Page 68 of Viral Affair

Except for the issue with Vincent, of course—but I wouldn’t let that ruin this day.

We sat outside then I excused myself to the ladies, feeling so happy. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror I could barely believe my luck. Despite everything hanging over my head right now, I had the most gorgeous man by my side and a new career. A call came through then. I didn't recognise the number but I answered it anyway.

"Hello."

"Hello, Veronica. I'm Rupert's mother, Sue. I was hoping we could talk for a moment," she said.

"Mrs. Banks, what a surprise. How did you manage to get a hold of me?" I asked.

"Never mind that. There is something I must talk to you about in person."

"What exactly is that—"

"I wonder if we can get together when you return to London," she interjected.

"Yes, all right. I should be back soon, in a week or so," I replied

"Good, I will call you, dear. Take care," she said, and then hung up.

When I came back from the loo, Rupert ordered the champagne, then popped the cork. A few locals showed up and started playing the guitar. I set all thoughts of the phone call aside. I was away in one of the most beautiful parts of the world with the man I loved. A dream come true. I needed to pinch myself, lest I woke up soon.

“I’m so glad we met two years ago. I think we were always meant to be together,” I admitted, a little emotional as he held my hand. I had to tell him how I felt about him. There was no going back from this, even if it was the most terrifying thing I’d ever done in my life.

Rupert’s expression grew serious, his gaze burning through my skin. My stomach tightened with unease because there was a possibility that this could never work between us if I didn’t deal with Vincent and his threats.

“Veronica, you took over my world the moment I saw you in that bar,” he said, pausing for a moment as he tried to gather his thoughts. “Then I woke up and you were gone. I thought I was in a dream when I saw you two years later. Fate obviously wanted us to connect again.”

“It did, and I wished I’d stayed. Maybe then we wouldn’t have had to waste two years and we would have been happy by now,” I said, a tear dropping down my cheek.

“I love you,” he said.

My heart stopped beating for a moment. I couldn’t believe he was willing to admit to that.

“I have never truly loved any other woman before, but I’m certain how I feel about you. The memories we’re making together are incredible, and I’m so proud of you.”

“I love you, too,” I said. That was the truth—my feelings for him were raw and real. I had never been more sure about anything else in my life. True love did exist because I was living through it, and I never wanted to be parted from him.

Rupert’s eyes widened in disbelief at first, as though he wasn’t sure what he was hearing, but then he leaned over and kissed me hard, while cheers erupted around us. When he finally pulled away, the restaurant owner was clapping, and so did the patrons, while I was crying with happiness, thankful for having this man in my life.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Rupert

I was in a good mood. All my lab work back home had come back positive, and I was fucking in love. It’d been three weeks since Veronica got the phone call from Katharina and officially accepted the position of Cashmere’s brand ambassador. We’d been sailing around Greece, stopping at different islands, visiting the most incredible places and enjoying spectacular food that Suzanne cooked for us on a daily basis.

I was living the dream with Veronica, wishing that this would never end, but in a few days, we’d be going back to London. It was the beginning of September, and my brother was due to return pretty much at the same time. We hung out on the yacht and then later sailed into Zakynthos so I could take Veronica to the temple of Zeus.

“I think I must have put on at least five pounds since I’ve been with you,” Veronica complained when I helped her get onto the boat.

She had no makeup on, her nose covered in freckles. I wanted to kiss every single one of them, but she was still a little self-conscious about showing her beautiful face without an ounce of makeup.

“I fucking love your curves, and I don’t care if you put weight on or not. I’ll love you no matter what.” I slapped her arse when Suzanne arrived with the fruit punch.

The woman blushed a little, pretending she didn’t see anything.

“Rupert, behave yourself,” Veronica warned, then playfully smacked my head.

Suzanne handed her a towel. I’d already been in the water this afternoon and I even had to admit that I’d put on a few pounds since July. Last week, we’d both spent all afternoon in the sun and ended up getting ill for a few days, so frankly, it was time to head back to London.

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