Chapter 30: FINALE

RATED SPG 18+

Not suitable for ages below 18. Read at your own risk.

Tom is the gentlest person I know. Not just his heart but by the way he is holding me right now. With his trembling cold hands, he started unbuttoning my shirt. He was hesitant at first whether to continue or not. His eyes are asking for permission which I obliged to say yes. He smiled at me and continued unbuttoning. His lips crashed into mine once again. A moan escaped from his lips when I slightly bit his bottom lip. Grazing my lips, my neck and my chest sending chill on my spine down to my toes. Never ending kisses and shallow breathing envelopes the whole room. With the light of the moon illuminating us, everything is magical.

I stared at him as he unbuttoned his shirt. Revealing the true definition of charisma. He is not the over masculine gym guy but enough to make girls go crazy. Taut lines of muscles on his arms, toned chest and abs, disheveled hair, swollen lips and eyes burning with desire.

“Take off your shirt.” He commanded and I slowly took off the blouse suspended over my arms. I completely discarded my shirt and threw it on the floor along with the shoes and heels. The room began to feel hot when he held my hand and kissed and smelt my palm up to my arms as if he was slowly taking me in. His once cold hands wrapped around my bare waist and pulled me in closer to him. My head spun with wobbly feet as I had finally decided to fully submit to this man.

“Are you sure about this?” As if sensing my unstable state, he asked permission once again.

I never dared to answer but instead crashed my lips to his for the nth time now. He immediately responded, fisting a handful of my hair tilting my head upward and a travel kiss lingered from my lips to my neck. Taking some of his confidence, I finally get able to touch his body. His back stiffened and a moan escaped from him, deepening the kiss more. My feet are already touching the base of the bed and I already know what will happen next.

He laid me down at the center of the bed with him on top of me. It’s as if a gasoline was poured to the once flaming desire and finally surrendering to the ecstasy between us. This is happening for real, and neither of us is talking. Just the rapid breathing and the kisses float into the air.

He started to unclasp my brassiere with his fingers in no time and slowly slid it off on my shoulder. His hands traveled my collarbone, to my cleavage, teasing and slowly cupping my breasts. A gasp escaped from my mouth but it looks like he liked it as he claims my mouth once again. A guttural moan escaped from his throat when I slid my hand on his back to his front and struggled to unbutton his trousers. He shrugged it off and went back to claim my mouth with his hands playing on my chest area.

“You’re so beautiful.” He whispered, biting my ear lobe which instantly rolled my eyes back. Never ending kisses on my shoulders, my chest, on my breasts, on my belly and I started to panic when his hand succeeded in zipping down my skirt. This is it. This is really happening. His fingers are playing on the hem of my underwear while he stared at me with a smile on his mouth.

The throbbing ache in my body began to feel unbearable when he spread my legs apart while staring at me, smiling. Teasing me with his actions, he once kissed my belly up to my chest and neck, he whispered in my ears once again.

“You’re making me crazy, you know that?”

As if the time was running out, his kisses had urgency in it and his actions began to feel like he was in a hurry. But I made no time to complain and danced with him along with his own rhythm. Finally discarding the remaining clothing on our body, I began to shake not in nervousness but to the fact that he is staring at my body with full of admiration.

“Stop staring at me like that.”

“Don’t be ashamed of your body. You’re beautiful, Betty.”

The room began to spin as he played with the tenderness of my chest as he settled on top of me, flesh to flesh, chest to chest and mouth to mouth. A throbbing foreign object is touching the base of my humanity and a moan finally escaped my mouth which brought a smile on his face.

“Are you ready?”

I nodded in response and my whole world came crashing down below me as he thrust inside me. A shattering moan escaped once again, as I clung onto his back, digging my nails on his back. His back is sticky with sweat and I could care less as long as we both fill in the hunger of two primal beings. I wiped the sweat on his brow as he is still claiming me intimately. He pulled out and fumbled right on top of me. I can only hear the scrunching of the foil packet. I was astounded by the Greek beauty in front of me as he was concentrating on sliding in the rubber on his shaft with eyebrows drawn together.

Grabbing my knees and spreading it open, I shook once again as he stared at my earthly womanhood with a dark expression.

