MARA'S POV
When we got off the plane, we received a text from Mommy.
From: Mom
Mara, tell your husband to went straight to the Ottave mansion. Your dad and I are here now because your in-laws also want to be with baby Tanya.
"Who texted you?"
"It's mom. She wanted us to go straight to Ottave mansion because they brought baby Tanya there."
His forehead furrowed. "What are they doing there?"
I shrugged. "As per mom, my in-laws also want to be with Baby Tanya."
He just nodded and guided me to the car.
"Is James also there?" He asked while driving.
"I don't know. Mom did not mention him. Why?"
"Nothing. I just want to ask."
"Is it really nothing?" I said, teasing him.
"Tsk. Because for sure I will be out of place from you two."
I chuckled. "Stop being jealous of your brother. I see him as my brother now, okay?"
"What about before?"
I smiled mischievously. "You already know the answer to that."
"Tsk."
I could see the irritation on his face, so I couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Tsk. What's funny?" He hissed.
I'm still laughing, but I try to calm myself down. The frown on his face was obvious.
"Hon, we're married, we already have a baby, and we also love each other. So can you stop being jealous of your older brother? James and I have been close for a long time now; what we have before is nothing now. It's just you who can't move on. " I told him, but there is still a tease in my voice.
He did not answer, but I could see him pouting his lips.
So when I saw a red light and our car stopped. I removed my seatbelt to quickly kissed him on the lips.
I could see the shock on his face and the change in his mood.
I then hug him. "Stop being jealous okay? I love you so much!"
He nodded and smile. "I love you more, wife!" And then he gave me a quick kiss. I remove my arms from him and put the seatbelt on when I saw the light turn green.
In a few minutes, we arrived at Ottave's mansion.
When we entered the mansion, it is as if no one was there. My husband and I frowned. When a maid came out, Maru called her.
"Anette, where is everyone?"
"Ahh, Sir, they are in the garden with Ma'am Mara's parents and your daughter." She said politely.
We nodded and said our thank you's.
When Anette left, we went straight to the garden. We were at the garden's entrance when suddenly someone throws confetti at us.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!" They greeted him.
My husband and I got shocked by their surprise. James and his parents were there. Also, my mom, dad, and Baby Tanya. Manang Lucy and Manang Biding were there. My best friends were also there, Yelle and Alex.
One by one, they went to greet Maru.
"Happy Birthday, Bro!" James greeted him.
After James greeted him, he went to me.
He hugged me. "Welcome back, Denise!"
But that hug was only for a moment because Maru quickly removed her brother's arm that was hugging me.
I just heard him chuckle. "You look blooming, Denise, and your aura is different now. It looks like you enjoyed your vacation." He said with a wink.
I felt my face redden.
"Hey, don't embarrass my wife," Maru said, annoyed, and then clung tightly to my waist.
James just shook his head.
The whole family was having a good time during our dinner.
"Where's Jana? Why is she not here?" I asked Yelle.
The men are currently chatting together. And I'm sure they are talking about business.
"You're expecting her here? The other woman never joined the man's family gathering." Yelle said sarcastically.
I rebuke her. "Stop that, Yelle. It's not good to say things like that to her. She is also a friend of Maru. I expected her to be here more than you and Alex."
She just rolled her eyes. "You are the martyr of the year. And excuse me? I'm also friends with your husband. Besides, we are here for Baby Tanya since you forbid us to visit her." She said.
"Hey, it's not like that. We want you to lessen your visit so that we can have family time alone." I said, a bit guilty.
"It's okay. I understand. It's just that I miss my goddaughter."
"Why don't you make a child of your own?" I teased her.
"And who will be the father?"
"Don't you have a boyfriend? A suitor? Or someone you like?"
She rolled her eyes again.
"I don't have a boyfriend. But I have a lot of suitors. And I have a long list of the guy I like." She said while laughing.
"Why can't you have a boyfriend then? You have a lot of suitors, and you also like a lot of guys."
She just shrugged.
"When do you plan to have a boyfriend then? You will be an old maid soon!"
Her eyes widen. "Hey! I'm only twenty-five?! So it's normal that I'm still single. You just got married too early. I still want to enjoy my freedom. " She said defensively.
I just shook my head and chose not to argue with her anymore.
Later, my mom called me, and we went straight to the living room.
"Mara, my child."
"Yes, mom? What do you want to tell me?" I asked her.
"When are you planning to go back to work?"
I furrowed. "Why, mom? Is there anything wrong?"
