Alluring Temptation (Familiá Altamirano #1)

CHAPTER 25

Caught In The Act

TW: This chapter contains disturbing words about rape, assault, and drugs. Please engage in self-care as you read this chapter.

     SOBRANG bilis lumipas ng mga araw. Anim na araw na lang ay pasko na. Reeve and I decided to buy some Christmas decor for the house since it will be our first time spending it together and we want it to be special. I'm excited because this will be my first time spending Christmas with someone I love. . . Aside from my family, of course.

"What else do we need to buy, wife? Hmm?" malambing na tanong niya habang tulak-tulak ang push cart.

"Let's buy noche buena packages, hubby. I wanted to give away some packages on the family we will see on the road."

He immediately nodded. "Alright. Maybe fifty will do?"

"Make it a hundred, hubby. I'll pay for it." I uttered.

He smiled. "A hundred, then. But I'm going to pay for it," he offered.

I slightly frown. "I'm going to pay for it, Reeve. Ako naman ang nakaisip," reklamo ko.

"I want to pay too, wife." he gave me a cute smile that was hard to resist, but I needed to. "Maybe, we can share?" pang-uuto niya sa akin.

I mull for a second before nodding. "Much better," ngumiti ako sa kaniya.

I was sitting on his lap while his hand hooked on my lower back but resting on the side of my thigh, preventing me from falling. He was staring at me with amusement while attentively listening to me.

"My best friend, Harper, has two kids already! Inaanak ko nga 'yong panganay nila ni Rejie. His name was Louie. He's so tall and pogi. He only turned ten this year. And her youngest was three years old, a baby girl name Eloise. They're so cute!"

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya habang nakatingin sa akin, interesado sa mga kwento ko. He tucked my hair on the back of my ears and smiled.

"Really? Are they married, too? hmm?"

Umiling ako. "Not yet! I don't know why Rejie hasn't proposed to Harper yet." I pouted in dismayed. "Pero naiintindihan ko naman ang sitwasyon nila. Louie is sick, and Harper doesn't have a job. Rejie was working as a nurse in a public hospital, and his paychecks weren't enough for their expenses."

Lumamlam ang mga mata niya at tinapik ng marahan ang gilid ng hita ko, pinapagaan ang loob ko. I gave him a faint smile.

"I told Harper to advise Rejie to apply at Areno Medical Center. The salary is bigger, and the benefits are numerous." I took an aggravated sigh.

"If she needs a job, Zuriel's can help her, wife," he says. "We're hiring new employees. She might be interested in applying. I'll pull a string for her," he says.

My eyes lighten up. "Really?"

He nodded. "Hmm. . ." He kissed my shoulder, forming a soft smile.

Napangiti ako sa narinig. I encircled my hands around his neck and locked it. Then, I kissed him on the lips, making him smile against my lips.

"Can I invite them here?" I asked after the kiss.

"If that's what you want, then invite them," he says, smiling.

"Maybe after Christmas?" I asked.

He nodded. "After Christmas, then." he says.

"Merci, hubby! You're the best!" A smile drew on Reeve's red lips, making me smile too.