THE PERFECT HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #1)

Chapter 88. Honeymoon For Real

CONTENT WARNING!

Please note: The following chapter contains s*xual scenes and is intended for mature audiences only! This material is not suitable for minors. Reader discretion is advised.

✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧

THE AFTERNOON sun bathed Villasis Park in a golden hue as we arrived back home from our vacation. The air was warm and welcoming, just like the familiar scent of the gardenias that lined the pathway leading to the main entrance. Naglalakad si Poppy sa tabi ko, her gaze taking in every detail of the estate.

Ito 'yong bahay namin na para talaga sa 'min. Hindi lang namin nagawang tirahan noon dahil mas pinili ni Mom at Dad na mag-stay kami sa poder nila for Poppy's safety. Pero kahapon, noong nasa hotel pa kami, tinanong kami ni Dad kung ano ang plano namin ni Poppy. Kung magsasama ba ulit kami sa bahay namin, sa Villasis Park o sa Herald's Mansion.

Hindi ako sumagot agad dahil gusto kong i-consider ang suggestion ni Poppy kaya ang sabi ko sa kanila, mag-uusap muna kami. Then kagabi, bago kami matulog ni Poppy, napag-usapan naming dito na kami mag-stay sa Villasis Park, tutal ay mahigpit naman ang seguridad dito.

I tugged at the handles of our suitcases, my grip firm but my heart lighter than it had been in a long time. We were finally home. And more than that, we were finally okay.

"Poppy," I said, breaking the silence as I looked at her. Kapapasok namin sa loob ng bahay. "Welcome home."

The last time we were here, things were far from good. Misunderstandings, lies, and plans that weren't ours had driven us apart. But now, those same walls that had witnessed our pain were ready to welcome us back as a couple determined to rebuild what we almost lost.

She glanced at me, her eyes softening, and nodded. "Nakakapanibago na tayo lang dalawa ang titira rito... pero siguro masasanay rin ako. Papasyal-pasyal naman tayo sa inyo, 'di ba?"

I smiled. "Oo. 'Yon din ang request nila Mom."

"Ah, teka?" Dinukot niya ang cell phone niya sa bulsa. "Hindi ko pa pala natawagan si Daddy. Baka mag-alala siya sa 'kin. Alam niya kasing ngayon ang uwi ko sa man—"

"Okay na," putol ko sa kaniya. Ngumiti ako. "Tinawagan ko na siya kanina habang nasa biyahe tayo, no'ng tulog ka. Your dad knows you're with me. Napag-usapan na rin namin ang tungkol sa hindi natin pagkakaintindihan. I explained everything. Alam na n'yang si Chloe ang may gawa ng lahat, and he's with us in finding her para mapagbayad siya sa ginawa niya."

Bukod sa pagkilos nila Mommyla para ipahanap si Chloe, nagsabi rin ang daddy ni Poppy na tutulong para mahuli ito, kaya mas panatag na kami ngayon.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

Matapos namin maghapunan ni Poppy, siya ang nagpresistang maghuhugas ng pinagkainan. Nag-offer ako na tulungan siya, pero ayaw niya dahil ako naman daw ang nagluto. Habang abala siya sa pagliligpit sa kusina, sinamantala ko ang pagkakataon para mag-shower. Kailangan ko nang sulitin ang mga gabi na hindi pa siya busy at wala pang masyadong iniintindi dahil sa darating na school year ay mag-e-enroll na siya sa college. Nakatulong sa kaniya ang pag-aaral sa Australia para makumpleto ang mga requirements na kailangan niya sa kolehiyo. Nakaka-proud siya.

The bathroom door creaked open, and I stepped out, feeling the cool air of the bedroom hit my freshly showered skin. The towel wrapped around my waist was the only barrier between me and the world, droplets of water still clinging to my chest and shoulders. I ran a hand through my wet hair and froze when I saw my wife.

Nakatayo siya sa gilid ng kama, may hawak na set of pajamas na galing doon sa suitcase niya. Surprise was clear on her face as she turned towards me. Her eyes widened, and I could see the moment she registered my state of undress.

Her cheeks turned a deep shade of pink, her gaze quickly dropping to the floor matapos niyang pagmasdan ang lantad kong katawan. She looked everywhere but at me, her hands tightening around the fabric she held. The sight of her blushing so furiously made me smile, the corners of my lips tugging upwards almost instinctively.

"Poppy," I called softly, trying not to laugh as I watched her squirm under the weight of her embarrassment. "Mag-s-shower ka rin?"

"O-Oo," she stammered, her voice barely audible as she kept her eyes firmly averted from my bare chest.

It was adorable, really—how easily she got flustered. I couldn't help but find it endearing, the way she was trying so hard not to look at me, as if that would make the situation any less awkward for her.

Mabilis siyang humakbang at nilagpasan ako papunta sa shower room. Palihim pa akong natawa. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hiyang-hiya pa rin siya gayong nakita naman na niya ang buong katawan ko nang walang saplot. 'Yon nga lang ay isang beses pa lang. Hindi pa nasundan 'yong naudlot naming love making sa hotel dahil pareho kaming nagkahiyaan noong mga sumunod na gabi.

