“HEY.”
When Tessa woke up the next day that was how Ramil greeted her.
And since it was already dawn when Ramil let her get some rest she had to sleep for a long period of time.
"It's almost lunch," she said after glancing at the wristwatch she was wearing and then picked up the clothes she had scattered on the floor one by one and put them on.
"I didn't wake you up because I knew you were tired," said Ramil, handing her a cup of hot coffee.
"Thanks," she replied then smiled and sipped from the cup.
When she glanced at Ramil, she saw that she was still staring at her. Because of that, Tessa started to feel discomfort. That's why she eventually chose to focus her attention on the cup of coffee she was holding.
There was silence between them for a few moments. Ramil was already sitting at the center table facing her. While she occupied the long leather couch.
Tessa smiled and then stared at the handsome face of the man who didn't seem to get tired of staring at her.
And leather couch where she and Ramil seemed to have sex tirelessly last night until this morning.
Oh well, aside from the floor where she was able to show the man how good she was in that area.
"What do you want for lunch?" Ramil asked her.
Tessa was very surprised by what she heard. "Seriously?" she asked him.
She heard Ramil let out a soft laugh before he opened his mouth to answer what she said.
"Yeah," she said with her lips twitching again and then spoke in a proud tone. "You may not ask me but, I'm a good cook," he told her.
Tessa got what the man meant. But she still couldn't stop the mischievousness that entered her mind at that moment.
"Yeah, and you proved that to me last night," she said looking at Ramil meaningfully and with anger.
The emotions in Ramil's eyes immediately changed because of what Tessa did. There she spoke again with amusement.
"Hey! I know what you mean, and I am also serious about what I said," she said laughing loudly afterward.
Ramil just kept staring at her. After a while, she spoke seriously.
"Seriously, what do you want to eat for lunch?" he asked her again.
Tessa laughed softly again and then opened her mouth to speak with a shrug.
“Anything. But if you insist, I love Sinigang na Bangus," she replied.
Ramil nodded and then took out his cell phone from the pocket of his shorts.
"What will you do?" Tessa asked.
"Grocery, online," he replied then winked at her.
Tessa didn't say anything more and instead just continued sipping hot coffee. Actually, even if she doesn't admit it, Ramil looks like a good cook. Because that was obvious from the coffee he brewed for her.
"Alright, I'll just say cook rice," he said, bending down and quickly kissing her on the lips.
Because Tessa was not prepared for that, she was surprised and gasped because of that kiss.
"Are you okay?" Ramil asked him, followed by a soft laugh.
Tessa's face turned red because of that question and even at the soft laugh, she let out. Then she avoided looking at the young man.
"Look at me," Ramil said almost in a whisper.
Tessa couldn't be sure what was in the tone of Ramil's speech. But as if her head has a mind of its own, she turned towards the man to meet his eyes.
"Do you know that you are the best girl I have ever met?" he asked her, although he seemed to be obviously sure of what he said from the tone of his speech.
Tessa didn't know why she suddenly felt that way. Because after all, what happened to the two of them was normal in her life in America.
"Really?" she asked in disbelief.
The man nodded and then took her hand and kissed it tenderly.
"Tell me, where are you staying now?" Ramil asked her.
Tessa was surprised and unable to speak immediately to Ramil's question.
"Hey, are you okay? I know you heard me, right?” it was Ramil again.
*****
"SWEETHEART," Joaquin whispered as he watched the beautiful face now sleeping by his side.
He knew it wasn't the first time he'd been able to watch Lara while she slept. But the truth is, he doesn't feel any tiredness when he does that.
She must be very tired. That was the truth after what they did earlier in the dining room. That's why he decided to just carry Lara when he brought her up to their room.
He also fell asleep. But his wife fell asleep immediately. And he understands why. At that point, Joaquin smiled meaningfully again.
He bent down and kissed the beautiful forehead of his still sleeping wife. After that, he was about to get up but was stopped when he heard Lara's voice.
"You're awake already?" she said as if he still couldn't believe what she was seeing.
He went back to lying down and then faced Lara.
He looked at her beautiful face before bending down and pressing a kiss to her lips.
"I'll see what we can have for lunch," he answered.
Lara's beautiful eyebrows rose. Then his hand moved and caressed his growing beard.
"Just order some. By doing that you have more time to fulfill my request," she said, following what she said with a light laugh.
Joaquin was really surprised by what Lara said. So he wasn't surprised to hear that emotion that mixed with his voice when he spoke.
"Are you serious?" he asked Lara.
Lara let out a hearty laugh again because of that question. "Aren't you the one who said earlier that it will only take a few days for us here and we will return to Manila?" Lara told her.
"Yeah, I got your point," he replied then hugged his wife tightly. "I love you, Lara," he couldn't stop saying because of the overwhelming and overflowing love he felt for Lara at that moment.
Lara hugged him tightly, tenderly. Then he answered in a whisper while sinking into his still bare chest.
"I love you too," she said raising her head afterward. Lara stared into his eyes then her lips twitched again to speak. "I hope we can always be like this. I hope that no matter what you learn or discover about me, you will still love me, Joaquin," his wife said.
Joaquin felt the seriousness of what Lara said. Not only because of the tone of her speech but also because of the emotion he saw in his wife's eyes.
At this point, Joaquin thought deeply. And after that came the wonderful shiver that crawled in his chest.
How will Lara feel when she finds out the reason why he married her?
Even now he loves her very much. He knew he couldn't go through each day without her.
"I hope you're the same with me, sweetheart," he finally managed to say. "I don't like whom I used to be either. Because I prefer the version you made," he said.
Lara only smiled when he said that so Joaquin continued with the rest he wanted to say.
"Just like you, I hope if you discover anything from me in the future you will still stay here by my side. Because I can't see myself growing old without you," he said passionately that his heart was really crying out to her.
"Together, forever," said Lara, hooking her hand on the back neck.
He knows what Lara wants to happen. He could read it in her eyes.
"Together, forever until eternity, wife," he answered, bringing his face very close to her for a passionate kiss.
"Let's order food for lunch and also dinner tonight, okay?" Lara said meaningfully, which was further supported by a meaningful gaze.
Joaquin's smile widened even more at that unique naughtiness of the woman he loved the most.
"Alright," he said after saying that, quickly claiming her lips so Lara couldn't speak anymore.