Christian POV:-

My heart clenched when she looked scared. Why is she afraid? Why can't she understand that I love her dearly and can never think of her as a burden? I love her a lot and when she is startled by me, it hurts me. She is my fortune, I am so lucky to have her. I hope she understands this; I don't want to scare her. I just want to take whatever time we have left to be everlasting and I definitely don't want her to be afraid of me or have any negative emotion between us. I want to create a memorable scenery of love embedded in my core as a source of eternal salvation.

I kept looking at her, she was looking down. My heart skipped a beat when I looked at her. I am so compelled by her beauty and when she spoke these words so cutely how can I still be grumpy after it. She unintentionally persuaded me with her reflexes.

I was leaning on the desk and she was sitting on my seat, there's a brief pause between us. I kept looking at her alluring form while she was deep in thoughts. My lips curved upwards looking at her trying to figure out what's going through her mind but before I could think anything the blush on her cheeks made it clear what she was thinking,

"Thinking about last night?" I asked with a smirk. Her mouth gaped in surprise but she closed it. Looks like she has finally chosen what to speak as she began to say,

"Christian.. last night you said that.. never hesitate to touch you... I.. I.. also wanted to say that.. Christian.. don't hesitate.. to.. touch me.." she trailed off. My eyes widened for a second as I looked at her baffled. Soon, I regained my posture and let out a laugh,

"Love, what makes you think that I am refraining myself?" I asked with a smirk. She looked at me innocently and said,

"You never directly touched me. You first put your hands on the things around me if I don't get startled, then you put your hands on me. Like, you put your hands on the armrest first then at me, back at home, I was startled by your husky laugh when you offered to take a bath together that's why you didn't take me, in the bathroom, you put your hands on the wall then at me, even last night, you put your hands on the ground first and when I tried to kiss you, you pushed me so that I don't touch you unless you get sure that I am not getting startled either by your actions or by your words." I was taken aback when she said that. She is truly something. I was left speechless, she got me. I don't know what to say. I didn't know that she noticed. And when she emphasized on 'words' this made me want to twist my words more to see her reaction but I decided not to. She entices me using one way or another.

I let out a laugh and said, "You got me, my Queen." I put my hands in the air, she smiled and I sat on the sofa. She quickly stood up from the seat,

"What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing. You can sit there. I don't feel comfortable sitting there." She said nervously. I stood up and sat on my seat and when she was about to leave I pulled her in my laps,

"Now is it comfortable?" I asked, smirking. I love to see her flushed, how heat rose to her cheek leaving her with tingles all over the body that aroused me more than ever. I kissed her hands and began to work with her in my laps. I continued to work as she watched me with her big round eyes and with so much attention.

After spending the day, we went home, Sophie got ready and looked so captivating, so beautiful. I smiled and hugged her,

"You're so beautiful, I cannot take my eyes from you." I kissed her cheeks, she blushed and mumbled a 'thanks'.

We then walked down. Candice reached first and my amusement is on its peak, I wonder how Tyler will react when he's gonna see her. Besides, I am doing this for him- he asked me for it. He just kept talking about her whenever we met, even though I don't talk about Sophie this much but he just goes non-stop.

"Hello, Sir. Hey, Sophie." I passed her a smile and Sophie hugged her.

"How are you feeling?" She asked. Sophie spare a glance at me and said,

"So happy and blessed." I smiled brightly when I heard her reply and went to the dining hall,

"I have also called my friend," I told them. They nodded even though Sophie knew who and sent me a glare for this but I shrugged it off. We sat down and talked for a while,

"By the way, Candice?" I called her. She shot her head towards me and asked,

"Yes, Sir?"

"First stop calling me Sir, you are Sophie's friend and second, how do you meet Tyler?" I want to know her side of the story.

