Ice and Fire (Completed)

Chapter 16

Pupunta kami ngayon ni Jace sa mall dahil mamimili kami ng mga pamasko. It's been a week since our honeymoon in Amanpulo and only a few days until Christmas.

I never really did Christmas shopping before since I only buy gifts to my siblings and they're not really particular about it. So, I don't really put much effort in it. But Jace insisted we go to the mall today albeit very rush because apparently, he's big on giving gifts.

Yeah, what did I expect? He has so many friends and comrades.

We were caught in a traffic jam even though we left home early. Not even surprised because Filipinos tend to be fans of Christmas rush.

We strolled in the mall and looked for everything we needed to buy. We already listed down everything, so it'd be easier for us.

Naghiwalay kami para mas mapadali kami nang pamimilii. We just agreed on meeting at a certain place after we were done.

Naupo ako sa loob ng isang coffee shop nang matapos na ako. Sinabihan ko siya sa text na rito na lang kami magkita. I just bought gifts for my family. I also bought one for my office friends and of course, Jace. I didn't know what to buy him because he could afford anything, so I just settled for a leather bag.

I saw him walking inside the coffee shop and I was surprised with the amount of paper bags he was holding. He wasn't kidding when he said he's big on giving gifts. I didn't know he's a. . . shopaholic.

"Wow," I muttered as he sat in front of me. He chuckled as he was putting the paper bags on the chair beside him and under the table. "Yeah, I know. Don't mention it.  Did you wait long?" he asked.

"Hindi naman." He just nodded at what I said and proceeded to the counter to order food for us.

"Mom said we should celebrate Christmas with them," he started. I looked at him as I chew my food. We haven't plan yet where we will spend Christmas now that we're already married. Had I been still single, I'd probably spend it with my siblings like what we always do.

"Okay. . ." I trailed.

"Is it okay with you?" he softly asked. "Of course, we'll also visit your family," he added.

"Yeah," I nodded. "Sounds like a plan. But can we go back so we can buy them gifts? 'Di ko sila naibili," I said, apologetic. Nakakahiya kung wala akong dala para sa kanila.

"Don't worry about it. I already bought gifts for them," he said, smiling.

"Oh. Okay," I smiled a little and just resumed eating.

***

"Hi hija," bati ng nanay niya nang makarating kami sa mansion nila. Jace said we'd spend lunch with them and then dinner with my family to be fair. "Merry Christmas!" Tita Elise hugged me and kissed my cheeks.

I smiled at her too, and returned the greeting. "Merry Christmas po, Tita."

"Oh, come on. I told you to call me Mama now!" I heard Jace chuckled beside me. Iniabot namin sa kanya ang regalo namin.

"Where's Dad and Nickolai?" Jace asked her mother. Nickolai was his younger brother. He was a chef. We met before during the wedding but that was it. Jace said he was busy since he was running his own restaurant now.

"Your Dad is in the garden with your uncles and cousins. Nickolai's on the way here. He just fetched his girlfriend," her mother replied while arranging the gifts under the big and expensive-looking Christmas tree.

"Oh. Okay. Punta lang po kami roon," magalang na sabi ni Jace saka hinawakan ang kamay ko at naglakad patungo sa garden nila.

I never got the chance to spend time with his relatives before, so I didn't know how I will act around them. I was nervous. I can now relate to others who get nervous and scared in meeting their in-laws. In-laws are terrible most of the time.