“Please…”

Fire was evident in his eyes as he stared back at me. He made no time and slid his once again, shattering my world for the second time. I like it. I like it that he is still gentle despite the urgency that is evident in his actions. I moaned in ecstasy as he slammed into me. Slamming deep into me until I feel the urge to scream more in need. Rugged breathing, grunts and the complaints of the wood framed bed can only be heard as we rock back and forth. Rocking our world back and forth, with him holding my waist in place. He shivers and grunts once again before slamming his body on top of me.

I couldn’t think of words to describe the feeling but one thing is for sure, I let Tom mark me with his name. And I’m happy with it.

His breathing is so fast as if he just ran a marathon. He gently pulled out and kissed the top of my head and chuckled when I grabbed his face and kissed him one more time.

“That was great. Thank you.” He said, chasing his breath.

“I love you too.”

It took him a few seconds to respond. A smile crept on his face and showered my face with kisses.

AUTHOR’s POV

Tom and Betty laid on the bed in the darkness of the room, coldness from the open window and the crickets singing in the silence of the night. They were both overwhelmed with what happened that they just laid there unmoving with Betty curled up in his white duvet while Tom stared at the ceiling.

Betty is starting to overthink why Tom looks to be deep in thought. It’s been fifteen minutes now and he is still not saying anything. His breathing has evened out with a few deep sighs igniting her anxiety. Is this some failed relationship again? She wants to ask what he is thinking but she’s too scared to know what is going on with his mind. Minutes had passed, pretending to fall asleep with Betty’s mind wandering back and forth about what she did wrong. She is starting to regret all of this. Until Tom finally speaks up, words that brought chills on her spine.

“Let’s get married. Marry me, Betty.”

** **

“What did you say?”

Liz's voice boomed in the entire coffee shop. We are sad that James moved to Canada, he is supposed to be here with us. But back to the topic, Liz is gaining the attention of half of the customers.

“Will you please tone down your voice?” I asked her to be half annoyed with her.

“Okay, sorry. Then what did you say?”

“Nothing… I don’t know what to say, Liz.”

“You love him, right?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Then say, ‘yes’. It’s just simple. Betty. What’s holding you back?”

A question I don’t know what to answer.

“I know we’ve been friends for a year now, but are you… still up to living alone? Like you get too attached with your independence. Don’t get me wrong, Betty but you are already 26? You’re all good for marriage, and I’m not forcing you to do it but I can see how happy you are when you’re with him.”

Maybe this is what I ‘ve wanted to hear. Yeah, she’s right. I love Tom and I am happy being with him. I’m such a fool for doubting myself.

“Do you think I could be a good wife to him?”

“Betty, you’re doing it again. Of course, you will be a good future wife to Tom. I can assure you that. Stop questioning yourself. You’re a good woman, and he is a good man. There’s no doubt you’ll be a good couple.”

“Liz, thank you so much.”

“No problem, woman. See? If I hadn’t called and checked you out, you’d still be in question with his proposal.”

“You’re right. I was just in shock and scared to say yes at the same time. Thank you for being here for me.”

We decided to stay in the coffee shop for a couple more hours. Girl talk, her lovelife and Liz already had a boyfriend.

“So, tell me about your guy.” I asked sipping on my coffee.

“So, his name is Aaron. He is a restaurant owner and a chef. I met him at the bar last month when Annie asked me to get something from her friend who happens to work there. He is a nice guy, sweet, kind and thoughtful. He is planning to introduce me to his family next weekend. I’m excited for you to meet him.”

“Okay, let me be the judge for that. But if you’re happy, I’d be happy too.”

I am loving this kind of relationship with Liz. Compared to those dark few years, I never get too much time to have friends ‘cause I’m too busy tending myself.

“I’m sure, you’d love him.”

“I already miss James.” I blurted out and Liz too, felt the sadness and sulk with me.

“He doesn’t even text me. I miss him too.” She responded. But her expression suddenly changes staring at the coffee shop entrance. I followed her gaze and landed on the man on gray trench coat busy reading the menu above the counter.

It’s Patrick.

“Are you okay, Liz?”

“Uh, yeah I am. Don’t worry. I just saw your ex, and he kinda not giving off a good vibe, you know.”

I laughed, “Come on, be nice to him. We had already put closure the thing between us. We’re good friends now.”

“Oh shit, he’s coming here.” She said through gritted teeth stirring her coffee absentmindedly.

“Hi, Betty.” He greeted waving at us smiling all out, but his eyes fixated on Liz. He is waiting for Liz to look at him.

