Natalie's POV

My jaw started to hurt, but Rafael did not pull his hand, he kept looking deeply in my eyes. His face was so close, his thumb reached my lower lip, touching it very slowly, and unawares he pushed his finger between my lips!..

I was like I had been drugged, drugged by his gaze, his smell, and his closeness.

How is a woman supposed to push the man she loves away when he is this close and in this temptation?!

My eyes were contemplating his face while his eyes were fixed on my lips.

Suddenly, he quickly stood up, as if he had been electrocuted! He went to the farthest point from me and stood looking outside the window.

I got confused and didn't know what to say.

"You can't have a sexual relationship until we cancel this marriage" he declared, his tone was in the imperative form.

It was the first time he had called it marriage. He used to call it the contract, the agreement. I don't like his commanding tone though. He has his life with Debbie. Why should I stop mine?

So, I stared at his muscular broad back and asked, "Don't you think it's my life! You don't expect me to stop living my life, right?"

He turned around to look at me, raising an arrogant eyebrow and demanded, "You can't stay without sex for just six months!"

I didn't know why I had the desire to challenge him.

"Can you?" I retorted.

His eyes became darker, but he didn't come near me. He paused for a while then added, "Let's make it a deal then, I don't touch any woman, and you don't let any man touch you."

I felt a shiver run down my spine, and the heat of desire for him increased inside me. I never expected we would discuss this.

"OK, I can live without it for six months, I guess!" I teased him. It was a good thing that he didn't know that I was still a virgin!

He clenched his fists, ready to punch. Then, he hissed between his gritted teeth, “It's not appropriate for a young lady to come home after a night out, wearing a man’s pants”

I almost forgot that I was still wearing Daniel’s clothes.

I felt awkward, but I simply replied mockingly, “I just took your fiancée's advice and looked for a man.”

I was trying to make a joke, but from the expression on his face I can tell that he didn't take it well!

He gave me a strange look I couldn't explain. Yet he said in a neutral tone, "You got tired yesterday, you can take this day off of work"

I didn't want him to know about my true feelings for him. I need that friendship between us to continue.

So, I decided to break the ice and headed towards him, caressed his cheek and mumbled, “It was my duty as a friend, Raf. I'm willing to prepare your wedding party too."

He took my hand off his cheek and kissed it. Then, he said sarcastically, "Okay, dearest friend"

Why do I feel that physical contact has increased between us? We had barely shaken hands since I became an adult!

When I got back to the dining room, grandma told me that Daniel had left. I let out a sigh of relief.

I sat down to eat. I didn't eat well for almost two days.

Aunt Tobi started asking me, “who is the guy? He seems a good man.”

"You're twenty-two years old honey, you should think of marriage" grandma said, patting me tenderly on my hand.

There is no doubt that Aunt Tobi and Grandma are still thinking like in old days. The woman should find a man for herself before her late twenties or the train of marriage will miss her!

I stood up and covered my grandmother's back in a small hug with both hands. I love her so much, it's true we're not related by blood, but I feel like we are.

"I don't want to bind myself to one man yet, I need to take some freedom and explore the world." I chuckled.

I can't say I love someone who doesn't love me back! Someone who already has a fiancé.

I heard a throat-clearing sound. I turned around to see Rafael leaning on the door frame. He was standing to say goodbye to my grandma. It has been a habit he does every day before he goes out since he moved in.

I stepped aside to make room for him to come close and kiss my grandma. He kissed her and was about to go out. The space between the wall and my grandmother's chair was not large. So we were standing very close together behind her, our shoulders were touching. He placed his palm on the end of my back and the beginning of my butt. I froze, and he said nonchalantly to my grandmother, “See you in the evening, Grandma.”

When he came out, he pressed his body against my back. I thought all of this happened accidentally at first, but when he slapped me on my butt, I realized he did it on purpose.

‘Bastard!’ I screamed in my head.

He didn't even bother himself to look back at me. Moreover, he ignored me and left in that simple.

'Bastard', I yelled again.

I felt dizzy, and got mad at him.

But I decided to ignore him back. I know he did that intentionally to make me angry.

I decided to take this day off from work at the spa. I headed to my room and called Fillo and Rebeka to book an appointment at our favorite SPA together and enjoy relaxation.

But a message was delivered to my phone from a strange number;

[How about we having dinner tonight?]

A second later, I received another message:

[When I found out that you're single, I regretted the wasted chance! Daniel]

How did he get my number?

I replayed immediately; [Come to pick me up at seven p.m]

I have to keep the suspicions away from the truth about my marriage, so I will agree.

An hour later, I picked my things up and went to the spa to meet my friends there…