Astonishing Us

XXXVIII

RIDGE

I MET her family and then proposed to her a week after we decided to date officially, the feeling of her answering yes to my proposal is fantastic but knowing she bought an expensive surprise ring for me to put tears in my eyes, although I hid it from her by burying my face on her soft chest.

I know very well that the reason why she is working hard on being a run way model is because she's saving up for her tuition fee in next school year and that she doesn't want to use her money in her bank because she's been saving it up for her future.

And knowing that she used it to buy this ring I couldn't help but to fall deeply and madly in-love because for me it feels like and looks like I am the future she's talking about, that she considers me to be part of her future and that is much better than her Yes in my marriage proposal.

Pinigilan kong wag mapakamot ng batok at mapangiti ng makita ko s'yang nakapameywang habang nakatayo sa paanan ng kama. I know why she's acting like that in almost a month of living together basang-basa ko na ugali n'ya.

It's 9 am and I usually get to work 6 am sharp— well that was before nung wala pa s'ya sa buhay ko at kaya ko pang bumangon ng maaga, I don't know why pero ang amoy n'ya sa kama ay sapat na para pabigatin ang katawan ko, at ang presensya naman n'ya sa tabi ko ay sapat na sapat na para patulugin ako.

I could still remember the reason of why I am spending almost day and night working my ass off although I know all too well that my company will stand by its own without me, it's because I couldn't sleep, I cannot find the urge to sleep unless I'm exhausted and drop dead tired, a sleep that only lasts for 2 to 3 hours and now with her I'm getting a good night sleep that is sometimes over eight to ten hours depends on what time she'll woke up and leave the bed that would be my alarm clock.

Nginusuan ko s'ya, "come back here bubbles."

I tapped my hard bare stomach signaling her to lay back over me, "Cuddle?"

She pouted at me and shakes her head cutely that made me chuckle, she stomped her feet like a kid and point her newly manicure finger at me, "Stand up! May meeting ka ng 11 sa CEO ng Ventura Enterprises! Kung 'di pa tumawag sa 'kin sekretarya mo at 'di ako bumangon 'di kapa magigising! I thought you are a busy person?" Pagalit n'ya sa 'kin.

Sinimangutan ko s'ya saka naupo sa ibabaw ng kama at pinagkrus ang mga braso ko sa ibabaw ng matipuno kong dibdib habang nakasandal ako sa malambot na headboard ng kama.

Nakangusong nagpapaawang tinitigan ko s'ya sa mata n'ya, "Can I just work at home? We rarely see each other since your career is at its peak..."

Napabuga s'ya ng hangin saka sumampa ng ibabaw ng kama at nilapitan ako bago binuka ang mga braso n'ya na kinangiti ko, agad ko naman s'yang niyakap at sinubsob ang mukha ko sa leeg n'ya para amuyin ang natural n'yang mabangong amoy.

"You can't," she answered that made my shoulders fell.

I looked up at her and give her a puppy eye look, baka sakaling maawa sa akin tapos 'di na ako papasukin ng opisina.

"Why, Bubbles?"

"Because you cannot meet important people if you'll work at home, I'll clear my schedule at-least two to three days a week just don't sacrifice your work for me, don't change anything from your lifestyle just because of me unless you feel that it's hurting me and it is necessary, it's not like I don't wanna be with you but Ridge work is work I mean I know you love what you are doing as much I love what I am doing and I know you're already wealthy but don't you think so it is the work that is providing you your wealth? If you wanna spoil me one day once I decided to be just a full-time mom and house wife you should work seriously, right?"

I stared at her with my parted lips, I know I shouldn't compare her to anyone who passed by my life but I just couldn't help it, my exes begged and throws tantrum just to stop me from working so much saying that I don't need to work anymore because I am already wealthy, and this woman... This woman isn't just understanding but so amazing.

I smiled at her, "I'll work in days you're working or your schedule is full, and if you're free then I'll make myself free too," I said compromising.

She smiled back and nodded at me before planting a kiss on my lips that I immediately deepened.

***

I DROVE MY WAY TO UST FROM MY OFFICE well not actually to my office more likely in front of the building of our Condo to secure her as she insisted to commute to her way to her new school, it's the first day of the new school year and doesn't want me to drive her there! How heartless right!? I mean, why? Napabuga ako ng hangin saka napakamot ng gilid ng kilay ko ng sakto namang mag beep ang phone ko na kinakibot ng labi pati din ata ng utak ko ng mabasa ko ang chat ni Hawk sa 'kin, my college friend up till now.

From Hawk Ford:

"Bro? Seriously you ditch out me on our meeting because you're throwing tantrums your woman didn't let you drive her to her university? Bro you're more likely a dad throwing tantrums because he can't accept the fact that his daughter had grown up🤪"

I just shut my phone and went out of the car. Agad na nag init ang ulo ko ng makita ang iilang lalaking nakapalibot kay Aether para bigyan s'ya ng agahan.

I saw a guy walking towards her holding a Starbucks paper-bag I instantly knew it's for my girl so I went beside him and snatched it off his hand and walk towards Aether and pushed everyone on my way away.

I could feel my jealousy level on 3 if this reached 5, I'll smack every man surrounds her in the head.

Trying my best to stay calm I smiled at her as she frowns at me after she stopped telling every man that she has eaten already and she doesn't like accepting food from anyone. And these boys couldn't accept a no.

"Ridge? You should be working instead of being here."

I rolled my eyes and hand her the Starbucks I snatched from that boy in varsity jacket.

"I'm the boss, Aether. I'm the big boss, the owner, I decide if I'll go to work or what time I will be going to work, bringing you breakfast is a must, I don't want you to accept any kind of food from little boys seeking for your attention."

Though I didn't go there to actually bring her a food but yeah that will work.

I never knew I'm capable of being jealous and feeling such emotions until she came to my life.

Until Aether Takahashi came to my life.

___

THENAUGHTYGRAY