Chapter Forty: Growing in Love

•3 YEARS LATER•

Eliora Ganes was happily married to the love of her life Romans Robins, she's now referred to as Mrs. Romans Eliora Robins also known as Madam Triple R in the industries owned by Romans.

Eliora stopped working at R- Industry immediately after her wedding which made Romans to put up a glamorous saloon for her, Eliora managed the saloon with Jennifer.

The Ganes family moved into the mansion given to them by Romans and started living in harmony with the Robins.

In three years, people changed, development took place, love grows but the relationship between friends and family continue persevering throughout the year.

Jane successfully graduated from the university and moved in with the Ganes, she became a senior sister to Aiden and they loved each other as family.

Eliora walks into the living room holding some shopping bags and by her walking step and body size one would instantly conclude that, she is pregnant.

"Hey honey" Romans called lovingly immediately he sees her, he hurriedly approach her while she hold a shy smile on her face.

Three years as married couple, Eliora is still shy. Maybe she haven't fully believed the whole events.

"How was your day?" Romans asked wrapping her wide waste with smile on his face.

"It was great. I didn't do much" Eliora said and grazes his chest as if she was cleaning something off it.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come pick you up, I was in a meeting" Romans said sadly caressing her face, he looked sad.

"It's alright sweetheart. I understand you" Eliora said with an assuring smile.

"Come sit, let me take care of you" Romans said softly as he pull her closer to the dinning table taking the bags away from her hands.

Eliora laughs shortly as she gently takes her sit.

"What do you want to eat?" Romans asked.

"I crave for some butter pie or pasta with plenty of ketchup" Eliora said in excitement but her facial expression was sadness mixed with anxiety.

Romans laughed and leaned on the dinning chair.

"You forget something babe, you're not allowed to eat anything greasy" Romans said lovingly but his tone where of mockery, Eliora frowned.

"Please sweetie... Just this once. I promise to love you forever" Eliora said hopelessly pouting her eyes into something pitiful.

Romans couldn't help but laugh loudly.

"You've already fallen deeper into me honey, forever is just a matter of time" Romans winked.

"I'll prepare fruit salad and chicken soup for you" Romans plants a soft kiss on Eliora's cheek and she playfully push him away fringing anger, he laughs as he walk to the kitchen.

"Maybe... I do love him without the forever" Eliora raised a silly brow and smirk happily.

Hot Romans walks into the kitchen bare chested, he turns on the tap and begin washing the fruits.

His six packs goes up and down as he moves his hand and arms, he looks hot and handsome when cooking. His hair laps on his face giving him that hot-daddy-in-the-kitchen kind of look.

"Diner is served" Romans said smiling brightly while placing the plates containing fruits and soup on the table.

Eliora has already changed into something free and long, she looks beautiful on a messy bun.

"Thanks babe" Eliora smiled taking up the fork.

"It's nothing" Eliora started eating while Romans takes a sit beside her, he stared at her with love dancing in his eyes.

This love, even after marriage was still great.

"Tell me about your day" Romans said placing his chin on his palm, he looked anxious.

"It was great. What else?" Eliora said plainly with no emotion, she seem uninterested.

"Just great? I want to hear more" Romans didn't care, he remained persistent.

"Well..someone said pregnancy looked good on me. I met new patrons. Today's sale was massive, I had no stress and took in few apprentice" Eliora paused rolling her eyes swiftly as if thinking about something.

"What else, what else, what else?" Eliora mutters moving her fork on the air, Romans smiled while watching her.

"Ah!" Eliora facial expression brightens and Romans anxiety increased.

"A stranger approached me, he said he has this feelings for me for some time now and wants us to date. He was shocked when I told him I'm married, not only married but pregnant" Eliora laughs as she explained but Romans held this undescribable facial expression.

"What?" Eliora asked anxiously.

"Stop working and stay home. You've apprentice and workers already. Just stay home" Romans said bluntly and vividly.

With the looks in his eyes, he was jealous and doesn't want to loose her anymore.

"Honey, we agreed on this. I don't want to be a full time house wife and secondly, I'm yours" Eliora said sweetly letting out a warm assuring smile.

"I know but I don't want to loose sight of you neither do I need other men flirting with my wife. I want to be around you" Romans paused and Eliora just stared.

