27 End

"Do you have something to do?" Royal suddenly asked, making my heart flinch and I turned to him with a faint smile.

"None. I just wanna go home." I shrugged and turned around, walking back to our car.

"I have nothing to do as well." He informed me and I stopped from walking, breath's ragging.

"Okay." I curtly said and continued walking. I think I'm going insane everytime he's near me.

I was about to open the car's door when he held my hand, sending tidal waves into my nerves and I abruptly pulled away my hand like he's burning me. I turned to him and caught his playful smiles.

"What do you think you are doing?" I raised my left brow at him but he just grinned at me. A hint of brilliance lingers in his eyes.

"Let me do the honor, Ms. Marcos." He said in a grin and opened the door. I then furrowed my brows at him.

"Tss." I hissed and rolled my eyes. I hunched as I stepped inside the car. And as I settled myself inside, he closed the door and turned around. This time, he does what I did and closed his door again.

"Where's your car?" I asked snippily.

"It has his own driver. Worry not." He said and started the engine.

Having no choice, I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned on the backrest. I must admit, his presence makes me feel uncomfortable. And in order to lurk the squeamishness I've been feeling, I have to act like annoyed by his presence.

Hello? It's not easy to deal with his presence! His scent drives me beyond my sanity. And I realised how much I miss it. I miss sniffing him.

"You sure you want to go home?" He asked like I'm unsure of my decision.

"Yup." I nodded.

"Perhaps you can go to our house."

I scowled at him and he pursed his lips, trying not to grin.

"I-I mean, of course my family misses you so much. And I believe your parents are not around."

Yes. My parents aren't allowed 'cause they have to face their big clients. But it doesn't mean I have to go anywhere I want to 'cause I'm free. A big no. I promised I won't go anywhere without their permission.

"I'm busy, okay? I'm not allowed to go anywhere." I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

Why can't he understand that I don't want to be with him? He's too much to endure! Everything about him is excruciatingly beautiful that it really hurts. It hurts to realise that I want him. I need him and I... I love him... still love him.

"Then let me come over to your house." He propounded but it sounded commanding.

"What?" I contracted my brows at him. "Are you insane? Why would you stay in my house?"

He shrugged innocently, pouting.

Argh! What is he doing to me? Seducing me with his kinky innocent moves?

"Am I not allowed?" He asked with his puppy eyes.

"Yes." I quickly replied and he pouted even more.

"You don't miss me, do you?"

Subconsciously, I inhaled deeply while eyeing him, whose eyes are focused on the road. And when he glanced at me, I looked away from him. I can feel my stomach doing somersault. Wild butterflies are fluttering and my heart is pounding inside its cage.

"I-I do..." I said exasperately. "But I know it has no sense."

Tears pooled over my eyes. Everything is flashing into my mind. From the very beginning of my story and up to now. It hurts to think how I ended up loving him. All I ever wanted was to have an older brother. And I was happy that heaven heard my prayers. But I don't remember I wish I would fall for him. That things will go this way.

'Cause I admit it or not, something inside me wishes to be his, wishes that he would be mine. But who am I kidding? I know our hearts will never beat as one. And going back six years ago, he chose Ria over me. He chose to hurt me when in fact he told me he loves me.

But what about those sweet talks he uttered? Where are they now? Was it for real or just for show? 'Cause I'm starting to rate this as a show, a test or something worse than that. And the fact is, he never loved me. He just used me to get over to his ex-girlfriend, ex-fiancee.

"I miss you, too." He said, capturing my hands on my lap and I looked up at him. Tears suddenly streamed down onto my cheeks. The feeling is excruciatingly overwhelming.

"Royal," I whispered, slowly breaking down into tears.

"I'm really sorry, Alpha. It wasn't my intention to hurt you." He said in despair and I shook my head.

"Please... stop ruining my life." I begged and sluggishly pulled my hand out from his.

"Alpha," he called out, sounded pleading.

"Just take me home." I said and stiffened.

No, Raphaela. You're not allowed to break down into tears in front of him. Crying means you're weak. Tears are the concrete evidence that you're an awful loser.

Just like I want him to do, he took me home but he didn't leave by my side. No matter how hard I tried to push him away, he insisted he'll stay with me.

