Teaser

After finishing her call with Delly, Samira returned to the kitchen, determined to focus on cooking and clear her mind. She was just reaching for the spices when Ray walked in, his presence filling the room with an unmistakable tension. His steps were light, but his intent was clear as he moved closer, trapping her between the island and his towering frame.

For a moment, Samira thought he might kiss her, her heart racing at the mere thought. Instead, Ray planted his hands on either side of her, leaning in just enough to make her breath catch, but keeping a teasing distance. His eyes danced with mischief as he whispered, "Don’t worry, I won’t be kissing you just yet. I know you’re about to show me how wild you can really be."

Samira could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks. She turned quickly back to her cooking, hoping to hide her embarrassment. “You deserve to find out, the sooner the better,” she shot back, trying to sound confident, though her heart was still pounding.

Ray leaned against the counter, his grin only widening. "That’s new. Is my fiancée determined to show me her wild side?" he asked, handing her the bottle of oil she’d been reaching for.

"A fiancée who doesn’t want you," she retorted, turning to meet his gaze with as much seriousness as she could muster. "You should stop all this while you still have the chance."

Ray’s smile didn’t falter. "Fine, then. I’ll decide that after I see the results of all your hard work."

"There won’t be a showtime," she murmured under her breath, hoping he didn’t hear. But of course, Ray wasn’t one to miss a thing.

"We shall see," he replied, his tone light but his eyes full of that same determined intensity that always left her feeling off-balance. "You surprise me, Samira. Just yesterday, you made it quite clear you weren’t the domestic type, and now here you are, whipping up something in the kitchen."

Samira had indeed forgotten her offhand comment from the previous night. There was no turning back now, no easy way out of this tangled web she had woven. She only hoped she could find a way to talk to him later and somehow make things right.

"And you’ve been spending lavishly too," Ray added casually, as if discussing the weather. "Let’s see... I’d estimate you’ve spent about half a million dollars today."

Samira froze, the spoon in her hand pausing mid-stir. "Did I really spend that much?" she asked, horrified at the amount.

"You did," Ray confirmed, amusement lacing his words. "And you look far too horrified for someone who supposedly spends lavishly. You should be used to it by now... unless, of course, that’s another one of your little lies."

"Of course, I spend lavishly!" she defended herself, though her voice wavered. "You should be helping me instead of questioning me."

Ray chuckled, coming around the counter to take the plates from her. "And this," he said, leaning in closer, his breath warm against her cheek, "is a welcoming gift from me." Before Samira could react, he placed a swift, teasing kiss on her lips and then casually carried the plates to the table as if nothing had happened.

Samira stood there, stunned, her fingers brushing against her lips where his kiss still lingered. She forced herself to pull it together and joined him at the table. They ate in a strange silence, his earlier words hanging between them like an unspoken challenge.

"Do you know," Ray began as they finished eating, "that you’re the first girl, apart from my mother, to ever cook for me and buy me clothes and accessories? I chose right. You’re the perfect wife material, Delly."

Samira ignored the use of her fake name, focusing instead on her food. But the moment had come; she couldn’t delay it any longer. She put down her fork and looked at him seriously.

"I can’t marry you," she said suddenly.

Ray sighed, turning to face her fully. "Why not?"

"First of all, I hate the way you and my patron arranged everything without consulting me. And besides," she added, summoning the courage to reveal part of the truth, "I have someone I love."

"Someone you love?" Ray repeated, his tone both curious and challenging. "You mean that boyfriend of yours?"

"Yes, I love him dearly," Samira insisted, though she was referring more to Delly’s feelings than her own. "The only reason I came here was to tell you to stop. I don’t see myself married to you now or ever. I trust you’ll be a gentleman and call off this whole arrangement."

Ray leaned back, studying her with that piercing gaze that always made her feel like he could see right through her. "I don’t think that will be possible," he said calmly.

Samira’s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? Why can’t it be possible?"

"I chose you because I believe you are fit to be my wife," he explained, his voice steady. "And I don’t intend to change my mind on that. Not even your patron will change hers."

Samira’s eyes narrowed. "Why won’t my patron change her mind?"

Ray met her gaze evenly. "I suggest you ask her yourself. You’re on good terms with her, aren’t you? Ask her why she accepted my proposal without consulting you first."

"I sure will," Samira snapped, standing up to leave. But before she could, Ray caught her arm, pulling her back.

"Let’s get one thing straight, Delly," he said, his voice low and serious. "I agreed to marry you to save you and the orphanage from a catastrophe. Think of me as your savior, not your enemy."

Samira stared at him, torn between anger and something else she couldn’t quite name. "Once I hear my patron’s side of the story, I’ll let you know what I think," she said, pulling away from his grasp and walking out of his penthouse.

Back at the hotel, Samira immediately video-called Delly, sharing everything that had happened. Delly, in turn, confronted their patron, Miss Mary, and the truth came out—Chris had indeed stepped in to save the orphanage from financial ruin, but at a cost.

Later that night, as Samira lay in bed, exhaustion finally taking over, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of defeat. She had tried her best to protect Delly, but now it seemed everything was unraveling. And yet, as she drifted off to sleep, one thought kept echoing in her mind: this wasn’t the end. Not by a long shot.

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