For Her

ZERO can’t help but smile while driving toward the market. Ever since he came back, it’s the first time that Isla called him with that endearment.
So, this is the feeling when you’re in love?
The feeling that he felt when he first fell in love with a girl is different from this one. There’s something that he couldn’t explain when he’s with Isla, but he can simply put it this way… Isla is like his home—he finds a home with Isla.
He will do his best to protect his family. His mom was right all along. Apollo and Becca were right from the beginning. If you love, you must take risks. Whatever it is and whatever it costs.
Zero picked the green mangoes and didn’t last long at the market. Then she went to the nearby mall to buy mayonnaise and ketchup since he was not sure if they have those in Isla’s house.
He asked Isla one time if she wanted to stay with him at his penthouse, but the woman refused. So, no matter how tiring it was, he always visited Isla every day after work at his company.
Mrs. Peterson offered him to stay at the house if he wanted to, but he has a principle that he must marry Isla first. And Apollo wants him too to stay at their house.
Zero couldn’t help but sigh when his mind suddenly crossed the word marriage. He plans to marry her when she finishes her studies. Her first year will be over in a few days. And Isla will be in her second year after she gave birth.
She doesn’t want to say when will be her due date, but Zero has already contacted her OB. Her bump is already six months and one week. In a few months, she will give birth.
He doesn’t know what she is about to feel. He’ll be happy, excited, or get nervous?
While walking at the mall, someone called Zero’s name at the back, and when he turned, he frowned.
“Oh, I am right. It’s you, Zero,” said the woman.
Zero frowned. He doesn’t know the girl.
His forehead creased slightly.
“Who are you?” he asked, frankly.
The woman let out a soft chuckle and suddenly touched him on the shoulder, making Zero jerk back.
The woman laughed again. However, people around don’t give a damn.
“Why are you that so fast to forget those women whom you fucked?
Zero arched his brow and smirked. “Look, Miss. I am here because my wife wants me to buy something,” he said.
The woman grimaced, and suddenly her eyes widened. “You have a wife?” she asked in awe.
Zero nodded and pressed his lips. And he was about to walk again when the woman stopped him by grabbing his arm. “Don’t you know that Tilda came back just for you? She sacrifices everything just for you—”
“Who’s Tilda?” Zero asked as he gritted his teeth.
Why does that Tilda start to meddle with his life? He doesn’t care about that woman anymore. Why all of a sudden?
The woman smirked. “I don’t see any ring, Zero. And Tilda must know this—”
“The hell I care, woman. Are you one of Tilda’s minions? How much did she pay you? Are you here to stalk me?” Anger lingered in Zero’s eyes.
The woman gasped in shock and suddenly glared at him.
“Excuse me, and I’m not her minion. I am her friend, and I am just concerned—”
“Tell this to Tilda... If she tries to meddle with my life, I will fucking kill her,” he warned.
The woman arched her brow seems not afraid. “Tilda never gives up. That woman loves you so—”
“Huh,” Zero scoffed, “you really don’t know anything, so you better shut the fuck up,” he uttered in a more controlled voice. He jerked his arm and left the woman, standing there, dumbfounded.
Zero can’t help but curse inside his head. Damn that, Tilda. She will be a hindrance. If she doesn’t want to stop, she might be the cause of misunderstanding.
Tilda was his first love, first sex, and first of everything, but they broke up—Tilda broke up with him. So, WHY does she needs to meddle again? Past is past, and he was so much in love with Isla.
Fuck that woman; he cursed inside him.
Before Tilda ruins his relationship with Isla, he needs to confess it—Isla should know about her.
At this point, Zero wanted to kill that woman.
When Zero gets back with the green mangoes, he sees Isla sitting on their sofa in the living room, and she’s watching Barbie.
Zero can’t help but smile. “Cute,” he whispered.
He walked towards her and caught Isla’s attention. He smiled and raised the plastic of her mangoes.
He saw how Isla bit her lower lip to prevent herself from smiling. He walked closer and stopped at her back. He moved closer and gave a soft kiss on her left cheek.
“Do you want the maids to peel and prepare it, or I’m gonna do it?” he asked as he moved away and stared at her.
Isla smiled. “You’re fast. Uhm, please peel it,” she replied, and suddenly, her smile crept into her lips.
Zero pinched her cheek and smiled. “All right, baby,” he replied, “—wait for me here,” he added, making Isla nod.
He then walked towards their kitchen, placed the plastics on the top of the counter, and grabbed four mangoes. It’s not that Isla could eat it all. And Zero has the hunch that Isla was just bluffing. Apollo and Mrs. Peterson informed him that Isla doesn’t ask for any food that she craves. So, why?
But of course, he’s not dumbed not to know. That’s why even if his hunches are strong enough to stop him, still, his will as a man is more substantial. And he will do his best to make her happy even if he will do the impossible.
As the days go by since he came back, he understands Isla’s feelings. He knew what a pregnant woman could feel as he read articles on the internet and even bought a book about it.
It’s his first time. And he wants to know about it. He’s expecting that Isla will get pregnant as he spits his semen inside her during their first date. That’s why he keeps on apologizing.
“Zero?”
He turned off the faucet, looked at his back, and saw Mrs. Peterson.
“Good day, Mrs. Peter—”
“Mom, Zero. You can call me: mom,” she said and smiled, “—what are you doing? Mangoes? Who will going to eat those?”
Zero smiled. “Isla wants to dip them with mayonnaise and ketchup,” Zero replied.
Mrs. Peterson’s eyes widened in surprise. “What?”
Zero smiled again. “It’s okay, mom. I get this.”
“But she’s done with—she’s not craving for anything—”
“Just let her, mom. It’s fine,” Zero asserted.
Mrs. Peterson shook her head. “Geez, that daughter of mine. But you don’t have to do that, son.”
“It’s okay, mom. I’m loving what I’m doing, and it’s for Isla,” he replied.
Mrs. Peterson smiled widely. “You changed BIG time, Zero. And I am happy for you, son. I hope Apollo will find a woman also—that punk,” she uttered, making Zero laugh.
“Don’t worry, mom. I think he already found the one,” he replied