CHAPTER 1

–ALORA EUNICE’S POV–

Seven years ago…

"Alora Eunice Escarra, my future wife... will you marry me?"

Oh my God! This is too unexpected, and I don't know how to react. We've been in a romantic relationship for three years, and I'm very surprised that this day will eventually come.

He's waiting... What should I say? Should I say yes? Am I ready?

"Oliver, I..." I looked around and saw Raña watching us from afar. She scoffed and rolled her eyes. I know she’s too bitter to be happy about this special moment of my life.

I noticed Rome De Herrera, who had just shown up and called Raña to get her attention. I was unable to hear what he was saying, but I knew that he was talking with his younger sister.

Before they left, I felt like my gaze aligned with Rome’s and my heart skipped a beat. No… I shouldn’t feel this way.

"Alora?" I went back to reality when I heard Oliver’s voice. He’s waiting.

"Say yes, Alora!" Someone teasingly shouted.

"Looks like our Oliver boy is so nervous!"

"Relax, man!"

"Accept it, girl! Oliver’s never been like that, not until he met you."

I felt a bit of pressure from our friends. I really thought that we'd be here to celebrate his friend’s birthday, but he planned all of this just to propose to me.

"Oliver, yes." I gave him my sincerest smile.

"Yes?" His eyes widened as if he didn't expect me to accept his proposal.

"Yes," I assured him. "I will marry you!"

"Damn... thank you," he slid the diamond ring in my finger and immediately stood up to hug me. "Thank you. I love you. I love you. I thought... you're going to reject me."

His eyes were teary. We looked looking at each other's eyes while his cold hands were gently caressing my cheeks. His hands were evidence of his nervousness. Did he really think I was going to reject him? Knowing that we’re sometimes talking about these things, like marriage and such.

Oliver stared at me for a moment, then his eyes diverted to my lips. My face heated, and I expected him to do something more. He didn't disappoint when our lips touched each other, and he kissed me softly and passionately, not minding the people around.

"Congrats, Alora!" Heather, one of my close friends, greeted me, then we made a toast. The bar is too chaotic.

I received warm greetings from acquaintances who learned about my engagement with Oliver a while ago. I was startled a bit when I felt a hand snaking around my waist, and it gently pulled me closer to him until our bodies collided.

"Are you tired, babe?" Oliver whispered in my ear. I felt a little ticklish when he did that. "Let's have dinner, then proceed to our room. You seem tired."

I agreed. I’m not really used to chaotic places like wild parties, I’m a lover of peace and silence. Perhaps, I tried bearing this one out of courtesy, since we are the highlight of the night. Good thing, mom let me attend because she knows that Oliver will be proposing to me. Knowing her, she is not the type to let me be seen in this kind of place, especially since we hold a reputation that shouldn’t be tarnished.

“I really can’t believe that we are now engaged,” Oliver reached for my hand while we were waiting for our dinner to be served. “It’s kind of a pity that our families didn’t witness my proposal. They’re too busy, you know?”

“I know,” I can’t hide my happiness while looking at his warm, loving eyes.

“Rest assured that they are fully aware of our simple engagement. Perhaps, we will be having a simple dinner, making this official in front of our parents,” he said, with a lot of plans in mind.

After the romantic dinner Oliver and I shared, we proceeded to our hotel room, and I was startled when Oliver made me face him and planted a kiss on my lips. I thought it was just a brief moment, but his kisses suddenly deepened. It feels like I was intoxicated by his touches.

"Alora..." he said, pulling a bit. My eyes were fixed on his slightly swollen lips. "Look at me."

I looked at him with sleepy eyes. He is staring at me and his eyes seem to tell something. He is asking for my permission to do 'that' thing, I guess.

I know I am not in my right mind to think straight. I’m too drowned by his kisses. I don’t even know if I answered him correctly. All I remember is he pushed the back of my head towards him and nibbled my lips. I felt my back touch the soft mattress and our lips were still locked into each other.

"Oliver..." I moaned when his kiss went to my cheeks until it reached my neck.

"I love you, babe. I love you," he sweetly whispered to my ears, which added to the sensation I was feeling.

He unbuttoned my top and my underwear was revealed. When I felt the cold atmosphere inside the room and a sudden knock at the door, I immediately turned back to reality.

“Babe… someone’s knocking,” I said, gently pushing him to open the door.

“Let them, babe…” he’s still continuing what he’s doing to my body. But I am bothered because someone keeps knocking.

“Oliver…” I made him stop. He pushed himself up and cussed before leaving me on the bed.

As I was waiting for him to come back, I looked at my top clothes on the floor.

I wasn’t ready.

“A drunk woman knocking on the wrong door,” Oliver said, greatly annoyed, and heard him closing and locking the door.

When Oliver was about to turn back to my lips, I gently pushed him away from me. My heart’s beating so fast, and I’m so nervous as hell.

"Babe..." his expression seemed to ask why did I stop him?

"You know that I want it after the wedding, right?" I couldn't look in his eyes. I’m too shy to look at him because I gave him false hope. For sure, he’s on fire, but it can wait, right? He’ll understand and respect what I want, right? I hope… "I..." I gulped, trying to look him in the eyes.

"If..." I heard him sigh heavily and push himself upward, leaving my top. I immediately covered myself with the blanket. "I’m sorry, I forgot… I just thought… If that's what you want. Sorry."

"I'll... just take a shower," I said, running away from that awkward situation. I entered the bathroom, closed the door and leaned on the bathroom wall.

Damn... He just proposed to me. Is it really necessary to do that thing? Should I just go with the flow and let him lead us into something we might or might not regret later? He is the first person I am romantically intimate with, so I am kind of lost and don't really know how to react.

I may sound traditional, but it is very important for me to have a wedding before lovemaking.

“I’m sorry, Oliver.” I whispered under the warm shower.