Chapter 8
The city skyline shimmered before us, the lights stretching endlessly into the horizon. I raised my glass, letting the soft clink of crystal fill the space between us. “To beginnings,” I said.
Rafael smirked, his eyes never leaving mine as he raised his glass. “To revenge.“}
We drank in silence, the kind that carried a weight of satisfaction. The news of Sarah and Mikael’s downfall was everywhere, the scandal shaking their worlds apart. It was only the first step, but it felt good–no, it felt powerful.}]
Rafael reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, holding it up so I could see the screen. A grainy video played, showing his men storming a warehouse under Mikael’s control. It was chaos–guards overwhelmed, crates smashed, and the Ace of Queen’s symbol spray–painted on the walls in bold red strokes.
“This was last night,” Rafael said, his tone casual, like we were discussing the weather. “One of Mikael’s key operations. We left a little reminder of who did it.”
I leaned closer, studying the screen. Another clip followed–Mikael, pacing angrily in what looked like his office. Papers flew as he slammed his desk, his fury evident even in the low–quality footage.
“He’s unraveling,” Rafael said with a quiet chuckle. “And the best part? I’ll always be two steps ahead. There’s a mole in his inner circle feeding me everything.”
I raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Good. Let them come to us. I have no intention of chasing them.”
Rafael tilted his glass toward me, his smirk growing. “As it should be.“}]
We toasted again, the sound crisp against the backdrop of the night. I took a slow sip, savoring the moment, but when I lowered my glass, I noticed Rafael watching me.§
“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“I feel like I also want to taste your wine,” he said, his voice low, almost teasing.
I extended my glass toward him with a small shrug. “Here.“D
He didn’t take it. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze dropping to my lips. “The wine on your lips.”
Before I could react, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine. The kiss was soft at first, almost testing, but when I didn’t pull away, it deepened.
When he pulled back, his smile returned, softer now. “In our past life, I liked you,” he said. “But you’re with Mikael so I didn’t get the chance to have this moment with you.”
My heart fluttered unexpectedly, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. “And now?”
“I still do,” he replied without hesitation.}
The weight of his words hung between us, heavy with meaning. I didn’t know how to respond–not with words, at least. So I didn’t. That night, the space between us disappeared entirely.
I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window, warming the room. The sheets beside me were cool and empty, but the memories of the night before were vivid, filling my chest with a strange mix of emotions.§
I stretched lazily, letting myself bask in the moment before slipping out of bed. Pulling on a robe, I padded out of the room, following the faint sound of movement.}
In the kitchen, Rafael stood at the stove, his sleeves rolled up and his hair slightly tousled. An apron tied around his waist as he flipped what smelled like pancakes.}
“You cook?” I teased, leaning against the doorway.
He glanced over his shoulder, a smirk already forming. “Surprised?“}
“A little,” I admitted. “You don’t strike me as the breakfast type.”}
“I’m full of surprises,” he said lightly, plating a stack of pancakes and setting them on the counter. “Sit.”
I did as he said, still feeling the warmth of last night lingering between us. He poured two cups of coffee, sliding one toward me before taking the seat across the table.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The quiet was comfortable, almost fragile, like the calm after a storm.
Then, out of nowhere, Rafael broke the silence. “Do you want to get married now?“!
I blinked, certain I’d misheard him. “What?”
He leaned back in his chair, his expression entirely too casual for the words he’d just said. “You heard me. I don’t want to waste time. Let’s get married.“}
My heart skipped, and I searched his face for any hint of teasing, but he was serious.
“Yes,” I said before I could overthink it.”
11:53 AM