Alejandro was seated in his car, on the way back to the mansion, when he noticed a treats shop. The first thing that came to his mind was Camila and how her face brightens whenever she sees chocolate.

“Stop here,” he ordered his driver, Peter.

Peter stopped the car, looking confused as he watched Alejandro open the car door and step out, heading toward the treats store.

“What is wrong with him?” Peter asked himself.

Alejandro stepped into the store, feeling uncomfortable with how small the place was compared to the supermarkets he was used to shopping in.

“Good evening, sir. We were about to close,” the saleswoman, who looked about 40, approached him with a polite smile. “But don’t worry, I can help you. Are you looking for something for your wife, your mom, or your sister?” she asked briskly.

“Brett, get a chair for our customer,” she shouted. It was the first time a rich man had walked into their little store, and she didn’t want to scare him away.

“There’s no need,” Alejandro stopped Brett from approaching. “I just need your best chocolate, something that can help a woman forget she’s on her period,” he said.

“There are different kinds of chocolate that can brighten the mood, but I’ll give you my very best,” she smiled and turned to Brett. “Get the happy chocolate,” she ordered him.

Brett nodded and returned a few minutes later with a chocolate.

“Trust me, sir, your wife won’t be able to have just one bite, so I’d advise you to get two,” she tried to convince him.

Alejandro didn’t need convincing. “Give me ten,” he said casually, causing the woman’s eyes to widen.

“Ten?” she repeated, making sure she heard correctly.

“Ten, and if my wife likes it, I’ll come back to buy the whole shop,” Alejandro looked serious, though one might think he was joking.

She quickly packed the chocolates and packaged them for him. Alejandro didn’t waste a second to pay before leaving.

“Brett, he just bought ten!” she turned to Brett, surprised.

“I saw, and that’s Isabella’s brother-in-law, Mom,” Brett replied.

“Your new friend Isabella?” the woman asked.

“Hmm,” Brett nodded.

“If this is her brother-in-law, then she must be very rich.”

“She’s perfect, Mom,” Brett smiled.

★★★★★★★

RUIZ MANSION ★

Alejandro returned to the mansion to find Camila sitting on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her legs as she watched TV.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” he asked as he approached her.

“I was waiting for you so we could have dinner together,” she replied simply, not taking her eyes off the TV screen.

“You were waiting for me? Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?” he asked with hopeful eyes.

“Have you been trying to gain my forgiveness?” Camila narrowed her eyes at him.

“Did I say that?” Alejandro cleared his throat and handed her the bags of chocolate. “It’s called happy chocolate; you can’t have just one bite, so I bought many,” he said. She happily took the bags at the sight of the chocolate.

“I’ve never seen this one before; it looks different,” she said, opening the packaging and tasting it.

“Urgh, this is so good,” she Mõ@ɲed happily.

“I’m starting to think you’re doing this on purpose,” Alejandro frowned.

“Doing what?”

“Making those sounds, knowing well that it affects me. Seems like you want me to strip off those clothes and use them to tie your hands and legs to the bed,” he said seriously, and Camila was taken aback.

“Can I not do anything?” she asked, unable to help but ask.

“Anything that will torture me, wifey,” he winked before going upstairs to change.

Camila couldn’t get the wink out of her mind. It was the first time she had seen him do something other than frown or smirk, and he looked deadly handsome.

A little while later, Alejandro came downstairs with a phone to his ear. He looked tired of the noises in the background, and Camila could tell it was his grandparents.

“Camila, my dear, how are you doing?” the old woman’s face on the screen asked Camila.

“Hi, Grandma, good evening. I’m doing fine,” Camila flashed a sweet smile.

“Manuel, look at her; she’s so pretty. Our grandson has good taste in women,” Selena put the phone to an old man’s face, whom Camila recognized as Alejandro’s grandfather.

“My grandson got his taste from me,” Manuel said proudly as he brushed his white long beard with his hands, while Alejandro rolled his eyes at his grandfather.

“My dear, Alejandro told us you’re sick. Is it a fever?” Selena looked worried.

“Is it malaria?” Manuel added, and Camila couldn’t help but give Alejandro a questioning look.

“I’m not sick, Grandma and Grandpa. I’m just on my period,” Camila replied.

“You’re sure you’re not sick?” Manuel asked.

“It’s different, Manuel. Being on your period doesn’t necessarily mean you’re sick,” Selena explained to her husband.

“What is the difference exactly? Do you remember back then when we were young? You’d never get up from the bed because your period kicked in. You were always groaning, crying, craving different things, and I always had to service you to reduce the cramps,” Manuel said.

“Hey!” Selena hit him.

“Don’t ‘Manuel’ me. Our grandkids are no longer children. Alejandro, come closer,” Manuel took the phone from Selena, calling Alejandro, who tiredly answered him.

“Do you know good segz can help with cramps? If your wife’s pain gets too much, then do your work so it reduces,” Manuel said.

“Noted, Grandpa,” Alejandro nodded attentively, while Camila’s cheeks grew pink. Alejandro’s grandfather was just as ignorant as him because how could he even say that without flinching?

“Thank you for your advice, Grandpa, but I have to go now. My wife and I haven’t had dinner yet,” Alejandro informed them.

