[ Rain ]My feet seem to freeze at my spot. I can't believe or register what my eyes are showing to me.My sister is at my doorstep with my husband holding her like his damsel in distress. It stings my heart but I can't express it to the person whose feelings for me died a long time ago.Or he never felt anything for me other than sympathy.The truth hurts but I've learnt my message."Rose, what happened to you?" I hid my displeasure by a normal look. I can't act surprised as Nicholas told me everything about her and Samuel.Nicholas's eyes flickers on me as if he's gauging my actions.I can play better, dear husband if you think I'd act like a jealous wife and question his decision. It will give him concrete reasons to declare me a gold digger like rest of my family."It's a long story, Rain which I don't think you want to hear." She again smiles weakly at me. I want to roll my eyes but seeing the wounds and bruises on her body made my heart melt on her current condition.She's batte
[ Rain ]Only I know how I spent the sleepless night as the haunting image of my future without Nicholas and all the people I loved kept replaying inside my head whenever I tried to close my eyes. I thought a thousand times about my decision to leave everything behind and pick the shattered pieces of my life.I want to go far away from this life and this place which messed up with my emotions and my mind.And again, it's really hard to imagine a life without Nicholas who may not even remember me after a time as his first and true love is back and living under the same roof. It's hard to resist and I am sure one day or later, he'd feel the attraction between them. The old flames will rekindle on the ashes of my hopes.I woke up before the dawn and left the house for a run to clear my head. I have a flight to Boston at one in the afternoon but I need to pack my things before the courier service move them to Boston safely. It cost me a lot but I managed rather than asking Nicholas or my
[ Rain ]I don't see or try to come across Nicholas in the next few hours I stay at the mansion. Nicole's words keep ringing in my ear but I also hold my self respect high. If Nicholas wants to save our marriage, he has to show some efforts which I am seeing going in the opposite direction.He wants to end it as soon as possible.I left the house after bidding final bye to the house staff. It was very painful. Elle promised to come on the competition day. Dad called me again but as usual, I didn't answer.My eyes are staring out of the car window as the driver drives me to the airport. I don't know if I'll be back here again. I spent all my life here, in this city and leaving my birth place is the most difficult thing. I never imagined this day would come when I have to say good bye to the place which I love the most."Ma'am, Mr. Blackwood called me. He asked if I'm dropping you off at the airport." Shawn, the new driver speaks breaking the agonizing silence in the car.It catches my
[ Rain ]"Elle told me that you're not opening the door of your study room for anyone. Are you alright?" I dare to ask him. I know I am crushing a snake's tail but for his poor house staff's sake I have to do it. It may backfire on me."Why do you care?" I can sense his scowl from the other side. He acts like a stubborn child.I sigh in exasperation, it's more difficult than I thought,"I do care, Nicholas. I thought you would have understood by now. We have been married for months for crying out loud." I state the fact which earn me the same silence from him."Nicholas?" I call his name again as I don't receive any response for him and about to hang up."Why did you leave without meeting me, Rain? I was waiting for you but you just left." He complain and it makes me laugh dryly."Are you even listening to yourself, Nicholas? You are the one who completely shut me out of your life. I tried many times to have a decent talk with you but you just..."I pause and contemplate my words. I don
[ Rain ]Two days quickly passed in the preparation of the competition. My nerves have been high as I feel very small against world famous and award winning photographers. I had zero experience in the field. I bet that people wouldn't spare a glance at my pictures are are going to be displayed among the new release of the year, in short among new bees."Can't you sit straight for a minute?" Candace glare hard at me as she is trying to put make up on my face much against my wish. I want to keep it neutral but she opposed my idea. According to her, I must look like a regal lady, a page 3 model who should make her presence acknowledged by everyone. According to her, a strong personality, an elegant feminine beauty to lure everyone around here.She made me wear a black, tight fitted dress which ends just below my knees and have a low neck. It has a heart shaped neckline with no straps. The drass caught my eyes but it's not my style, it's way out of my comfort zone but Candace thinks I ha
[ Rain ]The amount of praises that I have been receiving from the admirers of art and other visitors, boost my confidence. I feel less worked up and opened up more to everyone who congratulated me on my works.My family has also been with me, introducing me to more people and also applauding for me but again, the void isn't gone. My eyes hopelessly search for a familiar face in the crowd thinking a miracle would happen and he'd be here on my big day."Hey, Rain, come here. There's a group of Amazon tribal who want to meet you as you took their picure when they were fishing in the river." Candace drags me to a group of people who seems very happy. It's visible in their eyes."I shot the photo five years ago, Candy. I was there with my Dad on his business friend's anniversary party. I took it when we're traveling through the boat. I don't think it's that much special." I tell her.One of the elderly man comes forward and pats my head. He's saying something in his local language which I