“Hi, Liz.” He coldly greeted and settled on the vacant seat beside her.

“Hey.”

“So, Betty… since you’re already here. I want to talk to Tom sometime. Maybe next week? Just a review on our proposal. That’s it.”

“Can’t you just give her a break? We’re not in the office, you know. Save that to next week. We’re having time here and you’ll come and talk about work?”

Patrick chuckled and scratched his invisible beard. A sign of embarrassment. What is wrong with these two?

“I am not talking to you.” He simply responded which made Liz threw remarks and the bickering goes and on.

I nodded at Patrick and slowly got up on my seat and succeeded on walking away from them. Liz was too engulf with her temper that she didn’t notice me walking away.

Taking my time walking on the busy streets back to the company. I realized a lot of things and even a small time with yourself helped a lot in reflecting your actions and decisions. I realized that Tom has been there for me since I started working in the company given he is my boss but much deeper than that. Sworn to protect me, but he doesn’t realized, he had protected since day one. He saved me from my dark past and let me see light once again. He is a jerk okay, let’s give that to him but only to those people he cared the most. Sounds odd, but the guy doesn’t know how to express his emotions properly due to his traumatic past. We were both broken when we saw each other. And tended each other’s wounds with eyes closed. From the consequences of the outside world, from the harsh mouth of the people around us, from the prying eyes of the universe and from the destructive fate we are being laid upon.

I was scared, but now I am stronger. Not just because I matured and realized a lot of things, but because I finally found the one that will guide me back to where I supposed to belong.

I arrived back in the office with Tom busy signing papers with his phone on his left ear. I stared at him for too long that he snapped his eyes towards me and a smile crept on his eyes.

“I’ll be with you shortly.” dropping the call.

“Where have you been?” he asked taking full strides towards me.

“Just had coffee with Liz. I haven’t talked to her in a while.”

Since I became his girlfriend, he doesn’t want to see me working anymore. But the most surprising is, I get paid for being in the office doing nothing.

“Are you okay?” he asked inspecting my face with his two large hands.

“I have something to tell you.”

Fear is evident on his face but hides it immediately with a small smile.

“Sure, come here let’s have a seat.”

We settled on his favorite spot of the lounge area with shiny leather coatings. I was mesmerized quite a bit about the fact that I’m sitting on his favorite chair. The perks!

“What is it? Tell me.” His face suddenly grew serious. For being his assistant for a year now, I know what these reactions meant. He is showing me he is still the dominant, he is ready for whatever I am going to say and it will be okay whether it be a good thing or a bad thing.

“I want to resign.”

His back stiffened and veins are clearly popping on his forehead. Face red and fist balling showing his white knuckles.

“No.”

“What?”

“Give me one valid reason why you’d want to resign?”

“I don’t want to work with someone—“

“Are you breaking up with me?” cutting me off entirely and I can clearly see he is mad. I was shocked when he stood and unbuttoned his cuff links and rolled his sleeves while staring outside the building.

“What--?”

“Are you really breaking up with me, Betty? Then, I don’t think there’s no reason for you to be here in my office. I will transfer you to another department.”

What in the world? I was dumbfounded by his reactions. Another nutshell, he reacts more than a woman does.

“Tom—“

“What? I don’t want to hear your explanations. You don’t have to resign, Betty. Let’s be professional here.”

Is he just joking or what? I scratched my head in frustration for him always cutting me off.

“Will you just please listen to me, for Pete’s sake?!”

His head snapped to my direction with wide eyes, gritted teeth and balling fists.

“No one dares to raise a voice when talking to me. You know that better.” He stared at me challenging the temper that is already rising to my temple.

“Okay, sorry I have to say this, you sure sound like you’re on crack. Just let me finish, Tom. Okay?” I sighed and walked towards him placing a hand on the glass wall stooping below the ant sized people of LA.

“No one is breaking up with you.”

“What? Then why do you want to resign?”

“Because I don’t want to work with my future husband. You know me, I don’t like being in the spotlight. I know the people here.”

Something must’ve caught Tom’s tongue. He is speechless and one eyebrow shoot up to the sky. He was brought back to his senses when I burst laughing on his face.

“What--?”

“Yes.”

“Come again?”

“Yes, I will marry you.”

** **

After a few months of preparations, Betty was sure as hell I lost some weight. Endless appointments with designers, chefs and artists. Tom wanted to have expensive and glamorous wedding but she opted to have a garden wedding by the sunset with just few of important people in their lives.

