Chapter 17

“If we have to do that much work, we might actually need to stay in a hotel or something for a week or two,” I said as Paz stepped away from the refrigerator. These things always looked uglier under stark fluorescent store lighting. “Having pipes messed with is always a bitch.”

“I can supervise the work,” Paz said, her eyes wandering to the other models. “But you’re right that it’ll make the apartment unlivable for a while. And also, it’s not worth it if you’re not staying there for a while.”

“I’m willing to renovate a rental a bit.” The girls’ rooms alone would need a big makeover judging by their expectations.

“We’re talking about a lot more than a bit,” Paz responded. She opened the fridge doors. “I really don’t think you should do more than the bedrooms and maybe the washing machine unless you’re gonna buy the unit from Mrs. Gallardo.”

I sighed, looking over at Luz and Mayu. They were looking at kitchen appliances. Paz was right, of course. There was a decision I had to make. One that only became relevant in the last week.

My original plan was that I would come to the Philippines, fix the issues with the branch, then steer the ship for a year or two until I could hand it off to someone else. Then I’d go back home and join the C-Suite as the new COO after my boss’ coming retirement. What now, though?

I had nothing worth going back to in the States. I didn’t want to leave the girls. Still, it seemed so sudden. It’d only been a week. I looked over at the girls again. Then toward Paz. There would be hard choices in the future ... but this once, the choice was easy.

“You’re right,” I said, and pulled out my phone.

“About which part?” Paz said, then turned around to see me with phone in ear.

Mrs. Gallardo picked up on the first ring, as always.

“Didn’t expect you call so soon,” she said. “What you want?”

“I want to buy the penthouse.”

Paz’s eyes widened for a moment. She should be able to at least guess at the implications of what I’d said.

“Done. We talk about exact numbers later,” Mrs. Gallardo said easily. “Anything else? I a bit busy.”

“No, that’s all, thank you.”

“Am glad we understand each other, Edward,” she said with real warmth in her voice. “Will call later, okay?”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

After a quick goodbye, I pocketed the phone again.

Paz hummed. “I suppose that answers a great many questions I had.”

“There’s a long, and maybe hard, conversation to be had,” I said. “But I know what I’m not willing to let go of.”

“Good.” She walked up to me and planted a kiss on my lips. Just a quick peck, really, but from the impassive bombshell it felt like a big step. “That was the first time I ever kissed a man,” she whispered. “If there’s room for one more in here...” She pressed her palm against my heart as she snuck under my arm, hugging me from the side. “ ... you might just be able to take a lot more firsts...”

I hugged her lightly. “You can go at your own pace, Paz,” I said. “We have a good year and change ahead, I think, before any big decisions need to be made.”

“You’re too charming,” she teased, sliding her hand across my chest. “I was very skeptical of you, I’ll admit. But Mayu is a good judge of character, much as I am loath to admit it.” She kissed my cheek. “Don’t mistake me, though ... You don’t have an iron grip on my heart quite yet.”

“I wouldn’t’ve dreamed it,” I said, kissing her forehead, earning myself a giggle.

“You’ve kissed foreheads more often than breasts, or even pussies,” she said, mirth in her eyes. “Do you have some strange fetish I need to know about?”

“Not a fetish, no.” The girls finally noticed that something was going on with me and Paz and were loudly approaching. “I just like kissing as close as I can to the part I appreciate the most about you all.”

“What, our bra—” A laugh died in her throat as she went scarlet red with realization. Of the girls, she was the most light-skinned, and of them the only one that blushed crimson. “You’re such a dork,” she said, looking away.

“And you love it,” I teased.

“Yeah,” she muttered under her breath. “I think I might...”

There was a bit of a hubbub about Paz kissing my cheek, which was the extent of what the girls saw, bar the hug, but I shut it down somewhat effectively. I figured they’d talk about it privately later, after Paz had had the time to get ready for that conversation.

In the end, I decided to contact an architect so we could redecorate the whole apartment. The shopping trip ended up as mostly a way for us to broadly decide what vibe we’d be going for.

The communal areas were going to be modern-minimalist style, in stark blacks and whites with some grayscale splashed in. Sleek and tech-y appliances and furniture. I probably would’ve picked something more rustic, but I didn’t honestly have a big preference here. As long as my girls were happy, I’d be happy.