(from ch18.1)ShantelleAs I awoke, I saw that my side was already empty. Gavin was nowhere to be found. As I dropped my head, I saw that I was still wrapped in a quilt.The sunshine filtered through the cracks in the curtain, which had been left slightly ajar.The sun shined through my eyes. I blinked frequently till my eyes were used to it.As I lifted the blanket, I saw that I was still half-naked. As I retraced my recollections of what occurred last night, I took a deep breath and blood surged to my cheeks.‘Thank God, I am still pure.’I sat up in bed, wrapping the blanket about myself. The door flew open, and Gavin rushed in as I considered heading to the restroom.My gaze was drawn to him, and I saw that he was not dressed in an outer garment. He smiled the instant our gazes connected."How's your sleep?" he inquired. He appeared to have forgotten what occurred the night before, or he just didn't care.We were nearly there, we almost had it. He almost took my chastity away.
(from ch18.2)ShantelleWhen I saw him, I realized I hadn't cooked yet. Looking at the wall clock, I saw it was just thirty minutes before twelve o'clock. I tightened my fist, determined. I still had time to prepare dinner."Have you cooked yet?" he inquired.I immediately shook my head and apologized to him."I was going to start cooking. I was so engrossed in reading that I forgot about the time. I apologize," I responded with humiliation and self-reproach.It seemed like we were a married couple at this point, with me waiting and cooking for him. I rose up and put the magazine I was holding back on the table.He walked up to me and dropped the paper bags in his hands onto the table. When he faced me, he was frowning. "Don't bother any longer. Instead, I'll devour you."He grabbed my hand and brought me onto his lap as he sat on the couch. I placed my hands on his wide shoulders out of astonishment. He started kissing and nibbling on my neck. My grasp on his shoulder became tight
ShantelleMy body became chilly as we approached the front entrance of my home, and my palms began to get clammy from perspiration. I inhaled deeply and rubbed my chest to ease some discomfort.I groaned as I turned the knob on the door since I didn't need to knock or use the key because we were already standing in front of it.I was, however, still quite uneasy. I wasn't sure how to greet my aunt and siblings when I first walked in.‘So, was an explanation necessary or how can I explain my pregnancy?’Of course, I'm aware that my 'pregnancy' led Aunt Trina to believe that I had already married Gavin. But trying to trick her was wrong. Even though I am not at all pregnant, I am already Gavin's wife.I was really contemplating something when I felt Gavin's hand encircle mine. I glanced at him with my head slightly raised, and he grinned at me cheerily. He then gave my hand a little squeeze, as if to say that all will work out in the end. As I realized this, I de-escalated and smiled
ShantelleDuring dinner, Auntie Trina told Gavin what to do when he was taking care of me. Since she treated me like a daughter, I could see why she was worried. So, my guilt was killing me already. It seems like she was more upset when she heard I was "pregnant," so she acted that way. Gavin, on the other hand, paid close attention to what she said.Auntie asked us to stay the night because it was almost midnight, and I was surprised when Gavin said yes right away. I thought he'd say no. He also seemed to get along well with my brothers and sisters. Still, it made me happy.We didn't think we would stay here, so Gavin didn't bring any extra clothes. So I just took my brother's clothes and gave them to him to wear.As soon as I walked into my room, I felt like I was going to die. Gavin had already gone to the bathroom, so we couldn't talk about what he had planned for the future. I had to wait until he came back. Auntie was completely sure that I was pregnant, and Gavin loved me ve
ShantelleI was already in Hawaii and working on my computer. Gavin had already sent me to the airport. He didn't leave Standford because he still had things to do there.I let out a helpless sigh and stared blankly at the screen of my computer. I couldn't think straight. I turned the page and wondered if my recipes were missing something. But I could only think of Gavin's figure."Oh goodness!" I messed up my hair because I was angry. I still couldn't believe that we had already gotten married.But I'm really interested in how Gavin got the papers done so quickly. We had our simple wedding.We are now husband and wife... I suddenly felt bad about my hasty choice.I felt bad about myself, so I got up and left. I couldn't breathe in my room. I need to stop for a moment. I went outside and found a chair to sit on.I took a deep breath and slowly started to feel better. Then I started to think about what had happened before. We went from being strangers to being married in a short time.
ShantelleWhen I turned around, I groaned when I felt the mattress sink, like someone was hugging me. I could smell the masculine scent that I was used to. Because his smell was so familiar, I knew right away that I wasn't dreaming.When I opened my eyes, Gavin's handsome face was the first thing I saw. I still didn't know where I was, but when I realized he was watching me, my face got hot."Did I wake you up?" he asked. "You can sleep again. Put your energy aside for tonight," He had a grin.Because of what he said, my cheeks got hotter and I blushed more, but before I could say anything, he put his head down and buried his face in my chest."I want to rest, too," he said in a whisper.After he said that, his body stopped moving and he fell asleep. I knew he was asleep because his breathing became steady. It looks like he's spent. I couldn't help but smile when I could feel his heart beating.As we lay next to each other, I could just barely hear his heartbeat, which helped me fa
ShantelleThe next morning, I woke up early. Still lying on the bed, I turned my gaze sideways and stared at the person's face lying next to me. Gavin is sleeping peacefully. When he's asleep, he looks like an angel, a harmless and gentle person. But when he's awake... He's like a bully, and I am always his target. He always bullies or teases me in every possible way, anytime, anywhere.One of his muscular arms was encircled around my waist while I was resting on the other, using it as my pillow. When my eyes landed on his reddish parted lips, I gulped hard. I was fixated on his lips as though there was some kind of energy that was drawing me in - a small voice inside my head seemed to be saying I needed to kiss him. His adam's apple moved, and his lips parted even more. I was tempted but still stopped myself. I seldom dared to take the initiative because I was weak-spirited. In my eyes, his lips were akin to a red apple that I wanted to take a bite on. Feeling helpless, I decide
Shantelle'Then... will you be able to love me?'I wanted to ask him that, but I didn't have the courage. I know it's too much to ask, mainly because of what I've done. And it's not easy to ask for someone's forgiveness when one has done something wrong that could not be forgiven easily.Riddled with guilt, I sighed helplessly. I should wait for him to forgive me, and I know that there's always a time to heal and a time to forgive.After all, forgiveness is not a thing that one could get overnight. It's a long way process.Then I must prove to him that I'm worth forgiving for - that I deserve his second chance... All I need is determination and perseverance. A long silence prevailed. Gavin didn't speak for a few minutes, apparently in deep thought. "I can't tell... for now, I don't know," he said heavily. "However, I'm confident that in the end, it will be me who will ask for your forgiveness," he said meaningfully.My brows couldn't help but furrowed, and my face scrunched up in