Exclusively Yours - Episode 38

     

EXCLUSIVELY YOURS

Exclusively Yours - Episode 38

Subtitle; {Please, Love Me}

By Chukwuma Rejoice 

           ✿⁠✿✿⁠✿✿⁠✿✿⁠✿✿⁠✿✿⁠✿                                                                                                                     

                              

Olivia's POV

"Do you want to go to bed?" The loud downpour on the ceiling nearly drowned out Riccardo's question from reaching my ears. 

I gazed down at him, his head resting comfortably on my lap. Our eyes met—his searching for answers in mine, while I struggled not to break down in front of him—in a tense moment.

About thirty minutes earlier, he had asked me the same question, to which I had responded negatively. So, we decided to watch a movie to ease the tension in the air. However, the sound of the rain persisted, and Riccardo's presence felt all-consuming, overwhelming even.

His head suddenly dropped on my shoulder, catching me off guard. After a moment's hesitation, I began massaging his scalp as he requested. It was during this that he posed his latest question. I shook my head, focusing on the laptop screen, trying to distract myself from both his probing gaze and the persistent storm outside.

I held onto a faint hope that the rain would soon cease, but the thunder continued unabated. Riccardo sat up, and I moved slightly away from him. "You're shivering. Do you want another blanket?"

"I am—"

"If you claim you're fine when it's clear you're not, I'll be really upset. Don't push me," he interjected.

My gaze wandered before meeting his dark eyes, filled with anger, concern, and understanding all at once. I felt a shiver run down my spine, my heart pounding erratically.

My mouth opened involuntarily, and the truth spilled out, "I'm not fine."

"That's okay," he murmured, almost as if there were others present.

Is it really okay not to be fine?

"No, it's not okay; it's absurd," I whispered back, almost softer than him. "I mean, who can't handle a little rain at night? Most people find it soothing and sleep better, but for me, it brings nightmares and memories I can't shake."

Riccardo moved closer, his eyes torn between curiosity and concern.

Tears welled up, cascading down my cheeks. "I hàte this. I hàte my life. I hàte...I hàte myself. I hàte everything."

"How can you hàte yourself?" he asked, genuinely surprised. "You're perfect. So perfect that it makes me wonder how and why."

No, I'm not perfect. I'm foólish to be so affected by a simple rainy night.

"I lost my parents on a night like this," another truth slipped out before I could stop it. Instead of feeling embarrassed, I felt... relieved? "It was a dark, cold night with a fierce storm destróying the neighborhood."

Something flickered in his eyes, disappearing as quickly as it came.

"I was alone at home. They promised to return for movie night but never did. They...they left me alone and never came back." As tears flowed, Riccardo wiped them away before I could. "They didn't even argue. It was like I meant nothing to them. They didn't fíght for the family or for me; they just...they just left."

"Sunshine, they didn't know what would happen. It's not their fault. Anyone who has you in their life wouldn't want it any other way."

No, they could have fought harder to survive, even if just one of them did. I was a child who needed her parents, but they left so easily.

Shaking my head, I continued, "Do you know who broke the news? A policeman. A dàmn policeman told a nine-year-old that her parents were deád." I let out a bitter laugh, remembering the indifference in his eyes—I could never forget them.

"And then?"

I met his gaze, as if we hadn't just been staring at each other moments ago. "After the police left, I stayed alone in the big house. My parents were successful, and we lived in a mansion. It was so dark that I couldn't even see my shadow. Lighting candles with trembling hands was futile; the breeze extinguished them each time, almost mocking me." Tears flowed freely as I recounted that fateful day, still etched deep in my heart.

My vision blurred with tears, but I could see Riccardo looking at me with everything but pity, causing a lump to form in my throat.

"I lay alone in the living room with the thunder and lightning roaring outside, the obnoxiously loud rain beating hard on the roof of the house. I was alone and felt abandoned. They had left me, reneging on their promise of a family movie night, something we always did. They had even promised to take me to Switzerland for Christmas that year, along with many other unfulfilled promises. After that day, Aunt DeeDee came over to take me, and I ran away not out of dislike for her but because my heart and body impelled me to. I ran all the way to the farthest beach, now off-limits due to being shark-infested and perilous, yearning to reunite with them, to be enveloped in their arms. I don't know how long I stood gazing at the water, only that I stood so long my legs numbed, and I collapsed, unconscious. Aunt DeeDee's husband found me and escorted me back to her."

