RDD 18

Chapter 18

While Penelope was talking with the children about their grandparents, I decided to start my daily 30-minute exercise. 

I realized that the Grind System gave me an everyday mission which was to spend 30 minutes of my time exercising. 

So I went to the living room and started doing push-ups and curl-ups. These two exercises didn't need any equipment and I could do them at home. 

'My tummy is getting fat so I have to burn more fat, curl-ups is one the ways to do it.'

I started tiring myself just to get another system point. 

Then, my wife came by and looked at me. She was slightly amused when she realized that I was exercising again. 

"So you're really serious about losing fat?"

"Yeah, I have to."

I answered under my breath. 

"How are the kids?"

"They are fine. They are excited when I told them that they are going to a faraway place where they can see beautiful scenery."

She smiled and crouched down next to me. 

"That's good. They need to sleep early since the travel would be tiring. I'll help you look at them later."

"Thank you."

She said while looking at my biceps, she grinned and pinched my shoulder. 

"Work hard."

"I will."

.........

......

...

Half an hour later, I was already soaking in my own sweat when I stood up. I was weakly gasping but in the end, I completed the mission. 

I heard the system notification, telling me that I earned another point. 

"Phew."

I sat on the sofa but my wife clicked her when she saw the sweat touching the sofa. 

"Here, let me wipe you."

She was staring at me coldly as she gesture for me to come closer. My wife was a clean freak and she didn't like the place dirty.

"O- okay."

I flinched and approached her awkwardly.

"You should wipe your sweat before touching anything, do you understand?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

I was like a student being lectured by his teacher. Furthermore, the teacher was a terror. 

"What about the floor? I don't want to see my kids fall because the floor is wet by your sweat."

She said and wiped my skin with pressure. 

"I- I will wipe it."

What can I say? I'm the wrong one so I could not retort. Might as well follow her will. 

"... Let me get you a water."

But in the end, I know that my wife cares about me. 

"Thank you."

I smiled and tried to hug her but I stopped right before my sweaty arms touch her. She glared at me. 

"Tch  You're sweating all over and you want to hug me? Dream on. Take a shower first."

She rolled her eyes and went to the fridge to get water. 

"But Honey, you know that we're snuggling like puppies last night, and both of us are sticky--"

"Keith Castillo, don't you dare..."

Her face was red as she glared at me. She was blushing and obviously embarrassed, but I knew that she would become mad once I go overboard. 

Anyway, at least I won and teased her. I shrugged and accepted the glass of water. 

Then, a sudden touch fall upon my back and I twitched. 

"You really are sweaty."

Penelope murmured while hugging me from behind. My skin was still wet right now yet she dared hug me and put her face on my back. 

"I thought you hate sweat?"

"Not if it's you."

"Wife..."

"Husband..."

We stayed like that for a second. Unfortunately, Sophia walked on all fours and greeted us. 

Penelope immediately pushed me away and I stumbled down the sofa. I was dumbfounded, but knowing that little Sophia was right before us, I decided to hide my dissatisfaction. 

"Mommy! Jajjy! Can I bwing snacks? I want to give Gwandma and Gwandpa candies! I want to mweet my cousins too!"

"Okay Sweetheart, but make sure that they won't go to waste. Some candies will melt once under the sun."

My wife smiled and rubbed Sophia's head. 

"Un!"

The little baby nodded happily and returned back to her room to pack her candies... Although I think Sophia only has a handful of candies. We made sure to control the kids' diet, especially sweets. 

"Here!"

Just as I expected, Sophia returned with seven pieces of candies. She was beaming as she showed her treats. 

"Good job sweetheart, I'll help you pack them later."

"Yay!"

When the baby was gone, Penelope at me and apologized. 

"Sorry. Did I hurt you? I was shocked because I don't want Sophia to see us hugging."

"It's fine. Honey, you know that kids will not bother with us hugging. Hugging is not bad anyway."

"Still..."

"Anyway, let's pack our belongings so that we can leave early tomorrow."

"Okay."

We planned to use two luggages for this trip. And of course, since I'm the only adult man in the family, I'm the one who would carry the bags. 

My wife already prepared the things we would bring but they were still not packed, so I help her put them in the luggage. Our clothes and the kids' clothes were put in the luggage perfectly, there was no wasted space. 

I applaud my wife for successfully putting all of our belongings in two bags just fine. 

"It's already 7:30, I think it's time for the kids to sleep."

"I will wait for you."

Penelope was good at convincing the kids to sleep. She knew how to convince (threaten) them... Because sometimes, the kids would become energetic at night and become drowsy the next day and act weak. 

Whenever that happens, both of us worried. 

I tell you, two energetic kids are too much for us. But two delicate sick kids would make our hearts break. 

'I'm amazed how much patience Penelope has. I don't even know how to make Sophia eat her vegetable. Even Roman doesn't follow me when I tell him to stop playing. I guess they are not afraid of me.'

I respect my wife very much. She is much better than me in terms of taking care of the kids. After all, she is a mother.