CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“JAVIER!” Gretel pushed Javier’s door open and found him sitting at his table. She beamed like a child.
Javier shifted on his seat and smiled at her. He looked like he was lost in thoughts when she stormed his private office. In an hour, it would be sunset again.
“There you are!”
“What is it, my wife?”
She sauntered to him and unceremoniously sat on his lap.
“Can I leave my room tonight for a stroll?”
His forehead creased.
“I’ll take Black with me. I’ll be safe. I promise,” she said and raised a hand.
“If you promise to return to your bed on time.”
“Of course. Thank you!” She cupped his face and kissed him. “I got to cook dinner now.”
Gretel was about to stand up when Javier snaked an arm around her waist.
“Stay for another minute, will you?” He caught the back of her head and kissed her again—hard and deep.
Gretel moaned and giggled.
“Next time, you don’t need to ask for my permission,” he said.
“Really?” she uttered in amusement.
He cupped her cheeks.
“As long as you’re here, I’m sure you’ll be just fine.”
“I’m so happy to know that you trust me. How about you come to my room tomorrow at sunrise?”
Javier grinned and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“That’s the most beautiful invitation I have ever received.”
“I’M SORRY I have to leave you the other night. I heard someone calling your name, and the first thing that came to me was to hide.”
“I should be the one to apologize,” Gretel said. “I almost blew your secret because I fell asleep.”
“There’s nothing to blame yourself about. I guess it only made our friendship more exciting.”
Gretel could not help laughing.
“Alexander,” she said as she stared at him. “Is there anything that I could for you? Do you think there’s another way to free you from the curse that changed your life?”
“Are you tired of my face already?”
“I want you to have your normal life back. Maybe if you meet more people, you’ll be happier.”
“But all I need is you. Our friendship is more than enough. I would die happy knowing I became a part of a beautiful person’s life like you.”
Gretel sighed. She felt sad knowing a wonderful person like Alexander was trapped in a curse. No person deserved to be bound to be miserable all his life. He saved his life. She must do the same.
“Don’t tell me you lost hope already?”
Alexander avoided her gaze.
“You know I once held on to that before I lost it. I’m just tired of disappointments, Gretel. I have already accepted my fate.”
Gretel opened her mouth to speak and convince him not to lose hope. But words would not be enough. She had no idea how Alexander was before the curse and how much pain it brought him.
“For some reason, you made me forget who I was,” he continued. “You did not treat me differently. With you, I don’t feel like being cursed at all.” He smiled. “I want us to stay that way whatever happens.”
“Alexander.” Gretel threw her hands around him. “I’m here for you whatever happens. Remember that.”
“I know, Gretel.” He pressed her back. “And I’ll be grateful until the day I die.”
“JAVIER?” Gretel called as she pushed the door open.
She saw a hooded figure in the semi-darkened room. Only one candle was lit in the middle of the room.
Gretel wore a sheer nightgown. Her husband would see her nakedness without taking it off. She was looking forward to seeing the desire in his eyes when he saw her.
“Javier?”
The figure turned around, and Gretel gasped. It was Alexander.
“A-Alexander? Why are you here?”
“Why not? You came here for me.”
“Where’s Javier?”
“You’re asking silly questions, Gretel.” He crossed the room, and in an instant, his arm was around her.
“A-Alexander.” Gretel sucked a breath as her body reacted. It was something she could only feel toward Javier. “W-what do you think you’re doing?”
“I want you,” he declared in a husky tone.
The hair at the back of her neck stood up. There was something in the way he spoke. He sounded like Javier.
This was wrong. She was afraid she could not say ‘no’ when Alexander began to claim her.
Gretel swallowed as Alexander dipped his head. Before she could even feel his mouth on hers, she opened her eyes.
IT WAS just a dream. Another indecent dream toward her innocent friend. Was it the sense of comfort she could feel toward Alexander that he resembled Javier in her dreams?
But still. That seemed ridiculous.
“What’s wrong, Gretel?” Javier asked in a raspy tone.
She glanced up at him and smiled. They fell asleep after making love.
The sun was already high up in the sky.
“Nothing. Are you hungry? I can make breakfast now.”
“Late breakfast is still fine,” he said with a grin. “Should we shower together?”
“Yes,” she said, blushing.
“MR. MARTINEZ, I just have a question,” Gretel said.
She was fixing the dining table while waiting for Javier to come down.
“What is it?”
“How does Javier celebrate his birthday?”
Mr. Martinez stared.
“Javier’s birthday is more than a week away. I want to make it special for him.”
“I’m sure he’d be surprised to that.” The old man smiled. “Javier does not celebrate his birthday, though. He stopped thinking it was special.”
“But why? Does it have something to do with his painful past?”
Mr. Martinez nodded.
“Maybe if I give him a present, he’d change his mind,” Gretel said, hopeful.
“I’m sure it would make a difference, Gretel. You’d definitely make him happy.”
“I just have a problem. I don’t know what to give him. Javier already has everything.”
“Javier will like whatever you give him because it’s from you, Gretel.”
Gretel beamed like a child.
“All right. I trust you, Mr. Martinez. Thank you very much!”