SWNOVELS Chapter 35: Quality Time
The time came and went.
It was Tuesday, lunchtime, the day of Ethan's return to Braeton City.
From school, Kenzie, and Kyle, together with Samantha, were on their way to the airport to meet Ethan.
Ethan wanted to have lunch together, right after landing.
Parking by the side of the runway, the children waited while seeing several airport officers go up and down the private jet.
It did not take long for the children to see John Garcia stepping down, and they immediately knew their father would be the next.
From inside the luxury car, Kenzie said, "Let's go out to meet Daddy!"
"Yeah, I want to meet Daddy as well," announced Kyle. "I want to see his plane!"
"Mommy!" Both of them pleaded.
"It's okay, Miss Davis, they can go off to meet Mr. Wright and they can see the plane if they wish to," said Edgar.
Only after Edgar's suggestion did Samantha and the twins got off the car.
The Maybach lingered about ten meters away from where the private jet had parked, and as soon as Ethan descended from the plane, the kids rushed in his direction. "Daddy! Daddy!" Both Kenzie and Kyle alternately called for their father.
Samantha slowly coped with the speed of her kids, as she was wearing a dress that Ethan had sent over the condominium the other day. It also came with matching shoes that had a two-inch heel. She was wearing a three-fourth-sleeved peach dress. Her top beautifully embraced her slender body while the skirt shaped her hips before it formed small pleats down, an inch above her knees. Mr. Shim, the executive who came with them, was taken aback, hearing how their boss was already a father. Ethan never told him anything, but he was used to the boss, keeping his life a secret. Asking questions or talking about the boss' personal life was a big no-no in the company.
Thus, Mr. Shim merely smiled, seeing the kids, whereas John Garcia greeted the children and Samantha.
So far, among all Ethan's staff, only Edgar and John knew about the circumstance between Samantha and Ethan.
"Daddy, I miss you!" Kenzie exclaimed, hugging Ethan as he bent over to receive the little girl and his boy.
"How are you, Daddy?" Kyle asked.
After Ethan kissed the cheeks of both twins, he received one himself. He said, "I miss you both too."
From behind the cuddling father and children, John Garcia sensed nostalgia, seeing his boss become affectionate for the first time.
Clearly, Ethan's executive assistant saw a different side of Ethan and it was the same with Mr. Shim.
"Daddy, can we see the plane?" Kyle eagerly probed, eyeing the plane from where they stood.
"Sure, son. Uncle John will guide you inside," told Ethan while turning to his assistant.
"Come here, little boss! Let me show you," John happily offered, also urging Kenzie to come with them.
Samantha had been standing before Ethan and the children for seconds, having made her way in their direction. She waited until the children went up the jet with John before she spoke, "Hello, Ethan, how was your flight?"
Ethan stretched his hand to Samantha as he spoke, "It's boring as usual, Sam."
As soon as Samantha took his hand, he pulled her closer for an embrace, shocking her completely.
She did not pull away, however. She merely pursed her lips and placed her hands on his strong arms, sensing his manly scent. She thought, 'Damn, this man smells soo good and feels too good!' Pressing his lips against her ear, he complimented, "You look fabulous." Softly, he added, "By the way, from our meetings with Mr. and Mrs. Song, Mr. Shim might have heard me say that I am married." He failed not to peck on her cheek before leaning back. Only then did he introduce Samantha to Mr. Shim as his wife.
With a flushing face, Samantha offered a handshake to Mr. Shim and greeting him at the same time.
"Ah, Mr. Wright. Your wife is very beautiful," remarked Mr. Shim.
"Yes, she is." It made Ethan proud, but seeing how Mr. Shim was still holding Samantha's hand, he said, "You can let go of her hand now."
"Oh, sorry, Mr. Wright. I was just in awe of your wife's beauty," Mr. Shim was quick to apologize. "I'll wait for John in the other car."
It took only a few minutes for the children to descend back down from the private jet with John and while the assistant left with Mr. Shim, the family of four left for an Asian Fusion restaurant too far from the airport.
The kids were utterly elated, having another meal-time with their Daddy, at the same time, learning new dishes they have never tasted before.
After a joyous meal, Ethan and Samantha took the kids back to the hotel where Diana was waiting for them in the lobby.
When Ethan and Samantha bid goodbye to the children, Kyle asked, "Mom, where are you going?"
"I'm taking Mommy out, Kyle," Ethan winked at Kyle before leveling with his son. He whispered to Kyle, "Remember, this is part of the plan so we can live together."
"Oh, okay, Daddy! Good luck," Kyle said with a smile, giving a thumbs up.
"Bye, Mommy! Take care of Daddy," said Kenzie with glittering eyes.
Her words made Samantha giggle, and she said, "I sure will take care of your Daddy."
"Hmmmm," said Ethan.
"Bye, Sam. Mr. Wright. Enjoy," said Diana before turning the kids towards the direction of the lift.
For a few seconds, Samantha just gawked at the kids walking with her aunt, but soon enough, she felt a touch on her hand.
She looked down and ogled at the hand that held her. She thought Ethan's hand was soft, but it felt strong at the same time. She heard him say, "Let's go."
Looking up to him, she asked, "Where are we going?"
"First... We are going to... watch a movie," said Ethan before one corner of his lips curved up. "Kyle tells me how you often watch movies together with them... namely, the sound of music and... Mary Poppins." The idea made Samantha laugh so hard that she snorted as they made their walk back to the car.
It was from inside the Maybach that Samantha probed, "You can manage to sit in a crowded cinema? Moreover, watch musical movies?"
With a frown, she realized they would not be going to a cinema, considering how old these movies were. She took back her words and said, "We are probably going somewhere private, aren't we?"
Ethan turned to Samantha and told, "I'm watching these movies so I know what Kyle and Kenzie like about them... and as to where I am taking you... we are... going to a cinema."
"Hah?" Despite Samantha's asking, Ethan would not reveal.
Heartbeats later, they arrived at the same exclusive mall where Ethan took Samantha.
A mall representative guided them to the elevator, and they went straight up without interruptions, reaching the top floor.
Samantha walked hand in hand with Ethan, arriving at the second cinema.
They did not have to line up for the movie and merely made their way inside. Still, the mall representative followed behind them, carrying a bag of popcorn and two bottles of Kona Deep water. "Woah!" Reaching the inside, Samantha's mouth fell open. There was absolutely no one... inside the cinema.
They settled in the second level of the theater, right at the very center.
The mall representative only left after handing over the popcorn and water. He said, "Enjoy your afternoon with us, Mr. and Mrs. Wright."
For some time, Samantha looked down and up again, making sure her eyes were not playing tricks on her. When she was certain they were definitely alone, she leaned back in her seat and said, "We are alone."
"Hmmm," said Ethan.
"Ethan, we are alone!" Repeated Samantha.
"Yes, we are alone, Sam," said Ethan before opening his arm to her. "Feel free to get comfortable... in any way you like."
"Who books an entire movie theater?" Samantha asked while widening her eyes.
Ethan wound up reaching for her hand again. He said, "Sam, I just wanted to spend quality time with you." Raising his other hand to the surroundings, he added, "This is quality time."
Guiding her hand to his face, Ethan pecked on her knuckles and said, "In as much as possible, I want to raise the bar... really high."
Samantha chuckled and nodded. She said, "Oh, it's really high, alright!"