[ Rain ]"Mrs. Blackwood, it's your turn. We want to know what is your inspiration behind such great work at such young age." The anchor's voice brings me back in the present.I reluctantly tear my eyes away from Nicholas which I still think is a dream. He can't be here. He made it clear two days ago. I give a last glance at him whose eyes are fixed on me. It's hard to tell what he is feeling right now but my heart is ready to jump out of my rib cage.He hands me the microphone. Goosebumps erupt on my skin as I feel everyone's attention solely on me."Hello everyone, I don't know what to say right now. In fact, I wasn't prepared to stand here, share my thoughts because right now, I am an emotional mess. Please pardon me." I blink my tears, a low laugh waves through the audience."Everyone has something or someone as their inspiration and in my case, I have both. My photography passion developed when my grandfather's collection of vintage cameras and the photos he used to capture durin
[ Rain ]"You're here?" He asks me still in his daze."Yes, I am here." I reply with confidence.We stare at each other for god knows how long. We exchange our emotions through our eyes.Suddenly I push him inside and kicks the door close behind us. Call it the effect of multiple shots I gulped during the party or the instincts of my heart which force me to act in this way. I may regret it later. Heck, I'm going to regret a hell but I want to live in the present moment.The room is dimly lit which gives me only the shadow of his handsomely face but I can feel his increased heartbeats."Rain, are you drunk?" He asks me."May be, I am but does it matter?" I ask as I rub my hands on his naked chest."Rain, stop." He grabs my hand and hold it firmly.My heart sinks at his rejection."Don't make me regret my decision to come here only for you, Nick. I want to be with you." I whisper leaning on his chest, to feel him and his touch."You're not in your senses." He shakes his head dismissivel
Five Years Later...I woke up by the wet kisses in the valley of my breasts and a hand slowly massaging my already sore pussy. I arched my back as pleasure rippled through my cells."Umm...Nick please." I moan my husband's name and the lips which are slopping on my belly travel upwards to claim my lips while he comes between my legs, his hardness poking on my inner which which is enough to send me to the edges all over again."Good morning, love." He whispers in a deep husky voice, his morning is handsome and sexy inviting me to claim him as mine."Good morning, husband. You didn't had enough last night?" I caress his cheeks."I can never have enough with you, Rain, you know this." He smiles and kisses my palms while positioning himself on my entrance."It's too late and Nolan might be up. He will throw tantrums if we don't go to him." I remind him about our one year old son, our lifeline, the fruit of our love."Well, he's my son and he knows that Daddy needs to be pampered first by M
[ Rain ]Nicholas's fuming face reflected what he witnessed and his sister's face has a horror expression. My own heart leaps in fear as well as uncertainty.I just hope he didn't listen to our conversation. I do not want him to get hurt by his closest bond, his sister whom he practically worships.He takes predatory steps towards us, his eyes glaring at his sister who looks everywhere except at her brother. She was caught red handed and there's no way to escape unless she gives him a good excuse."Why did you slap her?" He asks her in a very calm tone but both I and she can sense the raging anger behind the calmness."She was misbehaving with me, Nick. I swear, I did nothing. She brought up Michael and mine past. What could I do? She scratched my old wounds." She starts crying but the tears are fake.My heart sinks. He will definitely believe her over me so I stay silent preparing to hear from him but what he says next, stuns me."Stop pretending, Nicole because we both know that he
[ Rain ]The conversation I had with Maa keeps replaying in my mind. She and Dad knows everything since the start but kept Nicholas in dark for his own safety."Rain, you're scaring me now, please tell me what happened there? Did someone say mean things to you?" Nick's worried voice reaches in my ear and I feel his hand squeezing mine.I tilt my head in his direction and meet his concerned eyes."We can talk once we reach home?" I point at the driver and his bodyguard because right now, I can't trust anyone except myself and him."Sure." He nods his head but his expressions still shows puzzlement.The rest of the drive went in silence. I desperately want to reach home and tell him everything but it's not easy. He trusts his sister more than his parents. Our relationship has always been hanging on a loose cord and if I tell him what I learnt from Micheal and his parents, it may backfire on me and probably put the last nail on the coffin of our marriage.But I can't let Nicole play with
