Chapter 18: Chapter 18

"One of the greatest gifts you can gift to anyone is the gift of attention"

-Jim Rohn-

***

After exploring Saint Germain des Pres, Clara went back to Raphael's house by taxi. She mostly only had time to explore a few smaller boutiques and souvenir shops where she bought a few vintage items she found interesting, which would compliment her new room. When she entered the gate, she saw Raphael's white Porsche which he used for work parked inside the garage.

She entered the house and found Raphael seated casually on the couch in the living room, his fingers moved as he typed things into his phone. The sound of her step clanked on the marble floor and it announced her presence. Raphael lifted his head, the moment he saw her, he immediately stood up and approached her.

"Where have you been?" His facial expression showed concern. He crossed his arms with his fingers facing outside in a semi interrogating manner. Clara told him she was just going out to explore part of Paris, and she wondered why he had looked so worried.

Raphael did not appreciate her going out on her own without telling him. Yes, she had every rights to go anywhere she wanted, and he even supported her by giving her some allowance, but he had hoped she would at least text him.

That way, he would not have to worry for her safety. When he arrived home and could not find her home, his heart skipped a bit, he thought she ran away or something, or worse, kidnapped or murdered. She did not go with the driver he had assigned for her, although he had given her the contacts of all the staff on her service a day after she arrived. She also did not pick up her phone, it was on silent. She did not realize someone was calling her as she was busy looking around. He might be overreacting, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

"The next time you go out, please tell me about it" he hugged her tightly and sighed in relief. He would make sure to tighten up the surveillance around the place later. Clara had no idea what the fuss was all about.

After a while he released her, and caressed her hair gently. "I love you so much, do you know that?"

She was speechless, how was she supposed to answer that, if she was honest with herself, she still had her doubts toward him. Something just did not feel quite right. Yet she could not figure out what it was.

On the brighter side, he suddenly remembered something he had planned to do earlier. He took Clara's hand and lead her to the end of the hallway. There was a door which was painted in all black with golden knob attached to it. Clara stared at Raphael in confusion, yet he gave her a bright smile. He opened the door to reveal an art room which was designed in a similar manner to the one she had in Bordeaux.

Raphael had hired an interior designer to create the room without Clara's knowledge. Of course they could not make it an exact copy because he also wanted to match the vibe with the rest of the house, but just by simply adding a lot of wooden accent into the place it had transformed into a brand new space.

"No way!" She gasped. Stepping inside, she rushed to every corner of the room and touched everything. Her belongings which were previously boxed in her room had been neatly arranged for her convenience. There was even a few new stuff which she did not own before. During her stay there he had done nothing but spoil her and it was driving her crazy with adoration. She stared at Raphael who looked proud of what he had done. He was grinning all over with his thumb pressed against his lips.

"Do you like it? This room is all yours, It's my gift for you." Clara felt an overwhelming joy overtook her senses, she power walked toward Raphael and jumped into his arms. She looked up at him and kissed him on the lips.

Raphael was surprised by her move, it was the first time that he had tasted her lips, which tasted like cherry with a bit of sugar on top. Her lips was soft against his own. He placed his hand on her cheek and deepened the kiss. Clara had to break the kiss when she realized the kiss was getting deeper. Raphael felt lost when she parted herself from him, she tried out the new chair and grinned happily, the twinkle in her eyes remained for a while after they have left the room.

Watching her smiling so freely like so made him feel content, her smile was one of the trait which made him fall for her. It was so different from when he found her for the first time after a while, where she was crying. Whenever he found her covered in tears, he felt an urge to punch the walls just to feel pain and comfort her. He wanted to keep her happy all the time, he wanted to please her, because when she was happy because of him, she would stay with him and he was willing to do anything to keep her by his side. If she was by his side, then he would never need anything else. She made him feel complete.

"Raphael, I really don't know what to say. This whole room is absolutely beautiful, it's beyond my wildest dream. It must have taken you a while to assemble everything. Really, thank you. I- I am so happy." She never had to thank him. He felt like it was his duty to grant her everything she wished for in life. After all a woman like Clara only deserved the absolute best.

"Clara, do you know you are the most wonderful thing in my life? This room is just a small proof of my love for you. I would do anything for you, mon amour." Clara felt fuzzy and warm all over. It was the first time a stranger man, who was technically not a stranger anymore did such thing for her.

"I don't know how I am supposed to repay you. This is a lot for me." He hushed her and pulled her back into a hug.

"You don't have to do anything. Just stay with me. Be by my side. I need nothing but your love and presence." Eventually he kissed her again. This time, they lasted a bit longer than before.

When things had settled down a little bit, Raphael and Clara both sat together on the couch and Raphael had something in his mind which he had wanted to tell her since that morning.

"Since you have arrived here we haven't gone out together. Tomorrow I want to take you out." He declared.

"Where?" she raised her eyebrow in confusion.

"You will see." He smirked.