Contractually Married

Chapter 13: Confrontation and kisses

Rian's POV:

I sighed as I continued walking. I don't want to assume things that I know wouldn't be possible. I take a deep breath and inhale the morning breeze that fills my nostrils.

I looked up and the sun now begins to become visible from my view. I take a sip of my coffee.

"Good morning." I almost stumbled and I choked on my coffee when Alex came to my sight.

"Baby, I'm sorry." he held my shoulders and rubbed them as I cough so hard because of the coffee. 

"Why did you do that?" I glared at him when my breath calmed and punched him in his chest.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you didn't notice me earlier." he took my hand, smiling.

I blushed and took my hand as I continued to walk. That's when I noticed that he was wearing a jogging suit.

"You came from running?" I asked not looking at him.

"Yeah. How about you? What are you doing here in this early in the morning?" suddenly he stopped walking so I also stopped. I turned to look at him only to find him looking at me seriously. "Aren't you afraid that maybe there's another one like that f*****g man walking around here?" 

"Ahmm.. at this early? I mean it's not even seven o'clock. Who on this earth would be drunk like that man last night?" 

"Oh.. baby, we are in California. A city that doesn't sleep. You should be more careful. What if I didn't hear you screaming? What could possibly happen to you? f**k!"

"Hey! It's done. Anyway, thanks. I didn't say thank you yesterday, so thanks for coming on time." 

He sighed.

"Your welcome. Just don't do this next time. Don't walk alone! You can call me or send me a message if you're going to walk alone like this."

"How can I call it alone if I have a companion?" I just muttered to myself.

"Rian! I'm f*****g serious!" 

Huh, he heard me.

"Why are you offering your help now? You're not doing this for the last four years. So, why are you helping me right now?"

I waited for him to answer, but I didn't hear anything. He just sighed.

"It's okay. You don't need to answer, I understand." I take a sip of my coffee.

"No, I can't answer your question. Not now."

I looked at him.

"Why can't you answer right now? Is it a hard question?"

"Drop it, for now, Rian." he said with finality.

"Fine." I huffed and took a sip again. "Coffee, do you want?" I don't know but I offered him my coffee. I am expecting him to decline my offer but to my surprise, he smiled and take my mug from my hand.

"I thought you're not really going to offer me. I'm so thirsty, you know." he said before he brought it to his lips. 

He drink exactly on where my lips touched the mug. I didn't wear any lipstick or lip gloss so there's no trace of my lips on the mug.

I gulped as I saw his lips sip the coffee from the mouth of the mug. 

-'Oh s**t! we've almost kissed.'-

His Adam's apple is moving up and down as he gulped my coffee. I turned my gaze away from his lips and Adam's apple before he could notice me.

"It's taste good. Did you make this?" he asked sipping.

"Yeah. It's just classic. Coffee, sugar and cream." I said with a shrugged. 

When I looked up again, the sunrise shining through my lashes. It's so beautiful. People usually appreciate sunset than sunrise, I love sunrise than sunset. For me, it's a new beginning and symbolizes new hope.

"Thank you." he said smiling while returning me my mug. 

But to my disappointment, the mug is already empty. My eyes widened when I found it.

"Alexander Jonathan! You drank all my coffee!" I shouted his full name unconsciously.

He laughed with his carefree laugh. I'm going to praise him with that laugh if we were just in a different situation. But of all the things that I loved the most... my coffee. He drank all my coffee!

"Oh.. I love how the way you mentioned my full name. How it slips through your tongue." his laughs died and became serious.

"Because you didn't leave me even small amount to sip! You drank it all!" my eyes still in wide as I motion my mug in his face.

"Oh! did I? I thought you're giving all of it." but he just said nonchalantly as if it's not a big deal to me and I will just let it pass.

"Argh! Alex!" I stomped my feet on the sand as I glared at him. I found myself comfortably calling his name.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm just thirsty." he said in between his laughs and put his hands on the air. "Okay, let's go." he suddenly added.

"What--- I mean where?" did I heard him right?"

"Come on, let's go. We're going to buy you a coffee." 

My eyes widened. "No! It's okay. I'll just go back to the hotel and make some refill." 

"Nope, I insist. You're going with me and we were going to buy coffee and something for breakfast." he said taking my hand and starting to walk.

"I - I told you, you don't need to do this." he suddenly stopped and I bumped on his chest as he turned around quickly.