[ Nicholas ]I knock on my Dad's study door nervously and wait for him to open. I don't know how am I going to face him after what happened between us and how harsh I was with him. I practically cut him off from me and now I begin to regret it.He is my father and he has given me the best life. He was an ideal figure for me when I needed an inspiration. He never really forced me for anything except to continue the family legacy, our business."Come in." Comes his deep voice from the other side. He sounds depressed. I just hope it's only work.I slowly open the door and slip inside. I spot my father sitting behind his large oak desk reading a classic novel by Hardy and opera playing on the gramophone.Shit! He is tensed about something because he reads his favorite author and listen opera whenever something bothers him. He's too engrossed in his reading that he doesn't sense my presence."Dad..." His pupils dilate and he shot up his eyes to look at me. He looked shocked to find me in
[ Rain ]"Relax, Nick." I squeeze my husband's hand who is looking nervous as our car stops in front of his parents' house. He doesn't show it to me but I know him. If it wasn't for the emergency in the business, he wouldn't have come."I don't know what to say to him. It's been a really long time, Rain." He shares his dilemma with me which makes me smile. He's cracking up to me."He's your father, Nick who loves you very much. I am sure he'll forgive you if you apologize to him sincerely." I say.He tilts his head to glance at me,"Why should I apologize to him? I admit, I went a little aboard but he's at fault." He argues. He is still stuck there."Look, Nicholas. I know it's not easy for you to move on from the bitterness of the incident but you have to let this grudge go at some point. Life is too short to miss the love and companionship of our family and loved ones. Let's enjoy our time together because we don't know what the future holds for us. I want to live a happy life with y
[ Nicholas ]I stare at the sleeping figure of Rain cooconed under the duvet which covers her perfect breasts which are rising and falling with her breath. Her face glows in the early morning rays.I broke my promise to her last night and made sweet love to her. I couldn't forget the melodies moans she let out when I devoured her beauty. She's shy and bold, a perfect combination. I admire how mature and independent she has become in our months together.My hand automatically reaches to touch her face and remove the hair strands from her face which are blocking her face's view.Her eyes flutter open feeling my touch and a smile twitches on the corner of her lips."Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood." I brush my fingers on her cheeks."Good morning, Mr. Blackwood." She wishes me in her sweet morning voice."You look more beautiful in the morning." I inch closer to her and wrap my hand around her naked waist and make circles on her smooth skin.She places her soft palms on my bare chest. It is
[ Rain ]"Do you think, it's an enough proof to side Maa and Papa on our side because going directly to Nicholas wouldn't be a nice decision right now." I say to Roselie staring at the manila envelope in my hands."A try won't hurt either. They love you and I am sure they'll try to understand your point, besides they have to save their son's marriage rather than supporting their psycho daughter. Moreover, they owe you an apology for keeping you in the dark regarding the 'deal'." Roselie comments."Don't remind of that." I sigh."Sorry but it's true. They're nice to you but it doesn't mean their hands are clean. The least they can do for you to keep their daughter out of your personal life." She says."I will talk to them tomorrow. I am tired and I need rest from this life." I yawn and it's true. The day has been very hectic for me and I don't know what else we'd witness since Nicholas warned his house staff to tell him the name of the mole."You must seduce him so he can forget about
[ Rain ]"Rain, I am telling you, this isn't a good idea. Let's go back. Nicholas will kill both of us if he finds out that we're here to meet his sister's ex-boyfriend." Roselie begs me as I park the car outside the garage/auto parts store in the poorer part of the city where we can be mingled in the crowd without getting caught by the hawks called paparazzi."We came here for nothing?" I roll my eyes at her,"Come on, don't be a chicken, Rose. I learnt to be a brave person from you now you are backing out.""I am not backing out but this is a dangerous bet, Rain. They're rich people who would do anything to us if it comes to hide their old skeletons in the closet." She reasons and somewhere she's right."I know but we don't have much to loose, Roselie. Let's go inside before someone catch us. You should thank me that I haven't taken one of Nick's cars which have GPS tracker installed in them. I took Elle's husband's car to cover up." I tell her."Smart move, now let's get done with t
[ Rain ]"It's unbelievable, Roselie. No, it can't be true." I shake my head and stand up. My head started spinning with all the revelation so far."I know, I know, Rain. Initially I too believed that it was a misunderstanding until one night when I heard her conversation with her ex-boyfriend. It changed my whole narrative about her." She says which forces me to turn my face to her."Tell me the whole truth, Rose." I say firmly."First sit down. You need to calm down as it may hurt your innocent heart, Rain." She helps me to sit again."Don't worry about my heart, Rose. I have learnt from the time." I chuckle dryly."Good to know, Rain. I always wanted you to come from Dad and Rainard's shadow. Now when I look at you, I see a confident and strong woman who can decide for herself." She smiles and it looks genuine.Am I judging her so fast?"Nicole's boyfriend and Breece's father left them or I say betrayed her. I hope you know this story."I nod my head. Nicholas told me about her pas