I stiffened. My hands were trembling as I held on to his chest. I can feel the warmth of his palms on my cheeks, every beat of his heart, and the sound of his breathing. I was so close to him, and it calmed me.
Why does it feel so good? To be with the man that I like is as if I am in paradise. To be in his arms is like a gift from above. It is inexplicable. The chills I felt now elucidated his feelings for me.
I admit that he really sent mixed signals. Every gesture he makes is very confusing at first. I always read between the lines every time he tells me things. I am an overthinker and it’s a habit of mine to think too much. Yet now that he clarified his feelings for me, I felt like a burden was lifted off my chest. My doubts were dissolved as if it got poured by something acidic.
We’re on the same page now… I smiled at that thought.
“I like you too, hubby,” I murmured, resting my head on his hard chest. “I may not be vocal most of the time, but I hope you also felt that too.”
I almost gave up and thought that he would never reciprocate my feelings. That our setup is pure business only. That always stuck in my mind. But there’s still a little chance of clinging tight that he will like me back. And this was that day.
“We’re legal,” he said. “We started bad, and I hope we can still start, better than before.”
“Sure, hubby.”
He kissed my cheeks before I let him go. “I felt bad that you confessed to me first.”
“Hmm, why?”
“I was confused with my feelings. I couldn’t even focus whenever I avoided you that time.”
I chortle. “I thought you still loathe me that time. I finished the sketch you were asking me for, and at the same time, I completed drawing that because I missed you.”
“The canvas?” There was astonishment visible in his eyes. “It was me, huh?”
I nodded. That canvas was supposed to be my peace offering to him, so he won’t avoid me again. I tried my luck that time. I didn’t know that he saw it. He is my inspiration. Whenever I want to draw, he always materializes in my mind. Every expression he has, I want to draw it.
“That was the time I first saw you at your birthday party,” I muttered. His gaze softens and nods. “You have that avaricious smirk every time you greet your guests. It’s as if you’re used to hanging out with them.”
“I admire you because of that. It’s one of the reasons why I like you.” I smiled as I faced him. I can feel my cheeks redden as I admitted this to him. He was just eyeing me, concentrating on what I would speak out next. “I admire you because it looks easy to you while I was contrary.”
“Sha…”
“You already invaded my system, already can’t get out. And it went drastic when your family announced that we will get married.”
“Oh, that explains it.” He was chuckling. “That’s my effect on you?”
“I love seeing your smile,” I uttered. “I hope it would last, Denver. I hope you won't lose that.”
"I will, wife." He leaned forward to kiss my cheeks. “Soon, I will introduce you to my gang.”
My lips parted. “The Falcon?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Since what information did your sister tell you about my gang?” he curiously asked.
“Just a little.” I bit my lips and looked down, remembering some of what Carmienne told me. “About The Hawk and some stuff, I think.”
“She sure knows a lot,” he remarked. I looked back at him, but his eyes were fixated on my lips.
“She likes Jake Hart.” I sighed as I recalled her reasons. “Carmienne thinks that Jake is related to the tragedy that happened years ago.”
“Tragedy?” His brows creased. “What about it?”
“A car accident that involved Carmienne and our two cousins.” I can't conceal the sadness I felt just by the mention of that. Recalling the past is not good. I can't even imagine how traumatizing it is for my sister.
“And these cousins of yours are... Oh shit!” Denver instantly realized what I am pertaining to. “Your uncle has his reasons, huh?” he uttered after realization struck him.
“My uncle may be greedy, but he also wants justice.”
“I understand now what Dela Fuente told me,” he whispered.
Dela Fuente? His friend? “What do you mean?”
“The Falcon has been investigating him for a long time.” He massaged his temple and sat on the couch. He dragged me down which led me to sit on his lap. My cheeks blushed with that. “I know how to stop your uncle now, officially.”
“How?”
“The Falcon will help you and Carmienne. We will find out the cause of that incident.” He was determined. I can feel how serious he was as he pulled me closer for a hug. I felt secure with it.
I smiled. I never imagined this. I thought I would stay hideous because the topic of his gang is a taboo topic.
“Thank you, hubby,” I sincerely said.
“For you, wife.” He kisses my temple. He was about to reach for my lips when we heard something tumble and it was followed by a loud sound.
“Oh my!”
My eyes widened as I recognized that voice. I pulled away from Denver and looked at the door only to see Mrs. Velasquez holding some paper bags while some of them were already on the floor. Her eyes widened but then she flashed a smile at us.
“M-mrs. Velasquez!”
She looks classy and sophisticated in what she’s wearing, a black dress and paired with a pearl necklace and earrings. I can’t help but gulp the lump in my throat as I felt how intimidated I am just seeing her again. I know I am not yet ready to face her even though Denver gave me a heads-up.
I felt Denver stand by my side and put his hand on my waist as if securing me. It made me less uneasy every time I felt his fingertips playing on it.
“Good to see you, Mom,” Denver utters and glances to the side. “And also to you, bro.”
My eyes immediately landed on a guy who looked younger than me. He must be Clyde. He really looks like the younger version of my husband. Cute.
“It looks like 'milady' likes me?” Clyde smirks as his eyes are on mine. He’s surely teasing his older brother. I simply gasped and glanced at my side when Denver's grip tightens on my waist.
“Shut it, Clyde. She's mine.” Denver's voice was cold and cruel. His eyes were like piercing daggers. If looks could kill, his brother might be on the ground right now.
I was just looking at my husband and his reaction that I didn't sense Mrs. Velasquez going near me. She pulled me away from Denver and embraced me tightly.
“I miss you, hija.” She kissed both of my cheeks and there I was, just standing stiff. “Don't mind my sons, they just miss each other.”
“Mom!”
“No, I'm not!”
My lips form a smile when the two Velasquez nagged at their mom. Mrs. Velasquez just shrugged them off.
“I m-miss you too, Mrs. Velasquez.”
She beamed at me, a knowing one. “It's as if you're addressing yourself too, hija. Call me 'mom' instead.” My eyes widened. Did she know? How? I glanced at Denver and saw him sigh.
"Quando sarà il matrimonio ufficiale?”