"DINNER"

Exhausted, I fell asleep. This time, in the arms of Marius. What we did earlier didn't lead to the bedroom, to be honest. However, he laid me on his beautiful and large four-poster bed with a soft mattress and laid down beside me.

Both of us were without a stitch of clothing. So when I turned away and noticed it was getting late, I got up quickly. One by one, I picked up my clothes scattered on the floor.

I knew Marius was tired too. Not from the exertion of what we did before sleeping, but from driving. Bulacan isn't that far from Manila, but since Marius always keeps watch over me at the hospital, his sleep is never quite complete.

I started to get dressed, and afterward, I glanced with a smile at the still peacefully sleeping man. He was incredibly handsome. Like a living Adonis, if you were to ask me.

I might have said this many times before. But the truth is, even if my mind can't remember Marius, my heart knows him very well. And that's the only thing I hold on to.

I carefully turned the doorknob and stepped out of the room. I walked down the hallway back to my room, which, in truth, was right next to Marius's.

I glanced at the old clock hanging on the wall and realized it was already six in the evening. Nana Lourdes seemed to be busy preparing our dinner in the kitchen.

A soft sigh escaped me as I pondered for a moment. Then, I looked at my suitcase, which Marius had left by the door. My belongings were still there.

"I tend to prioritize various things," I whispered with an amused smile, gesturing toward myself and shaking my head.

Approaching my shoulder bag on the antique dresser, I took out a comb and ran it through my hair. Afterward, I left the room.

As expected, Nana Lourdes was in the kitchen, diligently cooking our dinner. Stepping in, she eventually noticed me.

"You're awake, Sam," she said, turning to me with a brief smile before returning her attention to the fish she was frying.

"I had a pleasant afternoon nap, Nana Lourdes," I replied.

She smiled again, gesturing to the chair at the table. "Would you like to taste the refreshment I made?" she asked as I sat down.

I saw Nana Lourdes grab a glass and immediately pour a refreshing gelatin drink. I chuckled softly. It seemed I didn't need to answer her question because it looked like I couldn't refuse.

"Marius told me you're good at cooking," Nana Lourdes began again as she resumed her cooking.

I shrugged and grabbed the glass of refreshment. Suddenly, I felt thirsty, especially since the last time I drank water was earlier, before Marius and I went up to our room to rest.

"I'm a chef," I replied shortly. "Your refreshment is really delicious, Nana Lourdes," I added sincerely.

I saw a contented smile flicker across her lips. Then she turned off the stove and retrieved the tilapia she had been frying earlier.

"Thank you for liking it. That's Marius's favorite, did you know?" Nana Lourdes informed me.

I didn't respond. Instead, I smiled at Nana Lourdes as she began to set the table. I was about to stand up to help her, but she stopped me.

"It's okay, dear. Let me handle it," she said, smiling at me reassuringly.

I didn't insist. I could see that Nana Lourdes was enjoying what she was doing.

"I've waited a long time to cook for that boy, and now that you're here with him, I have two to take care of," she said to me.

I couldn't quite grasp the meaning behind all of Nana Lourdes's words. But because it was about Marius, I listened to what else she wanted to say.

"He grew up here, that boy did. With his grandparents. But I was with the two old folks back then, so he became my responsibility too. That's why I can say I know him inside out."

"Really? So does that mean you know all of his past girlfriends?" I couldn't help but ask.

I can't remember if Marius told me about that before the accident happened," I confessed.

Nana Lourdes paused for a moment at my question. Then she looked at me briefly, smiling, and shook her head.

"I don't recall Marius having any girlfriends here. Besides, he studied high school in Manila, not here. He just visits," she explained.

"Really?" I asked, finding it hard to believe.

I wasn't sure if Nana Lourdes was telling the truth. Despite her confident demeanor, it was difficult for me to believe that Marius was handsome.

"With Marius's looks, I'm sure many girls here like him," I commented.

"Truth be told, even now, because Marius is still single, many young ladies here hope to catch his attention," Nana Lourdes bluntly stated.

I was about to respond, but before I could say anything, both Nana Lourdes and I heard Marius's approaching footsteps. So, we quickly stopped our conversation.

"Why so quiet? Are you talking about me?" he asked, laughing softly as he joined us at the table.

Nana Lourdes had just finished setting the table, so in a few moments, we were facing Marius across the table.

"Why didn't you join us, Nana Lourdes?" I suggested when I noticed her coming out of the kitchen, where she had served dinner.

"It's okay, my dear," she replied.

"Come on, Nana Lourdes, join us," Marius seconded my suggestion.

"You're practically family to us, Nana Lourdes. You should join," I added.

Eventually, Marius and I persuaded Nana Lourdes to join us. So, that evening became even happier. Nana Lourdes cooked delicious food, so like at lunch earlier, I ended up eating more than usual.