Endless Love - Zaydee Rain

Chapter 1 He was going to tell her he loved her. Finally, he can tell her just how much he loves her. He woke up that morning feeling so alive and he knew he couldn't wait another day to keep it all inside him. He must speak to her, hold her in his arms, kiss her sweet lips... today. Because, at last, he got his life back. She wouldn't be able to say no to him. Not now that everything is perfect once again.

He pulled up her driveway and fumbled with the door of his car. He angled his head up and watched as snow slowly fall down from the sky. He missed this. He missed all the whiteness and-oh, God, everything. Well, maybe except the chill in the air, he thought, as he stuffed his hands on the pockets of his black jeans. Only he knows that he's been far too cold during the months that followed the accident. The accident. No. He struggled to block that out of his mind. There was no place for it

especially this morning, when he was about to profess his feelings to the most wonderful woman in the world. He smiled as he walked up to her aunt's Connecticut house and let himself remember the first he saw- meet her. She was running late. She promised her little brother and her little sister that she would be at their aunt's house by lunch. Oh, but that witch ruined her plans. The heartless woman called her at 5 in the morning. 5 in the morning! Can you imagine that?

At first she was almost too afraid to answer her phone because who gets phone calls even before the sun has risen, right? It could only mean one thing. Somebody she loves got hurt or worse, died. She slowly stretched out her shaking hands to get the receiver. 'Hello?' 'Oh, Bernadette, is that you?' She almost said no when she recognized the high-

pitched-nearly-hysterical voice. It was her boss, Faustine. 'Faustine?' The woman on the other end sighed dramatically. 'Yes, it's Faustine. Is that you, Bernadette?' Her name was not Bernadette but she quickly resisted the urge to correct the older woman. She has already done that for the past seven months but Faustine never really cared enough to call her by her true name. 'Uhm, yeah, I guess it's me Bernadette.' Note the sarcasm.

'Oh, thank God! I've been trying to reach you for the past...' She trailed off, maybe to compute the time she spent finding out her number. 'Er, well, never mind that now.' Her brain could not even handle simple math, "Bernadette" thought to herself. Faustine babbled about this and that and she let her talk away without really listening until the words 'Can you finish all that by 11 AM, Bernadette?' registered in her sleep-fogged brain. 'Do what?' she asked dumbly.

'Everything I've just said.' Not really helpful, Faustine, she thought. 'But it's my day off!' 'I won't need you after you finished it all. If you're done before 11, I won't hold you up.' 'But... but...' she spluttered. 'See you in a few, Bernadette.' And that was that. She dragged her sleepy butt out

of bed and went to went work. She finished arranging bolts of cloth (by texture), rejected clothes, and fashion showrooms at 9. But then, Faustine-ever false to her words-made her buy coffee and snacks for the arriving buyers to see Faustine's new line. So now, here she was, running in Grand Central with a big box of cake in her arms. The train to Conneticut is bound to leave in 5 minutes. She thought she was going to die with anxiousness when the cab she was riding got stuck in typical New York traffic. She regretted splurging her week's savings for the ride

but she thought it would getBam! So lost in her thoughts, she didn't see the man on her way until it was too late. She crashed into him and they both fell down hard. 'What the hell?!' She pushed herself off his chest. 'What the freaking hell?! Don't you look at where you're going?' She asked the man who was lying on his back in the middle of Grand Central. He didn't answer her. He was wearing a

black Rayban wayfarer so she can't really read the expression on his face. A few casually dressed men helped him stand up but didn't leave his side. She wanted to ask him if he was going to apologize but decided against it. She's wasted enough time as it is. So she spun around and saw the box of cake turned upside down. 'Oh no!' She cried out. She walked over to where it was thrown off during her collision with that weird, silent man. 'Why? Why? What happened?' The man

asked, his voice laced with a little alarm. So he talks, she thought darkly. 'Was somebody hurt when you bumped into me?' 'YOU bumped into me," she corrected him. 'And no, nobody was hurt! Can't you see it for yourself? You ruined my ccake!" Her voice caught at the last word and a tear rolled down her cheek. She saved her money to get the twins a birthday cake but now... now it was ruined. She was forced to ignore her rumbling stomach for several nights just to buy them this.

She was sobbing harder now and a few people were looking in their direction. The man knelt beside her. 'You're crying because of a cake?' 'Not just any cake,' she mumbled. 'It was my little brother and sister's birthday cake!' She carefully turned it and she peeked inside. Yeah, it was definitely ruined. 'Did it get dirty?' The man inquired.

'No, it's still inside the box.' 'So you can still eat it?' 'Yes.' 'Then I don't see the problem here.' She gasped and then pushed him as hard as she could with her free hand. 'You horrible man!' she shouted. 'The problem is that Mickey Mouse now needs a nose job!'

He brushed away the hands of the men who tried to help him get up. They were the same men who picked him up a while ago. 'You have no right to push me like that.' He said slowly, enunciating each word with a step towards her. She tilted her chin and said, "I'm not going to say sorry. That wouldn't have happened if you only looked at where you were going!' 'I could have done that if I could still actually see.' He knew she gaped at him for a long time after he said those words. He didn't

see it but that's what Tripp said. And he would always believe Tripp's words over any other man's. And his loyal bodyguard said she gaped for so long that she missed her train. Which was both a blessing and a disaster for him. If it weren't because of that incident, he would never know that a woman like Lorraine existed. On the other hand, she made it quite a hell for him when he offered to take her wherever she was going. She was too suspicious and mad at him

to believe he was a good, decent guy. He knew she wasn't really that convinced that he wasn't a total psycho or anything but then she was just so desperate to reach Connecticut on time that she finally relented and even let him buy a new cake for her siblings. 'Luc?' He looked up at the sound of his name and saw Lorraine standing in the doorway.

Oh my God, she's so beautiful, he thought. All that glorious red hair flowing down her back, her green cat eyes and generous mouth smiling at him. She was perfect. Not to mention her hourglass, killer body. She tilted her head in that way he has imagined for thousands of times. 'What are you doing here?' He walked carefully, his eyes not leaving her face. 'I wanted to see- I mean visit you.' She grabbed his arm when he neared her

and pulled him into the house. 'Why? Is something wrong?' she asked automatically and Luc shook his head no. 'Well, then why are you looking at me like that?' Oops, wrong thing to ask, she thought. 'Uhm, sorry. But it's just your eyes are staring directly into mine as if you can see me.' Oh my, what a wonderful pair of eyes. The most beautiful set she has ever seen. She has never seen anything so blue. ' He laughed, not without humor but with... life. 'I-' However before he could continue, two kids launched themselves

at him. 'Luc!' The twins shouted in unison. Luc staggered a bit when they hit him. 'Oh, I'm sorry!' Lorraine quickly apologized. 'James! Jenny! Let Luc go!' Jenny wrapped her chubby 5-year-old arms protectively around Luc's left leg. 'But I don't want to, Rainie. He visited us.'

Lorraine knew that Jenny was developing a hero worship for Luc since he's one of the two males she can look up to as a father figure. 'That I did, pretty.' She watched as he deftly swung the little girl into his arms. Something has changed, she knew. Luc was more open and what was it again? Alive? Yes, alive.

She stood there as the man she loved for God only knows how long played with her siblings and wished that whatever it is that has changed about Luc, he won't ever stop to need her.

Chapter 2 Luc, Tripp, Lorraine and her aunt, Nicole, were all sitting in the living room while the kids played outside. Tripp married Nicole three months ago after falling in love that first time when he and Luc brought Lorraine home to Connecticut.

Lorraine was only too thrilled for her aunt.

She didn't want Nicole to throw away

her life just because she has to act as a guardian for her little siblings. And Tripp was a decent guy, who's in the prime of his life. He and Luc are of the same age---just thirty---three years older than Nicole and ten for Lorraine.

The accident that took the lives of Lorraine's parents happened in Korea, six months after she turned eighteen. Her parents loved to ski so they went there on a wintry January but never came back. Nicole-being the closest relative they have-took them under her roof and cared for them.

She hasn't been out for date since then that's why Lorraine was glad when Tripp came her way.

'Lorraine?' her aunt's voice broke away her line of thoughts.

She looked up and saw three pairs of eyes focused on her. Only two of them can see me, she said to herself and stared dead on at Luc. 'Hmm, yes?' she directed the question to Nicole but her eyes were still on the

gorgeous man sitting across from her.

'Nothing. You just became unusually quiet.' Nicole answered.

'I was woolgathering.' She smiled weakly at her and turned back to Luc. 'So how did you get here, Luc?' He opened his mouth but nothing came out. It wasn't everyday that Luc De la Vega becomes speechless and that made Lorraine a bit suspicious. Something is kind of wrong,

she knew. And she needs to find out what soon.

Finally after a minute or two, Luc answered her with 'I had someone drop me off.'

'But your car is outside.' Tripp told him.

'Uh, yes, I had someone drive me here and he... just left.'

Lorraine wasn't buying that for one second. It just doesn't fit right.

Luc has his own chauffeur and he always travels in his limousine. Tripp said he didn't bother riding his babe-magnet sports cars ever since he lost his sight. And as of the moment, a Lamborghini was parked on the driveway.

Nicole touched her arm. 'Lorraine, why don't you come with me to the kitchen to check on dinner?'

'Sure.' Together they stood up and left the guys.

Tripp moved to the couch the girls vacated. 'You were lying about someone driving you up here, weren't you?'

Luc stared at his best friend of more than twenty years. Tripp was almost as tall as himself but where Luc was crowned as a dark haired god, the other was given light blonde locks-making him a golden boy heartthrob. Nobody could resist the two of them when they roll.

Also Tripp was the brother Luc never had and he knew that he could tell him everything. 'Yes,' he said quietly.

The other man threw an arm on the back of the couch and sprawled lazily. 'Lorraine didn't believe you, you know.'

'I know. I saw her face.'

'You hesitated and that's what gave you away.' Tripp said then he stopped. His

green eyes widened and he looked dumbfounded. 'You what?!'

'I saw her face.' Luc said nonchalantly as brushed away an invisible lint from his shirt.

Tripp stood up and walked towards him. 'You saw her face?' he repeated.

Luc nodded. 'That's what I said.'

'Wha- h-how? W-when?' Tripp spluttered. 'You can see again? And here you are acting as if it's not a big deal!'

Luc straightened up and stared directly at Tripp. 'Yes, I can see again. I don't know how it happened but when I woke up this morning I can just see again.'

'Then why the hell didn't you say something sooner? Have you seen a doctor?'

'This is one of the reasons I didn't have a hard time letting you go as a body guard,' Luc murmured. 'You act more like a nanny most of the time.'

'Don't use your smart mouth on me, you Spanish bastard!'

They've known each other for far too long already for Luc to be insulted. 'Can you keep your voice down?'

Tripp looked around and whispered, 'Do

you plan to tell Lorraine?'

He nodded and said, 'That's why I came here.'

'Good.'

'What do you mean "good"?' Luc studied his best friend. 'So now you're acting all fatherly towards Lorraine?'

Tripp cocked his head to the side. 'Let

me remind you, she's my wife's niece. I'm the only guy who can look after her.'

That statement annoyed Luc-which was Tripp's original intention. '"Look after her?" She does not need someone to look after her when she's with me!'

'I don't know about that,' Tripp whistled. 'I'm getting these flashbacks, you know, from the good ol' days. Just after we met her at the train station. You weren't exactly Mr. Compassionate to her.'

With that sharp remark, he left the room and let Luc walk down Memory Lane. Alone. Tripp was right. I wasn't exactly "Mr. Compassionate" during the early days when I met Lorraine.

During the car ride to Connecticut after the incident in Grand Central, I did pretty stupid things. I was feeling very antisocial since I lost my sight just a month before that time.

I remember Lorraine clearing her throat while I was enveloped in darkness. She was sitting beside, I knew, because I could feel the heat of her body.

'Do you have a name?' She asked slowly.

'Yes.'

'Care to tell me what?'

'No.'

'Okay. So you're rich, huh?'

'Yes.'

'This is your car?'

'Yes.'

'Wow. Do you have a wife?'

'No.'

'Are you like one of those business men who fly in and out of the country most of the time?'

'Yes.'

'Are you going to answer my questions with one word for the rest of the drive?'

She growled when I said, 'Maybe.'

Then we were both silent after that. I knew she was furious with me for being such as jerk-she told me that before she got off the car. After half an hour of snubbing each other, I felt a little guilty and tried to start a conversation with her.

'How old are you? You sound like you're young.'

'I'm sixty-seven years old and you don't have to talk to me, you know.' She answered icily.

I suppressed an oath. 'But I want to,' I countered.

'Like hell,' she muttered.

'Okay...' I trailed off because I didn't know what to call her. I didn't know her name. 'Look, girl, I'm trying to be nice

here.'

'I'm not a girl,' she argued. 'Oh, and is that what you call it? "Being nice"? Ha! It's pretty obvious you don't have much practice.'

'Only because it isn't worth it to be nice to immature people like you!' I snapped the same time the driver stepped on the brakes real hard. I heard a thud on the plush floor of my car.

'Hey, girl, are you alright?'

'I said I'm not a girl!'

'Well, I don't know what to call you!' I said and stretched my hand to the now empty seat where she was supposed to be sitting. 'Where are you, LITTLE GIRL?' I emphasized the last two words.

'Oh, my God! You're impossible!'

She wailed and then I heard some shuffling. 'I'm Lorraine, okay? My name's Lorraine not Little Girl!' A hand came down on my left knee and I stiffened. I didn't like people touching me when I can't see them. 'Can you help me up, Mr. Jerk-Face?'

I reluctantly grabbed her hand and pulled her up. 'Are you hurt?'

She groaned a little and settled down beside me again-only she was nearer this time. My left thigh was brushing her right ones. 'Uhh, I think I broke my arm.'

'You what?' I reached for her but because I was blind and all that, my hand landed on the wrong place.

'That's my breast, you perv!' She batted my hand away and maybe would've wrestled me back to the floor of the car if I didn't hold up a hand.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to touch you.' Though after that, that's the only thing I ever want to do again. Even for three short seconds, I felt her fullness. 'I'm

blind, remember?' I said sarcastically.

'You're rich, why don't you go buy a new pair of eyes so you don't "accidentally" touch women's breast?' She responded. I was almost too shocked to speak. Nobody was ever that frank to me. I was rich, powerful and respected. Almost all of my employees and business associates were too scared to speak their mind to me.

But Lorraine wasn't. Which was kind of amusing and annoying at first. But as we got to know each other better, I learned

to appreciate her honesty.

We were both silent the rest of the journey. We made one quick stop and I order Tripp to buy another cake to replace the one that was ruined.

And then we were on our destination already. Thank God, I thought to myself.

'Thanks for the ride,' Lorraine murmured. I was surprised that she would even thank me so I answered with

an offhanded, 'You're welcome.'

I heard her open the door. 'And thanks for bumping into me and ruining my brother and sister's cake. That nose job you gave Mickey Mouse was epic. Also, thanks for trying to be "nice."' She was outside of the car already but the sarcasm in her voice was loud and clear. 'And THANK YOU for touching my breast.' She tsked as if she was regretting that we didn't have more time to spend together. 'All in all, Mr. Stranger, thank you for being a total jerk. I hope we never meet again!' Then she slammed the door close.

I've never felt more alone in my life. Chapter 3 I chose to ignore Luc's strange behavior today. What matters the most is that he's here in Aunt Nicole's homey dining room and that he's laughing. I've never seen a more gorgeous sight.

During the first few months I've known him, he was barely smiling. He was this distant, uninterested man. His attitude totally changed, Tripp said.

But I like to think that with my help he is slowly getting back some of the vitality he lost.

I studied his face intently. This is one of the "perks" of him being blind. I can ogle him for as long as I want.

His eyes were the color of the most sinful chocolate. His nose was sharp, his cheekbones high and aristocratic. His lips were... oh, I don't know how to describe his lips! Except that it looks so kissable!

My breathing was getting heavier so I forced myself to breath slowly in and out. I don't know why I get so excited just thinking about Luc's lips. Or maybe I do.

Luc was the epitome of manliness.

My eyes wandered down to the broad expanse of his chest. I imagined it without the black shirt he was wearing right now. I know his skin was naturally tanned because of his Spanish heritage. The muscles were toned and hard. It would ripple at my touch. Then there was his flat belly. I bet there would be a

line of dark hair from his belly button running to his...

I gulped and looked up.

Luc was staring straight at me. A perfect winged brow lifted as if he knew what I was doing. But of course, he can't know. R-right? Of course, you silly, I said to myself. Luc had just become more and more sensitive to his surroundings. Maybe he felt that someone was staring at him and you know.

I brushed the back of my right hand against my forehead. Gosh, even just daydreaming about Luc's body is getting me hot. The girl is a tease. I don't even think she knows what she's doing to my body with her delicious exploration. Many women have checked me out before. I am Lucas De la Vega, for heaven's sake. But never have I been more aroused by a woman's eyes.

Lorraine's were bottle green which suits her carroty hair so much. I always go for blondes with blue eyes before. I never thought I would find red hair and green eyes so damn attractive. I watch Lorraine. She still doesn't know that I can see again. I originally planned to tell her as soon as I got here but then Jenny and James came in and we were never alone since then. I know Tripp can't wait to blurt it out. There was a glint in his eyes that had me glaring at him. Nicole must have noticed

the look in her husband's eyes because she suddenly asked, 'Honey, do you have something to tell us?' She looked around the table, smiling. She was a very striking brunette. I was told that she looks like Lorraine's mother so much. Lorraine and the twins took after their Irish father. But despite of that, I can see the resemblance between aunt and niece. They both have cute button nose and soft jaw. They lips were both generousthough Lorraine's were more plump and irresistible. I glanced back at her then at Tripp who

started talking. 'I think it would be better if Luc here tell it,' the traitor said. 'It's his news to tell.' Five pair of eyes swung back to me and I suddenly felt a little bit conscious. Tripp, Nicole and Lorraine were looking at me expectantly while Jenny and James were looking at me as if I was God. I cleared my throat. 'Uh, well...' I don't know what to say. I don't want Lorraine to know this way. I

want it to be just the two of us but Tripp, who is no longer my best friend as of this moment, could just keep his mouth shut. 'Luc?' Lorraine whispered. 'Are you okay?' I stared straight ahead and didn't look at her. I didn't want to give away my secret. 'Yes, yes.' I smiled at the wall. 'Now, where was I?' 'Nowhere,' Tripp said, unhelpfully.

I gritted my teeth. Damn the man! First he got me into this rut and now he's making mocking remarks. If he wasn't my... And then I came up with the greatest idea. 'Well, you see, I just closed a deal. One of my hotels in Madrid needs to be fully redecorated.' I said. 'I've contracted the best interior designer in Spain but I'm one man short.' Tripp looked confused while Nicole and Lorraine listened attentively. The twins

turned back to their food upon deciding I wasn't talking about a trip to the Disney resort. 'I need someone I can trust to overlook the project.' Nicole nodded. 'So you want Lorraine to go to Spain?' 'No!' The twins jumped from their seats and hugged their sister tight. 'You can't go, Rainie!' Jenny wailed. 'That'sh toofar.'

Lorraine touched her hair. 'You don't know where Spain is,' she pointed out. 'But you have to ride a airplanes to get there.' James said. 'Not like a trains to New Yorks.' 'An airplane, not a airplanes. A train, not a trains.' His sister corrected. 'And it's New York, James, not New Yorks. You don't put "s" after each word-especially if it's singular.' 'Then my names should be Jame, not

James.' The little boy argued. Lorraine rolled her eyes and laughed. She kissed both her siblings and turned to me. 'I'm sorry, Luc, I can't go. I can't leave Jenny and JAME...SSS.' The kids giggled at that. The picture of her arms around those two kids was forever etched in my mind now. There was a little tightness in my chest when I said, 'Who said about you leaving?' 'Then if it's not Lorraine, then who do you want for the job?' Nicole asked.

'Your husband, Tripp. Who else?'

A week later... 'Are you sure you're going to be fine?' Nicole asked Lorraine like a worried hen. The younger woman nodded. 'Of course, Aunt Nic. We're going to stay with Luc until you come back from Madrid.' 'But the twins-'

'Are going to be fine,' Lorraine inserted. 'They adore Luc. And he them.' 'Fine, fine.' Nicole grasped one of her hands and gripped tight. 'But you promise to call me when anything happens, okay? I'll catch the first flight out.' 'I doubt anything would happen, Aunt Nicole. Luc got all these bodyguards watching after him and I'm sure they'll be watching after us now too. They were trained by the best,' She added and pointed over her shoulder to where

Tripp stood. 'I know but it won't make me worry any less.' 'Aunt Nicole, let me remind you, I'm almost twenty. I can take care of myself and the twins. You'd be back in no time. Just think of it like a second honeymoon.' Lorraine wiggled her brows and made Nicole laugh. They hugged each other in the middle of the airport while the guys watched on.

