After having spent majority of the day with her family, Ximena had decided it was about time she got home; her new home.

It felt weird that she would no longer be staying at her parents home in Miami but by now she should have been used to it since she'd been basically living with Adriano for the past couple of days.

But that had been temporary; this was a permanent thing. Hell, it actually didn't get anymore temporary than that.

The matter at hand was that she wanted to be the best wife possible for Adriano. Suddenly, everything about her life was just about him, what he was feeling and what he thought of her. It was funny how some weeks ago, she was hell bent on not getting married. Oh how the tables have turned.

"You can cook for him tonight, it might make him feel better. I'll let you have your abuela's secret enchilladas recipe and my famous chilli one too. That should cheer him up and hopefully make him fall in love with you," her mother had advised her with a cheeky grin, much to her never ending embarassment.

Is this what being in love was like? Always looking to be the best version of yourself for the other person and caring so much that they're happy at all times? Nobody had prepared her for this.

Changing into a comfortable pair of grey track bottoms and a pink tank top, Ximena slipped on some flip flops and exited their bedroom and went downstairs. The kitchen was now fully stocked after having gone grocery shopping earlier so cooking would not be a problem, though she knew that sooner or later they'd need to higher some help due to their upcoming busy schedules.

Adriano hadn't contacted her the whole day and the few times she'd texted or called him, he hadn't picked up. Was he purposefully ignoring her? Was she being too clingy? Was he getting tired of her already?

I am so screwed, she thought grimly as she proceeded to gather the ingredients she would need for meal. Cooking had always interested her, although she had not really done much of it in her lifetime. Maybe that would be changing soon.

After all, food was the way to a man's heart right?

Her phone rang a couple of minutes after beginning the process of making enchiladas. Thinking it was Adriano, she dashed over to it but felt a wash of disappointment when she saw that it was only Chelsea.

"Hello," she answered dejectedly and Chelsea chuckled.

"You don't sound happy to hear my voice. May I ask why? I used to be the prime source of joy in your life," she joked, mirth lacing her tone. At least one of them seemed happy.

Ximena sighed for the umpteenth time. "I am happy to hear from you. It's just that I've been distracted," she trailed of in frustration, putting her phone on loud speaker and placing it on the island. It was already time for sunset, the sun painting the horizon a magnificent hue of red and orange.

"I can already tell this has something to do with that spicy papi of yours. Spill girlfriend," and then Ximena told her all that has been happening, simultaneously preparing the food.

Chelsea remained silent for some seconds after she'd wrapped up the list of events. "Oh damn. I'm really sorry that he went through that. He must be having a tough time. But he doesn't have to treat you like that," she voiced, concerned for her best friend.

"Like how? He's not doing anything wrong," Ximena remarked defensively. In her perspective, Adriano wasn't doing anything wrong, or was he?

"That's the thing with you, Mena. Always wearing your heart on your sleeve. He's shutting you out, not even considering your feelings and that's unhealthy and not to mention plain disrespectful. After all you did for him, he just goes off on his own? And he didn't even let you know where he is? Girl, that ain't right."

As much as she didn't want admit, her best friend was right. There was no reason why he could not confide in her. Weren't they past that already? All he had done was push her away and leave her in the dark, would he always do that?

"Yeah right," she replied lowly.

"Of course I am. Let's meet up tomorrow. Are you-," Chelsea didn't get to finish her sentence because of some background noise that sounded awfully familiar. Too familar actually.

Remaining silent, she heard Chelsea arguing with someone about something, then a few giggles. Chelsea never giggled about anything. Period. Unless...

Smirking to herself, Ximena asked, "Who is that making Miss-I'm-Hard-To-Please giggle like a teenage girl?"

Chelsea scoffed. "Nobody, you didn't hear anything," she trailed off dismissively but told someone in the background to shut up. "No, leave my phone you idiot-,"

"Ximena, darling. Santiago here," he drawled smugly, and Chelsea groaned audibly. "How are you doing, sister in law?"

