"You are a very good cook, Mia."
Smiling, that was Fidel's comment on Mia's cooked Sinigang na Bangus when the four of them ate dinner that night.
Mia smiled shyly and then forced herself to speak even though it wasn't easy for her to do so. And that was because of the extreme discomfort she was feeling at that very moment.
"Thank you," Mia answered shyly then bowed her head.
She couldn't understand why she was so nervous. Although maybe that's normal because those she was facing are the parents of the man she's going to marry.
The truth is that Erik's mother, Aurora, was very quiet. She doesn't know if it's because she's shy. It had been a long time since she last saw the woman. So she thought maybe it was because of that. But there is a part of her mind that says there is another reason why she feels that way.
"Mia is a really good cook. That's why I fell in love with her," she heard Erik reply in a tone that was full of admiration and pride for her.
Erik's father just laughed softly because of that. While his mother did not react at all. Even the aura of her face did not change. The reason why is that she felt even more nervous. And her face was getting hot because of the intense discomfort she was feeling.
"I want to rest."
For the first time since she had met her, she heard Aurora speak. But just like how quiet she was, the tone of her voice was cold. Something that gave her inexplicable fear, especially when she glanced at her.
"All right Mom, I’ll fix your and Papa’s room," said Erik, standing up to follow Aurora out of the kitchen.
"Thank you for the delicious dinner, Mia," said Fidel in his kind voice along with his sweet smile.
Mia just nodded before opening her mouth to speak. "You are welcome, Uncle Fidel," she said.
A few moments later, Mia was left alone there to clean. In that way, she tried to distract herself while trying to ignore her desire to go home to spend the night in her own house.
She also couldn't understand why the whole house suddenly seemed to be crowded. Maybe because she is not comfortable with Erik’s mother. Something that didn't happen to her before because he was naturally kind to her even then.
“Are you okay?”
Slightly, Mia flinched in surprise when she heard that voice from behind her.
She was still washing the dishes then. And unexpectedly, she took a little longer doing that because her brain was busy overthinking.
"Y-Yes," she answered, forcing a smile.
Mia tried to hide the mixture of nervousness and surprise that she felt in those moments, but she failed. It became obvious because of the tone of her speech.
That's when Erik hugged her from behind. "I'm sorry, I haven't told them that you're here, so maybe that is the reason why Mama was quiet earlier. Maybe she was still in shock," Erik apologized to her.
A hearty laugh escaped Mia's throat. After that, she gently patted Erik's hand that was on her waist. That's when the man released her from his tight embrace.
"I understand that so don't worry," she said truthfully then turned to the young man who she saw staring at her.
"Really?" Erik asked as if he couldn't believe what she said.
She nodded consecutively. "I'm sure. They are your parents, so I know that such a reaction is normal, especially for your mother. Because you are close to her," she admitted.
Erik hugged her tightly again after hearing what she said. "What did I do to deserve someone like you, sweetheart?" he even kissed her head afterward.
Mia couldn't find an answer to her boyfriend's question. Because the truth is that even she could not find an answer to the same question.
"Get some rest, I'm about to finish here," she said, pushing the young man away.
Erik acted and then took two cups. "Let's have coffee first, isn't it early?" He started making coffee for the two of them.
"We might have some difficulty falling asleep if we do that," she said, unable to stop laughing because of the amusement she felt for her boyfriend.
At that point, Mia immediately noticed the change of emotion in Erik's eyes. Suddenly, the way he stared at her became erotic.
"I don't have any plans to sleep early today," Erik answered in a whisper then winked at her.
A weak breath automatically escaped Mia's mouth because of what her boyfriend said. Then, after recovering from the shock, she immediately patted the young man's shoulder and spoke in a whisper.
"What are you saying? Don't tell me you're planning something?" she asked him in a tone of disbelief.
Erik who finished making coffee laughed softly after that. He placed the two cups on the table and then approached her.
The naughty smile was still on his lips. While in the eyes is the usual emotion that she often sees whenever he plans to do something to her.
"Seriously? Your mom and dad are just in the other room!” she reminded Erik and then couldn't stop the loss of a weak and restrained laugh.
That's when Erik grabbed her by both of her shoulders. After that, he bent down and planted a simple kiss on her lips.
"I want to get you pregnant. I want us to have many children. Maybe about five, what do you think?" he said to her then led her to sit in the chair he had pulled up to the table.
What Erik said touched Mia's heart. Even though he was saying that she could still see in his eyes that love was the reason for all that. So she couldn't stop smiling because of the excitement.
“I like that too. Many children," she answered.
"Oh, what are we waiting for?" Erik asked her with excitement in the tone of his voice.
"Stop it. Later, too early for that. I don’t want to waste this coffee that you brewed," she said again, laughing softly.
Erik's thick eyebrows rose and then he grabbed both of her hands and kissed them.
"Tell me, you're not comfortable with my mother, right?" Erik asked her kindly and almost in a whispering tone.
At that time, Mia had an idea that maybe that was what Erik wanted them to talk about.
She had to admit that a part of her heart was secretly grateful for the young man's opening up on that topic. Since they met again, he has always been her best friend.
Mia carefully nodded in agreement to that question.
"Tell me, what made you feel that way?" Erik asked her again.
At that point, Mia decided to take a sip of coffee. Then she turned her attention to the person in front of her. She looked straight into the young man's eyes so as often happens it was not difficult for her to read what was in his mind and heart.
“I-I don't even know why. Maybe that's normal because she's your mother. I know you are close to her. But I have to admit that her silence added to the discomfort I feel," she admitted.
At that point, Mia felt Erik's careful squeeze on her hand. She immediately bent down to look at it. And when she heard his voice when he spoke again, she raised her head.
"I haven't talked to them yet about why they came so suddenly. But, sweetheart, I want you to know and I also want to assure you that nothing will change. I love you and our marriage will push through, whether they want it or not," Erik in a firm tone.
Mia believed in that, which is why she couldn't herself from hugging Erik tightly. Then, because of the overflowing happiness in her heart at that moment, she made the first move for a deep kiss that they shared.
"I want to take a bath," she said meaningfully after letting go of him.
She saw Erik's eyes light up as he got what she meant by that. That's why she immediately nodded and stood up.
"Let's shower together?" he asked in a whisper then bit the tip of her right ear.
Mia took a breath there and then nodded when she recovered. "You have to slow down this time, okay? You don’t want your parents to hear my responses to your lovemaking, do you?" she said giggling.
Erik then put his arm around her and guided her in the direction of their room. "I'm going to have a hard time with what you want to happen because when we're in that kind of scene, I just do not know how to resist your charm," he said without hiding what he said in his tone of voice.
Based on what she heard, Mia got caught in a delicious shiver that ran down all over her body.