Page 115 of Forbidden Deception

She wears my white shirt tucked into her jeans and is practically bouncing in place in joy.

“I’m so excited! I always wanted to take my boyfriend with me to this place, and I finally can.” She grins up at me.

“Calm down, or you’ll use all your energy just jumping on the spot,” I muse, but she only shrugs.

“I don’t care. You’ll carry me if I run out of steam.” She doesn’t need to ask me, because I know I will.

The place she wanted to take me to is a rooftop cafe overlooking the city. We are seated with our coffee and snacks in front of us, and Venezia is smiling nonstop. It’s afternoon, with people mingling about and grabbing quick to-go coffee, so it’s busy but not too crowded. We went undetected from the paparazzi, thanks to my discreet security team.

“Are you happy?” I ask her, watching her carefully.

She looks over and tilts her head. Her hair spills over one shoulder like a silk waterfall.

“You think I am here because I am sad? Of course I am happy. Just being with you makes me happy. I told you before, a simple evening with you is more than enough for me.”

“I have more money than I can count or know what to do with, and yet, my girlfriend only wants an evening with me?”

She frowns at my words, then shakes her head.

“That’s not what I said. I deserve the best of the best. Don’t cheapen out on me now. My brother spoiled me with everything, and I expect the same from you.” She smirks, lifting her coffee cup to her lips.

I press my tongue into my cheek, smirking and looking away, knowing I would give her my whole fortune and anything else she asks for.

That also means giving her the best diamond ring when I ask her to be completely mine.

My proposal won’t be any less than what she deserves.

Venezia starts talking about other places she wants to visit with me, and I think about how grand the proposal should be.

Remo has already allowed me to have her, so he won’t oppose our marriage. We may clash at family gatherings, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing will stop me from making Venezia mine in every way possible.

47

A few months later

Clear blue water surrounds us on a sandbank, and we walk towards a grand white gazebo.

“There isn’t anyone around this beach,” I comment to Rafael, who only smirks, walking leisurely beside me in a white linen shirt and soft cream-coloured trousers. My dress kind of matches his outfit. It’s a white ruffled dress with an open back.

The weather is hot and humid but soft wind blows around us. It’s perfect for our little getaway to Thailand in Phuket after my official move to Edinburgh. I still love London and always will, and that was enough for Rafael to open a new office branch in London so I can visit whenever I fancy.

Remo’s been so attentive to my needs over the past few weeks with helping me move, and with Rafael staying in London for longer than a week, I don’t know what was better. Watching them glare at each other across the room knowing they can’t say shit to each other just for me was amusing. Aurora and I have a grand time knowing they are practically vibrating with the urge to insult each other but can’t anymore.

They keep their animosity at bay for us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I want to continue working with Rafael but this time as a financial advisor as I had studied for in London.

Wind picks up once more, and the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, casting yellow streaks across the sky and turning the scattered clouds pink and orange.

We travelled to this small island in the middle of nowhere by boat. We continue to walk towards the gazebo, decorated with white cloth and string lights. Flowers hang all around it, but we are still far from it to make out more details.

“It’s beautiful. I’m sure you haven’t been anywhere like this before,” Rafael comments, and I nod.

“Yeah, I haven’t been to Southeast Asia before. That white mansion behind usis almost the only thing on here,”

Rafael doesn’t comment any further, and we keep walking hand-in-hand until we get closer, and the tall lit up white letters become clearer.

I stop walking just a few feet from the gazebo.

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