[29] With You

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Chapter 29 With You


"Please stop grumbling!" Alicia heaved with exasperation lacing her voice as she swung around to give her father-in-law an irritated gaze. She kept her voice low and her lips in a smile all too careful not to let the gathered crowd know that she was actually chastising Patrick.

"Dad," She began in what she hoped was a reasonable tone yet would tell Patrick of her slowly wearing patience. "I don't know why it's such a big deal to you. We don't need proof of their efforts, you know. I'm sure those three weeks were spent—"

"Exactly!" Patrick hissed under his breath, also aware of the people around them. "Three whole weeks that I so generously gave!" He paused to acknowledge a congratulatory greeting from a burly man who suddenly clasped his hand for an animated handshake. Both him and Alicia smiling cheerfully at the enthusiastic remark for the successful opening of the new restaurant then as soon as the man left, he turned the same sour face to his daughter-in-law to continue where he left off. "Three weeks—and they bring home a dog!"

Grabbing her father-in-law's hand, Alicia steered him in the direction of their assigned seats that provided optimal view of the long stage. "There's nothing wrong with that."

"Nothing wrong?—it's very wrong!" He was entirely flabbergasted.

"Keep it down!" Alicia reminded him sternly, ignoring the annoyed and disbelieving look being thrown her way by her father-in-law.

His brows furrowing even more, Patrick looked about him to see if anyone had noticed his short outburst. When he noted none seem to have given attention since most were busy talking amongst themselves, mingling thru the crowd or busy admiring the opulence of the occasion, he clutched at his son's wife arm and retorted, "This is a conspiracy against me."

He sounded as if he had discovered an actual conspiracy to bring him to his demise and thus warning everyone involved, he fully intended to thwart any more of it progressing.

Rolling her eyes, Alicia willed to stretch her patience then calmly said, "Dad, no one cooked up a conspiracy to annoy you. It's not like those two are controlling their urges just to make you suffer. Looking at Lisa alone will tell you. They are still enjoying their marriage. What you want—it will happen, Dad. Just be patient."

Finding he couldn't come up with another argument to what she said, Patrick resorted back to grumbling unintelligibly until they reached the white seats near the stage. He slumped down on the cushioned seat with his name on it, adjusting his weight while continuously muttering under his breath.

Alicia placed herself on the empty seat between Patrick and Marco who had been waiting for them for a good twenty minutes already. She sighed heavily at Marco's unspoken question regarding his father's endless grumbling and the scowl that marred the old man's face.

"Dad is displeased with the new dog," she replied.

Marco raised a brow. "The one Lisa and Jennie gave him?"

"Yes."

"Yes!" Patrick snapped quietly, once again renewed by the reason behind his restlessness, leaning to his left to address Marco. "That mutt with the brown curly fur—"

"It's not a mutt. It's a—"

Patrick jerked a hand in the air between them to cut Marco off. "I don't care what it is!" He growled. "The point I'm trying to argue here is—when I told Lisa to make the vacation productive I meant human production! She should have used her efforts into planting her seeds properly—not buy a darn dog!"

"Well, I think it's sweet of them to give you a dog," Alicia interjected, emphasizing the word sweet on her father-in-law. "Instead of taking up grumbling as your new favorite pastime, you should be thankful already and let others enjoy this night."

"Oh really?" Patrick remarked with a bit of acerbic edge to his tone, meeting his daughter-in-law's gaze with a challenging one. "What do you want me to do with this dog? It isn't for companionship . . . I'm sure . . . because the house is always teeming with humanity. I can just turn any corner, every direction and always a person is there. And I am more of a cat person—"

"No you're not," Alicia contradicted point-blank.

This seemed to raise the old man's hackles. Shifting in his seat, he stated, "You're not me. You can't tell me what I am or am not!"

"I'm your son's wife so basically I'm also your daughter. You've been living with us for so long and If there's anyone who knows you, it's me. So will you please stop being difficult? They've been married barely a year. They were strangers before getting wed, not one itty bitty bit of knowledge about each other. It's all the reverse in their case. So, let them enjoy each other first before you start demanding for a great grandchild."

