Chapter 19

GINA

She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a moment. She also doesn't want Ace to think that she's attracted to him, but how come? Maryam has thrown away all her pajamas and flannel nightgowns, and she has replaced them with lingerie. So what can she wear before bed hour?

She entered the room occupied by Ace and there she looked for clothes that she could wear before going to sleep. Anyway, she told Ace that she would go into his room and fix his bedding. As soon as she entered his room, she immediately saw Ace clothes on the hangers. She took a white sweatshirt with blue stripes from there and immediately put it on, because she thought that was the only decent thing she could wear because it was oversized and it was just above her knee length.

When she started to fix Ace bedding, the water stopped flowing from the bathroom. She hurried out of the room and moved to the living room and sat down on the couch. She tried to assume a casual pose. She also changed positions a few times, then she took out a magazine that she pretended to be reading. She is nervous. She did not know why. When the door of the bathroom opened and Ace got out, she was still pretending to move the pages while reading, even though she didn't read what was written there.

On the other hand, Ace just moved silently into the living room, but she knew he was there. She shifted her gaze to wander up to him, and saw that he was already dressed in sweatpants and a plain white shirt. She was surprised when he spoke and she almost let go of the magazine she was holding.

"You know that shirt suits you better than me." Ace said suddenly.

"Is it okay? Even if I'm not asking--"

"What's with me, it's yours too, sweety." Ace said and leaned over her. "We haven't opened the presents yet, have we?" He turned to the side table where the gifts were placed.

"Oh, I want us to open it together."

"All right, we'll open it."

"While we're opening presents, what else would you like to drink, Ace?"

"What's there?" then he lifted the package into his lap.

"Is iced tea okay with you? Then we'll pair it with egg pie?"

"Sure." He replied, and she walked towards the kitchen.

As she poured powdered iced tea into the pitcher, she saw Ace setting down the gifts and joined her in the kitchen. "I'll be the one to do that, Gina."

"Don't bother, Ace."

"No, Gina. Let me help you." he quarreled with her so she was the first to resign.
She leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. "But I can do that alone, Ace."

"I told you, I'll be happier Gina, if you just slice me an egg pie."

"Okay then, you're the boss, do you want it heated?

ACE

He watched his shirt like a couple of inches up to her thighs as she leaned into the refrigerator to pull out the homemade pie she'd taken out from the refrigerator and baked earlier. Who needs heat? said his other mind. "Heated is fine."

"Do you want to eat the ice cream we bought?"

"Okay." he just said.

When their food was ready, they returned to the living room. He took a bite of pie and complimented Gina on it. He was so full because his wife made him a delicious egg pie.

"I just want to ask Gina, where is your father?"

She put down the drinking glass first and then took a deep breath. "My father has passed away." She said sadly.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"What did he die of? I'm sorry if I asked that?"

"Car accident."

GINA

FLASHBACK

She was graduating from high school and she became the Valedictorian. In her desire for her father to go to the said graduation, her father really did everything to go just because she wanted her father to put the medal on her. Her father promised that he would really come. But after their graduation, her father still did not come so they were very worried. At that time, her mother received a call and when she put down the phone, she suddenly broke down right in front of many people. She doesn’t speak, she just cried and cried. Until her aunt called and Janice found out that the car their dad was driving was exploded because it allegedly collided with a pole. His body could no longer be identified because it was already turned to ashes. Only the plate number of the car and his wedding ring served as proof that it was their father. There were rumors that his car was possibly blown up, but they didn't believe it, because for them, their father was very good, so it was impossible that he has an enemy. Since then, Gina has blamed herself a lot because if she hadn't forced her father to go to her graduation he would still be alive.

END OF FLASHBACK

"I love papa very much, he gave us almost everything Janice and I needed. But when he disappeared, everything we dreamed of seemed to have disappeared. Mama Joy, on the other hand, we also couldn't talk to her for a few weeks because she was just stunned. But when mama regained her sanity. I realized that I need to stay away from them and work here in Manila, so that I could still support them and my studies."

ACE

"I'm sorry if I reminded you of the sad past. But your mom didn't get upset with you, right?"

"Mama never blamed me. Yes, she was upset because I stayed away from them, but I explained that I had to take a risk so that Janice and I could finish school. It's hard to be away from your family, but it's necessary. You know, mama is even sad because Janice and I have someone to take care of, so I'm joking with her to just find a man to take care of her, too."

"Why is that important to you, Gina? That a woman needs a man to take care of her?"

"I think a husband and wife should contribute equally in whatever roles they're suited for. The responsibility of the couple should be equal. For me, it takes two to tango, so they should both take care of each other."

