Rhezi had the most beautiful dream that night. She dreamed that Kraius and her got married privately. Just them and some close friends. It was a beach wedding and she was just wearing her usual jeans while Kraius was wearing his khaki shorts. It might be the reason why the sweet smile never left the woman’s lips. It seemed true that her heart fluttered in happiness.
When the woman opened her eyes, her heart beat accelerated and her smile widened when she felt a heavy thing right above her waist. She reached for it so that the embrace would tighten around her. Then, she turned to face him and saw the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on.
His slow breathing fanned over her face but it didn’t bother her. She stared at him intently as if her life and death depended on it. Her eyes traced and lingered onto every feature of his face, and it was still perfect in her sight.
His striking pointed nose. His thick eyebrows that made him look intimidating. His perfectly shaped lips that sent her to heaven countless times and his jawline with faint stubbles on it. He was undeniably a gift from heaven to women. And she was lucky because she had him.
The woman couldn’t help but to raise her hands to caress the man’s face. While doing so, her mind drifted back to what happened last night. How he was careful and almost worshipping her body in every touch and claim. She wanted him inside her rough and hard but Kraius wanted to own her in the gentlest way possible. Like she was a fragile crystal needed to be taken care of. Nevertheless, her heart still fluttered on how he claimed her. Her confusion and uncertainties dissapeared like thin air.
When Rhezi got contented, she snuggled herself onto Kraius’ hard chest. They didn’t have anything on so she could really feel the hair on his chest. She wanted to feel Kraius’ bare body on her. The warmth induced by the joint of their naked bodies calmed her.
It was a long time ago since she felt the same security. A lot has happened but her body still couldn’t forget the feeling of having him close. She might have shed tears and wasted years, her love stayed the same. And it was forever tattooed on her.
“Are you awake?” Kraius grumbled, obviously waking up just now because of his raspy morning voice.
The woman quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. She forced her breathing to be calm, she’s not just sure if she did it right. In all honesty, Rhezi was embarrassed of what happened last night because it was her that begged Kraius to own her.
“You’re not a good actress, Chubz,” the man teased.
When he laughed, Rhezi only pouted. She still has her eyes remain shut and abruptly felt Kraius’ warm kisses on her face, until the pout changed to a smile and the closed eyes slowly fluttered open.
“Good morning!” Kraius greeted. He was smiling including his eyes.
“Morning! I still haven’t brushed my teeth!” Rhezi exaggerated. She quickly got up and looked for something to cover her naked body. When she saw the man’s white shirt, she immediately reached for it and wore it.
As Kraius stared at Rhezi moving frantically, he can’t help but to have a smile etched on his lips. Last night was a bliss. He admitted how he felt and Rhezi admitted, too. There were still things that they needed to fix, but the man now knew that it would be easier with Rhezi by his side. The bond they had was stronger now that they had confessed and settled everything between them.
Kraius let himself indulge at the sight of the woman still in panic. Her voice was loud while looking for whatever she’s looking for. His bathroom was made of glass so he could clearly see her inside, seemingly looking irritated and agitated.
He shook his head seeing Rhezi frown. He got up and headed towards her direction. She didn’t even notice his presence so he quickly held her waist from behind. He smirked when he felt the woman froze in place, especially when their eyes met on the mirror in front of them which contained their reflection. Kraius expected her reaction. It was obvious because his thing was poking her from behind.
“W-What are you d-doing?” Rhezi stuttered. The man chuckled lowly before biting her nape. Rhezi quickly slapped him which made him laugh louder.
“You’re really cute, Chubz. I hope we could share more memories like this,” Kraius stated. Rhezi stopped and sighed.
“We will,” she muttered while beaming at him.
It was exactly 8 o’clock when they decided to go downstairs. They were holding each other’s hand while walking, as if they weren’t complete without each other. They looked like lovebirds that couldn’t be separated, happy and smiling like no one could ever break them apart.
But their smiles faltered when they were greeted by their parents sitting on their living room. Jansen was there with her husband, Hernan, while on the other couch was Kraius’ parents. Beside Ferlyn was Hasmet, who was covered in clothes although it was hot.
Their gazes focused on the two when they arrived in front of them, meanwhile, Rhezi and Kraius were creasing the foreheads because of the unexpected visitors. They were all clad in their formal wears, as if what’s about to happen was very sacred that even their breathing almost paused.
“What is it?” Kraius cut the silence off.
“Please, son. Sit down,” Ferly said. She could already see the annoyed expression on her son’s face especially when he glanced at his father. Rhezi quickly held his arm to calm his rage.
“Please, Kraius. Calm down,” the woman whispered. Kraius shifted his gaze onto her before nodding, expression slowly changing.
When the two finally got sat, Ferlyn immediately started the conversation, “I know we have caused pain to the both of you.” she stared at the two. “It was all planned,” she muttered.
“What?!”
“Fuck!”
Rhezi and Kraius couldn’t believe what they just heard, especially after hearing it from the man’s mother. Their tongues seemed to be tangled at the revelation. Rhezi’s parents also remained quiet as they already knew about it. Ferlyn asked for forgiveness a long time ago. They remained silent albeit hurt at losing their daughter. Nonetheless, they still didn’t overlook Kraius admitting what he did to their daughter. They sent him to jail and released him afterwards.
“K, you’re very playboy back then. I saw how you dumped girls like they didn’t matter to you. I saw how you changed them every single time. What do you think was the reason why your dad kept on making Rhezi stay away from you?” Ferlyn asked.
“You should have not mingled with my business, Mama!” the man furiously exclaimed. “I love Rhezi. And why is it that you’re still pursuing that marriage for convenience thing? Do you really think that I will believe you?!” The man stood up, anger evidently surfacing.
“Because we only wanted to prove our point!” Ferlyn argued back. “But you proved us wrong, son. You’ve changed a lot. We thought you’d change your mind because of Rhezi’s marriage. We wanted the best for the both of you. And this is so wrong, K. You’re both lawyers, but you’re commiting infidelity!”
“What the–” Kraius couldn’t continue his reaction when Rhezi stopped him. She stood up and faced their parents. She stared at each one of them confidently.
“Jericho and I weren’t married. We also didn’t have a romantic relationship to start with. I am immature back then, Tita. Mom and Dad, I am sorry if I disappointed you. But I love Kraius from the beginning. Even from before, my young heart yearned for him, and it still is until this very day.” The woman shifted and faced Kraius’ father. “Please, Mr. Hasmet. . . allow me to love your son. To be with him and our kids. Please, accept me as your daughter-in-law,” the woman bravely said.
At what the four witnessed from Rhezi’s courage, they smiled. They might have been confused at the situation of Rhezi’s marriage, they’re still happy. They could see how determined they were. Though Kraius was still on his hard expression, they could also see hope in his eyes. He remained standing beside Rhezi while staring at them.
“Well, then. . . I have a proposal to make,” Hasmet started, breaking the silence.
Rhezi and Kraius couldn’t do anything but to let Hasmet speak. All of them listened while he talked. It was a peculiar proposal that Rhezi couldn’t decide whether to accept or not.
In the end, she needed to decide. A painful decision that she needed to uphold.
“Leave my son. Be with our family in Turkey and let the House of Osman decide your fate.”