Heraiah

CHAPTER 9

My lips were twisting in the wrong ways in disgust. I could not believe what he was saying. He wasn’t even thanking me for what I did for him. Ravier was grinding and agreeing with what Khai was talking about while I was left ignored. That made my blood boil and it shouldn’t be.

“Shouldn’t you be thanking me too?”

“What?” he seemed surprised.

“I helped you too by covering your relationship from the media,” I was implying about my interview, because of that their relationship wasn’t brought up anymore. I knew from the start that was the plan, knowing how Remia would never get in a relationship with Ravier, it was obvious it was all a setup.

“I didn’t ask for you to do it, though,” he smirked and glance at Ravier, in return Ravier gave him a nod in agreement.

“Fine, I’m just glad your fine with this set up,” I stood up and got out of the living room. I was being suffocated in that room with two i***t men who’s teaming up against me. I left to go to the pool area, I quickly took off my shoes and pulled my pants up so that I can soak my feet in the pool.

My mind was clouded but I was at ease once the warm water surrounded my legs. I inhaled and exhaled to let out the stress. Although it worked, it just seemed impossible I’m back. I have to face my family, I have to tell everyone about my engagement and make it seem we are actually in love. I don’t know how to display public affection nor do I know how to present it in any way since I’m not used to that. Knowing everyone in Adreene are like, they’re going to be eyeing us everywhere and of course some people will be skeptical about it.

Those are the people that I should be most worried about. Well, not really. It doesn’t matter what they think as long as Ravier is by my side, I have nothing to worry.

Why did I think of that as if he’s the love of my life? Technically, he is. At least to everyone he will be. But still, when I said that in my thoughts I feel disgusted now to how I said it. It would be a big problem if I ever develop any feelings for him but I must learn to trust and be comfortable around him knowing I’m going to be stuck with him by marriage.

It didn’t even matter to whomever I would get married but I never thought it would be him. Not that I had any problems towards him. Okay, maybe I do. But they were nonsense complains. I just thought I would stay single for the rest of my life. But as long as I help my people, it didn’t matter if I was marrying him or an old man. 

It wasn’t much of a disadvantage to be seen with Ravier. He’s a prince with him by my side I know I am safe. And okay, maybe he is good looking. At least I am getting married with him and not a random old man. I’d much rather want someone who seemed to be like me than have a person whose 5 times older than me. Not that it’s wrong, I’m just not comfortable with that.

Although, Ravier seemed like he was soft. He changed though, last night when I met him once again he was more mature, not only in appearance but in attitude as well. Today, I got to see his face and not in the dark anymore. I didn’t look closer but I could still remember how his facial feature has matured and so did his body. He was a frail boy when we were teenagers. He looked weak and a limp, he was also really indecisive and immature back then. I still remember how he proposed to me in the middle of the night knowing I was on the run.

And I was 19 at the moment. He is a year older than me but he acted stupid. But I am also stupid by just barging in back in his life and disturbing his peace. But he’s accepting me gladly though, if he said no I would respect it. I still feel bad using him, but he’s using me too. I don’t have to feel guilty because I’m using him, it’s a mutual situation. It all comes down to how we’ll treat each other.

Why am I even thinking about him? Oh right, he’s my fiancée. At least I got out stress of my mind.

“What are you thinking so deeply?” a voice asked.

I glanced to see Ravier standing from behind, “Nothing,” I answered shortly. Then something came to my mind.

“Actually, I have something in my mind,” I exclaimed, he pauses and let me spoke. “I want to talk about our relationship, our terms and rules,”

We talked about the terms of our relationship. Even if it is contractional, we must respect each other and hear each other out since there is the 2 of us in this situation. Without trust and respect, the very foundation of our relationship will crumble if we don’t take care of it. I want to make sure we have an understanding in our relationship. The last thing I want is misunderstandings and miscommunication in this agreement.