Pero ngayon, balak ko nang i-apply ang natutunan ko kay Hopia. Ang 'How to Make Love to Your Wife Like a Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide to Romance, Respect, and Just the Right Amount of Chaos by Yours truly, Hope Ryker Lee-bog.'

Brief at sweatpants lang ang sinuot ko. Sinadya kong hindi magsuot ng pang-itaas. Well, madalas ko naman talaga 'tong ginagawa kahit noon pa. Pareho kami ni Hope na mas gustong natutulog nang walang pang-itaas.

Habang nasa shower room pa si Poppy, lumabas muna 'ko sa kuwarto para i-secured ang mga pinto at iba pang dapat i-lock. Saktong pagbalik ko sa kuwarto, tapos na siyang maligo dahil naabutan ko na siyang nagsusuklay, basa ang buhok niya at nakabihis na ng pantulog—'yong hawak niyang pajama set kanina.

"Gusto mong ako magpatuyo sa buhok mo?" tanong ko sa kaniya nang ilabas niya sa suitcase niya ang maliit na hair blower.

Napabaling siya sa 'kin. "Marunong ka?"

I nodded. "Madali lang naman 'yan." Lumapit ako sa kaniya at kinuha 'yon. Ako na ang nagsaksak sa outlet, sa tabi ng nightstand, 'tsaka ko siya pinaupo sa gilid ng kama, habang nakatayo naman ako sa harap niya. Dahil ka-level ng mukha niya ang tiyan ko, napasulyap siya sa bagay na nakaumbok sa sweatpants ko, sabay nag-iwas ng tingin.

"A-Ako na lang kaya, Faith?" nahihiya niyang sabi.

"Ako na. Gusto kitang pagsilbihan," I said, smiling. Hindi na siya kumibo pa, pero alam kong naiilang siya dahil kaharap niya ang nakaumbok kong alaga na ayaw kumalma sa loob ng sweatpants ko.

No'ng natapos kong patuyuin ang buhok niya, binunot ko ang cord sa outlet at pinatong muna sa nightstand ang hair blower niya. Siya naman ay pumuwesto na sa kama, hawak ang phone niya.

"Poppy, okay lang ba kung patayin ko na 'yong ilaw?" Tumango siya sa 'kin nang balingan niya 'ko kaya agad ko na 'yon pinatay. 'Tsaka ko sinindi ang lamp sa nightstand para kahit papa'no may liwanag pa rin kami sa kuwarto.

Pagsampa ko sa kama, agad akong nahiga sa tabi niya at yumakap. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo?" I asked, dahil busy pa rin siya sa phone niya.

"Wala," mahina niyang tugon, 'tsaka niya pinatay ang screen no'n at pinatong sa nightstand. "Tulog na tayo." Humarap siya sa 'kin at yumakap din. She was nestled against me, her arms wrapped around my waist, her head resting on my chest. The scent of her freshly washed hair filled the air, mingling with the faint fragrance of the soap we'd both used. My hand traced slow, soothing circles on her back, the rhythm of our breathing syncing as we lay there in the stillness of the night.

For a while, we just held each other, the silence between us comfortable and unspoken. But then, I felt her stir slightly. "G-Gusto mo bang... gawin ulit natin?"

Napalunok ako dahil alam ko kung ano'ng ibig niyang sabihin. Magkalapat ang mga katawan namin kaya alam kong ramdam niya ang alaga kong hindi mapakali. 

"Ready ka na ba? Hindi naman ako nagmamadali." Lol. Nag-shower nga ako para rito.

"M-Matigas... ka kasi ulit."

"Gan'yan naman talaga 'yan, Poppy."

"Pero ang sabi sa 'kin ng isang kaibigan ko sa Australia... sumasakit daw ang puson ng mga lalaki kapag... h-hindi nailalabas 'yong ano nila... at kapag... nabibitin. Alam kong nabitin kita no'ng nasa hotel tayo. S-Sorry. Sobrang kabado kasi talaga ako no'ng gabing 'yon."

"Wala kang dapat ihingi ng sorry, Poppy. Hindi naman kasalanan na tumanggi ka sa 'kin. Ang kasalanan, 'yong kapag pinilit kita nang hindi mo gusto."

She lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine in the dim light. There was something in her gaze—an intensity, a resolve that hadn't been there before. My heart skipped a beat, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.

"Faith..." she began, her voice soft but steady, as if she had been gathering the courage to say what was on her mind. "H-Handa na 'ko. Hindi na 'ko... aatras. Promise."

A surge of emotions flooded through me—happiness, excitement, a deep, almost overwhelming affection. But I kept my composure, para hindi niya mahalata ang kasabikan ko. I gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and asked softly, "Are you sure?"

She nodded, her cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of a blush. "Oo."

There was no hesitation in her voice, no doubt in her eyes. She was ready, and that knowledge filled me with a quiet joy, a deep appreciation for the trust she was placing in me.

I leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, my lips lingering there for a moment. "Alright," bulong ko, 'tsaka ako bumangon. Inabot ko ang kamay niya para alalayan din siyang bumangon at maupo.