'I can't believe you would do this to me,' Tripp hissed. 'It's the price of not keeping your mouth shut, amigo.' Luc drawled. Tripp turned with a deathly glare in his eyes but Luc still appeared unconcerned. 'España Es Un País Maravelloso,' Spain is a wonderful country. 'Don't you want to start a family already? Spain is the best place to make babies.' 'I don't think so,' Tripp replied

doubtfully. 'Your parents made you there and look at how you turned out to be.' Luc growled the same time the women returned to their sides. 'Is everything alright?' Nicole, ever the peacemaker, asked. Her eyes were darting between her husband and his friend. Luc forced a smile on his face and looked away. 'Sí, Nicole. I wish you a safe trip.' She moved to him and kissed his cheek. He gripped her arms lightly but her a moment too long just to annoy

her husband. Tripp didn't disappoint him. He walked over to where the two of them were standing and dragged his wife away from Luc. 'What the-' Nicole started but Tripp cut him off. 'Oh, sweetheart, if I'm not mistaken that's the final call for our flight.' He said and then he swung around to look at Lorraine. He opened his arms and said, 'Rainie, come here and hug your Uncle Tripp goodbye.'

She laughed but went to his arms for a warm hug. 'I'm never going to call you Uncle Tripp, okay?' 'Fine by me.' Tripp looked up, met Luc's gaze over Lorraine's shoulder and made a face. Luc took a menacing step towards them and Tripp quickly let go. But he didn't stop at that. He puckered his lips and stole a kiss from Lorraine. 'Bye, little girl. We'll call you when we land.'

Luc and Lorraine were too shock to say anything else. That's why he wasn't able to do anything when look walked past him and whispered. 'Now, that's the price of trying to make me jealous with my wife.' Chapter 4 It was like being there all over again.

The rain, the car... the fight, it was all too clear and Luc knew what would happen next.

The driver of the car he was riding would suddenly swerve left and they would crash to the incoming car on the other side of the road.

The heavy rain prevented them to see much clearer. That's why it was too late to do anything else. And the last thing Luc saw was the dark sky, illuminated by a lightning.

He woke up, with cold sweat running down all over his body. He hadn't dreamt about that night in months. It's been too long since he'd had that dream

that Luc thought it already went away.

I guess I was wrong, he thought to himself as he passed a weary hand to his face.

Luc sat up and threw away the covers. Lorraine and the twins were sleeping on the next room. He could probably sneak in to wake her up and maybe just talk. Until dawn. Until he's old. Until the feeling of fear resurrected by the dreams is gone.

Who was he kidding? Lorraine was tired after settling in and bringing her aunt and Tripp to the airport. The kids weren't that easy to handle too and with Christmas coming up in just two weeks, she was bound to be dead tired. He would not wake her up.

He straightened up and walked over to pull back the curtains. He surveyed the December lights of New York from his penthouse suit.

Five years ago-hell, a couple of years ago-Luc would have balked at the

thought of taking a wife, making a home, starting a family. It just wasn't his thing. Lucas De la Vega don't do domestic-his past bed partners weren't even allowed to stay the night with him.

The ironic thing is, right now he couldn't wait to get started. Lorraine was already in the kitchen when I walked in. The kids were sitting on two high seats on the breakfast counter while they watched their older sister cook.

'Good morning,' she smiled.

I felt a warm stirring on my chest seeing her puttering around the stove. I know it's stupid because Lorraine has been here before. She has cooked for me before but this was actually different. Now I can see her.

The first few months she was in my employ-all I can do was sit down, wait for her to serve me food. And all I did was hear her.

But now... now, I can finally look at her. Her long red hair was tied in some kind of French braid. I could see her creamy neck from where I was standing. She was wearing a plain white tank top and pink pajama pants. She couldn't be more beautiful.

'Come on, Luc, walk over the counter and take a seat. I'm almost done,' she said while expertly flipping eggs. 'Oh, but you have to sit on another chair. James is sitting on your usual spot.' Her brow furrowed over this. 'You know what? Forget it. Come on, James, please

move to-'

'No need.' I interrupted. 'I can manage to move to another one.'

Sometimes I conveniently forget I haven't told Lorraine I'm not blind anymore. But then I don't know why I haven't even tried to bring it up. I guess I just want to savor every moment I can stare at her without her knowing. It felt so wonderful the first time I really saw her standing in Nicole's doorway last week. Lorraine is so beautiful. Every inch of her is.

I snapped back to reality to look around. My penthouse apartment was redecorated months ago to suit the comfort of a blind man. Low tables were removed, every expensive figurine were taken away and every part of the house was baby-proofed so I would not hurt myself when I walk.

I used to bang my shins on every thing that was on my way so when I hired Lorraine, she skillfully changed the interior design and she also taught me a thing or two. Okay, a lot.

I sat down next to Jenny, who crawled into my lap and wrapped her pudgy arms around my neck.

'Did you sleep well, princesa?' I asked her.

'Yesh.' She answered and then smiled. 'No one's ever called me princess before.'

'That's 'cause you're not,' her brother snickered and earned a warning look from Lorraine.

She glared at him but turned back to me. 'Arianne-she's my new friend-said boys are stupid.'

I tweaked her nose. 'How about me? Am I stupid too, mi princesa?'

She giggled and shook her head. 'No, 'courshe not. I love you.' Then she

cuddled to my chest and all the way into my heart.

The O'Callaghans have a way of doing that. Seven months ago I am so killing Faustine the next time I see her. First, she sends me to this hotel telling me that I would be meeting a prospective client-who was a "very important person". As it turns out, she set me up to see her boar of a brother, Bart.

The man-if you could even call him thatwas pathetic. Not only did he inherit Faustine's conceit but he was also horrible. Horrible than the man I met on Grand Central Station last month.

W-wait. Why do I keep on remembering him? He was nothing but a rich, foreign pervert. I shouldn't even waste my time wondering about him.

Then as if some sick game was being

played on me, I saw him walking towards me. He was with that guy-who had the audacity to make a move on Aunt Nicole. I quickly looked around for a place to hide but there was none. It was the lobby of the hotel and there weren't enough corners to conceal me.

So I turned my back on them but then Faustine's brother, Bart, filled my line of vision. I went to my left to avoid both men but then Bart yelled behind me, 'Lorraine, there you are!'

I swung my gaze to my right but the guy who was with the guy who I was also running from aside from this other guyOh God! Let's just say he saw me and he was leading his boss towards me.

I walked backwards and held up both my arms to when they were only a few feet a way from me. 'Whoa, there. Can you please stop stalking me?'

The blonde guy grinned lazily. 'We're not stalking you. We just wanted to say hi.' He explained. 'Or did you forget us

already?'

'Ha, I wish.' I retorted.

Mr. Rich Foreigner was wearing shade again so I couldn't read half the expression in his face. 'Who is it, Tripp?'

'The girl from the train station, that's who,' He told the other man. 'Fancy meeting you here.'

I only grunted.

'You mean the girl who crashed into me?'

'I didn't crash into you! You crashed into me! And I told you I'm not a girl!' I protested. I was already closing the distance between me and Mr. Rich Foreigner when I tripped and hurled my bag.

But even before I landed on my stomach, I heard the loud crash of glass hitting

marble. 'Look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to break your lobby centerpiece.' I was sitting inside Mr. Rich Foreigner's office (Bart was long gone after she witnessed my clumsiness). And only two colors stand out in the entire room. Black and white. Very cool and sophisticated. The wall behind his work station though was all glass, giving the office a fantastic view of Manhattan.

I learned that his name was Luc De la Vega and that he was the owner of this hotel. He sat behind his desk-sans his sunglasses-so now I know the color of

his eyes. Brown. It reminded me of dark, delectable Belgian chocolate.

He leaned back on his chair and tilted his head to the side. 'But still you broke it.' He said in an unemotional tone.

His eyes weren't exactly trained on me. Actually, it kind of looks like he's talking to the wall-which is understandable because he can't see. 'I know and I've apologized.'

'I don't think you understand,' he murmured. 'You can't get away with just an apology.'

I scoffed. 'You want me to pay for it?'

He nodded.

Then I scoffed some more. 'Well, aren't we just quits? You ruined my brother and sister's birthday cake and I broke your vase.'

He laced his large hands together and leaned forward. 'Ms. O'Callaghan, I replaced the cake.'

I sighed. That much was true. 'Then I'll just replace the vase. Maybe you could tell me where you bought it and I'll deal with the rest.'

'Hmm, sure. But there's just one problem.'

I raised my brow, trying to appear

haughty-even though he can't see me-to hide my nervousness. 'What's that?'

'The vase was an antique,' he announced. 'I bought in from a dealer in China and it's one of a kind.'

Oh my God. I'm so screwed. I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out.

'Ms. O'Callaghan?'

'Uh, yes.' What can I do? The vase was freaking one of a kind. Darn it. 'Uhm, I'll just pay you. Is that alright?' When he nodded, I sighed and winced at the same time. 'How much was the vase?'

My eyes widened and my breath caught at the amount he casually recited.

'I don't think I would even earn that much money even if I work for Faustine for a whole year.'

Mr. De la Vega shrugged. The devil.

'I-I'm sorry but I don't have that kind of money.' I explained. 'Maybe we could work other things out for this settlement?'

He seemed to consider what I say before nodding.

'I think there's something you can do to pay me back,' he finally said.

I tried to sound upbeat about it. 'Really? Great. What is it?'

He smiled a little and moved his eyes so that they were now pointed at my lips. 'You can have sex with me.' Chapter 5 For the second time since I met him, I gaped at him wordlessly. Have sex with him? Is he freaking demented? He must be for what kind of man would say such a thing?

I shook off the thick layer of shock that overcame me. 'You're kidding, right?' He shrugged again. 'You said you had a job so I guess you must be over eighteen now.' 'I'm nineteen-and that's not the point,' My irritation was growing by the second. 'You just made a very indecent proposition-' 'Which I hope you reconsider,' He butted in. 'I'm a good lay, I'm telling you, señorita.'

I gulped. He was serious! He truly was serious. 'I don't care,' I tried to put more strength into my voice. 'I'm not going to have sex with you. If I have to work for you until my hair's white and I'm all wrinkled, I would. But no sex. Never.' He cocked his head in a manner I'm beginning to find annoying. 'Never is too strong a word so I suggest you don't use it carelessly.' He smirked. 'But yes, you can work for me. I think I can find you a position somewhere. Though I'd rather

the position you take with me is being horizontal on my bed.' I gasped. The demented man is shameless. 'Mr. De la Vega, I came in here to settle things with you because I broke your 2-feet vase. I didn't come here to be insulted and I sure as hell won't be staying for the same reason.' I stood up and jutted out my chin. 'Give me a call when you finally develop a civilized bone in your body-if that would ever happen.' After saying that, I walked out of his office and the last time I checked, my dignity was still intact.

There were two messages on my machine when I got home. One was from Faustine, who was blathering about how I "embarrassed" her brother, Bart, during lunch. 'Really, Patrice, I expected more from you.' Yes, my name for the day is Patrice. The woman would never change even in a million years. 'Bart was so ashamed his lunch date was so clumsy and even broke a very expensive piece. He just came into town and was most distressed to be subjected to that kind of disgrace. I'll have you know that he especially asked for you because you

charmed him the first time he met you in one of my fashion shows.' I supposed she was trying to make me feel guilty but just wasn't working. Bart was attractive in his conceited way but he just wasn't the man for me. 'Now, I think there's a way for to make it up to him.' 'I don't want to make it up to him!' I spoke to the empty room. But the message went on. 'There's this small party a friend of ours is hosting on Saturday. It will be held on their Upper East Side apartment. You can come as his date, Patrice. I'm sure Bart will be thrilled. But you have to wear your finest

dress. The very cream of Manhattan would be attending and you can't embarrass us yet again, Patrice.' And after that last sentence, she finally cut off the connection. I sighed heavily and slid down the old couch I got on an estate auction for a very cheap price. A beep sounded as a signal that the second message was going to be played. 'Hello,' the melodic voice of a man sounded. I tensed because I quickly recognized whose it was. It was from the

very man who told me I could repay the broken vase by having sex with him. 'It's me, Luc De la Vega. I just called in to tell you I found the perfect job for you. Come to my office here at the hotel on Monday so we can discuss it. Goodbye.' W-what? I sat up suddenly to look at the answering machine. That was it? No apology for the crude suggestion to go to bed with him? Oh, that's just plain rude! Who does he think he is? Some guy who can get away with that kind of disrespect?

The horrible man would be in for a surprise on Monday. I was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico just lying on the beach, sunbathing. There was a margarita and an assortment of fruits beside me on the sand, waiting to be sipped and chewed. Here there were no Faustine and Bart Collins. I was all alone in my own little Cabo world. I had the greatest urge to stand up and get my sketchpad to draw the scenery before me. But my muscles were too lax and I was too lazy to move. I'll do it later, I told myself.

'Ayanna? Ayanna? Ayanna!' I blinked and found Faustine snapping her fingers at me. So much for trying to escape this hell hole through my imagination. I was back in reality. To be specific, I'm in the at party where "the very cream of Manhattan"-as Faustine had put it-really attended. I forced myself to smile even just a little. 'Yes, Faustine?' 'I asked you if you could get us some drinks.' By the tone of her voice, I knew

that she must have repeated her request for half a dozen of times already. I looked at my hand and saw the champagne flute I was holding still more than half full. 'But I still have something to drink,' I held up the glass. The older woman glared but forced a smiled which looked more like a grimace for the benefit of the other people around us, watching. 'I noticed that but I was quite hoping you'd get me and Mr. Dupont here a couple of cocktails.'

Ah, now, I understand. I glanced at the Frenchman standing beside my boss. He was in his fifties and he was very tall and sophisticated. I saw Faustine bat her eyes at him and gestured apologetically towards me. I knew the message she was trying to convey without her words. She was sorry I was such a stupid ninny. I suppressed a huff and smiled even wider. 'Of course, Faustine. I'll be just a minute.' She looked meaningfully back at me and said, 'Thank you, Ayanna.'

That's when I walked away and went to the bar. I ordered for two cocktails and was scooping both in my hands when someone breathed on my ear. I spun around to see who it was but it was only Bart. He was wearing a dinner suit which actually flattered his body. His blonde locks were slicked back making him look like a dashing rogue. 'Hello, gorgeous.' He smiled and ran a finger down my cheek. 'Are you enjoying the party?' I carefully pushed his hand away. 'A little. I don't know half the people in here.'

He laughed at that; not with gloating but with amusement. 'I'm sorry I left you when we got here. I shouldn't have let a couple of my friends take me away from you. I should've introduced you around.' I felt uneasy with him apologizing to me. It's not as if I was delighted to be his date for tonight and he sound like he seriously regrets leaving me with Faustine. 'No, it's alright. Don't think about it.' I turned my back to him once more to get the drinks on the bar. 'Where are you taking that?' Bart asked

as he followed me through the throng of people. I was about to tell him it was for his sister and Mr. Dunpont when I stopped dead cold on my tracks. Not three feet away from me was Luc De la Vega with his bodyguard in tow. His minion saw me and hurriedly whispered something to his boss. 'Lorraine, are you alright?' Bart turned me to him and studied my face. 'You look shocked.'

I didn't notice that Luc De la Vega was already standing beside us until he spoke, 'Hello, Ms. O'Callaghan.' Bart and I turned to face him. 'You know him, Lorraine?' he asked and I just nodded. He put on his best smile-being the publicist that he is-and held out a hand. 'You must be one of her friends. I'm Bart Collins.' Luc did not move at all; even to offer his own hand. 'Luc De la Vega.' He simply said.

I saw Bart's eyes widen and he turned to me. 'The Luc De la Vega? You know The Lucas De la Vega?' I frowned at him. Why does he keep on putting "the" before the other man's name? Is Luc De la Vega some kind of a legend or something? 'Yes, I know him,' I answered. 'After all, I broke his lobby centerpiece when we had lunch the other day.' 'Oh,' Bart looked dumbfounded for a moment until he regained his senses. 'Well, then I hope you both settled that

matter already.' 'Actually,' Luc interjected. 'We haven't come to an agreement yet.' He made it sound bad so I retorted, 'But I'm going to come to your office on Monday to work things out with you, Mr. De la Vega. Or have you forgotten about it?' He smirked. 'Of course not, Ms. O'Callaghan.' Somebody touched my arm and I looked

over my shoulder to see Faustine looking pissed. 'Where the hell have you been, Gillian? You didn't come back with our drinks.' Mr. Dunpont, who she dragged along with her, looked confused. 'I thought her name was Ayanna.' Faustine merely waved her hand away and said, 'Oh, Mr. Dunpont, don't trouble yourself with her name. It's irrelevant.' I nearly growled but Bart gave his older

sister a reproving stare. 'Lorraine has been your assistant for what-six months now? I think you should at least have the respect to learn her real name, Faustine, and it's not Ayanna or Gillian. It's Lorraine.' Faustine got this weird expression on her face now, like she was trying to ask her brother without saying anything what the hell is he doing defending me like that. I couldn't blame her. Even I am astonished by Bart's action. But Faustine quickly regained her composure and smiled a little. 'Bart, dear, I don't think Lorraine mind that

much, eh?' She looked at me for a response. I wanted to shout "Yes, I do mind very much, you old hag!" but I'm not exactly financially secured and I really need a job. So instead, I shook my head. 'See? It's just a simple...misunderstanding, Bart. It's not that big a deal.' I saw Bart's eyes smolder at that but before he could speak again, Faustine angled her head so she could peek behind me.

'And who do we have here? Did you make new friends already, Bart?' She asked as she surveyed Luc De la Vega-I completely forgot about him-with hungry eyes. Bart cleared his throat. 'No, actually, he's Lorraine's friend.' No, he's not, I thought to myself. 'Luc De la Vega, if I may introduce to you my sister, Faustine Collins.' Her mouth formed a big O and her eyes widened. 'Luc De la Vega? Oh, my.' Then a look passed between brother and sister. 'I'm so sorry. If I know Betty-I mean, Lorraine was held up because of

you I would've never gone looking for her.' Her tone implied the opposite of what she's saying. Luc nodded. 'Your name rings a bell, Ms. Collins but I apologize if I can't remember where I've heard it.' Faustine giggled like a teenager. 'Oh, Mr. De la Vega, call me Faustine. And maybe you've heard name from friends. I'm a fashion designer, you understand.' 'That explains it,' he murmured. 'And Lorraine works for you?'

The older woman touched my arm like we were the closest of friends. 'Oh, yes. She's the best assistant I've ever had.' Bull. That's not what she tells me every freaking day in the office. Luc cocked his head in a very Luc De la Vega manner. 'I guess you'd be very sad to learn she's resigning from your employ.' Shock registered on Faustine's face. 'What?' She screeched then looked at me for confirmation. I shook my head wildly.

'I'm not resigning!' I said. Luc chuckled. 'Oh, she is. But she didn't want to tell you yet. I'm sorry I took the liberty of letting Faustus know now,' he directed his last sentence to me. 'It's Faustine, not Faustus.' My boss said tightly. But Luc continued as if he hadn't heard her. 'I hired her for a very specific job, you see. And she needs to start soon.'

'You can't do that,' Faustine sputtered. 'I can,' Luc replied simply, leaving no room for protests. 'And I think it's time for Lorraine and I to on our way now. Goodbye, Faustus.' He emphasized his mistake with her name and blindly reached for my elbow. I dropped the glasses I was holding when I felt his heat, causing the cocktail to spill on Faustine's white dress. And then I was carted off, once again, to the Rich Foreigner's limo. 'You can thank me later,' He said quietly

when the car started moving. Chapter 6 'Thank you?' I scoffed incredulously. 'You caused me my job! Are you insane?' I poked his shoulder with a finger. He caught my finger in his hand. His dark head turned slightly towards me. 'Don't.' His simple warning was nothing to me. The man was truly crazy. 'Do you think I'm scared of you? Ha! Just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean you

can do whatever you like!' He laughed richly. Unconsciously, he rubbed the center of my palm with his thumb. 'I think you should be scared, señorita. As you say, I am wealthy. I can pay people if I want to get away by doing whatever I like.' I seethed. It was a wonder smoke didn't come out of my ears. 'Well, here's a wake up call: Not everyone is as rich as you. I'm don't have Swiss bank accounts, okay? I really need that job with Faustine especially if you want to be paid for that blasted jar!'

