Araceli POV
It was the smell of that man from that night five years ago...
My heart suddenly trembled violently. Such dim light made me feel as if I had gone back to that night five years ago...
That man pressed on top of me and kissed my body frantically. No matter how much I cried, he didn't stop.
I still couldn't accept the fact that that man was Raphael. He was such a nice, gentle man, how could he be the man that terrified me?
"Hey."
Raphael picked up my water bottle and handed it to me.
He stared at my trembling lashes, his brow furrowed slightly.
"Are you okay?"
I tucked my water bottle into my bag, my voice extremely low.
"I'm fine..."
Raphael continues to stare at me.
I took a deep breath, stood up, kept my head down, and stopped talking.
Just then, Raphael's cold voice rang in my ears.
"As for that thing you said, I've thought about it."
Raphael was very close to me. As soon as he spoke, I felt his breath right next to my ear. It was like a feather that gently traced the contours of my ear.
I turned my head and said in a slow voice, "What do you think?"
"I can be your boyfriend, but..." Raphael said, word for word, "I'm not good at lying. So, you'll have to let me be your real boyfriend."
What?
Real boyfriend?
I froze, my heart beating wildly.
I raised my eyes and looked at him.
"Mr. Lancaster, you don't need to lie or do anything. You just need to be my nominal boyfriend and convince the judge that I'm in a stable relationship with you..."
"Do you think the judge is that easy to fool?"
Raphael said coldly, "You need me to be your boyfriend to win your case. But, I also need you to be my girlfriend to get my mother to stop introducing me to women from other families. Since we both have needs, why don't we try to be real boyfriend and girlfriend? I'm sick and tired of meeting other women."
I frowned slightly.
If the truth was as he said, even if I pretended to be his girlfriend, I could still fool his mother. Why did I have to be his real girlfriend?
"Ms. Chancey, if this offends you, please pretend I didn't say it."
Raphael turned his head and stared earnestly at the painting.
I couldn't concentrate anymore because of his words...
I turned my eyes and looked at the side of Raphael's face. The dim light blurred his sharp outline and made him look more gentle.
"Mr. Lancaster..."
Raphael turned his head and waited quietly for me to say the following words. His eyes were so deep, like they were magic.
I couldn't help but be fascinated.
I pursed my lips.
"I promise you, but we'll have to talk in advance..."
Before I could finish my sentence, Raphael said, "No need. Don't worry, I won't do anything over the line with you, but I'll take better care of you when I'm in front of my mother."
Looking at his sincerity, I believed him.
I nodded my head. "Good. From now on, I'm your girlfriend, Mr. Lancaster."
I just hope there is enough reason to get in and out of Royal Pack. that's enough.
Since he's just my boyfriend, we can break up anytime we want.
There was no need for me to feel any psychological burden...
I quickly convinced myself in my mind and continued on my way.
Two hours later, we walked out of the showroom.
"Vallie, do you think those paintings are beautiful?"
Essel took Valeria's hand and kept saying, "Vallie, from now on, wherever you go, make sure you let me come with you. I will protect you anytime and anywhere and won't let you get hurt!"
Micah said calmly, "Are you sure you can protect her? You can't even beat me."
"Hmph!" Essel made a face at him. "Vallie said she was going to teach me how to draw! Are you jealous of me? Vallie's my little sister, so of course I'm going to protect her! What's wrong with that?"
Micah pursed his lips.
I laughed and was about to speak. Suddenly, a big hand took my hand...
The roughness and the heat of the palm made me startled, and instinctively, I tried to pull my hand out. But Raphael's strength was too strong. I tried several times, and I still couldn't pull my hand out.
I turned my head and stared at Raphael with some annoyance, lowering my voice and saying, "Let go."
Raphael and I clasped fingers. He said calmly, "This is the duty of a girlfriend."
My hands were held tightly in his grip. There was nothing I could do.
I gritted my teeth and said, "You said you wouldn't do anything over the line with me. You broke the deal."
Raphael's face was calm. "It's not out of line."
"Mr. Lancaster, what are you doing?"
Krish approached, his face covered in anger. He pushed Raphael away with force, "Let go of my mommy!"
Raphael giggled, shook his head, and let go of my hand.
"Mommy, he..."
Krish bites his lip, stubbornness in his eyes.
"No. Krish, it's not what you think, Mr. Lancaster didn't make me uncomfortable. I asked him to hold my hand."
I stroked Krish's head.
"Mommy, I saw him holding your hand forcibly and you kept trying so hard to pull it out."
Krish's voice trailed off.
"I didn't..." I explained awkwardly, "I was just having some trouble with Mr. Lancaster."
Krish looked at me suspiciously for a moment, and was about to ask more when Raphael came over. He took my hand again and held it up to his chest, showing it to Krish.
I was frozen.
I suddenly regretted proposing Raphael as my boyfriend...
He said we wouldn't do anything that a couple would do, so that was why I said yes, but after we got out of the exhibition hall, he...
I was going to break free, but then I suddenly saw Krish's eyes. He was a little annoyed, pouting and clenching his fists.
"Krish, don't get me wrong. Actually..."
I paused and said, "Mr. Lancaster and I are in a relationship, so there's nothing wrong with me holding hands with him. Baby, it's a way for adults to show their love..."
The anger on Krish's face turned to shock.
"Mommy, what are you saying? You're in a relationship with Mr. Lancaster? Why?"
"I..."
I gritted my teeth and said with determination, "Mr. Lancaster and I fell in love. Krish, I hope you can understand..."
"Ms. Chancey, is it true what you said? Are you really in a relationship with my daddy?"
Essel jumped up and took my hand. "Ms. Chancey, can I call you 'Mommy' from now on?"