He was shocked by what Gina told him. He hadn't imagined this side of her.

GINA

"Do you know what Janice and I dream of? Our dream is to graduate and become a full-fledged CPA and I will become a writer or maybe a fashion designer. And most of all, we dream that we find a prince charming and a knight in shining armor. Those like our dad who are kind, responsible, loving, those who are ready to defend us at all times, and of course those family-oriented men whose family really comes first."

"Good thing that Janice already had Payton plus they also have a baby now." She added. "And you know if I have children, I want stability for my children and a sense of place. I've worked hard to develop a career where I can work at home so that I can share my life with them."
She stopped abruptly, as if she'd revealed too much to him.

"And how was getting married at the age of twenty-five connected to your dreams?"

"I just want to be young enough to enjoy my children," of course she wouldn't tell Ace that she was afraid of being an old maid when she passed the age of twenty-five, that's their family beliefs.

Ace angled her direction. "So for now, you want to have children?"

"Maybe if we're really married, of course I want to have children." She saw Ace serious face, that's why she decided to test his reaction further. "Honestly, at this age, I'm really ready to get married. I'm supposedly at my sexual peak, you know."
Oh yes! It's super effective! She immediately saw the reaction on Ace's face by frowning.

"If only we were really married, Ace. I wouldn't mind waiting for a year before startin' a family so that we could have time to experiment."

"What kind of experiment are you talking about?"

"You know. Make love whenever or wherever the mood strikes. I've heard from those who have been married for a long time. Once the kids are around, the couple should be more careful. It's just like you can't wander around the house anymore. Wearing just boxer shorts and wearing panties."

He crossed his arms. "Why not?"

"It's SPG in the eyes of a child, you know."

"You know Gina, I really like you because you can imagine anything."

"Tell me the truth Ace, aren't you really going to turn on me when I'm just wearing this?"

"You know already the answer, Gina. Is that why you wore my clothes to attract me again?"

"Oh no, you read Maryam's note, that she threw away all my nightgowns. She actually changed them, but it's just lingerie."

"We need to end now our conversation, Gina. We'd better just go to sleep."

"But our topic is interesting," she said.

"You've got a good imagination, Gina. But finish it in your dreams." Ace rose from his seat.

"I'll do that. How about a little inspiration to take with me?"

He just laughed out loud. "You might be pretty much attached to me, sweety."

"So what are you agreeing with?"

"I guess I'm obsessed with your willpower Gina, so I'll grant you that, but take note, It has a limit."

"What are you talking about Ace? The little inspiration I was talking about was a good-night kiss, that's all." She laughed at Ace because she knew he gave a different meaning to what she was saying.

"If you really kiss me, I don't want to smack you, I want the kiss I can dream of."

"Amending rules again, Gina?"

"Why? Do we have rules that violate the good-night kiss? I don't remember we talked like that."

"All right, since you're the one who ask, so you're the one to kiss."

"My pleasure." she pulled herself towards him, and she locked her gazed with him for a moment. "I...don't know how to start." She whispered to Ace.

His expression turned fierce, then Ace cupped her face with both hands and held her to him. Their mouth connected a few desire-filled moments. He tasted so good, so damn good. His tongue played with hers languidly, but suddenly he pulled back. Oops! Hanging again? she sighed dreamily.

"It's fifteen seconds, it's a long time enough." he said and released her immediately. So she was dilated.

"You counted?"

"I'm just guessing, but I think that's more than a smack. What do you think, Gina?"

"I don't know why others say that you seem to lose yourself when you feel a kiss. Nah, I don't believe it. You couldn't just get lost in the moment, and most of all if you really felt a kiss, you can't even count how long it will take."

ACE

He thought about what Gina said. "Maybe you're right, because even though you aroused me last night by responding to my kisses, it's true that I'm not losing myself. In fact, I know now that you have a mole on your chest and buttocks. But of course I can't tell you what else I see. It's awkward if I tell you those things." He said, and pretending to turn off the light so that Gina can't react to him again. He avoided himself from falling in love with Gina. The fact that he couldn't offer her permanence. And even more so now that she knows how important a stable home meant to her, because that's something she can never give to Gina.

"I still thought our honeymoon had an extension. But I guess, the honeymoon is definitely over." she grumbled in response.

"I will sleep now Gina, I'll be running tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll be back around nine." He said as he walked heading to his room.

"I'll just cook you breakfast." She called.

"You don't have to bother anymore, Gina."

"I want to. Don't argue with me about it. And at least that way I'll pay you for everything you did for me. Goodnight, Ace."

"Sweet dreams," he whispered and entered his room.

*****