'Vase,' he corrected smoothly. 'And didn't I tell you, you can pay without working? You can just go to bed with me.' The cracking sound of my free hand meeting the side of his face brought a sudden silence. I inhaled sharply and stared at Luc's now red cheek. 'I-' I couldn't bring to say I'm sorry for slapping him. Instead I said, 'You deserved it.' He immediately dropped my hand back

to my lap. Luc stayed silent but his jaw clenched visibly. He fumbled for a button on his side. The glass divider went down and he muttered in Spanish to the chauffeur. I sat back quietly, looking out the window but now really seeing anything. I was out of line.First, I poked him. Then, I slapped him. I invaded his personal space. Added to that, he can't see so he couldn't have really defended himself. I cringed inside. What is happening to

me? I've never been a violent woman. I mean, I don't usually lose my temper easily. But with Luc... I sighed. It was pure disaster ever since we've first met. I've turned into a klutz who manages to ruin cakes, break vases and spill cocktails on somebody else's dress. I started when the limo halted. I looked up and realized we were in front of my apartment building in Brooklyn. The door to my side opened. Luc's ever loyal bodyguard stood there, waiting for

me to alight. I turned back to look at his boss. However, when I opened my mouth, no words came out. Reluctantly, I cleared my throat. 'Uh, tthanks for the ride, I guess.' I said. 'And I'm so-' 'Say no more. Just get your things.' He tersely replied. I frowned at him. 'W-what? Why would I do that?' 'Because you're moving in with me.'

'WHAT?!' I shouted. 'No! Never!' Luc brushed off my comments and directed his orders to the man waiting outside the open door of the car. 'Tripp, assist Ms. O'Callaghan while she's in her apartment. Just get whatever you need for the night and somebody would come back for the rest tomorrow.' He aimed his last sentence for me. 'Would what I need for the night include a chastity belt?' I snapped.

One side of his mouth twitched up. 'Just as long as you don't forget to give me the key.' I gasped and hurriedly went out of the car. I ran into the building. I pressed the button for the elevator while Tripp followed me in a sedate pace. 'I'm not going back down.' I told him mutinously once we reached my 4th floor apartment. 'So you can just tell your boss to go back to hell, where he belong.' To my surprise, Tripp laughed out loud. I spun back to glare at him. Does Luc even know his employees have so little respect for him? Instead of

jumping to his defense, they laugh at him. The man wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. 'Man, you're a feisty little thing, aren't you?' He laughed again but this time eyeing me up and down, tapping his forefinger on his chin, as if some idea was already was forming in his mind. 'Oh, yeah, you're gonna do fine.' I wanted to stomp my feet and pull my hair in anger. 'Don't tell me you're hitting on me too!' He pushed his hands on his pockets and shook his head. 'No, your aunt is more

my type.' I was taken aback. 'My aunt?' I asked stupidly. Tripp nodded. 'Yeah, I saw her when you we brought you home to Connecticut.' I started walking back towards my apartment door. 'You want to date my aunt?' 'I even asked her out that day.' He said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

I spun back to him. 'You what?' I looked at him with widened eyes. 'What did she say?' 'Naturally, no.' 'Then why are you still so smug?' He looked on the wall while I opened the door with my keys. 'Because you'll help me. Right?' I bet that the smile he used on me was worth a million dollars in other women's eyes. However, Luc's slight smirk before I left the car was more unnerving.

I noticed that he doesn't smile often enough but when he does, it changes...everything. 'Lorraine?' I realized I was standing there, with my hand on the knob, just staring at the door. If Tripp hadn't called me, I might've continued do so until forever. I smiled sheepishly at him. 'Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.' He waved a hand away, as if we were already best friends. 'That's cool. But I think we should hurry up. Luc could be-

actually, is a very impatient man.' I pushed opened the door. 'Does everyone in Luc's employ always call him by his first name?' I asked as I proceeded to go in. When I got no answer, I glanced over my shoulder to see Tripp framed in the doorway. He look like he was about to have a heart attack. 'Tripp?' I rushed towards him. 'Are you alright?'

He took a careful breath and asked, 'This is where you live?' I nodded. I glanced back and smiled. My apartment is that big but I'm proud of it. It's not like the Upper East Side flat we left half an hour ago. There were no expensive things in every room-actually mine just have one room. It's a studio type apartment filled with stuff I bought with my own money. It's a little messy, I know, and that's what must have alarmed Tripp but it's a place I can call mine. He inhaled and exhaled once more before clapping his hand. 'Okay, Raine, let's get going.' He was putting on a fake

cheer on his face. 'It's okay if I can you Raine, right?' I nodded and reluctantly walked to my dresser. 'Do I really need to go? Can't you talk to him about his... craziness?' Tripp chuckled but didn't say anything. I knew who had the upper hand here. Even if Tripp wanted to help me he could not because his first loyal still goes to his boss. I can't really do anything. I owe Luc De la Vega money-a big amount of money. Now, if only I could shake the sense of

doom I'm feeling... 'You ready?' Tripp carried my overnight bags and went out of the door. I looked around the room once more. My eyes fell on the picture I had framed on my bedside table. It was of me and my parents and the twins. It was taken a few months before they left for the skiing vacation. I quickly grabbed it, stuffed it inside my oversize shoulder bag and went out of my haven. Luc was tapping his foot when I got back into the limousine. 'What took you so long?' The exasperation in his voice was evident.

I thought about ignoring him but that seemed petty and childish. So I settled for sarcasm. 'Oh, wait, let me think. Hmm, besides the fact that I don't want to go with you? I don't think there was anything else that kept me from going down sooner.' 'If you didn't want to go, why are you here now?' I knew he was pretty much amused. 'Because you're a crazy person!' I said carelessly. 'First, you offer me to pay you back with sex. Then, you tell my boss I'm leaving my job with her. What would be next if I had refused to go with

you tonight? Will you have someone murder me in my apartment?' Strong hands gripped my forearms. Luc dragged me over the gap that separated us in his lavish car seat. 'You have a very sharp tongue, querida. I suggest you learn how to curb it.' He hissed. I tried to shake off his hands but he wouldn't let me go. Instead, one hand slid up to my shoulder, as if he was looking for something. Then it continued its journey down to my side-down my breast-where it finally rested on my hip.

I looked at his tanned hand over my sapphire blue dress. I was more than a little bit confused. What the hell does is he doing? But before I could brush aside him aside, his other hand followed suit. A few more seconds after that and I was being lifted off the seat. He pulled me on to his lap and imprisoned me with his arms. 'What are you doing?' I yelled at him. I pushed at his shoulders but his grip was too tight for me to be able to escape. 'Oh my gosh. You're a total lunatic! Let go of me, you bastard! I wish I had never met you!'

I was astounded when instead of (maybe actually) killing me, he dropped his head down my chest. I looked at his bent dark head and went rigid. 'What-' 'Can you shut up even just for a second?' He snapped. I obeyed only because I couldn't contain a shudder at the feel of his hot breath against my skin. I don't know how it happened but the next thing I knew was that my hand was stroking his luxurious hair and wide shoulders while he take calming breaths

against my upper body. 'Luc...?' I prompted him when I felt it was safe to talk again. He pulled back so that I could see his face again. 'Look, Lorraine-I don't think of you as Ms. O'Callaghan anymore; not after everything I've said to you-I'm sorry for just about... everything.' He laughed a little. It was different from his slight smirk but when he laughs, it also changes him. 'Can we start anew?' My mind is telling me to be wary of Luc's sudden change of behavior but my

heart went out to the lost man in him. I noticed the bleakness in his eyes on our first two meetings but I never paid much attention to it. Now that it's looking to me in the eyes, I could not ignore it any longer. I want to help him with whatever it is that is making him unhappy. I impulsively touched a hand to his cheek, roughened by his 5 o'clock shadow. 'Yes.' He turned his head a little and pressed his lips to my palm causing me to jump on his lap.

'I didn't mean to...' I pressed a finger to his lips. I don't know why I felt like this man needs my soothing. He was rich, powerful and enigmatic. Why would a man like him need me for comfort? Then before I could ask for answers, he dropped back his head to my chest. 'I need you.' His voice was so soft I didn't almost hear him. My heartbeat accelerated at those three words. And then I felt his lips working on the base of my throat. I tangled my hands on his hair again, this time pulling him closer. Luc gently bit on my collarbone and groaned something in Spanish.

We got lost in time as he ravished the skin behind my ears. He was about to bring his lips to mine when the door suddenly opened. The flashes of camera lights blinded me but Luc reacted instinctively. He pulled the car door shut again and told the driver to drive around the building. I woke up in the guess room Tripp showed me after sneaking into the penthouse last night. We had to use the back exits because the front entrance of the building was blocked by swarming paparazzi. The room was...okay. Actually, the

apartment was okay with the mix of modern and contemporary design. It's just that it doesn't feel so inviting and welcoming. Instead of offering warm comfort, it offers chilly aloofness. I wandered outside the hallway in my white cotton nightgown. I could smell the brewing scent of coffee. I arrived in what I assumed as Luc's kitchen. It was probably the homiest part of his flat. The equipments were new and shiny. Everything you'll ever need for cooking was there. I grabbed a mug and poured coffee into it from the coffeemaker. No signs of Luc.

Where could he be? Is he still sleeping? Honestly, I don't know where his room is. After we managed to avoid the paparazzi, he left me with Tripp. He didn't say anything just an "I'll see you later. Tripp would show you to your room." And I haven't seen him since then. I sighed and sat down on one of the bar stools. That was the time I noticed the morning paper. I gulped at the sight of myself draped around Luc, sitting on his lap in the limo. However, it wasn't the picture that arrested me the most. It was the bold letters of the headline

that turned my blood to ice. "SPANISH BILLIONAIRE'S NEW WOMAN? WHERE'S HIS FIANCÉE?" Chapter 7 The bastard. I couldn't control the violent shiver that swept over me. The bastard manipulated me into going with him here so he could seduce me. Thank God for the intervention of the paparazzi!

How could I possibly think he meant those words last night? God, I feel like a fool! I bet this is how Luc really wanted me to feel. He has a fiancée, for heaven's sake. How could he ask me to have sex with him? Yes, sex-not making love or any other fancy term. That was what he told me that day in his office. I stood up and grabbed my mug of coffee and went to the living room. There, I spied an iMac in a corner. Since no one is around, I thought I might as google this mystery bride-to-be of Luc.

I switched the computer on and quickly opened a browser. I typed "Luc De la Vega" on the search engine. The first link that appeared was the online website of Valiente Group of Companies. I rightclicked that to open it in a new tab. I wasn't surprised when I saw that Luc have his own Wikipedia page. I opened that one too and decided to read it first. He was born on a November, twentynine years ago; the only child of Diego and Catalina De la Vega. Diego died when Luc was just five, making the little boy a billionaire at a very young age.

His mother remarried three times since then that's why Luc now has five halfsiblings ranging from age twenty-three to fifteen. Luc was exceptionally smart. He skipped a couple of levels during his academic life. He took over his father's company when he was twenty-one, just a fresh lad from college. The article continued to mention the awards Luc received for his "giftedness". I couldn't help but snort. I scrolled down the page and saw a small thumbnail showing two cars bumper to bumper. Under the picture, a short caption said: "De la Vega in a car accident last March in Belmonte, Spain."

I gasped. Luc was in one of those cars? Both were a total wreck, for sure. I read the article beside the picture and finally saw what I was looking for. It was raining when the accident happened. According to police reports, Luc was not driving the car. The paramedics found him unconscious, his head on the dashboard of the Lamborghini he was riding in. Beside him, the paramedics rescued a disoriented, mildly conscious Stella Reveron-his fiancée. Stella Reveron. Only a caveman

wouldn't know that name. The gorgeous blonde supermodel whose face glossed a thousand of fashion magazines, whose very presence in a catwalk is very much adored. I know Faustine would die if Stella is caught wearing one of her designs. So she's Luc's soon-to-be wife. No wonder. Gorgeous people only marry gorgeous people. But it is still a puzzle why Luc would ask me to go to bed and move in with him when he has a beautiful woman waiting for him in the wings. Maybe he gets a kick in sleeping with other women and cheating on his

partner. I know for a fact that some men are like that. They don't find satisfaction in a monogamous relationship. I closed the Wikipedia page with a sad sigh. It's really hard to find a man nowadays who could be honest and faithful to you. My heart went out to Stella and all the other women who have a husband or a boyfriend just like Luc De la Vega. I scanned the Valiente Group of Companies website briefly. Luc, obviously, owns it. He diversified his father's business empire. Diego owned hotels and resorts before but when Luc

took over he entered the real estate and computer business. He joined each of his companies to make an internationallyknown business realm. I pushed away from the desk and went over the glass wall of the living room. I was looking out for so long, so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear anybody come in until a pair of arms drew my back to a hard chest. I jumped and swung around to come face to face with the man I investigated a while ago.

'Don't touch me,' I struggled in his arms. 'You bastard, I say don't touch me!' Luc immediately dropped his arms and his eyes narrowed. I instinctively felt that every other sense in him that is in working condition is on full alert. That's why even though he can't see, he can still be intimidating. 'I take it you saw the papers already,' He said lazily, as if the topic bored him. 'I did too-I mean, I didn't see it but I was told what was in it.' I pulled down my nightgown, feeling a

little naked in front of this man even though I was modestly covered. 'They're calling me your "new woman."' I hissed, disgusted by the label. 'I have my lawyers working for the papers to retract their article and make an apology,' His hand reached out to me but I brushed it away. He frowned when I did so. 'What's wrong, querida? I thought we agreed to start fresh?' 'Yes,' I said in between gritted teeth. 'But that was before I found out you have a fiancée.' I scoffed and moved away. I was so angry at him, at myself that I was also so scared I might do something I

might regret later. 'Tell me, does she know you asked me to live with you?' 'No.' I laughed, drily. 'Of course. How convenient for you.' 'Lorraine-' He started but I cut him. 'No, Luc, don't even try to explain yourself. You can't even explain yourself to your fiancée. Why should you try to explain to me of all people?' I was working hard to keep my voice even. I

want to sound like I don't care, like it didn't hurt. Because, truth be told, it did. 'Besides I already know about the accident.' When I glanced back at him, I found him standing stiffly, his hand curled around the back of a chair near the window. 'You do? How?' His voice was cold, his knuckles have gone white and everything about him was guarded. 'I googled you.' I said, a little bit uncertain this time. The anger was slowly draining out of me.

He hissed and tensed some more. 'You googled me?' Luc growled. I was baffled. 'Why? What's wrong with that? I didn't know what else to do!' I told him but he was relentless. 'You could've asked me!' I was frightened by his roar. 'But you just couldn't wait for me, can you? You went behind my back instead!' 'I don't know why you're so angry about this... I mean, most of the people would do that too if they were in my place.'

He pressed his forefinger and thumb on the bridge of his nose. 'That's the point. Most of the people would do that and I thought you were different!' The way he said it made my heart sink. I slowly walked towards him but stopped when he turned around. "Tell me what you know,' He whispered. I didn't really want to talk now. However, I was forced to when Luc's voice rose again. 'Talk!' He ordered. 'You're an only child,' I started shakily.

'Your father died when you were just a child. You have graduated-' 'I meant about the accident!' He snarled, revolted by my narration of his life story. 'Don't try my patience, Lorraine!' My whole body was trembling but I forced myself to talk composedly. 'It was raining. You were in some Spanish countryside and your fiancée, Stella Reveron, was driving. You collided with the car on the other side of the road after S-Stella lost control of the vehicle.' I paused to take a deep breath. 'T-then you were found unconscious by the medical team who went to the site of the

accident. Stella was barely awake...' There was a pregnant pause before he spoke again. 'That's it?' I uttered a soft "yes." Luc only laughed drily. 'I'm surprised.' His tone suggests the opposite though. 'Was Stella's repulsion to my state after the accident not mentioned in the article you read? Hmm, interesting. I wonder why they left that out. It's the most important part of the story.' Again, the sarcasm. 'Stella didn't suffer any permanent damage. Just a few cuts and

bruises while I was comatose for the better part of two weeks.' I gasped but he paid me no attention. 'When I finally woke up, it was to the darkness. I couldn't see anything though I knew there were doctors hovering beside my bed.' Oh, my gosh. Luc lost his sight because of that accident. I didn't know. It certainly wasn't in the Wikipedia page. I just assumed that heoh, right now I don't know what I assumed about his blindness! 'Stella visited when she thought I was

sleeping.' Luc sat down the long cream couch. He absently passed a weary hand across his face. 'She asked the doctors to explain what happened to me. She listened, argued and cried. She was frantically begging my doctors to do something.' He leaned back and adopted a devil-may-care expression. 'My doctors told her there was nothing they could do to help me. They were uncertain if my blindness would be temporary or permanent. Only time will tell. 'After saying that, Stella used her vicious tongue on them.' For the second time, Luc laughed without humor. 'I remember

her words. It was something like, "You have to bring my Lucas back. I don't want him to be blind. You have to do something. Or are you two nothing but incompetent pretenders? Can't you cure him? Tell me now so I can find someone who can really make him well."' Stella was obviously had a hard time accepting the fact. Who wouldn't, right? If someone you love got hurt, you would fight for them. But why isn't she here now? Why isn't she with Luc, overcoming this new weakness with him? Luc gave me the answer in no time.

'When I heard her tirade, I thought to myself that she must have really loved me. However, that bubble burst when she followed her words by saying, "I want the old Lucas back, the one who could see! What use is a blind man to me? I can't marry a blind man! I don't even want to live forever with someone who can't see!"' My heart broke. It must have been hell hearing that after waking up to nothing but darkness. The earlier understanding and empathy I felt for Stella was gone in an instant. It was replaced by anger and contempt. How could a person do that? Only a heartless shrew would have the

stomach to say those things. 'So you see, I don't have a fiancée anymore. The media is wrong because they're not updated.' Luc waved, back to his indifferent self. 'They weren't told that Stella left me in my time of need.' Underneath his apathetic facade, there lies a hint of misery. Luc must have really loved Stella Reveron. 'They don't even know you're blind?' I asked quietly. He shook his head. 'Only a few people know. I do business now by the use of phones and computers. I hardly meet with my associates personally anymore. They accept this since their money still

profits.' I made my way to the couch and sat beside him. 'I'm sorry.' I touched a hand to his arm. 'You don't have to be sorry that I'm blind, querida.' I was a little glad when Luc didn't refuse my touch. 'No, what I meant is that I'm sorry for going behind your back-though I'm sorry about that too. I should have asked you first but I don't know. I lost my head and I wasn't sure if you would tell me the truth.'

He caught my hand in his and laced our fingers together. I watched, with some fascination, as his big, tanned palm engulf my pale one. 'Do you want to leave me?' My heart cracked a little bit more by the way he asked. 'Will you let me?' I know it was dumb to answer him with a question too but I didn't know what else to say. His thumb was caressing my inner wrist. 'No,' He said truthfully. 'Tripp described your apartment-if you could call it that-

to me. It was a shovel.' I chuckled and ignored the hitch in my breathing. 'You mean a hovel.' Then I realized that he was insulting my home. 'And it wasn't a hovel, you oaf. I made a lot of improvements since I moved in there.' 'But not enough if Tripp's description is anywhere near the truth,' He murmured. 'You called me an oaf. No one has ever called me that before.' 'Maybe because they were scared of you.'

He grinned, looking like a little boy. I'm beginning to crave for each of his smiles. Oh, my. Did I just say that? 'And you're not afraid of me, muñequita?' I didn't know what prompted me to do itmaybe it was his lazy caress on my hand, maybe it was grin or maybe I was just feverish-but the next thing I knew was I was back on his lap, like last night and I was drawing his head down to mine.

I crushed my lips to his. I felt him break off his initial shock and respond to me. His tongue darted out to lick my bottom lips and I shivered with anticipation. It didn't take long for him to coax my mouth open. I was so consumed by desire for Luc. It was exhilarating and scary at the same time. I've never felt this kind of emotion of somebody else. 'Luc...' I moaned his name when he bit my lip gently. 'You excite the hell out of me, querida.' But instead of doing what I excepted him to do, he set me away from him.

'Luc?' I brought my hand to his cheek. He smiled a little and kissed my palm, just like he did last night. Since I was still feeling brazen, I crawled from the other end of the couch back to him. 'Kiss me again, please.' I bit the lobe of his ear. He groaned, said something in his own language and turned his head to plunder my mouth again. My hands pulled at his hair and while his went to my hips and behind. We were both breathing heavily in just a few seconds. There was a delicious clenching in my stomach and I had the

satisfaction to feel Luc's hard body shudder when I slid my hands under his suit jacket. I encircled his waist with my arms, pulling him closer to me. Because his head was free, he was able to pull away his lips from mine. 'I think we should talk.' 'No,' I protested like a little girl. 'We talked already.' My lips found his again. 'Lorraine,' He groaned. 'Let me breathe. I won't be accountable for my actions in a few moments if we continue kissing.'