"First, what should I call you then? And second, I used to work in Amber One and then he came. He was angry and I just served my order but if the taste wasn't to his liking it's not my fault, I am not the cook, so he took out his anger on me and since I have a short temper, I also fought back and ever since then whenever we meet, I just can't hold my hatred from him." She said as venom was filled in her every word and I found this so amusing. I see. At Amber one. Interesting.

"I was your customer, you should have watched yourself and I don't like you either!"

Candice stood up and they both looked at each other with hatred and said at the same time,

"Why the hell is she here?"

"Why the hell is he here?"

"Don't copy me."

"Don't copy me."

They both scoffed as they took a seat giving glares to each other.

"Hey dude, hey, sister-in-law.." He grumpily said and took a seat.

"Hey.."

The dinner was served and the tension in the airs was so thick, they were sending daggers at each other. Sophie looked at me and whispered,

"Told you." I just smirked and continued to work but then Tyler stomped his foot mine to signal me and do what he told me to as I cleared my throat and asked,

"Tyler, Candice, why are you guys so hateful towards each other?"

"He started it first."

"She started it first." They once again said at the same time.

"You're the one that just burst on me."

"And you, don't you know how to treat your customers!?"

"Even if my status was lower than yours, that doesn't give you any right to degrade me for something I never did!"

"You should have watched your mouth."

"You're the one that started it first. You not just scold but EXPLODE!"

"You... You.." Tyler trailed off. Candice grit her teeth and stood up,

"Thank you so much for inviting me to dinner. But, this guy made me lose my appetite. I'll take my leave for now." After she left, I looked at Tyler, smirked at me and mumbled a 'thanks'. And Tyler then began to say as if he is not aware of these words, Typical faker.

"Dude... I.. I.."

"It was your fault," I said monotonously.

"You should apologize," Sophie suggested.

"It's raining outside, you should go and help her," I said. He didn't do anything else and left.

And when we were left alone Sophie sighed and asked,

"What was your plan? It wasn't amusing at all."

"I didn't do it for amusement."

"Then?"

"Tyler... His girlfriend died on the day of their marriage and after that, he never talked about any girl. This is the first time he talked, I know his temper is short and it would be his fault. So, I just wanna sort things out. And somehow, they went well."

"Wow! Love Expert." I held my head high in pride.

"Thanks."

We then went to our room and both of us felt slightly awkward. Like we were protesting, whether we should go in intercourse or sleep. I know the moment can be made swiftly but I want to know whether she is comfortable or not. I took a deep breath and asked,

"Sophie, do you... want to.." But I was cut off by her.

"Let's sleep." She said quickly. I closed my mouth and nodded.

We laid to sleep and I pulled her in my embrace as I pecked her lips. She smiled and nuzzled close to me as she fell asleep. It's even better. Having her in my arms, looking so peaceful in her sleep, it gave me great happiness. I kept looking at her with a smile bewitched by her features and feeling so blessed to have her in my life, my heart is filled with content to have her. Before I knew it, I fell asleep too.

And the rest of the few days went normal, I took Sophie with me to work and it seems like she can be fine if I leave her at home and ever since I told her that she can stay home tomorrow she is so exhilarated. Doesn't she like going with me there? This pricked my heart when she was happy to be away from me. I want to take her with me forever and she is...

"Sophie?" I called her, she shot her head towards me and asked, "Yes?"

"Don't you like.. going to the office with me?" I asked.

"No, I don't." She replied bluntly. Ouch. I remained silent as she moved close to me and smiled,

"I like staying home, waiting for you to come home so that I can greet you. You know, the happiness of seeing you after a long day, it's bliss.. for both of us. That's why I don't like going to your office." I was once again left speechless. I kept looking at her. I caressed her cheeks and smiled. She smiled back and went to use her phone again. I groan in displeasure but she wasn't affected by it all.

I finally sighed and stood up, "I'm going to sleep. Are you coming?"

"Nah, I'll come later. You sleep." She said not looking up. I sighed loudly again so that she can understand that I want her in my arms but she is too engrossed in YouTube. I stood up and went to our room. The moment I took two steps in the lights of the house went out.

