Kulu

Lina is stuck in the bathroom. She's already done getting ready for bed but she heard Henry enter their room a few minutes ago. She's wearing a too short night dress so she wore shorts underneath it but still, it's a bit too provocative. 'What is that shopper thinking?'

Lina remembered the promise Henry made with her last night but she's still apprehensive about being alone with him. She's never had any experience with serious relationship before to give her some sort of expectations at least. She took a deep breath in, pulled the door open and stepped out of the bathroom. She walked very fast towards the bed and ducked straight under the sheets.

When she looked at Henry, he's looking at her with a funny expression on his face. "I'm going to sleep now, goodnight." She said hurriedly and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.

She was stiffly laying down, trying hard to relax or at least try to look relaxed when she heard his footsteps getting closer and felt a kiss on her forehead followed by, "Goodnight, wife."

When she heard the bathroom door close and the water run inside the bathroom was only then did she took a relaxed sigh. Opening her eyes and stretching, finding a comfortable position to sleep, slowly but surely after a few minutes she's asleep.

Henry took his time on purpose. He's still in the bathroom getting ready for bed because he wants to give Lina some break from his teasing. She quickly slinked away from him earlier in the kitchen when he grabbed the cooling bread from the rack. She looked like a deer caught in headlights. He hid his smile as he ate the bread and gave her some space to enjoy her food that she worked hard for.

Henry is working on getting her comfortable with him being around and him touching her. Pushing her too much too soon might give him the opposite effect.

When he thought he had given her enough time to relax, he stepped out of the bathroom. And she is indeed sleeping soundly already. He went towards the floor to ceiling windows and pulled the blackout curtains properly, only leaving a small gap on the side so sunlight can peak through slightly. It's already past three in the morning and within the next two hours, the sun will be rising. He adjusted the AC in the room, shut off the lights and went to lay next to his wife, and contently slept as Lina curled next to him.

Henry woke up as he felt Lina kick off the blanket down. The clock by the bedside table shows its already past eleven in the morning. It got warmer as the sun shined brighter. Henry got up to adjust the AC to a cooler temperature and got ready for the day, leaving Lina in bed to sleep some more.

As he reached the living room downstairs, the care taker was there preparing lunch for them. Mrs Lanny called a good morning as she saw him. They didn't meet last night when they arrived.

"Good morning, Mrs Lanny. It's been a long time; I hope you're doing fine." He said as he walked closer, smelling the meal she's preparing, for sure it will be great.

"Yes, Wei, we're doing well. I hope you don't mind, I prepared your favourite. I knew you and the new Mrs Wu will be tired at least for today." The smiling old lady told him and went back to cooking. Henry knows very well that she cannot be disturbed while cooking so he walked to the living room.

The caretakers and their family calls Henry very casually as he grew up playing with their kids whenever they visited. It's also how the island is, not too formal, just very relaxed.

Mr and Mrs Lanny lived close to this land his when his grandfather bought it years ago. They were a very young couple then. When the house was built, he offered them to stay as the house keepers since the Wu family can only visit a few times a year. It was a great offer for the young couple then so they readily agreed. Now, they're children have finished school and all working but they still decided to stay to take care of the beach house. Henry's father gifted them a land close to the house about 7 years ago so if they wanted to, they can live there. But the old couple decided to stay where they are and split the land amongst their children so at least they are nearby and can see them every day.

While waiting for Lina to wake up and come down, Henry got comfortable in the living room and started going through the rest of the paper work he has brought. Mrs Lanny happily humming in the kitchen, cooking away.

"You came for your honeymoon but you're still working." Mr Lanny told him as he entered from the sliding doors leading to the beach.

Henry stood up to say hello, "Mr Lanny, still looking strong as you always are. I hope you are well."

"We are fine. Our daughter, Hanna, the one your age just gave birth to her second baby a few months ago to a baby boy. I'm glad you're already married, you need to catch up. So make sure to pay attention to the missus first, not work." The strong and tanned old man tells him.

"That's the plan." Henry agreed with Mr Lanny. "And congratulations, this is your 7th grandchild now?"

"Yes, and another one on the way." The grinning Mr Lanny said.

"Come now, the food is ready." Mrs Lanny called out as she started laying out food for the table.

Just in time, Lina was walking down the stairs, wearing a crop top and skirt set with blue floral print.

"No way!" Mr Lanny exclaimed when he saw Lina. "Wei, tell me do I need glasses? This lady looks very much like Catalina Cohen, the actress!"

Laughing at the couple's expression, Henry pulled Lina to her side. Wrapping his arm around her waist, touching and caressing the exposed skin that made Lina blush.

"Hello. Yes, I'm Lina Cohen." Lina greeted the couple shyly.

"Nana, this is Mr and Mrs Lanny." Henry introduced them.

Mrs Lanny moved towards them, pushing aside her husband that is still standing there, stunned.

"Come, come, I have prepared the food for both of you."

Lina was then pulled to the dining table and pushed down into a chair. Henry sitting beside her.

"Mrs Lanny, please eat with us, we should call Wang too." Henry invited them, chuckling at Mr Lanny moving closer, staring at Lina. I guess he is a fan. Also, Mrs Lanny always cook like she's going to feed a battalion, they need help finishing up their food.

"Okay, let's do that and catch up." Mrs Lanny prepared extra sets of plates on the table while Mr Lanny, went to call Wang who was only close by and the other security staff with them.

When they were all seated and started eating, delighted by how great the food is, Lina asked Mrs Lanny. "I will need to do some shopping for clothes, can you recommend a place for us to visit?"

"Yes, yes. My daughter actually runs a boutique in town. I'll ask her to close it for you so you can shop quietly without people ogling at you like my husband." Mrs Lanny excitedly responded.

"What time would you like to go? I'll drive you there." Mr Lanny offered.

Lina looked towards Henry, not sure of what to do. "Let's go after we eat, so we can just relax the rest of the afternoon."

Everybody agreed on that and resumed eating while having small talks.