The Wicked Mrs. Gastrell (English version)

Flashback

I threw myself on the bed after taking off my high heels. My body was so tired.  I closed my eyes and buried my face in the soft pillow. We just finished dinner with Cholo’s family. There was Donya Teodora “Catharine” Gastrell who was still staring at me and her father, Don Easton Gastrell, who treated me and Cholo coldly. A few female cousins ​​were also there who insulted me all night.

It’s not enough that they skin me alive with the way they ask. Fortunately, Cholo is always there for me. There are the questions that I don’t have answers to.

I didn’t even touch the food on my plate so much. I didn’t know what it was called so when we left the mansion, Cholo took me to a restaurant. I really appreciate it because he’s so thoughtful.

I got up when the door opened and Cholo came in rubbing his hair with a towel. He has no top and is wearing only a cotton pajama bottom.

“Hi. Are you not going to wash up?”

I sat up when I saw him open a cabinet and take out a T-shirt. I looked around the room. I just realized that it was his room where I spent the night. I thought it was a guest room. That’s why the designs are masculine.

I immediately got off the bed and took the bag under it. It’s good that I haven’t put it in the closet yet.

“You didn’t say it’s your room. I’m sorry. It looks like I grabbed yours without even knowing. I’ll just ask Deling where I can sleep.”

I carried the bag and headed for the door.

“Silly. You can put your things in the closet now.”

He walked over to me and took the bag. “Karina, we need to share a room now because we are married already.”

He opened the bag and piled my scanty piece of clothing next to his clothes. He picked up a pouch containing my panties and bra. My cheek went hot as I grabbed it when he was about to open it.

“But we’re not really married.”

He shrugged then crossed the distance between us. He raised his palm to my face and rubbed something on the side of my mouth. I wasn’t able to move. The corner of his mouth raised as he showed me his finger stained with red lipstick.

“You have a smudge.”

I didn’t know what to do so I just did the first thing that came to my mind. I quickly turned around and entered the bathroom. His soft laughter reached my ears. My throat was so dry and I was gasping for breath as I leaned against the door and stared at myself in the mirror.

It didn’t seem like I was the one staring back at me. This creature in front of me is very beautiful. The make-up is perfect and the dress is lovely. Cholo even sent a designer and make-up artist here earlier to fix me up.

I took a deep breath and started to shower. I usually only take a half-bath before going to bed, but it’s embarrassing if I don’t do my hair now that I’m in the same room with him.

When I finished, I wrapped the towel over my head, put on my robe and underwear, then went out. Cholo is gone. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I got dressed and blow dried my hair then laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling to think back on what had happened all night. I wonder if I did a good job pretending to be Cholo’s wife. His cousins ​​seem convinced. They are really the only ones we have to convince because Cholo’s parents know the truth. They just avoid other family members knowing our real set-up because of politics. According to Cholo, there is no friend or family member among them when it comes to politics.

I was startled when the door opened and Cholo came in carrying a lot of pillows. I sat on the bed and looked at him as he placed two pillows each on top of the pillows on the bed. He then laid down and patted the adjacent space.

“Let’s sleep.”

I didn’t move and just looked away. In my mind, I have asked several times if we can really sleep next to each other now. There is excitement and also fear of what might happen.

“Come on. I won’t do anything to you. Don’t be scared. We’ll just sleep,” he promised with a laugh.

Both of my cheeks went hot. I knew where he was going, so to lift myself up, I immediately lay on my side and buried my face in the pillow.

I heard his soft laugh and the sound of the bed moving as he moved towards me. I stiffened when I felt his hand on my shoulder.

“You wear a bra while sleeping?”

He pulled my bra strap down and caressed my exposed shoulder. I swallowed and closed my eyes tightly before getting up and removing the bra with one hand and hang it on the side table. Fortunately, my newest bra that I bought last year was the one I wore today. I don’t think it’s too loose so it looks good.

“I just forgot,” I replied briefly and didn’t look at him as I went back to lying on my back but he quickly pulled me towards his body so now my eyes are on each other, our faces are only a few inches away from each other. I moved away a little to put a right distance between us and then I closed my eyes to get rid of the discomfort I’m feeling.

“Don’t be too uncomfortable. I was just teasing you. I won’t do anything you won’t like.”

Cholo yawned then lay down and put his arm on his forehead.

“It’s hot here. Is it okay if I turn up the air conditioner?”