'I'm not going to blame you.' I said, kissing his freshly shaven cheeks and jaw. Luc was still breathing hard and fast, like he ran five miles. 'Don't you want to know why I brought you here?' 'No,' I quickly denied. Then it hit me. He was finally going to tell me what my job would be. 'On second thought, yes.' I conceded but still kissing him. 'You're going to work for me.'

'We've established that since I broke your jar.' 'Vase,' He corrected. 'Whatever. So what will my position be?' I remembered his quip about that. 'Is it going to be "horizontally?"' 'Where the hell did you get this attitude overnight?' He questioned with a flabbergasted tone. I considered answering him but decided

to evade him. 'You were telling me about my job...' I reminded him. God, he smells so good. 'Yes, well, you... Lorraine!' He groaned was muffled. 'Stop licking my neck!' 'Then kiss me now!' I said in a mock reprimanding tone. This time he determinedly pushed me away. When he was finished explaining my job description, I was confused, surprised and amused.

'What? You want me to be your nanny?' Chapter 8 Luc looked as if he could happily strangle me. 'I didn't say you are to be my nanny.' He announced sternly. 'I only said that-' 'You want me to look after you.' I slotted in with a grin. His eyes narrowed. 'No. I don't need someone to look after me.' He replied heatedly. 'I just said I want someone to take over the penthouse.'

'Ah, so you want me to be the cleaning lady?' I know I sounded insulted, which unsettled Luc more. I pressed a finger to his lips when he would have argued. 'No, don't talk. I understand. So where should I start? Would you like me to scrub your bathroom?' I pretended to struggle to get off his lap but his arms tightened around me. 'Muñequita, I don't think you really understand.' 'Now, I'm stupid?'

He cursed under his breath. 'What is wrong with you? Why are you putting words into my mouth?' He asked in exasperation. 'I didn't say you are stupid. I also didn't say I want you to be the cleaning lady. I only-' He suddenly stopped then his eyes narrowed once more. 'Are you playing with me?' I burst into fits of giggles and he growled. 'Oh, Luc, the look on your face was priceless!' I managed to choke out in between my laughs. 'I don't like being made fun of like that.' He said icily.

Because I was feeling a little guilty, I impulsively kissed the line between his brows. 'Come on, don't be so serious all the time. You-' 'Well, isn't this a cozy scene?' My head whirled around to find Tripp leaning against the wall. I quickly scrambled off Luc's lap and sat beside him like a guilty little girl. 'What do you want, Tripp?' Luc asked briskly.

The other man plopped down on the couch facing us. 'I just thought we could hang out, Luc. But I see you already have a new hang out buddy.' Tripp grinned at me, which increased my embarrassment. I cleared my throat. 'Do you always hang out a lot?' Luc nodded beside me. 'We grew up together.' He explained. 'His father was my father's right hand man.' Ah, that explains Tripp's casualness when it comes to Luc. I thought he was

being disrespectful. How silly of me. 'Then I worked for him,' Tripp continued. 'After my football dreams died.' There was only a tinge of regret in his voice when he said this. However, I felt that he was quite satisfied with his position with Luc now. I think he would be perfect for Aunt Nic. Oh, and thinking about that... 'Where's the phone?' I asked the two men.

'There's one in your bedroom.' Luc answered for me. 'Why?' 'I need to call my aunt.' 'Her hot aunt,' Tripp sighed dreamily.

I laughed at his facial expression and glanced back at Luc. 'I'm sure by now she has read the papers. I need to explain to her about... er, our arrangement.' He nodded again and I stood up to go back to my room. He called my name though when I was almost out of the living room. 'Lorraine?' 'Yes?' I looked at him over my shoulder. 'Don't you have a mobile phone?'

I flushed. 'I sold it,' I muttered reluctantly. 'I couldn't keep up with my bills.' Then before he could ask me more about my financial status, I ran to my room. Luc and I have formed a pattern after two weeks of living together. I wake up after six, brew coffee and cook breakfast while he shower and get dressed for work. Sometimes I would eat with him; sometimes I would go back to bed to catch more sleep. I would then spend the day cleaning the apartment, going to the market for supplies or whatnot. Luc usually arrives

before seven. By that time, dinner is already served, waiting for him. He always insists that I eat supper with him. Of course, I could not refuse. You just can't refuse a man like him. But there were no more kisses. Ever since Tripp caught us in the living room, Luc seemed to distance himself from me. Or maybe it was the other way around. I admit that the feelings Luc had stirred

in me were a little alarming. Okay, a lot. Wherever he is concerned, I just lose my head. It didn't help that when I called Aunt Nicole about the picture in the newspaper she was so incensed. She asked me what I was doing with a man like Luc. She even asked if I was his mistress. Mistress. The word made me uncomfortable. So I didn't encourage the man after that. He didn't seem to have any objections to that. Actually, he didn't seem to have

anything to say about the matter. We never talked. I mean, we never talked about it. When we have dinner together, we always chat about safe topics. His day, my day, the weather. Not that I have any problem with that. Okay, maybe I do. I don't know. I'm not sure with myself anymore. Luc is driving me crazy. Just then I heard a crash, followed by loud cursing. I quickly got out of the bed

and opened my bedroom door. 'Infierno! Mierda!' Luc was skipping with his arm wrapped around his right shin. 'Hijo de puta!' I cringed at his Spanish cuss words. It's the fifth time I rushed out of my bed to find Luc hurt and cursing. That's why now I know the meaning of the foreign words he is using. Tripp translated them for me. 'Are you alright, Luc?' I asked with real concern.

He let go of his injured limb to spin around in my direction. I gulped at the sight of his naked torso. His thighs were also bare except for the short, black silk boxers he was wearing. The man is a sex god. I shook off the thought and focused on his face instead. 'I am not alright!' He roared. 'The damn table was on my way! Why didn't you fix it?' I patiently told him that I fixed it and that

it wasn't in the middle of the hallway. 'Then have it remove at once, woman!' He turned his back to me but not before I spied the blood dripping down his leg. 'Oh my gosh, Luc! You're bleeding!' I rushed to his side. I pulled his arm to guide him back to his room. It was big and definitely any man's dream. The walls were painted in navy blue though the whole back wall was glass. There were several flat screen televisions in one corner and a mini bar in another. In the middle of it was a very wide bed-3 meter wide, I think. Above it, part of the ceiling was a mirror. I don't even want

to think why Luc had it put there. I pushed him down the foot of his unmade bed and knelt before him to examine his wound. The cut was long but shallow so he would not need stitches. I think he banged his shin against the edge of the table. 'Wait for me. Don't move. I'll just get the emergency kit, okay?' I didn't wait for his answer. Instead, I went to my own bathroom to pull out the medicine bag I have there. When I got back, Luc was still sitting

down and I smiled. I didn't think he would follow me so I resisted the urge to pat his head and say "Good boy." I knelt down again to apply antiseptic on his wound. Luc's curse words were meaner this time. Some of them I can't even understand. When I finished bandaging him, I squeezed his knee in comfort. 'All done.' I announced cheerfully. 'You're good as new once more.' I looked up to his face. He was frowning, his eyes trained on his

thighs as if he could see. I followed the direction of his gaze and heated up when I saw the delicious contrast of my pale hand on his golden skin. I started to remove it but he stopped my hand with his own. 'Luc?' I croaked out his name nervously. His hand was teaching mine to rub his hard legs. I watched the motion in fascination. It was like being hypnotized. The feel of his muscles under my hand was so erotic. And when he finally guided it to his groin, I released a loud moan and tilted my head for a kiss.

Chapter 9 I don't know why I suddenly remembered that day when I cleaned Luc's wound. It was embarrassing enough that I daydreamed about touching him... there. I mean, it was so not me to think of a man's... you know. And ugh, I'm doing it again! What the hell is wrong with me? I went back to doing the task at handdecorating the Christmas tree. It wasn't big but it wasn't small either. I think it was just right for Luc's living room. The tree didn't make it look too crowded.

On the other side of the pine, I could hear James and Jenny argue about which star to put at the top. Jenny wants it to be the pink star. James retorted by saying it's "too girly" and that they should put up the blue one. 'Rainie!' I saw Jenny stomp her foot the same time I went around to their side. I knelt down beside her. She's really a dangerous little thing when she's mad. 'Yes, sweetie?' 'James ish being a freeeak.' She declared with a deep frown in her face. 'Am nots,' James countered.

'Ish too.' 'You looks like a bloated frogs!' My little brother stuck his tongue out. Jenny gasped and her little mouth started to quiver. 'No, I don't! You do!' Her arms automatically rose up but before she could push him, I wrapped an arm around her. 'Okay, no fighting, little girl.' I said. 'But he said I look like a frog,' she wailed while still glaring at her brother. 'He's the one who look like a frog, right, Rainie? Tell him.'

I hugged my drama queen sister and looked pointedly at my brother. 'James,' I started. 'You don't like a frog.' Jenny gasped-again-in my arms. 'But neither does Jenny. If both of you do, then you can't be my brother and sister. Mom and Dad couldn't have made slimy little things like you.' A giggle erupted from both of them. 'Now, James, say sorry to Jenny and, Jenny, say sorry to James.' I kissed the two of them after they reluctantly apologized to each other. The television set was turned on at the other side of the room. When I heard Luc's name, I immediately twisted my head to look at the screen. I focused on the face of the newscaster. She was

saying something about spotting Luc somewhere. I couldn't really comprehend what she was saying because Jenny and James were yelling about the gifts under the tree. However, the photos the network showed after that explained everything. Luc was assisting a woman from his limo. And from the business suit he was wearing, I gathered that it just happened yesterday. He was wearing that suit yesterday when he told me he will be gone all day off to his office. The next picture arrested me. Alighting from the car was Stella Reveron, sporting a short yellow bandeau dress

and a baby bump. 'Is glamorous supermodel Stella Reveron and sexy billionaire Lucas De la Vega expecting their first baby? It's that why she was out of the picture for months after their accident in March?' The chirpy newscaster was asking excitedly. My heart sank lower and I struggled to breathe normally. 'Hey, it's Luc!' Jenny squealed beside me and she ran towards the television to study her hero's face. 'Who's the girl with her, Rainie? I don't know her.' 'I...' Jenny was waiting for my answer but I couldn't say anything else. Because

just then, Luc walked in and I broke down.

The first thing I realized when I walked into the living room was that the TV was on. And it was on one of those bloody celebrity channels. It was currently reporting about my meeting with Stella yesterday afternoon. My gaze found Lorraine's-who was kneeling beside the tree-and her eyes immediately watered. The twins, obviously confused with what's going on, stared at their sister. 'Lorraine,' I murmured her name and

started to walk towards her but she managed to get up shakily to her feet and run away from the room. Jenny's lip started to quiver. 'What'sh wrong with Rainie? Ish she mad at me? I jush ashked a queshtion.' As much as I wanted to go after Lorraine, I knew that the little girl needed me too. I knelt down in front of her and she immediately pressed her small body to mine for comfort. 'No, she's not mad at you, princesa. Your sister was just tired.' James stood beside us and patted Jenny awkwardly. 'Yeah, I thinks so too.'

With big tears were rolling down the girl's cheeks, she asked, 'But why is she crying?' Because of me, I wanted to say but did not. It took me quite a long time to assure Jenny that there's nothing wrong with her sister and that she's not mad at her. When she finally stopped crying, I brought them to their room and told them they can play until dinner. I sighed and dragged my feet across to Lorraine's door and knocked softly. When I received no answer, I slowly pushed open the door. Lorraine hastily

sat up on her bed, her eyes swollen from crying. 'Do you need anything?' She asked coldly. My eyes never left her face that's was why I stumbled over an ottoman before reaching her bed. 'Luc!' I've never seen Lorraine move so fast. One moment she was on the bed, and the next she was beside me on the floor. 'Are you okay?' I nodded and brushed off myself. Lorraine offered her hand to help me up. I grasped hers in my big ones and straightened up. But before I could gather her closer to me, she moved away.

'Do you need anything?' She asked again. 'No-' 'Then can you please go now? I'm really tired.' I knew what she was trying to do but I can't let her do it. I can't let her build up walls and close herself to me. I need her in my life. I'm too selfish to allow her to get on with her life without me. 'No. We need to talk.' I said determinedly. She buried herself under the covers again. 'I told you I'm tired.' She turned

her back to me. 'And I don't want to talk right now, Luc. So please... just go.' I couldn't leave. Especially when she's like this. I know that if I leave now without explaining, she would not listen to me ever again. So I spread myself down on the other side of the bed and went under the covers with her. 'I'm not going until you talk to me, querida.' I whispered while I pulled her to me so that I was spooning her. The instant my body touched hers, Lorraine kicked back from me. 'What the hell do you think you're doing?' She yelled.

I reached for her again. 'Lorraine-' She slapped my hands away. 'Don't you dare touch me!' 'Lorraine-' I repeated her name but she wouldn't let me talk. 'Do you know how disgusted I feel?' She was pacing and throwing her arms wildly. I've never seen her this mad before. Actually, I've never seen her when she's mad. I've only regained my sight a couple of weeks ago and she didn't have any reason to mad during that time. 'I let you touch me while you already impregnated another woman!' She continued. 'What kind of a sick

bastard are you?' I stiffened at her words. 'Let me explain, querida.' 'Explain?' She scoffed. 'What is there to explain? You don't answer to me, Luc, and it's not as if we have a relationship for that matter. I'm just somebody who cleans your apartment.' I know that Lorraine was hurt. However, I couldn't help but start feeling angry. She would not even hear me. I thought she was the most sensible woman I've ever met but what the hell is happening to her right now?

'You know you're more than that to me!' I stood up to stalk her pacing. She spun around, glared and went back to pacing. 'Oh yes, I forgot! I also prepare your freaking food!' She laughed dryly. 'I wished I poisoned you from the start.' It would've amused me to hear what she was saying if the situation was different. Unfortunately, it wasn't. I snatched her arm and made her face me. 'Stop!' I managed to resist the urge to shake her until her teeth fall off. 'You're not just a cleaning lady, a cook or whatever it is you think you are to me. I-'

'I don't really need you to clear what I am to you.' She retorted. 'Just tell me one thing.' I saw her breathe deeply. Her face showed that she was gathering the courage to say whatever it is she wants to say. Finally, after the pregnant silence that filled the room, she talked again. 'Is Stella's baby yours?' I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Everything felt surreal to me. First, with the miracle of seeing again. Second, Lorraine. Third, the baby. My throat suddenly felt dry. I just nodded, to answer her question. Tears instantly formed in Lorraine's

eyes. She turned her head away and cried softly. I wanted to pull her into my arms but I knew it would be for nothing. She would just push me away and hate me more. 'Querida...' I started to say. 'Don't call me that,' she whispered as if she was in pain. 'Don't ever call me that again.' She put a hand over the one I had one her arm and slowly detached herself from me. 'I think it would be best if the twins and I leave as soon as possible.' 'No!' I heard the panic in my voice. I can't let Lorraine leave. She's too important to me. And those little kids...

they started to be special to me too. 'You can't leave!' Lorraine smiled sadly. 'What's the point in staying, Luc? You're going to start your own family now and I'm sure you can find another person to clean this flat.' 'You can't leave me, Lorraine!' I didn't realize that I was shouting already until she jumped and stared at me with wide eyes. The few feet separating us felt like a mile. If I let her go, I'm sure she would put a million more miles to that. 'There's no reason for me to stay.'

I looked at her. Her red hair was a mess, her green eyes were swollen, her lips were so pink... and she's never been so beautiful to me. My gut was twisting inside of me. If what I was about to do won't make her stay, I would lose her forever. 'There's a reason for you to stay,' I murmured. 'And it's because I love you.' Chapter 10 There's a reason for you to stay. I love you. Did he just say that? Am I dreaming or

what? Before I could even gather my wits, Luc was pulling me into his arms and was fervently kissing my lips. I answered his demands by kissing him back. An alarm bell went off in my head but I ignored it. This kiss... this kiss was the proof what he had just said is really true. I could taste it in his kiss. It was a mix of desperation and gentleness. I trembled against him and wrapped my arms around his neck to bring him closer to me. Luc was whispering words I couldn't fully understand. Maybe it was because he keeps on switching back and

forth from English to Spanish. He pulled away for a second and pushed me flat on my back. He immediately followed me down to cover me in his male heat. 'Lorraine,' he murmured while trailing his fingers against my cheek. Again, I can't help but be mesmerized by his eyes. They were so blue. So striking and beautiful. 'Te quiero. Te quiero.' I love you. I love you.

My heart swelled and I smiled up at him. He watched my lips lift at the corner and eventually returned my smile. I reached up to cup his jaw and trace his mouth with my finger. He playfully bit it and gently sucked it. I moaned my delight and when I propped myself on my elbows to kiss him, a knock sounded on the door. I would've gladly ignored it if James didn't shout, 'Rainie! What's for dinners? I'm really hungry.' Tonight's dinner was different. The kids were in their usual jolly nature but Luc was... animated. He was-I don't know

how to explain it, really-funny, entertaining and more open tonight. Jenny and James are having a hard time controlling their laughter. As for me, I stopped hearing whatever Luc was saying the moment he caught my hand under the table. Our fingers interlocked and we shared a very private smile. We continued to hold hands until we finished dinner. When it was time for me to tuck the kids in for the night, Luc went with us which took us twice the amount of time we usually spend to finish bedtime rituals. 'Goodnight, Rainie. Goodnight, Luc.'

Jenny murmured sleepily. James was already fast asleep on the other bed. 'Night, princess.' Luc kissed her forehead and proceeded to usher me from the room. Alone in the hallway, Luc pushed me against one side of the wall and kissed me. 'I wanted to do that since dinner, querida.' 'Thank you for your restraint. I doubt my brother and my sister would appreciate it more that I do.' I told him teasingly. He grinned at that and lead me to his room. 'Luc...' I whispered his name when we reached the side of his bed.

'Hmm, querida?' He questioned while bending his head to taste the column of throat. 'Do you need anything?' I bit my the inside of my cheeks to hold back a moan. 'Luc,' I gasped. 'Please.' He lifted his head to smile sexily at me. 'Please what? Kiss you? Touch you? Love you?' All. Everything. 'I don't think this is a good idea.' I

breathed heavily. Luc froze. He became so still and his jaw was so tense. 'What do you mean?' I tried to plead for a little understanding. 'I mean, we can't do this. It won't be right. I believe that you love me, I really do. It's not that I don't want to sleep with you-I want to be with you with all my heart-but I can't do it with a clear conscience while another woman is carrying your baby.' If anything more, Luc became tenser. He paced away from me and dragged a

weary hand through his hair. 'If I could turn back time, I would. But Stella is already carrying my baby.' He turned to look at me. 'I can't ask her to have an abortion. I can't do that, Lorraine, and I'm sorry if I disgust you.' I flew to his side and wrapped my arms around his lean waist. 'You do not disgust me, Luc. And I'm not telling you to ask her for a termination. All I'm saying is that maybe we should wait. Think things over. We don't have to rush this.' 'Are you saying you're not leaving me anymore?' He couldn't quite hide the fact

that this relieved him. 'Yes, I'm not leaving.' I kissed him lightly on the lips. I couldn't exactly remember how Luc managed to get me to agree to stay with him in bed that night. We didn't do anything but lie in each other's arms, steal kisses under the covers and smile lovingly at each other. When he finally drifted off to sleep, I snuggled closer to his side and finally whispered the words I have yet to say to him. 'I love you, Lucas De la Vega, and that's forever.'

Chapter 11 I opened my eyes to see Luc's face hovering above mine. I instantly felt my heart skip a beat. The man is simply gorgeous. And I love him. So very much. My pulse rate doubled-though not just because of the passion I'm feeling for Luc. Fear. I don't want to lose Luc. Not now that we've confessed our love for each other. But Stella... she's carrying his baby. There was a sudden tightness in my chest

and I had to struggle to breathe evenly. I can't cry in front of him even if he can't see me. 'Lorraine, querida?' He was frowning down at me. 'Are you okay?' I summoned a smile-again, even if he can't see me. 'Yes, I am.' Then I felt a blush crawl up my neck. I've never been in bed with a man before. 'D-did you sleep well?' He leaned down to press a kiss on my neck. 'Yes because I had a very pretty girl in my arms.'

I won't deny my delight at his words. It made me feel special and loved. This suddenly made me bold enough to plant a kiss on Luc's lips. He was stiff at first but when he got over his surprise, he returned my kiss. He was... devouring my lips, like he was a hungry lion. I curled my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. I opened my mouth at his coaxing and his tongue immediately pushed in. I moaned and pulled at his hair. Gosh, this man is making me crazy. Luc's mouth drifted back to my neck and his hand was caressing my tummy under

my nightgown. When he felt my belly clench in need, he groaned something in Spanish. Before I know it, he had already pulled off my nightgown and I was naked except for my white cotton panties. 'Luc...' I started to raise my arm to cover my breasts but he stopped me. 'Don't cover yourself, querida.' The way he was looking at me was disconcerting. It was as if he could see my soul. 'You're very beautiful.' He trailed a finger down the valley of my breasts.

