Chapter 6
1069 Words
Lucy considered herself a professional gossip consumer. She didn’t spread rumors, well, not often, but she kept her ears sharp.
So, when she overheard a group of neighborhood aunties whispering by the corner store, “Kelseay has already got married. She kept it a secret,” she nearly dropped the pack of crackers she was buying.
“What?!” she gasped, eyes widening. “Excuse me, Aunties, did you just say my cousin is married?”
The woman grinned, clearly enjoying her shock. “Oh yes. Just yesterday. A secret wedding. Very sudden.”
Lucy clutched her chest dramatically. “Impossible! I would have felt it in my aura if my cousin tied the knot. We’re spiritually connected!”
One of the women chuckled. “Then maybe your aura’s broken.”
Lucy stomped off, muttering, “Is my aura broken? We’ll see about that.”
She marched straight toward her cousin’s house, hair frizzing from the humidity, still in mismatched pajamas. She was so focused that she didn’t notice the group of kids playing tag near the corner.
“AHHH!” one boy screamed. “Zombie!”
“No, it’s a ghost!” another yelled.
“Wrong. It’s a witch! An evil spirit!” a third shouted.
Lucy froze, glaring at them. “Excuse me?! I’m wearing pajamas, not a burial shroud! And what kind of evil spirit has bangs this cute?!” She charged at them, waving her arms. “Come here and see if I don’t eat you all alive!”
The children screamed and scattered in every direction. Lucy sniffed proudly. “That’s what you get. Calling me a witch? If only you knew. I’m Lucy the Goddess.”
But when she finally stormed into her cousin’s yard, her outrage dissolved instantly.
Because there, in front of her, stood temptation in human form.
A man, tall, broad-shouldered, and shirtless, was chopping wood with clean, powerful swings. Every flex of his arms made his muscles ripple under the morning sun. Sweat slid down his chest, catching the light. His expression was calm and composed, as if splitting logs were child’s play.
Lucy’s jaw dropped so low it nearly touched the ground.
“Oh. My. Holy. Hotness,” she whispered. “What is this? A soap opera scene? A Calvin Klein commercial?!”
Her knees wobbled. She grabbed the bamboo fence for balance, clutching it like her life depended on it. “Lord, thank you for this free show. Truly, your works are marvelous.”
“Lucresia!”
The booming voice nearly made her topple over. She turned and saw her uncle glaring from the porch.
Lucy grimaced. “Uncle! Don’t use my government name in public! It’s Lucy. Just Lucy. Drop the ‘-resia’ the way you drop your blood pressure pills.”
Her uncle scowled. “Stop your nonsense. That man you’re gawking at? He’s your cousin Kelseay’s husband. Mr. Buenaventura. Don’t even look twice.”
Lucy gasped so loudly that the chickens in the coop fluttered in alarm. “Husband?! As in legal? With a marriage contract and witnesses?” She staggered dramatically toward the woodpile. “Kelseay Jade Cordova, how dare you betray me! Your one and only cousin, your destined maid of honor, your best friend!”
The shirtless man finally looked up, his eyes cool, his voice even cooler. “It’s true. I’m her husband.”
Lucy clutched her chest, spinning like she’d been struck. “What is this, a soap opera plot twist?” Cousin, come out here this instant!”
As if on cue, Kelseay appeared at the doorway holding a glass of water. When she spotted her husband half-n***d in the yard, her entire face turned crimson.
“L-Lean! What are you doing?!” she shrieked, nearly dropping the glass. “Why are you out here without a shirt? People will see! Put something on, you shameless man!”
The man smirked, resting the axe casually on his shoulder. “Relax. What’s the problem? You’re my wife. Or…” He tilted his head, eyes glinting. “Are you the one enjoying the view?”
Kelseay sputtered, choking in the air. “Wha—NO! Of course not! Go inside and cover yourself before I—before I—”
Lucy nearly collapsed from laughter, doubling over as she pointed at her cousin. “Oh my God, look at you, Kelseay Jade! Blushing like a tomato! You like it, don’t you? Admit it!”
Kelseay shot her a death glare. “Lucy! This is not funny!”
“Oh, it’s hilarious,” Lucy cackled. “This is better than cable TV!”
To make matters worse, Kelseay suddenly realized her palms were still pressed against her husband’s bare chest from when she had tried to push him back inside.
The man raised a brow, clearly enjoying her fluster. “Sweetheart, if you wanted to touch me, you could just have asked. No need for excuses.”
“You—you p*****t!” Kelseay yelped, jerking her hands away, face crimson.
Lucy slapped her thigh, laughing so hard she nearly rolled on the ground.
Their uncle came storming out, face dark. “What’s all this noise? People three houses away can hear you!”
The man only chuckled, picking up another log. “Don’t worry, Dad. We’ll continue later. Sweetheart, be ready. We’ll burn the bed tonight.”
“AHHHH! SHUT UP!” Kelseay screamed, covering her ears before dashing back inside.
Lucy fell to her knees, howling with laughter. She gave her cousin’s husband a thumbs-up. “Bro, you’re my new idol. Do your best. I’m rooting for a grand slam performance!”
Then she skipped off, cackling wickedly, leaving her cousin shrieking inside the house.
Back home, Lucy flopped onto her bed, still grinning at the memory. “The more you hate, the more you love,” she muttered, hugging her pillow. “That’s exactly what’s happening with those two. Oh Lord, give me something like that. A husband to banter with, someone who drives me crazy but still makes my heart beat like a drum. Please? Pretty please?”
She clasped her hands together, eyes squeezed shut.
“Dear Cupid, Lord, universe, whoever’s on duty today, just send me one guy. One true love. I’ll take care of him forever. No take-backs. Just one. Please, hurry!”
She flopped back dramatically, sighing. “Love, Lucy the Goddess.”
- Writer
