They were married within a week. Her parents were surprised at the new turn of events, but they did not in any way raised opposition.

Anyway, they already considered John as their own.

“What will be your plans now?” Her mom asked them over dinner.

“I am going to handle the Martinez group as planned, Mom.” John bargained with the Martinezes.

They will keep private everything that has happened between Nathan and Chari. In exchange, John will infuse 20-million pesos worth of investments.

“How about your business in the US?” It was her dad’s turn to ask.

“It has already been taken care of. I can still go there from time to time to check on the business but I will be staying here for good.“ At this, Chari turned to him in surprise.

“You didn’t think that I will be staying here with you, did you?” John asked her.

Chair blushed.

“We haven’t talked about it, so I do not know about your plans.” She admitted looking shyly at John and then at her parents, who are smiling indulgently at them.

“Well, I am choosing to stay here. I planned it years ago that after the company had been settled, I will come back. The Philippines will always be my home.” Chari did not say anything except smiled at him before she continued eating.

She was happy that he chose to stay in the country with her.

When they were alone in John’s bedroom, she asked him. “Are we going to stay in this house?”

John was already in bed, reading a book while he waited for her to come out of the shower.

It had become their nightly routine. He would wait for her to finish her nightly rituals and they would talk about their plans or how their day went.

Until now, Chari could not believe that they are married and that they easily and comfortably adapted to their present situation.

“Would you like to stay here? Or would you rather buy a house nearby? I heard that the old Wilkers’ house is up for sale.” Chari was surprised by how considerate he is of her when only married her for show.

“Won’t that be a waste of money?” She asked softly.

John’s brows rose.

“It will be for the family that we are going to start together, why will it be a waste of money?”

Chari turned to him sharply. Confusion marred her face. “But I thought we only got married in case I got pregnant?”

“I wanted to consummate our marriage. Give us a few more weeks and I will get you pregnant.” Chari blushed at John’s smug declaration. Slowly, she could hear her heart flutter.

When he saw her reddened face, his voice softened. “I want to have a family. And I want to start it with you, Chari,” John’s tone was serious.

Chari did not want to assume anything, so she asked with bated breath, “What do you mean?” All the while, her heart thumped wildly in her chest. She wanted him to elaborate. She needed to hear those three magic words, but she was disappointed. When John answered, he was annoyed.

“Go figure.” And he grumpily settled on his side of the bed to sleep.

Chari’s lips were half-open as she watched John in astonishment. His actions and his words puzzled her. She wanted to ask him some more, but she knew him – an irritated John has always been withdrawn and crabby.

She shrugged her shoulders and laid on her side facing his back. She was already half-asleep when she felt John’s lips on her skin.

She felt his hot breath on her neck, kissing the exposed skin. This sent tingles to different parts of her body before finally settling on her abdomen. She was lost to the sensation when suddenly John pulled away.

She half-opened her eyes to meet his hot questioning gaze. At her silent nod, he kissed her, more ardent this time. The kiss was at first gentle, but it became hurried when she responded.

And then, their bodies swayed in the old dance of love. As they continued to move in its rhythm, Chari felt a burgeoning of hope in her chest. Maybe in time, John will learn to love her too.

Their nights had always been magical. John was a generous, and a voracious lover. He gives as much as he takes, and Chari could never complain.

Four weeks after they first made love, Chari showed signs of being pregnant. She became moody and emotional.

They went to an OB-Gynecologist to confirm. While the doctor pressed the transducer to her tummy, John held her hand. His hands were clammy, she squeezed it.

“Positive. Mrs. Miller is four-weeks pregnant.” John could not contain his happiness after the OB broke the news.

His smile was wide as he hugged Chari tight and kissed her soundly on the lips before burrowing his face on her hair, inhaling her scent. All the while chanting the words “Thank You.”

The doctor gave her some vitamins. She also left her instructions on diet, exercise, hydration, and proper sleep.

“I can’t wait to share the news with Mom and Dad.” John’s excitement rubbed off on her. They went to her parents, and they went out for a celebratory dinner.

Chari reveled in being pregnant. She also reveled in the extra care and attention that John gave her. He did not complain when she would crave for food even in the wee hours.

But of course, there were also challenges. She could not explain why suddenly, she would feel like bawling. She was alarmed when she could not contain the waterworks lately.

Her nose also became sensitive as days go by. She would find certain smell disgusting – even her favorite from among John’s perfume.

There were times when she would ask him to stay in the guest room, so she won’t smell him.

Although he could not share her experiences of being an expectant mother, John wallowed in his new role as an expectant father.

“Hi, honey. Hello baby!” Chari could feel her lips tingling after John kissed her thoroughly in front of a handful of an audience – their house helps before he soundly kissed her belly.

When she looked around, she saw the younger of their house helps trying to look the other way, giggling and embarrassed themselves, while the older ones looked on them with indulgent smiles.

Chari swatted John’s arms to call his attention, only he took her hand and pressed it to his lips for a sweet kiss that made her toes curl.

She was now on her second trimester. Her baby bump showed. A lot of people said that pregnancy becomes her. She glowed.

Well, she cannot tell them that it is because she has a very attentive husband – who loves to pay homage to her body every night. Yes, John is a voracious lover, and she wallowed in the attention.