"Sweetheart, if don't want to walk you can tell me. I can carry you myself in any way." my eyes widened again and he smirked.

"Fine!" he just chuckled.

While walking, I looked at our intertwined hands. My small hand perfectly fits on his big hand. It's as if it was moulded perfectly for each other to hold. I smiled inwardly and continue to walk. I noticed him keep on glancing at me while we walk.

"What?" I asked when I caught him once.

He shook his head and just smiled.

"Weird." I muttered to myself but he heard it and turned to me. He didn't say anything. He smiled again.

I found my inside screaming and dancing in excitement. I felt like a teenager who took her hand by his crush for the first time. But in my situation, it's my husband. And it's just my husband taking my hand for the first time in our four years of being married.

We entered the coffee shop we've been on our first day here with my friends.

"What do you want?" he asked turning to me.

"Classic coffee." I shrugged. "As you drank all my coffee." I added rolling my eyes. He chuckled and we walked towards the counter. Everyone's eyes were now on us. I don't care! Mind your own business!

"Two black coffee, please with 2 sugar and 3 cream." he gave his card to the cashier. " How about for your breakfast?" he looked at me again.

"No thanks. I'm fine."

"No. You're going to eat!"

"But I' m-----"

"Or I'll have to feed you myself?" he smirked.

I gasped and glared at him.

-'wow! way to make me obey!'-

"Fine!" I huffed. "2 slices of chocolate cake with raspberry filling."

He smiled and I rolled my eyes.

"2 slices of chocolate cake with raspberry filling for my wife and just give me another slice of it." He ordered but he's not looking at the cashier, he's staring at me.

"You're really a fan of chocolate, are you?" 

"Why? who doesn't love chocolate? It's my favorite flavor." 

"I know." he gets our order and we seated at the nearest corner of the shop. He gave me first my food before he take his own. We're sitting opposite to each other.

"Thanks." I said not giving him a glance. 

I started to slice my cake and savor the frost that is melting inside my mouth. I can help a small moan that escaped on my lips. I noticed him stopped. His spoon also stopped mid-way to his mouth and stared at me intently with his jaw clenched. Then ee dropped it.

"Sorry." I muttered and I continue to shove my cake on my mouth. I unconsciously licked my bottom lip because of the frost left on it when I shove my last bite of cake.

"f**k!" I looked at him, confused and shocked was written on my face.

"Don't do that again!" he narrowed his eyes on me while gripping the poor spoon. His knuckles turned white.

"Do what?" I asked him really confused.

-'What did I do? I can't remember doing anything. I'm just eating. I did sorry for my moan.'-

He sighed. "Nothing. Let's go." he stand up and take his phone from the table.

"But you haven't eaten your food." I bite my lip again as I felt a little embarrassed. I finished my cake on that split of minutes?

"I'm good. Don't worry about me. Just bring your coffee." he waits for me to stand and take my coffee. He takes my hand again and intertwined with his as we walked out of the shop.

We're walking back to where we came from earlier and I noticed him being silent. Is he seriously like this all the time? Being playful and naughty for a while but in a span of seconds become serious and cold? Well, he still holding my hands right now, it's just that he's not talking to me. And it really bothers me for some unknown reason.

"You suddenly became silent, Mr. Smith. Why?" he stopped immediately when he heard my voice. He turned to me.... now smiling.

-'Huh? Seriously? He's smiling again? What the--- bipolar?'-

"I'm just thinking something, Mrs. Smith." he answered smirking.

Now it's my time to become silent. 

In all of God's glory, why did I ever mention his last name? Forgodsake! Why did I forget that it's also my last name?

"Care to share that something?" 

-'Oh... Rian, you're digging your own hole.'-

He smiled. "Someday." was his only answer. 

I just shrugged and didn't force him to speak. I don't want to spoil this small moments that we have. At least for me.

We are now in front of the hotel, walking towards the elevator.

"You don't need to come with me. I can go on my own." I told him while taking my hand from his hold. But he just looked at me and tightened his hold on my hand.

"I know. But I want to do this."

"Okay." I said stepping inside the lift.

"We're going out after this. We're going to buy you a new phone."

My head snapped immediately on his direction.

"And I told you to don't bother yourself. I can buy myself a new phone!"

"And I also told you that I insist!"

"Why are you really doing this? Why do you need to do this?" I asked him the same question that dancing again in my mind.

