Slowly

Early in the morning, when he woke up, Mario found Aurorae still sound asleep. Straightening his body for a moment, he supported his chin with his right hand. He watched Aurorae's face, fast asleep without wearing make-up, for a long time.

Beautiful. natural. It looks so peaceful. Mario got that impression when he looked at the woman's face in front of him. He felt at home for a long time to continue seeing his childhood sweetheart sleep while muttering softly.

"From the past until now your face is indeed very beautiful, Aurorae. It's not wrong if I fall in love with you. It's funny, you used to be perfect when you could even like me. Fat man, cowardly, in fact, you can't be relied on at all. Just protect you. I couldn't before. I don't know what attracted your attention to fall in love with me."

"Because you're so sexy and hot, baby."

With her eyes closed, Aurorae replied with a smile. Making Mario, who had been silently watching, was immediately taken aback. He brought his face closer to ensure whether Aurorae was awake or just dreaming.

"Aurorae," Mario called while still looking at the woman's face. "Are you awake?"

Long he waited. He even repeatedly called Aurorae's name but has yet to get an answer. Believing that the woman in front of him was dreaming, he chuckled loudly with his lips pursed together.

"Actually, what are you dreaming about in your sleep, huh? Why are you suddenly mentioning the word sexy and exciting?" At that moment, Mario's eyes immediately narrowed suspiciously. "Could it be that right now you're dreaming that you're having sex with another man?"

Mario gaped. Feeling annoyed by himself, he chose to get up and strolled towards the outside of the room. He was meant to get some fresh air for a while. Only a few minutes later, he returned to the room intending to check again on Aurorae's condition, who was already awake and even sitting leaning against the back of the bed.

"Are you awake? How did you sleep?" asked Mario as he walked closer.

"It's normal," said Aurorae. "I even had nightmares about having to be in the same room with you all night."

Mario grunted in disapproval. He previously heard Aurorae talk in her sleep, discussing something that looked fun.

"So you had a bad dream?"

Aurorae immediately nodded without hesitation.

"Yes. Even when I wake up, it's hard to tell whether I'm still having a bad dream or if I'm really awake."

"You're exaggerating," Mario chuckled again. "Your dreams were so bad, I even heard you delirious as if you were having sex with another man."

Aurorae's eyes immediately widened. Aghast at what Mario accuses him of.

"I?" pointed the woman at herself. "Delirious, you say?"

Mario nodded. Justify Aurorae's question. "Yeah, even with your eyes closed, you keep smiling to yourself, while saying disgusting words. You're sexy, you're so hot. Tsk! Seriously." Mario clucked loudly. Increasingly forward face, the man stared intently at his interlocutor. "Does every nightmare you always act like that?"

"What do you mean like that? I-I don't understand what you just said," Aurorae stuttered. His expression looked very nervous being accused by Mario.

"Yes, like before," said Mario. "Casting strange words like the ones I heard before."

"Ah, you must be making this up," Aurorae said defensively. Mana, I also thank he was humiliated like this.

"I'm not making this up. I seriously heard you say ----"

"Enough, Mario. Stop your nonsense," interrupted Aurorae. She let the man continue at the end of his sentence. "You better go out now and call the nurse to help me change clothes. Can't I go home today?"

Mario nodded, confirming Aurorae's words. According to the schedule, today, the woman can go home and continue treatment independently.

Walking out, Mario then called the nurse according to orders. While waiting for Aurorae to change clothes, she chose to go to the administration room. Take care of all payments and which medicines must be redeemed.

As soon as she returned to the room, a doctor on duty examined Aurorae once again—ascertaining the woman's condition before permitting her to leave the hospital.

"Are you her husband?" asked the doctor when he realized Mario had entered the room and just watched silently.

Without awkwardness and confidently, Mario immediately nodded. Confirming the doctor's words that he is Aurorae's husband.

"Yes, doc. I am Mrs. Aurorae Smith's husband."

"Fine," said the doctor. "Then you can come here. Let me explain in detail how your wife is doing."

Taking a few steps forward, Mario approached the position where the doctor was standing beside Aurorae's bed.

"So you see, after making observations, your wife is diagnosed with fatigue and anemia. For this reason, I suggest that you stay completely rested for one full day at home. Reduce strenuous activities. Get enough sleep. Eat nutritious food. And The most important thing of all, don't stress, let alone think too much."

Mario nodded. Even Aurorae, still lying down, did the same thing—trying to understand at once according to what the doctor suggested.

"I have previously prescribed some medicines that you may have bought beforehand. There, there are some vitamins that must be taken every day. There are content strengthening drugs and also pain relievers. If something unusual happens, my advice is to go straight to the doctor or hospital. Don't forget to check your womb at least once a month."

Mario again nodded in understanding after hearing the doctor's explanation in front of him. As for checking her womb, she will plan this one carefully so she can accompany Aurorae every month.

"Thank you very much for the explanation, doc," said Mario. The man held out his hand for a handshake. "I will do everything according to the instructions the doctor gave me."

After the doctor came out of the room, with the help of a nurse, Mario guided Aurorae to sit in the provided wheelchair. Then he took the woman to the car and back home.

Upon arriving at the Quartararo family's residence, Mario took significant steps around the car before Aurorae got off. Help open the door, inviting Aurorae to come down. Even Samanta, who was outside the house then, immediately approached, intending to assist his employer.

