[ Rain ]
Nicholas's bipolar behavior is something I always find unable to decode. Last night he just only not expressed his wish to get rid of our forced marriage, he confessed his leftover feelings for my sister.
But today, in the morning, he apologized for his rudeness and also offered to join me on a mountaineering trip with the other tourists.
I must say, he's a skilled hiker, he stayed behind me and took care of me on a height from where I begun shaking in fear but he distracted my mind from looking down and we made it on the top of the cliff.
"Back to the earth, Rain." His husky masculine voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I divert my gaze on him who has a beautiful smile playing on his thin coral lips.
"I am on the earth." I reply digging on my dessert.
"You were staring at the barista for last ten minutes. I guess either you're crushing on him or you were lost in your thoughts." He says with a cocky smile.
I look down in embarrassment. It means, he caught me red handed. So, there's no use of making futile excuses.
"I was thinking about the upcoming exhibition. I want to participate in it but I need our families' permission first." I play with the fruit chunks in dark chocolate sauce as I expect him to throw another insulting remark regarding my dependency on others.
"Really? You're looking forward to go professional with your passion?" He asks with daze in his eyes and his voice reflects surprise.
"Yes, I guess you were right. I should give the next few years to my dreams before stepping in the shoes of my father. Business was never my thing but I can handle it for my Dad but I won't give up on my dreams as well. Someone showed me the mirror of realization and I'd always be grateful to that person." A smile form on my lips when I remember Xavier's encouraging words.
"Someone who isn't I?" He raises his brow.
"Yes, it's not you but my friend." I reply and finish the rest of my sweet treat. The one thing which I'd never forget about Switzerland is their sweet.
"Anyways, I am glad that you want to focus on your dreams first. Sorry, it slipped from my mind due to additional work load that I hired professionals to set up a studio for you at home. You can look for a place in the city to establish a large studio with a team of your own and a gallary attatched to it in the future."
"Honestly, I didn't look forward to establish a larger work place for my hobby but you give me a brilliant idea. I would start hunting for a perfect location once I convince myself that I can actually make money and name for me in photography." I tell him my plans for future.
"You don't have to trouble yourself, Rain. We have many properties across the city which we never used. You can pick any of them which suits your taste and of coarse, the attraction of art lovers." He suggests and it surprises me even more, Nicholas is being very considerate of my life.
"Thank you for your generous offer, Nicholas but I want to start from scratch and if I take your help by either financially or anything which would always remind of my dependency on others." I express my firm opinion on never taking a favour from Nicholas.
I have to make him see a different side of me other than my stereotypical image of a frail woman who looks up at others for everything she needs.
"I am your husband, Rain and whatever Blackwoods own is legally yours as well." He says defensively or with disappointment. I couldn't decipher.
"I know, Nicholas and I really appreciate your offer but all these years, my Mom never leave a chance to remind me of my shy and introvert nature which often forced me to seek either my Dad or Rainard's help in anything I did. She always used to tell me how independent and confident was Rose both in personal and public life and it's true. Roselie has everything that I lack." Sadness pools in my heart as I remember those days when Mom used to give me long lectures on self grooming whereas Rose gave me a shoulder to cry.
"Don't let your mother's shitty opinions affect your decisions and your personality, Rain. She's is a hypocrite and has a big role in Roselie's spoiled nature." His expressions changes suddenly.
"If you had said it a few years ago, I would had fought with you for insulting my mother but now I think you're right. She always try to polish her favorite child's flaws by highlighting mine, sometimes non existent flaws which I never had." I say in a low voice.
"Hey, don't ruin your mood by talking of unnecessary people in our lives. We have these two weeks to leave behind our lives and enjoy this holiday as much as we can." He squeezes my hand. He doesn't know but it sends an electrifying shiver down my spine.
"Yeah, we have only tomorrow's day here in Switzerland. I want to go for shopping." I express my wish in anticipation that he may want to come with me.