"You really wanna know the answer?" 

my toes curls in anticipation of what will be his answer.

ding..

The elevator door opened, we stepped out and started to walk in the hallway towards our suite.

"Why, Mr. Smith?" I stopped him by pulling my hand. And because he didn't expect this, I successfully get my hand.

"Do I really need to answer that?"

I can't believe this man! He is such a bipolar!

"Yes-----" my mouth hanged open and stopped what I am about to say when he pushed me to the nearest wall and caged me by his hand on the side of my head and the other is on the side of my waist.

"Because Mrs. Smith, you are my wife! I am your husband! My last name is at the end of your name and we are married four years ago! Is that enough to answer your questions?"

"But four years have passed and you didn't do any of this before, so what's the difference between those past four years and now?" my voice almost became a whisper as I looked into his eyes.

"Because this is what I should've done the first time. To ask you what you need, to ask you if you're okay... to make sure you were okay." I'm not sure if it's sadness the thing I can see in his eyes. 

"But-------"

"And last night, I was scared, Rian! It's my first time to be scared and mad at the same time in my whole life, when I saw you lying on the sand and on top of you was that motherfucker bastard!" he said gritting his teeth and clenching his jaws. 

I gulped. He's scared? He was scared for me? But why? And I remember how he became a madman last night.

"I'm trying to delete that memory. I was scared too." I said looking down on his chest. "But you came and you saved me." I looked up again to see his eyes, but it held a serious expression.

"You promise me from now on... you wouldn't walk alone in any dark areas. Or even walk alone on your on!"

"What? You know, I can't do that!" I pushed him on his shoulders but he didn't budge.

"And why is that?" he narrowed his eyes.

"Walking in the dark areas... yes. But walking alone on my own, my God Alex... I am not a kid anymore. It just happened once and it's because that man was drunk!" 

"No! I am telling you Rian, you will do as I say. It's for your own safety." 

he pulled back himself but he took my hand.

"I think I should hire some bodyguards for you." 

and with that, my eyes really widened. Widened more than saucers.

"No.. No.. No..! You can't do that!" I get my hand and walked past him.

My goodness! It's been four years and I am living on my own without any bodyguards walking behind me or looking what I am doing. And I can't live having them again anymore. That's why I don't want my parents to know what happened. They will surely insist that thing also. And I can't let that to happen. I can protect myself.

"It's just for your own safety, Rian! I am not there 24/7 to protect you in case it will happen again!" I heard him talking behind me. 

-'What did he say? He can't be there for me?-'

I stopped as soon as I realized what he just said. Irritation instantly creeped out my body.

"What did you say?" he also stopped and looked surprised when he heard my voice laced with anger.

"You can't be there for me 24/7? Why? When was the time you've been there for me?"

"Rian, that's not what I mean----"

"No, Alex!" I bitterly laughed. "You're really not there for me for the past four years! For four years of us being married. No one was there to protect me. I tried to live on my own without you in this marriage and in my life! That's why I am asking you, why are you doing this? What is the difference between now and then, for you not to be there for me in those four years? And then you're here now? Claiming me suddenly as your wedded wife?"

"Rian..." he sighed. "I'm here now. I can be your husband you wanted me to be-----"

"Alex, it's not that simple!"

"I know! And I'm sorry." he just take two long steps to get to near me and hold my shoulders. 

"Sorry? Sorry for not being there for me? You don't need to."

"I'm sorry. For not being with you in every possible hour. But I can promise you now, I will be here in every step of your way. I will be here in case you needed me." he looked straight into my eyes.

"Alex..." I looked away. My heart is beating so fast like it just came from a marathon. "I - I don't know what to say." I said shaking my head.

"Then don't. If you're not comfortable talking about this, I won't force you. I just want you to believe me. I can't explain it to you right now. But I promise, when I'm ready to explain this, I will tell you everything. I will explain everything." I tried to find some lies on his eyes but I can't find anything.

I nodded. He now take my hand and we started to walk again. 

"Good. Now let's talk about your bodyguards----"

"No!" I said shaking my head.

"But why don't you want bodyguards? Rian, it's just a guard for your safety."

"I lived my whole life having that freaking guards every day. I finally came to convince my Dad to live on my own with the help of Dani. And when I said living on my own, I don't want anything that comes from my parents... money allowance, foods, house and even bodyguards. I felt like a prisoner having them beside me or even behind me."

