Chap 55
“Finished?” Gladwin’s question made Flavia look up. Her face still flushed with embarrassment as she nodded.
Gladwin picked up the bowl from the table and then folded the table back to the side of the bed. He took the dirty styrofoam bowl to the other side of the room and threw it in the trash.
“Is there anything you want to ask?” he asked, still in his gentle tone. He climbed onto the bed and sat with his body sideways facing Flavia.
“I-I…” Flavia bowed her head silently. “Actually, this is complicated. I’m still a bit confused,” the girl twiddled her fingers.
“Hmm, I understand,” he replied. He reached for Flavia’s hand and held it gently. “I just hope your memory returns soon. But until then, I ask that you don’t be too hard on yourself. I’ll help you as much as I can.
“If there’s anything you want to ask, don’t hesitate to ask. If you feel embarrassed to ask me, you can ask Abigail. She’s the closest person who knows about you besides your parents.” He stroked the back of Flavia’s hand with his thumb.
Flavia looked at their intertwined hands. Her small hand felt warm in the grasp of the large hand belonging to the man she now knew as her husband. A large hand with long, graceful fingers.
“But, why ‘Uncle’?” Flavia asked softly. “I mean, are we siblings? Why should I call you Uncle? It sounds unusual.” She looked at Gladwin. The man smiled.
Handsome, that word filled Flavia’s head.
Gladwin couldn’t help but smile. This was the first question her wife had asked after regaining consciousness.
Gladwin briefly explained the outline of their relationship to Flavia. That his twin sister, Claire, married Flavia’s father, Antony, who was fifteen years older. By family ties, Gladwin became Flavia’s step-uncle, but their marriage was neither forbidden nor prohibited legally or religiously because they were not blood relatives. Flavia simply nodded, listening to every word Gladwin uttered.
“Do we love each other?” She asked again after Gladwin finished recounting their family relationship history. Gladwin looked at his wife with a charming smile. “I-I mean. But, Grandma, your mother seemed surprised to hear about our marriage. Was this marriage not approved?”
Gladwin nodded. “I love you too much to do something wicked like this.” Gladwin’s declaration of love once again brought a flush of red to Flavia’s face.
“B-but…”
“Believe me, someday my mother will come around. She’s no longer just your grandmother. She’s become your mother-in-law.” Gladwin said with a mischievous smile. “Someday Mama will accept all of this.” Gladwin squeezed his wife’s hand, trying to reassure her. His right hand reached out, touching the strands of Flavia’s hair falling on her temples. “Because in the end, Mama will realize that you’re my best choice.”
“At the moment, she’s just confused. Despite all the negative thoughts in her head, deep down in her heart, she loves you.
“All this time, she chose to close her heart and listen to unclear instigations around her. But you have to believe me that in the end, everything will be alright.
“I’m actually more worried that after you regain your memory, you’ll hate me. Angry and furious at me more than my mother was earlier.”
“Why?” Flavia blinked in disbelief.
“Because I trapped you. I forced your father to accept my proposal and forced him to marry you while you were unconscious.
“So why didn’t you wait for me to regain consciousness before marrying me?” Flavia asked, puzzled.
“Because you would have given a million reasons to reject my proposal if you were conscious.
“I know I did something sneaky. And I know you’ll be very angry about it. But it’s okay, I’ll accept it. After all, you can’t back out now.” He replied with a victorious smile. Flavia just looked at him with a confused gaze. “Take it slow, Darling. Take it easy. Don’t force your head to think too hard. It’s not good for you. Besides, you’re not fully recovered.” Gladwin stroked Flavia’s cheek with the back of his hand. Flavia felt her body warming up from his touch. Unconsciously, she closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of her husband’s touch.
It’s okay, right? Thinking about wanting to kiss him isn’t a sin either because, it turns out, they’re husband and wife.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
“You’re beautiful.” The compliment made Flavia open her eyes.
It’s unclear when exactly the man moved closer. One of his legs was folded on the bed while the other dangled to the floor. His body faced her, and one of his hands held Flavia’s chin while the other still held her hand.
“You’re so beautiful. My wife is truly beautiful,” he praised sincerely.
Then, a gentle peck. The man kissed Flavia’s forehead softly. Flavia closed her eyes again. Her chest pounded hard, and something fluttered in her stomach. She liked the touch of his hand on her body. And she also liked the gentleness of his lips on her forehead.
Gladwin released his kiss on the girl’s forehead. His eyes gazed at Flavia with passion. Slowly, his face drew closer, and for some reason, Flavia chose to close her eyes again. The man’s warm breath touched her face. Then, she felt his lips softly touch hers. Gentle, warm.
The soft kiss slowly turned into nibbles and suckling. The man’s thumb touched her chin and pulled it, slowly opening Flavia’s lips. Flavia instinctively opened her mouth, letting the man’s tongue roam inside. It twirled and sucked gently.
Since when, Flavia was fully lying on the pillow. The man’s hand, which originally held Flavia’s hand, now felt touching the side of her stomach. Large and warm. And Flavia’s hands were now embracing the man, stroking his neck and gently pulling his hair. Both moaned simultaneously.
The kiss stopped after they felt satisfied. Foreheads met as they took breaths.
“I miss you. Miss you so much,” the man whispered in Flavia’s ear before burying his face in the crook of her neck. Then Flavia felt the man’s body trembling. The man, her husband. Cried.
“Uncle..?” she called softly.
“I’m scared,” his words muffled against Flavia’s shoulder. “Every night, I’m afraid that you’ll never open your eyes again. I’m afraid you’ll leave me again. I’m afraid you’ll seek revenge on me. I can’t bear to lose you. I’m truly scared,” he uttered between sobs.
Flavia hugged him tightly, patting his back gently, trying to comfort him.
The man cried because of her. How precious was she to make a man like Gladwin cry for her? Even he said he couldn’t bear to lose her.
Flavia could only remain silent. Her hand moved down to stroke the man’s back and head slowly, while her nose breathed in the comforting scent of his body.
Her heart felt warm. Calm and happy at the same time. This man, Flavia knew she had deep feelings for him. Her uncle. Her husband.
‘Yes, this man is my husband,’ she admitted to herself. ‘He’s my husband. And I know I feel the same love for him, my heart tells me so. That I love him.’
They then fell into a peaceful sleep after the exhaustion of their tears. Allowing their tired bodies to face each other, cradled in warm embrace filled with longing.