"I don't take you as a shopping maniac."He narrows his eyes at me.
"You don't know me at all, Nicholas. I do love shopping but I don't spend money on unnecessary things like most of rich girls. Actually, I want to collect souvenirs from here and of coarse, some gifts for our families." I tell him.
He says nothing but keeps staring at me which makes me more uncomfortable yet it creates butterflies in my stomach.
'Hold on, Rain. He doesn't see you in the way you want him to. Remember, he loves Roselie. He can never be yours.'
"I'd come with you if you need a company." He offers much to my surprise. Why all of a sudden he started being over gentle towards me?
"Are you sure? I mean most men do not like to follow women in their shopping quest."I try to joke but the seriousness on his face forces me to stop.
"I don't fit in your stereotypical image of a man. I do enjoy giving company to my Mom and Nicole during their shopping whenever they force me to accompany them." He says.
"You do?" I ask in wonder.
"Yes." He gives a firm nod.
"Okay, then I would be honored to have the great business tycoon Mr. Nicholas Blackwood carrying my shopping bags like a true gallant." I shake my head as a grin threaten to escape.
"Great! We'd leave after at a local diner. They serve the best local cuisine." He says.
"So, what happnes when we return to our home?" I ask out of the blue which gains his attention who was paying the bill.
"In what sense did you ask?" He frowns.
I sigh, he really needs to work on his conversational skills with women."I mean will we talk or behave this nicely once we'd be back home?" I ask him. His answer would change or continue my perception of him.
"No, It won't change the friendly bond we created here though, I resume my work and may be spend more time in office to make my dream come to life. I guess you also have the upcoming competition, you'll be busy preparing for it?"
"Yes, I guess you're right. I have to think of a unique theme for my photographs. They mean the world to me." I reply and suddenly feel excited to talk about photography.
"Do you want a new camera, the lastest and best in the professional range?" He asks.
"Yes, I do want one but I can't afford it right now. May be, in a few years.' I say with half heart."But don't you even try to think of buying it for me. I don't need a new camera until I decide to part take in an international exhibition." I reply him honestly because not less than twenty four hours ago, I wasn't sure of my own future and my career but a push from his anger made me see through the fog of uncertainty.
"We'd be leaving for Greece next and Nicole will join us there." He informs not that I didn't know but the mention of his overly rude sister falters my mood for sure. It feels like she has some personal grudge against me.
"My sister was never like this but circumstances made her." I hear him say as if he read my mind. I snap my head to look at him and find his eyes already staring at me intently.
"I know and I don't have any issues with her. Everyone is different from others." I didn't find anything to say as everytime I met his sister, she disrespected me and my family.
"Let's head back to the villa or the snowfall will start anytime and it's dangerous to drive on slippery roads, one mistake and we might end up from a thousand feet high cliff." He pays off the bill and stand up, I follow his que.
"I am enjoying the music and dance, it's so vibrant. I want to spend some more time here if you allow us." I don't know what have gotten into me but I request him to let us stay there more.
He looks behind me at the young couples dancing on the tunes. My heart sinks, he is someone I don't know.
"Alright but we can't stay here for more than thirty minutes. I hope you understood my point for our own safety." He nods his head.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Nicholas." In my excitement I give him a hug but pull away when I realise my silly stunt.
"I..I..am sorry. I was exc...excited and-" I blabber more to myself than apologising to him.
"It's fine, Rain. Remember, I told you to stop asking for forgiveness for little things. Your reaction was totally natural." He blinks his eyes and smiles a little, a genuine smile for the countless time in a day.
"So, you're not mad at me?" I ask biting on my lower lip.
In response, he stretches out his left hand,"May I have a dance with the beautiful lady?" He asks.
"Yes, you may, Sir." I giggle like a high school teenager and place my hand on his.
He drags us where the other couples are dancing and pulls me on his chest by snaking his hand around my waist. The strong masculine cologne hits my senses and I find surrendering my weapons.
I am doomed by this mighty God.