"But it's for your safety. And it's not from your parents this time. It's from me, just to make sure your safety."

"Safety." I silently repeat just to myself. "I don't want them.. when one of them almost rape me." it's just a memory I muttered to myself, but my eyes widened in shocked when he tightened his hold in my hand and spin me around to face him.

"What did you say?" he's angry again.

-'my God! When can we arrive to our suite?'-

"It's in the past. And I already forget that." I said trying to calm his tensed shoulder.

"When did that happen?"

"When I was in college, but Dani reported him to the police. That's why he helped me when I said I want to live on my own after I graduated."

"Your parents doesn't know about this?"

"No. I don't want them to know any of it, especially what happened last night. And I am asking you a favor to just keep it to yourself, because for sure when they found out... I will have to suffer again having bodyguards on my side." I sighed.

"I won't let that to happen."

"Thank you." 

"I mean you.. being in danger."

We entered our suite with him behind me. I walked directly to the kitchen to wash my travel mug. But I was shocked when he also stand beside me in the sink.

" What are you doing here? You can stay in the living room or you can go back to your suite."

"Yeah. I just have ahmm.." he swallowed hard.

"You just have what?" I asked facing him.

"Nothing. Forget it." 

"Okay." I said nodding. "I have a question." 

"What is it?" 

I gulped, not so sure if I am going to ask this to him.

"Uhm.. h-how many...?"

""Yes? how many what?" he takes my hand.

-'Should I ask this?'-

"H-How many women h-have you dated.... you know?" I bite my tongue inside and avoid his gaze.

I heard him chuckled.

"Oh, baby.. is that your real question or.. you want to ask how many woman have I just s*x with?"

-'God! this is so embarrassing!'- I gulped again.

"Do you really wanna know the answer?" 

I bite my bottom lip. "No! I'm just...argh! forget it!" 

I shouldn't have asked that.

"How about you? How many men did you----?"

"You're really asking me that?" I cut him off as I felt my cheeks blushed.

"Yes. I just want to know."

My breath hitched. 

-'What if play with him? Hmm..'- I smirked inwardly.

"Is it really important? I mean, is it important to you if you know that I am not-----"

"No!" he said breathlessly. "It's okay. That's not important!" he said turning away his eyes, but his hold slightly tightened.

-'Oh..man and his ego.'- I raised my eyebrow.

"Are you sure that's not really important? You don't want to know how many-----"

"Rian!" he turned to me narrowing his eyes.

-'huh! gotcha!'-

"I told you it's not important!" he raised his voice.

"If it's not important, why are you being mad?"

"I'm not mad! It's just.... let's not talk about this!"

he sounded pissed. I really wanted to laugh.. and that's what I did. 

I laughed. And when you say laugh... it's really a laugh and I need to grip the sink.

"Why are you laughing?" his face turning red.

"I just hope you'd seen your face. It's priceless, my God!" and I laughed again.

"What are you talking about?" 

I swear, if his looks could kill, you can't find me standing right now.

"Jeez, Alex! I'm just kidding! You really dared to ask me that question?" I'm now standing straight and stopped laughing.

"What do you mean you're kidding?"

"I'm kidding... joking! I'm a virgin and I am still a virgin! You really think of me like that? I'm not a slut or a w***e who would open their legs with any man that they pleased. Jeez! I won't do that! When I know I'm still married to you. Maybe if this contract ends." I said not noticing the transition of emotions on his face. From being surprised to narrowing his eyes.

"You're still a virgin."

"Yes!" I proudly said.

" And you played with me!"

"Huh------" I was cut off by his lips. He just takes one step to pulled me to him and put his hand on the back of my neck and the other one is on my lower back. He kissed me! No... he's now kissing me. I felt my knees giving up with my body but he held me still. It took time for me to process what is happening until I found my own lips moving against his lips. I can taste the coffee that he drank earlier. 

My hands automatically lifted up to the back of his neck and to his hair, caressing the softness of it. Electricity and sparks shooting my whole body and it heated me up to the next level. His hand moving up and down my spine to my butt. He bite my bottom lip and pressed tight my butt that causes me to gasped. And that lead him the way to enter his tongue inside my mouth, tasting me and savouring all that is inside. 

A small moan escaped from my lips and he groaned frustratedly. He continue his assaults to my month and pressing me more to his body. I can feel his erection against my core and another moan escaped from me. My lungs are now lacking in air but I can find myself stopping from this kiss... until he pulled ourselves away and put his forehead on mine.