I shivered in response. Oddly enough, I feel beautiful because of his words. I can believe whatever he is saying. When he lowered his head towards my chest and kissed me there, I arched up to him. I plunged my fingers to his hair and moaned again. He was making me feel things I didn't know I could feel. I've never wanted anyone like this before and I think I never would again. My love for Luc De la Vega was forever. He continued to kiss and caress my body. I was shaking with need and I knew that I needed him in that exact moment and so I whispered his name.

Luc knew what I was asking from him right away. I know for a fact that Luc usually sleeps naked but because I was with him last night, he wore a pair of black silk boxers. Very sexy. But now he quickly pulled it off and took my panties off as well. Finally we were naked. Luc crawled back up my body and took my thighs in his hands. He knelt between my legs and stared down at me for a moment. I flushed all the way down to my toes and simply urged him to take me now.

He grinned for fleeting second and murmured, 'Quite impatient, are you?' 'Because I really, really need you now!' I responded, a little desperation lacing my words. However, after I said that, wild passion shone in his eyes and he was carefully joining our bodies into one. There was little pain when he broke the proof of my virginity. I couldn't be more thankful. And then Luc started moving inside me and I thought oh, I could be more thankful.

It was the most wonderful thing in the world. To have the man I love make love to me so gently and passionately at the same time. We continued to kiss each other even after we've reached the pinnacle of release. He rolled off me and gathered me to his side. Since we were lying face to face, I let my fingers roam over his chest. What he said next arrested me though. 'You're a virgin.' His tone took on a little more than an accusing note. I swiftly glanced up to his face. He is angry, I could see. Why is he angry? Did I do something wrong while we were...?

'Was. Not anymore.' I said trying to sound nonchalant. 'I'm sorry if I didn't meet up to your expectations.' I sat up but before I could remove myself from the bed, a pair of arms encircled me from behind. 'Where the hell do you think you're going?' He asked as he made me face him. I had to grit my teeth to keep from crying. Obviously, I was a lousy lover. While I was thinking how wonderful it was, Luc was thinking what a bad lay I was. 'Out. Before I embarrass myself. So let me go, Luc.' I replied.

He swore under his breath. 'Why the hell would you feel embarrassed? I should be the one who should be embarrassed in this situation!' 'Yeah, right! Because I took advantage of you!' I answered in sarcasm. 'No! Because I took your virginity and if you only told me you were a virgin-' 'You would never have made love to me because I'm a lousy lover?'

Luc dragged a hand through his hair. 'No! Stop interrupting me, Lorraine! What I'm saying is... if you told me you were a virgin, I wouldn't have taken you until we were married!'

Chapter 12 My mouth was wide open in shock. 'What did you just say?' I squeaked. But Luc didn't hear me. He was busy pacing back and forth-naked-in front of me. For a moment I let my eyes wander down his gorgeous body but I quickly

shook my head to focus at... what again? All I can think about is how I want to li'Lorraine!' Luc yelled. 'Are you listening to me?' He was looming in front of me, his face flush and eyes bright. When I looked blankly at him, he gave an exasperated sigh. 'Obviously not,' He muttered to answer his own question. 'You know what, I think we should just talk about this later,' I said while wrapping Luc's blanket around my body. Then I made way to the door. 'I need to make breakfast for-' 'You are not going out of this room until you agree with what I said or else...' The

unfinished threat hung tensely in the air. I don't know what the hell Luc is talking about so I tried to evading it. However, Luc was immovable. I only had to say yes, he said. How can I say yes when I don't even know what I'm saying yes to? 'I'm waiting, querida.' He murmured, looking bored. But there was something in his eyes I can't quite name. 'Fine, okay! Yes!' I threw both of my hands up and the sheet immediately fell on the floor. Luc chuckled in delight and took me in his arms to kiss me thoroughly. 'Luc.' I moaned his name when hands brushed the side of my breasts only to settle on my hips.

A few more seconds after that, he patted my rump. 'You better make that breakfast. Jenny and James will wake up soon. I'll meet you at the kitchen after I make a few calls.' I nodded weakly, still feeling a little lightheaded. When I turned to door, I bent down to pick up the blanket to wrap it around my body again. Luc groaned behind me. I walked out of his room but before I could enter my own Luc called back. 'Do you want your wedding gown to be ready to wear, querida, or do you want it custom made just for you?' He asked as

he lounged in his doorway. Wedding gown? What is he talking about? Ready to wear or custom made? Wedding gown?! But before I could get some answers, Luc said, 'Oh, never mind. We'll talk about that after we eat.' With that, he closed the door to his bedroom. And had the good sense to lock it too. It was Luc who broke the news to my siblings and not quite subtle too, if I might add. The moment we all sat down for breakfast he announced, "Your sister and I are getting married" with a very adorable grin on his face. For a few seconds no one said anythingeven I was gaping at my new fiancé. Fiancé! Oh my gosh, I really did agree to

marry Luc. However, Jenny and James took the news quite easily. Actually, they were ecstatic. Just like me. I'm still floating-or at least I feel like I'm still floating. Why, only this morning I lost my vir... oh, but you know that already. I couldn't control the way my cheeks burned up just thinking about what Luc and I were doing in his bed a few hours ago. But I don't regret it. I really don't. Because I finally got together with the man I love the most in the whole wide world. The next few days were a little bit

hectic. Okay, a LOT. The apartment was invaded by a tad too perky wedding planner (she is very nice though), caterers, designers, florists and so many more people. I couldn't so much as breathe deeply before one of them asks me if I like this or if I would prefer that. I am excited about the wedding. Of course I am. How could I not be? Luc De la Vega is one of the most gorgeous men in the planet (not to mention, one of the richest-though I'm not marrying him for his money). But I barely see him nowadays.

If he isn't at the office, he is at his study here in the apartment, closed off to all the insanity of the wedding preparation. I didn't have any specific dream wedding in mind when I was growing up. What I only wished for was a man who would mean his vows when he finally stands beside me before God, who would love me eternally and be a good father to all our babies. But I also harbored hope that that man would be with me every step of the decision making for our wedding. I wanted to be perfect for both of us and we won't get that if it's only me who is deciding. That is why I braved get on Luc's nerves

one afternoon and knocked on the door of his study. I slowly opened the door and spoke quietly, "Hey, it's me." He was on the phone but he looked at the direction of the door and smiled faintly. He held up a finger, signaling me to come in. 'Yes, fine. I don't care. Just get here already,' Luc was saying to the phone. 'Let somebody else do the work for while you come back. Okay, goodbye, mi amigo.' He set the phone down and directed his eyes to my face. Sometimes, I still get disconcerted when I feel like Luc can really see me. But of course, I know, that there is still no improvement

to his lost eyesight. He might never get it back for all we know but I wouldn't mind. I'll still love him even if he's blind forever. It's just sad he wouldn't be able to see the faces of our future children. Why are you thinking about children, Lorraine? Don't you have to get through the wedding first? Oh yes, right. '...that was Tripp. He and your aunt... Madrid... Querida, are you still with me?' By the tone of his voice he's been talking for quite a while now and I'm spaced out.

'Uh, yes, Luc. I'm sorry.' I replied. 'What is wrong? You always stop listening when I talk to you?' Luc sounded a little bit annoyed. 'No!' I quickly denied. 'It's just that... I have a lot of thing on my mind. I'm so sorry.' He gave me smile-a sign that he was just teasing me. 'Come to me. Sit on my lap and tell me what's troubling you.' I did what he asked, not because I'm a pushover but because it's gives me a valid excuse to be physically near him without seeming to be clingy.

'How are the wedding preparations coming?' He asked when I finally settled on his arms. I laid my head on his shoulder and allowed myself a small, soft sigh. 'Good. No, great. The people you hired are all very competent. It's all coming together.' There was silence for a moment. 'I can feel there's a but coming...' Luc drawled after he brushed a kiss on my forehead. I lifted my head and stared into his unseeingly dark eyes. 'I want the wedding to be about us. You and me. Not

about what two hundred and fifty guests would like for appetizer.' I cupped his handsome face between my hands. 'I want it to be about our love for each other and our future but with me only making the decisions, I don't think we'd get that wedding.' Another silence, this time a bit tense. 'Are you feeling neglected, querida?' 'No. Yes. No.' Huh? 'Maybe. But only because we've never been alone for days already. We haven't even got any chance to talk to each other except for a couple of words. It's because of all the craziness here in the apartment! But I'm

not blaming you, okay? I think my just stressed.' I laid my head back on his shoulder again. 'I'm tired.' 'We wouldn't want that, would we? ' Luc murmured. 'How about we just cancel the blasted wedding, Lorraine?'

Chapter 13 Luc cancelled the wedding. I can't believe it. He managed to cancel everything-from the flowers to the venue-which took me days to decide on what we'll go for in just a matter of hours. He didn't even have to do any legwork. He just called

one of his assistants and told him what he wanted and voilà! It's done. I was sitting on the couch in the living room when he walked in that same evening. 'It's done, querida.' He drawled. 'Are you happy now?' I looked up at him. What is he thinking? How could I be happy with this? 'Luc, I...' 'Now, there are no more florists or wedding planners hanging around.' He continued without hearing me out. 'You can get your rest now.'

Is he being sarcastic? I know I told him all the preparation is taking its toll on me but that doesn't mean I didn't want to get married anymore. 'Luc, I didn't...' 'Why don't you go to bed? We'll talk tomorrow.' Luc interrupted. My eyes immediately filled with tears. Thank God, he can't see me. It's embarrassing enough that he can't seem to get rid of me fast enough. Maybe he is now regretting proposing to me. Maybe he didn't really want to marry me all along.

I stood up and tried to say "Okay, goodnight,"as cool as I can. With my head held up high, I walked to my bedroom, bolted the door, leaned my back on it and sank down on my knees to cry. I don't know how long I sat down on the floor and cried my heart out. I don't even remember getting up and lying down on my soft bed. But here I am now and according to the clock beside my bed it's already midnight. Four hours since I left Luc in the living room. If he really wanted to marry me he would've gone to me by now. And we would spend the night in each other's arms... But that's not the case. Luc hasn't

knocked or begged me to let him enter my room. I guess the wedding is really off now. Of course it is, you stupid girl! A little voice in my head said. His marriage proposal is too good to be true. You're nothing but a slip of girl who just happened to drop into his life. You're not his equal. How you managed to delude yourself that your love is enough, I don't know. With those thoughts running in my head, it wasn't long before I started sobbing around. I buried my face in a pillow and bit it so that nobody would hear me.

Why did I even complain? Luc hates whiny people. Why did I forget that? Just because he said he loves me doesn't mean that he would tolerate complaints from me. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have said anything. If I didn't then the wedding would still be on and I'd have the babies of the love of my life. Stupid, Lorraine. Stupid, stupid,stupid. I woke up when James and Jenny started jumping on my bed. 'Rainie! Wakey wakey!' Jenny said in a sing-song voice. I love my brother and sister but today I'm not in the mood for

anything. But still I resisted the urge to reprimand them for jumping excitedly on my bed. They're just being kids and I shouldn't lash out on them just because I'm in pain. I sat up and tried to smile like nothing happened. 'Why are you guys up so early?' 'Luc woke us up.' James answered. 'He said we need to pack.' The bastard. Oh, he really can't get rid of me fast enough. If he wanted us to move out, he should've talked to me and not to the twins. What's the twins got to do with our broken engagement anyway?

Maybe he is worried that I would put up a fight if he asked us to move out. Well, sorry mister, but I still have my pride left. He might have broken my heart to tiny pieces but I won't let him hurt James and Jenny too. 'Okay, well then I guess we should start packing now,' I dragged them to their room and pulled out their suitcases. Forty-five minutes later, all their clothes and toys are zipped up. I dragged the suitcases to the hall, near the entrance door. The twins followed me to my bedroom

and helped me with my own things. In no time, I was ready to move out to. I could hear heavy footfalls just down the hall. After a few seconds, Luc appeared on my doorway. 'What the hell is going on?' He demanded. 'Why is Jenny and James' room empty?' 'Because we're done packing.' I answered him, turning my head to look at him above my shoulders as I close the zipper of my bag. 'We're ready to move out now.' I noticed how fast Luc lost his color. Maybe he didn't think I would guess his

obvious intention to get rid of me. 'Move out?' Luc repeated while the twins echoed him. Three pair of eyes-even though one is unseeing-were now focused on me. 'Yeah, well, James said you woke them up because we need to pack and we're ready now. However, in the future, I think it would be best to talk to me first rather than include my siblings in the middle of all that is happening to us.' 'I never said I want you to move out!' Luc expelled a sharp breath. 'Jenny, James? Did I say you are moving out?'

Jenny went to my side and held my hand. There were tears in her little eyes. Mine automatically misted too. 'Rainie, I don't want to move out!' 'Luc didn'ts say we're supposed to moves out.' James said. 'We're goings on a vacation, he saids!' Vacation-what? Oh God, did I get all this wrong? A vacation? But Luc didn't mention to this to me before. 'A vacation?' I clear my throat. 'Where? And since when did we make plans to go on a vacation?'

I saw the way Luc's body immediately relaxed. 'To Greece, I have a villa there. The idea came to mind last night and I thought you and the twins would love it if I bring you there.' Jenny unclasped her hand from mine and ran across the room to fling herself to Luc. 'Oh, I would love that!' Luc chuckled and swung her up his arms. 'Do you want to go, querida? Or are you moving out even though I don't have the slightest idea why you would think I want you to move out?' The twins gave me a hopeful look and even Luc had the same expression on his

face. How could I say no to these people? I love them to bits. When we boarded Luc's private jet, James and Jenny oohed and ahhed over everything. It was the first time they were ever been on a plane and to be honest, this is only my second time. Luc sat down at the back of the plane after talking to his pilot. He told us he had some work to do and so we can just ask the flight stewardess for anything to amuse ourselves for a while. James and Jenny requested for a movie showing after spying the big screen in front of them. The attendant smiled and let them choose a cartoon movie.

I sat down beside the twins but would occasionally turn my head to at Luc. He seemed preoccupied on the way to the airport and we didn't speak much. Now, a phone is pressed to his ear and he was talking in rapid Spanish. Another half hour passed until he put down the phone. I noticed him stretch his arms and pinch the bridge of his nose. Come to think of it, he seems to look very tired today. I wonder what is it that's stressing him. I wish I could just go up to him, snuggle into him and ask him what's bothering him but I'm too nervous about his reaction. I turned my head away and

tried to focus on the movie. This time when I looked back, Luc was dozing off. He didn't even try to speak to me. Just how depressing could this day get? Jenny and James were asleep when we landed. Me, I was too troubled to do anything much but think. Luc was out for the whole journey and when we arrived at the airport, I had to summon enough courage to shake him awake. 'Yes?' He growled. Why the hell is annoyed? I didn't do anything. Oh, maybe just complain about the whole wedding we were supposed to

have. 'Uh...we're here.' He stood up with saying another word and spoke to the flight attendant. Oh, did I mention she's gorgeous? Well, next to Luc, they seem to be the perfect couple. I blinked back the tears and smiled at the woman after Luc walked out of the plane. 'Mr. De la Vega asked me to tell you to wait here. His bodyguards would carry the sleeping kids.' She informed me. So Luc is not really talking to me anymore? I almost bent over at the sudden pain in my chest.

'He shouldn't have bothered...' I murmured. The woman only smiled and disappeared behind the curtains, separating where we were from the cabin. In no time, two of Luc's bodyguards appeared and carried Jenny and James. They asked me to follow him. A limousine was waiting for us outside the airport and I could see that Luc was already inside. We spent the whole car journey in silence only broken when the twins woke up in time for the helicopter ride. 'Where are we going, Luc?' Jenny asked

excitedly. 'To my villa. We can only go there through a helicopter ride or by yacht.' He replied with a smile. 'Do you owns the island?' James asked. Luc nodded. Gosh, he owns an island. I know that Luc is rich, like really really rich but...an island! Wow. When we arrived at the villa, I was astounded some more. It was so big and expertly designed that it screams money. Why did I never think I could marry a

man like Luc? The money on my bank account equals to his daily lunch allowance. We're worlds apart. 'Lorraine?' The three of them were already inside the house and I'm the only one standing outside. I kind of don't want to go in. Luc repeated my name and held out a hand. Now, that's more like the man I love. The twins were whisked away from me by the housekeeper, Paula, after she showed me the way to my room. Luc excused himself the minute the clasped his hand, telling me that he has some things to see to. I couldn't shake the irony

from my head. Things to see to? But he can't see...yet. No matter what he says, I think he just wants to stay away from as much as possible. I think even my touch appalls him now too. So depressed by this, I weakly turned the knob and entered my room. It was so big and the bed look so imposing. Wait, what fluffy, paper-y thing on my bed? I walked over and found out that it, in fact, a dress. A yellow, halter sundress. When I pulled it up, I a piece of paper fell down on the bed. Wear this and meet me on the beach. Luc.

I quickly pulled it on and almost ran down the staircase. When I got to the beach, I saw Luc standing there, wearing a plain white shirt with the sleeves pulled over his tanned arms and black pants. When he turned, I saw a wreath of flowers in his hands. He smiled and walked over to me. 'Hello, querida.' He greeted me and put the wreath on top of my head. 'You've kept me waiting long enough. Now, will you marry here and now?'

Chapter 14

I did a double take on that one. My mouth unattractively-I can only imagineopen. 'Wha-what did you say?' As I ask Luc, I looked around the beach feeling a little disoriented. Luc released an impatient sigh. 'I said we are getting married now.' He took my hand and led me near the water. As soon as we got there, I heard shrieks and shouts. Jenny and James came barreling down on us with Tripp and Aunt Nicole walking behind them. Oh my word. 'Is this for real?' I whispered with tears forming in my eyes.

Luc caught me to him and kissed me hard. 'Of course, querida. Why do you look so surprised?' With my lips trembling, I answered shakily, 'Because I thought you didn't want to marry anymore!' He frowned. 'Where the hell did you get that idea?' 'You! You cancelled our wedding back home!' He chuckled. 'Only because the preparations were stressing you out. That doesn't mean I don't want to marry you.'

I wiped my eyes. 'But I thought...' Tripp and Aunt Nicole finally reached our sides by this time. 'Hey, man, you have to wait for the priest to tell you "you may kiss the bride" before doing it.' 'Well, I don't want to wait.' Luc said arrogantly and kissed me again, only harder this time. Aunt Nicole had to practically tear us apart. 'Okay, you two, behave until the end of the ceremony. You'll be married soon enough.' True to her word, in no time I was exchanging vows with the man I love. A

priest appeared out of nowhere-but I guess Luc took care of that detail-and immediately started the ceremony with Tripp and Aunt Nicole as our witnesses. Of course, James and Jenny were there too, squealing. When it was finally time for Luc and I to kiss as man and wife, he stared at me for a moment-a minute, an hour, I don't really know-I felt like he could really see me. I mean, I was halfway sure he can. But then when his lips descended on mine, I knew that it was only wishful thinking. Luc's housekeeper, Ivana, prepared an elaborate dinner for all of us. Everybody was laughing and smiling. Luc and I can't

stop grinning at each other. He held my hand all throughout dinner which proved to be quite challenging but I was fine with it. I'm married to the most beautiful man in the world! What more could I ask for? When it was time to put the kids to bed, Aunt Nicole volunteered to do it for me. 'I know you want to be alone with your husband right away so let me do it,' she said. Your husband. Oh my word. I love the sound of that and the thought that Luc is mine. All mine.

When I entered the room Ivana said to be the master's bedroom, I found Luc sitting on the bed with his back on the headboard stripped down to his black silk boxers. I nearly moaned out loud. He held out his arms and I flung himself to him. He kissed my eyes closed and his lips trailed down to my own. 'Querida...' 'Luc...' we both said at the same time. 'Don't stop kissing me.' 'I don't plan to.' His hands roamed over my body and

started stripping me out of my own clothes. Soon, I was kneeling between his powerful thighs clad only in my underwear. 'You're so beautiful.' A bell started ringing in my head but the sensation brought about by Luc's caresses overpowered what's in my head. Luc rolled me under him and buried his face on my neck. He released the clasp of my bra and his hands replaced the cups supporting my breasts. He licked his way down to each peak, teasing me until I was begging him.

