"THE PLAN"

"What did you say?" I chuckled at the image that crossed my mind of my brother Andrew's possible reaction to that question. He was on the other end of the line, and I had just told him that Marius was my boyfriend. I understood why it might be hard for him to believe, considering my history as a bit of a man-hater.

"Why? Don't you like him for me?" I asked with a wide smile on my face, echoing what Marius had said last night. He had traveled out of Manila at seven in the morning, and it was already past eleven. Truth be told, I was missing him.

"It's not like that. But didn't you just meet Marius recently?" Andrew replied from the other end of the line.

"Look who's talking!" I couldn't help but retort.

"Hey," my brother said. I knew he understood what I meant, and I could sense the smile in his voice. "We're in different situations, Sam. Plus, you're a girl, and I'm a guy," he emphasized.

I just shrugged and placed the book I was reading on the center table. I was on the veranda, trying to unwind. Strangely, I had no appetite for lunch, and I knew exactly why. I was longing for my boyfriend.

"Alright, since it looks like you're head over heels in love with Marius, I guess there's nothing more I can do. After all, Marius is my wife's best friend, and I can't see any reason not to like him for you."

My brother's words brought a wide smile to my face. "I'm happy to hear that from you, dear brother," I said with joy.

"I just hope you won't fall too deeply in love, okay?" he added.

I chuckled softly. "Are you afraid that I might become your karma, Andrew?"

I heard Andrew release a soft sigh. "Yeah, I have to admit that's one of my concerns," he confessed.

I smiled reassuringly. "Well, just to assure you, I can feel that Marius loves me very much. So, you don't have to worry anymore."

"Great," Andrew replied before the call was disconnected.

*****

"So, you two are dating now?" Patrick asked Marius as they faced each other in the office.

A faint smile appeared on Marius' lips.

"You went through with your plan," Patrick continued, remaining silent.

Marius looked straight into Patrick's eyes. Then he opened his mouth to speak. "I came here for work, Pat," he replied.

"Alright," Patrick responded, giving him a skeptical smile.

In truth, what Patrick said wasn't a lie. Besides Lana, Marius was another close friend of his.

Patrick knew about his plan because he also knew about his long-standing love and feelings for Lana. The two of them were friends and classmates back in college. And the firm they built was their shared dream.

"Do you still love Lana?" Patrick asked him after they discussed his true intentions.

Marius' mind went blank at that question. He wanted to answer Patrick's question. But in the end, he decided not to. Because the truth was, he wasn't sure about his answer either.

He was confused about his true feelings. If there was one thing he was certain about, it was that. But of course, he couldn't tell Patrick or anyone about that matter. Because he would surely be judged, and he didn't want that to happen.

*****

The days passed quickly. My life with Marius has truly become colorful and happy. I am really in love with him. And I can feel that he feels the same way about me.

"Good morning." That's what woke me up that morning.

It has been over a month since Marius and I officially became a couple. And because the two of us were assigned by Andrew to take care of the Scott's Café branch, we had more chances to be together.

And since my house is near the site where the branch is being built, I offered Marius to stay at my house.

I smiled at that thought. Even though Marius and I have only been officially dating for a little over a month, a lot has happened between us. I admit that, and I don't deny it. We are like a married couple, and the only thing missing is the wedding. And I am getting used to this setup.

I am used to waking up in the morning and seeing Marius' face first.

I am also used to him cooking and taking care of me. Taking care of me.

And most importantly, I am getting used to having Marius with me in every moment of my life. In other words, I have grown to love him even more. I love him so much. And I have reached the point where I can't imagine growing old without him.

That's right.

Marius is the man I want to be with for the rest of my life. And if there's one thing I'm praying for now, it's that we both have the same dreams and feelings.

*****

"OHHH, yes, keep going," was the moan that escaped my mouth as Marius passionately indulged in my femininity.

"So soft," I heard Marius whisper. Then he briefly looked at me before returning his attention to my exposed femininity.

Our eyes met for a moment. But I still saw the small fires that were often present whenever we shared such intense moments.

On that kitchen island, Marius did this to me more than once. And he didn't choose a specific time to do it to me. There were times when it was still bright outside. So we freely satisfied our gaze on each other's nudity.

There seems to be no part of my house where Marius and I haven't done this. Because the truth is, we have even made love on the stairs. And I love all of it.

I love it, not because Marius was the first man to give me or introduce me to this feeling. But because I love him so much,. And I can feel that love even in what he is doing to me now.

His love is the message conveyed to me with every touch of his hot tongue on my femininity. And that is what repeatedly makes me gasp for breath.

I bit my lower lip.

I was still wearing my thin nightgown. I just went downstairs to get some water. It was already late at night, and Marius, before I went upstairs, I left him at the bar counter drinking alone.

I don't know if it's because of the taste of the alcohol in his mouth that I feel intoxicated. But I have to admit that I prefer Marius' version when he's drunk.

He becomes more aggressive, and everything he does becomes more mind-blowing. And perhaps that's also because of the effect of the alcohol he drank.

A gentle shock of femininity surprised me. Along with the loud moan that escaped my mouth was the strong surge of electricity that ran through my entire body. And that pulled me back to the present.

"Fuck!" I shouted.

My response echoed throughout the kitchen to what my boyfriend did.

"Yes, this kitchen island has witnessed everything!" I said again as I firmly placed both of my hands on the island where Marius had lifted me and sat me down.

Marius was sitting on a stool while he was desecrating my femininity with his mouth.