Our hard breathing mixed together. Both our chests were rising up and down due to our heavy breathing.

"My God, Rian! I really need to stop myself right now.. or I swear I'm gonna take you against this counter." he said and pressed his lips on my forehead. I can feel the blush that is creeping now not just on my face but also down to my neck.

He pulled me into a hug and put his chin on top of my head.

"How many men have you been kissed?"

I gasped at his question. My face turned into crimson red by thinking my answer. I sighed and he held my face looking at me.

"It's okay. You don't have to answer that. I don't care."

"No. I-I mean.. I haven't kissed anyone... e-except you." I almost whispered the last two words. 

His eyes widened and his jaws dropped. He looked at me surprised.

"You mean, y-you didn't kissed any----"

"Yes! It's been you who k-kissed me. A-And ever since our wedding, I haven't kissed anyone. See? I'm that naive----"

"No! don't say that!"

"You were my first kiss." I said looking at him.

"I know." he smiled.

"Huh!" I gasped. How did he know----

"I know that I was your first kiss, i-i just can't believe that I'm also your second kiss. I mean.. don't get it wrong. I'm glad... I mean I'm happy that I am the one who took that. Your first and you're second. And I want to be the only one who will be able to do that. I also want to be your last." then he looked at me seriously.

I didn't say anything. The truth is.. I don't know what to say... I'm just looking at him.

"Have you been on any date?" he asked suddenly.

"Yes." I answered quickly.

"Yes?" and his face turned serious again.

"Yes. Cari always setting me up on a blind date, before." I answered nonchaly before I stop myself. His hold tightened, and I just smiled.

Seriously? I can smile in front of him despite of his bloody dark glare?

"From now on, your also not going on a date with any man! Blind date and any kind of date especially with a man. Do you understand?" 

"But how about my friends? How about my sun-date with Gavi----"

"And most especially not with that Gavin!"

"No! He's my bestfriend!" my eyes widened.

This man is so impossible.

"I don't care whether he is your bestfriend or whoever he is in your life! I said you're not going out with him, alone!"

I raised my eyebrow. Yeah. Of course, he didn't know who is Gavin.

"You said alone.. so that means I can still go out with him if we are in a group?" I smiled inwardly.

"But no pairings!"

"What?" I asked him in disbelief. "You're impossible, you know that?" I walked to the other side of the table.

"That I am!"

"Oh God! You're just jealous with Gavin!" I shouted subconsciously... it's too late to take it back. I looked at him not so sure what was the written emotion in my eyes.

He laughed.. not the kind of happy laugh but a warning laugh.

"Oh, sweetheart.. yes I am! I'm jealous with him every time he touches you!"

My heart stopped its beat. Am I really hearing this?

"He's just my bestfriend!" I don't know why I have to tell him this repeatedly. But of course, Gavin's secret will be safe with me even from Alex.

"Yeah. And your bestfriend always that touchy when it comes to you!"

"Huh! Alex, can you hear what you're saying?"

"Yes. And I have all the rights because you're my wife! And from now on, even if I have to prove to the world that you're mine, I will do that. You're mine, Rian! Four years ago and until now!"

"You're crazy!"

"Yeah.. and I want to show you how crazy I am right now... sweetheart!" my eyes turned wide when he started to walk towards me.

I am about to scream when someone did it for me.

"Hey, hey! You two .. couple! You're seriously want to do that in the kitchen? My God!" I blushed hard as I heard Cari's voice with Ryan on her back... laughing.

How did I not notice that the front door opened? And how long they've been listening to our conversation? My face really turned in a tomato red. And I squealed when I was pulled back into a hard chest of Alex. He's now also chuckling as hugged me from behind.

"Mind your own world!" he just only said before he spins me around to face him. "Gotcha!" he said smiling.

I rolled my eyes.

"As what I was saying, I want to show you how crazy I am." he said smiling like a maniac before capturing my lips again. But this time, in a sweet and passionate kiss.

"Jeez!" I heard Cari muttered before they disappeared from the kitchen, but I didn't have time to look at her because Alex held my face to steady me from moving. 

I respond to his kiss with a smile on my lips. Silently hoping that this would be our start. I still have questions to ask, but that could wait. And I don't want this moment to ruined by that.w