Destined Since Birth (Caleb & Cassie)

Chapter 28: HUSBAND AND WIFE

CALEB'S POV

Manang and Mang Chris noticed how close we are as I guided Cass to sit beside me. I prepared the table in the garden. The cool air is just perfect. We started eating and exchanging stories. This is what I've been missing! Having quality time with family and nice meal at home. I can't help but think if we will be happier once we have kids. I blushed thinking once Cass gets pregnant. I shook my head a little while grinning when Cass grabbed my hand under the table.

"You okay?"

"Super! How's the food?"

"I really haven't had any decent dinner in a while so thank you for cooking for us."

"That's the reason why you lost weight. You haven't been eating right. Tell me what your favorites are and I'll cook for you," she suddenly looked away, feeling shy. Manang and Mang Chris are just staring at us but didn't say anything and just continued eating.

"I don't want to bother you. You have enough things to worry about. Manang can cook for me, right Manang?" she looked at Manang, her eyes pleading her to speak up but she just shrugged and grinned.

"Hey, it's my duty as a chef and your husband to make sure you eat well. Don't think otherwise. Plus, I would have a lot of time," I finished the food on my plate as she speak again.

"What do you mean?"

This time, Manang tried to say something but her husband didn't let her. They excused themselves as they gather the dishes and head inside, leaving the two of us.

"Caleb, what do you mean you have a lot of time? Aren't you managing Eclipse?"

I didn't answer right away. I stood up and offered my hand. She just looked at me.

"Let's talk," this time she grabbed my hand as we went upstairs and headed to the verandah. I grabbed a soft blanket first from my room and found her sitting in the couch rubbing her arms. I put the blanket around her as I spread my arms in the sofa.

" I quit -"

"YOU DID WHAT!?"

"Let me explain, okay?" she seemed to calm down and faced me as her facial expression turned serious.

"I quit being the manager but not as the owner, okay? I still make the menus, schedules, decisions and all that stuff but I thought of hiring someone to manage it for me. I need to focus on something else without having Eclipse suffering."

"What else do you need to focus on, then?"

"You."

She looked shocked at my revelation.

"I realized we spend little time together ever since Eclipse reopened. I focused solely on that and have overlooked my other purpose and responsibility," I moved closer to her. This time letting my arms wrapped her shoulders. She seemed tense as I also feel a bit of heat.

"So I am just a responsibility? An obligation?"

"Wha- no! That's not how I meant it. You've thought wrong."

"What do you know about what I'm thinking?"

"Don't be like that, Cass. I realized we haven't been spending time like before. I should've put you on top of my priorities. I should've treat you better. Now I need to focus on you, too."

"But, you've always loved being in the kitchen, cooking for people. It's your dream since you were little and you're just leaving it like that?"

"I may have someone run it but that doesn't mean I will forget who I am. I just want to be somebody else's someone, too. Is that bad?"

"I guess not. I just felt like I didn't deserve all your time and attention," she looked away. I can see her blinking few times and looked up in the sky like she's fighting tears to fall down.

"Listen to me. What happened last night shouldn't have happened if I just paid more attention to you. I felt guilty that you had to get sick because I didn't take good care of you."

"So you just feel guilty that's why you're doing all of this? I don't need your pity, Caleb!" she quickly stood up and threw the blanket on the floor before storming inside her room when I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to a warm embrace. She didn't fight but I can feel her tears falling now. I grabbed her cheeks and make her look me in the eyes.

"Cass, I don't pity you. I am doing these things to make it up to you. I want this relationship to work and this is my way of showing how serious and determined I am to make you look at me the same way I look at you," she sniff as I wipe the tears off of her cheeks.

"How do you see me?" I smiled. My eyes still pinned on hers.

"My wife. My future." she blushed. I love it when she blushes when I say something sweet to her.

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course! Don't you believe me?"

"I-It's just that.. I am not used to you being sweet and all, you know. We've been distant this past few week and you've never said anything."

"Let me prove it to you. Come with me. I'll take you somewhere nice."

Smile faded from her lips. She looks hesitant and I completely understand why. She distanced herself from me, walking towards her room as I quietly follow.

"Don't you want to go with me and have this vacation, just the two of us?"

"Can we leave next week? I really can't this week, Caleb." my shoulders fell. She was about to say something when her phone ring. It's Cindy. I felt a bit relieved. Maybe she can convince her. She looked at me.

"That's fine. You talk to her. I'll go to my room and change."

"You're going out?"

"Yeah in Eclipse. I still have time to check on things there. I have nothing else to do anyway plus I don't feel sleepy yet." I headed to the door and went out right away as she called out to me.

"Caleb, wait -"

But I didn't look back, shut the door and went inside the room to shower.

She won't even consider spending time me. Did I read her wrong? Maybe she's still made about what happened? I think I shouldn't have pressured her to go on a vacation. Or maybe asked her first before planning the whole thing..

I slowly closed my eyes as water run through me.