22 - Penance

A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means it has not yet been proofread or edited.

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Midas growled and kissed her torridly. Her phone slipped from her weakening fingers. She pulled her hands back to push him, but Midas got her hands and kept them together behind her.

"Mi---"

His other hand fit around her neck. Kalonice moaned and moved her head away only for Midas to follow it, not breaking their kiss. He's so hungry and she's running out of breath.

"Please... A-Air---"

Midas sucked her tongue and bit it. She groaned and that's when he parted himself from her.

Kalonice turned to the side, fighting for her life while smacking the window. Midas was satisfied. In fact, he's very satisfied.

"What---What the hell!?"

He licked his lips and started the engine of his car. He's so happy, he can't stop smiling.

"Where do you want to go? Are you hungry? Wait, here, my gift. It's the For Her of my perfume. Glad I bought it. Not that you smell bad---I actually like your scent."

"S-Shut up! Pervert! I'm telling Sir Larry! His son is a pervert!"

Midas only laughed and whistled as he began driving. His good mood is through the roof. He could feel her lips on his and he will giggle every time.

Kalonice doesn't feel violated, but she felt cheated on! She doesn't know what's worse, but Midas... His lips... Tasted like mint.

Midas brought her to a Micheline restaurant. They dined together, talking about random things, but mostly about architecture and engineering. She told him how her thesis defense went and he felt bad for not witnessing it. He could've 'roasted' her like he did the others.

After dining, they came together to fetch Candice.

"MOMMY! And---Daddy!?"

Midas walked ahead and picked Candice up when she ran to him.

"Hello, little miss. How are you?"

"I'm good! Look, Daddy! I'm wearing a dress!"

"Wow, you look amazing, little miss. So beautiful. Can I kiss your cheek?"

Candice giggled and nodded, "Of course, Daddy!"

Midas kissed her cheek. Reverend Marcus came out with a pleasant smile on his face.

"Father, I'm taking Candice now," Kalonice said as she bring the back of his hand to her forehead.

"I see, I see," his gaze landed on Midas, "Is this man the famous Midas Yzaguirre?"

Midas put Candice down and cleared his throat.

"Uhhm, can I do that... Uhmm, confession thing?"

Kalonice furrowed her eyebrows at him, "What for? I thought you're an atheist?"

"Who said that!?"

Kalonice hissed and rolled her eyes. Reverend Marcus chuckled.

"The Sacrament of Penance is what you're talking about. To repent for your sins, I believe?"

"Y-Yes, I guess."

Reverend Marcus smiled even brighter.

"A-Are you serious? What if you burn once you step inside the church---"

Midas grabbed Kalonice by her head and shook her, "I'm not that bad!"

"Daddy, no hurting! No!" Candice scolded him while pouting.

"Sorry, little miss."

Reverend Marcus led him inside the chapel. Kalonice insisted to be with Candice outside and play with her.

"Please guide me... Father," Midas said as he went down to his knees.

His family is not religious, but they keep their faith. The last time they went to church altogether was before Larry leaves to fly to the Philippines to handle some business himself. It's been years since his last confession. Since he's already here, why not do it?

Kalonice peered inside and found Midas already kneeling. She sighed. She can't tell what's running in his mind. Repentance, so suddenly? Was he that guilty for what he's done that he had to confess it? And to Reverend Marcus even! What will the Reverend think of them? That their lust is stronger than their faith?

Wait, she's not lusting over him. It's the other way around! But still---

"Mommy! Mommy, ah! Ah, Mama!"

Kalonice was snapped back to reality when she felt Candice patting her while pointing her mouth. She apologize for spacing out and fed her.

"Yummy, Mama!"

She smiled. They bought her a take-out food and she's eating it now.

1 hour passed.

Then 2.

And 3.

It took them 3 long hours!

"How many sins did you confess that it took you three hours!?" Kalonice blurted in disbelief. Reverend Marcus laughed, while Midas was so red.

"I-It's because---I'm not sinful! I forgot about what to say, so Father has to guide me throughout the session!"

Kalonice sent him suspicious stares. Midas looked away, annoyed.

"Father, we're going."

