Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Rakia gulped as Dashtan said his confession. She wanted to interrupt but on the other hand she wanted to listen to the man’s explanation.

“She was two weeks pregnant, but not my child. She forced me to take responsibility after she carelessly joined a party with her classmates back in college in America. On an island for three days. I had forbidden her to go but Dalilah is a party girl and stubborn, so I had no choice and let her go.” Dashtan continued his story. Rakia now felt half empty. She was grateful for not interrupting earlier.

“Two weeks later, she confessed to me that she was pregnant and forced me to marry her and take responsibility because she had no idea who impregnated her. I refused to do so and she threatened to kill herself, so I told her to just terminate the pregnancy.” Dashtan took a deep breath, Rakia did too. For some reason, all her muscles suddenly tensed up as she listened to the man’s story.

“After that, we didn’t speak to each other for a few days and before I knew it she went to report to Aunt Hamira and told her that lie. At that time, my relationship with Dalilah was not good because the news that she was going to marry another man had been announced by her family. She deliberately got herself pregnant to avoid marrying that man and instead made me look like the man who got her pregnant.”

Dashtan paused then there was silence between them.

“So, what happened? Where is the baby?” asked Rakia curiously.

“Dalilah herself decided to abort it, because I managed to find out who fucked her while she was partying on the island and threatened Dalilah to spread the evidence of her stupidity to her family, and she finally broke her silence. She accepted the arranged marriage and married her current husband.” Dashtan continued. Rakia remained silent after the story was finished. She had nothing to say for a moment.

“Do you hate her?” she asked after a moment of silence.

“I don’t know, maybe... I just haven’t been able to find the right person to replace all my memories with her,” Dashtan answered honestly. Rakia more or less understood that. After all, Dalilah was the first person to accept Dashtan for who he was.

“That’s a very surprising and complicated story, I guess. You went through a lot of complicated things, I more or less understand why you made that agreement when you decided to marry a woman. And unfortunately, you found a woman who was also desperate about her situation,” Rakia said. Dashtan chuckled, he caressed the skin of Rakia’s arm with a gesture that sent sensitive vibrations throughout the woman’s nerves.

“So, what should I do? You said you didn’t want your place as Dashtan’s mistress to be disturbed by another woman.”

Hearing that, Rakia got up from her current position and changed her position to her stomach and looked at Dashtan seriously.

“Why didn’t she auction off her company? “Rakia frowned. She didn’t know much about the business world.

“I thought of this too, but why do you think she didn’t?” Dashtan only tested. Rakia stared in the other direction as her mind mulled over the answer to Dashtan’s question.

“I don’t know... Maybe... To get your attention back. But I’m confused as to why she offered herself to you when she has a husband? What happened to her household?” Rakia looked back at Dashtan, this time it was the man who was thinking.

“I’ll find out about that. Have you met Dalilah’s husband?”

Rakia nodded.

“When I went to the greenhouse the first time, it was her husband who took me around to see the place, his name is Steven, right?”

Dashtan nodded. His gaze wandering to the ceiling of this room, Rakia enjoyed Dashtan’s thoughtful face. She couldn’t understand why a man as perfect as him had to experience heartbreak. Supposedly, he was the one who had broken many women’s hearts.

“You should be the one who has broken many women’s hearts, not the woman who broke yours,” Rakia chided, instantly turning Dashtan’s attention to her.

“Is that so?”

Rakia placed both arms on the man’s chest and folded them, then rested her chin on her hands.

“You’re one of the bachelors who has the most fans. You know, when I was working in Jakarta, the women I worked with were always hungry for news about you, but unfortunately you were too secretive. If there was an opportunity to do an interview with you, they would queue up for the task,” Rakia says. She reminisced about the time when she was still working in Jakarta.

“Are you one of them?” asked Dashtan with a smirk. Rakia chuckled and then shook her head.

“No, I’m not interested in digging into anyone’s personal life. I’m more interested in news about politics, economics or science. That’s why I’ve never been a reporter who would cover a celebrity.”

Dashtan laughed lightly.

“No wonder you didn’t recognize me the first time we met at the eatery.” Dashtan recalled the beginning of their meeting.

“Yes, but I admit you do attract people, including me,” Rakia said honestly.

“So, I’m your type ,right?” Dashtan looked at Rakia with humor. Rakia rolled her eyes as she snickered. She rose from her current position to sit cross-legged while facing Dashtan who was now lying down.

“Not really.”

“Admit it,” Dashtan teased.

“No.”

“Confess.” Dashtan urged by tickling Rakia, the woman dodged her attacks but it was quite difficult. Until finally they attacked each other and ended up with Rakia trapped under Dashtan’s body.

“If I confess, you’ll get a big head,” Rakia said when their faces were so close. They stared at each other and were lost in their own thoughts but seemed to be connected. Dashtan smiled then grabbed both of Rakia’s hands and held them above the woman’s head.

“We should not make love too often,” said Rakia who understood Dashtan’s intense gaze.

“Why? You’re my wife and I’m your husband.” Dashtan tried to evade.

“Because one day we will separate from this marriage. Sooner or later, I don’t want us to have too many memories that don’t just keep us stuck in an uncertain relationship.”

Rakia’s words hit him again, but hearing that, Dashtan felt annoyed. He tightened his grip on Rakia’s wrist which he was currently holding.

“I told you not to ask for my heart,” he said in an emphasized tone. Rakia looked at the man with a gaze dulled by lust and smiled.

“Then, what should I ask from you? Your money? Your treasure? Ash... Please don’t give me hope if you want our marriage to be limited to that agreement.”

Rakia’s words further fueled both his anger and lust.

“I don’t care who gets hurt later, but right now I want us to go through this together.”

Dashtan pressed his lips to Rakia’s. They finally drifted into that hot and lust kiss until finally, they repeated make love that unleashed their desire that unknowingly bound their feelings to each other.