They reached to the point that they bickered over small things just to perfect the event. Like for example, what font to use on the invitation, how to send the invitation and what to say on the invitation. But on the end of the day, they make up and just laughed about it. He even told her that his marriage with Jessica, he never dared to take charge in any of the preparations. That’s why he wanted their wedding to be as perfect as he dreamed it. Because this time, he is happy to marry his love of his life.

“You’re such a –can of sardines.” She muttered while attempting to balance the glass of wine on the veranda of his office balcony.

“What did you say? I’m a can of sardines?”

“Yeah, you’re a big can of sardines. We are supposed to have a pre-wedding party and yet we are here drinking this expensive bottle of wine. I should have whisky or rum, you know. Cheers to my last day of being single.”

Her words slurred from drinking three full glasses of wine. Tom just stared at her with full admiration on his eyes. He has never seen Betty under the spirit of alcohol, so this should be entertaining to him.

“And what? You be like dancing some strangers? No, thank you.” He commented finishing the drink on his hand.

“Ah, you’re right. I don’t want to dance with some strangers.” She chuckled pouring her empty glass with some wine.

“That’s enough, Betty. We have to wake up early tomorrow.”

The woman is excited yet terrified at the thought that she is getting married tomorrow. On the other hand, Tom can’t seem to hold everything on his hands by how things escalated. But according to him, this is one of the best decisions in his life.

“Okay, I’m sleepy finally.”

He stared at the sleeping figure of Betty on his bed. Soon he will be going to spend his life with this crazy little woman. He never once dreamed of getting married for the second time but it’s as if he was knocked out with some mysterious air making him realize he is already staring at the woman he wanted to spend his life with.

He is happy.

He can’t contain his feelings that he can’t wait for the day of their marriage and wanted to hurry things up. But there are a lot of things that needs to be considered. Slowly but surely.

** **

Simplicity shouts the entire motif. No bridesmaid, no groomsmen, no flower girl. Just a few of their closest friend and a priest.

Clad in a navy blue suit, Tom stood at the right side of the make shift altar facing the cliff of the sea. Red, pink and orange hues painted the sky while the guests started to occupy the area. Sound of the waves, chirping of the birds, faint crickets singing, slow whistle of the winds, and the saltiness smell of the sea. He is too engulfed at the magnificent view, when someone tap on his shoulder.

“Tom. Congratulations. I’m sorry I didn’t send you my response to your invitation. I hope I’m still invited.”

James is wearing his signature gray suit, shiny shoes and pulled back shiny hair. He doesn’t look like troubled now compared to these past few months.

“James. Nice to meet you. Thank you for coming.”

Two incredible looking men just talking to each other stealing everyone’s attention. They must be on a good relationship right now based on how comfortable they are with each other.

Patrick is also there, silently sitting on the front, with Liz beside him with face sour as s lemon. On the other hand, Liz’s boyfriend, Aaron happened to be outside the country busy marketing his restaurant.

Silence envelopes the whole area when the host announces the arrival of the bride. Betty is wearing a cream lacy off shoulder wedding dress. Her hair cascading the skin of her back, her dress flows the grassy ground as if clouds were following her angelic beauty. Tom is waiting for her at the front smiling, heart aching with excitement that in a few moments now, she will take his last name and be his forever. Betty walked down the aisle slowly with orchestra playing on the background.

Their hands finally collided. His hands were slightly trembling and clammy as he stared at the beautiful woman in front of him.

This isn’t his first wedding, but this could be the first time he felt all the emotions come crashing down on him. Her smile widens upon realizing how Tom looks so constipated and he could pass out any time now. He is close to crying but had to hide it from his friends. I saw my foster Mom and Dad smiling at me holding hands together.

The priest started the ceremony, exchanged our vows, I Do’s and the most awaited part, the kiss. I gently pushed Tom away from me because it lasted longer than what I expected. A fox smile lifted his lips along with the hooting and applause of the visitors.

I stared at the ring on my finger and how good it is to finally able to settle to someone who truly loves you. Tom is also staring at me with adoration in his eyes, a smile on his face while squeezing my hands.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

The reception area is located at one of Tom’s hotel event area. Thought there are only fifty of us, the party commenced well and laughter floated through the air. Tom and I danced with the music, engulfed with each other’s presence.

