I Knew I Loved You

Chapter Nine

~ Embers of Forever ~

Who could ignore Manang's relentless knocking on my door, as if she intended to break it down? Startled from my sleep, I groggily reached for my phone to check the time. Only seven in the morning. "M-Manang," I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep, as I opened the door.

"Ma'am, Sir is here," she announced.

"Manang, you don't have to wake me up when Rich comes," I whispered, still exhausted from staying up late to finish my report.

"I'm talking about Sir Thorn, Ma'am," she said with a mischievous smile. "He said you have plans today, that's why he's here early. He's quite the handsome one, you know!" she added with a playful wink.

I rolled my eyes. I hadn't expected Thorn to arrive so soon. I had asked him to pick me up on Sunday, not bright and early today. He had suggested I cook for them at his place. As if I would back out now!

Shaking off my sleepiness, I quickly showered and dressed. I chose a white sleeveless dress and paired it with comfortable white sneakers for the occasion.

Thorn rose from his seat as I entered the room. He wore a simple white shirt and faded jeans, looking effortlessly stylish. My heart skipped a beat as I saw him, his slightly damp, tousled hair adding to his allure. I couldn't help but notice how his shirt clung to his well-defined physique.

‘Damn it! He looked undeniably hot! Stop daydreaming, Ada,’ I scolded myself inwardly.

It had only been since last night! I tried to resist his charm, but even in his casual attire, he exuded an aura that made him stand out among men. Damn him!

"Hi," he greeted me with a half-smile, his eyes sweeping over my entire form. I felt exposed under his intense gaze, my skin erupting in goosebumps. Why did he have such an effect on me?

Returning his greeting, I tried to steady my nerves. "You're early for our first date," I blurted out, immediately regretting my lack of filter.

‘Come on, Matilda! Don't say everything that comes to mind. He might misinterpret things. That accidental encounter meant nothing. Accidental! Remember that,’ I scolded myself.

"Shall we go?" he asked, extending an inviting gesture.

He didn't react to what I had said, but a flush crept up his cheeks.

***

Thorn's two-story house was a modern marvel, exuding spaciousness and sophistication with its tasteful green and white accents. As we passed through the gate, I couldn't help but admire the meticulously landscaped garden, adorned with intricate designs. The pathway, lined with shimmering white beach stones and lush succulent plants, beckoned us forward.

I followed closely behind Thorn as we made our way through the expansive living room. Every piece of furniture, every appliance, and every painting hanging on the walls seemed brand new, radiating a sense of elegance.

Our footsteps carried us to the kitchen, and a smile tugged at my lips as I beheld the sight that greeted me. Pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, pitted olives, and tomatoes lay neatly arranged on the countertop, awaiting their transformation into a delectable dish.

"So, pasta, huh?" I teased, a playful glimmer in my eyes.

"Yes, Italian spaghetti is on the menu today," he confirmed with a mischievous grin. "Think you can handle it?"

"It's Thorn's favorite!" a voice emerged from the kitchen.

"M-Mom?" Thorn seemed startled, and I felt a pang of nervousness. So his mother was here? Well, he hadn't mentioned that we wouldn't be alone.

She stood before us, wearing a simple peach dress with an apron adorning her. She wasn't too old and carried an approachable and remarkably beautiful aura.

"Hello," I greeted her with a warm smile.

Thorn immediately approached his mother, taking her hand and bowing in a display of respect. I bit my lip, surprised by the sudden intensity that radiated from him. How could a simple gesture make him even more attractive? Damn it! Those butterflies were back again.

Thorn inquired, his hand resting on the back of his neck as he furrowed his brow, "I thought you were going out with Lucy?"

"No, my dear. We didn't want to waste the day, and I'm excited to meet your friend," Thorn's mother declared, her eyes gleaming with delight fixed on me. "I'm Thorn's mother. You must be Ada, right? Finally, my son's dream has come true!"

"Mom!" Thorn blurted out, his cheeks reddening at the mention of his dream. Whatever that meant.

"Don't pay attention to everything my mother says," he muttered under his breath.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, puzzled.

