Page 21 of A Million Shades Of Love and Betrayal

As we stood side by side at the sink, Rafael turned to me, his gaze soft yet intense. "Yasmin, about last night."

I set down the dish I was drying, turning to face him fully. "Yes?"

"I don't want to rush anything," he said earnestly, his eyes searching mine for understanding. "But I also don't want to ignore what's between us."

"What are you saying?"

"I think what I'm saying is I liked kissing you and I don't want to downplay it."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within me. "I enjoyed it too."

He smiled, a mixture of relief and joy crossing his features. "Good, hopefully, the next time we kiss one of us will be brave enough to do something about it."

I could only smile knowing that he had no idea how tempted I was to do something about it right now. We finished the dishes in comfortable silence, the air filled with unspoken promises and shared dreams. As I dried the last plate, Rafael grabbed his phone ready to leave the room.

"Thank you for breakfast," he smiled.

I turned to face him, staring into his eyes. "You're welcome."

**********

I sat back in the plush leather chair, enveloped in the gentle hum of the spa. The soft scent of lavender filled the air, calming my nerves after a tense start to the day. Closing my eyes, I let the skilled hands of the aesthetician work their magic on my skin, massaging away the tension that had settled in my shoulders.

"Is the pressure, okay?" the aesthetician asked, her voice a soothing melody.

"Yes, it's perfect, thank you," I replied with a contented sigh.

As she continued with the facial, I couldn't help but let my mind wander. When Rafael proposed that I get revenge on Ethan I was a bit hesitant but mostly excited. After the horrible way he and his family treated me, I wanted nothing more than to have him bow at my feet. He thought I was some broke, hopeless woman, who would be nothing without him, but little did he know I could end his career with the snap of a finger.

My father encouraged us to be humble and made it a point never to let us abuse our power, but he was fiercely protective of us. If he knew that I was divorced he would be sad for me but if he found out that my ex insulted my character and let his family verbally abuse me, he would be out for blood.

After the facial, I moved on to the manicure and pedicure station. The vibrant colors of the nail polish brightened my mood, and I couldn't help but smile as I admired my freshly painted nails. Everything felt perfect, a prelude to an evening of business and revenge.

Next came my hair. The stylist expertly crafted loose curls that cascaded down my shoulders, framing my face in a way that made me feel beautiful and confident. I checked my reflection in the mirror, adjusting a stray curl before nodding in approval. She rolled the curlers pinning them in place so I could unpin them later and have the curls looking as fresh as they did now.

Feeling pampered and ready for the night ahead, I walked back to the penthouse, excitement bubbling inside me. I imagined Rafael running around getting ready, however, reality greeted me with a different scene. The penthouse was quiet as I entered, the soft glow of the evening lights casting a warm hue over the living room. Rafael sat on the couch, engrossed in his phone, a frown marring his features.

"Hey," I greeted him.

He glanced up briefly, offering a half-hearted smile. "Hey, how was your day?"

"It was peaceful. Are you about to start getting ready?"

Rafael shrugged, setting his phone aside, instead of focusing on his laptop. "Yeah, in a minute."

"What are you watching?" I ask, curious about the source of his focus.

"It's the live stream from outside the gala venue," Rafael replied, gesturing for me to join him. "Looks like the paparazzi are already camping out, waiting for everyone to arrive."

I shrug nonchalantly, though a small knot of apprehension formed in my stomach. "Well, let them wait. We'll give them something to talk about."

With a wry smile, I excused myself to finish preparing for the night ahead. The warm water of the shower washed away any lingering tension, leaving me refreshed and ready for the night. As I applied my makeup with practiced precision, I couldn't help but steal glances at the elegant gown waiting for me.

Dressed in a gown that seemed to shimmer with its radiance, I descended the stairs, nerves, and excitement intertwining in a heady mix. Rafael stood at the bottom, dressed in a tailored suit that accentuated his every contour, making him look like a gentleman.

He stared at me, eyes wide with wonder. For a moment I thought he wouldn't say anything but then he stunned me with his words. "In a sea of beauty, you're the rare pearl that takes my breath away."

"I don't know how to beat that," I told him, smiling nervously. "But you look handsome."

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