Floored yet again, Patrick sat straight and crossed his arms over his well tailored suit and after a moment of sulking silence, he vented. "What the hell will I do with that dog?"

"Enjoy it. Name it. Play with it," Marco enumerated with a grin.

"You are enjoying my annoyance," Patrick accused, his eyes narrowing sideways at his son, Marco.

"Me? I'm on your side, Patrick."

"Horseshit."

"Now, now, no need for profanities."

"Dad, language!" Shifting to her left, Alicia gripped Marco's forearm and glared at him. "Stop goading him," she hissed then very quickly pasted a smile to her face as another one of the guest stopped in front of them to offer congratulations. "Hello Emma! Thanks for coming! You look lovely," she greeted a little exuberantly than normal, standing up to greet the socialite with a friendly kiss to the cheek.

Marco greeted the woman as well and so did Patrick but his face was still looking disgruntled that the socialite Emma couldn't help but ask Alicia in a hushed tone, "I think your father doesn't like having this fashion show in line with the opening of his new restaurant," the elite woman conveyed, leaning closer to Alicia lest the old man hears her observation. "But I personally like it. I think it's a great end to tonight's occasion. Everyone is excited."

Nodding her agreement, Alicia confided with a bright smile. "It was all Lisa's idea."

"How wonderful! I wish my son was more like Lisa . . . so responsible and charming. Sehun is somewhat of a playboy. Even now I see him flirting with another random female," Emma complained, placing a hand to Alicia's arm while shaking her perfectly coiffed head. "These women he associates with will be the death of me."

"Oh, believe me, not too long ago I know the feeling," Alicia offered with appropriate sympathy for the distressed mother, gently patting the hand that rested on her arm.

"Yes, she does." Patrick suddenly interpolated, surprising the two as it implied that he was in fact hearing their conversation and wasn't reluctant to put his two cents in. "She managed to reform the one she married."

Marco let out a strangled cough.

Emma's green orbs grew wide and she threw Alicia a furtive glance who smiled back uneasily before remarking, "He's senile—and that's putting it mildly. Let's go over at Lisa's side, Emma. I'm sure she'd be delighted to know what you think of her ideas." And without waiting for an assent, she forcibly dragged the woman away from her father.

But Lisa was not among the huddle of boys and girls which consisted of her cousins and friends all dressed smartly for the occasion and who seemed to be immersed in a deep conversation of sorts.

"Where's Lisa?" Alicia asked making their entire grinning faces look up to her.

"Backstage," Seulgi quipped.

The rest of Lisa's relatives nodded. "Yep. Backstage."

"With Jennie," Adam added which caused a round of smirks from the other guys in the group.

Alicia groaned inwardly and half glared at all of them. The insinuation of Adam's words coupled with the grinning men was clear to her and Emma.

"Of course. Where else would she be."


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If Jennie were to be asked to pick one favorite moment during the three weeks honeymoon with Lisa, she won't pick the day they went snorkeling or that time they went deep sea diving in the crystal blue waters of the West Caribbean and got well acquainted with the flora and fauna of underwater life.

Neither will she consider that time when Lisa thought it would be awesome to be involved in the shark feeding activity the island offered—which in a weird kind of way was a fun experience once sharks swarm your boat—nor the day they went on an island discovery excursion via a helicopter tour from Le Taha'a to Bora Bora.

Even if most of their activities and adventures during the three weeks vacation were wonderful in its entirety, the thing she loved the most was getting to stay in the over-the-water luxury bungalow in Cayo Espanto with Lisa.

She didn't think it was possible to wake up together to the most beautiful sunrise, to a picture perfect window of the exotic water world of the Caribbean, seeing a variety of sea life swimming around and under their villa then whenever they feel like it, plunge into the tranquil water just outside their bungalow.