"Welcome back Mrs. Aurorae," greeted Samanta when she saw her employer get out of the car.

"Thank you, Samanta. Is anyone home?" asked the woman.

"No one, madam. Your father is in the office as usual. Meanwhile, Mrs. Olivia has been going to work since morning."

Aurorae nodded. However, he had not yet had the chance to take a step forward. Mario was full of agility and carried his body. Without the slightest awkwardness brought the woman into the house.

"Mario!" shrieked Aurorae in Mario's arms. "What are you doing? Quickly put me down right now!"

Ignoring Aurorae's protests, Mario called Samanta instead. Asking the household assistant to walk closer to him immediately.

"Please show me where Aurorae's room is."

Samantha nodded. Hurriedly walked ahead of Mario. Directing hands, help open the door of the madam's room. Then invite Mario to go in there immediately.

"Thank you very much, Samanta," said Mario. Then took Aurorae into her room. He was laying her body slowly on the bed.

"You're too much! Who allowed you to carry me?" Aurorae scolded. His face looked crumpled. Between mixed annoyance received the treatment that Mario showed. "I don't like you doing this, Mario. Don't you have a ----"

Making sure Aurorae was in a comfortable position while sleeping, Mario didn't immediately leave her. Hearing how Aurorae continued to protest, he made a face without hesitation. Confusing all the sentences that Aurorae might want to throw into one deep kiss.

Aurorae widened her eyes. He pushed Mario's body with all his might which didn't have the slightest effect. The man just kept nodding. He was crushed repeatedly. He was moving his lips in a hot kiss in the twinkling of an eye.

"Aren't you tired of rambling on and on. Why don't you just shut up and enjoy how I serve you?" clicked Mario after breaking the kiss.

"You really are too much!" Aurorae annoyed. He didn't accept it when Mario picked him up and kissed him.

"I did what I had to do, Aurorae," Mario replied. The man's voice sounded softer. "Like it or not, there is my flesh and blood in your body. It is my duty to look after you and our future baby."

"Tsk! Nonsense! You think I'm happy carrying this child?" The woman shook her head repeatedly. A hint that he was not the least bit comfortable with the current situation that happened to him.

Mario took a deep breath until his shoulders rose dramatically. Calm down as much as possible so as not to get emotional over the curt remarks that Aurorae often throws at him.

"Now, you may not like it. But, I'm sure one day you will love him with all your heart."

Mario then chose to leave the room. He was leaving Aurorae alone, silent on her bed. Awhile. Aurorae even thought that the man might have left her house.

However, the assumption needed to be corrected. A few minutes later, Mario returned to Aurorae's room. Bring a tray filled with food complete with fruit and all kinds. Out there, Samanta had already prepared it. Then without saying much again, the man took a sitting position right next to Aurorae.

"You have to eat first. I will help you. I will not move one bit from your presence if you don't touch the food and medicine and vitamins that I have provided. This is an order, not a request, Aurorae," said Mario. The man said firmly to the woman in front of him for the first time.

Aurorae stared silently at Mario's face. I was not replying, taking it for granted when the man in front of him fed food until it ran out.

***

After taking care of and ensuring Aurorae took all her medicines and vitamins, Mario went home for a while to change his clothes, then decided to go to the office menu immediately. Today he got a dispensation from Raphael to take a day off work. It's just that, considering that there is work that cannot be left behind, he decides to return to the office. After all, Tristan would have grumbled if he knew he wasn't in his room when he needed help.

Upon arriving at the Exon building, Mario accidentally ran into Raphael again before entering the room. The man immediately waved. I asked him to face the man's room directly.

"How's Aurorae? Has she reached home yet?" asked Raphael curiously. He had deliberately not contacted his daughter since this morning.

From the start, Raphael had deliberately given orders to Mario to take care of Aurorae's needs. He wanted to see if his future son-in-law was able or not to face the stubborn behavior that his daughter often showed. If Mario gave up on trivial matters, it is confident that his second household in the future would never run smoothly.

"Aurorae is at home, Mister. I have delivered her safely. Made sure she has taken the medicine and vitamins that the doctor gave her."

"Good," replied Raphael. "Then, from now on you have to pay frequent visits to her at home. Gradually take her heart. Even though she often rejects you when giving you help or attention, you shouldn't give up in the slightest. Just ignore Aurorae's nagging. Aren't women like that? Pretend angry and hateful even though it's nice to be cared for more by men."

He laughed. Agree with the thoughts that Raphael laid out. He also believes that one day, Aurorae will melt and eventually fall to her knees with all her efforts.

"Don't worry, Mister. I feel like I'm starting to grow immune to all the rejection, insults, anger, especially Aurorae's nagging. It doesn't matter. I will try to survive until everything turns out to be beautiful and according to expectations. You should know too, I very patient person."

Raphael was pleased to see the determination and passion that Mario showed. Before letting the man go, he again reminded him of one thing to be done by his future son-in-law.

"One more thing, Mario. Don't forget to talk to your parents about marriage right away. It's very important for you to do this right away. When everything is ready, I'm waiting for your family to propose to Aurorae."

Mario nodded in agreement. After all, he had planned to discuss marriage with his parents after finishing caring for Aurorae's hospitalization.