"Should I join you to work from next week? You're already in your seven month so it's ethical to always be with you" Romans becomes pathetic and impatient.

"Babe" Eliora calls him out of his fantasy and he exhaled deeply.

"You're a business man, your companies need you more than I do. I'll be fine and also avoid men... Is that okay with you?" Eliora asked lovingly.

"Sure, sure. I trust you, my wiffy" Romans smiled happily.

"Can I tell you something?" Eliora asked slightly scratching her forehead.

"What's babe?" Romans asked anxiously, he stared at her with full concern.

"Your chicken soup taste... Sour" Eliora stuttered vividly keeping that serious facial expression, Romans mood changed slightly.

"What? Where you expecting something else?" Eliora asked in mockery and Romans covered his face for a brief moment and laughed.

"It's okay" He muttered.

"Even at that, I love you so much" Eliora said lovingly staring at her blushing husband.

"I love, love, love you too, honey" Romans gives Eliora a deep kiss on her lips and sit properly on his seat.

"Eat some more" Romans stands and sit back on his former chair, across Eliora.

"Mhmm" Eliora nodded and begin eating delicately.

Eliora spent her weekend with her family then visited the Robins, they teased and made her feel so special before she left for home.

Romans took Eliora out for driving around the city beach and for the first time, she felt alive and younger again.

As the car rides on the smooth road, the strong wind flushes on her face making her hair to scatter and fly on the air, she felt so happy staring at the glittering beach and happy activities.

Jennifer was out of state to settle some family dispute thus she plan on returning back to the U.S soon and at the thought of her, Eliora begins to miss their time together and wished for her to come back soon.

"Do you like the view?" Romans thick loving voice woke her up from her trance, she slightly turn to him.

"Yes babe, it seems summer is approaching. The sun is warm" Eliora explained softly and Romans nodded.

He caresses her cheek gently and focus on the wheel, she flushed and leaned her face on the window.

The new week rolled in faster and the two best friends didn't hesitate to meet each other.

The Breeze Cafe with a neutral view, the billboard beside the shop entrance showed list of available coffees and short welcome note.

Eliora walks into the cafe and a bell hanging on the door jingles in repetition, the cafe was already bustling with patrons.

Some patrons were on queue, some where sitting and eating and other personal morning business.

As if planned, as soon as Eliora takes her sit Jennifer entered into the cafe.

"Babe!!!"

"Bitch!!" screaming without shame, they embraced each other tightly with smile on their faces.

"I missed you so much bitch" Eliora screamed happily with that usual giddy expression.

"I missed you too babe, but it's only a week" Jennifer said teasingly and they laughed happily taking their sit across each other.

"You look larger than I last saw you" Jennifer said in excitement and Eliora smiled shyly.

"It's the baby's fault" Eliora said sarcastically and they laughed.

"So what's up? How have you been?" Jennifer asked anxiously with full interest.

They started discussing about the weeks they'd spent apart and series of events that happened, their expression changes in bit.

"I'm yearning to hear about you and Desmond! What's new?" Eliora asked anxiously, her eyes were shinning widely.

That's gossiping and not-minding-your-business spirit was still dwelling in her, even when she's married.

"It's going easy peasy babe, Mrs. Margaret wants to see me" Jennifer said happily.

"You've got no problem. I mean she loved you right from the first day you moved into her apartment" Eliora informed her vividly with an assuring nod.

"True but I can't go meet her when I've not spoken with Desmond for almost a month" Jennifer said sadly as she frowned, Eliora tries to lean on the table with her chest that's covered with her large stomach.

"What's it? Something happened?" Eliora asked anxiously with a confuse and concerned stare.

"Nothing, nothing... I decided to think what I wanted from our relationship. I love him so much that's assured but my parents..." Jennifer's voice went faint and fades, Eliora exhaled deeply.

"I totally understand you babe, but take it easy. It's your life and not your parents, don't make any decision you'll regret later" Eliora paused, they were both staring at each other but with different facial expressions.

"But in whatever, I fully support you" Eliora smiled brightly and Jennifer followed.

"I love you so much bitch, Romans should count himself lucky for choosing an angel" Jennifer complimented lovingly and Eliora flushed in shyness.

"Well, I'm also lucky... you know" Eliora said happily in a nervous tone and Jennifer smirked.

"Of course you are!" Jennifer exclaimed and they laughed happily.

