Chapter 33: Chapter 33

"Remember, the way you make love is the way God will be with you."

-Rumi-

***

Clara entered her room with a stomp. As she walked inside the room, she pondered why he would shout at her. He did not need to be so harsh on her. She was clueless why he would act that way. Maybe not entirely, but partially. Raphael acted as if he did not trust her, though she had assured him that between her and Corentin there was only friendship and nothing else. He did not seem to trust her. Corentin has been really kind to her, though the two were not exactly close, she could tell the man had no ill intention toward her.

Raphael was definitely over reacting. Clara had no idea that a man's pride was his greatest flaw. By going out with Corentin, she automatically hurt his pride as a man. If a stranger, or any member of their family were to find out about it they would surely side with Raphael.

She jumped on the bed and buried her face on the pillow. Thinking about what just happened. She knew she was in the wrong, because she could not understand his feelings, but her ego had made her unable to comprehend the reasoning behind Raphael's words. If the scenario was reversed, say, if Raphael was to go out with another woman beside her, of course Clara would act out in jealousy, especially since they were engaged already.

After around fifteen minutes of long contemplation, guilt started to engulf her. The more she thought about it, the more wrong she became, no matter how much she tried to deny it, she was in the wrong. Leaving all of a sudden like that was not helping either. Clara sighed, she had let her emotions overpower her. It did not matter anymore, she needed to apologize to him.

Dragging her body out of the bed, she headed to the living room to see if he was still there, but Raphael was nowhere to be seen. It seemed he had gone to work. Clara slumped her body on the sofa. Resting her fingers on her temple, she closed her eyes.

What am I supposed to do now? She asked herself. That day was surely going to be a long one. To kill some time, she headed to her art room to paint, she mixed different hues of blues and grays, picking up her brushes, she dipped the tip before placing it on the snow surface, drowning away all of her worries with the gentle strokes of her brushes. She painted a storm at night, with lighting flashed near a sailing ship, which nearly crashed from a huge wave. It described her emotions at the moment.

Whenever she painted, she would not feel time passing, before she realized it, it was near twilight when she was done with her painting. She even forgot to take lunch. Clara was exhausted, she went to her room and took a quick bath, tied her hair up in a bun and soaked herself in warm water. although she was not sweating a lot she still felt a bit tacky. The feel of warm water against her skin. The heat relieved her muscle which had been sore from walking all day. Her skin was a few shades redder from the sun. When she stepped out she applied some soothing cream and got dressed.

She sat on the edge of her bed, she reflected back on the day, and she realized she had not properly apologized to him Raphael. He must not have been asleep by then, she went to his room and knocked on the door, but there was no response. She turned the knob to find out his room unlocked.

"Raphael, I would like to apolo-" her voice was cut in the middle. She froze at the sight before her.

Right there, his back was facing the door, wearing only his shorts on his body, his t-shirt had been thrown on the bed. It was the first time she ever saw him topless, he was often seen wearing suit which covered the carvings of his body, when she saw him bare like so, she just realized how toned and defined his body was. He was not as muscular as most bodybuilders or athletes, which she preferred because too much muscles in a man frightened her, Clara had to admit. He had one gorgeous hell of a body.

She was about to close the door when Raphael turned to face her. A devilish grin was visible on his face. What a perfect timing. Clara had no idea if his smile was able to hypnotize her, she retreated herself from leaving the room and closed the door instead, leaning herself on the wall. Her whole body was tense under his gaze.

He stepped closer to her while she tried to maintain a straight face, hiding her blushing face beneath her skin with the help of the slightly dimmed room. Gosh, he looked so edible, even Clara who had never had such thought was aware of it.

Her senses heightened as she was cornered. Raphael had yet to move a finger, he just stared at her with a deep longing. Her heart was beating wildly, she hoped he could not hear it. She had seen Marcel's body before and felt absolutely nothing. It was simply that, flesh. Thus, why was she so nervous in Raphael's presence?

Raphael snatched her hand and put her palm on his chest. She gasped from the swift movement. She could feel his heartbeat. His body was warm and his chest was hard. She could feel his muscle, all perfectly built. She looked up at him and the smirk was gone from his face, instead was replaced with a gentle smile.

"This is yours." He placed his hand on top of hers.

"This body is all yours, Mon Amour."

"He leaned himself closer to her, she could feel his breath on hers. She closed her eyes, and he kissed her. This time it was a gentle kiss. Full of love and emotion. It lasted so briefly yet so sweetly.

She parted the kiss and flutter her lashes open. He was smiling and so was she. An unconscious smile escaped her lips. She had kissed Marcel's lips many times before, but it did not feel as good as Raphael's kiss.

"I love you." He kissed her again, and Clara did not return to her room that night.