“STORAGE HOUSE 4”

I heard what Marius said. However, at that moment, overwhelming joy seemed to take over my entire being.

My mind was filled with sensuality during those moments. That was also the reason why I intensified what I was doing. The succeeding scenes inside the chamber were purely filled with passion. Marius, tirelessly and seemingly boundless, engaged in an intimate encounter with me. It felt like an endless exploration of our bodies. With me on top of Marius, I was catching my breath, but stopping was far from my plans.

I excelled in my movements atop Marius, giving him a reason to desire me even more. Yes, I'm happy that Marius loves me. That truth gives me a reason to continue living, aside from my child and other loved ones.

But, whether I admit it or not, I also wish that I am the only one Marius desires. I believe that if that happens, he will have no reason to replace me. In other words, he will lose interest in other women.

With that thought in mind, I quickly bit my lower lip. Then, I tried to speed up my movements as if time was running out.

"Almost there, Marius," I informed my boyfriend.

Marius didn't waste any time. With swift movements, he managed to change our positions. Soon, I found myself underneath him.

Marius passionately embraced my femininity, and it might be the most satisfying intimacy my boyfriend has ever given me. Of all that I remember, I believe there's more to come. In our rhythm, Marius created a pattern in his subsequent advances. I can say that my femininity enjoyed that pattern.

Everything felt incredibly pleasurable. The pattern led me to the highest level of joy. Three consecutive and gentle caresses, following Marius's style that seemed like our readiness and my femininity were having a conversation. Afterward, Marius concluded it with a complete and deep penetration.

Marius repeated this as if he had a target to achieve, and I knew what it was. He aimed to take me to the other side. And Marius succeeded. We were together, accompanied by the soothing sound of rain.

We arrived home around noon with Marius. He tightly held my hand as we were welcomed by Nana Lourdes.

"Lena has already left, but she prepared Ginataang Munggo for both of you."

That was the joyful news from Nana Lourdes as she set the table for lunch. I didn't react to her mention of her niece. It wouldn't be nice to show any signs of disliking her niece. To play it safe, I chose to remain silent.

"What do you want to do after lunch? Would you like to go shopping? Are you getting bored? How about watching a movie?"

Marius asked me a series of questions. We were almost done with our meal, and Nana Lourdes had gone to the backyard to check the laundry in the automatic washing machine.

"I'm a bit tired. Is it okay if we just stay here and watch TV?" I replied with a slightly shy question.

Marius understood, giving me a kind smile that made me blush even more.

"Sorry," he whispered, casting a meaningful glance my way, causing my cheeks to flush even more.

As I desired, we stayed at Marius's house. Around three in the afternoon, Nana Lourdes came to us to the movie room, proudly carrying the Ginataang Munggo cooked by Lena.

Though I felt annoyed, I chose to ignore the feeling. I didn't want to appear immature in Marius's eyes. But I wasn't sure if my analysis was correct. For me, there's a difference between being immature and being jealous. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that jealousy is the reason for my current state.

I can't always be like this. I need to compose myself because this isn't who I am. It's not right to be like this. Even if, in reality, Marius is the reason.

LATER that evening, I stayed on the veranda to get some fresh air. We had already finished dinner, and Nana Lourdes had gone home.

"Are you okay, Sam?" I turned to Marius, who was standing by the veranda door when I heard his voice.

"Yeah, maybe it's just because of my pregnancy that I feel a bit tired," I replied, which was actually true.

Marius smiled and sat down beside me, putting his arm around me. "I've noticed you've been a bit low since this morning. Is it because of Lena?" he asked me.

I was immediately taken aback. I had no idea that Marius had noticed that. Despite my efforts not to show it.

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm fine," I lied.

I saw an amused smile spread across Marius' lips, accompanied by a sparkle in his eyes.

"Sam, do you believe that what you feel, I feel too? Because we're soulmates?" His question was meaningful, but it left me puzzled.

"What?" I couldn't help but ask.

Marius took my hand, lifted it, and kissed it.

"I love you so much, Sam," he said, gazing deeply into my eyes.

"You know," I replied.

We held each other's gaze for a long moment before Marius gently lowered me and kissed me on the lips.

"So, don't be jealous of Lena," Marius said again.

I couldn't speak immediately, so Marius continued with what else he wanted to say. But I couldn't break away from Marius' gaze.

"You're the one I love, Sam. You're the one I'll marry," Marius said to me.

His words left me speechless.

"Marriage?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Marius nodded solemnly. Then he pulled something out of the pocket of his shorts.

"You've wanted this for a long time, Sam. Even before the accident. Now I understand why," Marius said to me.

I swallowed hard.

I could feel the constriction in my throat at that moment, as if a lump had formed there. It felt painful, like there was a thorn pricking.

I couldn't speak. Perhaps it was because of the mixed emotions in my chest at that moment.

"To be honest, I wanted to give this to you when you were okay. I mean, when your memory returned. But I don't think I need to wait for that anymore. To give you assurance. Let's get married. What do you think?" Marius explained and asked me.

I stared at Marius for a long time. Then I shifted my gaze between the ring he held and his handsome face.

"I promise to love you for eternity. You, and only you. And most of all, I want to create many new and beautiful memories with you," my fiance continued.

"Marius," I whispered, trying to hold back tears but failing.

"Be my wife, Sam. Please?" Marius pleaded again, gazing deeply into my eyes.

In those moments, I felt like I was being carried away into the clouds. The feeling that I was the most beautiful woman in the world was undeniable. So, I wasn't surprised when a single word escaped my lips. It was my response to Marius' request.

"Yes," I said.

With that, Marius slid the ring onto my finger. Then, he cupped my face, and without a word, he bestowed upon me a fervent kiss on my lips. And I wholeheartedly reciprocated that kiss. In a way that seemed like I thirsted for him even more.

Filled with love. Love for the man who was now destined to be my husband.