Yet looking back, she felt, it wasn't so much about the beautiful settings or the exciting activities but rather the company she was with. Being with Lisa and having her to share it with made everything feel so much more enjoyable, fun and worthwhile.


And it had been comforting to know Lisa shared the same views as her. The Thai said so herself while they were enjoying a private Motu picnic in Le Taha'a as the sun was setting in the horizon.

"Grandpa sure knows how to pick a romantic and unique honeymoon destination," Lisa mentioned casually as they both looked to the sunset streaking orange and purple hues across the dimming sky.

"Yes. Everything here is breathtaking, charming and wonderful."

Peeling her dark hazel eyes from the sunset to gaze at the brunette, Lisa smiled at the amazement in her glorious brown eyes and reached a hand across the round table to lace their fingers together.

"Even more so because it's with you," Lisa huskily said, making Jennie's eyes sparkle in agreement as she nodded. "Sure it's a different experience being here but when I look at you and see you happy, looking at me with exhilaration in your eyes . . . all these becomes an exceptional moment."

Touched by the tenderness of the Thai's words, Jennie moved up from her seat to sit on her husband's lap. Gently cradling the Thai's handsome face in both her hands, she teasingly whispered, "Where did the arrogant woman I married in Italy go?"

Lisa's chest shook lightly as she chuckled, her hands snaking to her waist and adjusting her position on her lap so that the brunette straddled erm instead of just sitting sideways.

"She fell in love with this ebony haired beauty. Lucky girl, if you ask me."

Jennie gasped at her sudden smugness but eagerly played along, squirming purposely on the Thai's lap. "Luckier woman, in my opinion."

Lisa groaned at the friction the brunette on her lap created in her groin. These days it doesn't take much to stimulate her sexually and Jennie knows it. Lisa tightened her hold on her wife's waist to steady her movements.

"You don't play fair."

"What do you mean?" Jennie inquired with sham innocence still trying to fidget from Lisa's hold.

"Okay that's it." Slipping a hand to the brunette's nape, the other pulling her lower body closer, Lisa dismissed the sounds of water, the gentle breeze of the wind and the distant echoes of other natural beings. "Making love while the sun sets will top the list of romantic activities, don't you think?"

"Out here?"

"Right here." Lisa held Jennie's beautiful face and closed the gap between their faces to kiss the teasing smile on her lips. "Right now."

"I love you . . ." Jennie murmured just before she wrapped her arms around the Thai's shoulders and kissed back ardently.


They came back just yesterday afternoon, tanned and looking immensely refreshed. But with no time to spare, they picked up on their schedules. Lisa, getting in the loop of the preparations for the opening of the new restaurant which was finally decided to be called Marina, after her grandmother's, Patrick's late wife, name, went into a meeting only an hour after they arrived in the airport.

While Jennie went straight to the studio and after browsing through the numerous photos, signing papers, addressing some issues that arose in the weeks she was absent, she rushed to meet with Irene and some of her friends from high school and college to keep herself updated on the upcoming fashion show.

Also, Jennie was scuttled by a freaking out Irene to fit the suit that she's supposed to model. But much as the brunette wanted, there wasn't a chance to let Lisa see what she's wearing for the show. It wasn't really necessary and Irene thinks she's being silly but Jennie wanted her husband's approval.

"Are you sure this is okay with you?" Jennie asked her husband as soon as the Thai woman materialized next to her in the enormous crowded tent provided to those who will be modeling swimsuits, gauging Lisa's facial expression as her eyes languidly roved over the brunette's body clad in a gladiator open cut disc swimsuit in black and with gold trimmings. From the one strap bandeau connected on one side with a strip of textile to its bikini bottoms, the swimsuit actually is a one piece but the gaping cut in the area that's supposed to cover the middle part of her torso and back made it look like a two piece suit. "I mean if you think this is too revealing, I'll ask Sana for another one."

Jennie pulled Lisa off to the side behind several racks of swimsuits and stacks of big boxes to keep away from staring eyes of the other occupants of the tent which they were already attracting. With her arms slightly stretched up to the sides, she slowly twirled herself around for Lisa's inspection and waited for the Thai woman to pass judgment.

