THE RULES LIFTED

We both deserve a second chance, just like everyone else does. The love we share goes beyond the bond that united us from the start. It is so great that it doesn't deserve to be wasted. I am giving this another chance, and I also believe that fate wants us to be together and happy despite all odds. That has been proven beyond doubt.


"Thank you, Ellie," he whispers to my hair where his head is buried, and I tighten my arms around it.

A small mistake shouldn't deny us a chance to be happy. I may not concur with how he handled the situation. Maybe I would have done things differently if I were in his position. Or maybe I would have the exact same thing if I were in his shoes. Because above everything, I also understand his sentiments, and I can't even begin to deduce the kind of pain he felt over and over again every time I spoke of my betrothed. I caused him pain too, so much pain, because not even once did I ever speak of my betrothed in a good way. It was nothing but curses that I threw at him, even to his face. I can't even begin to imagine that torture

"Does that mean I am free to court you again, baby? I want to court my betrothed," he says.


So I am already his baby, and apparently his wife, but we are just beginning our courtship. The story of our lives continues to get deeper and juicier every single day that passes by. And I want to lose myself in this again. In him. In this love.

"Do you want to, or what do you want?" I ask as he cups my face, nuzzling my cheeks, the adoration in his eyes melting my heart. I missed this closure. I missed his touch. I missed being able to gaze into his eyes like this and melt away into their bottomless depths. I miss being in his arms and hearing him murmur sweet words in my ears. Or even just watch him annoy me to the core. That is my Damian! No matter what he does, he will always spike the love I have for him. I miss him in his entirety—him and everything he is made of.


"I have a long list of things I am yearning for, Ellie," He whispers.

Ellie! I love how sweet my name always rolls out of his lips. I am still yet to decide which I am in love with more when it comes from his mouth. But I doubt I will ever be able to decide. As long as it is from him, the feeling will just be the same.

"Name them all. I am all ears," I respond, shifting my posture.

"It is quite a long one, but here is what I want the most." I pay attention to him as he speaks. "I want to jump right into marriage because I feel like this love story of ours has dragged on for so long. It feels like we are going around in circles, yet we are destined to be. I don't want to waste any more time."

Ahem! Marriage? Of course, I want to be the real Mrs. Damian Almeda Riccaforte. Not this shame, and not marrying by force or because we are bound to. Because I want to. And that is what I want the most.

"But we have to resolve this family issue first," Damian adds.

Yeah! Those witches have the magic of ruining everything for me! From which cursed hole did they come from?

"So, in the meantime, allow me to make up for all the wrongs I did to you." He adds, clasping my hands into his. "I want to make you happy by being an incredible betrothed. I want to erase all the hatred you felt for me all of your life."

Ooh! That sounds terrific! Not like he needs to do anything because that anger has already melted. I see him as the man I love, and that is what matters. However, I know him. If he is hellbent on doing this, there is no way to stop him.

"Wish granted. But it is going to be two-way compensation. You try and be the betrothed, and I am the incredible betrothed that the universe will ever have," I respond, and he smiles broadly, his deep dimples portraying just how broad and beautiful his smile is.

I lean in as his grin fades, the dark glow in his eyes becoming so dominant. I rest my forehead on his. "I am sorry for hurting you, love. I was just so scared of losing you, and I didn't know that the truth would come out so soon. But I promise, from now until death do us part, no more secrets." He whispers to my lips, his eyes browsing mine, and the longing in them weakens my bones.

Until death do us part, because nothing else can separate us. Actually, not even death, because our souls will be united until eternity. Our love will bind us forever.

"I love you so much, Damian Almeda Riccaforte. Until eternity, you will have my heart, body, soul, and mind. You are my all, love," I whimper.

"Tea amo mucho, mi amor. Eres mi Vida. Until eternity," he whispers back.

We solely surrender our longing to each other, the deep, slow kiss symbolizing just how much we longed for this. The dancing of our tongues doesn't just soothe our thirst; it also seals our promises to each other.

I can never fall in love the way I now do. There is no other man I can ever love but him—my betrothed, my sweet Damian. He was not just born and reserved for me, but he was also made solely for me. And I claim him. I accept him for his flaws and flawlessness.

As I tremble in his arms as the kiss intensifies, I surrender my all, and I also, at this particular moment, do what our parents chose for us. I locked all the hatred I felt for this arrangement out of my heart. Right here—this love, these desires, this passion—I have righted all the wrongs. We are one, fated from the start, and the heavens have blessed this pure love. We are free to love and live happily.