World After Worlds

Matteo served the meals on the table and he could see Yanarym was enjoying her time with Lena. His heavy load of jealousy lightened seeing her smile and eyes twinkled adoringly. "Marcus, Mother said that we can spend the holidays on the Erdio mountain!" She said and turned to him, he was scooping fried rice on her plate. "It would snow there by next week!" She clamored, "Are you gonna join us there?"

He looked at Lena, he already planned an outdoor date with Yanarym for the holidays. The entire week they would spend their time together—just the two of them. He had not asked her yet, he was waiting for great timing. But Lena took their vacation in a snap… "of course, I will be there. It's a family outing, isn't it?" He returned his eyes to Yanarym and she nodded with an exhilarated expression.

"Great! How about we go shopping at the weekend, Mother? We need thick clothes for the cold weather there." Matteo sat on his chair across Yanarym and discreetly glared at Lena.

"I—I don't think I could join you in buying clothes, how about you go with Marcus? You two can pick some coats for me."

"... I see, okay, if you're busy, I'll go with Marcus." Yanarym swerved to pay attention to him and picked up her spoon and fork. "Can you accompany me on the weekend, let's buy you new shirts too." She said with a warm smile, Matteo bobbed his head in agreement.

"Whatever you want," he said and wiped the grain or rice beside her lips. "How's the food?"

"It's delish!"

Lena thought she had to depart as soon as she was done with her breakfast. She had a short time with her daughter but it was enough to make her happy. Having a nice breakfast and a delightful conversation with her was enough. Moreover, Matteo was about to explode from vexation, Lena didn't want to get on his bad side. "I'll see you at school later," she said to Yanarym, Yanarym smiled at her and nodded.

"Yes, I won't be late. See you!" Yanarym waved her hand to Lena and proceeded on her meal once more. Matteo who was sitting beside her was diligently staring at her, she shifted her eyes on him once she heard the 'click' of the door as if it was close. "You," she furrowed her brows on him, "You didn't say goodbye to Mother," he blinked his eyes innocently, "And were you glaring at her earlier?"

"No." Matteo shook his head very lightly. He was not guilty of his actions, and he denied it with ease. He was a conniving liar.

"No?" She displayed her authoritarian eyes, "I cannot make you tell the truth but I don't like it when you lie to me." He bit his lips inwardly with a remorseful visage, he didn't say anything though. Yanarym rolled her eyes, "I won't be home until the weekend—"

"Don't, Rym." Matteo could not make her finish her sentence, he placed his hand on her forearm that was on the table. "It's everyone… you want to spend time with everyone but me."

"Are you sulking again?"

"No." She squinted her eyes on him.

"No, you always say no, tsk," she murmured and he could hear the annoyance in her tone. "It's obvious you're dissatisfied with something..." She was about to shove her hand off of his grasp but he held her firmly.

"Please come home, I don't like it whenever you sleep somewhere…" he grumbled, "I won't say anything dishonest with you."

"So, you admit that you lied."

"I won't do it again, I promise. Rym, I'm sorry, don't be angry at me…" He exhibited his puppy eyes and pouting lips. Who would imagine that Matteo could be so consistent in his pitiful act just to soothe her? Yanarym stared at him in dismay. He looked so freaking cute! How could she pretend to be angry with that face of his?! Her strife with herself worsened.

"Why are you mad?" She fixed her attention on her meal. Did not want to get swayed by Matteo's cuteness.

"I'm annoyed." He murmured, seconds after, he was clinging on her like a tarsier.

"To me?"

"No," he shook his head and buried his face to her neck.

"No?"

"I'm annoyed with everyone but you, Rym."

"How about my mother?"

"Yes, Lena is included, she's irritating..."

"Teo, why are you being childish? Aren't you too old for that?" She asked, he only wrapped his arms around her waist in response. "Answer me or let go of me."

"You listen when I behave like this, you pity me. I always need your mercy…" He uttered softly in her ear that it was making her smile from the ticklish feeling.

Yanarym did not speak for a moment; she enjoyed the quiet and harmonious time with him. During those two months, she tamed him. Matteo was completely shackled, he was not originally on the list of her 'wild-puppies' she should train but he became the most obedient one. Although sometimes, he was unruly, most of the time he listens. Actually these days, he'd been so docile. She did not need to worry about him if she was doing her tasks. However, she had to shower him affection if they were in this house. That was the only way she could make him behave and don't do anything reckless out of jealousy.

"Stop leaning on me, I'm eating." She said with a strict voice and like a whimpering dog, he withdrew from her. Look at his sullen eyes, so cute! She thought and smiled. "You have to be respectful with Mother." She added.

"Do I have to?" He uttered and quickly sealed his lips upon seeing her expression turned austere, "I'll do it, I'll do whatever you say. Stop glaring at me." Yanarym sighed, she put down her utensils and faced him.

"Matteo, am I your wife?"

"Yes," he nodded his head, "I promise I will say goodbye to Lena next time."

"She's my mother."

"I know that," he said in a lull, he wanted to touch her so he reached out for her hands and simply fixed his attention on her fingers. Yanarym looked at him with complicated eyes, he was getting accumulated in repenting. She should somehow develop resistance to this adorableness.

"If you are my husband, she's your mother-in-law, do you know that?" She said to him which caused him to halt playing with her fingers. A sweet smile plastered to his face as he looked up to her with his shining expectant eyes.

"...that's right." He ardently said, "I'm your husband."

"Are you smiling?" She narrowed her eyes on him and he struggled to eradicate his happy puppy face. So was she, Yanarym wanted to smile at him.

"You called me your husband." He bit his lips but his eyes couldn't hide his happiness. Even his cheekbones were smiling though his lips were already bitten by him.

"That's not my point, Matteo." She said in a strict tone, trying hard to retain her stern countenance.

"Can I call you wife?" He mumbled lean close to her face. He's so…freaking cute! I wanna pinch him!

"No, it feels weird." She retained her cold demeanor. "Stop acting like a kid. You're a grown-up." She scolded him and immediately he sulked.

"Weird?" But guess the reason was about her not calling him her husband. "I see," he lowered his eyes and took her plate to put food on her spoon. Seeing that they had a tacit understanding she opened her mouth and he fed her the contents of the spoon. "Will you go home tonight? Can we sleep together? I miss hugging you for long hours."

"I can't say yes, I have plans with Lyndon." She replied that it didn't affect him much. He was used to it but the disappointment on his smile was apparent.

"When can you stay here and rest with me?" She reached out for his cheek and caressed him with tenderness.

"Maybe on the holiday? I can stay with you in space, alright?" She showed him an assuring smile, he thought that everything was going smoothly between them. But her communicator began to make ringing sounds and flashing blue lights. Indicating a pest was calling her already, Matteo frowned in an instant.

"It's Kraig—oh, no, it's eight already?" She quickly stood up and took the communicator on the kitchen counter.

"You haven't finished breakfast yet," he quietly protested and looked at her plate that had still a quarter remaining.

"Right," she rushed to her seat and ate the food of the spoon he was holding while she set up the communicator on the table. "Ahh." He continued to feed her, she seemed to not even chew her food.

"Chew slowly, Rym. Focus on eating."

"Shh," she signaled him to become quiet and all he could do was frown. "Love! Hello!" The communicator was turned on and Kraig's face appeared. Matteo grumbled and scowled.