"It's your decision to make, Royal. But I already told you, I'm not going to entertain you." I said with a glare.

I want him to stay away from me 'cause I want to think clearly. Whenever he's around, I can't focuse on myself. It's like he's taking away all my sanity.

"A-Alpha." He called when I faced my back at him and ready to step out.

I froze for awhile, swallowing all my saliva, and I took a deep breath, relaxing myself, then faced him.

"Yes?" I said emotionlessly. I raised my right brow at him.

He stood up and walked towards me. Every step he makes is a somersault of my heart.

I was caught off guard when he hugged me tight. It feels like he's afraid of letting me go. And it feels like coming home.

"Royal." I whined, trying to get off from him but he captured me in his arms even tighter.

"Can we stay like this for awhile?" He asked desperately. "After this... I'm gonna let you go no matter how hard it is."

I gulped once, triggered to grip his body with mine. I feel threatened.

"R-Royal," my voice broke in pain, tears are streaming down my cheeks.

He loosened up and cupped my cheeks. I even broke down when his eyes are in bloodshot and wet.

"I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know how to win you back. I don't know how to make you mine again. It feels like I'm loosing everything I had." His litany while eyeing me. "I don't know what will I do to prove to you that I'm so in love with you."

I broke down into tears and he hugged me again. I bored my face on his chest and hugged him tight. My heart is somersaulting, breaking in kaleidoscope of pain.

"I'm sorry," I cried. "I'm so sorry,"

He pulled his face away from me. His face is wet with his tears.

"No, Alpha. You don't have to say sorry." He said and he wiped my cheeks using his thumb. "I should be the one to. I made your heart break."

I gulped once, don't know what to say.

"But believe me... my words were true. And I believe you know me better. You know I always do my words."

"But-"

"I know." He butted in with his gentle voice. "And I'm sorry if you think I lied to you. I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"W-What about Ria?" I asked, slowly knotting my brows together.

He smiled and planted a long kiss on my forehead then crouched to catch my eyes.

"Don't worry about her. She's already happy with someone else. I know she found a better man."

"Y-You mean..."

"I chose you, Alpha. And I hope you'll choose me too."

I smiled in awe. For the first time, I feel like my heart is flying. My stomach is fluttering as well.

I held his hand cupping my cheeks and smiled at him.

"I will."

After that, we stayed inside my room. I feel light and content. I feel like going back to the old times.

"I miss you so much. I thought you'll forever leave me here." Royal said, hugging me behind my back.

"It's your fault, though." I said and turned around to face him with a smile.

"I'm really sorry for hurting you. I was just afraid that they will take you away from me."

I pouted. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "I don't want your parents to think that I'm taking good advantages of the situation. They trust me so much. They know I will always treat you like a sister."

"Yeah," I frowned. "I know about that. But maybe because I don't want to get hurt again, I tried to close my ears and narrow my mind. I always tell myself that I don't need any explanations from you."

He pulled my waist closer to him, eyeing me with his frisky eyes.

"But now you're here, I won't let you run away from me again. Once is enough, twice is foolish."

He crouched and in a moment, he pressed his lips against mine, sending millions of weak electricity, radiating like tidal waves. Obliviously, I clung my arms around his neck and pushed his head deeper to mine. He then thrusts his tongue inside my mouth, making me breathless.

"Goddess, I've been dying to kiss you." He uttered in between our passionate kiss.

I suppressed myself from continuing what we're doing. I smiled at him as I tried to open my eyes. I'm drowning with his warm and deep kisses.

"I miss you even more, Royal. If only you know, you're always in my mind no matter how hard I try to divert my attention."

He just smiled and attacked my lips again. He lifted me up while kissing my neck and I entwined my legs around his waist.

"Royal," I called out.

"Say my name again, baby." He whispered against my skin. And just in, he laid me down on my bed, planting feathery kisses from my jaw to my collarbone, sending delicious sensations all through out my body.

He slid his hand under my hem and ran his fingers friskily on my skin, making me gasp in silence.

"Royal," I moaned and he stopped from his thing to eye me.

"Do you want me to continue this?" He asked worriedly and I clenched my jaw, afraid I might say something offensive.

I opened my mouth, ready to say something but I'm too voiceless to voice out.