I hesitated whether to stop him or not. In the end I shook my head.

“I’m not used to cold places. I can’t sleep here. It’s okay if I’ll sleep outside.”

I was about to get up when he stopped my hand again.

“No need. It’s not like I can’t sleep in this temperature. I’ll just take off my shirt.”

I looked away when he took off his t-shirt and just threw it on the floor. He also turned off the lamp shade so the surroundings are now in pure darkness.

“Is it okay if the lights are off? I really can’t sleep when the lights are on.”

I nodded even though I knew he couldn’t see me. “It’s okay. We’re the same.”

Silence reigned for a few minutes before my coughing broke it.

“Sorry. It’s just really cold.”

I pulled the blanket up to my neck and closed my eyes. It’s still cold and it’s raining outside. I heard the weather forecast on television earlier that there is a typhoon coming.

I felt Cholo’s embrace in the blanket and his warm arms around me. He adjusted my head so that I could be closer to his body then rubbed my back.

“Better?” he asked hoarsely.

“Y-yes. Thank you.”

I couldn’t stop myself anymore when I’m covered with his comfortable heat. I put aside my doubts and snuggled myself into his chest. I felt so relieved that I couldn’t help but let out a deep breath that was not hidden from both of us.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He laughed and kissed my hair. I close my eyes. It was good that I thought about taking a shower. I secretly sniffed Cholo with excitement. Smells clean. The flavor smells like bubblegum mint.

“Thank you,” he said.

“What for?”

“For agreeing to my plans. I know that you have doubts and fears but you trusted me for your time. Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I’m already paid.”

He gently held my ear and played it with his fingers.

“No, sweetie. I am more than indebted to you. It is easy to pay money Karina but it is very difficult to find someone who will give you trust. I felt that in you. Thank you.”

I was silent. How can I tell him that I’ve loved him for so long that it’s so easy for me to trust him? Every time I spend with him is like heaven because it was just a dream of mine before and now it has become my reality.

“You’re not hard to trust, Cholo. Even if you’re a bit clumsy at times and you judge people easily without knowing first what’s true, I know you’re a good person. I can feel it. You make me feel that until the end, I trust you.”

“About that, I’m sorry again.”

“I forgave you a long time ago. It’s nothing. Let’s move on from that.”

He moved to make our position more comfortable.

“You’re so innocent and too kind, Karina. You should be careful. Not all people are kind. You will meet people who will take advantage of you like Missy and I. I took advantage of your weakness. Whatever you say, I would like to make a proposal to you.”

Full of curiosity, I looked up at Cholo’s face in the middle of the darkness.

“What is that?”

“I will give you a scholarship. I will send you to school .”

I was surprised to hear it. I never thought that someone like him would offer me this much. I thought our relationship would only be pretend and it would end at that.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to do that anymore. I’m so grateful for the help you gave me.”

His hand went down to my arm and caressed it.

“Look, Karina. It’s not like it will come from my own pocket. I will just refer you to an organization that gives scholarships to deserving students. You will still go through a series of tests and interviews so you won’t have to worry about any debt to me or my family. Think about it as just a referral coming from the person who’s so grateful for your help. By the way, what degree do you want to take?”

I wasn’t too focused on what he was saying because I was more focused on his hand that was already on my waist.

“Nursing. I want to take Nursing.”

“Hmmm. I think I know why. For your father?”

I nodded. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. He still remembered my reason.

“Yes. They need me, Cholo. I promised them and myself that when I make a decision in life, I will make their welfare my top priority. I will do everything for them because they are the only ones  I have.”

He hugged me tighter and dropped a kiss on my head.

“You’re amazing. You’re a selfless woman who always thinks about others more than herself.” He yawned.

“Let’s go to sleep,” I suggested when he yawned again.

“Yeah. We should sleep now. Uhm, Karina?”

“Why?”

“Wake me up when these sinful hands of mine wriggle.”

“Huh?” I am puzzled by him. What is he talking about? What does he mean? I was about to ask him when I heard his soft snoring in my ear.

I smiled secretly and relaxed in his embrace. I’ll think about tomorrow. I will address my concerns tomorrow.

For now, this moment is mine.

By twelve midnight, I only understood what Cholo meant. I woke up because of a hand touching my ear. I was a bit tickled so I moved my ear away from it but when it stuck to me again and returned his hand, I just let it him.

I fell into his chest and went back to sleep, wishing that things would go well today.