Forbidden Deception (Deception)

47

A few months later

C lear blue water surrounds us on a sandbank, and we walk towards a grand white gazebo.

“There isn’t anyone around this beach,” I comment to Rafael, who only smirks, walking leisurely beside me in a white linen shirt and soft cream-coloured trousers. My dress kind of matches his outfit. It’s a white ruffled dress with an open back.

The weather is hot and humid but soft wind blows around us. It’s perfect for our little getaway to Thailand in Phuket after my official move to Edinburgh. I still love London and always will, and that was enough for Rafael to open a new office branch in London so I can visit whenever I fancy.

Remo’s been so attentive to my needs over the past few weeks with helping me move, and with Rafael staying in London for longer than a week, I don’t know what was better. Watching them glare at each other across the room knowing they can’t say shit to each other just for me was amusing. Aurora and I have a grand time knowing they are practically vibrating with the urge to insult each other but can’t anymore.

They keep their animosity at bay for us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I want to continue working with Rafael but this time as a financial advisor as I had studied for in London.

Wind picks up once more, and the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, casting yellow streaks across the sky and turning the scattered clouds pink and orange.

We travelled to this small island in the middle of nowhere by boat. We continue to walk towards the gazebo, decorated with white cloth and string lights. Flowers hang all around it, but we are still far from it to make out more details.

“It’s beautiful. I’m sure you haven’t been anywhere like this before,” Rafael comments, and I nod.

“Yeah, I haven’t been to Southeast Asia before. That white mansion behind usis almost the only thing on here,”

Rafael doesn’t comment any further, and we keep walking hand-in-hand until we get closer, and the tall lit up white letters become clearer.

I stop walking just a few feet from the gazebo.

“Rafael…” My voice trails off, and Rafael tugs at my hand.

“Keep walking.”

I mindlessly walk, following him until we stand under the massive gazebo that could fit at least fifty people. Crystal blue waters, white sand, and untouched jungle stretch for miles around us.

Rafael drops to his knee in front of me and pulls out a small jeweller’s box. My hands fly to my mouth, the words ‘Will you marry me?’ spelled out in tall big letters standing behind him.

“No, don’t cry. You are supposed to be happy.” Rafael grins, and I shake my head.

“How could I not cry?” I choke out with a laugh. “You want a forever with me already.” I fan my eyes.

“Save the tears for when I finish speaking.”

I laugh and hastily wipe my eyes and stand straighter. “Okay, go.”

“Venezia, I hope you feel loved and cherished by me every second that you are with me. Your trust is something I’ve never taken for granted. I promise to love you forever. I will love you when we have our own kids. I will love you when they grow up and move out. I will love you with grey hair and wrinkles and will still be as in love with you as I am right now. There was never any doubt in my mind that you would one day be mine. I knew from the first moment that you were made for me.”

My tears slip from my eyes one by one.

“I may have done many terrible, wrong things in my life, but the one thing I did right was to keep you, and that is the only good I want in this life. I’ll give you anything and everything, including this land you stand on, in every effort to woo you and your crazy heart.”

I gasp out a laugh.

“You bought… this island for me? Rafael, are you crazy?”

He nods and lifts the open box higher.

“Will you marry me, Venezia?”

I look down at the diamond that looks like it’s worth as much as this island and glance at the man on his knees for me.

“Yes.” I nod, then lift my hand to him.

He carefully, reverently, slides the ring on with a beatific smile. He doesn’t finish standing up before I jump into his arms. I kiss him and keep kissing him until my lips are swollen and we’re both gasping for breath.

“I love you, Rafael. You are my first and only love. And you will forever be.”