We sat facing each other, his body was in a straight posture with his hands delicately placed on the table that was in between of us. He was serious now.

“First of all, you will live with me,” he stated.

“Obviously, we must be comfortable with each other regardless of the fact that this is just an agreement,” I said.

“I’m glad we’re on the same boat,” he nodded.

Before I could think I said, “No 3rd parties in this relationship,”

“Why? Will you get jealous?”

“No, I don’t want any misunderstandings and it would be bad for your name and mine, even if we don’t actually love each other, the marriage is still real, I expect you to be respectful and loyal,”

“Understandable, I hope you do the same,” he states. He was awfully formal and respectful.

“Good,” I paused and smiled, “About public display of affection, because we have to master on that, please be comfortable with me when in public,”

“Of course, you are going to be my wife and a lot of people will be watching, I hope you get comfortable with me too,” he says in a formal tone.

It was a weird atmosphere where we both agreed to each other immediately. I could not help but feel uneasy.

“We have to get to know each other too,” I said.

He says, “Don’t worry, we have two weeks to get to know each other,”

I furrowed my eyebrows, “Two weeks?”

“Because you just arrived we can’t just announce our engagement to the public it would seem skeptical,”

I nodded understanding what he said, “You’re right, and it the mean time I would be off the spotlight,” I exhaled and rested my body on the chair.

I was stressed everything would go too fast at the same times but luckily, Ravier thought of a plan. I stretched my arms and massaged my neck. I felt a big pound of worries on my shoulder. I wonder how Bliss and the other Airens are doing, not good maybe.

All of the sudden, my stomach started making noises. I forgot to eat, of course, it’s already almost 11 and I haven’t eaten yet.

“You haven’t eaten yet?” Ravier noticed my tummy growling.

I nodded, “Yes, but I’m okay, lunch is-“

“still, you should eat breakfast,”

“I’m used to it,”

“Doesn’t matter, follow me,” he completely ignored me, stood up. I couldn’t do anything but follow him. I am hungry thought, so I went along and let him pull me anywhere. We ended up in his car, while Khai was sitting on the back.

“I forgot to feed her,” Khai laugh awkwardly at Ravier who did not acknowledge him and was focused in driving.

“You’re talking as if I’m your pet,” I rolled my eyes.

“You are kinda,”

I snorted, “You made me get ready for 30 minutes, we drove in your car for at least 2 hours, we were together for at least 3 hours, and you forgot to give me food?”

“I thought you ate in the hospital,” he raised both of his arms in defense.

“I was asleep when you arrived at the hospital, you really think I would get ready and eat a decent meal in 30 minutes?” I snapped.

He winced, “Fine, my fault, okay? I’ll pay for the food,” he rolls his eye in annoyance.

“You’d be a bad pet owner,” I murmured.

“Well, I don’t intend to keep a pet that has an attitude like yours!” he bantered.

I laughed hysterically, “As if any animal would ever get close to you,”

He gasped, “Animals like me!”

“Yeah, there are many animals like you,” I nodded continuously.

“That was not what I said,” he was offended for sure seeing how close he was on giving up.

“It kinda was,”

“No, it was not!”

“Why are you so sensitive?”

“I am not,” he hesitated and slammed his back on the car seat.

“I’m seeing tears,” I teased him a little more.

“Stop it, I’m already paying for the food,” he rolled his eyes and looked out the window.

I laughed and looked out the window as well while my fingers playing on the soft fabric of my pants. It was easy to annoy Khai, so I got back at him for annoying me a while ago. Ravier who was silent the whole time we were having an argument, I guess he didn’t want to step beyond his boundaries and let us banter as if we’re kids and also because he didn’t want to get in the middle of it.

He sat still and drove. I noticed how he wasn’t really talkative moreover, he was reserved and really quiet. Like he thought talking with us was a complete waste of time. I couldn’t blame him, it is a waste of time. This was fortunate, I don’t have anything to talk to him anyway.