"I understand." He said and smiled. "I don't want to force you, Alpha. I know you think that you're too young for this."

"Royal." Was the only word I could say.

"Yes, baby?" He grinned and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Ahm," I looked away.

What shall I say?

"Take a shower now. You smell like my mouth." He joked and got off from me. He gently pulled my hand so I could get up.

"I'm sorry." I said and pouted.

"Sorry for?" He asked and knelt down in front of me. Tears dwell in my eyes.

I sighed exasperately.

"I respect you so much, Alpha. Besides, you're not yet tied with me. And I know that's bothering you." He held my hand, lifted it up and kissed my knuckles then turned to me. "I don't want you to think that I want your body. Yes, I do, but what matters to me the most is your heart... your soul and your everything. I need them more than I want your body."

"Royal," I cried and he chuckled then rose up to kiss my forehead for a minute.

He pressed his forehead against mine. I can feel his warm breath fanning my face.

"I love you so much, Alpha. I am so in love with you eversince I laid my eyes on you."

"I love you, too, Royal. And I'm so sorry if I misunderstood things."

"Shsh." He looked up at me with so much passion and adoration in his eyes. "I can't blame you, though. It was really my fault."

"No." I shook my head in disagreement. "I was stone-cold. I was narrow-minded."

"Shsh." He placed his index finger on my lips, shutting me down. "Let's not talk about it, alright? We have to move on from our past 'cause what's the most important is you're here with me now. You accepted me again."

I smiled in awe and nodded.

"Thank you." I smiled and he laughed softly.

"No... thank you because you let me intrude your life again."

I hugged him and he hugged me back. At this moment, I couldn't ask for more. I want to look forward for our future. I hope that we'll end up together.

'Till the sun dies, Royal stayed with me. He said he has nothing to do and he didn't want me to disappear out of his sight. True to his words, I could feel that he really meant his words. He told me he loves me and he's proving it by showing to me what life really is.

"I want a duplicate of your paintings, Alpha." He said, breaking the silence.

We're here inside my room. I am painting while he's watching me.

"Why those duplicate when you can have the originals?" I asked absent-mindedly, focusing on my work.

"Sounds better." He said and I stopped from what I am doing just to look at him and smiled.

"I want to make an original and the only one masterpiece for you." I said and a hint of overwhelming feeling plastered on his eyes.

He stood up and walked towards me with his jaw-dropping smiles. I couldn't help but praise and adore those deep set coffee eyes he has.

"That's the most beautiful word I have ever heard." He declared and took the space beside me. He held my hand holding the brush and dipped it on red watercolor.

He gently ushered my hand on every way he wants to trace while looking at me. I also look at his eyes, drowning with overwhelming feelings.

"I want to lead the way to forever if you want me to, A. I want you to never astray from my own route no matter what happens. I hope that in the end of the day, it's you and me alone. Together, we will build our own future as husband and wife."

My cheeks heat up, as well as my eyes. Tears of joy are threatening to fall. No words can express how happy my heart is. He made my soul flutter. He made my life a colorful one.

He got off from my hand and pulled something on his pocket. My heart did some somersault when he showed me a small box of something. And I know deep in my heart, it was a box of ring.

He opened the box that is covered with red velvet cloth. And just in, a stunning engagement ring came into view, making me cry even more and I cupped my mouth, not wanting to cry out loud.

"Alraine Raphaela Marcos... are you willing to take my last name and be my lawful wife?" He asked, eyes are in bloodshot.

"Royal," I cried his name.

"I know I have hurt you before but if you'll let me, I will make it up to you. I promise, from the moment you say "yes", no more pain to feel, only love and happiness."

I smiled in mixed emotions. The happiness is overflowing in my heart.

"How can I say "no" to someone I love the most?" I asked back but is sounded like a statement.

"You mean..." hope is vivid in his eyes.

"Yes... Yes, Royal." I said and he laughed softly.

"Yes!" He shouted in happiness and I laughed at him. "Thank you so much!"

He slid the ring into my ring finger. After that, he deeply kissed my forehead and hugged me tight. I hugged him back, crying tears of joy. I couldn't ask for more. I am happy and content 'cause finally, I am going to be his lawful wife, Alraine Raphaela Marcos-Mocetti.