TO LOVE AGAIN

Chapter 4

Her POV

TODAY, Mikael and I are going to visit our favorite jewelry store to choose our wedding rings. I wore a light green sleeveless fitted dress that ended above my knees with a small slit on the right side, and a pair of white rubber shoes. I put my hair in a ponytail and carried a cute sling bag.

I checked myself in the mirror, wearing only a little baby powder. I glanced out the window when I heard Mikael’s car. I spun around once more in front of the mirror before deciding to go downstairs.

As I descended the first step, I saw Mikael come in. He was wearing a maroon polo shirt paired with black slacks and leather shoes. Mommy and Daddy were downstairs; Mikael greeted my parents and smiled. Daddy asked him something, and Mikael answered respectfully.

"Where are you two off to? Don't go too far, you're getting married soon," Mommy asked.

"We're going to look at wedding rings today, ‘My," I answered for us. I kissed my parents' cheeks.

"Oh, alright! Mikael, son, drive safely."

"Yes, Tita," Mikael replied politely.

"Start calling me Mommy, and this man beside me Daddy, so you can get used to it, son."

"Yes, son!" Daddy added.

"Okay, ‘My, Daddy." Mikael scratched his head shyly, and I laughed at his reaction. My parents were delighted to hear Mikael call them Mommy and Daddy.

Shortly after, we left.

When Mikael parked the car in the lot of one of the biggest malls in the city, he immediately got out. I was used to him opening the door for me, so I waited for him to come around to the passenger door. He opened the door and assisted me out. He intertwined our fingers, and we started walking into the mall. Our destination, the jewelry store, was on the second floor.

On the first floor, we passed my favorite sleepwear brand. I pulled Mikael inside, planning to buy a matching silk pajama set, maybe a pair of polo and shorts. My girlfriends had told me they were planning a bridal shower for me a week before my wedding, so I decided to buy something even though the event was still months away.

I was browsing through the items on hangers when Mikael whispered.

"Is it for our honeymoon? Why not try those lingerie . . . ?" he sounded seductive. I looked at him and followed his gaze to the lingerie section. My cheeks turned red when I saw the daring and naughty sleepwear on display.

I nudged him, and he laughed.

"Wishful thinking!" I laughed as he playfully pouted. I quickly gave him a kiss on his lips.

After finishing up, we headed to the counter, with Mikael carrying all my chosen items and still holding my hand.

"Baby, are you sure? You really don't want those?" he teased about the lingerie.

"No way!" I laughed.

Ahead of us in line was a tall woman, her back to us. I couldn't help but observe her from head to toe; she looked gorgeous in her silky gold backless short dress and black four-inch gold sandals. Her sexy back was visible with her hair in a messy bun, and she was holding one of the lingerie items Mikael had pointed out earlier—a black one-piece see-through with lace garters on each thigh.

I glanced at Mikael, expecting him to be looking at the woman too, but he was focused on his phone, with my chosen items draped over his arm.

"Sir Mikael!" Both Mikael and I turned to the woman I had been observing.

"Hi, Denise!" Mikael greeted.

"Good morning, Ma'am Claire!" I smiled awkwardly at her, glancing at her nearly exposed chest. 'Doesn't she have decent clothes?' I wondered.

"Sir, Mr. Yu asked me through a phone call a while ago if you received his text message. He tried to call you, but you didn't answer."

"Oh, s**t! I think I left my other phone in my condo." Mikael had two phones, one for personal use and the other for business. "Please tell him I'm sorry, I forgot to bring my phone. Take care of it, Denise."

"Sure, sir, no problem."

"Thank you! What would I do without you?" Denise blushed like a teenager noticed by her crush.

She didn't stay long and left before us.

After paying for my purchases, we decided to go to Mikael's condo to get his phone. I knew he wouldn't be able to concentrate on choosing wedding rings with his mind occupied by the forgotten phone.

It wasn't my first time at his condo; we've been together for five years, but during those years, we limited ourselves to kisses, cuddles, and makeouts only. No s*x. Mikael respects my principle of only giving myself to my husband.

We went inside his condo and straight to his room. I needed to pee, so I used the bathroom in his room while he went to get his phone. I washed my hands and dried them with his hand towel before opening the door to go outside. But to my surprise, Mikael grabbed me by the waist and kissed me.

I smiled and responded to his kisses. I tiptoed to kiss him better. He switched our positions, moving forward as I stepped back until my legs hit the bed. I sat down, and Mikael bent over, our lips still locked. I lay down on the bed, and Mikael followed, lying on top of me. His hands started to roam over my chest, and I moaned when I felt his touch. His kisses trailed down to my neck as he pulled down the strap of my dress, revealing my black strapless bra. He lifted my back slightly to unhook my bra.

He started to suck on my exposed breast, playing with my erect n****e with his tongue while massaging my other breast. He pulled my dress down to my waist.

He tried to lower his kisses further, but I warned him. He sighed and stopped. He cupped my face and kissed my lips.

"I need you so bad right now, baby. We're getting married in a few months; maybe it's okay now . . . please . . ." he pleaded, kissing me again. I responded, tasting his tongue. Our kisses deepened. I felt his hand travel up my thigh. I was getting lost in his kisses when I realized his hand was inside my dress, touching my womanhood. He slid a finger into my panties, and I moaned in pleasure.

"Baby, please, no . . ." I couldn't deny wanting more, but I had to stop him. "Ahhhh, baby, please, no . . ."

"You don't really want this . . . ?" He touched my c******s, the first time he had reached there, and I moaned again.

"I want but not noooow, pleasssee, babyyyy." Mikael didn't listen and continued, but before I lost control, I grabbed his arm and stopped him. Mikael resisted, trying to kiss me to distract me, but I turned away. "No, please, Mikael!" I said loudly, and he seemed to come to his senses and stopped.

"s**t! I'm sorry, baby. I got carried away. Sorry."

He helped me adjust my dress back into place and sat up. I could see the regret and frustration in his eyes, but he was trying to compose himself.

"It's okay, Mikael. I know it's hard, but we have to wait," I said softly, reaching out to touch his face.

He took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand, baby. I promise to respect your wishes. It's just that I love you so much, and sometimes it's hard to control my feelings."

"I love you too," I whispered, leaning in to give him a gentle kiss. "And that's why I want our first time to be special, on our wedding night."

Mikael smiled and kissed my forehead. "You're right. It will be worth the wait."

We left his condo and headed back to the mall to finally look at wedding rings. The drive was quiet but comfortable, both of us lost in our thoughts.

At the jewelry store, we were greeted by a friendly sales assistant who showed us a variety of rings. Mikael held my hand as we browsed through the displays. We tried on several rings, each more beautiful than the last. Eventually, we found the perfect pair: simple, elegant bands with a subtle engraving inside that read "Forever."

"These are perfect," I said, looking up at Mikael. He smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Let's get them," he said, squeezing my hand.

The sales assistant congratulated us and took the rings to be sized. As we waited, Mikael and I talked about our wedding plans, the excitement building with each detail.

When the rings were ready, we thanked the sales assistant and left the store, feeling one step closer to our special day. We walked hand in hand through the mall, stopping occasionally to window shop or grab a quick snack. It felt like a perfect day, filled with love and anticipation for our future together.

By the time we got back to the car, the sun was starting to set. Mikael opened the door for me, and I slid into the passenger seat, feeling content and happy. He got in on the driver's side, and we headed back home.

As we drove, Mikael reached over and took my hand. "I can't wait to marry you, Claire," he said softly.

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "I can't wait either, Mikael. It's going to be amazing."

And as we drove into the sunset, I knew that no matter what challenges we faced, our love would always see us through.