She shakes her head. "Nothing. But in case you haven't noticed, your dad and I are not getting any younger. Your dad needs to lessen his stress because I notice he often feels tightness in his chest. That's why I want him to lessen his work."
"We need you, Mara; the company needs you." My mom told me.
I nodded at her. "I understand, mom. I will talk to Maru later."
"Thank you, Mara!" She said, then she hugged me.
***
After Maru's post-birthday celebration, we went back to our house. And since I missed my daughter, I was the one who took care of her till she falls asleep.
After that, I went straight to our room that was connected to our baby's room.
Maru hugged me tightly as I entered the room.
"Hon, Mommy and I talked earlier," I told him.
"Hmm" was his only reaction as he hugged and pressed his head to my neck.
"They want me to go back to work," I said almost in a whisper.
"Do you want to?" He asked me.
I tried to smile at him. "Well, as much as I want to take care of our daughter, I think the company needs me. Besides, Manang Biding is here so I can leave baby Tanya to her."
He looked at me intently and then nodded.
My eyes widened, and I smiled big.
"Hon? You are allowing me to go back to work?" I asked him again to confirm.
"Anything for you, wife." He just said.
***
Today is my first day of work after giving birth.
I miss my office, my team, and my work, but now I know that my work will be more enormous than before because my dad will gradually pass his position on to me.
I'm not worried because anytime soon our company will have a merger with Maru's company. It's long overdue. The merging should be done after our wedding, but many things happened that's why it got postponed.
I was busy on my first day of work. I am still with the Marketing Team, but next month I will be in charge of the Sales and Marketing Department.
Due to the amount of my work, I did not realize that it was almost lunchtime. If Yelle hadn't visited me for lunch, I might not have noticed it at all.
"Yelle, sorry, but I'm planning to go to Maru and have lunch together."
Yelle invited me to lunch. It's been a long time since we have bonded.
"You just got married, and now your starting to ignore me." She said while pouting.
"Does your husband know that you will have lunch together?"
"I forgot to tell him. I was in a hurry to get here in the office earlier."
"Oh, I'll go with you because I feel like I'm going to have lunch with you."
I frowned. "Why did you say that?"
She rolled her eyes. "Because you are too martyr! You are always giving."
"I still don't get you."
"For sure, if Jana asks you to let your husband go with her, you will agree immediately," she said sarcastically.
I raised my brow. "Says who?"
I saw her eyes widen. "I like your answer, friend! But I would love to go with you more. It's fun to watch!"
I just shook my head and let her go with me.
***
I thought about what Yelle said.
Does it mean that my husband and Jana always have lunch together?
And true enough, when we arrived at my husband's office, I saw Jana waiting there.
"I told you!" Yelle is teasing me.
I just rolled my eyes.
I went to Jana, and I could see the shock in her eyes.
I frowned.
I thought he liked Alex? But why do I feel different?
"Hi, Jana!" I greeted her.
"H-hi," she forces herself to greet me back.
"What are you doing at my husband's office?" I asked her in a serious tone.
"I was about to invite A-Andrew to have lunch with me." She said.
Then I saw my husband come out of his office. I see the shock in his eyes.
"Wife!" He greeted me and kissed me.
I saw Jana look away that has made my forehead frown even more.
"I was planning to invite you for lunch, but it looks like you and Jana already agree to have lunch together," I said in a formal tone.
"Huh?"
He then looks at Jana.
"Ha? Did we agree to have lunch together?" He asked, a bit confused.
"Omg, friend! Jana said that she was ABOUT TO INVITE your husband." Yelle butted in.
I just ignore Yelle's teasing.
"Do you often spend your lunchtime with Jana?" I seriously asked Maru.
He shakes his head. "Of course not. It was only when we came across each other."
I raised my brow. "And how often is that?"
"Huh?"
I shook my head and gave him a forced smile.
"Sorry, Jana, huh? But I want to have lunch with my husband today. So maybe you can just invite him some other time?" I said calmly.
Her eyes bug out, then she nodded. "Yes, sure. I'm sorry."
After Jana left, Yelle also said goodbye.
"I'm leaving too; you're possessive now." She said teasingly.
When the two left, my husband turned to me. "What was that wife?"
I raised my brow. "What do you mean?"
"The thing that you just did."
I smirked. "I thought you want me to get jealous and be possessive of you?"
Suddenly he bit his lower lip. It seems like he is keeping himself from smiling. He kissed and hugged me tightly.
"That's my girl!" He whispered.