Chapter 18: Chapter 18

GRETEL glanced at Javier as they sat inside the carriage, and her dream flashed her mind again.

“Is something wrong?” Javier asked as he snaked an arm around her waist.

“I’m just nervous about tomorrow, “ she said. Well, it was partly true.

“We can set another date for the wedding.”

“No, “ she said at once. “We don’t have to. I guess it’s just normal to feel this way.”

“By the way, I’d like to tell you how our set up is going to be starting tonight.”

“I’m listening.”

“WE CAN’T see each other after sunset as I retire in my private room. You can choose whatever room you want in the mansion, but you could not come to see me for the rest of the evening.”

“Does that mean we can’t have dinner together, too?” she asked.

“Yes. It’s how things will work for us but not for long. But in the morning, I promise to join you for breakfast, for lunch, for naps, for a walk—whatever you want to do.”

“May I know the reason why?” Gretel stared at him.

“You’ll know in the near future. I trust that I made myself clear, Gretel. And if you ever need anything, you can tell Mr. Martinez.”

“Will I ever get to know you completely, Javier?” she asked once again.

“I would love to share my secrets with you, Mrs. del Mundo, but now is not just the right time. I don’t want to confuse you for the rest of your life. When it eventually comes, I hope you’d understand.”

Mrs. del Mundo.

That was the second time she was called by that name that day. She was thrilled by that at the back of her mind. Only, she won’t be Mrs. del Mundo for the right reasons.

Gretel sighed.

“I’m sorry, “ she said. “For a moment, I forgot that you call the shots here. I won’t ask again, especially if it will make you uncomfortable.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

GRETEL pushed the thick curtain aside and smiled at the view that welcomed her. The room she chose was overlooking at Javier’s rose garden.

She was more than delighted at the fact that this will be her view from now on.

“I like this room!” she said as she turned to Javier, who was watching her with amusement.

“Are you sure? I have other rooms bigger than this.” Javier sauntered to her side.

“Just look at that view. I think I can sit by the window the whole day and read. I’m sure I’ll never get tired of it, “ she said, looking ecstatic.

“Then, I guess we should build you a small library here.”

Gretel blinked and beamed like a child.

“Javier, I think that’s too much.”

“It will never be too much as long as it’s for you.” Javier pinched her cheek.

Even that simple gesture melted Gretel’s heart. For a moment, she forgot they will be married in papers only.

“Thank you.”

“BLACK!” Gretel called happily as she saw Black eating his food and minding his own business under the kitchen table.

Black glanced at her and barked as he regarded her.

“I haven’t seen him since yesterday.”

“That’s because he was busy hanging out with other dogs in the neighborhood, “ Javier said.

“I hope he’s not taking other people’s clothes again.”

“No, I told him not to do that again unless it was you.”

Gretel shot him a glare. Javier threw his head back, laughing.

“And you think that’s funny?” She slapped his broad chest.

“Aw!” Javier uttered in shock, and laughed once again.

Gretel frowned, but she could not stay mad at him for long.

Just look at that face.

“IS THERE anything Mr. Martinez can’t do?” Gretel said as she gazed at the beef steak on the table. Her mouth watered and her stomach rumbled.

“Well, yes. He can’t find himself a new wife no matter how I push him to, “ Javier said, lifting the corner of his lips.

“Was he never married?”

“He was. And they had children. But they got killed by rebels who lurked in the mountains. They stole his livelihood and the life of his precious family. He worked for my father until he became his right hand. Since then, he devoted his life to our family. And he never left even after my father died.”

Gretel hunched her back. She could not believe she was not the only one who had lost a loved one in a tragedy.

“I did not know he had a painful past. Mr. Martinez remained kind and he was loyal to you.”

“Did you know that the first time and the last time he held a gun was when he avenged his family’s death?”

“What?” Gretel gasped.

“He and father ambushed the rebels all by themselves and spared no one. Since then, he swore to never touch a gun again.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Care to tell me what happened to your father?”

Gretel cleared her throat as she straightened her back.

“Well, my father worked in a ship. Because of that, he seldom came home. I could actually count the times I see him. I always told him to stay with us because I hate missing him. One day, he promised that when he comes back, he would never leave again.

“Unfortunately, that was the last time we saw him. A storm wrecked the ship, and he did not make it alive.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, “ Javier said sympathetically.

“I still miss him up to this day. If he was alive, he would never approve of this wedding.” Gretel cackled.

She picked up her knife and fork and put food on her plate.

“I am sure of that, “ Javier agreed, chuckling.

“Can I just use my hands?”

“If you could enjoy your food more, why not?”

Gretel beamed.

“Thank you. You’re awesome.”

Javier cocked his head and chuckled once again.