Ethan grinned. “Haven’t I told you yet?”
“No, you haven’t.”
“I’m truly, madly, and deeply in love with you. From the first time we met, I can’t let you out of my mind and heart.”
“Oh, Ethan! I love you too! It’s the same here! I’m so happy that it’s not a one-sided love.”
“Of course not, love. You are my mate. For sure, I’ll feel it for you and vice versa.”
“When will you come back?”
Ethan didn’t reply for a while. But then, he said, “I can’t give you a specific time. Yet after all things have been done, I’ll come back.”
“Okay. Please take care there and keep thinking about me. Don’t even think about another woman, even for a second.”
Ethan laughed out loud. “Whoa, has my mate turned into a jealous spouse?”
“I hate to imagine that you have someone else accompanying you.”
“No, you can ease your mind. The only one I want to be beside me is you. Only you, no one else.”
“I truly want to be there with you.”
“Well, you should work. Besides, I’m not sure that your mother will approve of you staying with me for days and nights.”
I grinned. “My mom may give me permission.”
“Oh? Why?”
“You see, mom and I just talked before. Well, it’s about many things and also about you. She said that if I still feel as strong as now after three months, she will approve us to get married.”
“Great! I hope I don’t need three months to finish my business then.”
“Yes, I miss you a lot. But, at the same time, it’s just a day. I don’t know if I can’t stand three months without you.”
“I’ll come home from time to time, love. I can’t bear to stay far away from you too.”
I nodded and smiled. Realizing Ethan couldn’t see it, I said, “Yes, my love. I want to meet you soon.”
“Yes. Let’s pray that I can get the result I want soon.”
“I will. By the way, I have a question.”
“Okay, go on.”
“Uh, I don’t know where I should ask you this.”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Uh, well, it’s so embarrassing.”
“Darling, I have seen and touched you all over. So, why should you be embarrassed with me?”
I patted my hot cheeks. “Because I want to ask about that.”
“That? What is it?”
“You know, about the sex.”
Ethan laughed. “Oh, okay. Go ahead. Ask me anything.”
“I feel so dumb for not knowing anything, but today I watched a sex education documentary. Later, I realized an important thing.”
“Okay, what do you want to ask?” His voice was low as if he was waiting for my question.
“Uh, well, uh, I saw in the documentary that the only way to do it is usually when a man joins his body with the woman by penetrating his manhood to hers. So, why didn’t you do that?”
Ethan blew his breath. “Darling, didn’t you say you weren’t ready yet for pregnancy?”
“It was later. But at first, I hadn’t said anything.”
“You know, we just met, and though I know for sure that you are my mate, I want you to get used to me first.”
“Oh ….”
“Yes, my lovely one. Besides, you just broke up with Kenneth. So, I want to give you time to heal your heart first.”
I nodded. I was ashamed of myself to think so many negative thoughts about Ethan. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I thought that maybe I wasn’t attractive enough for you, or maybe you had another woman who could satisfy you.”
“Oh, darling, you’re wrong. I only have you in my mind, heart, and life. The moment I had my eyes on you, it sealed my fate. Other women haven’t been attractive anymore since then.”
“Really?”
“Yes, love. Trust me.”
I smiled. “Thank you so much. It’s just …. Well, it’s like a fairy tale, and it’s too good to be true.”
“What? Us?”
“Us, you, and everything. I don’t think the strong bond within us is something we find to everyone else.”
“You are right. It’s only happening between mates.”
“So, how can you know that I’m your mate?”
“Well, it’s easy. My people and I have that, well, what I should say? Instinct?”
“Oh? So, you recognized me right away.”
“Yes, darling.”
I was excited to hear that. “It’s beautiful! Though I immediately felt something about you too when I saw you.”
“Lust?”
I giggled. “Nooo, absolutely not that, though your bare chest body was tempting.”
Ethan laughed a little. “So, what was it?”
“I can’t explain well, but as if I had known you for so long, I felt something so strong about you that I couldn’t explain.”
“Yes, the mate-bond.”
“Mate-bond? What is it?”
“In my world, my Deity, the Highest One, matched us with our mates through the mate-bond. Therefore, we can feel a strong tug in our heart when we meet the one for us.”
“Oh, I see. But then, why did your Highest One choose me for you? Isn’t it usually that a deity will choose people from the same world?”
“It surprised me too since it’s unusual. Yet, I don’t complain since you’re truly exquisite and perfect for me.”
“Oh, Ethan, you are truly a sweet man!”
“No, only to you, my mate.”
I smiled; my heart was light now. “It’s a bit late. So, I’ll end our call. Take care of yourself well.”
“Sure, my darling. You too.”
Before Ethan hung up, I called him, “Ethan?”
“Yes, darling.”
“When you return from your business, I think I’m ready.”
“Ready?”
“Uh, for us to complete our bond.” I tried to remember what Ernie said to me. “Ah, mating.”
“You know, my beautiful one, I can’t promise you anything. But if I have finished my business, without your asking, maybe I will ask for my rights as your mate.”
I smiled, shy but also excited. “Yes, I’m not afraid anymore. Since my mother has given her blessings for our marriage, I want to have your baby soon in my womb.”
“So do I, mate, so do I. Until the time comes, please wait for me.”
“Yes.”