Another hiccup. More tears. And more tears until I was whimpering and stuttering incoherent words, but Riccardo remained silent, a comforting presence.

He wasn't one to offer solace but to stand by me as I wept. He seemed to understand the cathartic release of crying until one's heart was content.

"I...I miss them so much it húrts terribly. But, I find solace in this paín because it signifies my enduring love for them. They were and still are my greatest inspiration to navigate this daunting world."

"Well, I must thank them for raising such a beautiful and intelligent young lady whom I will cherish until my last breath," Riccardo whispered, his large hands enveloping mine, his thumb caressing my hand. "You, my Sunshine, are a resilient individual. Many would have shattered into irreparable pieces, but not you. You endured."

I couldn't allow my aspirations to crumble because my life had been upended. Yes, my parents perished in a hit-and-run, but I refused to let that define me.

After swallowing the lump in my throat, I met his gaze. "Who said I didn't break down?"

A faint smile played on Riccardo's lips as he lifted my face to meet his gaze. "Because you are here with me, a prominent figure in the world of Editors. When Olivia Donovan is mentioned, authors seek your collaboration. That, Sunshine, is not succumbing to despair."

"Olivia Donovan? I thought it was Olivia Torrence," I quipped, eliciting a chuckle from him.

"It can be whatever you wish, my love. All I want is for you to know that I am here for you, willing to support you in every way. I want to share your laughter and your tears, to be the shoulder you lean on."

The warmth of his touch spread through me, his words a balm to my wounded heart. "I love you immensely, regardless of whether it's deemed obséssion, infatuàtion, or love. Yes, I am captivated by you. Yes, I am infatuàted."

With each word, he nodded in affirmation, his eyes locking onto mine. "Though we may only have two years together, I genuinely want to be your confidant, your friend. Will you allow me?"

Before I could resist, I closed the gap between us, letting a tender kiss linger on his lips. He didn't flinch or retreat; it was as though he had anticipated my action.

"Is that a yes?" he drawled out.

I nodded, unwilling to betray my emotions with my hoarse voice.

"Friends don't usually kiss, you know," he teased.

"They don't? I had no idea."

"Yes, Sunshine, they don't kiss."

"Well, lucky for me, you're my husband."

"I am, aren't I?"

"Yes," I affirmed.

"I consider myself the luckiest man alive because you are mine."

But why did I feel like the fortunate one?

"Riccardo..." My heart raced, the unspoken words clamoring to be voiced.

"Yes?"

I...I think...I like you.

Instead of admitting my feelings, I shook my head. "Never mind."

He let it go, but the furrow in his brow and the question in his eyes were unmistakable. "Alright. I love you."

"I know."

"Good." He rose, planting a lingering kiss on my forehead before pecking my cheek. "I'll get you some water."

"Thank you," I replied.

Riccardo nodded, kissing the top of my head before heading to the kitchen.

I felt liberated now that I had shared my feelings with him. Despite knowing of my tumultuous past, he regarded me as though I were a heavenly angel who had descended to earth.

After finishing the water, Riccardo enveloped me

After finishing the glass of water, Riccardo enveloped me in a cocoon of comfort as we lay on the sofa. Well, he was laying down and he pulled me to lay on him.

"I weigh like—"

"A feather," he interrupted, pulling me even closer to him.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You already did, but sure, go ahead."

I shifted on his body so our eyes met, and I asked, "How many girlfriends have you had?"

"None," he answered without hesitation.

That's not possible. How can he be so caring and tender if he has never had a girlfriend?

"You're kidding me, right?"

He shook his head. "I never felt the need to be in a relationship or have girlfriends; I was focused on school and other things."

"Other things, like what?"

"Things like how I was going to make the girl who was dancing in the nightclub mine forever and always," Riccardo added.

A smile crept up on my face as I realized he was talking about me.

He is mine.

