and the guests were almost complete. We can start serving the food now while someone is speaking on stage before the children's performance begins." Sister Glenda said with a tinge of anxiety in her voice. I accepted her hand when she extended her hand that is holding two pieces of cloth. "You can wear this as well so that you won't be mixing with the crowd." Sister Glenda moved her hand to gesture at Jaxson because he seemed to be lost staring at the apron.

I was the only one who accepted it and then gave her a sweet smile so she wouldn't worry about Jaxson's stupor.

"We'll be out there." I muttered.

Sister Glenda nodded and then took a tray and carefully took it out to the garden. Jaxson and I left the two of us while he was still speechless.

"You must be very culture shocked, aren't you, baby?" I said in a low tone, enough for him to hear me. I placed myself in front of Jaxson, trying to reach his eyes. "Listen, if I am asking too much you don't have to do this anymore. Just wait for me here inside and after the event, we'll go home. I promise. I'm sorry for dragging you into this." My voice was sad while observing his entire face.

When he didn't say a word, I started to put on the apron that Sister Glenda gave me. I was about to get a tray and then leave the room, suddenly, Jaxson cleared his throat as if calling my attention. I turned to him and saw his arms wide open with a smile on his lips.

My brows furrowed as I didn't understand what he was doing.

"I can't let my wife go out there alone. So, can you help me with wearing that cloth?” One of his brows raised as the grin on his lips widened.

I happily nodded to him and almost jumped towards Jaxson. When I received the apron and I got close to where he was standing, Jaxson's arms wrapped around my waist, gazing intently in my eyes.

I overreacted by dressing him with the apron as I tiptoed my feet to reach his cheeks with my lips and give him a kiss while my hand moved to his neck to insert his head into the apron. I giggled between my kisses as I hugged him tightly while trying the ribbon from behind his back.

"I like when you are clingy." Jackson said, chuckling. "Is this a reward for being a good guy tonight? Because if it is, you are doing it very well.”

I returned his chortles as I held his waist while looking up at his face. I have never been this gummy to any person before, but to Jaxson, it is coming out very naturally and it is giving me a different kind of gratification.

Jaxson once again stole a kiss from my lips followed by a titter.

When we heard someone clearing their throat loudly and obviously calling our attentiveness, Jaxson and I pulled away from each other slowly to look at it.

“Manager Sol!” I exclaimed as I saw him standing straight and gawking at us.

"The food should be served by now." He said seriously with a hint of annoyance.

"Sorry, we will bring the plates outside now." I replied as I brought my feet to the trays and carried one of them.

I carefully carried it out of the room to take it to the garden. As I got closer, the music got louder as well as the voice of the speaker on the stage. I assume it's Sister Cordilla that is speaking right now and telling the guests the history of the orphanage and how they started building it.

When I got to where the attendees of the event were, I was immediately served their food one by one on the tables that had no food left.

As I slowly put the plates down on the tables, my eyes wandered to look for Jaxson. I was surprised that he arrived here just now. I thought he was just right beside me earlier but we didn't walk together.

I saw from afar that Jaxson also roamed his eyes to look for me and when our eyes eventually met, I smiled at him trying to encourage Jaxson that it is okay and this is only for tonight.

Manager Sol caught my eye who had also come out of the room where we were earlier and I noticed that he has a different expression on his face that I can't describe. I shrugged it off when I needed to serve the other table.

"Good evening, I hope you're enjoying the night." I said politely with a smile as I put down their plates.

“Cat?” I heard one of the guests say so I turned to him. "It's me, Renald. I am a loyal customer on DeepBlue, do you remember?”

I was silent for a brief moment trying to remember the man. He looks like a middle aged man that is roughly in his 40's.

"You are my bottle girl that night. I just want to say thank you for your advice to me, because now I am feeling better and just spending my time helping people and growing my company rather than previously different girls.”