"What are we ordering?" Eliora asked after a brief moment of laughter and exhaling.

"Just being a reminder, no more coffee or greasy food for you" Jennifer said cautiously in mockery and Eliora fringed a big frown.

"You and Romans are really getting too hocked up on this, the doctor didn't say never to eat it. He just said I shouldn't eat much of it" Eliora reminded hopelessly, she looked as if she was going to cry any minute with her thin coo voice.

"That's not gonna work on me, try that on your husband" Jennifer said bluntly holding mischievous annoying smile.

"Maybe I'll change your name" Eliora said nodding with that concluding look.

"To what?" Jennifer raised an anxious brow.

"To wickedness" Eliora said vividly giving her a scornful stare.

"Really" Jennifer smirked.

They laughed with mixed confuse feelings, it was as if they were the only patron in the cafe.

The return of Jennifer brought impact on Eliora's life, she went to work and her days were filled with happiness.

Eliora stand leaning her body on the cashier table, she was sorting out records with her staff.

"Yes ma'am" the cashier nodded.

A young man who seem to be exploring the saloon saw Eliora and approached her with smile on his face.

"Excuse me" the man said and Eliora turned backward, the cashier lift her gaze away from the record book.

"What can I do for you?" Eliora said softly with a welcoming smile.

"You don't remember me?" the man said in surprised pointing his finger at himself, the cashier gave them some privacy.

"Do I need to?" Eliora said cryptically staring at the figure in front of her in anxiety.

"I can't believe you've forgotten about your Romeo!" the man exclaimed in surprise then it dawned on Eliora.

"Jack!?" Eliora called out in disbelieve and shock.

Jack.. Her Romeo, the guy she'd had a one time crush on... has changed incredibly.

Jack was now on dread wearing all these crazy black club stars outfit, his cologne stinks, he now has a scare beside his eyes, he looks totally different.

Eliora couldn't believe she once loved someone like him, what would her future had look like if she proceeded in accepting him?

"It's me! Longest time" Jack gives her a quick embrace which she tried hard to avoid.

She had promised not to meet a man... not even a friend who's male.

"How have you been Juliet? You look fatter" Jack asked anxiously, his eyes were sparkling with happiness.

"What's happening here?" a familiar thick alluring but annoying voice asked from behind, Eliora didn't bother to turn.

It was Romans.

"Hubby" Eliora turns around and gave Romans a quick peck but his eyes didn't go away from Jack.

"Who's...?" Jack begins but stopped half way.

"Jack meet my husband, Romans... And Romans, Jack is my university friend" Eliora introduced rashly trying to ease the atmosphere.

"Not just friend, old time crush" Jack winked flirtatiously.

"He doesn't change, will he? I'm with my fucking husband, stop the teasing" Eliora thought in annoyance but hold a bright smile.

"Crush?" Romans asked anxiously with an angry facial expression.

"Hubby, that's the past. It's almost four years or more" Eliora defended herself courteously and Romans exhaled caressing her two soft arms, he stared at her.

"I know babe. I'm happy to have seen what your crush look like. He's nothing like me" Romans smiled, but his tone stated the opposite.

Romans was jealous and didn't know how to hide it, maybe he tried.

"So, what are you doing here?" Eliora asked sweetly, she was happy that her husband still trust her.

"To drive you home, our parents are coming over" Romans said lovingly pushing a strand of hair from her face and tucking it behind to her ear, she smiled.

"Which? The Ganes or the Robins?" Eliora said in a sarcastic tone and Romans laughed pulling away from her.

"Eherm... Juliet, can I have your contact? I seem to have lost it" Jack made a come back.

(I thought he left?)

"Jack, I'm Eliora. Juliet was only a character I took on five years ago and for the record, I'm married to my love and pregnant" Eliora said with pride, yeah that thing never left her. She boasted and Romans smiled.

"But we..." Jack begins but was cut off.

"The next time you pester my wife, I'll peel you flesh to flesh until you become a skeleton that one would never recognize" Romans said vividly with seriousness, Jack took some steps backward frantically.

"Honey" Eliora nudges his shoulder, she was impressed by his action but at the same time wanted him not to make a scene.

"Let's go, sweetheart" They smiled at each other and left the Pearl Beauty Saloon holding hands, Jack watched them in silence.