Denver Roque Velasquez POV (Part 2)
 
“You have a talent,” I remarked as my gaze fell upon an unfinished sketch in her notebook. Though she tried to keep it hidden, I had already caught a glimpse. “When did you sketch that? I want to see.”
 
“U-uh, last week.”
 
“Hmm, finish it first. For me, please?”
 
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I watched her dedicate herself to the task. This is how she expresses her affection, doesn't she? Her artistic prowess is truly remarkable, even though she pursued a business-related path during her senior year. I wonder if she'll follow her true passion once she graduates.
 
“Sure.”
 
This small conversation. She is slowly becoming comfortable with me. I want to cherish it, but I do not know how I should really express myself. As much as possible, I do not want her to misunderstand things, yet I do not know if that is what I am doing. I am really an inconsistent person.
 
"Do you have a brother, Denver?" she asked, her voice holding a gentle cadence that could enrapture me until daybreak.
 
"Yeah. Probably younger than you. Why?"
 
She asked so randomly. And is she that curious about Clyde?
 
"Just curious."
 
I pressed my lips together, struggling to steer the conversation. I felt like I lost my social skills just by being with her. I want to be as gentle as possible.
 
"You’re a mommy’s boy?" she asked.
 
"No. Let me guess. You’re a daddy’s girl?"
 
As I saw her nod, I knew I was right about my assumption. Mrs. Golieza doesn’t favor Sharmienne, as she’s not Mr. Lucius’s child. I was able to gather that much information thanks to William's help. Her mother must have felt guilty about things that happened to them because she put the blame on her daughter.
 
Her slowly opening up to me. It was a mixed feeling. I was grateful that she trusted me. I was beyond happy, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but get annoyed that she needed to endure this kind of treatment, especially from her mother.
 
I wanted to assure her that I would protect her and that she would have me. But at the same time, that responsibility also triggers something in me. I felt scared that I couldn’t protect her.
 
I can’t help but put a tracker on her phone. For her security and safety. It’s an emergency. Especially now that I could see Jake Hart in the broad light, freely wandering around her campus. He’s with Carmienne Golieza and freaking making out in the parking lot. I couldn’t help but glance at Sharmienne, who was beyond shocked as she asked me about it.
 
"It’s normal, my wife. She’s not young anymore."
 
I can’t help but chuckle at her reaction. I even want to tease her, as she keeps wondering about that kiss. It was evident that she isn't immune to this kind of thing.
 
I just want to keep her.
 
I am frequently the one to get her from school. I was anxious that she could meet younger guys and like them as much as she likes me. Damn. Thinking about it makes me so possessive of her. I want her affection to be directed solely at me. I want her only for myself.
 
"Do you accept me?" she asked.
 
"Of course, my reclusive wife." That’s one thing I want for her. Recluse. She’s so delicate and caring. Soft. Very opposite to mine.
 
That day, I began investigating upon seeing the threat. I want to be more cautious. I know The Hawk is making advances on us. They are really good at this. And we’ve been stopping them from their schemes every time they do it.
 
"Jurius Golieza, current CEO of the LuGo Group of Companies."
 
"I see."
 
I ruffled my hair as I saw my friend’s state. He’s full of bruises, all because of a minor incident. I was with him as soon as I received his call, and I got these bruises. Fuck. My wife will scold me.
 
"What happened to you? My wife was the one to answer the call, you fucker."
 
"My bad." He chuckled but immediately winced in pain. "She must be curious about your line of work."
 
"Oh, shut it."
 
I miss my wife. I felt guilty that I left her too soon just to go to headquarters. I treated the bruise on my face and the slit in my eyebrow before I heard Elijah say anything.
 
"You must go."
 
I did what he told me. I was so frank that I immediately went to my condo only to hear my wife talking to someone named Kian. My blood boiled just hearing their conversation.
 
"He has plans for this, Kian. He doesn’t want this, which is why he’s asking me to cooperate with it."
 
Fuck. That’s how she sees my intention. That I don’t want this marriage? I was so focused that she wouldn’t misunderstand everything, but here it is, unfolding right before my eyes.
 
She has communication with Kian Forthaliez. He’s a spy. They run an intelligence agency too. That’s maybe how he figured it all out. And he’s telling my wife all of this. Damn it.
 
"And I also trust my husband, Kian."
 
That stiffened me. She trusts me. Something caressed my heart softly. But still, I am too raged to process that. I waited for her to end the call, and that’s when she saw me.
 
"Denver…"
 
“It’s very frustrating to hear you call another guy’s name, Kian, huh?”
 
I was so irrational. It was like my mind went blank and I just wanted to be possessive of her. I saw her about to reach my face for my bruises, but I caught her wrist first, caged her against my body. Her warmth ignited the fire inside of me.
 
Fuck. You’re mine.
 
I sealed her lips with kisses until she could moan my name. It was so sweet, I almost wanted to dig in. Her voice resonated so strongly that it triggered something inside me.
 
"Denver..." I caressed her cheeks as I removed my hands from her wrist. I saw her eyes—they were unintentionally seductive. Her languid eyes
 
"You have soft lips, Sharmienne, that I want to kiss again."
 
I want to devour her lips fully. To tell her that she will always be mine and to let her know that I am hers. I licked my lips as I saw her eyes stare at them. Damn. I pulled her closer to mine. To feel her warmth even more. Her blushing cheeks even made her cute under me.
 
"Tell me. Can I kiss you?"
 
And when she nodded, all the restraint I had this time loosened. I kissed her tenderly. Swiftly. In need. I claimed her lips, as if they had found their master to serve. I found my way to her neck and gave her soft kisses on it. I can hear her soft breathing. I wanted more. But I know I need to stop. I badly wanted to.
 