Lisa smiled admiringly, amused by her wife's wariness, as she leaned off on one of the metal post holding the tent up to walk towards the brunette. Jennie looks splendid and unattainable yet her eyes held the same playfulness that has always been there. It's a wonderfully intriguing contrast to an ordinary onlooker and Lisa had no doubt the camera and the crowd will love Jennie once she walks out the stage.

Lisa wrapped her arms around her wife's tiny waist, toned abs that was revealed all too lavishly by the edgy designed suit, pulling Jennie close, her body instantly adjusting to the Thai's contours, then with appreciation written on her face, Lisa said, "You look like you just stepped out of the cover of Elle Magazine."

"So you like it?"

"It's classy sexy. I love it. It's perfect on you," Lisa admitted sincerely, knowing no other female could pull off the suit with elegance the way she does. "You look absolutely fantastic, Nini."

"And you really don't mind that I'm going to walk out there in this?"

"We talked about this in Belize, babe. I even suggested to Irene to hold this show here. You know this."

"Yes, we did but I'm just making sure you didn't change your mind between our flight back to Seoul to the program earlier." Jennie was referring to the short program for the opening of the restaurant. "You were really not agreeable to this when Irene first told you."

"Ah, yes." Lisa concurred tipping her head back slightly. "That was then. When I was shrouded with insecurity and misplaced doubt."

"And now?"

"And now, after what we've been through—including the three weeks of honeymoon—I can honestly say I'm okay with this. I don't mind if they ogle at you . . . and they will. Believe me." The degree of certainty was evident in the Thai's voice but Jennie sensed it was plain certainty of facts and not anything else that would imply she was only forcing herself to like what she's about to do. "This is something that you have been doing with peers before I even came into your life, Nini. I don't see why I have to hinder this when there's nothing bad about it. It's for charity and I know every so often you also enjoy not being behind the camera. Besides, we're married. You're my wife and I love you."

"I love you too."

Lisa gently squeezed her waist. "Admiring stares will not change these facts. So yes, this is okay with me. And is there anything wrong if I want to flaunt my wife's gorgeousness once in awhile?" The Thai woman grinned widely while her brows rose as if daring Jennie to deny her.

The brunette laughed that easy sounding laugh Lisa found adorable and infectious at the same time. "I guess not."

"Grandpa is displeased though." Surprised by the abrupt change in topic and the teasing note to Lisa's voice becoming slightly serious, Jennie's smile was replaced with a questioning look.

"I overheard Grandpa complaining to Mom," Lisa clarified as she did her best not to smile at the slight crease marring her wife's brows while she listened carefully to what she had to say regarding the old man she had grown very fond of. "He's been pestering her to no end since we came back and throwing me death glares every chance he gets."

"He didn't like the dog? Oh no, I knew it." Jennie's eyes grew round and a flash of worry crossed over them. "We should have chosen a Labrador instead."

"It's not that at all," Lisa assured her, gently running her palms up and down the brunette's arms. "He's just using the dog as an excuse to express his disappointment."

"About what?"

"About me not getting you pregnant."

Jennie's perfectly shaped brows crunched together once more. "I'm still on the pill."

"He doesn't need to know that," Lisa remarked with a chuckle while playfully touching a finger to the tip of her cute nose. "It's kinda funny actually seeing him all grouchy then immediately grinning wide when one of the guests approaches him."

"I should talk to him."

"Uh, no." Lisa shook her head amused by the concern that laced her voice over Patrick's unfulfilled wishes. "Unless you're telling Grandpa you want to be a mother soon—I prefer baby making matters stay between us."

Jennie briefly bit her lower lip as she tried to read between Lisa's spoken words. In truth, even that time when Lisa had asked her to stay married to her beyond five years or even during their honeymoon, having a baby with her didn't really cross her mind. But now that the subject has been brought up by Patrick no less, she realized, as a married couple and with things between them ironed-out, it was a discussion they have to

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