No'ng magkaharap na kami, ako ang unang naghubad ng sweatpants at brief ko. 'Tsaka ko siya binalingan. I started slowly, my hands trembling slightly as I reached for the hem of her shirt. I wanted to go slow, to savor every second, to make sure she felt nothing but loved and cherished. My fingers brushed against her skin as I lifted the fabric, revealing the smooth, soft flesh beneath. She shivered at the contact, her breath hitching in her throat. I could feel my heart pounding, the sound echoing in my ears, but I kept my movements gentle, careful.

Hindi niya ako iniwanan ng tingin hanggang sa mahubad ko ang pang-itaas niya. Her chest rising and falling with each breath. Yumuko ako sa balikat niya para halikan siya roon saglit. She sighed softly, her body relaxing slightly with my kisses. My fingers traced the outline of her collarbone, savoring the feel of her skin, the warmth radiating from her.

Next, I moved to her pajama pants, my hands sliding down her sides to the waistband. Poppy shifted slightly, lifting her hips to help me as I slowly tugged the fabric down her legs. Each inch revealed more of her, and I felt a surge of emotion, a deep sense of gratitude for this moment, for the trust she was placing in me.

I pressed another kiss, pero this time ay sa tuhod naman niya, then sa hita, pataas. The anticipation in the room was palpable, but I was in no rush. This was about her, about us, and I wanted every touch, every kiss to convey how much she meant to me.

With her pants gone, I reached for her panties, hesitating for just a second as I looked into her eyes. I needed to be sure she was still comfortable, still okay. No'ng tumango siya sa 'kin, 'tsaka pa lang ako nagpatuloy na ibaba ang panty niya sa mga binti niya, hanggang sa tuluyan na 'yon maalis.

Now, she lay before me, vulnerable and beautiful, and I could see the trust, the love, the fear, and the excitement all mingling in her gaze. Pumaibabaw ako sa kaniya at pumagitan sa mga hita niya. I leaned down, brushing my lips against hers in a kiss that was both tender and intense. I wanted her to know that this was about more than just the physical, that it was about the connection we shared, the love that had grown between us.

Nang maglayo ang mga labi namin, tiningnan ko siya sa mga mata. "You're beautiful, Poppy." The words were simple, but they held all the emotions I couldn't express in that moment.

Kasama 'to sa step-by-step guide ni Hopia, pero kahit hindi niya 'yon sinabi, talaga namang maganda si Poppy at hindi ako mahihiyang sabihin 'yon sa kaniya. Ang kasunod pa ng 'You're so beautiful' ay 'yong 'I love you' na.

Hindi ko inalis ang mga mata ko kay Poppy. "Baby... I..." Damn. Hindi ko alam na nenerbyusin ako nang ganito. "I... l-love you."

She smiled, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she reached up to touch my face, her fingers grazing my jaw. "I love you, too, Faith," she whispered back. Biglang nagluha ang mga mata niya. "Mahal na mahal kita. Hindi ko akalain na matututo akong magmahal at masaya 'ko dahil ikaw pa."

Tama si Hopia. Mas okay nga na sabihin ang I love you bago ang s*x para lalong mapatibay ang connection. Ang pangit kung pagkatapos ng s*x 'tsaka 'yon sasabihin. Baka isipin pa ni Poppy na na-realized ko lang na mahal ko siya dahil sa katawan niya. Tsk. 'Di ko akalain na may pakinabang si Hopia.

"No, baby. Mas mahal na mahal na mahal kita." Pareho kaming napangiti bago ko muling ibaba ang labi ko para halikan siya. My lips brushing against hers in a tender, almost tentative kiss. Her lips were soft, pliant, responding to mine with a gentle pressure that made my heart race.

Lalong nag-init ang katawan ko sa halik pa lang na 'yon. And this time, I didn't hold back. I deepened the kiss, my hand cupping her cheek as I tilted her head slightly, opening her mouth under mine. I felt her hesitate for just a fraction of a second before she relaxed, welcoming me, her lips parting to allow me in. The moment she did, I let my tongue slide forward, tasting her, exploring the warmth of her mouth.

Mahina siyang napabuntonghininga sa pagitan ng halik namin. Her body pressing closer to mine as she responded to the kiss, her own tongue meeting mine in a dance that was slow and deliberate. The sensation sent a thrill through me, a deep, stirring need that I had been holding back. But I kept my movements slow, savoring the intimacy, the closeness that we were sharing.

Ramdam ko ang pagkapit niya sa magkabila kong braso, hanggang sa pinagtagpo niya ang mga kamay niya sa likod ng batok ko at medyo hinila pa ako palapit sa kaniya para lalong maging madiin ang halik namin. I could feel her heart beating in time with mine, the steady rhythm matching the growing intensity of our kiss.

The kiss deepened, becoming more passionate, more consuming, as I tasted the sweetness of her mouth, the softness of her lips. I could feel her melting into me at napaarko pa nang bahagya ang likuran niya no'ng nagsimula na 'kong gumalaw sa ibabaw niya para ikiskis ang alaga ko sa maselan niyang parte—sa pagitan mismo ng biyak niya na ngayon ay madulas dahil sa pamamasa niya.