'Please, Luc...' I moaned. 'Please what, mi amor? Say it.' I plunged my fingers to his lustrous hair. 'I need you. I need you inside me now.' His own fingers touched my stomach and went lower. 'Are you ready?' 'You know I am!' I bit out in frustration. His hand cupped me and then I was moving like I'm on fire. Which I was. 'Oh, Luc! Yes! I need you! Please, please!' Luc continued to toy with me until I was

near the end and only then did he shift and spread my legs wider to thrust inside me. I cried out. He feels so wonderful. I kissed his jaw, his lips, his cheeks, his chest, any part of his skin I can reach. Within seconds I was tingling from head to toe. When we're both finally spent, Luc hugged me to his chest and smiled down at me. 'I love you, Lorraine.' He said. 'I love you too,' I replied. 'I can't wait to start on the rest of our lives.' 'Me too,' he kissed the top of my head. 'When I saw you come down to the beach a while ago in your yellow

sundress, I thought I was going to have a heart attack.' I suddenly sat up. 'What?' 'I said I thought I was going to have a heart attack.' Luc repeated, yawning. 'No, before that.' I surveyed him with narrowed eyes. 'What did you say?' He sighed impatiently. 'I said, when I saw you come down to the beach...' he trailed off, alert now and looked at me with guilty eyes. Guilty-seeing eyes. 'Oh my God!' I quickly jumped out of the bed. 'Oh my God! You can see.'

Chapter 15 Luc straightened up from the bed too. 'Lorraine...' 'How long?' I asked. He slowly walked towards me. 'For how long can I see? I don't know, querida. I'm not even sure if this is temporary or what-' 'No, Luc!' I interrupted him. 'I meant how long have you been lying to me?' Luc stopped in his tracks. 'Querida...' I was consumed by anger. 'Don't querida me now, Luc! Just answer me!'

'You are not yourself. I think we should just go to bed.' His thinly veiled command really got on my nerves. 'Oh, we did that already, didn't we? We just consummated our marriage or is it a real marriage? Because all along I thought you couldn't see and now-' 'What the hell is wrong with you? I can see again! Aren't you happy? Or do you want a blind husband now?' Luc roared. I paled at that. Luc must have noticed because he suddenly tried to reach for me. 'Lorraine, I'm so sorry. I-' 'Don't bother.' I brushed away his hands

and snatched up my dress from the floor. 'The fact that you have to ask me what the hell is wrong shows just how little you understand that I'm mad because you lied to me. Not because you can see again.' With that, I stormed out of the room. I found myself walking along the beach. Luc regained his sight. And he didn't tell me. What does that mean? It's a very big thing to hide from someone he married and professed to love. What motivated him to keep it a secret from me? Right now, I'm so confused in what to

believe in. If Luc lied to me about his blindness all this time maybe he is lying to me about other things too. Like about Stella Reveron. I've forgotten about her for the past weeks ever since I got busy with the wedding preparations. Now, thoughts about her are plaguing my mind. Maybe Luc plans to keep Stella as his mistress. I mean, she is having my husband's baby for crying out loud! Oh my word. Just the thought of that made me double over in pain. My husband, having a baby with his ex.

Or maybe not quite an ex if my suspicions are correct. I didn't realize I was sobbing so hard until I touched my face and found it wet. I've never felt this kind of searing pain my chest before. It left me weak. But I can't let anybody see me like this. Especially Luc. So I stood up shakily and went back to the villa. Then I realized that I can't face my husband yet and neither can I sleep with him in the same bed and pretend that everything's okay. So I made my way up to the room I first used when we arrived and lied down on my stomach. I didn't bother cleaning up. I just wanted to sleep so

that I can escape the pain even just for a few hours. I spied on Lorraine from the balcony of our room. When I saw her kneel down and sob near the water's edge, I almost ran down to gather her in my arms. But I didn't. I knew that she needs time alone. I shouldn't have growled at her a while ago. My only explanation is that I lost control of myself. I thought that when she found out that I can see again, she'll be so ecstatic. I never thought there would be an argument. I didn't realize that she consider it as lying. I should've have seen that one coming.

But I can't dwell on should haves... I have a wife to win back again. At that exact moment, Lorraine stood up and walked slowly towards the villa. I stepped back into the bedroom so that she wouldn't see me. Actually, there really was no danger of her seeing me. Her head was bent down the whole time she was walking. I sat on the bed and waited for her. When five minutes have passed and she still didn't appear, I thought that maybe I should give her another five before I come looking her. Three minutes after that, I couldn't wait any more so I pulled

on a robe and strode out of our room. I went downstairs, thinking that maybe she was in the kitchen but found it empty. I went to the salon and it was empty too. I looked in at the entertainment room but still there were no sign of her. I was starting to panic by the time I reach my dark office. I knew she wouldn't be there. Where the hell is she? I ran back upstairs and noticed that the door to one of the rooms was slightly open. I peeked in and there, lying on her stomach, with her arms flung over the bed, was my wife. Her face looked

peaceful-though her nose was red. I sat down at the edge of the bed and brushed the hair from her face. I love Lorraine and I would do anything for her to forgive me. When I went downstairs for breakfast, Tripp and Aunt Nicole were already at the table beside the pool. Yes, Luc's villa has a pool even if it sits close to the beach already. I see no signs of the twins so I asked Aunt Nicole where they were. Of course I tried to modulate my voice so that they don't get suspicious and I also covered my eyes with huge sunglasses.

'Jenny and James are with Luc,' Tripp said absently as he wolfed down the food on his plate. Just then I heard the commotion behind me. When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw Jenny and James holding each of Luc's hand. He was wearing a sunglasses and it seems as if the kids were guiding him. 'What is going on?' I demanded. 'Luc can't shee, Rainie. That'sh why Jamesh and I are 'elping him.' Jenny, ever helpful, replied. 'Did you forget already that he'sh blind?'

Luc pulled down his sunglasses and gave me a sheepish smile. There and then I knew that everyone already knows that he can see again. He just got them to act this way because he's trying to be cute. As if that could make up for what he did. As if his smile could make up for what he did. It does not make up for what he did. No, it doesn't-no matter how charming he may look. I saw Lorraine's lips twitch. I know it is still far from the forgiveness I need but it gives me hope. Lorraine is my hope.

Chapter 16 We were doing everything backwards. Luc and I are married but we're just getting around to the wooing phase. Oh yes, he is wooing me. For the past three weeks, he wined and dined me all over the world. We left the villa in Corfu two days after the wedding. Tripp and Aunt Nicole are staying there with James and Jenny for the meantime. Luc brought me to Paris, hoping to soften me up in the City of Love. He brought me to the Eiffel Tower, the expensive designer shops and the "it" clubs. When that failed, he flew us out

using his private jet to Spain. We walked around Madrid, partied for a couple of nights in Ibiza and lazed in Barcelona. Luc, with his Spanish roots, was the perfect tour guide. However, since his betrayal was still fresh in my mind, I didn't enjoy that much. When Luc noticed this, he immediately instructed his team to fix a flight to the Caribbean for us. We boarded his luxury "yacht"-actually, it was more like a ship. All I could see for days was endless water. Luc used this to his advantage to try to talk to me about what he did. I was pretty much good at evading after five days of confinement. And that was

when Luc finally lost it. I just got out of the shower when Luc walked into the room I was using in the yacht. I raised an eyebrow at the way he banged the door shut after he entered. 'Do you need anything?' I asked him coolly. He glared. 'Well, if you don't have anything important to say-' 'Oh, I have plenty important things to say! You just don't want to listen.' He retorted. 'Because-' 'Because you can't help but act like the

child you are!' Luc interjected. 'You avoid problems instead of facing it. That's not how grownups do it for your information. I expected more from you, Lorraine. But what do they say about expectations again? Never expect anything if you don't want to be disappointed. I forgot about that and I also forgot that I am dealing with a girl of twenty!' I gasped. I suddenly felt as if a thousand warriors stabbed me with their daggers. 'You-you are a real bastard.' Luc threw up his hands. 'Ah, name calling. How childish!'

'How dare you!' I was in front of him in a second, beating his chest with my fists. He didn't try to stop me. 'What do you expect? That I forgive you just because you've turned on your charm for the last three weeks? Ha, do you really think it's that easy? You lied to me, Lucas dela Vega! You lied to me big time! And I am not a child. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't know anything about the world! Don't treat me like a stupid, little girl who needs you to protect me or guide me. In fact to be honest, you're not doing a good job being a grownup. An adult would set a good example to the ones younger than him or her. And for your information, I am not avoiding the problem because I'm scared or whatever

it is that is going on your head! I don't want to talk about it because it hurts. It pretty damn well hurts me! Don't you realize that, you bastard? How much more selfish and conceited can you get?' I sobbed after the last word. When my knees gave out, Luc caught me to him. He held me as I cried. I wanted to push away from him but after my tirade I couldn't find enough strength to do so. Luc swept me up and he sat on the bed with me on his lap. He didn't say anything. He just held me and let me cry. I don't know how long we stayed that way. When I finally calmed down, I tried to get out of Luc's arms but he wouldn't

let me. 'Querida...' he urged me to put my head on his shoulder. 'I'm so sorry. You don't know how much. Please forgive me.' I sniffled. The fight has taken its toll on me. Also, the fact that Luc said pleasewhich he rarely did-finally got to me. I love this man. No matter what he does, I'll always love him. 'Lorraine?' I felt him go tenser the longer I didn't say anything. I sat up to face him. 'I love you.' He sighed with relief. 'I love you too.'

'You have to promise me that you won't lie to me anymore.' He looked at me solemnly and answered eagerly, 'I promise.' 'And you also have to promise me not to use my age anymore against me.' He gave me a little satisfied smile. 'Actually, I kind of did that on purpose.' I raised an eyebrow. 'Well, I knew I had to provoke you so that we can talk about this.' I scoffed. 'You're really a manipulator, aren't you?' When he frowned, I continued. 'But I love you anyway.'

'Good because I can't change my ways.' Luc joked. 'I'll do anything to win you over.' My heart swelled at the determined look on his face. That is why at the next moment Luc and I were tumbling on the bed. We were frantically undressing, kissing and caressing each other. He trailed kisses from my face down my neck. 'I missed touching you,' He said gruffly. 'Three weeks, querida. You made me wait for three weeks.' I plunged my fingers into his hair as he

flicked his tongue over my breast. 'I'm sorry but... but if it's any consolation... I missed you too.' I moaned. His hands wandered down to my legs and he was soon touching me there. I writhed beneath him. When I let my own hands wander down to his belly and lower, I felt his hard muscles contract. 'Querida...' 'Just let me touch you, Luc.' 'But...' I put a finger to his lips. 'Shh.' I continued to caress him, my hands

moving up and down. He groaned. He let me do this for a while until he caught my wrist and pulled my hands above my head and he entered me in one hard thrust. 'I hope you don't mind,' He grinned at me. How could I when he was moving like that inside of me? Chapter 17 From then on, everything went quite perfectly. We went back to New York with the twins and had a very normal marriage. Except for the short period of

time when the media went crazy about Luc's announcement that he can see again. Every tabloid published this story and paparazzi followed us for weeks. I had to beg Luc to avoid taking me out to dinner for a while just so we could have some peace. Of course he agreed. He pretty much gives me everything-even if I'm not asking for it. He would come home from work with several bags containing toys for James and Jenny and designer clothes and expensive jewelry for me. One time I told him that he got to stop buying me all those stuff since the dressing room we

share is already full. He didn't buy me anything for quite a while until he had the room adjacent to ours turned into another dressing-exclusively mine this time. I don't know what to do with him. He's a wonderful husband and a passionate lover. Sometimes I would wake up in the morning, see him next to me and still wonder how I could have married him. I'm nothing compared to him. On those rare occasions when I voice these thoughts to him, he would pull me to him and kiss me hard. 'You are not "nothing." You are the woman I love,' he would whisper. 'Don't ever forget that.'

And you know what happens next. I just got home from the park with the twins when I saw Stella Reveron hanging on the lobby of our apartment. My heart starting to beat wildly inside my chest and with shaking voice I called out, 'May I help you?' She turned at the sound of my voice. She looked up at me from head to toe, the expression on her face forced me to take a step back. 'You are Luc's wife, aren't you?' Her emphasis on the wife was not lost on me. 'Yes,' her obvious sarcasm made me lift

my chin up a notch. 'And you are Stella Reveron.' She nodded with a malicious smile. 'Also, the mother of your husband's baby.' I swallowed hard. 'So may I help you?' 'Actually, I was looking for Luc. Is he around?' When I shook my head, her smile got even bigger. I found out the reason behind it soon enough. 'I realize that I haven't congratulated you yet on your wedding. You've achieve something a lot of women-myself included-tried to do. You got a man like Luc to marry you. I suggest you savor this moment because

I'm telling you it won't last long.' I glared at her and her baby bump. She was wearing a royal blue tube dress with a gray cardigan. Her feet were enclosed in black flats. She looked every inch the fashionista she was even before she got pregnant. 'What do you mean?' 'I meant that Luc-for all his modern ways-is still an old-fashioned Spanish man at heart. He would not let any child of his to be a bastard. Sooner or later, he would divorce you and come to me.' Stella said with glee.

I paled. 'No, that's not going to happen.' 'Believe what you want, little girl. Just don't forget that I warned you.' I took a deep breath. Stella Reveron rattled my composure, yes, but I'm not about to let her embarrass me further. 'I want you to leave.' She frowned at that. When I didn't say anything and just stared her down, she flipped a hand to her hair. 'Fine, but know this: you can make me leave this place but you can never completely remove me from Luc's life.' With that final remark, she walked away. The episode with Stella left me weak

that is why I finally heeded to Luc's advice: that we get a nanny for the twins. He gave me a list of qualified nannies a few weeks ago and I dug that up and arranged for interviews that afternoon even though all I really wanted to do was to lie in bed all day. I interviewed five women. However, only one really passed my standards. Her name is Aria Wynter and she's only twenty years old like me. Since she was going to be a full time nanny, I asked her to move in immediately. By nightfall she was settled in and was already keeping the kids occupied. Luc raised an eyebrow when he got back

from work. 'Querida, you are not supposed to bring home the twins' playmates.' He said as he kissed me on the mouth. I punched him lightly on the chest when I saw Aria frown. 'Luc, this is Aria. She's James and Jenny's new nanny.' I explained. 'Aria, this is my husband, Luc.' Aria lifted her chin-a little haughtily. 'Nice to meet you, Mr. De la Vega.' I elbowed Luc in the stomach. 'You can call me Luc and I'm sorry about my quip about you being James and Jenny's

playmate. You just seem so young. ' 'I'm twenty,' Aria said. 'Just like your wife.' I couldn't resist the urge to laugh. I knew for sure that Aria and I would get along just fine. L Luc had the decency to blush but before he could embarrass himself any further, he excused himself and went to his study. I found him there half an hour later working on his laptop. I was suddenly gripped by fear. What if Stella was right? Would Luc divorce me once Stella has given birth to their

child? I cannot imagine life without him. I don't even want to imagine life without him. I love him so much sometimes it scares me. Luc noticed me standing on the doorway and stood up. He opened his arms and I ran into his embrace. I don't want to think about what Stella said. I don't want to think about the arriving baby, my husband's past relationship with the glamorous Spanish woman and Stella herself. All I want is in my arms. Luc. Luc must have felt like something was up because he asked me, 'Is there something wrong?'

I shook my head and kissed his jaw. 'So what do you think of Aria?' He grinned. 'She reminds me of you. Are you sure you don't have a long-lost sister?' I smiled back at him. 'You're silly. We don't even look like each other. I'm a redhead and she's a brunette. She also has this eastern European look going on and she's got accent, Luc! Do you think she's Italian?' 'Greek, if I am not mistaken,' Luc said. 'Hmm, yes, I think you're right.' I replied. We walked out of the study and into our

bedroom hand in hand. 'I have a feeling we're going to be great friends.' My husband smiled at me and my heart melted again. 'That's good.' He loosened his tie but I brushed his hand away and removed it myself. When I started to work on the buttons of his shirt, he brushed my hands away this time. 'I want pizza,' He said. I put my hands on my hips. 'Well, I thought you wanted me?' Luc chuckled and kissed me. 'Of course, I want you. I'll always want you.' I hope so. 'But right now, I'm craving for pizza,

querida, and the night is still young. We can order pizza, eat and spend the rest of the night in bed making love.' I shivered at his words and nodded because that's all I can do. Nod. Since I've already gone putty in his hands. Stella was long forgotten as we celebrated our love. Chapter 18 Luc went on craving for different foods for weeks. One minute he'd want Spanish tapas then the next he'd call for caviar. I don't know what's happening to him. He used to eat whatever I cook for him. Now, he's becoming so picky.

I was so annoyed one morning when I found the living room full of chocolate wrappers. This is something James and Jenny would do but I knew they weren't the culprit. I can imagine Luc sneaking out of our room in the middle of the night to eat sweets. He suddenly developed a love for chocolate-dark chocolate with almonds in particular. I'm not worried that he would get fat like most men after they get married. He's not that kind of guy and also with the exercise we both get each and every night... Lorraine, now is not the time to think about that!

This weirdness has got to stop. However, I can't think of anything to make Luc stop eating like crazy. Aria and the kids were in the living room watching some cartoons. 'Hey,' Aria greeted me. 'Hey,' I replied. I sat beside James on the couch. Jenny's head was resting on Aria's lap. 'Are you okay?' Aria asked. She's wonderful. The twins love her and she's a great friend. 'Yeah, I guess.' I said. 'I just don't know what to do with Luc and his weird

cravings. It's starting to worry me. It's like him to binge.' Aria gave a little laugh. 'Don't you worry, Lorraine. It's normal.' My brows drew together. 'It is?' She nodded. 'My mother said my father is the same way when she was pregnant with me. Some men have cravings too when their partners are pregnant.' Oh my word. Stella. Of course. Aria must have seen the alarm on my face because she hastened to reassure me. 'Oh my, Lorraine. I'm sorry but

nature is weird that way, you know. I'm sure Luc will also be like that when you get pregnant.' Only if I get pregnant before he divorces me. No! I must not think of negative thoughts. It isn't Luc's fault that he's acting like this. Clearly, he is just feeling some sort of connection with his unborn child. However, I can't help but regret that it isn't our child. I would love to have children with Luc and it's a little sad that I'm not the one giving him his first baby. I promised long ago though that I would not hate Stella and Luc's baby-even if I

hate its mother. The baby is innocent. It is also part of Luc. How can I feel hatred for it? We were going to attend a charity ball tonight. Luc was already dressed in his tuxedo, looking very handsome and aristocratic. He grinned at me sexily when he saw me. I was wearing a black full skirted, one-shouldered evening gown. I can only imagine how much Luc must have spent on it. He never tells me the price of what he buys for me that is why I use the internet to find out just how much he spends on me. I couldn't find the price for this dress though so I guess that Luc must have had this custom-made just for me.

'You look ravishing, querida.' Luc picked up my hand and kissed my palm. I touched his cheek. 'You look quite dapper yourself.' We exited the apartment and made our way down to the awaiting limousine. The ball was to be held in one of New York's five star hotels. When we arrived, a group of paparazzi were waiting to snap pictures of the arriving guests. They were relentless. They were asking us to stop and pose for a while but Luc was having none of it. He guided me to the entrance of the hotel with his arm

around my waist. That didn't stop them from trying to take our picture and question us though. 'Luc, pose with your wife!' 'Look here!' 'How's your marriage?' 'Raine, who are you wearing?' Oh yes, the press have a nickname for me now. 'What can you say about your husband being Stella Reveron's baby daddy?' Luc tensed and I swung my head towards the guy who asked the question. I

recognized him. He's a writer for some sleazy tabloid. I know because he wrote a couple of articles about Luc and I saw it on the tabloid's website. 'Don't mind him,' Luc whispered and urged me to move forward. I broke away from Luc and went to the man. 'All I can say is that I couldn't wait to meet the baby. I bet he or she is going to be absolutely beautiful!' I smiled sweetly and the cameras were flashing. I was blinded by the light and was soon swaying because of dizziness. Luc went to me and dragged me gently but quickly into the hotel.

'Why the hell did you do that?' Luc demanded. I don't know why I did it. It wasn't even my plan to do it. I just found myself walking up to that guy and saying things before I got to process them in my head. 'I wasn't thinking,' I admitted. 'Obviously,' Luc said under his breath. I suddenly burst into tears. Luc was shocked but he quickly got over it and pulled me into his arms. 'Querida, I didn't mean that. I'm sorry.' 'I'm so sorry. I just felt like I needed to stand up for myself,' I cried. 'I'm sorry if you're upset because I lost my cool

outside.' 'I'm not upset about that,' Luc said. 'I'm more upset that you're crying right now. Please stop, querida. I'm not mad at you.' He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped my face. 'Why are you so emotional? I've never seen you cry for something so shallow.' I guess the situation with Stella has really taken its toll on me. Added to that is Luc having pregnancy cravings. 'I'm just tired, I guess.' I tried to smile. 'You should have told you were tired. We could have skipped this event.' Luc brushed his thumb across my lips. 'Do

you want to go home?' I shook my head. 'No, I'm okay now.' I smiled for his benefit. 'Let's go inside.' We went inside the function room where the ball was held. Luc introduced me to his friends and business associates. We mingled for a while. At one point, Luc even introduced me to a royalty! Prince Georgio Grenaldi was from a small kingdom near Greece called Sovandara. He was tall, broad shouldered and very attractive. He exudes the same charm and appeal that Luc does. Of course, my husband is still the best looking man for me but I can't deny that Prince Georgio is easy on the eyes.