I smiled at him sweetly after hearing what he just told me. With the number of customers I have had at the nightclub, I can hardly remember their faces. But when I heard that I remembered Renald. He went to a nightclub one night, just like any other people, he is wasted and obviously troubled. He got me as his bottle girl and talked to me, opening up what he was feeling that night after his daughter left him and flew to L.A because she can't stand a father that is bringing different women every night.

I am glad that somehow, my advice has helped people like Renald to continue living in their lives, but as a better person.

"A bottle girl in the nightclub?" Another middle aged man that I think is around 50's asked. "But aren't you also the wife of the Madrigal's heir?"

"Wife of the Madrigal's heir?" Renald asked as his eyes looked at me, baffled.

I nodded to them without removing the smile from my lips. "I am both."

After I gave them a smile, I left their table to get another tray inside.

My eyes caught Jaxson who quickly gave the food and then chased after me.

"What did you guys talk about?" Jaxson asked as he tried to follow my speed.

"Nothing." I just said and then continued to enter the room.

"But your face says it's far from nothing at all, Catt."

I faced Jaxson after wiping my hand on the apron I was wearing. I took a deep breath, biting the bottom of my lips fiercely as I looked into his eyes.

"Two of the guests recognized me." I said sparingly. "One of them knew me as a bottle service girl, and the other one as the Madrigal's heir's wife."

"Did you not deny the other one that said you were a bottle service girl before you became my wife?" Jaxson asked making a wrinkle on my forehead at the same time as my heart was getting heavier.

"Why would I deny that, Jax? Isn't it true? I don't need to pretend about how my life was before I became your wife." I said firmly, trying to hold back my emotion.

"Look, if you admitted what you really were before becoming a Madrigal, then I am pretty sure that tomorrow, all the reporters will be outside your home and the manor."

"Then, what do you want me to do, Jax? Lie about what I really was before becoming your wife just so everyone will think that you and I suit each other? Do you really wish for us to be covered in lies? Besides, for me there is no problem what my origin is. What other people will say, it will just pass by.”

Jaxson brushed his face with both his hands, seemingly in distress.

"But I am doing this for you, Cattleya. I am trying to protect you from the paparazzi, and from those people who do nothing but dig in someone's life. I don't want them to make your life a content for their magazine, their news, and their articles."

I was taken back when Jaxson raised his voice to me.

“—Cattleya, you don't understand. I am Jaxson Madrigal, everybody knows me as the heir of Ruegold and you are just an ordinary girl.”

My lips hang open, completely appalled and dismayed at what he just told me.

"I'm leaving." I muttered, removing my apron as I tried holding back my tears.

"Cattleya, look, I didn't mean it like that. I was just saying that-”

I didn't let Jaxson finish and then I continued to leave the room. I felt him chasing me all the way to the garden before he was stopped and called by people who knew him.

"Hey, Mr. Madrigal! I didn't know you were here."

When I could no longer feel his footsteps following me, my eyes were like a cloud that shed a strong stream of tears.

I walked out of the orphanage while my tears kept flowing. The pain, very painful. Why can the person you love hurt you like this?

I was crushed by Jaxson's words.

My feet came to a halt when I remembered that I don't know how to drive a car and I still have to walk too far to get to the taxi.

"Need a ride?"

I wiped my tears when I heard a voice because my eyes were blurring.

I caught a glimpse of Manager Sol who was inside his car and opened the front seat door.

I nodded quickly and then immediately got on board for fear that Jaxson would catch up with me outside. I don't want to see or talk to him tonight.

I thought he loved me, just the way I am. I thought he accepted me wholeheartedly. But after hearing what he really feels inside, he is just like any other person that is arrogant to individuals like me.

Jaxson is embarrassed of my life and he doesn't want his name next to mine in case everyone finds out about my true origin.

Why didn't I think that Jaxson could also think that I, Cattleya Santos, an ordinary girl, was suddenly married to a man from a rich family.

They are right, life is far from being a fairytale.

Spending today with Jaxson was splendid. But I didn't know it would end so quickly, just how quickly it started.