Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Zed and I decided to leave after breakfast. We dined in a small, native cottage along the shore, facing the sea. The view was breathtaking and I felt so awed by the rolling waves’ tiny ripples that glittered against the morning sunlight. Every time I had the chance of communicating with nature, I always basked in such a wonderful feeling that I could never put into words.

“How’s your day yesterday with Mr. Mori?” Zed’s voice floated in my ears

I looked at him, trying to see hints of jealousy but there was none.

“Mr. Kim’s time is gold. He decided to make the trip while discussing business matters with me. He thought he could send me back through his personal driver, but the car’s engine acted out.”

“You have already told me about that. There's no problem with that. What I mean is his wife’s betrayal.”

“I really don’t know. It’s such a personal matter that I couldn’t dare to ask.”

I took a sip of my hot chocolate while waiting for Zed’s comment. He was chewing his food gracefully that I couldn’t help admiring his looks. I was so lucky to have found a husband as handsome and talented as him, but sadly, he didn’t possess my preference. Zed looked soft and fragile while Kim was oozing with rich masculinity.

“Of course.”

“Zed, should I tell Ara about Tim’s betrayal? She’s pregnant and I don’t want her to be unhappy while the baby is inside her.”

“If you won’t tell her, she would feel fooled and betrayed later. But if you don’t, you’ll save her from grief and she could have a happy and healthy pregnancy. The mother’s well-being is more important.”

“You’re right.”

“How’s the job offer? Are you willing to resign from your current post and move on to Mr. Mori’s company?”

I took another sip from my cup and I glanced at Kim above the rim. His expression was always gentle and affectionate.

“What do you think, Zed? The rate is much higher and the scope is much more extensive. But I’ll always be away, although Mr. Kim would let me handle the branches in Asia only.”

“Anything that brings more learning and exposure is much better.”

“Really, Zed. Is it alright to be away?” I felt so lucky to have him as my husband. He never argued with me in anything.

“Of course, dear. I can accompany you in your travels if your pregnancy becomes heavy already.”

I leaned and hugged him sideways, grateful for his being understanding. I knew that many wives are struggling with the willfulness of their husbands.

“Take a bath now and change,” Zed said. I looked up from his chest and he rubbed the back of my head.

“Why?” he asked, wondering what made me look hesitant.

“I didn’t bring any clothes. Mr. Mori orders this pair of suits last night,” I said, pulling out the fabric of my blouse.

“I brought a few fairs with me. It’s in my bag.”

I planted a kiss on his chin, grateful for his thoughtfulness. Not all husbands were like him. He didn't even react when I told him that Mr. Mori bought a pair of scrub suit for me.

“Okay, let’s go, so that we could go resort hopping.”

“Really? Are you free?” I smiled like a child who just received a piece of a lollipop.

“I cleared my schedule today so I could spend it with you.”

Zed was one of the highly-paid motivational speakers of the country, so his schedule was always full. Aside from that, he started to open two branches of coffee shops as his side business. Sometimes, when he did one-on-one counseling, he would always bring them to his place. Some companies even booked the whole coffee shop for weekend seminars. And those who were on multi-level marketing who had attended his seminars tended to patronize his business. They also met their clients in the shop.

So, this was a huge advantage to Zed's business. He would have wanted me to resign from my work and assist him in the business. He always had the mindset that doing business is non-comparable to employment. One can be the boss of his time and resources just as a captain to a ship. Yet, I didn't want my profession to become idle. Somehow, Zed understood. He always tried to understand me in every way.

“Here’s your ritual bottles,” Zed said as he pulled out all my things from a small suitcase.

I laughed. Men couldn’t always understand women’s routines from facial wash to toners; then to serum and creams.

“And some clothes.”

I giggled as I saw a maxi dress and other beach attire. I never needed them all today. Why did he trouble himself?

“I didn’t know what you like for today, so I might as well let you choose.”

Since we were already married, I took off my pair of scrub suits in front of him. I even removed my lingerie. Before I could slide off my panties from my feet, he grabbed my waist and pulled me close to him. He began to rub my slit and even inserted a finger inside.

“Can I kiss this?” he said, and I didn’t answer. There he was again, skipping the foreplay.

He picked me up and placed me on the bed in a supine position. Then he folded my knees and planted both my soles on the bed. He then separated my legs and dove into my feminine paradise again, exploring its contour with his tongue. I tossed in pleasure but my nipples ached, begging for his touch.

Soon, he sucked my protruding clit hungrily and before I could burst into an orgasm, he trembled against my thighs and he suddenly held his limping shaft.

I stood up to look at him. And I felt frustrated that it was already limping after squirting a generous amount of fluid on his thighs.

“Zed, I want you inside me. Can we do it again?”

He didn’t answer me. He hovered over me and suddenly clamped his lips on my right nipple. I felt like being smoldered and I pushed him away. That move instantly turned me off. He didn’t listen but instead moved over my left nipple. He even sucked hard. I squirmed in discomfort that I wanted to kick him away, but I remembered that it was my duty to serve him.

When he finally got up, I looked at his rod. And I frowned when I saw that it was still the same, uncontracted size. Did it mean that fondling my breasts wouldn’t give him a hard-on?

“I’m sorry, I’m a bit tired,” he said, seeing my disgust.

“It’s alright. We have a whole lifetime to do it.” I sighed. Zed didn’t have a good sleep last night and the trip was exhausting. I felt guilty.

“But we can’t while you are pregnant. We don’t want to harm the baby.”

“But Zed, it’s alright. I just had an ultrasound and the doctor said the baby is in a safe position.”

I hoped that this pregnancy didn’t scare him. We only had one full sex before I conceived. And I wanted more. We were newly-wed, and I wanted to enjoy my married life before the baby would take most of my time away

“It’s still better to do safety measures,” he replied.

He pulled a few sheets of wet wipes from his bag, then began cleaning me.

What kind of a man he was? Don’t all men like sex?