Chapter 29: Chapter 29

"People who seek attention need all the help they can get."

-Denis Waitley-

***

It was a cozy Saturday morning, Raphael was drinking a cup of tea on the couch as he scrolled down through his tablet, reading the latest finance and market news on an independent site while thinking of how he was going to spend the day. He could finally have his Saturday in peace as he had finished work, though he was quite a workaholic, it was nice to turned his mind off from work a bit and enjoyed the present.

Usually he had dozens of plan in his head for the weekend, one was having a quick travel to a neighboring city through car or just hang out at a nice cafe or restaurant for a change of scenery, but since having Clara, he was becoming more considerate of his weekend options which needed to suit her as well. He had also started to make different lists of activity to be done together with Clara.

Raphael came to a realization that he was actually quite a clingy man and he wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. It was like a mild obsession. Even though she spent most of his days with her he always seemed to have her in his mind. He had never felt that way toward any other women before but with Clara, everything was different.

Speaking of her, she happened to be sitting on the couch right across him, her eyes were glued on her phone. It seemed like she was texting someone, which was quite unusual for her since she was not exactly a phone person. Raphael was in a spoilt mood that day, he wanted to be comfortable and showered with affection by her. Yet she paid him nearly no attention. He tried moving around her, wondering if she would eventually take notice of him and invited him for a conversation.

A minute passed since his first attempt of grabbing her attention, eventually, he could no longer hold back his curiosity and feeling of being neglected. He moved closer to her and reached out to caress her hair.

"Clara." he called her, leaning his body close to her own. He wanted her attention. it was rare that he could spend time with her in the morning, but Clara was completely ignoring him. Truthfully, it annoyed him a bit.

Who are you texting?  He wondered.

He leaned in closer and closer until his body was touching hers, but Clara was not budging or reacting at all. Her fingers were busy typing her phone. For whatever reason, Raphael was feeling extra needy to her that day. It's like a childish side of him appeared out of nowhere and that child demanded attention. Wearing a gray long sleeve t shirt and long khaki pants, he appeared more casual than his usual self. It might have affected his brain since he could finally lower his guard and relax.

Since he was not getting attention, he decided to bury his face on her neck, inhaling her scent, which made her quickly put down her phone and moved back slightly from him.

"Clara, I need your love, mon amour." He whispered to her, his hand was grabbing her arms gently. There was a deep longing in his eyes that anyone with sight could see what he truly wanted...he wanted her.

"Don't look at me like that." she scoffed. He grinned like a Cheshire Cat, purposely moving his body near her and jumped at a second. She dropped her phone and her arm moved to grab it but it was blocked by Raphael's strong arm. He locked her in like a predator, and she was his prey. She could see hunger in his eyes, they were gleaming. His face was so close to her she could feel his breath above her lips.

"How much longer are you going to torture me by making me wait?" He planted small kisses across her neck.

He thought it would get her in the mood, his hand had moved toward her shoulder with his fingers massaging her gently. Instead of allowing herself to relax and enjoy his touches, she shrugged her shoulder and stared at him with a slightly bothered expression.

"Raphael, I can't do this right now, I need to get ready to go out soon." He stopped what he was doing and stared at her in suspicion. Why did she need to go out on her own when he was right there to accompany her?

"Where?"

"I made a promise with Renee to visit her house today, I must be there at 10." she tried to push him away but his chest was as hard as a rock, it was practically immovable.

"Renee who?" Of course Raphael did not remember who she was even if Clara mentioned it. That night his attention was fully on Clara, he was guarding her from Corentin who indirectly tried to steal his woman away from him, why would he even bother staring at other women when he had her by his side.

"Never mind, I can't, you know what, I should get ready now, now get off me!" Raphael moved away and she released herself from under him. She quickly headed to her room, leaving Raphael hanging with his unsatisfied desire. He slouched on the couch, taking a second to ponder why he even managed to fall for Clara.

Raphael figured he was a needy man when it came down to the women he loved, he needed her attention, but Clara had never given it to him. He had done a lot of things for her, buying her expensive dresses and jewelries, bringing her delicious food, even offered to give her a massage, none of it worked on her.

Or, maybe it did. She just did not show it. A small smile escaped his lips. It must be it. She must have secretly fallen for him already. She was just being shy. It was the only explainable reason.

Maybe I am too insensitive.