Chapter 7

JL

I immediately blocked Rolf's view. "Turn around and don't look at my wife," I said, laughing. He followed suit. I let out a sigh and glanced at Gia. "Hon, can you grab a robe in the bedroom and put it on. Sorry, I didn't know this fool is coming in today."

Gia rolled her eyes but still did as I asked. She left her coffee on the table. My robe is big enough to cover her from head to toe. She wouldn't sweat since there's an air conditioner.

"Can I turn around now, doofus?" Rolf asked.

"I guess! I already sent her to our bedroom. What are you doing here?" I scratched my head.

"I need a place to crash," he said while walking towards the kitchen. I saw him pour coffee into a cup. I can't believe what I'm hearing right now.

"A place to crash? You have so much money, pick any hotel you want." I wiped my face. Rolf can be annoying sometimes, and you'll wonder why we became best friends.

"I don't want to. I want to stay here in your condo," he replied with a grin. He sat on the sofa with his cup of coffee.

If he stays here, then I have only two choices — either I stay at Gia's place or in my ancestral house inherited from my mother. Gia's place is a lot closer to the office, of course, than my mother's.

"What? No. You can't st—“ I was about to tell him that he can't stay here because I'm married now and Gia's with me. But my wife cut me off and introduced herself to this fool. Her feet were barely visible because my robe was so big, and she honestly looked dreamy even with her big glasses on.

"Hi, I'm Gia. I don't believe we've met. Sorry, my wardrobe is a little off right now." She extended her palm to Rolf, but I grabbed Gia's hand even before their hands could meet. I joined our hands together. And not satisfied with that, I pulled her closer to me.

Rolf laughed at my actions and I could see the mischief in his eyes.

"Hi Gia, I'm Rolf. Your husband's best friend. Anyway, I was telling him that I want to stay here and he said I can't." Rolf even smirked at me, like a child telling on me to my wife.

"Don't listen to him. You can stay here because I'm going back to my house anyway, so it's just going to be the two of you. I'm sure he's just pulling your leg," my wife replied with a smiling face.

I know Gia is going home today, but I thought I would pick her up along with her bag of clothes and have her stay here with me. After last night, I don't think I can sleep a night without her by my side. It's different. It's like I am under her spell. And even if she were to wear a sack now — knowing what I know now, even that wouldn't stop me from doing the things I want to do with her.

"Oh? Is it just the two of you? She can also stay at your place and we can stay here instead. I swear, I'm nice. I'm also a good roommate — hey!" I grabbed a throw pillow and threw it at Rolf. It hit the side of his head. "I'm kidding! Get a hold of yourself, man. You got married and now you're hurting me. What happened to friends forever like care bears?"

"You idiot!" I muttered.

To my surprise, Gia laughed. "You two are cute."

"What? I'm cute. He's not," I complained to Gia. With my size, cute? It could be okay, but she gave the same praise to my friend and they have just met. I'm sure it's harmless, but why do I feel jealous? I've never been jealous before. Not to anyone. Especially not to my best friend.

Gia gave me a stern look. Her eyes were telling me to behave and be nice to my friend.

***

GIA

I DON'T KNOW what's going on with JL but he is acting very possessive. He was like that before his friend came, more so when he arrived. They act like children when they argue.

"Have you had breakfast?" I asked Rolf.

"I just had iced coffee from Jose Luis." The cheeky guy smirked. "I'm starving."

"Alright, have a seat and JL and I are going to make some food."

I turned to my husband and pulled him towards the kitchen. His face was wrinkled, and I couldn't figure out what was bothering him. Instead of engaging with him, I opened the fridge and took out eggs and bacon. I also saw sausage. I took them out too, and considering the size of these two men, they seemed to have a hearty appetite. They are tall and lean. Clearly, they take care of themselves at the gym, so even if they eat a lot, they don't gain weight.

"Are you seriously cooking for that fool?" JL asked me with a frown.

I don't know what came over me, but I walked over to him and clasped my hands around his neck. Then I said, "That fool is your best friend. And not just me, you and I are going to cook."

"Do you know how?"

I chuckled. "If it's just breakfast, I can handle it. Just not too many dishes. I'm not there yet. I recently took cooking lessons out of boredom."

I felt his arms wrap around my waist and he whispered, "Out of boredom or you're getting yourself ready to become my wife?"

I gave him a dirty look, but he just smiled and kissed me quickly on the lips.

"Come on, lovebirds, our breakfast is not going to cook itself. Feed me! You can be lovey-dovey later. I swear, I will cover my eyes and put my headphones on so I won't hear you," Rolf said from the couch. He was lying down with his eyes closed.

"I swear, I am going to wring his neck. Out of all the days he could visit, it had to be today — ow!" I pinched him on the side.

