Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 271: Pasalubong

–Logan–

For the first time in my life, I felt an unfamiliar, vicious twist in my chest—jealousy. The way she automatically smiled up at Francis, like a starstruck fangirl. I hated it. I have always been possessive. It’s in my blood, carved by years of hunting, claiming, surviving. But this—this hurt in a way bullets never could. Especially when she pushed me away.

I understood. It was almost a forced marriage.

Yes. I forced it.

I wanted her. I was stupid. Reckless. But I’m not ready to let her go. Maybe one day—when I finally accept that my feelings were wrong and that she still hates me—maybe then I’ll loosen my grip.

I watched her sit far from me.

So I followed.

I slid in beside her, quietly, like an assassin closing in. My fingers slipped into hers, natural, familiar. My gaze dropped to the rings I had forced her to wear. It wasn’t about ownership—at least, not entirely. They just looked beautiful on her. Like they belonged there.

Outside, men loaded our cargo. Metal clanged. Engines hummed. Francis stood watch, eyes sharp, every movement calculated. I turned away from the window, closed it, and gently pulled her toward our room. Deanne and Caine were probably already settled in their VIP capsule on this oversized jet.

"You need to sleep more. I’ll check on a few things."

I tucked her in. Her lashes fluttered, heavy with exhaustion. Her skin was pale.

Maybe it’s her period.

I kissed her lips. She didn’t push me away this time.

"I suddenly miss Sky," she murmured. "I rarely miss anyone..."

"How about the cats?"

A soft smile curved her lips. "I miss them too."

"I know you do."

I smoothed the sheets over her as her eyes finally closed. She must be exhausted—from last night’s lovemaking, from yesterday’s endless shopping.

I stepped out and headed downstairs. The loading was complete.

Francis returned shortly after. The Captain greeted me, and I shook his hand. Moments later, he greeted Deanne and Caine. He hadn’t met my wife—she was already asleep.

Two attendants approached, one male, one female. Francis stood close to them, alert as ever, while Deanne chatted easily.

I went back to our capsule, closed the partition, and sat down. Buckled in. The jet began to move.

As we took off, I watched Jane sleep.

Peaceful. Unbothered.

A smile tugged at my lips. It made me strangely happy, knowing she rested well. I picked up a magazine beside me, waiting for the flight to stabilize. Once it did, I placed it in the compartment, slipped off my shoes, tucked them beneath the joined capsule bed, and lay beside her.

I unfastened my belt.

Instinctively, she turned and nestled against me, her head fitting perfectly against my chest.

And that—

That made me happy.

From that moment on, I knew it.

I don’t think I can ever let her go.

*****

It took hours to finally reach our destination. It wasn’t a straight flight—we had to stop once to refuel. During those intervals, we grew lazy, ate less, and slept more. Jane slept the most. Deanne, on the other hand, was pregnant and somehow managed to eat enough for all of us.

I stretched the moment my boots touched Philippine soil. Private land. Secured. Home.

I reached for Jane’s hand and led her toward the car. Another van had already been loaded, and we were to drive straight to Damon’s mansion—the one that looked like a fortress and a castle fused into one arrogant structure.

When we arrived, the sight inside was... astonishing.

The kids occupied the massive living room. Most of the furniture had been removed to make space for Zendaya’s oversized dollhouse. The boys? Completely surrendered to chaos—wearing wigs, light makeup, and dresses stolen from Zendaya’s wardrobe.

I burst into laughter the second the three of them turned toward me.

Sky looked devastatingly beautiful. Like a tiny, furious princess.

They all screamed and ran—straight past me.

To Jane.

She knelt down and embraced the trio. She had always been the one who cared for them from the very start. Sky showed his usual "cute aggression," wrapping his arms around her neck and gritting his teeth like he was about to devour her.

I clutched my stomach, laughing along with everyone—until I remembered.

Jane was still injured.

Still recovering.

I quickly lifted Sky off her, and she finally drew a proper breath.

"Jay-jay!" He pointed at her accusingly.

"You’re suffocating her," I scolded him. He pouted, and I laughed at his adorable, makeup-smeared face. "Zendy, what did you do to his handsome face?"

"Pretty!" Zendaya declared, pointing proudly at Sky.

I glanced at Damon, who sat casually on the couch, playing video games with Lore and Damien.

"I can’t believe you, Damon."

"Shh. They’re having fun." Damon hushed.

I set Sky down and lifted Jane instead, carrying her away from the swarm.

"Put me down," she hissed.

I didn’t.

