[ Third person's pov ]
It was like living a dream for Rain who gave up on all the hopes of gaining her husband's affection but the one night of weakness or according to her, a miraculous night, their life changed.
He gave her all the rights of a wife on his own will and also accepted her in his life as a friend or a companion, that's what she thought.
"Rain, are you even listening to me?" Nicholas snapped his hand in front of her eyes who has been staring at the masterpieces of artworks.
"Oh, sorry, I was lost in the beauty of these artworks, that's all." She replies coming out of her trance.
His frown doesn't disappear.
"You keep zoning out since the morning, what's the matter, Rain?" He asks her with concern. He has been observing her since the morning.
She smiles sadly on her fate. Only if he can look into her heart and find the immense love preserved for him.
"I am locking every single moment in my memory. I don't know when next we'd have the chance to live our lives without bearing the weight of our responsibilities." She says and blinks her eyes to assure him.
He remains silent. He also wonders, how could his opinion about his marriage and Rain changed in a span of a week. He let his guards loose and gave himself up to her. Deep down in his heart, he knows that what he experienced with her during their first night together, he didn't feel it with anyone before, not even his love, Roselie.
Does he still love his formar fiancee?
He shakes his head to brush off the thoughts because he's dreading the answer.
"Let's grab some lunch before we stop by the waterfalls." He laces his fingers with hers and lead them out of the museum.
"You're not very fond of museums?" She asks him once they're inside a hired cab.
"Not very much but I didn't get bored either. None can feel bored in your company, Rain. You're more entertaining than Mason." He replies.
"I wouldn't have insisted on visiting the museum if you told me beforehand." She says apologetically. As much as she's enjoying her days in Switzerland, she also wants him to be happy with her.
It is also his chance to escape from his chaotic life.
"Hey, don't blame yourself and I want you to enjoy this trip. I learnt many interesting facts about art from you. So, the visit was worth of our time." He immediately tries to lift up her mood.
It brings a smile on her face. She leans on his shoulder without hesitantion unlike the old times when she used to think twice before coming in front of him.
"Thanks for making this trip memorable for me, Nick. It means a lot to me." She says cherishing their proximity. He doesn't try to pry her off either.
He chooses a five star hotel for their lunch much to her disappointment as she loves spending quality time with him in a small cafe or diner where people don't pay attention on them and where they can eat freely.
"Be careful, this place is famous for hosting rich customers around the world and there are strong possibilities that we might be followed by paparazzi. Just ignore them if one comes across you." He whispers to her and tightens his hold around her waist in a protective manner.
She feels safe in his arms and holds her head high in confidence. The world doesn't scare her much now. He always advises her to stand for herself and fight her own battles but she sees her protector in him, the man whose harsh criticism as a golden advise.
They enter in the lavish Swiss restaurant where they're immediately taken to their reserved seat. The cozy atmosphere of the grandeur hotel makes her loose half of her appetite. People are talking in hush so others won't listen to their conversation. They look conscience and calculated.
"You don't like fancy places, do you?" He teases her as the waiter serves them some wine.
"I don't hate them but yeah, I like smaller places where I can eat freely without bearing the burden of social behavior. I don't understand the concept of following some certain rules while eating my food. Food is to enjoy, not to propagate social status. You know, I don't believe in propagating my status on the basis of wealth." She huffs in annoyance, another lesson her Mom always tried to teach her.
"You're unique, Rain. Everyday, something intriguing about you amazes me." He says.
"You also amuse me, Nick. I didn't take you as a fun loving guy but I think your friends were right about you when they told me that you're not the cold businessman who scares the shit out of his employees but a humble person who actually loves to dance, trek, gossip and enjoy food." She opens up about her observation of her husband.
"I am going to miss these days with you." He says honestly. One thing he realized during these days that spending time with his forced wife, is worth his time. He enjoys every moment with her but the big question keeps pinching his mind and heart.
What will be their equation once they return to their normal lives?
Would he want her in his life as his wife? Well, his desire for her manifolds soon after he claimed her.
His chain of thoughts is broken by the waiters who come with their food.
"Enjoy your meal, Mrs. Blackwood and please don't lash out on me if you don't like the food as much as you enjoy local cuisine in small diners." He jokes but the way he called her 'Mrs. Blackwood', it flipped her heart. He always addresses her by her maiden surname.
"I won't, Mr. Blackwood." She smiles and takes a bite of her food which is delicious for her.
They ate their food with light conversation and jokes.
"It's time to head to the waterfall then we can go back to villa but remember, we won't spend a single minute more after the sun set." He reminds her.
"Aye, Aye Captain." She bows dramatically.
"You're cute." He pinches her cheeks.
"And you're cuter." She kisses his cheek and palms her mouth as soon as she realizes her boldness.
"It's okay. You don't have to feel sorry for a natural gesture." He assures her by circling his arm around her shoulder.
She leans on his arm and relish the moment with her husband.
They spend the rest of the day at the waterfall. He helps her to take some pictures of the natural scenary.
By the time, they decide to return to their villa, the sun has set.
"Do you want to dine outside or we can cook something at the villa?" He asks her.
She looks at the sky," I don't think it's a good idea to stay out. Snowfall may start anytime soon." She replies.
"It won't take more than thirty minutes if we take a light meal. Morever, we're exhausted to cook, aren't we?" He raises his eyes at her.
"You're right. I am too tired to even boil water and I can't let you cook alone." She nods her head," But I advise you to choose a restaurant on our way to the villa."
"Noted."
They stop by a local restaurant close to their villa. The cozy place brings a smile on her face.
"You like these places." He stares at her.
"Yes, they give me homely feeling and the food isn't prepared by professional chefs trained at top culinary schools but people who love to feed others with love. "
He doesn't say anything further. The more time he spends with her, the more he learns about her selflessness. She's nothing like her sister who could never set a foot at such places but talks of the fanciest and most expensive restaurants.
They eat in mostly silence enjoying the soft music in the background.
"We have to pack our bags tonight. Our flight is at nine in the morning." He reminds her once they're done with their dinner.
"I'll be back in a minute." She points her finger at the direction of the washroom
"Please be quick. We have approximately an hour to reach safely at villa though I won't mind spending another night in a motel room." He winks at her which causes heat to rush on her cheeks and ears.
"Please excuse me." She runs towards the washroom while he laughs on her shyness.
Ten minutes later, she returns after freshening up but she doesn't find him anywhere inside or outside the hotel which grows her anxiety.
She tries his phone but it couldn't connect. Her anxiety grow more as she fails to find him. She even asks the waiters and other customers about him but no one could give her a satisfactory answer.
She decides to look for him at the backyard so she rushes behind the hotel but the sight she saw, it shatters her heart into zillion pieces. Salty tears blurrs her vision and a sharp pain shots through her chest.
Her husband is kissing his true love.
Her sister, Roselie.
The way they're lost in each other, it shatters the faintest ray of hope she grew in last few days.
Her feet about to give up but she takes back steps and runs out of the most terrifying sight.
How could be she so foolish to seek his love?
He only used her to satiate his needs.
Her feelings doesn't matter to him.