His mother chuckled. "Call me Tita Ofelia. Or 'Mom' would be fine too," she suggested, sweetly smiling at me. She seemed incredibly kind.

Tita Ofelia glanced at the ingredients neatly arranged on the countertop. "I've prepared everything for your cooking. They were Thorn's requests," she boasted.

So they were close, I realized. It was a stark contrast to my relationship with my own mother, who had no knowledge of my boyfriends, let alone requesting their introduction.

Feeling small in the presence of Thorn's mother, I lowered my head, a lump forming in my throat.

"Mom, we can take it from here. You can go and follow Lucy. You know how she can be," Thorn said, waving his mother away.

"Do you need any more help? Maybe I should stay for a while and assist you. After all, I don't have anything else to do. I could keep you company," Tita Ofelia suggested, clearly eager to linger.

"Don't trouble yourself, Mom. Ada can handle this. How will she learn if you're watching over her?" Thorn's expression remained inscrutable.

Tita Ofelia approached him and lightly tapped his cheek. "Alright, son. I'm leaving now. I'm just excited."

Thorn scratched his head, visibly restless. "I'll call you, I promise."

Tita Ofelia held onto Thorn's arm. "I know, son." She turned to me, her smile warm and genuine. "I hope to see you again, Ada," she said, removing her apron.

Unable to resist, I hugged her tightly. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Tita." I closed my eyes, savoring the moment as if I could feel the warmth of a mother's embrace.

‘Really, Ada? Getting sentimental isn't your thing. Don't dwell on it!’ I reminded myself.

Tita Ofelia’s hand gently stroked my hair, and she spoke softly, "I should be the one thanking you, my dear."

I couldn't quite explain why her touch felt like a profound connection to my heart. Had I truly missed my family this much?

Thorn escorted his mother out, and in an effort to regain my composure, I donned the apron that Tita Ofelia left on the countertop.

As I stood in the bustling kitchen, preparing to cook a delicious pasta dish, I reached for a knife to begin slicing the vibrant vegetables. But as I turned my gaze, my eyes locked onto Thorn, who was leaning casually against the wall. His arms were folded over his broad chest, and his intense stare made my brow furrow with curiosity. I couldn't determine how long he had been observing me.

"You certainly appear at ease in the kitchen," he remarked, his gaze fixated on my hands.

A mischievous grin tugged at my lips, and I resumed my task, the sound of the knife slicing through the vegetables resonating through the room.

"You'll soon discover," I replied confidently, pivoting on my heels to drop the pasta into the pot of boiling water.

Thorn's voice carried a deep intensity as he questioned, "Do you believe in forever?" His unwavering gaze locked onto mine, refusing to waver.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips involuntarily, attempting to conceal my disbelief as I continued with my culinary endeavors. "What prompts such a question?" I inquired, feigning casual curiosity.

With a nonchalant shrug, Thorn responded, "I'm merely intrigued."

I nodded along, not yet taking his words to heart. "Love may initially appear boundless, but with time, it often dissipates as we uncover our partner's flaws and imperfections," I explained matter-of-factly.

Yet, Thorn leaned closer, his warm breath grazing my ear as he whispered ever so softly, "What if I could demonstrate that forever really exists?"

A sudden hitch caught in my throat, and my breath became shallow as his words settled upon me. Stuttering, I struggled to comprehend his proposition. "N-nothing lasts forever, Thorn," I managed to murmur, my heart racing within my chest.

His lips brushed against the delicate skin of my neck, igniting a cascade of shivers that danced down my spine. "Perhaps," he murmured, his voice filled with a tantalizing allure, "it depends on whom you bestow your forever upon. Perhaps no one has yet proven it to you."

Lost in his words, I closed my eyes, succumbing to the intoxicating effect he had on me, unable to resist his touch.

Slowly, his hand crept upward along the curve of my waist, until it reached the gentle swell of my chest.

"Thorn," I whispered, my voice barely audible. With my heart racing and my body ablaze, I yielded to the tantalizing pull between us.