CHAPTER 12: CONFESSION

The ringing of his phone awakens Marco. He moved slowly, trying not to wake up Athena. Marco reached for his phone and checked who had called. He was about to put it back down when he saw the caller's name, Anthony Perez.

"Say it," he said without greeting him. "Sir, I received news that a certain Benjamin Baltazar will attend the conference." He paused.

"So?" He replied while thinking if he knew the man. "Sir, he is bad news," Anthony said nervously. "His business is shady, and if he started building his business here, it would affect our tourism."

"Okay, let's watch for now," he said. He doesn't care about his shady business, but it will be a different story if it impacts the City's tourism. He worked hard to reach this far, so he won't let anybody destroy it because of their illegal means.

He went back to their room and saw that Athena was still asleep. Marco slid down beside her slowly and gave her a peck on her lips. She lifted her hand and rubbed her lips like she was erasing the kiss he left on her lips. He chuckled and pulled her closer to him. Her movements are enticing that he wants to explore her body.

Marco embraced her tight and mumbled, "Bea, what should I do with you?" He thought she would open up to him earlier, but she ended up saying nothing. He already promised himself not to investigate her. It would be against his principles if he broke his promise.

"I love you so much, Bea," he said affectionately. "Mmm..." Athena slowly opened her eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "I love you too, Marco, with all my heart," she heard him saying he loves her, and she felt the need to tell him how she felt.

Marco was overjoyed. They make sure to say I love you to each other since they became a couple, but today feels different.

It was half-past six when they got up and went to the living room. "Hungry?" Marco asked. "Yea," she replied and rubbed her belly.

Marco then called the hotel's chef to make their dinner. Athena browsed for a movie to watch while he was on the phone, intently reading about the storyline. Marco looked at the monitor and read it. It is about a retired police officer who failed to complete his mission before he retired, and he regretted that he did not do his best to finish the job before he retired.

She looked at him, asking for his opinion.

"Seems interesting; let's watch it," he said. He knew that Athena wanted to watch it, so he took the initiative to tell her to watch it. In that way, she won't feel like he always compromised with her.

The door rings and Marco gets up to open the door. It was the hotel's chef who brought the food personally. He was about to say something, but Marco winked at him. He closed his mouth and nodded.

Marco brought the food inside and set it on the dining table.

"Can we eat here?" Athena pleaded.

Marco paused for a few seconds before he said 'yes' to her. Athena helped him set the coffee table. She stretched her arms to get the pillows on the couch and placed them on the carpet.

She motioned for Marco to sit on the pillow. When they were seated comfortably in front of the coffee table, Athena played the movie and watched as they ate.

They took their time and finished their dinner when the movie was almost over. Both Marco and Athena did not move from sitting until the movie ended. They cleared the table and sat back on the couch to relax.

Athena snuggled on Marco as they sat on the couch. "Do you want to watch another movie?" He asked while combing her hair with his hands.

"No, I just want to snuggle on you," she said. "I used to do this with my dad," she sadly said in a low voice.

Marco was surprised that she mentioned something about her family. She had never done that since they had met a year ago.

"Where is he?" He asked tensely. He doesn't know if he will hear a reply, but it's a good start that his wife finally opened up to him. "He's gone," she muttered and hugged him tightly. "I won't leave you," he promised.

Athena fell asleep while snuggling with him on the couch. Marco doesn't want to disturb her sleep, so he chooses not to carry her on their bed. Minutes later, they are both in a deep slumber.

The next day

The sun was already up when Athena woke up. She tried to move, but Marco held her tight like he was afraid that she might fall. Athena raises her hand to reach Marco's face and slowly caresses every part of his well-defined features. When she gained consciousness at the shore, his handsome face was the one she saw first.

Marco was up when he felt her movement, but he pretended to sleep. Her smooth hands touching his face's outline tickled him, but he tried not to move to startle her.

"Do you know that my heart almost jumped out of my chest when I opened my eyes and saw you for the first time?" She whispered.

"I thought, I won't fall in love in this lifetime. But meeting you changed my life," she continued while rubbing his lips with her thumb.

"I'm grateful that I end up being your other half. I love you so much, Marco, now and forever," she swears, sealing it with a peck on his lips.

Marco cannot describe how happy he is to hear her confession. She was never vocal about it. Though, she always says she loves him. Her actions speak it all, but hearing this from her made him love her more.

He felt her soft lips landing on his. She was about to shift her lips to kiss his nose when his mouth suddenly opened and caught her off-guard. He deepens the kiss and eats her lips like a hungry wolf.

She was startled when he suddenly engulfed her mouth. She moaned and kissed him back passionately. His hands wandered from stroking her head down to her hips and behind.

Athena's hand started to stroke his back feeling every inch of him. When Marco began to undress her, she did the same to him. Their entangled lips slip apart to remove their upper clothes. Their eager look to have each other is visible in their eyes.

Marco removes everything that covers their body fast. He lay her flat on the couch, facing him. Marco can see the anticipation on her reddened face. He chuckled, and his naked body collided with hers.

He once again claimed her lips. His right elbow leaned on the couch to support his weight and not squash Athena. His left hand trailed her naked body and landed on her breast, kneading it gently.

They passionately pleasured each other on the couch. Athena moaned in pleasure. Her hands were busy squeezing his body which encouraged him to go further. Marco tosses and turns her several times until they both reach their climax.

They were panting and gasping for air when they finished. Athena fell on Marco's broad chest. She circled her point finger around his pinkish nipple without realizing that her action would be the start of another round.

"You're playing with fire, woman," he said and flipped her over.