The Painful Forever (Unhappy Wives Series #1)

Chapter 2: Now

I am wearing a light blue maxi dress as I put make up on my face in front of the mirror. Putting on the right amount of tint on my cheeks and a generous amount of the nude lipstick on my lips, I smiled at myself, contented.

“You look gorgeous,” Ice said as he peeped on the door. He leaned on the door frame and stared at me from head-to-toe.

He’s already dressed up. He’s wearing a gray three-piece suit and a light blue tie to match with my outfit. His hair is in its perfect style—that effortlessly attractive messy hair that he always have. I could only sigh.

I turned to him and smiled. However his brows furrowed when he looked at my left leg. I looked at it and bit my lip. Oops!

Ice took a deep breath and pursed his lips when he saw the high slit on the left side of my dress. He was never a fan of me wearing clothes that show a lot of skin. Although, he can tolerate better now that we are married.

He walked closer to me and ran a finger on my exposed thigh. “Baby, do you plan on seducing me all night?” he asked in a husky voice.

I giggled. “Are you seduced, Dr. Gonzalez?” I asked back, teasing him.

He stared at me in disbelief. His brows are still furrowed and his forehead is creased. His gray eyes are already saying that he’s not liking my teasing that much.

I stepped forward and traced my index finger on his shoulder, down to his chest. He chuckled lowly and brushed his nose on my ear. “Hmmm…we don’t have enough time, Lily. Don’t tempt me…”

I raised my brow at him and smiled wickedly. “Are you tempted?”

He narrowed his eyes at me but I can see that he is preventing a smile to break out of his lips. “Please…” he mumbled before cupping my face.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him closer to me. His manly scent is so addicting. I love his perfume so much.

I closed my eyes and connected our lips in a swift kiss, only to tempt him even more because I like it when he’s about to lose his patience on me.

He groaned and intently gazed at me. “Baby, I already told you to stop tempting me or we’ll be late for your family reunion…” he said huskily as he grabbed my exposed thigh. “This dress is going to be the thing I would hate the most the whole night…”

I giggled and kissed his jaw.

His hand suddenly roamed towards my inner thigh. I bit my lip and stared at him. He looked at me with a drunk stare. He slowly brushed the middle of my thigh making me let out a moan.

“Already wet?” he asked as he caressed the top of my lacey panties.

I gripped on his coat.

“Baby, I’ve barely even touched you…” he whispered again, trying to bother my internal turmoil again. He chuckled on my ear. “Three years have passed and you’re still this…”

I gasped when he drew circles on my core. “Hmmm…” I couldn’t help but shut my eyes. Yes, three years has passed and I’m still this needy. He still makes me…like this.

Three years with Ice had made me realize how happy it is to be in love. The feeling of someone always being there for you. The feeling of having someone to talk to about everything under the sun. The feeling of waking up for someone. It’s nice. And I’ve never felt so nice about this. I have never felt so nice about myself. And my life.

Ice leaned down and kissed me hard, deep and passionately. I welcomed him willingly and let him take over my cavern. three years and my heart is still beating so fast whenever he kisses me like this. Nothing has changed.

I hope nothing will change.

He broke the kiss and connected out foreheads. Drunk and dizzy from his kisses, I cupped his face. “I love you,” I told him.

He smiled widely and kissed the bridge of my nose. “Oh, baby, I love you, too.”

***

The family house was filled with lights. In the garden, there were round tables and a catering. Japanese lamps were placed on the center of each table making it look more like a decoration than a lighting. Wires of fairy hung on top of the whole garden, going to the pool. It’s picturesque and Instagramable.

I have always wondered about how the De Leon clan will stage a family reunion. I thought it will just be simple and intimate since we all agreed to celebrate it in our family house in Rizal but seeing how the place is well-lit and well-decorated, I must have underestimated my mother’s description of simple.

Ice slipped his fingers on mine as we walked towards the garden where everyone is having fun. There was a live acoustic band, singing some songs from the 1980’s.

“Lily!” Jirah welcomed us. She’s wearing a nude body con dress and a pair of red pumps. Her hair is tied highly revealing his rounded face shape.

