Forevermore

Chapter 22 Maria's New Environment

When Maria entered Echo's condo, she couldn't help but cried. Her mother's angry face kept flashing in her mind. Her mother's last words to her were so hard to swallow. She was so hurt.

Echo got worried when he saw Maria's loneliness. He can feel her pain and agony. She had been protected and under her parent's care all through her life. Being her first man, made Echo being possessive of her. He wanted to take good care of and protect Maria in his possession. He doesn't want anybody to steal her away from him even her parents. He knew that there would be many adjustments for the two of them.

Echo had been independent ever since he was 18 years old. He used to live alone and make a living while Maria was too dependent on her parents. She was so fragile from Echo's eyes.

"Maria come here," Echo called Maria and she immediately came into his arms.

"Hush! Don't cry. I will be here. I won't leave you. I will be your protector from now on," Echo gave an assurance to Maria. She felt at home and comfortable in his arms.

"Thank you Echo. It's just that I can't bear my mother's wrath. I was so hurt and I know that I disappoint her and my father so much," she sobs once more.

Echo hugged her so tight and asked her," am I a disappointment for you?"

Maria was stupefied. She doesn't want Echo to misinterpret her," No. What I meant was that my parents had such high expectations of me.

Echo wiped off her tears and held her chin up. He had eye contact with her and sincerely said," I love you, Maria. I love you so much. Let us just give them ample time and then we will visit them together with my parents to ask their permission for our marriage alright formally."

Maria's eyes shine after hearing Echo's confession.

She hugged her and said, "Thank you Echo. I love you to

Echo slowly touch Maria's lips and explore her finger on its softness before he kissed her. Maria accepted his kisses and started to kiss him back. They savor each other's taste as Echo started to explore his hand inside Maria's wardrobe. Maria can't help the sensation she's feeling right now as she ignites with the fire burning inside her as Echo touches her.

"Ummm Echo," Maria exclaimed when Echo started to undress her and started to kiss her earlobe down to her neck while caressing her orbs.

Maria felt lots of butterflies inside her stomach with the new sensation brought to her by Echo's moves. She can't explain what she felt but liked what he was doing to her.

After last night, there was a bit of discomfort in Echo's second attempt making Maria feel a little pain. Echo felt Maria's reaction and he slowly moved on top of her. He kissed her tenderly and took her again in a gentle way. He knew that he had taken her first time too harshly and he wanted her to feel the difference this time.

"Echo..." Maria almost cried with a smile when they both reached their peak.

"Aaaaah," Echo exclaimed.

Maria then slept on Echo's chest. Echo stared at Maria's small face lying on his chest. He still can't believe that this naive girl is already his now. His plan of just toying with her changed after he took her virginity. He wanted to marry her and be the mother of his children. He smiled while having these thoughts. He slowly fix some strands of Maria's hair on her face and kissed her.

Maria opened her eyes and said, "Yes? Aren't you tired yet?"

Echo smiled and said," I just kissed you. Let's sleep. I love you, Maria," he kissed her once again and started to close his eyes.

Maria smiled and went back to sleep. She found comfort under Echo's arms and on his chest.

The two lovely couples sleep soundly and continue savoring each other's taste every time they woke up.

Maria felt so exhausted after several times joining with Echo's body the whole night. When she woke up the following morning, she went to the bathroom with difficulty walking.

"Oh my. I can't even walk straight," she said to herself. she looked back at the handsome face of Echo soundly sleeping. She blushed when she thought of what they had done the whole night.

She took a bath and were her comfortable floral dress. She went downstairs and look for something to cook for their breakfast.

There are only some cereals, fruits, and fresh milk in the fridge. She prepared a lite breakfast for the two of them and cooked sunny-side-up eggs.

She will ask Echo to come with her to the supermarket after they had their breakfast. She started to list some groceries to be brought later.

After setting the table, she went upstairs and woke up Echo.

Echo got surprised when he saw Maria's beautiful face in front of him. "Hey, you're here," he said.

"Yes, I'm Sir. Did you forget already? You brought me here yesterday," Maria smiled when Echo asked her as if he still dreaming.

"Wow, it's real," Echo rise from the bed and started to hug and kiss Maria.

"Hey, it's too early. let's have breakfast together," Maria started to leave while holding Echo's hand.

They both went to the dining table and ate their breakfast together.

"Let's go to the supermarket after breakfast. I already listed the groceries we need for one week," Maria asked him.

Echo smiled while eating his sunny-side-up egg. It's quite new to him that someone is preparing his breakfast already. Aside from his mother, their helpers do that to him.

"Thank you, Maria," he said and put a peck on her lips.