[ Rain ]
They say, bad beginnings make good endings. Our married journey started on a rocky path but I determine to walk through all thorns and bumps in a hope, my happiness would be waiting at the end but last night Nicholas splashed cold water on my bubbling hopes.
I thought we have a progress in our relationship, he started acting less cold and interacted with me, it gave me little bit of hope that one day we'd have something of our own, something I could cherish but he made it clear that he still thinks of me as a happiness robber. It was my plotting that Rose ran away, my father has a secret agenda against him.
I can't understand him or could tell if everything is permanent in his heart for me, precisely the hatred but I believed he considers me at least as a human being and treat me kindly.
I play with the big stone on my finger, it sits like a thousand ton weight which wants to crush me under it.
I smile sadly on my fate grazing my thumb over the fine cuts of the diamond, I recall the golden advise he gave me last night apart from the cruel words which broke my heart in zillion pieces.
"You don't have to force yourself for something you father wishes for you. Follow your own instincts, what you want to do in your life before putting others' wish for you. Be selfish for once if it doesn't hurt others. Be yourself, Rain."
"Rain, you're here and I was looking for you in the whole house." I hear Elle's tired voice which brings me out of my trance. She's standing ten feet away from me under the shade to avoid coming directly into the sunlight.
"Sorry, I didn't inform anyone before coming here. I was about to come back but you know, these birds and butterflies, they held me captive." I smile gazing at the beautiful garden stretched in a big piece of land at the backside of house, one can call it a mini orchard as it has more trees whereas the front garden has floral plants.
"You love feeding the fishes and the birds, don't you?" Elle walks upto me and sits on the empty space beside me on the marble bench under a huge plum tree.
"Yeah, they're the best part of this breathtaking heaven." I glance down at the artificial fish bond which has aqua blue water and colorful fishes inside. They're coming on the surface in a hope to get more food from me.
"Nicholas Sir loves coming here on Sundays and spends the whole afternoon here if his friends doesn't visit." She tells me.
I remember his friends whom I met only once and the experience is bitter sweet. His male friends are good people but Charmaine, she has a big crush over my husband. I didn't miss the obsession in her eyes whenever she looked at him. I just pray he won't reciprocate her feelings.
"They don't visit now, am I the reason?"I ask her as she knows this family better than I do and probably more close to my own husband than me.
"No dear, absolutely not. They must be busy in their works that's why they don't come often. Nicholas will never cut his ties with his friends or ignore them for anybody, they're thick as thieves specially Nicholas and Xavier's bond. They're similar in nature." She shakes her head dismissively.
"He hates me, Elle and he won't ever trust me let alone love me." I share my grief with her.
"You're wrong here, Rain. He doesn't hate you. I agree, he might be angry on you but he doesn't hate you. I can assure you about it. It was yesterday when he asked me to clean one of the spare rooms which is neither too damp or too open to sunlight because he wants you to set up your studio there. He also told my son, who is his personal bodyguard to fetch your rest of the photographs from your father's house. I also heard him talking with the trustee of the Madam Antoinette Institute of Arts for your enrollment for a diploma so you can become a professional photographer." She tells me.
It comes like a four hundred watt shock to me. Whatever Elle just said, it's beyond my belief. Nicholas Blackwood took efforts for me to live my dreams at home. He wants me to continue taking pictures and enroll in the best institute of Arts for my diploma.
"He is not bad, definitely not towards his own wife, Rain. He's just afraid of another heart break." She rubs my forearm in a comforting manner.
"His words hurt, Elle. I try acting strong but they alway hurt more than others times. Everytime I take a step forward, he takes two steps back like he doesn't want to life another chance himself and Nicole, she's adding more fuel to the fire. Why can't she see that I don't have ill intentions towards her brother, why she avoids seeing my love for him?" I let out my frustration about his elder sister who has a deep influence on her brother.
"Nicole has gone through worse, Rain. I am not supporting her ill treatment towards you but she has her own fears. She was once betrayed by her lover and same happned to Nicholas. I can only ask you to be patient which you are. They will love you very soon." She again talks of optimism, why can't she notice my vulnerability?
"I need time, Elle. I love him and I want to be with him as his life partner but I also don't want to forget myself, my whole existence and more importantly my self respect which they crush very often." I look away to hide my tears.
"Then luck is giving you a chance, my dear." A dreamy smile plays on her lips.
"What do you mean?" My frown deepens.
"Sorry, I forgot to mention it first I came here. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood is here and they want to see you urgently in the home office of Sir Nicholas." Elle slaps her forehead.
Nervousness hits me like a strong wave. His parents are here after what happened last night during the dinner. They left with disappointment. How am I going to face them? My palms become sweaty.
"Why are they here and why they want to see me?" I ask stupidly. They are my in-laws and they don't need an exuse to meet me.
"You have to find it out yourself, dear. Come, let's go before they blame me of not telling you though I highly doubt they would say a word to me. No one ever disrespected me in this household." She keeps praising the Blackwoods. I wish my opinion was the same as hers in most of the matters.
I nervously walks inside the house and navigate my way to his office, one of the forbidden areas for me to enter. Adrenaline rushes through my blood. Will Nicholas be there and what is awaiting for me?
Upon reaching in the front of a huge wooden door, I knock it softly.
"Come inside, Rain." I hear Maa's soft voice from the other side.
Slowly opening the door, I timidly step my foot inside. My sight welcomes the familiar faces of Nicholas, Papa and Maa. His parents smile warmly at me but I can't dare to glance at him as his stiff posture is telling me that he's fuming in anger. A danger sign board for me to stay in my safe territory. Surpassing his barriers means doom.
"Oh my beautiful daughter-in-law! I see you look more beautiful than last times." Maa envelopes me into a tight embrace and I immediately reciprocate it feeling motherly warmth.
"You're more prettier than any other women, Maa and I missed you." I kiss her cheek and move forward to Nathan Blackwood aka Papa.
He too wraps his arms around me for a loose hug.
"How are you, Rain?" He asks me with a warm smile stretched on his lips.
"I am good, Papa." I smile briefly at him. He could see through my mask so, there is no use of making excuses.
"Sit, children. We need to share this surprise with Rain as well." He eyes his son, a hidden warning for him to act nicely.
Groaning under his breath, Nicholas sits on the far end of the leather sofa whereas I choose the nearest spot. Papa and Maa occupies the swing chairs.
"Here is the surprise, Rain." Maa forwards a Manila envelope in my direction.
I look at her and then at the packet confusingly.
"What is it, Maa?" I ask her.
A knowing smile appears on her face," The pass to your dreams and a kick start for your marriage." She says still not giving me my answers.
Papa clears his throat to gain our attention,"Last night wasn't what we expected to witness, kids. It forced us to interfare in your marriage. Please forgive us, it's not our place to decide what you both need in your lives but being your parents, we're worried for both of you and your future together. Therefore, I and Sofia decided to send you both on your honeymoon to one of the exotic places on the earth, Greece, Italy and Switzerland for a fifteen days long trip. Rain, I heard about your passion. This trip will be helpful for you to capture some beautiful pictures. I'll handle the company in the absence of Nicholas. I actually do it. So, pack your bags according to the weather in these countries and be ready by nine tomorrow morning. I want you two to work on your relationship, it's a holy bond and as far as we can see, Rain truly is loyal to you, Nicholas. So, move on with that treacherous girl and give your lawfully wedded wife a chance." Papa says to both of us.
I feel my blood freezing in my veins.
We're going on our honeymoon!
I and Nicholas will be all alone for next fifteen days.