Jirah is holding a glass filled with wine on her hand as she smiled at me, and then at Ice. “We’ve been waiting for you!” she beamed as she held my elbow and directed us towards her table with the rest of our cousins.

I wanted to tell her that I needed to satisfy my needy husband for about half an hour that’s why we got a little late but she’d only tease for that.

“Ice, dude!” Cohen, my cousin and Jirah’s older brother, called Ice. He’s wearing a blue button down shirt and a pair of black slacks. His black coat is lying on the back rest of his chair.

Ice nodded at him and reached his hand out for a fist bump. “Cohen,” he said before pulling a chair for me and assisting me to sit. He took the chair beside me and automatically rested his arm on top of the back rest of my chair.

“Lily, you look glowing…” Athena, Cohen and Jirah’s younger sister, beamed. She’s wearing an immaculate white flowy dress. Her hair is already beautifully curly but tonight, it was perfect and it goes all the way towards her chest making her look like a Greek goddess. 

Athena and Jirah look alike but Athena’s face look more angelic. Jirah’s face could speak for her personality—naughty and loud. Their difference in fashion taste is also a giveaway. They’re too similar but also too opposite.

Cohen, on the other hand, is a playboy. His boyish grin and playful eyes say it all. His brows are thick making his gaze look intense…and I guess, that’s what girls fall for when it comes to him. He is tall, lean and muscular.

I smiled at Athena. “Thanks, Athena! You look good, as well. How’s your school?” I asked.

She smiled shyly. “Fine,” she replied. “Although I didn’t believe college is this nerve-wrecking. And the guys are…”

“What guys?” Cohen interjected.

Ice laughed at my cousin. Cohen might be a playboy but he’s overprotective when it comes to his siblings. He was also protective before for me.

“Athena, I am telling you. Do not get a boyfriend yet! You’re only eighteen!” Cohen warned Athena.

Athena rolled her eyes at her brother. “I’m already legal!”

Cohen angrily looked at her. “You’re just eighteen!” he insisted.

Jirah just shook her head. She knows that no one could beat Cohen when he is on his protective brother mode.

Ice leaned close to me making me look at him. “I think we should greet your parents first…” he whispered before planting a kiss on my shoulder.

I looked at the noisy elders and saw my parents laughing with all of them. They must have missed each other because it has been ten years since we had a huge and complete family reunion like this. It is actually hard for us to organize a family reunion because of the hectic schedules.

My mom’s parents are in Australia with my two other aunts and their respective families. They are always busy with their businesses and jobs making them very unavailable.

The planning for this reunion started last year. It has been a long-time plan so they made sure that everyone would clear their schedules for this.

I smiled at Ice and nodded. I looked at my cousins who are still bickering over Athena having a boyfriend and told them that we’ll just greet our parents.

Ice took my hand as we walked towards the elderlies table. They are all smiling widely when they saw us walking towards them.

“Analilia!” Mom called me and immediately kissed my cheek. “Isaiah!” she hugged him as well.

Dad smiled at me and kissed my forehead. “You look beautiful, Lily…” he said.

I chuckled. “Dad, you’re not so bad yourself…” I teased.

He laughed and then went on to greet Ice.

Mom is wearing a red silky gown while her hair is straightened down. She’s looking so happy and young these days. Dad is wearing a black suit with a red neck tie that matches Mom’s outfit. He’s looking healthy now and that makes me happy.

Last year, he had a transient ischemic attack and we’ve been advised to monitor his health regularly so he wouldn’t suffer from stroke. He’s been eating and living healthy ever since. He also lessened his days at work so he wouldn’t be so stressed.

“My daughter is here!” Mom beamed, as if nobody knew we’re already here. “She’s with her very handsome husband!”

Ice chuckled and pulled my waist. “You don’t have to say that, Ma,” he told Mom who just hushed him.

“What? You’re handsome and you’re her husband…” she reasoned out.

I shook my head and started greeting my aunts and uncles. Aunt Hera, the mother of Jirah, Cohen and Athena, smiled at me before pulling me into a hug. “You’ve grown well, huh?” she asked. “I’m sorry I couldn’t attend your wedding. But my kids are there, aren’t they?”

