Chapter 43
1151 Words
RIZ
I didn’t recognize the person in the car, but when Justin asked me to go inside so he could talk to the visitor, it seemed like he knew this person.
Our date was almost perfect, except for the incident earlier with the teenager who almost hit me. Justin kept his cool, but he couldn’t help but respond harshly to the kid. I don’t believe he’s a bad person; maybe he’s just going through something. Justin said that his father was a famous boxer who is now retired and living a quiet life with his family.
I was feeling sticky, so I decided to take a shower while waiting for Justin. I still had to pack a little bag for our trip tomorrow. I wasn’t sure if we’d be returning in the afternoon or staying overnight at the penthouse.
After finishing my shower, I put on one of Justin’s oversized T-shirts. It reached up to my knees, but I didn’t care as long as I was comfortable. I finished organizing my things and had taken my vitamins when the door opened, and Justin walked in.
“Is everything okay?” I asked him. He looked happy and seemed to have forgotten about what happened earlier at the grill.
“Yes. Everything is fine. Have you had your milk yet?” I grimaced and shook my head. “I’ll get it for you, then I’ll take my shower.”
He left the room, leaving me behind. I checked my phone, and there were only two messages from my friends. They said they saw my stepmother at a restaurant with Dad and that they looked happy. I expected that since I was no longer under their roof. That’s what she wanted all along; she just couldn’t do anything about Dad’s decision.
I lay down on the bed and turned on the TV. These days, I enjoy watching the Discovery Channel. It gives me some knowledge, and it’s also good for the baby. Justin came back shortly with milk and headed straight to the bathroom. The door was slightly ajar, so I could hear the sound of running water. When he came out, he was only wrapped in a towel. He approached me and kissed me.
“Put on a T-shirt. You might sleep without one again and catch a cold,” I reminded him.
He straightened up, laughing. “It’s just the warmth of your hug; that’s enough.” He winked, making me roll my eyes.
“By the way, who was that person who came earlier?” Justin was in the walk-in closet, but he could hear me.
“Someone important.” I could tell from his voice that he didn’t want to talk about it further.
“Okay. By the way, are we going home tomorrow, or are we staying here first?”
“Can we spend a couple of days in Manila? I have something to take care of.” He was drying his hair with the towel as he came out of the walk-in closet. As expected, he was only in his boxers.
“Okay.”
Justin nodded and went back to the bathroom to hang up the towel he used. He joined me in bed and looked at the screen.
“So, did I pass as a boyfriend earlier?”
I smirked. “I feel like something’s missing.”
“Really?”
I got up from the bed and sat on his stomach. One of his hands held my waist while the other rested on my thigh. I slowly leaned in until our faces were almost touching, just a hair’s breadth apart.
“Missing a kiss.” I claimed his lips, and when I was about to pull away, he chased after me. So, we ended up kissing more than I intended.
“I want to tell you something,” he said in between our kisses.
I stopped kissing. “About what?”
“About us. I know we signed an agreement, but I have been thinking.”
Various thoughts raced through my mind. It’s natural for women to think of all sorts of things and come to many conclusions before hearing what the other person has to say. I was afraid to ask again.
“I want us to try and make this work.”
It felt like something was stuck in my throat. Everything was happening so fast for us. Does this mean our separation would also come quickly?
“I know. Everything seems fast, but I… like you. You make me happy.” He pulled my neck to reach my lips. His kiss was sweeter when I knew he wanted me too. It’s different from the intense attraction that leads to heated intimacy.
Heaven must be helping me to make him fall in love.
We left Batangas early, and now Justin was busy answering emails. I contented myself with looking outside and occasionally dozing off. Nothing happened last night. We spent our time cuddling and sharing stories from the past. Mostly, Justin had a lot to share because my life has been complicated.
I learned that he doesn’t have Calderon blood, and I saw a glimmer of hope that he would get along with Dad. What I was worried about was my stepmother’s tendency to talk too much. There’s a reason why this matter isn’t discussed publicly, and if she does something to ruin Justin, I would prefer that they never meet and let time take its course.
We arrived in Manila at seven-thirty and headed straight to the penthouse. The house was clean, but Manang wasn’t there. Justin was reading his agenda for the day when I placed the coffee on the table.
“Thank you,” he said.
I cuddled up to his thigh while drinking my milk, and one of his arms wrapped around my waist. He gently stroked the small bump on my belly, and once in a while, Justin would kiss my hair. I didn’t want to drink milk, but there was no juice left in the fridge. The glass was small, but still, it was milk. I noticed his secret smile.
“What time are you going to meet your friends?”
“Matet said after lunch. Are you taking me out for lunch?”
He looked amused and focused his attention on me. He set down his coffee and embraced me. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
I pouted and placed the glass of milk on the table. “You said last night that you wanted me… so I want you too— Justin!” I squealed as he playfully pinched my ear. I could hardly breathe from laughing because he was also tickling me on the side. I was too playful this early.
Our playful moment was interrupted when he received a text message. My eyes caught it.
And it was from Veronica.
- Writer
