Their Meeting (12)

Fem didn't react at those words she just heard. As for now, her focus was how to resolve her issue with her father. She needed to clear things first before she could enjoy this loving embrace she is entrapped right now.

"I didn't hear you tell your cousin that we're together." He pinched her nose.

"Mr. Arevalo, are you even thinking? Do you want me to call him back and tell that we're actually together?" She looked up to his towering face with widened eyes at his hawk like eyes which were looking down on her like one ready to devour its prey.

"It's okay. I'm just curious why you didn't mention to him about us." He pursed his lips.

She heaved a sigh and pulled herself away from his embrace. " I don't want him to think that I'm playing biased. Atleast, let him feel that he has same chance as you. Unless you want him to think that you took advantage of your status."

"Oh! " Mark was taken aback. He lightly knocked his forehead. Of course! Why did he not think about that? He was suppose to play by the rules. He was glad that this woman grasped the whole picture of the situation. She's really exceptional!

"You know what Fem? I always lose my mind everytime I'm with you. You always make me like an idiot." He said pulling her back by her waist.

"Ugh! What do you mean? Am I a bad influence to you? Or are you intimidated by me? Ha ha, silly cop!" She knocked his head.

"Not a bad influence. I'm glad to be an idiot before you as long as I'm with you like this." He said squeezing her waist tighter.

"Mark!" She was tickled that she jumped up from being sitted on the bench.

"I didn't know you're ticklish there..hmmmm! " He said smiling, amused at her sight. She looked like one who was betrayed.

She fished at her phone from her pocket to look at the time. It was almost five o'clock in the afternoon. The sun was starting to send orange rays and the sea reflected different shades of warm colors. It was so nice and beautiful to look at. It was so perfect to capture for some scenery collection. She remembered her masterpiece sketch. The only things lacking were the hills and her dream house.

"It's already five Mark, shall we go? " She suggested withdrawing her gaze from the view.

"What? Where to?" He raised his eyebrows liken he didn't catch what she was trying to say.

"Go back home. What? I need to be home before six. I told Bryan already." She said standing infront of him blocking his line of sight which was focused on a couple doing lovey-dovey things not far from them.

" Nahhh I've texted him already. I'll send you home at eight. As if you have your strict parents there, huh! Let's watch the sunset first sweetheart. Come here." Mark held her wrist and gently pulled her to himself aiming to let her sit at his lap. Fem jerked and instead slumped herself beside him slapping his arm away from hers.

"Mark, don't assume too much. Let me remind you that you have already broken my rules and now you're going beyond what is expected of you! Are you ruining your chances?" She glared at him then focused on the view of the sunset.

He went dumb speechless. Why does he always have to be admonished like this by this woman he dearly loves? He just can't help but let her feel his touch. His assertive nature always pushes him to do things with just the slightest hint that he sees. As a military man, a highly esteemed officer at that, he needed to be as assertive as possible. He cannot slack off. Now it became evident that he carries it with him wherever and whatever he does. He indeed broke her dating rule. But who cares! His instinct tells him to remind her of his touch to help her decide in his favor.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart. It's just that I can't control myself. You know I always felt you're mine since you said 'Okay' at that park that one night. There was never a time that I drifted away from that feeling. I don't know what to do if you decide not to choose me Fem. I've waited for you all these years." He said stroking her shoulder length hair gingerly.

"That's enough Mark, avoid too much of this touch. I heard that its addicting and one cannot even sleep once addicted." She said nonchalantly.

Mark burst out in laughter. His laughter was loud enough that the lovey dovey couple nearby was distracted and turned their heads towards them. "Fem Law! One day, you'll kill me with your humor!" He roared with his voice still like a commander who won a battle.

"Tch! Major Arevalo, I didn't know you're so cheap! It's not even a joke!" She twitched her lips with a sly smile.

Mark leaned on her shoulder and Fem can hear his warm breath just next to her ear. He whispered, "I'm already addicted to you since day one and I don't mind not sleeping if I have you in my arms." He said in a teasing manner with a sound of seduction.

"Ha ha ha ha!!! I already know that, what? There's no use seducing me Mark! My heart is already in my head." She laughed as she giggled.

"My goodness Fem! Can you not kill my mood? Look at the sunset, come here! Don't waste this chance of being with me. This chance is rare, specially your chance with me!" He quickly turned the table to his assertive side.

Fem:"..."

Mark saw her in bewilderment. He was pleased at her reaction. Just enough to pull her again to him and kiss her forehead.

"Fem, please behave like my woman now. I want to enjoy this very moment with you in my arms. Can you not feel I'm aching for you? Don't try your best to ruin this. I know you love me too. I feel it! Don't you dare fight or ignore it!" He whispered, their eyes were locked to each other.

She was the one to lower her gaze first. "Okay" she nodded like a kid who understood an explanation of why she was punished.

"Good girl. That's why I only love you. I love you Fem." He said then enveloped her again with his arms. "Let's watch the sunset, then go for dinner before I'll send you home." Mark said softly.

"Sure. I don't have any plan of staying here overnight." She said out of her mind. She just wanted to say something nonsense.

Mark chuckled and squeezed her again against his body. "I missed you so much Fem! Please let me hold you like this for now." He said.

Fem kept silent and nonchalant. She has to be clear minded not allowing her emotions to take advantage of the situation. There will be a lot of chance to reciprocate his love once all things are settled.