Chapter 14 After Marriage
1541 Words
After their marriage, they spent ten more days in Balesin to make use of the reservation that Alexander had made in his name. The ladies of Madam Aura traveled back to Manila three days after the wedding because of their prior bookings with clients. Aria is in bliss and feels blessed with her generous husband. He spoils her every chance he gets. It was their last day in Balesin and they did not want to do anything more than cuddle each other.
"It always feels good when I hold you like this," Lucio whispered.
"Me too. I wish we could stay like this forever, but we need to work on other things," she responds.
"Right. After we return to Manila, I want us to go home to Siquijor. I will be staying there with you until such time you are comfortable with the whole place. You know, my work is in Manila, but I'll make sure to be with you at least once a week. Maybe two days at the most," Lucio explained his plans and their arrangements.
They are standing on the terrace on the second floor of the villa, watching over the blue sea.
"Okay. That will be fine with me. You wouldn't stop me from getting closer to your sister, would you?" she asked.
"No. She is my sister and she will not do anything to harm you," he guarantees.
"I know," she answered positively.
"By the way, you have met my father already at the wedding. How did it go?" he recalled asking his wife.
"I was not feeling comfortable. It was awkward, especially since it was our first meeting. Why didn't you allow us to get to know each other before the wedding?" she asked.
"I forgot about it. Besides, he was happy that he was finally able to say hi to you. Dad is the one who inspired me to get married," he explained.
"Really huh? So you are saying that you have no plans to be tied up if not because of him?" Aria would laugh about it.
"Well, yeah, to tell you honestly," he admitted.
"Did you regret it? Or is it too early to say?" she challenged him.
"Of course not. It wasn't the toughest decision I have ever made. And you did not make it even more complicated," he joked.
Aria was just shaking her head while seriously observing her husband. As days passed by, she learned different things about Lucio. He was the perfect husband, if she is the one to describe it. Maybe because he is the only man she loves and he is granting all her wishes, including creating their dream of forming a family together.
Early in the morning, they begin to pack up their things. Keila checked out yesterday and they are the only ones who remained on the island. Aria has no idea whether Keila is taking a flight back home to Siquijor to live there for good in a few days or she is going somewhere. They got lost in their sight. Keila did not say any words after their first meeting about their wedding. She wanted to believe that there was a silent war going on between the siblings, but she was trying to kill that idea.
"I am ready," she announced, waiting for Lucio to come out of the restroom.
"Great. Let's go!" he shouted and walked out of their room very fast.
Lucio went straight to the reception for the settlement of their stay while Aria remained seated in the lounge. She looked around and sighed.
"I still couldn't believe I just got married in this expensive place," she uttered silently.
It was a wish come true. She hugged herself and stared at her husband, who was still in negotiations with the staff. After a while, the private chopper owned by the family came to pick them up. It wasn't the first time she'd flown on a private flight. She felt like a queen, being served and paid with high respect. When they arrived in Manila, Lucio helped her get her things from Madame Aura's house and brought them to his place. They stayed there for three days before their flight to Siquijor.
"I am nervous," Aria complained.
They are waiting for the chopper to arrive.
"Why is that so?" Lucio asked with a smirk.
"I don't know. Maybe because I am in an awkward situation, after two months we were married," she explained.
"You don't have to worry. They just look furious, but they are harmless people. They love me no matter what, and they will not do bad things to hurt you," he assured Aria.
"Okay," she agreed, believing in what he had said.
The chopper has arrived, and the pilot helps them with their baggage. When they were in position, they started the flight.
After an hour, they landed at their destination. Aria enjoyed the view from below. The beautiful green islets give a very good impression of the place. Everything is new to her since she grew up in a polluted city where every day is a battle.
"Welcome to Moreau Plain Estates, Young Master and Madam!" the aged lady said.
It was Selda. She has never left the mansion since. Lucio kissed the woman on both cheeks.
"Selda, I have missed you. You look great," he greeted.
"We missed you too. How was the flight, Young Master?" Selda answered.
"Sweetie, Selda is one of the most trusted employees by my father. Selda, meet my wife, and her name is Aria," Lucio introduced the two of them.
Aria extended her hand for a handshake, and the old lady gladly accepted it.
"Where's dad?" Lucio asked.
"He is still on the farm," Selda answered.
"Farm? When did we have a farm?" he inquired in curiosity.
He grew up in a family that cares about business, but he has never heard that they own a farm.
"Head Master acquired a farm near the estates. It became his addiction. He says it made him younger," Selda answered thoughtfully.
Lucio felt a bit of guilt knowing that he had no idea about what was happening in their house in the province, not even to his father's new interests.
"Really? That's interesting. Did he know we were coming?" he added.
"Yes, he will be home any moment to welcome you!" Selda answered as she guided them to the main entrance.
Aria was amazed by the place. It was huge. The interiors and the landscapes were perfectly made by an expert. She didn't know that her husband would be this wealthy. She only wished for a better life, but she was given more than she asked for.
"Sweetie, your mouth please," Lucio whispered when he noticed that her mouth was open while taking glances around the corners of the very huge mansion.
"Is this your house? It doesn't look like one. Calling this a mansion may not be right," she expressed her thoughts.
"Yes, I grew up here until my father decided to send me to Manila after I graduated from grade school. All the beautiful and bad memories were all here. However, I would rather choose to live in this place. It is just that I have no other choice since nobody will take care of the family business in Manila," he explained.
Aria understood everything he said. Selda and Lucio tour her around the mansion. She was hungry, and yet they were not finished checking each corner of the mansion. There were elevators and Selda was telling stories about the house during the tour, yet she couldn't easily get herself familiar with and absorb everything. She was completely overwhelmed.
"I am getting confused. This place was so huge!" she cried while holding her tummy.
She was ashamed to complain that she was already hungry. She would just frown.
"Are you not feeling well? Why are you frowning?" Lucio asked, showing some concern.
"I am hungry. I am just shy to ask," she whispered.
"Oh, sorry! We had an early meal today. I forgot. Let us go to the banquet!" Lucio announced.
Selda called on everybody to be in their post before the head master arrived. Lucio and Aria are already seated, but they are waiting for Alexander.
"Good morning, Head Master! The meal is ready," Selda said.
"Hello, Aria! Welcome to our estates! Did Selda help you with the tour?" Alexander greeted his daughter-in-law and did not pay attention to what Selda had just said.
Alexander is accompanied by Keila. They have not seen Jack with them. The servants helped them sit down. Aria noticed that they were living a monarch's life.
"Hi! Yes, we did," Aria responded politely and with a smile.
"Great! I hope you had a great ride earlier. Anyway, feel comfortable in our house. Let's go have our meal. I had a tiring day on the farm." he exclaimed.
"Thank you for welcoming me here, sir!" she answered.
"Call me, Dad! Remember, you are a Moreau!" he insisted.
"Okay," she said, feeling happy and awkward.
It was their first meal as a family. She would take a glance and smile at Keila. She also does the same. She felt better after because of how she was treated.
- Writer
