RIGHTING THE BETROTHAL

"I would also like to thank my dear husband, the board, and the investors for bequeathing me this position and seeing me fit to lead the company. Thank you. I am grateful, and I promise to give it my very best. For each one of us, and my dear late parents' memories.".


I take a break as I dart my eyes around the crowd as they cheer again. I guess my speech is not that boring.

I fix my collar, mentally tapping myself on the shoulder and continue boldly, '"This empire was my father's soul, and so it is to me. I promise to take the responsibility bestowed upon me with passion and determination to work for the betterment of the company and everyone in it. Together, we will make my father's name reign and lift the flag of this empire even to higher heights. Cheers to the growth of The Ricca's empire!" The clicking of the glasses echoes, and we all drink to that. "Enjoy the evening." I end my long, unpredicted speech.

"Did I do well?" I am Damian when I turn to him.


"Extremely well. Were you doubting yourself?" He asks.

"You caught me by surprise, you sweet scheaming soul. I was afraid I would embarrass myself." I take a sip of glass, smiling at the cameras.


Men, haven't they taken enough photos? Goodness!

"I knew you could handle yourself, madam, CEO! I had faith in you. I always do."

"Mmh. It seems you trust me more than I trust myself. How did you even do it? I mean, plan all this?" I ask, curiosity and admiration mingling in my voice.

He smirks, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I would like to tell you all about it, but too bad! Your friends are coming to steal you away from me!"

Aah! Then they better go sit their arses down because I need a moment with my fiancé or husband.

"Are they close?" I ask, not turning around.

"Not really, but given their speed, they will be here in a sec," he states, glancing over my shoulder.

"Come with me, and hurry." I grab his hand and pull him through the crowds, dodging people who have assembled in groups, exchanging words as they wait for the food to be served.

"So, where to? I thought you were taking me to the bedroom," he says with a playful grin as we pass the castle.

"You wish! Are you even strong for that?" I ask, slowing the pace.

I know my friends will kill me, especially if they know I evaded them. But I need this moment.

"You want to challenge me?" I look at him, and I don't say a word.

We halt before the two graves of my parents. Silence echoes between us. I know he is wondering why I brought him to the necropolis.

"If there is one person who trusted you with the whole of her heart, if there is one person who wished for this alliance to come true, it was her—my mother. She was the one who introduced this arrangement, and her last wish to my father was to make sure that I get married to you—the man she chose for me. In her words, according to my father, she said that no man will ever be better for her daughter than you. You are the only one who can love me the way I deserve. Cliche, right?" I ask Damian, who is taken aback by my words.

"It is. I mean, she and I never met. Well, not as far as I can remember. Yet she trusted me that much."

"I felt the same way. But I guess she had her reasons, and if it was only her intuition, then she was so right. I can never be happy in the arms of someone else. So, I brought you here to tell her that her wish has come true and to thank her for choosing you for me. They can now both rest in peace, knowing that they left me in the safest hands."

"And I promise to love and protect you all my life and fulfill their greatest wish—to see you happy. I dedicate my all to you, my love."

"And I surrender my all to you." We gently kiss and pull away shortly. "So, this is it, love? We have ascended to the throne of the empire. What's next?" I ask, drinking the warmth of his embrace.

"We are just getting started, baby. Ready for the second blast of betrothal?" He says this, his face brightening with a broad smirk.

Second betrothal? That is freaking awesome. Besides, I think I am done with dragging time. I really need to be with men legally. I yearn for him to be mine in all senses. I don't want us to waste any more time unnecessarily.

"What are you talking about?" I ask. I know he is up to something.

He smiles, delineating his fingertips on my face as he speaks. 'I want ten days. To remind us why we fell in love with each other. So, are you ready for a juicy adventure?"

Jeez! That thought alone and what he is saying are making me wet already. But on a very serious note, why did we just fall in love? Is there a reason? How did this even happen? Because if you ask me, I would say it just happened. Naturally. Automaitcally. We didn't even know. We couldn't even accept it in the beginning.

But knowing him, I think he has his own brainstorming ideas in his head, and I am so ready for the adventure.

'Why are you taking forever to think, love? Don't you want to go on an adventure with me?" He asks, and he knows just how lame that thought is, which is why he is asking it with a smile.

'I am just wondering how that adventure is going to be, hubby. But your beauty is kind of messing with my brain. I can't get the picture of it," I tease.

He winks, brushing his wet lips on my ear as he whispers, 'Then stop torturing your brain, and just let me show you. You know I never suck on that field, right?"

Damn!

'Before the adventure, which I am so much dying for, sugar," I interject, draping my arms around his neck, 'there is something else important that I think we need to do first."

He furrows his brows in awe. 'Okay. Tell me what that is."

They say that forgiveness brings a sense of peace that superceeds human understanding. And I believe in that. In my case, I forgave my father, even if it was too late. I hope his soul is resting in peace knowing that I hold nothing against him.

As for him, he has his parents alive. I would never want him to say I wish I knew like I did. I want him to make peace with his family. And if that happens, I would be the happiest soul.