Tempting the Untouchable

Chapter 19

Raoul

Our wedding planner gave us the specific version of can't help falling in love song wherein it was a cover and it is more in a dramatic genre and it was not the original Elvis but still it's his song.

Raven and I listened to it in the car while driving home.

"What do you think? Should we choreograph it or just go with the flow?" I asked Raven as soon as we got inside our penthouse.

"Hm? I kinda want the thrill and just go with the flow." She chuckled. "I'll go and shower a bit. You want to eat dinner?" Raven asked me.

"I'll just order a take-out, go and take a shower." I went closer to her and I kissed her cheek.

one of my most favorite things to do

She got inside her room and I went into mine.

I'm getting married...

I sighed and went to my bedside table to open the first drawer. As soon as I opened it, there it is, the green big box. I got it out from the drawer and looked at it intently. This is where I kept everything that is about Julia. I opened it and what I felt is all hurt. This is not good for me. I take a look at a picture where me and Julia in front of the eiffel tower, I'm not smiling and she looks like she's mocking my smile. She doesn't like taking pictures that's why whenever we both have pictures, they're forced.

I sighed and my phone buzzed but before I look into the notification, I stared at my wallpaper only to see Raven who's laughing so genuinely on this picture. I smiled a bit. Raven is so light. Raven is like a feather that tickles your heart slowly.

When I said to her that I'm considering this... I mean us. I want to love her naturally and to get to know her. I want her to reciprocate that. I also want her to try and give us a chance and not what she knew wherein we use each other as what she said.

I couldn't even remember when I said to myself to try and give this a chance. All I remember about Julia is pain. Almost 2 months with Raven, I forgot all about Julia. I think to myself that I wasn't capable of loving anyone anymore. When Raven came, it was maddening. Maddening to pretend that I feel nothing yet in reality I feel everything once again.

I thought I knew what love was already.

I managed to build happiness and love once again from the broken pieces of my heart and I can't blame that on anyone.

I looked at the box again and decided that it's over now. I'm marrying Raven and even though it didn't have a proper proposal and it is not the usual reason of why we're getting married, at the end of that wedding day, Raven is my wife and I'm her husband. She will be my Grey.

I closed the box and went out of the penthouse to throw the box to the garbage collecting room so that Raven will not see this and I will not see anymore of this.

The moment I threw the box, I felt lighter. A new beginning it is.

The delivery came and I just ordered chicken take-out.

"Rave!" I called and she shouted "wait" as her response and I smiled at that.

I looked around and I can't wait to renovate this penthouse. I want this to be ours. I want Raven to feel that this is her house too.

"Hey," Raven called and as soon as I saw her I smirked. She's wearing black shorts and a spaghetti strap top that is white.

fuck

"Dinner." I stated and I saw how her eyes lit up to happiness the moment she saw it was her favorite.

"Rao, Since we're getting married in just a few days. Can I ask you something?" I notice how careful Raven is. I nodded at that. She sighed heavily. "I want us to be honest with each other from now on and forward because... 3 years is still long and you're going to be my husband still and I'm... going to be your wife. I don't want secrets and I want each one of us to know about each other..."

"Uh-huh... Tell me what you want to know, darling." I smiled to reassure her that it's okay. Besides I'll consider this as closure and when we both say to each other our past, it'll symbolize closure and a new beginning. I feel hurt and nothing about Julia now.

"Let's tell each other about our past. You start first." She insisted and I nodded.

*****

"I want a box-type design of diamond ring, bub!" Julia exclaimed and I nodded.

"Okay, Honey. Do know we need to talk about this... us... future. I want to know when you're ready." I stated calmly. She rejected me once and I'm not that immature to not accept a rejection. She told me she wasn't ready and I nodded remembering maybe I was too fast and being inconsiderate of her feelings.

"Oh... I'm... not really ready for that conversation yet, Raoul. I don't... Wait... temporarily I don't want kids."

"It's not about the kids, Juls. It's about us. Our kids will just be a plus one in our relationship but this is about us, Honey." I calmed her as soon as I saw she's nervous.

She nodded. "I know I rejected you once but do know I love you, please, Rao. It's just that... I want us what we are now..."

"I'm not pressuring you, Julia. It's okay..."

After 3 years...

Our anniversary is today and I prepared everything that I need. We talked about this a few months ago if she wanted to settle already and she said yes and that's all the answer I need.

I got her desired ring and her favorite flowers.

"Rao! What is this?" She asked so surprised.

I smiled and kissed her forehead. "Happy anniversary, honey." I stated and she just smiled.

Before she could say anything, I knelt down with one knee and I saw the shock ran through her face.

"Julia..." I started and opened the box which showed the diamond box-type ring. "The moment you said yes that you're ready to settle with me, I was so happy that from there, I planned everything out already..." I looked at her and saw that she's just staring at the ring like she's scared. From there I felt fear yet I decided to continue. "Julia-"

"Rao..." Julia cut off my sentence. "Rao... I'm sorry..." I saw tears flowding down from Julia's eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I panicked that I immediately stood up and caressed her cheek.

"I can't, Rao... I can't..." She sobbed and my heart felt like it got stabbed but I didn't mind it.

"What do you mean, Julia?" I asked softly.

"I can't be with you..." Her voice shaking and she looked at me. "Let's break up, Rao."

"Julia, hey, don't make decisions that fast." I panicked now.

"I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE, RAOUL! I DON'T WANT TO MARRY YOU!" She screamed and tried to get away as far from me.

"Julia, honey, please don't shout. Let's talk about this calmy, please..." I pleaded.

"Raoul, please don't make this harder for the both of us."

"It's hard for me already no matter what happens." My voice broke but I still smiled.

"I don't love you anymore, Rao. I can't see a future with you. It's like... I'll be locked up with you forever once-"

"What are you talking about, Julia?" Anger is now rising in me.

"James is not like what you are-"

"What did you just say to me?!" My voice roared like thunder the moment I heard that name. "Don't tell me, Julia..." I took a step back and I saw how fear is now in Julia's eyes realizing what she just said.

"Rao... It's not what you think!"

"I think it is." I stated seriously.

"James and I are just friends! So, stop assuming things, Raoul! I can't be friends with James anymore?!" Julia got mad now.

"Did I interfere with your relationship with him, Julia? Did I say something about him for the past few months after you met him?"

"Don't put the blame on that topic then! This is about me! I can't be your wife because I saw what kind of husband will you be! Your family is uptight, you're uptight, you want a family and I don't! I thought of this so deeply but do know I still loved you but I can't!"

"Then why?"

"I don't want you, Raoul!"

"That's not the answer I want to hear, Julia."

"FINE! JAMES IS BETTER TO BE A HUSBAND OF MINE THAN YOU, RAOUL! I WANT THAT KIND OF MAN AND YOU'RE NOT LIKE THAT! I... I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE... I'm sorry, Rao... Raoul-"

Before I let her continue, I walked out of that place not looking back.