I chuckled and nodded. “It’s okay, Aunt Hera,” I told her. “The three already did the RSVP for you.”

Aunt Hera and her husband Uncle Christopher are based in Australia. Uncle Christopher owns some franchises of a fast food chain there that he has to manage. Their children, Jirah, Cohen and Athena, are studying college here.

“Dulce Analilia!” Aunt Eureka called me.

I smiled at her and gave her a hug. “I miss you, Aunt Eureka!” I told her.

Like Aunt Hera, she is also based in Australia with her husband, Uncle Archibald. They own a local clothing line in Sydney. They have a child who’s still a nine-month old baby, Gareth Ashton.

Aunt Eureka kissed my cheek.

“Where’s Gareth?” I asked her.

She chuckled. “He’s sleeping in the bedroom with his nanny.”

I frowned. I haven’t seen him in person. I only see him on pictures Aunt Eureka sends to our group. Gareth looked like Uncle Arch with his tall nose and round eyes.

“You can make a baby of your own, Lily!” she told me and motioned Ice who was busy talking to my father and uncles.

I blushed. Honestly, I don’t know about babies. Sometimes, the idea of expanding our family comes to mind especially when we are watching some random cute babies on TV but I don’t really know. I guess we’re not really ready yet.

Ice looked at me and excused himself from the elderlies. He walked towards me and pulled me by the waist. “Let’s go to your grandparents?” he asked.

I smiled and nodded. Aunt Eureka was watching us really intently before nodding and motioning us to walk towards Nana and Tata.

“Lily, Ice!” Nana smiled. She’s already on a wheelchair because she couldn’t walk anymore. Tata was sitting beside her, also looking weaker than the last time I saw him.

I crouched and kissed both Nana and Tata’s cheeks. “I miss you, Nana, Tata,” I told them.

Nana smiled and hugged me tight. “You should visit us in Sydney, Lily,” she said as she looked at Ice. “You’re looking so handsome, Isaiah. Are you well?”

Ice took Nana’s hand and kissed the back of it. “I’m good, Nana. How about you and Tata?”

Nana and Tata like Ice so much. Sometimes, when they come home, Ice and I would tour them around Tagaytay or Laguna and they love it. They always compliment Ice. Sometimes, I believe they love him more as a grandson than me.

Tata chuckled. “We’re getting old, Isaiah. Can we request a great grandchild from you and our Lilia?” he asked, suggestively.

Ice laughed and then looked at me dearly. “We’ll work on that, Tata.”

I bit my lip and blushed so hard. We always talk about kids but never really planned on when to have one. But this time, Ice is looking at me like he really wants one. And it kind of makes me feel like I want to be a mother, too.

Nana giggled. “We’ll wait patiently, Isaiah…” she winked. “But do not make us wait for long!”

The three of them laughed and I couldn’t do anything but to just laugh with them. They are all so happy talking about grandchildren.

“Dulce Analilia?”

A familiar voice called me from behind. I immediately looked behind and saw my beautiful aunt, the youngest of the Quatro Marias, Paulina Joriah de Leon. She looked so good in her long black halter dress. Her dangling diamond earrings scream elegance and sophistication.

“Aunt Paulina!” I beamed and ran to hug her. “It’s been so long!”

She laughed and nodded. “I know! I’m sorry I missed your wedding…” she frowned.

I shook my head. “It’s okay, Aunt Paulina. I know you were busy with work in New York.”

She smiled and started to talk about stories about New York and her apartment in there. I missed her. She and Aunt Eureka were always there for me when I was young. They treated me like a Barbie doll and dressed me up often.

But then Aunt Paulina entered med school and then got a scholarship to New York for her specialty so she had to leave.

“Lily…” Ice’s voice enveloped my ears. His hand found the small of my back and stood  beside me.

Aunt Paulina looked at Ice and smiled. “The husband is here…” she giggled. She immediately let out her hand for a shake. “I’m Paulina, Lily’s aunt. You must be Isaiah…”

Isaiah stared at Aunt Paulina’s hand for a few moments before taking it for shake. “Yes. Isaiah Zachary Gonzalez, Lily’s husband…”