"God bless you, Kalonice. God bless you, too, Candice. Be careful on your way home. God bless you, Larzen,"

The Reverend placed his hand on their heads as he send them off.

"Daddy, Let's eat McRonald's, please!"

Midas smiled and put seatbelts on her. She's in the backseat.

"Okay, baby. McRonald's, then."

"She just ate, Midas. Let's go home. I will cook food."

"Mommy, the ref is empty!" Candice danced her doll on her lap.

"To the mall?" Midas smiled, exciting Candice.

"TO THE MALL!"

Candice happily jumped when they made it to the mall. Kalonice scolded them when they tried to break away from her, wanting to tour around and buy this and that. Their priority is buying groceries so they will only go to the supermarket.

"Wiee!"

Candice raised her hands in the air. She's in the cart and Midas is pushing it. Kalonice shook her head. They find ways to play together.

"Mommy, hotdogs! Hotdogs!" Candice cried out while pointing the frozen good.

"Candice, no. No more hotdogs. You always eat hotdogs! That's not healthy!"

Kalonice dragged the other end of the cart away while looking at other frozen goods.

"But I want hotdogs! Daddy, hotdogs!"

Kalonice gave him a deadly glare when she caught him sneaking a kilo of hotdogs.

"Sorry, little miss. I'm scared."

Candice throw a fuss, leaving Kalonice no choice but get her lots of it.

"Yey! Thank you, Mommy! I love you sooo~ much!"

Kalonice's heart melted and kissed her head.

"You're so---," she sighed, "I love you, too. Make sure to eat vegetables, okay? Promise me."

"Promise! I want cabbage and---and carrots!"

"Okay."

After sealing their promise with a pinky promise, they went to shop for vegetables chosen by Candice. They went straight home after paying. Ali and Francis were already home and greeted them but they locked themselves in their room after to do school works.

"Ouch, Daddy!"

"S-Sorry! Don't move, little miss. Stay put,"

Kalonice is busy in the kitchen. Bored, Candice asked Midas to tie her hair before playing wildly with her toys. He couldn't do it right. He's never done it before!

Ali suddenly went out of the room, "Ate, may I go out for a while?"

Kalonice turned to her, "Where? Why?"

"To the computer shop. I will edit pictures and print them,"

"You can use your tablet?"

"It's hard, Ate."

"Okay. Do you have money?"

Ali shook her head. Kalonice washed her hands and went to her room to get money from her wallet and handed it to Ali.

"Here, be careful on your way and make sure to be back before dinner."

"Yes, Ate. Thank you!" And she left.

Midas then spoke, "Why not buy a laptop or computer set?"

"Midas Yzaguirre, do we look like we have the budget for that yet?" she rolled her eyes on him, "And I already bought them tablets."

"Yes, Daddy! I have my own!" Candice ran to their room to take her tablet and show it off to him.

It's low-quality tablet. And it's small.

"That's amazing! Anyways, can I go outside for a moment? I forgot to buy something,"

"Sure. Just be back before dinner."

"Can I take Candice?"

Kalonice squinted her eyes on him suspiciously. He shrugged and gave her an innocent look.

"Okay."

Candice clapped her hands and wore her beautiful shoes. Their destination? MALL.

When the staff saw him coming, they were frozen. They're asking each other whether to approach him or not. In the end, the bravest staff did the impossible and approached him.

"G-Good day, S-Sir Midas!" He said and smiled anxiously, "A-Are you looking for gadgets, Sir? Please visit our store!"

Midas raised his brow at him. The staff almost peed his pants, knees trembling.

"Show me."

With that, the staff feel like he won the lottery and wholeheartedly led him to their shop.

"Wow~ Big tablet!"

Candice reached out for the tablet display and opened it.

"Do you like it?"

Candice nodded.

Midas asked for the available colors and let Candice choose. The tablet costs around 70,000 pesos already. Just for a tablet. It's a new release. It comes with amazing freebies like a pen, earpods, and keyboard case. He bought another three for Ali, Francis, and Kalonice.

Seems like this is what he 'forgot' to buy. Kalonice will bust their eardrums with an endless sermon once they're home.