Bianca danced around the room, bubbling over with joy yet trying desperately to stifle the squeals threatening to escape. Her cheeks flushed a bright crimson from the effort.
Sitting opposite her, Hector watched Bianca's giddy antics, a grin so wide it nearly folded him in half. He realized it had been ages since he'd laughed like this. It was this simple, goofy girl who had brought so much laughter into his life.
Just yesterday, this woman had followed him around like a puppy, timid and compliant, and now, she had become his lawful wife. It seemed like fate's own hand had played a part in their union.
Now that they were married, he felt his heart brimming with sweet happiness, as if his once hollow heart had finally been filled, both content and sweet.
Bianca, still not quite knowing what to do with herself, watched Hector laugh heartily, and after a while, she too broke into a sweet smile. She had always looked up to Hector from her lowly position, silently hoping to be nothing more than a faithful servant by his side, to accompany the brilliant man he was. She never dared to dream of becoming his wife.
But today, just moments ago, they had signed their marriage certificate! She and Hector, once worlds apart, were now united, and even with the certificate in her hand, she could hardly believe it was real.
Clutching the marriage certificate tightly, Bianca couldn't resist kissing it. Then she stood up, walked over to Hector, and asked, "Mr. Hector, is this really true? Are we married now? Am I really your wife?"
Hector had seen all of Bianca's little movements, and he looked at his wife of not even an hour with indulgence, nodding affirmatively. "Of course. You're not having second thoughts, are you?"
"No, no, no, how could I?" Bianca shook her head vigorously, worried Hector might misunderstand. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear, "Mr. Hector, I'm just so happy! How did I ever deserve to marry you? Oh my God, I think I'm going to lose my mind!"
Hearing Bianca's incoherent words, Hector winked at her, his tone teasing. "What did you call me?"
Bianca realized her slip and playfully stuck out her tongue, whispering, "Hector."
Clearly, Hector wasn't satisfied with that address. His gaze narrowed as he looked at Bianca, prompting her, "And...?"
Bianca's mouth opened and closed a few times before she finally managed to say, "Hubby."
That word sent a thrill through Hector; from today on, he would become a family man. For the first time, a woman would call him husband. It was a novel feeling, stirring a strange new emotion within him. And that emotion rushed through Hector's veins, pooling in a certain area of his body.
Hector glanced down somewhat awkwardly, gesturing for Bianca to look. "Seems like that 'hubby' woke something up."
Bianca blushed and giggled, playfully suggesting, "Shall we go upstairs to check it out?"
Hector loved Bianca's straightforwardness. He nodded at her, scooped her into his arms, and strode toward the stairs. "As you wish. Wwe've got to feed it first—it's been starved for decades!"
Bianca laughed heartily, "Mr. Hector, how can you say such things?"
"What did you call me?"
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