Following the maid, Aniya entered the dining area, and her eyes landed on the couple seated at the long table. Rafael was holding Marissa's hand, murmuring something in her ear before pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles.
Marissa blushed and chuckled softly.
As a child, Aniya was always in awe of her parents and the effortless love between them. Even in her faded memories, she could still recall the chemistry between them-- it had always been too strong for those around them.
They must have sensed her presence because they straightened, and Marissa got up, smiling warmly, "Hello, Anaya," She walked up to her and hugged her.
Aniya closed her eyes when her nostrils whiffed the familiar scent that was part of her mom's embrace.
"How are you feeling now?" Marissa cupped Aniya's cheek and then gestured towards the table, "I didn't know what you'd like to have, so I just went with this…" She trailed off and guided Aniya to the chair.
