Chapter 32: Chapter 32

"I'm a little territorial and defensive."

-Shia Labeouf-

***

Raphael has just arrived at home after a long day at work, it was fair to say the day had been quite rough for him. A lot of people thought it was always sunshine and rainbow when you're on the top, but when you're on the top, you have more responsibility. Raphael was no exception. Though he never complained, the first thing he wanted to do at the moment was to see his love. Clara had been his biggest support lately whenever he was feeling a tad bit down. Everything he thought of her he found a new reason to do his best. Though in reality, she could be a bit difficult sometimes, what relationship could exist without problems?

Still in his suit, he walked toward her room, he tried knocking but there was no response.

Did she fall asleep already?

He turned the knob to find it unlocked. Good, though careless. She should have locked it beforehand because you could never be too careful. Never mind that, he opened the door slightly, careful to make as little sound as possible. The room was dark and silent, the only light visible came from the two bedside lamp which radiated a faded golden glow, meaning she had set the intensity to the lowest. The curtain was already closed so no light could enter from the outside. Initially he wanted to turn on the light to get a better view but he quickly changed his mind.

As he took careful steps inside the room, he found Clara laying on her bed. She looked unusually tired that day. It was clear from the slight frown in her face she had unconsciously made. He approached her and took a seat at the edge of her bed. He watched her as she slept, gently taking a strand of her hair and softly entwined it in between his fingers. She looked so fragile and vulnerable. It only increased his desire to protect her. The pressure of his weight seemed to rippled on her as she turned her body to face him. She sleepily opened her eyes, when her gaze met his, she smiled.

"You're home." She said innocently.

"Yes, I am." He leaned over to give her a kiss on the forehead. She opened her eyes before slowly sitting up straight on the end. Her hand rubbed the back of her neck. It ached a bit from the sudden movement but it was nothing major, in a semi dazed state of mind, she confessed something.

"I had a nightmare." She told him with a straight face, but her lips formed a light pout, it seemed to him that she was still partially asleep. How can that woman be so beautiful even when she was dazed? He gently touched her shoulder and laid her back on the bed.

"You will be fine. You're safe here. I will turn the light on if you want to." he almost stood up when her hands grabbed his wrist. Raphael was surprised, he turned to face her as she looked up at him with her doe eyes.

"Sleep with me tonight." He could not believe her request. The Clara he knew would not exactly say that. It must have been the drowsiness of the night which made her unable to think straight, though it was nothing major, still, he found himself unable to resist the request of hers. He thought for a second before smiling. He nodded his head and stood up. He backed away to remove all of his clothes and left only his boxer on.

She seemed to be fazed by what was going on. Walking over to the other side, he slid himself into the bed and laid beside her. It felt really good to finally be able to sleep on the same bed as her. Of course, he would not take advantage of the situation, he was not that kind of man.

She wrapped her arms around his body. Even after work he still smelt really nice. There were trails of his cologne which drew Clara to him. She moved her body close to his and rested her head on his chest. Raphael was frozen in place, he had no idea how to react. The feeling of her skin against his own felt exquisite.

Though it was not his first time touching a woman's skin, because it was Clara, it was special. Maybe that night was his lucky night. He reached out to her hair, stroking it ever so gently. Her hair felt soft on his skin. They were like threads of silk around his fingers.

"Bonne nuit, mon amour." He kissed her hair and closed his eyes. Though Raphael wished he could savor the moment and the feeling for much longer, he allowed her and himself to rest in each other's embrace.

Clara woke up that morning on a hard surface, she slowly fluttered her eyes open to find herself on Raphael's arm. She stared up and his face was right above her. Shocked by the sudden realization, she flipped his arm which was wrapped around her waist and slammed it on the bed as she released herself from him. It woke him up, he rubbed his eyes and straightened his back, taking a seat, he stared at her with a sweet smile on his face.

"Bonjour, mon amour, did you have a good night sleep?"

"Why are you here?" She asked.

"Don't you remember? It was you who wanted me to sleep here, so I did." Clara tried to recall what was happening that night but her mind was completely blank. She decided to shrug it off and entered the bathroom to wash her face instead. Raphael chuckled in amusement when he watched her reaction. At the same time, he wondered when he would be able to have her.

During breakfast that day, Clara wanted to tell Raphael about her wanting to go out with Corentin on Thursday, but she was a little bit scared that he was going to get the wrong idea about them. Which, knowing his nature, he would. She was going back and forth in her mind about whether or not she should tell him about it. Her body was fidgeting a lot that morning out of nervousness. Raphael noticed this and he decided to end her torture.

"Do you have something you need to tell me, love?"

"I am going out with Corentin next Thursday." She admitted. A frown appeared on his face at the mention of his name.

Uh-oh. Trouble.

"No, you can't." He firmly stated.

"Why? I can do whatever I want." She retorted.

"No means no, Clara. I won't allow you to go out with him. There is no way that is acceptable." Raphael was not fond of the idea of her going out alone with a man other than him, but it was not just any man, it was Corentin Leclair for goodness sake. That man clearly had a thing for his woman, and heaven knew what could possibly happen if she was to be left alone around him. The thought of them being close to each other was enough to stir jealousy inside of him.

Raphael did not like to share what belonged to him with someone else. Clara was his, he was not going to let another man touched her. There was no way in hell he would let her out with him.

"I've made a promise with him, I need to fulfill it." She defended.

"Just cancel it. I don't want you to be with him. Remember Clara, you are my fiancée, you can go out anywhere with anyone except for him, and other men." he stated. His tone was getting low.

"You know what, Raphael. I don't care about what you say. I have a right to go if I want." she placed her utensils on her unfinished plate and left the dining room.

"Clara, come back here!" he shouted, but she kept walking, completely ignoring his order. Raphael did not think she would act so childish. The thought of her defending that man aroused the possessiveness in him.

All he wanted to do right then was to hit the face of the bastard.