"Be nice, Jose Luis. Now, heat the pan please and make some more coffee. Thank you."

He was still rubbing the spot I pinched as he took the pan from the cupboard and turned on the stove. I saw him make fresh coffee while I scrambled the eggs. I observed him move in the kitchen, and he was so graceful. Being this handsome should be a crime. And then I thought about this temporary setup that he wants to make permanent. We really need to talk about that. If he comes with me to my house later, no one will disturb us. We need to get this over and done with so that when I become pregnant, we are ready to listen to the third condition of the will.

***

WE ate breakfast quietly, and when the doorbell rang, JL stood up and opened it. It didn't take him long to return, carrying a paper bag. He went shopping early, I thought. But I was surprised when he handed it to me.

"For me?" I asked him in disbelief. What did he order this time?

"If Larsen is going to wear a dress and a bra, then give it to him," he replied with a smirk. JL never fails to tease. Although, since we've been married, he has toned it down a bit.

"If it fits, I have no problem wearing a dress. As for the bra, I think I'm a forty cup A and—ow! You ass," JL got punched for that.

I gave Rolf a look and he immediately stopped talking. I know what he was going to say—asshole. I am an only child and I don't have brothers, but these two never stop bickering since Rolf came. I couldn't imagine them living in the same house, it would be chaos.

"Thank you, hon for—"

I gave him a look too because he always starts with teasing and when I respond, it turns into a never-ending argument.

"Sit down and eat, please."

"Yes, Ma'am," he scratched his head and returned to his seat.

Rolf cleared his throat. "So, when did you guys get married? I didn't know he was dating you, Gia."

That's true. JL and I weren't really a couple. In fact, he was dating someone else. About that, JL and I still have to talk. We might bump into his girlfriend later and she might accuse me of stealing him away.

It seems like he isn't only dating one girl, but the magazines are not reliable, so—I think it's better if I ask him. We still have a lot to discuss. And also, there's this marriage arrangement. Do we really have to live in the same house?

"We just got married yesterday, and no, we are not dating each other. We're just—"

"She's my wife now, that's all that matters," JL interrupted me.

I was going to say we're just in it for convenience. Rolf is his best friend, so it's impossible for him not to know that this was an agreement between our parents that turned into reality because Uncle Alfonso needed help... and partly, deep in my heart, I don't want to let go of what my parents have worked for just because of my stubbornness. That's just wrong too. Sometimes, I can't help but wish I was a kid again.

Rolf gave a discreet smile, but there was a glint in his eyes. It's like he wants to say that his friend has changed.

When we were done eating, JL and I cleaned up and I changed clothes in the room. The dress was definitely in fashion and vibrant. It was a fuchsia colored, A-line sundress. He even bought me underwear. And you know what? He even knew my size.

I felt like slapping myself for entertaining such thoughts. You know what I was thinking? That he knew my size because he had touched me. It was just my bra, but his hand was either slightly too big or it perfectly fit my breasts. Ugh! JL is turning me into a wanton woman. I was decent when I came out carrying my things. I caught them laughing in the living room.

"Are we going?" my husband asked. He immediately approached me and wrapped his arm around me. He didn't stop there and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

"Yes, hopefully. I have other things to do. Maybe we can talk later this evening. For now, you can drop me off at my house and then come back here."

Both of his eyebrows raised. "Why should I come back here?\We had breakfast, but he already forgot where he lives? "May I remind you that this is your home?"

"Home is where my wife is." Then he winked at me and I felt stunned. If he wasn't holding me, I would have lost my balance from the surprise. How can he change his feelings about me so quickly? It was just recently that he didn't want to marry me and it was obvious that he wasn't interested.

I didn't respond to what he said, but instead said goodbye to Rolf who was still laughing. At one point, he coughed and uttered, "cheesy." These two are equally teasing. I think Rolf hasn't found the right woman yet. But he is a nice guy, and I feel comfortable with him. We just met, but I feel like he's an older sibling. Just like Corbin.

We traveled to my house in silence. I was going to ask him where he's going to sleep, but it seems like we've established that already. But I noticed he didn't bring any clothes with him. I cleared my throat. "Are you going back later?"

"Nope." He even popped the letter P, like a little kid.

"You didn't bring any change of clothes. What are you going to wear to sleep?" I wanted to be dumbfounded by the ideas he's coming up with. It's absurd.

He grinned at me when we stopped at a red light. "I sleep naked, hon. Don't you remember last night? We really have to work on that memory of yours."

Naked? I thought it was just last night because it was our first night as a married couple... and also, there are some actions. But we don't have to do it again tonight, do we? Maybe I already got pregnant because he didn't get tired last night—not to mention, he did it again this morning.

***

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