Chapter 21: Chapter 21

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“THIS RING looks pretty. Where did you get this, Javier?”

Gretel felt like she was still floating. Of course, she was not a materialistic type of person. If there were material things that could make her happy, that would be books. The ring looked delicate. Though it was indeed beautiful, she felt like she did not deserve to wear it.

They remained in his office while Mr. Martinez guided the minister and Gretel’s family to the dining hall. Gretel could not still believe she was officially Javier’s wife now.

“Do you like it?” Javier took her hands as they stood by the window. “My father gave it to my mother when they get married. When she died, he kept it in a safe place. He never gave it even to his new wife. Before he died, he asked me to give this to the woman I truly love.”

“Did you give it to your former lover?”

“No. She left before I could even ask for her hand in marriage.”

“Oh.”

Javier smiled.

“At least, I found out she was not deserving of it.”

“But why did you give this to me? This is just too special. You could have given me another ring, a cheaper one.”

“You deserved it. You did not push me away after seeing another side of me that I’ve been hiding so hard from other people for such a long time now.”

“What do you mean?” Gretel asked, puzzled. “Oh, I get it.” Her face brightened. “You’ve been hiding your soft side to people because you were afraid they will betray you and take advantage of you again.”

Javier chuckled. “This is not just my soft side, Gretel. This is me being vulnerable. You could break me now if you wanted to.”

“I won’t do that.” Gretel caressed his cheek. “Though I wanted to break your face the first time we met. But that was history now.”

Javier laughed. Gretel giggled as delight filled her heart, seeing Javier laughing and happy.

“I’m glad you didn’t. Because you’ll regret it, anyway.”

Gretel nodded as she pulled her hand back.

“Should we go? They’re waiting downstairs now.”

“Yes, but only after this kiss.” Javier snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her toward him.

Gretel smiled as his lips descended on hers.

“MR. MARTINEZ will help you find trustworthy people for your business. Do you want to move into a bigger house? I could make that possible.”

“N-no, Mr. del Mundo,” Glenda said, motioning her hand, and smiled awkwardly. “That is too much already. I could not accept more help from you. You married my daughter because you love her. We don’t want to take advantage of your kindness and generosity.”

Javier and Gretel glanced at each other. Gretel’s face flushed.

“I know it was hard for you to let go of Gretel. I wanted to reassure her that you will be all right when she starts living with me. Besides, you did not ask for it. So there’s no such thing as taking advantage here.” Javier caught Gretel’s hand under the table and put it on his lap.

“I think we should trust, Javier, Mother,” Gretel said with a small smile.

“All right.” Glenda sighed. “But we’ll stay at our house. I could not just leave it behind. Your father worked hard to build it for our family.”

“Of course, Mother.”

“And you should stop calling me ‘Mr. del Mundo.’ I’m your son-in-law now.”

“Oh.” Glenda laughed and nodded. “Of course. I forgot. Javier.”

GRETEL stared at the ring on her hand and sighed. She was sitting on her bed, alone in her room. She left Javier to change into a more comfortable dress.

This was her new life now. Luxurious, more comfortable, but full of uncertainties. She already missed doing the chores. Now, all she had to do was ask Javier and Mr. Martinez what she wanted, and it will be done.

Just a few weeks ago, she was only mindlessly dreaming about living in a beautiful house on a hill. But who would have thought it would come true sooner?

Not that she was regretting it. She did not even know what’s the right thing to feel.

Gretel jumped when she heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” she said. She sighed once again as she stared at the ring on her hand.

The door opened, and Javier came in. He had also changed into more casual attire.

“What’s the matter?” he asked as he closed the door.

Gretel stared at him. How could he look so gorgeous in whatever clothes he wore?

“Nothing,” she said.

“Are you sad that we could not spend our honeymoon in a far town?”

“Hmm?” Gretel could not help giggling. “I was never thinking of that. Thank you for reminding, though.” She made a face.

Javier smiled as he joined her on the bed.

“There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“And what is it?”

“Let’s say the new semester will still be in a few months. You still have more free time before you enroll in a course you really like. How about I teach you everything I know about business and how I manage my finances? I recently invested in commercial structures. I’m going to leave it to you after our deal, and I just thought it’ll be good for you. You cannot just be a teacher alone. You can put up your own school someday. You can have as many scholars as you want. What do you think?”

For a moment, Gretel could not say a word. She was glad that he had a lot of promising plans for her future. But thinking that the reason he will leave in less than a month saddened her.

“Do you think I’m asking for too much?” he asked in an anxious tone.

“N-no. No, you’re not,” she said. “But do you really trust me that much?”

He smiled. “Why not?”

“Can I do it?”

“Of course, you can. You’re one smart and determined lady.”

Gretel could not help smiling. She was young, but Javier wanted to have her all these things.

“You really are different from the man who insulted me back in the forest. Where is the real Javier? What have you done to him?”

Javier chuckled awkwardly.

“I haven’t apologized for that yet, have I?” he asked.

Gretel shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry.” He leaned closer and stroked her hair. “I was just mad at the world, and I took it out on people. I know that’s not a valid excuse, so I apologize.”

“All right. You’re forgiven.”

“Just like that?”

“Why not?”

“Do you always forgive people who ask for an apology?”

“Not all the time. I just forgive as much as I can. I still hate Dario and Jones for putting Hansel into a dangerous situation. I want them punished.”

“Very well.” Javier pulled her close to his chest.