Chapter 9 - Please Be Mine

Since then, I spent every night at Damian's place, sleeping in Rai's room. Our relationship became deeper. It wasn't always about making love. Oh, trust me, our lovemaking was always intense. True, we did it every night, morning, and sometimes afternoon too, but it was beyond that. We spent many nights talking about deep stuff; it bonded us in ways beyond any relationships I'd ever had. We really gave our souls to each other.

***

One night, after one of our many lovemaking, Rai asked me to go downstairs with him. He led me to the grand piano and sat me down beside him.

"Rai, you can play the piano?" I asked, though not surprised at the thought.

"He was the best in his class." I could hear Damian's voice from behind us. I turned around and realized that Damian was sitting on the sofa, watching tv, his back toward us.

"That good, huh?" I teased Rai.

He smiled softly and started playing a song that I recognized. It was 'I Do' by 98 Degrees. He was pretty good; I thought to myself until he sang.

All I am, All I'll be...

Rai's voice was so beautiful. His deep voice was so smooth, so melodious, and somewhat so sweet-sounding. He played while closing his eyes, smiling softly, as if remembering something.. something beautiful.

Your hand brushes mine

And a thousand sensations

Seduce me cause I...

He opened his eyes slowly, looking straight into mine. His gaze pierced right through my heart. Did he feel the same way I did when our hands accidentally brushed on the first date?

Still gazing into my eyes, he smiled softly at me, alluringly yet full of love. I could feel the love he had for me. A love so deep like none I'd ever felt before.

His gaze, his voice, his smile, everything about him captivated me. I couldn't look away.

I've waited so long to say this to you

If you're asking do I love you this much

Baby I do...

He finished playing and singing, and I clapped my hands.

"Rai, that was beautiful," I told him.

"Thank you, Princess." He said as he took my hands.

"Princess, there is something that I need to ask you." He kept his hold on mine but looked unsure.

I waited patiently while smiling at him, encouraging him to ask me his question. I had no idea what it was, but it couldn't be anything terrible since Damian was with us.

"Princess, will you be my girlfriend?" He finally asked, looking deep into my eyes, smiling shyly.

I couldn't answer immediately, and I could see his smile faltering. He was scared of me not returning his feeling. All I could think at that moment was how silly the question was. I was already 32 years old, and to be asked that kind of question was silly. I thought it was already implied that we were in an exclusive relationship. But I was also scared to answer, to put a label on our relationship, as I had a failed marriage and my heart was broken many times.

"Princess?" He asked again, expecting me to answer.

"Umm.. Rai. It's not that I don't want to be your girlfriend. But I've had my heart broken, and you know, those bad experiences. I'm scared to be in a relationship. I don't want to experience a broken heart anymore. Furthermore, I will be a divorcee, and you are still single. And I have bipolar. Are you sure you want to be with me? Do we need to put a label on our relationship?" I asked him, stating all the facts so he could think about them before actually saying yes.

"Yes, Princess. There is no doubt that I want to be with you. I don't care about your status or your past. As for your bipolar, I will go to the psychologist with you and learn more about it so I will know how to handle it more. I have never felt like this in my whole life. I love you, princess. I will never break your heart. You know how much I love you. Please be mine." His voice was firm, and I could see his honesty and determination in his eyes. All the while, he was looking at me, hoping that I would agree to be his girlfriend.

How could I say no to him? This beautiful angel that I'd fallen in love with, and who still wanted me even when he already knew all the bad things about me, how damaged I was.

"I'm already yours, Rai," I whispered; the words came out without me realizing it.

"So, you'll be my girlfriend, Princess?" His eyes lighted up at my answer.

"Yes, Rai. Yes!" I laughed, feeling giddy.

He picked me up and twirled us around. I laughed at his joy.

"Congrats, buddy. Now you have a girlfriend. And Kat, congrats on having a boy toy." Damian said, smirking.

I'd forgotten that Damian was there, but I couldn't care less about him. All that mattered at that moment was how happy Rai was and how happy I was.

"Damian, could you cover my princess' eyes?" Rai asked Damian as he put me down.

"Sure." Damian walked behind me and covered my eyes with his hands.

"Where is it?" I could hear Rai asking Damian.

"Left wardrobe," was all Damian said.

"What's Rai going to do to me?" I asked Damian.

"Just wait for it." He simply said.

I waited for Rai to come back, thinking about what he would do to me, asking Damian to cover my eyes.

"Alright. You can open your eyes, princess." I heard Rai's voice.

Damian let go of his hands, and I opened my eyes.

Rai was standing in front of me with a big Hermes box.

Oh no, it couldn't be, I thought to myself.

"Princess, I want you to have this." He offered the box for me to take.

I reached for it and opened the box and dust bag covering the item inside. I could see that it was indeed the Birkin bag that I wanted.

"Oh my God, Rai. When did you buy this?" I was shocked that he had bought me a Birkin.

"During our dinner last time. I asked Damian to buy it since the SA knew him." Rai told me. So Damian left to buy the Birkin bag at that time? I thought he was buying another bag for his mom.

"Rai, you shouldn't have. How much is it? I'll pay you back." I looked at the bag, then at him.

"No, it's my gift for you, Princess. Please don't pay me back." He shook his head, reaching out to tuck my hair behind my ear, and slowly caressed my cheek with his finger.

"But, Rai.." Before I could say what I intended to say, Rai shook his head again.

"Please don't pay me back, Princess. Please just take it." He whispered.

I couldn't think of anything to say, but I finally managed to thank him. "Rai.. I.. Thank you so much. It's been so long since I've received a gift, and one as expensive. Thank you so much. You don't know how much this means to me. Thank you." I whispered back. I could feel tears forming at the corners of my eyes. I was so touched, not because he bought me a Birkin, but because of his thoughtfulness. And at the same time, I was scared, scared of getting hurt again.

"Princess, I love you.. with all my heart. I will give you everything I can to make you happy. Never doubt my love for you, Princess." Rai said while wiping away my tears and looking deep into my eyes.

At that moment, that was all I needed to hear. I could see the love in his eyes, and I knew that I didn't need to be scared of loving him.

After that, Rai was almost always by my side. We spent so much quality time together. The only moments we were apart were when Rai had to go and take care of some businesses.

Of course, we also spent time with Damian, who kept on teasing us for being cheesy, but still, we spent time together like old friends.