I gave the paper back to Denver. He was looking at me as if he was examining my expression. My lips went dry that I need to bite them. I looked and felt my knees trembles with the sudden news break. I need to digest this. Everything.
I heard the blue-eyed guy clear his throat. I looked up to him as he talks to Denver. They both glanced at me before the guy nodded at me. I tried to smile at him, but I can’t even move my lips. I just slowly nodded, acknowledging his presence. He simply smiled before he tapped Denver’s shoulder and silently left the condo.
My knees weaken that I stumble myself, but Denver’s fast reflexes save me before I even hear a thud on the ground. He already holds my waist, supporting me. His hold was firm against my body before he pulled me up and carry me in a bridal style. I hold on to his nape as he carries me easily towards his room. He put me on his bed carefully as if I’m a fragile glass. I can feel his breath on my neck when he put me down.
“Thank you,” I mumbled. I removed my hand from him and he moved away. He sat on the bed beside me and fix the loose strand of my hair that was covering my face.
“You look good with your ponytail.” He smiled, with a calm expression this time. His voice was opposite to what he used earlier. Warm and feverish. A bit husky, but enough for my heart to react extremely. “About that guy… he’s William, my friend.”
I nodded. “He’s good-looking.” I pointed out.
He arches his brow but then, he shrugged it off. He sighed and cupped my face. He always does that, but it didn’t mind me.
“He processed our marriage… It was a secret but still, ours is legal.”
“We’re officially a married couple now,” I uttered with a chuckle. “December 5.”
“I’ll remember that.”
I nodded and reached for his hands. I played with his long and veiny fingers, and he didn’t mind. I'm nervous and can't look up to meet his gaze. 'But I need to. This is the time to apologize, Sharmienne. Do it.'
“I’m sorry, Denver.”
I stared at his charcoal gray eyes. He exhales a heavy sigh and holds my hand. He kissed the top of it while gazing back at me with too much intensity that I can’t even barely look back at it. It was warm but now it looks on fire. A very intense look he ever gave me. I feel like I’m hyperventilating as his lips stayed longer at my hand. My heart beats copiously while trying to make eye contact with him.
“I should be the one to apologize here,” he uttered. I met his eyes. “You’re not at fault. It’s mine.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t tell you about it. You were upset. You think I don’t trust you… or worse, hate you.”
“Is that what you said before?” I asked. “You hate me, right?”
“Yes… but I was wrong.” He sighed. “I was wrong and misjudge you, my wife.”
My eyes widened with what he just called me. From ‘young lady’ to my name then to ‘my wife’, real quick. Should I be bothered that he has a lot of endearment on his sleeves?
“Denver…”
His lips formed a curve before I heard him chuckle. “I like how you call me like that.”
“You’re confusing me, Denver.”
“Yes, I know… I’m also confused.”
I furrowed; I don’t understand but what’s important is that I already apologized to him. That should be enough. I don’t understand because I chose not to understand it. He’s sending mixed signals yet I’m still hoping. Hoping that maybe, he already has a slight feeling for me. Not hate, but something else.
“Maybe we should sleep. It’s late.” I mumbled and hold his hand. It felt warm against mine. “You need to sleep too. You look ugly with your eyebags.”
His eyes scrutinized as I giggled. He was sleepless and probably he was tired too. “That’s not a good way to end a conversation, young lady.”
He leaned forward and was about to move closer when I pushed him away from me. I look away and that made him burst into a bark of laughter. I leaned my back on the headboard as I watched him laughing lowly and still with closed eyes.
Why so handsome, my husband?
“Go to your room, Denver.” I felt my cheeks blush as I met his eyes again. He looks happy and he’s smiling. A rare view to see. Not playful, but him, just being happy.
“This is also my room, wife.” He smirks after that. “Should we share from now on?”
“Denver…”
He chuckled at my expression. “I’m your husband… You have all the rights, even with me. You own me.”
“You sleep now, Denver.” I moved to the other side to give him space. He arches a brow after doing that. “Come here so we can sleep.”
“You sure? You might get uncomfortable.”
“I already trust myself to you, Denver.” I smiled and pulled his hand to lay beside me. He winched in pain when his forehead bumped on the headboard because of my sudden move. My eyes widened and I panicked. “Sorry…”
“I’m fine,” he muttered with his eyes close. He had already laid his head on the pillow, but I still moved closer to check on his forehead. It reddened a little. I can feel his breath on my jawline that it gives a tingling feeling inside me. My upper body was already against his chest. A very awkward position.
“You okay?” I looked down at him, but I squealed when he moved his body and pinned me down on the bed, caging me in his arms as his face buried on my neck.
“Don’t worry too much, young lady…” I felt him expel a heavy sigh. It sends shivers from my neck down to my body. “I’m still figuring things out. Give me time.”
I hugged him back. He felt so warm against my body. I caressed his crew-cut hair as he buried his face more in my neck.
“We have all the time to figure this all out,” I whispered.
My arms were on his nape as he was on my waist. His thighs caged mine but not tight to suffocate me. Just enough embrace that I need.
I didn’t know that Denver is clingy. His fine breathing tells me that he’s asleep and he never dares to move. I’m aware that he’s not being playful a while ago. He’s serious and he’s sorry for what he said earlier. And now that he’s beside me, I felt comfort. All the worries I felt were already gone. It cleared out my mind from too many thoughts. From my family and to this marriage.
His reasons… were simple but made me smile. He’s concerned and worried. He’s not as heartless as I expected. He might be a playboy but still wants commitment. I hope that he also wants this marriage. I might invest feelings if he keeps being nice to me. He’s someone I dreamed about and came unexpectedly.
I am hoping… that maybe we have a mutual feeling. Not hatred, but love. A love that will give us comfort. A kind of love that will make us stronger if we’re together. A love that knows no boundaries and will fight for each other ‘til death do us apart. I hope he will be that one for me.
I am hoping… really hoping that he'll the one I’ve been praying for. I am willing to wait for you, Denver. I can give you all the time in this world, just so you can figure out everything that bothers you. I’m willing to wait.
I yawned. I stared at his face before I planted a kiss on his forehead before I uttered, “Good night, Denver.”