Katalina
The flight back home was done in a daze.
If not for Emilia who was by my side, reminding me that I needed to stay alert because of Stone’s presence, I would have crumbled. The urge to just curl up on the ground and cry my heart out was strong. It was as if every part of me had somehow developed heartbeats. My head was thudding in three different places. My temple, my nape, and the left side. My real heartbeat wouldn’t slow down, and my skin seemed to also be breathing and prickling all over.
When Stone saw me looking pale and covered in goosebumps, he was alarmed and earnestly turned to Emilia when he got no response from me.
“She ate something. It’s allergies” she told him in a monotone.
“What did she eat? What allergy is this?” He asked, sounding alarmed.
“We don’t really know. But she is better now. You don’t have to worry.”
When I got home, Huracio welcomed me with a spread of delicious dishes. But how can I eat peacefully, knowing well that my biological father, whoever that is – probably killed his family?
His promises and care came to mind, but no matter how I looked at it, none of his actions looked fake. He punished me when he was angry, and spoiled me rotten most of the time. If my father really killed his family, and he knows it, should he be this good to me? Or is it just as Mum said? Is he using me as bait?
Not that I care, but what happens after he is done using me? Will he cast me out?
I remember how he always reminded me to tell him if I saw my Mum. So, maybe I had always been a bait, but it never felt like it.
“Kitty, what is it?” Huracio stood up and walked over from the other side of the dining table. I shook my head and just continued picking at my plate.
“I will ask Gerald to come see you, but you must eat something. Should I feed you?”
He dragged a nearby chair in, and sat down, looking worried. I remembered how angry he was before I left home, and couldn’t help but wonder if he was still angry? If he was just good at hiding it.
“Are you still angry?” I asked cautiously. I intently search his eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of pretense or a lie.
His brows came together, and he tilted his head to the side. “Is that what this is all about?”
“I… you were so angry before. I just wanted to know if you are still angry.” I lowered my lashes and nervously twisted my nails.
He gave a gruffy laugh…more like a loud scoff that didn’t sound angry. He then covered my hands with his larger ones, making me stop twisting them around.
“Kitty, look at me.” His voice was soft, yet domineering. I nervously looked into his eyes just like he likes and what I saw was an intense gaze, so serious that I felt scared of whatever he was about to say.
He reassuringly squeezed my hands, but I didn’t feel reassured at all. I was more alarmed. Why did he have to look so dang serious now…?
“I am not sure that I can stay angry with you for an hour. You have been gone for days. How can I still be angry with you when I have missed you so much?”
He leaned in and took a bite of my earlobes, sending shivers and tingles down my chest. …
What the fuck was he talking about?
My jaws dropped, and my eyes widened.
“What…!”
I almost spoke out my thoughts, but caught myself in time.
“Kitty, I am not angry with you. I am worried. Can you tell me what happened? Is it your Grandma? Did she make things difficult for you?”
“Huracio, Yo-U, I don’t understand.”
Did he say he couldn’t stay angry with me? Did he say he missed me?
Why did he say I was gone for days when I was gone for less than 24 hours?
What does that mean?
What was he trying to say?
I know exactly what I heard, but when you put them together, they sounded like ‘I love you, I can’t do without you’…right?
Am I overthinking?
“I said I am worried about you. Tell me what happened at home? Is Grandma in a bad shape? Talk to me. I want to help.”
He really looked worried. This is what I am saying. How can someone care so much, and yet have hate in their heart? It’s impossible, right?:
What should I do? I don’t know what to think!
“Kitty, talk to me.” He pressed on.
I’d swear he has never been this gentle and patient with me. It was like talking to a sulking two year old.
“Grandma is fine. I just feel a little tired. Can I go to bed? I’m not really hungry.” I replied pitifully.
“…”
He gave me an intense gaze that made me feel like he could see through me. Unable to continue gazing back at him, I lowered my head and waited for his permission.
After a bit, he huffed.
“Okay. Take three more spoonfuls.”
“Okay.” I whispered under my breath. I then proceeded to pick dainty food parts.
Right after the meal, he followed me to the bedroom, and made me take a bath with him. Just like when we just got married and he would bathe and feed me, it felt like we were back to that time.
The following days saw some changes. Though I still wake up in the morning to prepare his coffee and sandwiches, he returned home early enough to prepare dinner. He stopped manhandling me, and became nicer during lovemaking.
Wednesdays are the most leisurely days in the week. Just two classes in the morning and we are done. Usually, Emilia and I spend this day either shopping, or going to the cinema. But before leaving home today, Huracio told me he would come pick me for lunch.
I was so excited that Emilia had to ask if Huracio had bought me another outrageous gift. “Did he get you a yacht now?” She snorted jokingly.
“No. We are going out for lunch. You are on your own today.” I unapologetically skidded as we made our way to the last lecture.
After confessing to her back at Ursburn, we seemed to have gotten even closer. I can now talk about my husband without having to hide everything. Though my Identity issues weigh on my mind like a Mont. Thai, there have been moments when just talking about Huracio made my eyes sparkle. And there was a lot to talk about.
Everything I have ever hidden from Emilia was revealed. When I told her of our sex routines and how scary and exciting they were, she got really curious. She even urged me to invite her over to come take a look at our red room. I promised that I would ask Huracio if it would be possible, but deep down, I feel like it’s not appropriate. So what I did was to take pictures of the room and some of the tools. She couldn’t stop oohing and aahing at those pictures…
Once the lecture was over, I bid Emilia goodbye and went to join Huracio at the car park.
When I saw him, my jaws slackened. He was wearing the cutest, open-chest, white shirt that had his torso peeking out, instantly seducing me, and at the same time, making me super jealous. I darted my eyes around the park and just as expected, some ladies couldn’t keep their eyes to themselves. Poking them out really shouldn’t be a crime, right?
Wanting to get my man out of there as soon as possible, I hurried over, fell into his outstretched arms , and crushed his lips instantly. When I felt his arms wrapping around me, and crushing me to his chest, a strong sense of pride washed over me.
Yeah, look all you want. He is mine. Mine, mine, mine! Y’all need to fuck off like skrrr.