Chapter 1
“Don’t peek.”
Becky smiled. “What’s this all about? And do you really want me blindfolded for the entire trip? Where are we going?” she asked with a playful tone while adjusting the blindfold. Her wife had woken her up early, saying they had somewhere to go.
“Just relax.”
“Are you kidnapping me or something?”
“Really? You’re my wife. I can do anything to you,” Freen replied, her cheeks suddenly reddening due to what she had just said. “Why? Do you have something new in mind?” she asked playfully.
Freen furrowed her brow and looked at Becky. She smiled and shrugged. “You’re something else.” She started the car and drove off. “I’m sure you’ll like it.”
Becky sniffed and leaned back in her seat. She had been living with Freen for a year now, ever since they reconciled. She returned to Manila, leaving her family in the province. She wasn’t worried anymore because her sibling knew how to cook, and they had hired a new cook to help them. Since they had been back together, they had been quite busy with their respective activities. Freen had doubled her efforts in her business, while Becky chose to pursue culinary arts again while working as a chef in Freen’s restaurant. Yes, it happened when the restaurant’s previous chef left. Hannah was no longer there either, feeling ashamed of what had transpired. Becky tried reaching out to her, but she never responded.
When Freen reconciled with her parents, they accepted Becky as well. Every Saturday night, they would go to his parents’ mansion for dinner. They treated Becky respectfully now. In fact, Freen’s father had become proud of her. In reality, Becky and Patricia often went shopping together since Freen was often busy.
Becky didn’t even notice how long they had been traveling. She suddenly felt the car stop, and the car door opened. She didn’t move from her seat, partly because she was blindfolded. She felt the door on her side open, and Freen took her hand.
“Let’s go,” she said, helping Becky out of the car.
“Where are we? I’m getting nervous, you know?”
“Relax,” Freen reassured her as she gently guided Becky towards a gate. She stopped her and stood behind her. “Are you ready?”
“Since a while ago!” Becky replied with a laugh.
“Okay. First, I want you to know that I’ve been preparing for this for a long time. I know... these past days, our schedules have been hectic. But I want, and I expect, that this will be the beginning of us becoming even stronger,” Freen confessed.
“Why do I suddenly feel nervous about what you just said?” Becky teased. It had been almost a week since they had a proper conversation. Freen would come home when she was already asleep, and she would leave before she woke up. They even talked more often through video calls than in person. She was surprised they were going out now.
Freen took hold of Becky’s blindfold. “Welcome to our new home!” she exclaimed happily as she removed the blindfold.
Becky was left speechless when she saw the two-story house. She covered her mouth in astonishment because it was exactly like the house she had always dreamed of. It had a spacious terrace on the top floor and even a rooftop. From the gate alone, she could see the front porch with a swing. The backyard wasn’t overly large, just the right size. The house was simple, but to Becky, it was incredibly luxurious. She looked at Freen with tears in her eyes.
“Do you like it?” she asked.
“Like? I love it!” Becky exclaimed and immediately hugged Freen. She even shed some tears due to overwhelming happiness. “You’re incredible!”
“Are you crying?” Freen patted Becky’s back. She smiled through her tears. “You’re happy.”
Becky nodded and raised her head. She was still clinging to him. “Thank you. But... is this ours?”
Freen nodded and wiped Becky’s tears away with her fingers. “Yes, and it’s under your name.”
“What? Why?”
“I know you’ve wanted a house for a long time, and I knew this is what you wanted. This is my gift to you, Becky... my wife.”
Becky teared up even more. “You’re spoiling me too much. I told you that you didn’t need to do this.”
“There you go again. Here.” Freen took the key from his pocket. “Give a tour of our new house.”
Becky wiped away her tears and smiled at her wife. She took the key. “Our. Our new house.”
“Yes. Our new start.”