The kids laughed and chased after us, but the moment they spotted Caine and Deanne, their attention shifted instantly.

I lowered Jane gently, hovering over her, about to steal a kiss when Livana’s voice rang out.

"Congratulations to the two newlyweds!"

Livana stood there with Alyssa and our two aunts—the official party poopers.

They clapped and cheered. The boys, still glued to their game, didn’t even glance up.

"Yay!" Sky shouted, jumping like he’d been electrified.

I looked at Jane. She wasn’t happy. Her smile was forced.

And yes—this was my fault.

"Liva!" Caine cried dramatically.

And in that moment, we all remembered—

He hadn’t seen Livana alive and well.

I went to the room beside Sky and the twins’. It was quiet there, tucked in the safer wing of the mansion. I settled our luggage first—each bag had already been checked multiple times for trackers, but paranoia keeps me alive. I opened them one by one, taking out clothes and gifts, laying everything neatly like a man pretending to be normal.

Jane stepped out of the bathroom and opened the other suitcase. From there, she pulled out expensive toys meant for the trio. But there was more—an absurd amount of things for the cats.

She always remembered everyone.

"Do you want to sleep together tonight?" I asked casually.

"Hm?" She glanced at me, puzzled.

"I mean... this is your room."

"Even if I say no, you’ll still force yourself here."

I chuckled. Stupidly. She was right.

"I won’t this time," I said. "But if you need someone to hold you, that would be me."

She shrugged.

"It’s fine with me."

I grinned, watching her focus on arranging the gifts.

Then someone forced the door open.

The little ones burst in, running toward us, jumping in excitement like tiny hurricanes about to destroy the room.

*****

–Alyssa–

The barbecue party was cancelled two days ago. So was the arrival of our grandparents and Dad. Something happened somewhere—something ugly—after that chopper was seen circling over private properties.

I sighed.

My birthday was coming.

Mom had planned it a year ago, down to the tiniest detail. I didn’t know if there were alternatives now, but I still wanted a party. Just us. Family. No press. No politics. No chaos. But my classmates were already whispering about my debut like it was supposed to be legendary.

And I wasn’t inviting those bitches.

I have new friends now. Real ones. Not like the venomous girls back at the Academy.

I glanced at Lore, Damon, and Damien, completely absorbed in whatever violent game they were playing. Their fingers flew over the controllers, eyes sharp, jaws tight. Boys and their wars.

I went back to cleaning the mess—with the help of three tiny assistants.

The babies had just received their pasalubong from Jane and Logan. They weren’t allowed to open them until the confetti was cleared, and somehow, miraculously, they listened. Once everything was tidy, Logan carried the garbage bag himself while Jane pointed toward the gifts arranged neatly on their mini table.

The trio exploded in excitement.

Zendaya got a porcelain tea set—pink and purple, small enough for tiny hands, usable, fragile, and perfect.

"Yay!" She clapped, eyes sparkling. I could already imagine her putting makeup on Zay-Zay and Sky. "Pretty!"

Zayvier received a remote-controlled boat.

Sky got plush toys shaped like food—giant burger, fries, donuts, everything soft and absurd.

"Food!" he squealed, immediately biting one.

I laughed and gently pulled it away. "That’s not food. They’re toys."

He stared at me. "Oh."

Just oh.

My heart melted.

There was even a cupcake plush with arms, legs, and sunglasses.

I wished I had recorded it.

He placed it carefully on his mini chair, arranging his treasures like a king with spoils.

"I’ll wash these," Jane told Zendaya, who obediently followed her.

I approached the boys on the sofa. Two hours. Two full hours.

Lore was so focused he wasn’t even blinking.

I leaned in and blew into his ear.

He jolted.

"Fuck!" He whipped around, eyes blazing.

I laughed.

He hurled a pillow at me. I caught it.

"If I lose this game, I swear, I’ll double your reps!" he threatened.

Damon and Damien smacked him with throw pillows at the same time.

"Beat him," I said sweetly, placing my hands on their shoulders.

Minutes later, Damien won.

Lore dropped to his knees dramatically, palms against the carpet. Slowly, he pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and placed it on the table like a defeated warrior offering tribute.

Then he looked at me.

Glared.

I ran.

"Alyssa!" he roared.

"Mom!" I screamed, sprinting into the kitchen as he chased me around the island.

"Guys! This is dangerous—go outside!" Mom shouted while everyone started prepping food.

I laughed breathlessly, heart light for the first time in days.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

And that was all I really wanted for my birthday.