I felt someone’s breath on my neck when I move. Arms wrapped on my waist and legs above my thighs. I slowly opened my eyes and Denver’s face welcomed my sight. His eyes were still closed and with fine breathing. A smile crept on my lips upon seeing his state.
I cupped his face gently and my finger traced his pointed nose. His eyelashes are longer than mine. A mix of Italian blood was evident in his proportion and complexion. I really admire him. Since the first we’ve met.
How can I hate you? You expect me to have mutual feelings, but I can’t feel that. All I feel is admiration for this guy in front of me. A feeling like a flower slowly blooming because of the sun. It has its source and without it, I don’t think this feeling of mine will bloom.
I wonder what the reason why I like this man? Is it because of his face, the way he treats me? Or is it something I can’t name? Does liking someone needs to have a reason? Can I tell him that I like him without explaining what I like about him? Can I?
This man is now my husband. I have the time to tell him that I like him. But how will I do that?
He opened his eyes and his gray orb immediately met my brown ones. I smiled and removed my hand from his face before I move away from him, cheeks flushed with realization. I can’t even stare back at him for ten seconds. How can I have the courage to confess?
“Good morning,” He greeted, huskily. I shook my head as I felt my insides churn because of his voice. He always has that effect on me.
“Good morning, Denver.”
“That’s more I like it,” he muttered before he caressed my shoulders down my wrist. “Did you have a good sleep?”
“Y-yes.”
Still not looking at him, I stood up. But he was too fast that he grabbed my waist gently and pulled me closer to him. I sat on his lap as he caged me inside his arms. I can feel his warmth against my back and his breath on my nap as he chuckles.
“Wait, my wife... So warm.” He kisses my cheeks before he hugged me from behind. “Look at me.”
He held my cheeks and made me look at him. He smiled when he saw me blushing too much with the way he grips me.
“You’re very clingy,” I mumbled.
“Uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s fine.” I smiled. He nodded before he made me stand up.
“Used the bathroom first, I’ll use the other one downstairs.”
I nodded before I made my way to have a bath. Even while washing my hair, my lips can’t help but smile at how he’s so different from the way he treats me.
A week ago, he’s so playful and sometimes with an annoyed face when looking at me, but after we got married (on paper), he was husband material. I don’t know how to treat him now. It’s a bit surprising with the change of heart.
But I know, I’m very happy that he’s like this. He doesn’t hate me now and maybe, we can make this marriage work.
It took me about 20 minutes before I finished. I was combing my short hair already and wearing my uniform. I am excited but at the same time nervous. I am a transferee for the second semester of this school year and I don’t have an idea if my subjects are the same as my previous school.
My backpack is already prepared with my books. It’s neatly arranged on the table. A paper beside it caught my attention. An invitation and Denver’s name were in it. I didn’t bother reading all of it and went straight to the dining room.
Denver’s on his long black sleeve shirt, with sleeves folded three-fourths and covering his veiny arms. He is wearing tight white pants and looks like he’s ready for a meeting with his casual attire. He was facing the stove, still not finished cooking our breakfast.
“Sharmienne.”
“What?” I moved next to him. I made coffee for the two of us while he was busy.
“You have my number, right?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t leave your phone, hmm?”
“Okay,” I said.
I arrange the food after Denver finished cooking. We both have our breakfast with a little chitchat. But an unknown number called my phone, interrupting us.
“Who’s that?” He glanced at my phone when I didn’t answer that call.
“I don’t know,” I mumbled. He stared at the number and then back to me before he sighed.
“Did you talk with your sister?” he asked, instead.
“Not yet,” I uttered. “Did something happen?”
“I don’t want to tell you, but since you ask…” He sighed before he sipped on his coffee. “Your father is back in your company.”
My eyes widened as I chewed on my food. Denver immediately gave me a glass of water and I accept it. My eyes darted somewhere as I drink. A trail of thoughts immediately got inside my mind.
What will happen now?
“T-that fast?”
He sighed as he glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s almost seven. Let’s go.”
I nodded, still thunderstruck by what he said. I just found it out yesterday and now my dad came back.
I glanced at Denver when he stood up. He looks at me but my eyes are still fixed on him. How powerful is his family? They can do that in just a blink of an eye. I wonder how they still look humble when all along they are a beast when it comes to business.
And all I can do is sigh in astonishment. And I realized that we’re married for convenience. I smiled at him after he took my hand. He brings me to his car with my backpack with him and books.
“Get in.” He opened the car door for me. I entered with a smile. Then he walked towards the driver’s seat. He glanced at me first before he started maneuvering the car.
I check my bag if it is already complete when Denver faked a cough. I glance at him and saw that his eyes were on the notebook I’m holding right now My eyes darted at it and immediately my face flushed when I saw the sketch I made for Denver. It was clipped on it. I put it back inside my bag and didn’t know how to face him now. He smirks upon seeing my expression before he focused his eyes on the road.
“You have a talent,” he mumbled, a smirk plastered on his reddish heart-shaped lips. “When did you sketch that? I want to see.”
“U-uh, last week.”
“Hmm, finish it first. For me, please?”
“Sure.” I chuckled nervously even though I know he likes it. I can’t help but smile as I glance at Denver sensually biting his lips while driving.
“Do you have a brother, Denver?” I asked all of the sudden.
“Yeah. Probably younger than you. Why?”
“Just curious.”
He’s not the type who opens up the topic about his family. Maybe with this casual question and answer, I might know him personally.
“You’re a mommy’s boy?”
“No.” He had a U-turn before he look at me. “Let me guess… You’re a daddy's girl?”
I nodded with a smile. “I’m very close to my father. Maybe because my mother always favors my sister.”
“Tsk. She has her favorite.”
“You’re right.”
He pursed his lips as he heard me say that. I heard him sigh. “Don’t let yourself always be in your family’s shadows, Sharmienne. Do not always favor them,” he seriously said.
That was what my father reminds me of. He always tells me that I can do whatever I want. But I can’t help but worry when I do that. It feels like I’m a burden if I let myself be free and just do what I want. I’m thirsty for the freedom they offer me, but it’s not enough to quench the thirst I have. That is why I am choosing an option wherein I don’t need to be eager in craving freedom and just be a slave to them.
“I’m born to be like this, Denver.” I smiled. It was a sad one and I know, he noticed that it reflected in my eyes. “I want them to see me. That someone who’s not a burden to them. The daughter they also need. I want them to treat me that way.”
“My mother loathes me without me knowing her reason. I keep asking myself if I did something wrong, but no one answered me… That’s why I choose to be silent and reserved always.”
“Maybe you already know why I agreed to this marriage… It’s for my family.”
I sighed as I remember the reason why I am in this situation. I’m bound to marry Denver for business, and it involves my family. I should focus on that, and not Denver’s impact on me.
“I understand.” He stopped the car in from of a big brown gate in front of us, I heard him heave a sigh as he gazed at me with his serious gray orbs. I plastered a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “I’ll keep you now, then.”
“Huh?”
“You are mine, Sharmienne. I will let you do what you want, you have your freedom as long as you’re with me. I won’t deprive you of that.”
“Denver… you don’t need to do that.”
“You are my wife now. Don’t be too selfless, hmm?” He leaned forward and kissed both of my cheeks. He caressed it gently that my heart was already doing somersaults inside of me.
He smiled. “I’ll wait for you, young lady.”