Chapter 13: Chapter 13

CHAPTER SEVEN

“WHY do you think it’s necessary?” Javier asked in amusement.

Gretel pursed her lips as she looked away for a moment. Will she ever get used to Javier’s gaze?

“If we’re not in love, we should not be strangers, at least, “ she said. “Honestly, I used to think you are a very terrible person. I still do now, but I owe you, and I always keep my word. I just did not expect you would ask me to marry you.”

“But you were expecting I’d sleep with you, right?”

Gretel sighed as her cheeks flushed.

“For the record, I was desperate. I was not rational. My emotions took over me. It was the first time I was in that situation, and I did not know what to do.”

“I would never ask you to marry me if I was not desperate, “ Javier said. “I know you’re still young, Gretel. I would never pressure you to do what a wife is supposed to do. And I would appreciate it if you always think of me as the most terrible person you ever met.”

Gretel laughed weakly.

“Are you crazy?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I WONDER what Mother would feel,” Gretel said.

After their breakfast, Javier invited her for a walk at the back part of his mansion. It was a mini forest. Gretel was glad Javier preserved that part when he built his abode.

She loved the sight of trees. It gave her a sense of tranquility.

“Oh, a hammock!” she said and ran to it like a child.

Gretel sat and swang as she gazed at Javier.

“Is this yours?” she asked, giggling.

Javier smiled and nodded.

“It’s a perfect spot for reading a book.”

“If you marry me, you can have all the books in my library.” Javier sat beside her.

Gretel stared. That hit the spot. It was way more tempting than Javier’s treasure chests.

“I should have mentioned about books while we were in my office, “ he said, a mischievous smile curved his lips. “I could have had your ‘yes’ already.”

She smiled shyly.

“You were telling me about your mother a while ago.”

“Oh, yeah.” She looked ahead. “I could not tell her the reason why you’d marry me. She might find it ridiculous.”

“Should we pretend we’re dating?”

Gretel stared at him, frowning in disbelief.

“You want me to lie to her?”

“Well, a lie would be more convincing. At least, it’s not as ridiculous as the truth.”

Javier had a point.

“You’re doing it for her, anyway. You marry me, and you could you give her a better life.”

“Where are you going, Javier?” Gretel asked sternly.

Javier glanced up and shrugged.

“I’m not sure. To hell, maybe.”

Her forehead furrowed.

He chuckled.

“I hope you’re serious about that. Because it would be very satisfying to see you go to hell, “ Gretel retorted.

Javier threw his head back, laughing. Gretel was supposed to be annoyed, but she only found herself fascinated by him.

Her heart began to pound erratically the longer she watched him. She sighed.

Javier stopped laughing and stared at her.

“Should we play the pretend couple game?” he asked.

“Wouldn’t it be hard to pretend?”

“Well, I’m more than willing to be cooperative. You can start by kissing me.”

Gretel shut her eyes tight and drew a breath. Just what had she gotten herself into? But she’d be lying if she was not inclined to kiss him.

She opened her eyes and found Javier staring at her in amusement.

She touched his cheek and caressed it. Javier sucked his breath.

She arched her back and brushed her lips against his, sending out shivers all over her body.

Their eyes locked for a short moment before Javier claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss.

GRETEL delighted herself in choosing books from Javier’s shelf. There were books about adventure and romance and fantasy, but her arms were too tiny to carry them all.

She had a lot of unread books at home, but new books were too hard to resist.

If she married Javier, she could live here. It would be very convenient for her bookworm heart.

“Are you done picking yet?” Javier asked behind her.

He went to the bathroom to shower, and Gretel did not mind because she was absorbed with the books.

“I am!” she replied in delight and turned to him.

But her jaw dropped when she saw Javier wearing only a towel around his waist. A few drops of water were dripping from his hair and lean body.

Gretel turned her back abruptly. She heard Javier chuckle along with his footsteps.

Her cheeks felt warm.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

Gretel could feel he was very near her.

“Aren’t you supposed to get dressed already?”

“I am not in a hurry. This is my house, anyway.”

“Of course, “ she uttered sarcastically.

“Come to think of it; I have seen you naked before. I guess it’s just fair that you see me naked, too.”

“What?” Gretel muttered and turned to face him.

She sucked a breath when Javier took it as an opportunity to corner her on the bookshelf. She was trapped in his arms.

Gretel swallowed hard.

“W-will you stop teasing me?”

“I am not.” Javier held her chin so that their eyes could meet. “You’re so cute, Gretel.”

“I already know that,” she said cockily.

“I know for sure your mother won’t think we were just pretending. I want to propose as soon as possible.”

“How about over dinner?”

“No, “ he said firmly at once.

Gretel blinked.

“Why not?”

For a moment, Javier avoided her gaze.

“I don’t usually have much free time after sunset. I can join you for breakfast and lunch, though.”

“Okay, it’s up to you. For now, you can get dressed.”

Javier chuckled and brushed his lips gently against hers, taking her by surprise.

“Javier—”

Gretel could only moan as Javier pressed his body against hers and kissed her deeply.