"Someone might see us here," when Lara had a chance to say that to her husband, she did.
There is a road in front of the veranda and even if it is night, it is not impossible for someone to pass by there and see them both.
Joaquin's soft laugh was the next thing she heard. Then he held her face and kissed her on the lips.
"It's dark already," he said, leaving her lips to say that.
"B-But, someone might pass by and see us," she still insisted, trying to release herself from Joaquin.
When she got out of his embrace, Lara quickly stood up and went inside but her husband caught her and stopped her.
"Let's stay here," said Joaquin then pushed her against the door jamb.
"B-But," she was about to protest but everything she wanted to say was stopped when her husband kissed her again.
From the way Joaquin kissed her, she knew there was nothing she could do. She knew she couldn't stop her from doing anything else that she wanted to do. Even more and again he awakened the flame of desire in her body.
*****
Lara woke up from a good sleep the next day. Even though Joaquin wasn't by her side when she got up, she still couldn't stop smiling when her eyes were drawn to the door to the veranda.
The passionate moment that she and Joaquin shared again in that part of their room immediately dawned on her. That was before he laid her down on the soft bed.
That's when Lara looked around the room.
Her clothes that Joaquin took off her body one by one last night are no longer on the floor. But like how she slept, she is still like that now. Not even a body covering.
Lara smiled and then got up.
She used the blanket as a covering for her nakedness. In that order, she entered the bathroom to take a shower.
When Lara faced the large mirror in the bathroom, she was immediately greeted by small marks on her skin. It wasn't the first time she had experienced something like this from Joaquin. Maybe she just can't get used to it because she loves her husband so much. That's why everything he does brings so much happiness to her heart.
She had just come out of the bathroom just as Joaquin was about to enter their room.
"Good morning," her husband who was still wearing an apron, greeted her.
Lara immediately felt amused when she saw that her husband had.
Actually, this was the first time she saw Joaquin dress like this.
“Are you cooking?” she asked in disbelief with him.
"Yeah," he said as he approached her and kissed her on the lips. "I just went up to see if you're awake," he explained, staring at her while the strange sparkle in his eyes was obvious.
"You didn't go to work?" she asked her man.
Joaquin shook his head one after another and then glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
"My boss agreed to let me work from home today," he told her.
The smile on Lara's lips was wide.
"Really? Did you do that because today is my rest day?” she asked then hooked both hands around her husband’s neck.
*****
QUICKLY, Joaquin felt guilty when he saw the satisfaction in Lara's eyes because of what he said.
It's true that he's here at home to work now because he wants to be with Callie and Lara. But he can't help but lie because Lara still has no idea of his true identity.
"Actually, yes," he admitted.
At least in that part, he didn't lie to Lara.
"You're so sweet," Lara said without hiding the excitement in her voice. "Because of that," she said kissing him on the lips afterward.
He was shocked by Lara's actions. But despite the shock, he still managed to make that kiss last longer.
"I'm just going to get dressed," said Lara as she gave up clinging to his neck.
"I'm sorry if I've already invaded the kitchen. Actually, I insisted to cook breakfast even though Nanny Loring didn't want to," said to his wife as she stepped out the door.
A beautiful smile tore from Lara’s lips because of that. "It's OK. I'm also sorry because I slept longer than usual. You are the one who drained my strength last night," she said, followed by a soft laugh.
Joaquin raised his eyebrows in amusement at what his wife said. "Yeah, but at least you can't say you're on a diet anymore," he said, winking at her afterward.
Just like how he often saw his wife's reaction, her face turned red again.
That's one of Lara's qualities that he really likes. He didn't know why. But because he loves her, he no longer looks for justification or explanation for that.
"We'll wait for you downstairs," he said before leaving.
After Joaquin closed the door, he let out a heavy sigh of concern.
He was very happy. And the happiness he feels now is truly something he has never experienced before. No matter whose woman he was with.
That's why he couldn't help but feel worried.
What if all of this has a return and that happens when Lara learns about his true identity?
He sighed again and smiled involuntarily when he saw Callie who was already sitting at the table at that moment.
Lara isn't the only one he'll lose by any chance.
As well as this girl who, even if he didn't force it, was coming close to him like his very own. As if his heart had known her for a long time.
"Daddy I'm hungry!" Callie shouted when she saw him coming down the stairs.
"I know baby, but we have to wait for mommy," he explained to the child.
Nanny Loring gave him a meaningful look. He knew what that meant. Just like what Patrick had told him the last time he talked to him. It's about him telling Lara the truth.
Nanny Loring loves Lara very much. Callie is the same. And just like what he had said was the very image of his mother.
That's why he no longer wondered why the old lady wanted so deeply that he could confess the truth to his wife. Because like him, she also doesn't want their family to be destroyed.
That's right.
It doesn't matter to him who is Callie's real father because for him she is his daughter.
Not because he loves Lara. But because he loves Callie and Lara.