His Third Wife

Chapter 5

"Thank you for this, Kazuki. I, uh, I just wanted to tell you that, uh, four years ago, I did something that I still regret, and I, well... it's my fault that my parents are living the way they are. I... I...", I was sweating at this point and started struggling to breathe. I felt a hand covering my sweaty one, and when I looked up, Kazuki was too close to me.

"I know everything, Zaria. There's no need to relive your past", he said with a smile. "How?", I asked. "Let's just say I did my homework, and I don't see the reason why you should focus on the past while we have a bright future ahead of us", he said, then squeezed my hand lightly.

It felt warm and cozy.

"I feel like there's something else you want to tell me. I'm all ears" he said, then sipped his whiskey.

"There is. I would like to request for you to help my parents in return for my hand in marriage... Financially, I mean... I promise I'm not a gold digger; I just feel like they deserve it. Like if I'm to do this, then it better mean something to th-", "Consider it done. Anything else?", he interrupted me, and all I ended up doing was shake my head.

"Zaria, please marry me. I know you have a lot of questions, and I promise you once you agree to be my wife. I will give you all the answers. Please say yes", he said, then took a dark grey velvet box out of his coat pocket.

Waiting for my response.

"Why me, Kazuki? I just need to know", I asked, feeling tears in my eyes. "It's simple really. We have the same principles in life. Same priorities. You'll know what I mean when the time comes", he said confidently. "And your other... wives? Are they ok with this?", I asked, the words feeling weird in my mouth. "Yes. We have their blessings. My parents too", he said, making me nod. "Are you like a Muslim or something?", I asked, making him chuckle. "No", he said and waited.

I swallowed hard and offered him my shaking hand.

He opened the box, and the ring was finally on display. I almost fainted. It was huge. He placed it on my finger and then kissed my hand. "I swear to you. You won't regret this", he said, then pulled me in a hug.

He smelled so good.

"We should finish our drinks. I need to take you home. You've been working the whole day. You need to rest", he said, and I nodded.

He stood up and interlocked our fingers. My eyes fell on our joint fingers, then our eyes met, and a smile appeared on both our faces.

It was weird.

I looked away quickly.

"I can't wait to make you my wife", he said.

We walked back to the cars and left.

I didn't realize my hand was shaking until he placed his on top of mine. "Trust me", was all he said. I released a breath. "Please don't tell them about what we talked about", I told him, and he smiled. "What did we talk about?", he teased, making me laugh. "That's a beautiful sound. I can't wait to hear more of it", he said, making me turn to the window.

Why was I shy again?

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Smith", he said the moment we walked into the house. "Oh, hi Kazuki, welcome", Mum said cheerfully. Dad looked worried until he saw the ring on my finger. "I think the Mr and Mrs are too formal for family members, don't you?", he said, making Mum look confused. I put my hand up, making her look at me with shock and then smile.

"Yeah, Anthony and Jennifer are ok", Mum said while leaning on Dad. Yeah, she was getting emotional. "I think congratulations are in order. Let me get us some beers", he said with a huge smile. "I'll explain", I told Kazuki, who looked lost. "Thank you", he said, then sat on the couch with Mum.

I went to my room and put my stuff away. I wanted to take a bath before returning to the living room.

When I returned from the bathroom, I found Kazuki looking around in my room.

"Hey. Is everything okay?", I asked, thinking he was lost or something. "No, Jennifer said I should join you as we wait for the pizza to arrive. I was just looking aimlessly. I hope I haven't offended you", he said, and as usual, his choice of words sounded weird... too formal. "Ok", I said, then started drying myself.

Even though I was a size 18 with cellulite almost everywhere, I was not ashamed of my body. Having extra fat was okay with me.

"You're drooling", I said, making him reach for a handkerchief only to find there was nothing. "Really?", was all he said, making me laugh.

He did the same.

Who in this day and age has a perfectly tucked-away handkerchief??

"Zaria! Pizza is here!", Mum shouted from the living room. "The walls are too thin", I explained when I saw Kazuki's shocked face. "I didn't... thank you", he said, making me laugh again. I think this is the first time I've genuinely laughed a lot on the same day, and it has nothing to do with Dad.

We found Dad arranging the plates on the table next to the two boxes of pizza. "We usually order chicken and pineapple. I hope that's OK", Dad told Kazuki, who looked excited. "I've never had it before", he said as he sat.

He took the first bite and fell in love.

"I'm usually hard to read, you know? But to you, I feel so... transparent", Kazuki said as I walked him to his car. "How so?", I asked, making him smile. "Well, I don't know how to explain it, but it's different with you, I guess. You're just... amazing", he said, standing right in front of me. He looked into my eyes, and it was like he had captured me in place.

"May I kiss you?", he asked, making me look around us. "Right here?", I asked, making him smirk.

It was sexy.

"Yes, right here. Are you afraid or shy?", he teased, stepping closer. "N-neither, I've just never kissed anyone in public", I said, looking into his eyes as he leaned toward me. My heart was about to burst.

"Well, you're in for a treat, future wife", he said, then kissed me. His lips were cold, and he tasted like beer. I felt his hand on the back of my neck, guiding me.

It felt amazing.

Oh gosh!

Was I that desperate for a man's touch?

"Mmnh! Perfect", he said when he pulled back. "I can not wait to marry you", he said more to himself than me. "You're quite eager for someone who's already got married twice. What gives?", I asked curiously. "Well, if you must know. According to our tradition. I'm not allowed to get intimate with you until after the wedding", he said with a smirk. "Yeah right", I said, obviously not believing him until his face turned serious. "You're serious?", I asked with my hand on my mouth. "Why would I lie to you?", he said, and I was officially convinced.

Where the hell is he coming from?