421: [Bonus chapter] cravings

[Bonus chapter] cravings

Three more days later…1

Dominic slid under the blanket, joining his wife on the bed. Heaven was still sitting up, her back against the headboard, arms folded under her chest, a frown as deep as hell. 

"Everything okay?" he asked, worried. "Do you want anything?"

"Mercy is such a diva." Heaven huffed, almost reaching her boiling point of frustration. "How can she be so heartless? I've been trying to persuade her, but she wouldn't even play with me!" 

Dominic opened his mouth, but then closed his mouth again. He heard that his grandmother introduced her beloved pet to his wife, but he didn't say anything since Heaven seemed a little excited at first. Heaven had been talking about it nonstop every single night, so he was aware his wife was spending her day outside the greenhouse.

He thought that was a good thing since it was keeping his wife occupied. After all, he was worried that Heaven was getting bored since everyone always left the manor for work or school. His mother, Ria Zhu, would stay, but she had to go out from time to time as well. So, most of the time, it was just Heaven, Grandma Zhu, and Silas. Silas usually stayed in his quarters, though, and hadn't bothered his wife. 

"Darling." Heaven faced him, snapping him back to the current lapse. "I'm so frustrated! Just what am I going to do with Mercy? She won't even let me in the greenhouse."

Dominic assessed the frustration shining in her eyes, melting his heart. "That's not good," he said, reaching for her face to cup it. 

"Have you tried bribing her with food?" he asked, and she nodded. "That's weird. She usually calms down when there's food."

"Darling, I think she sees me as food."

Dominic frowned. "That's not nice."

"I know!"

"My poor wife." He slowly pulled her into his embrace to soothe her as they slowly slid down until they were lying down.

"I'm so upset. How long did it take you for her to like you?" she asked, looking up at him curiously.

"Uhm… the moment we meet?"

"Unfair!" Her frown deepened, only for Dominic to pull her closely even more. 

"There, there." He stroked her head. "It's okay. She will like you eventually. Mercy is just like that, but she is smart. I'm sure your efforts will not go in vain."

Heaven sighed, relaxing her body in his arms. She rested her arm over his waist, adjusting her head on his shoulder until she found a comfortable spot. 

"Do you think so?" she asked in a muffled voice, yawning right after.

"Yes. I'm sure." He nodded, casually brushing her back to soothe her to sleep. "Don't stress so much. It's not good for the baby."

"Blame Mercy for that."

"Mhm… Bad Mercy." Dominic observed her breathing as she yawned once more. "Do you really like Mercy?"

Heaven hummed, feeling a little sleepy. "I want to be friends with her… also, Dom. Can you buy me some strawberries tomorrow? I want sour strawberries so I can dip them in salt."

"Sure."

"I want it to be crunchy, too."

Dominic looked up as he took notes of her cravings. "Okay."

"Hehe." Heaven squeezed herself to him, giggling. "My husband is the best for sure."

"Sleep now," he cajoled. "Love you."

"Mhm."

Dominic continuously stroked her back until her breathing deepened and her head weighed heavier in his arms. When he glanced down, Heaven was already sleeping soundly. Ever since they discovered her pregnancy, they gradually noticed changes in her appetite, taste buds, and sleeping pattern. 

Some days, she would stay up because she couldn't fall asleep due to her cravings. On nights, like tonight, she would sleep like a baby. 

"I'm sorry," he murmured, planting a kiss on her forehead. "I feel like I am not giving you more attention than I should."

The sense of guilt crawled up to his heart once again, thinking the time he was giving her was not enough. Even though he would go home on time or earlier, stayed during the weekend, and fulfilled all her cravings no matter how crazy they were sometimes, he felt like he was still neglecting his wife.

Dominic embraced her tighter for a moment before loosening his grip. He peeked down at her once again, smiling helplessly, before he carefully slipped away from the bed. 

*

*

*

"Mercy," Dominic called, standing on the pathway right after the entrance of the greenhouse. "Come out."

He scanned the jungle-like greenhouse. It was dark, having the moonlight filtering through the glass as the only source of light. It took him a minute before his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the greenhouse. 

"I know you're there," he said monotonously, arching a brow as he heard a faint rustle. 

When Dominic turned his head, he caught two pairs of orbs shining in bright gold. Mercy's black furs were darker than the surrounding, sauntering toward Dominic's, but stopped a meter away from him. 

"What?" he asked when Mercy stopped. "Are you upset with me?"

Grr…

"I'm not… Silas." Dominic sighed, squatting down as he stretched his hand out. "I'm insulted that you're mistaking me for someone else."

Mercy didn't move from its spot but kept its eyes on Dominic. 

"Ahh… It's Heaven, huh?" he rocked his head, understanding that Mercy didn't mistake him for someone else. But it was because of Heaven's scent on him. "Why don't you like her? She's my wife."

Dominic let out a sigh. "Come here." He crooked a finger, but Mercy didn't listen immediately. 

The two of them stared at each other firmly before Mercy finally backed down. The latter slowly advanced in his direction, sniffing Dominic's hand before licking it.

The corner of his lips curled up into a subtle smile, stroking the big cat gently. 

"Mercy, don't be harsh on my wife," he said, scratching the back of its ears. "She's my happiness, and she's very upset that you aren't giving her a chance."

Dominic held Mercy's head, holding the latter look at him. "I know you are smart and Heaven is family. Be nice to her, alright?"

His countenance softened while Mercy just stared at him before licking his cheek. As if it was its way to tell him it understood. 

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