Before I knew it, we were in bed and kissing as if we had been waiting for this moment our entire lives. Percy was on top of me, caging me in his arms while my hands gripped his shirt. If I could easily tear it off him, I would've already. "Please take it off," I pleaded. The things I was saying were beginning to sound so foreign to me. Percival chuckled on my lips. He pulled away and took the shirt off in one smooth motion. My lips parted at the sight of his perfect physique. I've seen it several times before, but tonight was different. My hand reached for his body and traced the middle part of his chest with my finger. When I looked up at him, he already had a cocky smirk on his face. I hate it when men get cocky with me, especially in business. But with Percival? It was hot. Slowly, I pushed myself up to level our faces. I smiled at Percy and softly kissed his lips while holding his face. I knew our bodies were burning for something rough and intense. But I wasn't done confess
I would've still been sleeping. If not for the light that had hit my eyes. I wasn't the type to stay in for five more minutes before getting up in the morning, but my head was still a little fuzzy, and the bed was more comfortable than usual. It didn't help that I was exhausted from yesterday. . . and last night. The curtains were covering the window. They were thick, but light still seeped through the gaps. I looked at the clock and realized that I had slept in. Then, I turned to the other side of the bed, half-expecting that I wouldn't see Percy there, and I was right. If he was still lying next to me, his arm would've been on me, and the bed wouldn't feel so big. I gazed down at my body to find out I was wearing one of my button-down nightshirts. I was so sure I slept without anything because I couldn't break away from Percy-not even a second. He must've dressed me up himself. I wanted to see Marcus, and it was already time for lunch, so he must be eating. I slipped on a plain
"I do, Percy. I want you by my side, always. But I'm not asking because of me," I said. Why was he so forgiving? I told him I loved him, and he accepted it as if I had never hurt him. "Why do you even. . .Why do you even love me? I've hurt you. Even if you say it wasn't intentional, I still did. For that, I don't think I deserve your love."My gaze was pinned on his hand. He lifted his head from my shoulder, and his grip loosened."Who deserves it, if not you?" Percival asked. His voice was firm. "I will always love you. No matter what you do or who you have to become. You'll always be the girl I love."I could feel him staring at me from behind, but I kept myself occupied."More than love, do you trust me? When I told you that nothing happened between me and Cadmus. Do you believe it?" I asked. "Every word," he said without hesitation. "I believed you when you said you wouldn't take him back. I don't want you near him, even if it's only for show or as part of the plan. I've already
THE WEDDING was thirty minutes away. I looked at myself in the mirror. A dozen people scurried around me. My bridesmaids, hairdressers, designers, and everyone who had helped me prepare today. My brother and father came in earlier to congratulate me, but they're probably already at the hall by now."Oh my gosh, you look so fab!" Esther squealed from behind me. "A red gown! This will hit the headlines so hard."I smiled as I eyed my gown once again. A mermaid-styled gown that embraced my curves but flowed enormously from a little above my knee down to the floor. It took up the whole space in front of the mirror, and everyone was careful not to step on it. I wore a necklace that Percival gave me, the one that stands out without trying, over the sweetheart neckline of my gown. My chest, waist, and back were adorned with small diamonds. The back of the dress showed half of my skin with its v-line cut. My red veil doesn't cover my face because it was attached to my braided bun. It was perf
Our rings were made of pure gold, and mine was embedded with diamonds. It was almost impossible for them to break and fade. So, even if the impossible happened, I would still have something to hold onto. Percy gave me the assurance that my heart desperately needed, and my eyes began to well up as he slipped the ring into my finger. "Percival," I started while taking the ring from the bearer. I looked at him before I continued. "I thought I knew love until I stood before you today, and what I feel in my chest feels unfamiliar. It's as if I had never loved any man before you. My heart used to be coddled in its little fantasy. But it was different now. It knows what it's risking." I said.I wish I could thank him for being Marcus' father since that was what I was most grateful for. But I knew better than letting the people in this hall know about my son. Even though it felt like I was alone in this moment with Percival, I knew a lot of eyes were watching--even the ones that weren't here
I didn't bother telling Percy about Helena and decided to talk to her myself. My secretary guided me to where our little uninvited guest was. Showing up here already had too much audacity, but she went even further by wearing a red coat. I sneered, tilting the side of my lips. This girl seemed sophisticated. She was fairly beautiful and successful, but she's showing no class. I've let her antics slide because Percival didn't tolerate or entertain them. I thought it would end there, but I guess Percival wasn't someone you could give up easily. I thought she'd have more decency, but hearts can be quite stubborn. I wasn't sure why she decided to show up. It was already too late to stop the wedding, but I did hope this was her way of closure. "What's the problem here?" I asked the guards as I approached them. "I asked for Percival because I didn't want to bother the bride." Helena carried herself boldly as she spoke to me. She tugged her straight black hair behind her ear and gave m
"You have to behave yourself, Percival. My father's watching you," I said, even though my dad was busy talking to his friends.Percival chuckled and kissed my cheek. He looked at me playfully as he raised our arms, and a giggle left my lips as I twirled. It brought me back to when we were young, and it felt like nothing had passed since then. The night was still young, and the guests seemed to enjoy themselves. I danced with my father after my first dance with Percy. Koen, who used to be my dance partner when we were little, also danced with me tonight. My heart was warmed by the presence of our friends and families, but it was yet to feel complete. By the time I was in Percival's arms again, I already felt tired from all the dancing. We were walking back to our seats when he leaned toward my ear."Wanna ditch the party? Marcus and I might've prepared something for you at home," he whispered."What about dad and your grandfather?" I asked, but my eyes were already glowing with excit
"Did they say why she's here?" I asked, feeling reluctant to let him go. Percival walked me to the kitchen before he answered my question."They said she needed to talk to me. She claims it's important," Percy sighed. "I've been avoiding her. She tried to talk to me and schedule appointments, but I blocked it all out. Should I have spoken to her then?""Is there a history I should be aware of?" I asked. "You told me not to worry, and I'm not. But I want to know why she's doing all this? Especially on our wedding day."Something about Helena made me feel uncomfortable, and it wasn't just her blatant ways of letting me know she wanted my man. I guess it was how she made her motives visible to me but not to other people. She knew what she was doing, and it was hard to know what she was thinking. "Back then, she was in the middle of an arranged marriage. But unlike you, her parents didn't give her a choice. We bumped into each other, and she was drunk on a high-rise building's rooftop.