You’re Still My Man – English

GINA

After a few hours in the hospital, they now arrived at Maryam’s place, but she didn’t think they could catch up with the reception. The whole area was quiet and the only thing they could hear was the instrumental music coming from the house of Maryam.

“This day is really weird.” Ace said softly but she heard it.

She was just following Ace as he entered Maryam’s house, but she bumped his back because he suddenly stopped. She looked in which direction Ace was looking and saw Maryam and Judge Soler dancing in her spacious living room. They were in each other’s arms and swaying a little to the sweet music. Even the paper will be stuck in the closeness of their bodies.

“We’d better just leave.” She whispered to Ace.

When the two noticed them, the Judge immediately separated from Maryam.

“Finally you’re here, too. Come in. Come in.” Maryam invited them.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“About an hour ago your guests left.” said Maryam who was still blushing. “Tell us everything. We’re dying to know.”

“Oh, Maryam, it was a beautiful experience and–”

“It’s comforting,” Ace added.

“He’s right,” she smiled at her. “They named the child Carlisle dela Cruz and he’s really cute.”

“You can tell us more while you eat, I’ll have a couple of dinner plates fixed for you. You can also rest here first, afterwards.”

They also stayed at Maryam’s house for an hour, enjoying the company and the music, and they just handed out the garter and bouquet to the two remaining guests. Then they said goodbye to Maryam so that they could rest at the hotel where Payton and Janice reserved them as a gift for their wedding.

When they arrived at the said hotel, a receptionist also escorted them to their suite. Ace immediately opened their suite when they arrived there. But the only thing she didn’t expect was Ace suddenly lifted her. “It’s traditional, to keep away from evil spirits.” He said, but she knew it was another one of what Ace had read in the bride magazine.

She just took advantage of that opportunity, she laid her head on Ace shoulder as she enjoyed the moment he was carrying her. She knew that as soon as the door was closed, their pretension would end.

She rolled her eyes in the large room. The suite was sumptuously decorated, invitingly warm and private, especially that they can see the view of Manila Bay that would be spectacular on a clear night.

Ace also dropped her off, while the receptionist continued to follow them to give them instructions. After giving instructions, the receptionist also left immediately.

When they finally closed the door of the honeymoon suite, silence enveloped them. She just went to the closet so she could change her clothes. But when she opened it, she was amazed at what she saw. Maybe Ace was curious about her reaction so he also looked at it.

“I don’t plan these.” She said defensively.

Because their closet is full of black & red lingerie and boxer shorts.

“As if it wasn’t Janice who reserved our suite, If I’m not mistaken maybe Maryam was the one who planned it.” She added. “Maryam also knows that red is my favorite color.”

He frowned at her. “It’s so obvious that red is your favorite color.”

“Maryam really asked me what my favorite color is.” She said.

Gina searched the closet again so she might find a decent night gown there. But no, as in she doesn’t have anything decent to wear. She noticed that there was a note on the wall of the closet, so she took it and read it.

Shame on you, Gina. This is your first wedding night, not your fiftieth anniversary. I threw away your old-fashioned night gowns. With this, you’ll thank me in the morning.

– Maryam

She turned to Ace now, at the same time reaching for what Maryam had written. “Read here, so you know whose plan is that. My goodness! We don’t have any clothes to change,” she said. “What if, I’ll just wear this red see-through nightie or this lacy–”

“Wear this one, Gina.” Ace said, then proceeded to unbutton the garment he offered.

—–

ACE

“Wait a minute, Ace.” Gina said as she glanced at the big bed. “I still can’t sleep. After all that happened today, I don’t think I can sleep.”

He hesitated at first, then he tipped her chin up with his finger. “You’re just tired. I know how much effort you’ve prepared for this day, don’t deny it because Janice told me.”

“I’m not tired, I’m wide-awake, Ace.” She protested.

“You’re running out of adrenaline and you’re going to tell me now that you’re not tired? We’re the two of us here Gina, so we don’t have to pretend in front of other people. Let yourself unwind, sweetie. Let’s take a bath first.” Then he continued to take off his top and handed it to Gina.

“Just sleep well tonight, so that tomorrow you will be refreshed. You look like Sadako.”

GINA

She quickly accepted Ace’s shirt and immediately averted her eyes so that she could not stare at his seductive half-naked body.

“You praised me at the wedding earlier and then you just told me that I look like Sadako.” She said, annoyed.

“You know, that’s what I missed you Gina, to tease you.” Ace said.

“You really don’t have any sweet bones in your body, huh?”

“I can be sweet to you, but in front of other people.” Ace replied.

Ouch! It hurts!

Then he smiled at her “Be true to yourself Gina, we’re the only two here.”

It takes so long before she could answer. “I know our relationship is not normal, Ace. But circumstances can change that.”

“I know. But that’s going to be a hot debate.” he said, and went into the bathroom first. Until she heard the rush of water from the bathroom, but soon Ace came out immediately.

“Wait there Gina, I’m still filling the tub.”

Ace passed in front of her and without saying a word he turned off the light. She would have reacted, but when he lit a candle on their dinner table, she was stunned.

“Would you like to drink champagne?”

She just nodded in response.

She thought about what Ace had told her earlier. That she will be true to herself.

Why did Ace say that to her? She asked herself confused.

After all, Ace was the one who has to be true to himself between the two of them. Because honestly, she doesn’t know her husband very well, because she only knows limited information about him.

While waiting for the tub to fill, the two of them were entertained by watching the city lights while drinking champagne. Ace talked constantly, and she kept eyeing him curiously.

After a while he left her, and she heard the water stop, then the sound of the whirlpool bubbling followed. She was excited by what she heard, so she immediately followed her husband there.

She was just amazed when she entered the bathroom and was greeted by the beautiful set-up there with matching candle lights and flower petals scattered on the floor.

Ace turned to her and his smile is very genuine.

“Thank you for choosing my beautiful bouquet, which I really appreciate. As well as your inspiring message. I’m sorry if I got mad at you last night at the rehearsal.”

“Why are you mad at me last night? Is it because I didn’t continue to give you the gift?” Ace teased her again. “I could still give you a gift. If you want, the most personal one.”

*****