Chapter 27— Unexpected Devotion

Diana’s POV

"I am sorry I am late, If I had been here earlier all this wouldn't have happened"

"It's fine, what matters is that you are here now."

"I am surprised you've still got those moves," Shania said punching him lightly.

"Oh those moves, they come in handy when I need them."

They kept on discussing forgetting that I was in their midst. I wasn't angry because I understood that it had probably been a while since they had seen each other. Plus, it also felt good to see Raphael smile genuinely.

I was about to move away when I felt his hands on me, griping them tightly a little bit, then reducing their grip. I understood what it meant.

I smiled.

He needed me there with him.

Shortly after a loud screeching sound came from the microphone on the podium.

Mr Lorenzo Junior was on the podium and was going to address everyone.

"I am sorry for what you all had to experience here right now; please, it's with deep and great sadness that I bring to you the news that this introduction party has been moved to three days from now."

Moved?

I was glad it was moved, it didn't feel right to continue after everything that had happened. Besides, Raphael was injured already he needed to go to the hospital.

"The introduction is going to happen!" He yelled from where he stood, holding me tightly.

Everyone turned to look at me. "Irrespective of what has happened here today, I would still love to continue this introduction, as I can't wait an extra day to make her my wife," he said, looking at me.

His eyes carried something I didn't want to believe was real.

Love.

Did he love me?

Could Ciara be right about this not being a contract marriage to him even though he signed and agreed to the contract?

"But son, you are badly injured."

"I am fine," He said

He pulled me along with him as he headed straight to the podium, collected the mic from his father and introduced himself.

"I am Raphael Lorenzo, the first son of Mr and..." he paused; it was as if a lump was stuck in his throat, preventing him from speaking.

He started again, but he kept on stopping at the same part; he couldn't go further.

I understood what was happening to him; it was hard for him to acknowledge them as his parent after all that had gone down.

Especially his mom, it was hard for him. I squeezed his arms tightly, assuring him that he could do it.

He looked at me as he started again from the beginning. When he got to his parent's name, he stopped again, but I made a slight nod, a silent encouragement.

"You can do it; it doesn't matter what they've done", I whispered, smiling at him.

"I am Raphael Lorenzo, first son of the Lorenzo junior and the fiat grandson of the Lorenzo seniors."

He finally said it out.

People gave him a round of applause.

"I know that most of you don't know me; that's probably because I left my family at a very early age to find my path, and here I am, the CEO of my own company and the Heir to the Lorenzos dynasty."

Everyone gave another round of applause.

My eyes drifted to where his father stood with Gramps and Grandma Audrey. I could see that he was sorry.

He knew he had wronged his son.

I was happy that at least one member of his family was sane now, reducing the number of people I was going to deal with.

"Beside me is my wife-to-be, The love of my life."

My ears stood when I heard the words 'love of my life'. Could he be telling the truth?

He raised my hands and people began to clap their hands. My gaze rested on Serena and my adopted parents. They both had this annoying look on their faces, but I couldn't care less.

They weren't my concern anymore; they had already disowned me.

They walked out of the room; I guess they couldn't bear the sight of me standing up there and smiling.

I began to notice Raphael's hands trembling. I looked at him, but he wasn't paying attention; as he announced the date of our wedding a few seconds later, he slumped.

Thank Goodness I was fast enough to sit on the ground, extending my hands well enough so that when he slumped, he slumped on my body.

"Someone call me an ambulance now," I yelled my eyes teary.

"No, no, Raphael, don't do this to me."

I touched his back and found out that his suit was soaking wet with blood. He had been bleeding, and his suit had been absorbing all of it.

He opened his eyes briefly and placed his palm on my face.

"I love you, Diana, I do."

Was that supposed to be the right time?

He was dying and that was all he could say.

The stranger came up to the podium, lifted him, and rushed him out into his car.

I ran behind him opening the front passenger seat.

He zoomed off.

*****

"Thank you," I muttered.

"You say what?"

"I said thank you,"

"Oh no, it's nothing; Raphael was my childhood friend and still, his my friend. I am his only friend, and he's my only friend."

"That explains a lot," I said calmly.

I sat on the right side of Raphael’s bed, and the stranger was on the left side; Shania, who followed behind us earlier, had gone to see the doctor as the doctor needed to see a family member.

"I am sorry, but I haven't properly introduced myself. I am Sebastian Hayes son of Lucas Hayes the"

"You are the mayor's son" I interrupted.

"Yes, I am."

"I knew it, that scent"

"You say what now?"

"Oh, never mind", I smiled.

"I don't know whatever you think is the reason he's marrying you but trust me when I say Raphael cares a whole lot about you."

I looked at him as he slept soundly on the hospital bed. The doctor had given him an injection that would make him sleep for hours.

"Diana!" Ciara called from the door "I am so sorry that this happened on your introduction day."

"It's fine, Ciara, there's nothing wrong", I said, winking at her, trying to tell her I wasn't the only one here, but she didn't quite grasp.

"And who is this beautiful specimen standing in here," Sebastian said, his eyes fixed on Ciara.

Ciara almost jumped off her skin as she didn't know that he was there.

"She's my friend" I replied

"Are all your friends this beautiful?”