'It's a pleasure to meet you,' he said. 'I heard from my brother that Luc got married but I thought he was only teasing. Now I why Luc chose to settle down.' Luc rolled his eyes. 'His brother, Aleksandr, and I went to university together.' Luc said, as if that could completely explain the obvious close relationship he has with the royalty in front of us. 'They were known in the university for being two happy-go-lucky rascals.' Prince Georgio added. I bet they were. Or if Prince Aleksandr

looks anything like his brother, I bet he and Luc were known for being the handsomest guys in their campus-add to that their wealth. We continued to chat with him but he was obviously distracted. He kept on looking around as if he was trying to find someone among the crowd. Before we got to settle on our seats for dinner, he intercepted Luc and me. 'De la Vega, may I have a word with you?' He was speaking to Luc but he was looking at me for permission. My husband turned to me and I nodded. 'I'll be fine.' I murmured.

I went to our designated table and sat down. I've been introduced to the people in our table but I can't seem to recall their names. The woman next to me is Holly or is it Jane? I just know her husband's name is Max. Oh wait, I think it's Bax. Oh no, I'm doomed. I don't remember any of their names. What should I do? I flashed a smile and prayed that Luc would come back soon. I don't think the angels heard me correctly though because they brought the wrong person. 'How's it going?' A hand tapped my shoulder and I turned. There she was, standing in the same dress I was

wearing. She managed to look sexy even if she was nearly eight months along. 'Stella.' I gritted through my fake-smiling teeth. 'What a surprise.' She sat down to the chair next to me and brushed me with air kisses. 'I know, right? Here I thought the designer made this dress especially for me. You must have paid a fortune to buy that dress.' And to have it released when it was made for one particular person, was her unspoken message. I flinched beside her. The people around the table were watching us closely. 'I wouldn't know. Luc got this for me.'

'It's just odd that he would go to my favorite designer. Well, I knew how much he loved seeing me in those dresses we bought there.' I felt my fake smile slipping away. Stella is evidently trying to humiliate me. I pushed my chair back and stood up. 'Querida, I'm sorry I took so long to get back.' Luc was behind me and his arm clamped around my waist. I turned to him and wrapped my arm around him too. He smiled down at me. He then turned his gaze to the woman sitting in front of him. 'Stella.' 'Luc,' she inclined her head and smiled

flirtatiously at him. 'I was just chatting with Lorraine.' He swung his gaze back to me and must have seen the distress on my face. 'I bet.' Luc muttered. 'However, I must break your tête-à-tête. Dinner will be served soon. I hope you don't mind if I ask for my seat back.' Stella was clearly startled by Luc's easy dismissal of her. She regained composure soon enough though. 'Sí, Sí. Of course.' She stood up a little too quickly and ungracefully. As she was about to take a step, she suddenly clutched Luc's arm. 'Dios mio!'

'What the hell is happening?' Luc asked tautly. He removed his arm around me to support Stella. I immediately left bereft. Stella turned her pained and panicked eyes at him. 'I think I'm about to have our baby.' Chapter 19 Luc left with Stella. He did. I can't believe it. I mean, it's understandable that he'd want to see the baby as soon as it's born but it didn't cross my mind that he'd want to be there when it gets born.

He bundled me into a cab-because he and Stella used the limo-and kissed me on the forehead. 'I'll see you at home,' he said and shut the door. I saw him run to the car and assist Stella getting into it as the cab driver pulled away from the curb. When I got home, I checked on the twins. They were sound asleep. Thank God. I don't think I could handle the chatter right now. I went to the room Luc and I share and changed out of the same gown Stella and I wore. What a freak. I unthinkingly donned the same dress Luc's ex have and from her favorite designer too!

I should probably shop for myself from now on but only if I stay on to be Luc's wife. Now that the baby is coming I know that things are about to change. If Luc divorces me... I flung my body down the bed and sobbed my heart out. Three hours after Luc and I parted at the hotel, he still hasn't come home. If only I knew the name of the hospital where they brought Stella then I could go to him. Oh my word. Why haven't I thought of that sooner? I think it would be pretty easy to locate them. I just have to call the right people.

Six calls to six different people later, I still have no idea where my husband is. I called Luc's secretary but he said he can't reach Luc's phone. I found Stella's phone number in the directory and tried that but when the housekeeper wasn't any help either. I settled down on the bed feeling deflated. Who else could I call? The answer came to me in a second. It was almost five a.m. when I got to the hospital. I went to the nurse at the reception table. 'I'm here for Stella Reveron,' I said.

She clicked away on her computer for a while. 'Your relation to the patient?' She asked. 'Uh, I'm...' Her baby's father's wife. 'A friend. I'm her friend.' The blonde nurse seemed satisfied with my lie and told me to go to the fourth floor. I found the room in no time. Luc was standing beside Stella, supporting her back as she screamed as another contraction tore through her body. The scene before me looked so intimate. Here are two expecting parents and what the hell am I doing here? I shouldn't have come. They'd only think I was trying to

butt in. I was about to turn around and go home when Luc glanced up and saw me standing on the doorway. I smiled hesitantly and he returned it with a weary smile. Stella was calm again and she spotted me too. 'Hi, I was just...' 'In the neighborhood and you decided to drop by?' Stella said sarcastically. 'Well, thanks. As you can see we're doing just great.'

Luc put a hand on her shoulder. 'Stella.' His voice held a warning note. I looked at my husband's hand on another woman's body. I felt tears immediately form in my eyes-and here I thought I've cried it all out already. 'I shouldn't have come, I realize that now. I'm so sorry.' I lifted my gaze to Luc's. 'I'll see you at home.' 'No,' he murmured. What does that mean? No, he won't see me at home because he's not coming back or what? 'Querida, please stay.' I sighed with relief. He took a couple of steps but Stella stilled him with a hand on his arm.

'Luc, please don't leave me.' She said. Suddenly she was crying. 'I'm so scared.' Luc gripped her hand. 'I'm not going anywhere.' I turned away and went out of the room. Four hours on, Stella still hasn't delivered the baby. Both he and Luc look so much less than their immaculate normal self. I stayed outside of the room, nursing a cup of coffee. I've never wished harder in my life than I am now for my parents. I bet if they were here, they'd know the right things to say to make me feel alright. I brushed a hand over the stray tear that

escaped my eye. I called Aria a couple of hours ago to let her know what's happening. 'Are you alright?' she asked. I chuckled but it came out more like a groan. 'Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? I'm not the one who is on labor.' I tried to make it sound as if it was nothing to me. Aria knew me better though. Even if we've only known each other for weeks, I feel like she knows me like we're sisters. 'Lorraine, I know that you're the one who's really suffering with all this. Don't even deny it,' she warned over the

other end of the line. 'This couldn't have been easy on you. What Stella Bitch is feeling is only physical pain but you...' She trailed off and we were both silent for a moment. 'I'm fine, A. I mean I'm not oh-my-goshI'm-on-top-of-the-world fine but I'm holding it together. I think that's what matters.' I said. 'But if things get really messy there, come home immediately, okay?' I was touched by Aria's concern. So after I promised that I would indeed go home if I can't take it anymore, I put the phone down.

Stella scream snapped me out of my train of thoughts. For the commotion inside and outside the room, I can sense that it won't be long now before she gives birth to the baby. Her contractions are coming sooner one after the other based from the frequency of her screams. Even if my heart was breaking, I couldn't help but wonder if it will be a girl or a boy. It was a girl. The smile on Luc's face was pure of delight as he shared the news to me. He was beaming from ear to ear and because of that, he didn't hear my heart break to a billion thousand pieces.

He dragged me to the hospital nursery and there he introduced me to his baby. 'That's her!' Luc pointed to the incubator. In it lies a small, sleeping baby. 'The doctors said she needs to be incubated for a couple of weeks since she arrived a little too early but there's nothing wrong with her or anything.' He was talking so animatedly and with his accent I couldn't understand some of the words he said. '...she gorgeous? ...when will they let me hold her?' I smiled through it all even if all I wanted was to break down. I nodded and answered politely at all the right

times. I was proud of myself-because that's all I have right now. My pride. I'm not even sure if I still have a husband. Chapter 20 The baby had to stay at the hospital for over a month. During the weeks that followed her birth, Luc cut back on work and visited her almost every waking hour. Maybe he wouldn't really come home if I wasn't around. When he arrives at the apartment, it is usually past midnight already and I'm already in bed. I would sometimes wake up when he gets into bed and he would gather me close but that's it. Yeah, you

got it right. No more lovemaking. Not even once after Stella Bitch-Aria's nickname for her-gave birth to their baby. I can't say I blame him. I know he's tired and all that. But I just can't help but feel unwanted. I have nothing to occupy my days since Aria is around to take care of the twins already so on most days you can find me sitting in the living room staring at the wall or trying to read a book but not really understanding the sentences. I feel like I'm already dead inside. I'm a walking, breathing, good-at-faking-

a-smile-now dead person. And to be honest, it doesn't suck that much. It was Thursday night and Luc called just an hour ago that he would be visiting Maya. If my instincts are correct, Stella would be swinging by the hospital by now too. She always orchestrates her visits to catch Luc. When Luc asked if it was okay if he skip dinner with us I murmured a nonchalant "yes." 'Are you sure?' he asked. 'Yes, Luc, I am.' There was a pause at the other end of the

line. 'I'm sorry for not being always there but Maya needs-' 'I understand,' I interrupted. 'You don't have to explain. We'll manage without you tonight.' I'll manage, I hope. When I finally put down the receiver, Aria gave my arm a squeeze. 'Want to talk about it?' I shook my head and smiled slightly. 'No. Tonight I just want to forget everything even just for a while.' I said. 'Why don't we ditch eating at the dining table and let's all have dinner in front of the TV?' James and Jenny were delighted by the

arrangement. I noticed that they've behaved exceptionally for the past weeks as if they could sense that something was wrong. Tonight though, they were back to their cute, silly ways. We were halfway done eating dinner and watching a Disney movie when James and Jenny fought over the remote. James remembered it was time for his favorite cartoon on another channel. They were tugging the remote controller back and forth between them. 'Rainie!' Jenny wailed. 'Make him let go.' James smirked. 'No.' Then pulled hard.

Jenny toppled over him. James disentangled himself from his twin and worked the remote. He was browsing through the channels when a familiar face caught my eye. 'Hey, James, go back a bit please.' He sighed but did as I asked. It was some kind of news channel and it was featuring him. Prince Georgio Devin Grenaldi. '...the second in line for the throne of Sovandara is frequently seen around the city.' The reporter was saying. 'His constant companion is none other than the glamorous model, Natasha Smith-

who happens to be his younger sister's best friend, Princess -' The channel suddenly changed. When I looked away from the television, I saw that Aria was holding the remote. She put it on James' favorite cartoon show. 'Not that!' Jenny cried out. 'I hate it.' 'Well, you have to share.' Aria said and then she turned to me. 'Sorry, I changed the channel. I just have celebrity gossip. All that fuss for people more than half the viewers don't really know...' 'Well, that Prince Georgio is not exactly a stranger to me,' I said, trying to keep

the excitement from my voice. 'I met him at the charity ball Luc and I attended.' Aria's eyes widened. 'Really?' I nodded. 'His brother and Luc went to university together. Isn't that kind of cool?' She gulped. 'Oh yes!' 'He was kind to me too,' I added. 'He wasn't snobbish or anything like that.' 'You're so lucky.' I smiled at the irony of her words. Yeah right, I thought to myself. I'm so lucky.

Not. * The next morning, Aria shook me awake. Her face was flushed and her eyes glinting. 'Wha-' I started. 'Stella Bitch is here,' she announced. I had to blink for a couple of times before her words sank in. I felt a strange sensation in my stomach, as if I wanted to throw up. I took a couple of deep breaths. I have to keep calm but in my head I was

preparing for battle. 'Did she say why?' Aria avoided my gaze. 'A?' It was her time to take a deep breath and she spoke without pausing, 'She said she's moving in with the baby.' This time I ran to the bathroom and really threw up. Fifteen minutes later, I walked out of the bedroom to face Stella. I put on one of the most gorgeous dress I had since I think I really need to look my best. Inside, however, I feel like a truck ran over me. When I entered the living room, Stella was standing by the window. The

sunlight streaming through the window bathed her skin with soft glow. No one would imagine that she just gave birth. She is almost back to her pre-pregnancy body. She turned her head to look at me. 'Oh, Lorraine, did I wake you up? I'm so sorry!' She tried to look sheepish but it just doesn't go with her sarcastic apology. I brushed a hand over my hair unconsciously. 'Don't bother with pretenses, Stella.' I said. 'What do you want?' 'Why, hasn't that maid told you yet?'

Stella walked over to the couch and sat down gracefully. She crossed one leg over the other. 'I'm here to move in.' I fumed. 'First of all, Aria is not a maid. She's my sister and brother's nanny,' I told her. 'Second of all, why do you think you're moving in?' 'Because that's what Luc wants,' Stella chuckled. 'And you know that what Luc wants, Luc gets.' I controlled my facial expression so that Stella wouldn't know how much her words are affecting me. Luc wants her to move in? I felt my heart pound wildly inside my chest. 'Are you sure? Because

Luc didn't say anything.' It was her turn to brush her hair with her hand. 'It's because Luc only expressed it last night when we were at the hospital.' She looked at me in the eye. 'He insinuated that you're starting to bore him.' I swallowed against the lump in my throat. 'You lie.' Stella laughed without mirth. 'Do I really? Why would he want me to move in then?' She stood up to come over to where I was standing. 'He wants me back, Lorraine. He wants us to be a family.'

I took a step back. 'You're lying!' Again, she laughed. 'He does not want you anymore. Maya and I are more important to him.' She pretended to examine her nails which were painted devil red. 'So if I were you, I'd pack my bags and move out to be spared of the humiliation.' I was backing away from her and I could feel a sob coming up. 'Luc loves me!' 'Not anymore!' Stella shot back, her eyes fierce. 'Just go away, will you? He wants you out.' I put my hands over my ears. 'Shut up!'

But she kept on talking and she stalked me until my back hit the wall. 'You're so naïve. Did you really think he'd want to stay with you after I had his baby? Maya, Luc and I are going to be a family and no one can stop us. Not even you. You were just his rebound girl until he gets back with me. He and I were destined to be together.' I tried to push away from her but she didn't let me. She pinched my arm with her long nails. 'Don't worry. We'll compensate you for what you've done. Luc said he'll be generous when he divorces you.' The walls I've built around me crumpled and I started crying. The next moment,

Stella was dragged away from me and Aria was standing between us. 'You bitch!' She spat. 'Get out!' 'Who the hell do you think you are?' Stella screeched as Aria's claw found their way into her perfect hair. This would have been funny if my heart wasn't shattered to a million pieces. 'Get off of me!' But Aria was relentless. 'You have no right hurting my friend, you bitch!' 'She asked for it after she stole my man!' Stella scratched at Aria's arms. Her answered seemed to inflame Aria's anger. She managed to land a couple of

slaps on Stella's face before they were dragged from each other. Then Luc's face came into focus. He was looking thunderously at both women. 'What the hell is happening?' He demanded. Stella immediately burst into tears, no doubt for Luc's benefit. 'That... that girl started attacking me for no reason.' She turned to his arms. 'You should really be careful on who you employ. I wouldn't want that,' she glanced back to Aria. 'taking care of Maya. Who knows what she will do?' A nerve was ticking on Luc's jaw. His

gaze sought mine. I turned my head away. 'Very well...' Stella gave Aria and I a triumphant smile which Luc didn't notice. Aria's claw shot up and connected with her cheek. Stella gave a cry and I restrained Aria. 'What is wrong with you?' Stella screeched. 'You have no right touching me!' Aria glared at Luc before he could speak. 'Get her out of my sight.' She spoke in a voice I've never heard before. Stella snickered. 'And who the hell do you think you are giving orders like

that?' She repeated her question from before. 'You're just a hired help.' 'Actually, she's not just a hired help.' Luc said. My head was starting to spin. 'She's Aria Camilla Wynter Grenaldi, Princess of Sovandara.' I gaped at Aria and then the next thing I knew, the world was black.

Chapter 21 When I opened my eyes, I saw twin pools of dark irises staring back at me. Luc. I tried to sit up but he pushed me back down.

'I think you should rest, querida.' He murmured as he brushed his hand over my forehead. 'I think I should call a doctor.' I shook my head. 'There's no need. I was just tired, that's all. I feel so much better now.' Luc nodded. 'Do you want to tell me what happened back there?' Oh, God, I almost forgot. 'Aria? Where's Aria?' Or should I call her Princess Aria? 'Georgio came by to fetch her. He's been looking for her ever since she ran away.'

Luc explained. 'I didn't even recognize her until he showed me a picture of her this morning. The last time I saw her, I think she was twelve. Or she looked like she was twelve.' I gave him a little smile. He dragged a hand through his hair. Now I notice how rumpled he looks. He hasn't shaved and his suit has creases. 'Are you sure you're alright?' When I nodded, he released a sigh. 'Look, Lorraine, Aria basically gave me a gist of what happened and I'm so sorry.' I turned my head away but he put a hand on my chin and made me look at him. 'I

didn't ask her to move in, okay? I just told her I'm going to have one of the rooms here turned into a nursery so that when Maya visits, she'd be comfortable.' A tear escaped my eye and I didn't even notice until Luc wiped it with his thumb. 'She said you don't want me anymore and that you told her I bore you.' He cursed. 'Of course not! I love you, querida, and you will never ever bore me.' He kissed me on the mouth. 'That woman is lying to hurt you.' I pushed him away. 'But she said you want you, Maya and her to be a family.'

He framed my faced between his large hands. 'You are my family.' I was starting to feel a little better. 'She said I'm only your rebound girl.' He snorted. 'She said that because she's jealous of how gorgeous you are.' Hmm, I like the sound of that. 'She told me that you and she are destined to be together.' Luc's expression was pure horror. 'I hope not! I'd rather go to hell!' Hmm, keeps getting better and better. 'She also said that you told her you will

be generous with me when you divorce me.' I chucked his chin. 'Well, I want the villa where we got married.' 'Never!' He growled. 'Because I will never divorce.' He bent his head to kiss me, thoroughly this time. He coaxed me to open my lips to give him access. In no time, we were both moaning. He pulled away slightly. 'You shouldn't forgive me so easily.' I wrapped my arms around his neck. 'Yes, I shouldn't but I love you.' I traced his lower lip. 'I'm sorry for believing her lies.' 'I'm sorry for letting her get near to you.'

Luc muttered. 'I'm sorry-' I pressed a finger to his lips. 'Shh, I don't want to hear anymore.' I said. 'We're okay now and that's what matters.' 'You know that I still have to maintain contact with Stella,right? For Maya's sake,' he put in. I nodded. 'I understand that. Now, stop talking and make love to me!' Luc raised an eyebrow. 'When did you get to be so demanding?' I rolled my eyes. 'Ever since you stopped making love to me weeks ago!'

Beneath his sexy tan, he flushed. 'Whenever I arrive back from the hospital, you were always asleep.' 'I wouldn't have minded it if you woke me up.' I looked up to him beneath my lashes. 'In fact, I think I'd love it.' Luc groaned and then he let me have with his body. Two hours later, we emerged from our room to find James and Jenny riding, pony-style on two of Luc's bodyguards. 'Yah, giddy-giddy!' Jenny was pulling the bodyguard's hair. 'Oh, hi, Rainie!' She smiled at us. Meanwhile, the bodyguards pleaded to their boss with their eyes.

'I think that's enough horse ride,' I said and removed James from the man he was tormenting while Luc's does the same with Jenny. Luc dismissed his bodyguards who were obviously eager to escape. 'Aria left.' James pouted. 'You knows she's a real princess?' 'Just like me, right, Luc?' Jenny smiled prettily at him. He swung her up his arms. 'Of course! And you are the prettiest princess in the world!' She giggled. 'Rainie is the prettiest

princess.' I was touched by my sister's statement so I kissed her cheek. 'No, you are.' Luc pretended to think about it. 'Actually, your sister is not a princess.' He smiled at me. 'She is a queen. My queen.' And I blushed from head to toe. The four of us went out to go to a pizza parlor. Luc wanted to catch up with the kids after weeks of not seeing them when he was occupied with Maya. After eating cheese pizza, James and Jenny beg Luc to bring them to an ice cream shop. They look so clean and cute when we

went out but by the time we got home, their clothes were stained with chocolate ice cream. Even their faces have chocolate ice cream. I was wiping Jenny's face with baby wipes when a man sitting in a corner at the lobby approached us. Luc looked up from James' dirty face. 'Are you Lucas de la Vega?' Judging from his look, he was in his mid-thirties. He was tall, fair-skinned and he carries himself with an air of sophistication. His hair is more brown than blonde while his eyes are bluer than green.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Luc's bodyguards stand up straight in attention.