“You’re so beautiful.”

“You too.”

“But you are more beautiful.” He smiled at me kissing my forehead while we danced the night away.

“Thank you, Tom.”

‘No, thank you for completing me. Thank you for coming into my life.”

“You’re getting cheesier everyday.” I burst into laughter whilst Tom smiled in embarrassment. Its like we were the only one left in the world.

I was lost in his eyes once again. Sucking your soul, owning it. But I realized, I was already owned by him since the first day I saw my reflection in his eyes.

Two Months Later~

“Toom!”

Tom rushed over to his wife that is on the bathroom for two minutes now.

“Yeah? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t feel good.”

Betty is looking pale and beads of sweat is on his forehead.

“I’m taking you to the hospital. Come on, I’ll call Rob and Miller.”

“No, no need. This must be the oatmeal I ate this morning. I’m okay. You can go now.”

“Are you sure?”

Betty stood up and washed her mouth with water. She has been vomiting for three days now and she knew something is not right.

“Yeah, I’ll just go back to sleep. I have Gretchen here with me.”

“Okay, call me if you need anything. Bye. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

He kissed her forehead and exited their room to leave for work. Until Betty now hears the engine purring out of the driveway before she laid down on her bed and just stared out of nowhere. Her head snapped on the calendar on the bookshelves and started counting the days. It’s been three weeks since she hasn’t got her period.

“What--?”

She panicked and called Liz to come over and ask help with something.

After a couple of minutes, Liz arrived in the mansion carrying a plastic bag and some take out from McDonalds as per Betty’s request. She has been craving with nuggets these past few days. Heck, she could eat nuggets all day.

“Girl, the hell happened?”

“Shh, tone down your voice. Come here, I want to tell you something.”

Liz that is giving her with curious look got dragged up to the room and got faced with calendar.

“I’m delayed, Liz.”

“Of course, you’re married. Your husband is freakishly hot, you just got married, of course there is no doubt you’ll get pregnant.”

“Where’s the test kit?”

She handed me pregnancy kits and hurriedly went back to the toilet. My heart is pounding, and my stomach is churning in excitement. Silently praying for a positive result, I clutched the test kit on my chest and closed my eyes.

“Please…”

One line appeared and truly my breathe hitched on my throat when a red line slowly appeared. A shriek can be heard on the entire mansion leaving Liz pounding on the door.

“Betty!? What’s wrong?! Are you okay? Open the door you witch.”

I never answered because all I see is blank and all I felt was the cold ground of the toilet.

** **

I slowly opened my eyes and two confused faces greeted me. The once hard floor is now a soft cushion. Tom is crossing his arms over his chest while Liz is staring at me with worried face.

“What happened?”

“You tell me. What happened?”

“Wait—Tom… Wait a minute. Why are you here?”

“Girl, you passed out. So I called Tom to open the door for me.”

“Betty, we saw your kit on the toilet. You’re really pregnant?”

Excitement is in his voice and he is nowhere near to jumping in joy.

“Yeah, I guess so.” I confusedly asked as I don’t know how to say it to him.

Tom hugged me tightly and kissed the top of my head.

“Thank you. Are you okay? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”

“No, I’m okay. But… I’m hungry.”

Liz and Tom burst into laughter and we all ended up eating her McDonalds take out while talking things out.

“Congratulations, Betty. Your family is growing now. Be a good mother to your baby.”

I remembered how my conversation with Liz went last week. She told me Aaron, her boyfriend will take her abroad for a job opportunity. I never dared to say No, cause that’s the last thing I would do to her if it’s something would do good to her then I’m okay with it.

“Thank you, Liz.”

“Okay, since your husband is already here, I have to go Betty. Call me if you need anything. Just don’t collapse, okay?” We all chuckled in unison and said our goodbyes to each other.

On the other hand, Tom can’t contain his happiness. He just keep on touching my tummy.

“Baby, be good to Mommy okay?”

A laugh echoed to the whole mansion while Tom continuously muttered random and nonsense words on my tummy.

“Thank you, love. I love you and that little nugget in your belly. I will love you two forever.”

I cried out of nowhere and kissed Tom on his lips which he immediately responded. There is nothing I could ask for more. I have a very good, very handsome, very kind husband and a baby coming in the next few months. Showing up in his company for a job interview has been my best decision I ever made.

“I love you too. And our baby nugget loves you too.”

The End.