“Eating is very important, especially for women on their period. I know your wife must crave lots of sweet things, but don’t spoil her too much. Chocolates add to the cramps,” Selena advised.

“No, it does not,” Camila pouted.

“Selena, let them be now. Make sure to take care of your wife, Alejandro. Goodbye,” Manuel quickly ended the call, and wh@ťěver happened next was no longer Alejandro’s business.

“You heard Grandma. Ditch the chocolate, because if you cry from cramps, then I’m taking you to the bed and f-__-king you till daybreak,” he smirked, and Camila couldn’t resist throwing a pillow at him.

“Why are you so raw?” she asked, squeezing her face as she made her way to the dining room for dinner.

★★★★★★★

The next morning, Camila was woken up by little noises before someone knocked on her door and entered.

It was Daniela, Alejandro’s mom, and she came with a flask.

“My mother called me this morning. She said she spoke to you last night and you were on your period. She also said Alejandro has been spoiling you with sweet treats,” she twitched her lips as she walked in.

Camila smiled shyly.

“I brought you ginger soup. It’s really delicious and helps reduce cramps. I make sure my daughter takes this every time she’s on her period, and drink it while it’s hot,” Daniela said softly.

“Thank you, Mom,” Camila smiled sweetly.

Daniela said a few more things to Camila before leaving the room to meet Alejandro sitting in the living room, crossing his legs on the sofa as he worked online with his laptop on his lap.

“I know you’re a workaholic, but try being nice to your wife. She’s looking so stressed. Have you tried taking her out yet? Maybe dinner or someplace fun, something to make her feel special,” Daniela went to the kitchen to wash her hands as she spoke.

“She already feels special by staying in this mansion with me,” Alejandro rolled his eyes.

“Alejandro,” Daniela gave him a thoughtful look, and he sighed.

“I’m busy, Mom.”

“But you found time to get her chocolate. Your grandma told me that,” Daniela crossed her arms under her Břě@šťs, giving Alejandro a look that said he had no excuse.

“Fine, you win, Mom. I’ll take her out for dinner, alright?” Alejandro rolled his eyes.

“That’s good. I’ll get going now,” Daniela gave Alejandro a peck on the cheek before walking away with the two bodyguards who came with her.

Alejandro sat, thinking for a while, before the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs made him look up.

It was Camila, dressed in a big hoodie and joggers.

“Good morning,” she greeted him, coming to sit on the couch opposite him.

“Morning,” he replied, which stunned her. She didn’t think he would ever reply to her.

Did he hit his head on something today? She couldn’t help but think.

“Your mother’s soup was delicious; it made me feel a little better,” she mumbled.

“Good,” Alejandro responded. His mother had always been a good cook. “She learned from my grandmother. It’s just that I’m so busy, I don’t get the chance to eat at home often, but when I do, it’s always the best,” he nodded in agreement with her.

“Then you should try spending more time with your family,” Camila suggested.

“I need to work,” he simply said.

“Health is wealth, and besides, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” Camila scoffed.

Alejandro smirked, closing his laptop. “Is that so? Do you want us to play right here, right now, on this couch?”

Camila’s face grew red again. “It’s not that kind of play I’m talking about.”

“What kind of play am I thinking about?” He leaned back on the couch. He loved teasing her and watching her turn red as tomatoes.

“I’m hungry. What are we having for breakfast?” Camila changed the topic immediately.

“But you just had ginger soup,” Alejandro narrowed his eyes.

“But now I’m craving something else, like pancakes and toast,” she pouted.

“Your parents didn’t tell me I married a glutton,” Alejandro huffed.

“And you never asked, so deal with it,” Camila rolled her eyes, standing up and heading to the kitchen to look for something to eat.

The maids were always on leave on Sundays, so she helped herself with some eggs and bread.

“Have you had anything yet? Do you want some egg toast?” she offered as she cracked some eggs in a bowl.

“Sure,” Alejandro took his gaze back to his laptop to continue working. Camila smiled as she made breakfast, loving where this was going. She enjoyed having a normal conversation with him; it just felt right.

After a few minutes, she brought the plate of toast to him with freshly squeezed orange juice.

“My mother knows how to cook, so I learned from her,” she said, sitting beside him and facing the TV.

“Hmm, delicious,” Alejandro took a bite of the toast. “Will you feel better if we go out for dinner tomorrow evening?” he then asked.

“You want to take me out for dinner? Like a date?” Camila looked surprised.

“Does it have another name?” Alejandro looked both confused and sarcastic.

“I’m just surprised you’re taking me out. You’re always so busy,” Camila shook her head in surprise.

“So is that a yes, then?” He raised one of his brows.

“I mean, if I say no, you’d probably fling me over your shoulder and force me to go,” Camila scoffed, taking another bite of her toast.

Alejandro smirked and brought his fingers to her lips to wipe off the sauce. She froze at the contact of his thumb on her lips and how intensely he was looking at her.

“You should be thankful you’re on your period. I’d really love to strip you out of that hoodie and make you scream my name over and over,” he said huskily, then moved his thumb to his lips to have a taste.

“Delicious,” he winked, causing Camila to blink speechlessly. Just what the hell was it with this man and doing things to her?

💍💍 TBC 💍💍