"I am getting addicted to your warmth and your kisses."
 
And that moment. It was all clear to me. Why am I being like this? So protective and possessive towards her? It’s because I am attracted to her. I wanted her for myself only. Mine alone.
 
"Denver, about last night..."
 
"What is it?"
 
"Do your lips look okay?"
 
It was a normal morning. Her greeting was quite different when she asked that, and I can’t seem to understand why she needed to ask that. Is she thinking about what happened last night?
 
I pursed my lips, suppressing my smile. I stared at her. "What?"
 
"Can I look at it?" I moved away as I was tempted to kiss her again. While she kept on insisting and moving forward. "What?" she asked. Damn, she’s so clueless.
 
"My lips are okay." She’s really worried about my lips, huh? She can’t even divert her eyes from it. "You want a taste?" I teased.
 
She blushed. Oh damn. 
 
I just diverted the topic and asked about her friend. I remember that he was her only friend. I want to get rid of the fucker, but I don’t want my wife to resent me. Maybe if I could get a chance, I could.
 
I even told her that I would be busy these days as I was assigned to manage the affairs of their LuGo Group of Companies. As much as possible, I don't want to involve my wife in these affairs. I just want her to focus on her studies and me.
 
I had a lead about Kian. I am sure he’s part of The Hawk. Knowing that he’s also associated with my wife bothers me.
 
"He’s with Carmienne," William told me over the phone.
 
"Roger that."
 
"Keep yourself calm, dude." I can hear his line crooked a little. "He’s your wife’s only friend."
 
I frowned. "That didn’t sit well with me, Rivera."
 
I can see that Forthaliez is having a conversation with Jake Hart. What’s with him? I know he also knew about his sister being one of the targets of The Hawk. Damn, what is he thinking?
 
I observed them from the rooftop, my gun aiming for a warning. I can’t put them in a public place, so I need to survey them for now. We need to corner him. That’s the only way I could know that he’s not a threat to us. He’s neutral.
 
"Someone’s calling on Velasquez’s phone."
 
"Who is it?" I asked.
 
"Your wife’s sister. She said to meet you at the parking lot."
 
I pursed my lips before I stood up from my seat. I need to talk to her. She could help me track down those I needed to find a lead other than Kian.
 
"I’ll go down; put Elijah in my place."
 
I left the building before answering the call. Earlier, it was a conference call connected to the Falcon members. I met Carmienne in the parking lot.
 
"What is it?"
 
"It’s about my sister." She was straightforward. "Don’t attack Kian on this. He’s an ally."
 
"What did you know about us?"
 
"I am investigating my cousins’ deaths. I don’t want my sister to be involved in your gang."
 
"I didn’t tell her about it. How did you know about us?"
 
"Jake Hart is the leader of The Hawk, right?"
 
She was serious and confident. And just by her telling me this, I knew she knew something. More than an average person should. Acknowledging Kian’s skills, he must have helped her. The Hawk and the Falcon are underground gangs, and only a few know about us.
 
"Understood."
 
"I have a favor to ask."
 
I sighed. "What?"
 
"Don’t give my sister false hope. She’s too innocent to be on this."
 
"I wouldn’t do that," I said honestly. "I don’t even want her to be with me, as it's too dangerous."
 
She stared at me. I can see her resemblance to my wife, but fiercer. "Sooner or later, she will know about you. I can’t stop Kian from his plans, but he’s always been my ally."
 
"I don’t trust him."
 
"I understand. Then, just don’t get on my way."
 
That was the last thing she said before she walked out. It was so sudden that all I could do was stare at nothing. Uneasiness surged upon me. I can’t help but blame myself for dragging my wife into this. I knew it too well. Yet I am so selfish to let her go. We were bound to stay with each other, even if it meant our lives would be in danger.
 
I tried. I tried to push her away. I was regretting every time she passed me the moment I told her that she should stop liking me. I was scared that she wouldn’t stay, but here she is, still with me. Until that day, her last day of exams, she left with Kian.
 
"Damn! Fuck! Where are you, Sharmienne?" I shouted frustratedly while my friends were just looking at me as if I had gone insane. I must be insane.
 
"Calm down. We can still find her."
 
"How?" I annoyingly said while typing on my phone. I also called her numerous times, but she wouldn’t answer. Her phone was turned off. Damn it.
 
"You reek of liquor. Even your judgment is clouded."
 
Daniel told me in a stern voice. I don’t fucking care if I got drunk. I was so anxious. So scared.
 
"She texted me last night that she'd go out. I wasn’t able to follow her."
 
"Damn."
 
"She has a tracker, right?"
 
"I’ll try accessing it."
 
I need a plan. Think, Denver. She’s definitely with Kian or Carmienne. She wouldn’t  go with someone she couldn’t trust.
 
Days passed by, and nowhere could I find her. The device was broken and inaccessible. I also asked my friends and other connections. I was desperate, and I can’t fully rely on William as he also has things to do. I was just sure that my wife was safe. Until Zaine Madrigal called me, who happened to own a resort near here.
 
"Sharmienne Velasquez? She’s familiar to you?"
 
"Fuck it! That’s her."
 
He sighed, and after a second, he sent me an address. “William, send me the details. Go after her."
 
"Thanks, dude."
 
I was abrupt in going to that address. I was with Daniel, who was silent the whole ride as he drove me to Madrigal Resorts. I was certain that all of this was planned. From Carmienne talking to me to Kian having a conversation with Jake Hart.
 
Daniel went to the shore as soon as we arrived, while I immediately went to where Sharmienne is. I knocked on the door, my heart longing to see her. And when she opened the door, I could say that she was shocked as I found her.
 
"Ehi, mia cara moglie."