A pitch-darkness everywhere. My body froze as cold sweat formed on my forehead. My heart began to thump loudly as I gulped hard. The darkness made me drown in fear. The sight of no light before me gave me terrifying chills. I clenched and unclenched my hands to calm myself but no avail. My breath becomes heavy, I am lost in the apparitions of those deadly nights, I spend in the corner of the room and my ears are filled with the sound of my mother crying. My heart sank, as tears brimmed in my eyes. Those lethal memories made me feel dejected.

I was at the verge of a breakdown and wreaked havoc to let this agony out but then the door opened and I felt small arms around me. The scent was quite clear, it's Sophie. She was panting, hugging me tightly. But it doesn't seem like she is afraid. It seems like she is worried for me. She is holding me close like saving me away from those nightmares that are eating me up. Arms wrapped so protectively around me, I effusively welcomed this warmth and fell on my knees.

"It's okay... I am here... The darkness will fade away.." She assured me by rubbing my back. My lips began to quiver as I broke out into loud sobs, my last ounce of strength and patience broke.

"Please... I don't want to be in darkness anymore!" I cried.

"You won't... I am here. I will take away all the sadness." She said rubbing my back. I continued to cry as she kept soothing me.

"Please.. save me, Sophie.." I finally said those words that I always wanted to say. I want her to save me.

"I will. Just you wait.." She whispered, her voice croaked, she was on the verge of crying.

"I am here and always will."

"Promise?" I asked desperately. Please I want to stay with you forever.

"I promise." My heart felt relieved when she said that. The warmth of her embrace gave me solace as I want to lose myself in this safe-shelter forever.

After crying my heart out, I pulled away slightly, Sophie removed one hand from me and took out her phone from her pocket and turned on the flashlight and smiled radiantly at me.

I sniffed and wiped my tears and smiled back.

"Who told you that I am afraid of darkness?" I asked. She put her head on my chest and I wrapped my arms around her.

"You told me.."

"When?"

"When you were drunk." She said playing with my shirt. I opened my mouth to ask something but she stood up.

"Wait here. I'll be back."

I gulped and nodded. She smiled and rest her forehead against mine,

"I love you.." She whispered and before listening to my answer she walked out. I swallowed hard and leaned my back the bed hugging my knees to my chest, holding her phone in my hands.

As I was sitting, I heard yelling sound of Sophie,

"CAN'T YOU DO A SIMPLE THING!"

"TURN ON THE LIGHTS! IF THERE'S TIME THEN SOMEONE GET ME SOME CANDLES!"

"I DON'T CARE. TURN THEM ON!"

"AT LEAST GIVE ME SOME DAMN CANDLES!"

I chuckled, her temper is something. I smiled, she knows.. my smile faded, what else did she know?

She came back holding a candle holder in her hand.

"The breaker had some problems, they'll fix it soon, until then we have to work with these candles." she put the holder on the nightstand and sat being me. She snuggled to my arms and smiled,

"Yelling so loudly," I said as she giggled. I then asked,

"Sophie.. when I was drunk.. what else I told you?"

"Hmm.. you left yourself in the darkness saying it's your punishment for hurting me and asking for forgiveness, talked about the promise and.." She trailed off.

"And?" I asked. She sighed and looked at me.

"You told me that your mother hung herself from the ceiling fan in that room." My eyes widened as I remained silent. I tried to say something but couldn't, my voice was stuck in my throat.

She moved and held my shoulders and smiled,

"I am here. There's a halt to every pain and I am sure your halt is near."

"And yours?"

"Mine already ended." She smiled and hugged me. I kissed her head and the lights turned on.

We pulled away as she beamed. We stood up and I said,

"I forgot, I got to show you something."

Her eyes flicker with curiosity as she tilts her head.

I handed her the envelope as she opened it with confusion.

Her face lit up in happiness as she looked at me, I brush my nose against her,

"We're going on our honeymoon trip."