Ximena's smirk deepened. "Doing quite well, Santi. So, you two are a thing now? When did this happy accident happen?" She inquired, amused by the entire situation. She wasn't against the idea of them being together. They looked good together.

Santiago laughed heartily. "Not too long. But your friend only considers me a nuisance. She's in denial. Can't wrap her head around the fact that she might actually like-," he stopped abruptly with a muffled grunt.

"I'll call you later, Mena." And with that, Chelsea ended the call.

Sooner or later, Ximena knew that those two would get together. Finally, her best friend had found someone genuinely interested in her and not her hour glass figure or model status.

About an hour later, when everything was almost done, a car pulled up to the driveway. Ximena knew who exactly it was but she felt irritated about it as well. It was already dark out, and now he had the decency to come back.

The front door opened two minutes later, and she heard foosteps. "Ximena?" He called out but she remained silent, stirring the chilli in the pot. Probably having smelt the heavenly aroma coming from the kitchen, she heard him enter. It wasn't long before she felt a pair of strong, masculine arms wrap around her waist from behind, and she felt butteflies unceremoniously invade her belly. Even her heart rate had spiked.

Damn it, why does his presence affect me so much?

He leaned down and placed a kiss on the crook of her neck. "It smells great in here, what are you making?" He asked in his deep, velvety voice with that adorable light Spanish accent she found so endearing. She had mentally chastise herself for wanting to forget she was currently mad at him and kiss him senseless.

When she didn't reply yet again, he paused. "Cariño? Why are you not responding?"

She huffed in annoyance and unwrapped his hand from around her waist. Going over to one of the cabinets, she pulled out two plates and placed them on the counter. "You basically disappear the whole day, without notice and you expect me to greet you with a 'oh darling, how was your day?' Yeah, not happening," she snapped angrily, directing her furious blue glare at him.

He sighed out loud, and made a move to go where she was but she stopped him. "No, stay where you are. I'm not happy with you right now so it would do you good to not come near me. Where the hell were you? Do you know how worried I was for you? Did you even care how I'd feel about this? You're such a callous brute!" She spat coldly, crossing her arms on her chest.

Adriano grappled the edge of the island, hanging his head in shame. "I know, I know. I'm so sorry for shutting you out but I didn't want to drag you into my despair, my sorrows. You don't deserve that Ximena. You're just to pure and special to carry my burdens too," he aired out sincerely but all she did was scoff.

"We're married, remember? Your problems are my problems too now, nd vice versa. I don't expect you to keep things from me, dammit. I l-," she had almost blurted out what she'd been dying to say for some days now but withheld herself from doing so. "I care about you, way too much. I guess you're used to dealing with things on your own but I don't want you to do that anymore. I'm here for you, do you get that?" She said softly and then went over to wrap her arms around his torso. He didn't hesitate to reciprocate the gesture.

They stood like that for what felt like hours, wrapped in each others arms. "I don't deserve you," Adriano whispered so lowly that he thought she wouldn't hear but she did anyway.

"I love you," she also whispered, and she detangled herself from him. "Now, head up to the shower, dinner will be served soon."

He smiled at her. "Is that a polite way of telling me I stink?" He joked with a playful scowl and she shrugged.

"You're not exactly smelling like a bouquet of flowers now, are you?" She teased him and he pulled her in for a kiss.

"Well, you smell like peaches and lavender. It's odd but I am crazy about your scent. I can't get enough of it," he said against her lips and she smiled.

"I didn't know that. Now, stop trying to distract me unless you want to eat this food cold. I made it just for you."

His face turned in surprise. "You cooked for me? Wow, you really are the dotting wife. Are you sure you don't want to join me in the shower though?" He added mischievously and she blushed hard. Laughing at this, he gave her one last peck and headed upstairs to take a shower.

Home sweet home.

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