'Si, and you are...?' Luc inquired. The man held out a hand. 'I am Mathieu Leveque,' He introduced himself. 'I'm the real father of Stella Reveron's baby.'

Chapter 22 Luc was shaking with fury by the time we arrived at the penthouse. I suggested

that we all go up and talk there instead of the lobby, where our neighbors are starting to stare. I asked James and Jenny to go to their bedrooms. They glanced at Luc's stormy face first before turning their back to follow my instruction. Mathieu was walking behind us and I led the men to Luc's study. I don't want the twins to overhear us. 'Uh... would you like some coffee?' I asked Mathieu but he shook his head. Luc gave a frustrated groan. 'Dios mio, Lorraine! Coffee? At this time?' I

blushed. 'Explain yourself.' He said to our guest. 'As I said, I'm the real father of Stella's baby,' Mathieu didn't even look uncomfortable even if Luc was glowering at him. My husband's hands fisted as his sides. 'And do you have proof?' He shrugged as if they were talking about a very simple topic. 'I don't but we can easily get a DNA test done.' 'No!' Luc thundered. 'I will not let you violate my daughter like that.'

Anger flared in Mathieu's eyes. 'She is my daughter. And I want her.' Luc came around his desk and rifled the drawers. At last, he straightened up, checkbook in hand. 'How much do you want?' 'How much do I want for what?' 'To go away. To leave us all alone.' Luc said, his pen poised on the paper to write the amount. Mathieu advanced on him but before he could connect his fist to Luc's jaw, I stepped in between them. 'Stop!' I yelled. 'Why don't we all take about this

like civilized a-' 'What's going on around here? It's like a haunted apartment,' By the time she said her last word, Stella appeared on the doorway of the study. 'I saw the light and...' Her eyes widened when she saw us. I almost thought she was going to drop Maya from her arms. Luc mentioned that she was released this morning before he met with Georgio. 'Wha... what's going on?' Luc glared but he came forward to scoop Maya out of Stella's arms. 'You tell me. This man,' He said the word with venom as he glanced back to where Mathieu was standing. 'is claiming that Maya is

his child.' He turned back to back to Stella. 'Is it true?' Stella spluttered. 'Luc, I... I can explain!' Luc's jaw tightened. 'Yes or no, Stella.' With tears falling from her eyes, she said "yes" in a shaky voice. 'But I can explain, Luc! I can explain!' Luc visibly swallowed. He brushed a finger over Maya's cheek and looked at her with all the love a father can give to his child. Then he walked over to Mathieu and handed her to him. 'Take care of her or I will kill you.' Luc said steadily. 'Now get the hell out of here

and bring that woman.' Stella tried to plead with Luc but Mathieu dragged her out. No doubt she would get an earful out of him. Luc sagged against his desk when the trio had gone and I went to his side to wrap my arms around his waist. I was crying. I was crying for Luc, for witnessing how his heart broke in front of me and for his loss. I wanted to go after Stella and kill her with my bare heads for doing this to Luc. But Luc needed me more right now and I knew I have to stay. 'I'm so sorry, my darling.' I whispered as

he held onto me. It doesn't matter that he's holding me too tight I can't breathe. What matters is that I make his pain go away. I rubbed a hand over his back. 'I'm so sorry.' 'I know,' Luc said huskily. 'Me too.' I cried at the pain lacing his voice. 'Maybe you could talk to Mathieu. I think he'd be reasonable enough to let you see Maya sometimes.' I felt a shudder went through his body. 'No.' He said firmly. 'She should grow up knowing who her real father is. I don't want to confuse her.'

I pulled back to look at his face and saw that he was crying too. Oh God, my beautiful, strong Luc. I held his face in my hands and murmured to him softly, 'But you are her father too. You've been her father for the last couple of months.' A couple of days after the truth about Maya was revealed, Aria visit me and the twins. She got several shopping bags full of toys to give to James and Jenny. The four of us were in the twins room with the kids squealing every time they unwrap toy after toy. 'So, what are you up to?' I asked Aria. 'Princess.' She groaned. 'Oh, God! Look, L, I'm

sorry for not telling you who I really am. I'm really Aria Wynter, it's just that Wynter is my mother's maiden surname and-' 'A!' I put a hand up. 'I'm not mad at you, okay? I was kind of on a high actually when I learned that you're a princess. I mean, whoa, I have princess for a friend. My brother and sister's nanny is a princess. How cool is that?' I chuckled. 'But if you're still feeling guilty, you can tell me why you did it.' Aria took a deep breath. 'Okay.' She inhaled again and began speaking. 'I met this guy. His name is Nikolas Alkaev. Natasha-do you remember the woman

with my brother, Georgio on the news? That was Natasha.' 'Ah, yes, your best friend.' I said. 'The news anchor was going to say your name, huh? That's why you changed the channel.' She nodded. 'Natasha is not really my best friend.' When I raised an eyebrow to indicate I want further explanation, she flipped a hand in the air. 'Later. Anyway, she introduced me to Nikolas. She was his cousin. We kind of dated and by "kind of" I mean that we went to a few parties together. And by "parties" I meant clubs; not the formal type my whole family would attend.' Aria stared

off in space for a moment. Then she shook herself and continued to tell me the story. 'Long story short, I fell in love with him and I thought he loved me back. We were supposed to have dinner-our first official date-but he didn't show up. I went to the clubs we frequented but he wasn't there either. Then Natasha saw me and told me Nikolas went to New York. She said he's got some urgent business here.' 'So you went after him,' I said in a matter-of-fact tone. 'Yes, I escaped my bodyguard which wasn't easy, I tell you. Then I flew using a fake passport and commercial

airlines.' She scrunched up her face. 'I'm forever traumatized with flying economy class. Sorry. So there, I got to New York, looked for Nikolas all over the city and then one night when my funds were almost running out-I couldn't use my credit card because I know my family would find me-I treated myself for a gelato because I was feeling pretty down. That's when I saw him. He was in the restaurant across the ice cream parlor and he was with another woman.' Her voice broke at the last word. I put a comforting arm around her shoulders. 'His seat was pretty close to the window so I planned to wave to him from outside when the maitre d' wouldn't let me in because I don't have a reservation. When

I moved in front of the window, Nikolas leaned in to... kiss the woman. And it wasn't a friendly or sisterly kiss, okay!' She explained before I could say a word. 'It was... a kiss of... you know, a lover. I ran away from the restaurant and the next day I heard a woman talking on the subway that she was going here for an interview to be a nanny. Since I was broke and alone, I followed her and applied too. I only knew that you were Luc's wife until after you hired me. Good thing though he doesn't remember me much.' 'He said the last time he saw you was when you were twelve.'

'Yeah, and a lot of things has changed.' Aria replied. I smiled at my friend. She has been through a lot too. First, falling in love and getting stood up. Then, going all the way to New York and finding the man she loves with another woman. God, that must have been really hard for her. 'So what's the deal with Natasha?' She glared at the wall. 'Natasha used me,' she said. 'She wanted to get closer to Georgio that's why she befriended me. When I show no signs of wanting to hang out with her all the time, she introduced me to Nikolas so that we'll always cross paths.'

I was shocked. 'What? How did you find out?' 'She told me herself!' Aria spoke heatedly. 'She called me when I got here. She told me to keep looking for Nikolas and that I shouldn't give up.' 'Why didn't she tell you herself where he is?' 'She said she didn't know where he is either and that he's not answering her calls. She confessed later-when I called her to tell her that I saw Nikolas with another woman-that it was a delaying tactic so she could spend time with Georgio "looking" for me. Then she

proceeded to tell me the truth how she engineered my relationship to Nikolas to work for her own advantage. I was too mad, too heartbroken to go home then that's why I stayed here.' We were both silent for a moment. James and Jenny were the only ones making noises in the room. 'Enough about me,' Aria muttered. 'What's up with you?' Then it all came back to me. How Luc is closing himself up in his study for most part of the days, how distant he is becoming and I told Aria all of it from beginning to end. How Stella lied about

Maya, how Mathieu came to us and how Luc gave his little angel to another man. I was sobbing by the end of my story and the twins were looking at me with panic in their eyes but I smiled through my tears. Because I knew it's all going to be okay. Maybe not now, maybe not for another week or month but I feel it in my gut. Something is going to lift the shadows hanging over our lives one day.

Chapter 23 Sovandara Prince Aleksandr of Sovandara was balancing Jenny on his hip as they

walked through the gardens of the palace. My sister is obviously on a high because a real life prince carrying her. Meanwhile, I was sitting under a tree with Aria and her older sister and future queen, Althea. The Grenaldis were very welcoming ever since we arrived in their country two weeks ago. The royals themselves gave us a tour in their little island kingdom. And it is spectacular, I thought to myself as I gazed at the forest surrounding the palace. Beyond that, I know, is the ocean. But I still don't understand why it doesn't seem to cheer up Luc. Apparently, nothing could ever get him

out of the funk he's in. 'L...' Aria started in a tone only meant for me. 'Stop thinking for a while. Just enjoy now.' I smiled a little and glanced at my friend. 'Yes, yes. I'm sorry. I just couldn't help it.' Althea reach for one of my hands and squeezed it. 'Everything is going to be fine.' As she said this, her eyes drifted to Nikkos, her husband who was playing ball with James not too far from us. There was something sad at the way she looks at him, as if he was unreachable to her.

Maybe Princess Althea knows exactly how I feel. However, before I could dwell on it further, Luc strolled to where we were sitting and pulled me up to a standing position without saying a word. 'Luc!' I exclaimed. I tried to read his expression but I couldn't get anything. 'Is there something wrong? What happened?' He brushed aside my question and said, 'Nothing. I just need to talk to you.' He peered over my shoulder to the two other ladies watching us with interest. 'You princesses won't mind if I steal my bride for a while, won't you?' Althea chuckled. 'Of course not. Go.'

She replied. Luc took my elbow and began to lead me back to the palace. 'Luc, I wish you would tell me what's happening. You're making me nervous.' 'I just need to ask you a couple of questions. That's it and then you can go back to Aria and Althea.' He told me as we climbed up the grand staircase going to our bedroom. When we reached the door to our room, he stepped back and allowed me to enter first. I gasped when I saw what was inside. There were flowers everywhere. Roses,

tulips and half the flowers in the world in different colors. I spun back to look at where my husband was standing. 'Do you like it?' A smile was hovering on his lips. 'Is that what you have to ask me?' When he nodded, I moved away which puzzled him. He didn't answer me. 'Don't you like it?' He asked, this time his question was paraphrased. I glanced back at him. He was frowning now. 'Is this for me?'

He loosed the top button of his shirt and dragged hand through his hair. 'No, it's not. It's for another woman I'm planning to court.' When I just raised my brow, he expelled an impatient sigh. 'Of course it's for you, querida! Who else?' I tried to hide my grin. 'What for? It's not my birthday.' He walked over to where I was standing and rubbed my arms. 'Can't I just do something nice for my wife?' He sighed again when I didn't say anything. 'Fine, fine. You won't let me get away with it easily, will you? I'm sorry.' He wrapped his arms around and leaned his forehead against mine. 'I'm sorry for being such a

bad company the past two weeks.' He brushed his lips against my cheek. 'I'm sorry for not being attentive as I should be.' Then the other. 'I'm sorry for not being a good husband to you.' I was about to protest when he laid a finger against my lips. 'No. You don't get to say anything just yet. It's still my turn to talk.' He whispered. 'I'm so lucky that I have you but I know that I don't deserve you.' 'Luc, that's not-' 'Shh. It's totally true. That's why...' I felt him take a deep breath as he buried his face in my hair. Then he suddenly let go

and stepped back. 'If you want a divorce, I'll... I'll give you one." I gaped at him. I feel as if somebody punched me on the stomach. 'Wha-what? A divorce? You want a divorce?' Luc dragged his hand through his dark locks again. "No. No, I don't want a divorce. But if you do, who am I to stop you?' 'Uh, my husband?' I couldn't control the sarcasm that dripped in my voice. I saw Luc wince. 'What the hell is wrong with you? You told me before that you would never give me a divorce!' I poked his chest with a finger.

'That was then, this is now!' 'What changed?' I demanded as I watch him turn his back on me. 'Do you not love me anymore?' His head jerked back, his eyes piercing mine. 'Damn you, how can you ask me that? Of course I love you! I will always love you!' 'Then how can you ask me for a divorce? Damn you too, Luc! Don't make our lives miserable!' 'Because I'm afraid I just might do that if I ask you to stay with me!'

With that statement, I saw the fear and pain swirling inside of him. I launched myself to his arms and kissed him hard. 'Never. We can never be miserable if we are together, my love.' Luc kissed my lips, my cheeks, my eyes, my neck...everywhere he could reach. I unbuttoned his shirt and lightly scraped his chest with my nails. He groaned and buried his head between my breasts. He unzipped my dress and pushed it down until it pooled around my feet. Then he lifted me up in his strong arms and laid me carefully on the bed. There was no need for words. The time for talking is already done.

I watch him take off his pants and join me on the bed once more. He kissed me on the mouth as he let his hands roam over my body. I wrapped my legs around his waist and let my hands and lips wander also. Without any warning, he thrust inside me. We were both wild for each other. I moaned as he moved inside of me while he breathed heavily. I tugged on his hair, scratched his back as we moved rhythmically together towards completion. I remember screaming before my world went black. 'Querida? Querida? Can you hear me?'

I moaned and tried to push away the hand that was shaking my shoulders. 'Go away,' I mumbled. 'Lorraine, open your eyes! Look at me!' I lifted on eye open and surveyed my beautiful Spanish husband. He was looking at me with concern on his exotic features. 'Can I ask for a break before the next round?' I grinned but he didn't return my smile. 'You passed out, my love.' He brushed the hair out of my eyes. 'Did I? It's because you're so good. Amazing, really.' I couldn't believe my

ears. What the hell is happening to me? Luc straightened up and picked up his pants. 'Where are you going?' I asked in alarm. 'I'm calling a doctor.' 'Why?' 'Because you passed out!' He was fiddling with his phone already. 'And I don't think it's because of so much pleasure-though I'd really like to think it is. You look quite tired the past few weeks.' I flipped back my hair. 'It's just the stress. Don't call a doctor anymore. I'm

fine. Just come back to bed.' I patted the space next to me. Luc visibly swallowed. He donned his pants quickly and went to the bathroom, 'Get dressed. I'm still calling a doctor.' Thirty minutes later, after all the questions and tests, the doctor let Luc come back into our bedroom. I made him go out because I was still quite pissed that he called a physician to check me. There's nothing wrong with me. 'What's wrong with her?' Luc immediately asked as he entered the room with James and Jenny trailing after him. The twins bounced on the bed and

curled in my arms. The kind doctor smiled. 'There's nothing wrong with her. You don't have to worry.' 'Told you,' I muttered and poked out my tongue at him. Luc rolled his eyes. 'But why did she pass out?' 'It's not unusual for women to faint when they are expecting,' she started. 'But of course you should take some precautions. Don't tire yourself out and avoid getting stressed. You might also have to take care when you're having-'

'Wait, what?' I screeched. 'Expecting?' The word finally sank in on both of us. Luc glanced at me with widened eyes. 'She's pregnant?' The doctor smiled again. 'Apparently.' Chapter 24 "How far is she in her pregnancy?" Luc demanded while Jenny clapped her hands and said, "Doesh that mean you're going to have a baby, Rainie?" My doctor chuckled at my sister's delight. "Lorraine has to drop by the hospital so that I can run some tests to determine how far along she is already.

But if I were to estimate, I think she's three months pregnant already." Luc's eyes widened. When the doctor left, he sank down the bed to wrap his arm around me. "Three months? How did I not know it? How did we not know it?" "Well, we were pretty preoccupied with other things." Stella. Maya. I didn't have to say their names but he got the message. His arm tightened around my shoulders. "So, we're goings to have a new baby brother!" James cried out excitedly. He was bouncing on the bed and when he

almost fell over me, Luc gathered him with his free arm. "Be careful, kiddo. You'll hurt the baby if you fall over your sister." James immediately went still when he heard Luc's warning. "I don't want to hurts our baby brother." His eyes pleaded for me to believe him. I ruffled his hair and chucked his chin. "I know you don't. We just have to be careful from now on when we play," I told him. "And the baby isn't technically your brother. Actually, we don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet. But he or she will be your nephew or niece."

The twins looked at me with confusion in their eyes. "Or we can settle for the term brother or sister for now," Luc said with a grin. Jenny put her hand on my stomach. "How come we don't know yet if it'sh a boy or a girl?" "The doctor has to check me first at the hospital," I replied. "Well, can we go now? I really want to know if it's going to be a boy or a girl! Please let it be a girl!" Jenny made a face at her twin.

"No! Nots another girl!" James cried out. He swung an arm up around Luc's neck. "We want the baby to be a boy, don't we, Luc?" I looked up at my husband as I wait for him to answer James. He smiled, kissed my forehead. "I don't care if it's a boy or a girl. What matters is that we're going to have a baby." Later that night, after the royal family of Sovandara gave us a celebratory dinner, Luc watched me pull the pins holding up my hair from the bed. I was facing the mirror directly across where he was lying down so that I could see him.

"A baby," He murmured, still with a star struck expression. "We're going to have a baby." "I can't believe I had no idea I was pregnant the whole time!" I chuckled. "And when you started binging, I thought it was because of Maya." He got up from the bed, walked towards me and wrapped his arms from behind me. "I love you." He kissed my neck. I watched our reflections in the mirror. What did I do to make the heavens give me this amazingly sexy, wonderfully clever man? "I love you too." I smiled.

Then I felt his fingers unzipping my dress. He pushed it down until I was left standing in just my undergarments. He turned me to my side, put his palm on my stomach. We both survey the place where our baby is growing. When I glanced up, I saw that there were tears forming in Luc's eyes. I turned in his arms. "What's wrong?" He brushed his hair away from my face. "Nothing, querida. You just make me so happy." "I hope you'd still say that fifty years from now."

He kissed my lips lightly. "But of course." I snuggled in his arms. "I love you so much, Lucas De la Vega. I will always remember the day you bump into me at the train station and ruined the twins' birthday cake." "I will too. That's the day you called me a perv." I laughed. "Because you touched my breast." "I couldn't see! You weren't even prepared to give me the benefit of the doubt."

"Well, I thought you just wanted to grab me." "With your body, who wouldn't want to grab you?" My sexy husband asked with a grin. I scoffed. "So you admit you just wanted to touch me that day?" "Querida, I was blind. I was just really trying to help you up that time." "Whatever you say," I muttered. I trailed my fingers up and down his chest. "But you know when I really fell in love with you?"

He smirked sexily again. "I have a feeling you're about to tell me." I nodded. "It was when you asked me to have sex with you to pay for the lobby centerpiece I broke." Luc groaned. "Don't remind me of that! It wasn't one of my shining moments!" "Don't I know it? You were so arrogant!" "Okay, I'm sorry. But seriously, aren't you going to tell me when you started falling in love with me? Because I started falling in love with you the first time we kissed."

My heart melted. "That's when I started to love you too." Our mouths met and it wasn't long before we found ourselves in bed. Luc pulled back slightly. "Will the baby be okay if we...?" I pulled him back down to me. "Yes," I said impatiently. "Please, Luc, make love to me now. I need you." I didn't have to ask him twice. One year later Ezio Lucas De la Vega is christened today. Our son is just three months old

but it is obvious that he is going to be a heartbreaker just like his daddy. "Aww, you are so cute!" Aunt Nicole cooed as the baby gurgled with laughter when Luc swung him up high. "Thanks," Luc said. "Actually, she wasn't talking about you." Tripp said. My husband just shrugged. "Thanks anyway." I laughed and put an arm around his waist. I watch James and Jenny chase each other at the beach. We were back in

Greece where we got married. Luc's relatives and the Grenaldis are present and just like Ezio's parents, they are all taken by his charm. I couldn't be more thankful for what I have. A great husband and three wonderful kids to care for and love. It's complete. I'm complete. And I will always be just as long as Luc is by my side. Luc and I wandered to the balcony when Tripp borrowed Ezio. "What are you thinking, my love?" He asked softly as his lips brushed against

my temples. I fiddled with his tie. "That I love you and that I'm so lucky you're mine." He kissed me passionately then, not caring about the guests who may look our way. "No, I am so lucky you are mine. Forever." The End