The guy beneath me is mine, just as I am his.

"Any more questions, my lady?"

"Not right now, but tell me about your family in the meantime."

"Aww, interested in your husband's family?" he teased.

"No, of course not. I'm just bored, you know."

"Sure," he teased back. "Well, you already know about my nuclear family; my dad, mom, and older sister. What else would you like to know?"

"Where did you study?"

"New Zealand."

"Since when did you discover your talent for drawing houses?"

"Thirteen. I was thirteen."

"That's impressive. What was your first project?"

"One of my dad's branches. I charged him a lot," he laughed.

He looks so handsome when he laughs. I wish he would do it more often.

"Isn't that like a crime?" I teased.

"Not when he's your father," he replied.

"Your first car?"

"BMW."

I almost jumped off him in surprise. "What?"

"Yeah, your father-in-law is rich."

Father-in-law?

I like the sound of that.

No, I do not like the sound of that.

Shutting off my wandering thoughts, I said, "My first car was a Toyota Camry."

"I know."

"Creepy but okay."

Riccardo chuckled, as every single sound, including the vehement rain hitting the roof every now and then, instantly vanished, leaving only the rich sound of his laughter enveloping me in unexplained tranquility, along with the steady beat of his heart.

He looked unapologetically handsome in every charming way possible. His black, dark orbs fixed solely on me, as if delving deep into my soul, mind, and perhaps my heart.

Butterflies hatched in my tummy, their wings fluttering unsteadily. I nervously took my lower lip between my teeth, trying to shield myself from seeing the immense love in his eyes.

Why does he continue to love me even after I've shared everything with him?

He shouldn't love me anymore. I'm far from the perfect girl he seems to believe I am.

Most importantly, why do I trust him enough to confide in him things I've never told anyone, not even my best friends?

"What's going on in that pretty little head of yours, Sunshine?" His voice cut through my thoughts, momentarily halting them.

"Nothing," I murmured, knowing I didn't sound convincing even to myself.

Riccardo's eyes narrowed, observing me closely, and a sudden urge to shrink away engulfed me. I waited for him to speak, but all he did was hum softly.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing," he replied in a breathy voice, mirroring mine.

A$shóle.

Unfortunately for me, and perhaps fortunately for him, I'm beginning to like him much more than before.

"What? You're glaring."

"That's because you deserve it," I said, delivering a firm slap to his chest, which only elicited another chuckle from him.

"I do, don't I?" he queried, to which I nodded. "Kiss me."

Instinctively, my gaze shifted from his captivating orbs to his full, plump lips, and I nervously gulped. After a moment of silence, I leaned in closer until our breaths mingled without our lips touching. I felt his heart quicken beneath my palm on his chest, as he waited for me to bridge the gap between us, his eyes torn between mine and my lips.

Finally, I decided to end the tortúre for both of us, brushing my lips lightly against his. Riccardo gasped, as if not anticipating it, his grip on my hips tightening.

"Don't tease me, Sunshine."

"I rather enjoy teasing you," I whispered in his ear, eliciting a grunt from him. Taking his earlobe into my mouth, I sucked on it gently. "How else would I evoke this reaction from you?"

"Olivia," his voice deep and hoarse, conveyed a warning that only made me smile.

"What?" I asked innocently, moving my mouth to the crook of his neck before placing a gentle kiss there.

"Oliv—" he began, before I interrupted by sucking and biting down on that spot. A mixture of a grunt, groan, and whimper escaped his lips, his breaths growing heavy.

Facing him again, our lips met in a desperate union. Riccardo wasted no time in claiming my lips in a hot, fierce kiss, leaving me disoriented from the change in dynamics moments ago.

In the blink of an eye, he spun us around, and I found myself lying beneath him. The intense makeout session transitioned into a slow yet passionate dance of our lips. Our tongues intertwined, tasting each other; a fusion of fruity and minty in a languid tango.

Riccardo slowly pulled away from my lips, causing me to nearly whimper. "You look so beautiful beneath me."

I swallowed, savoring the taste of both of us. "I do?"

"Yes," he confirmed.

"And how do I look on top of you?"

"Pretty."

"And if I'm neither beneath nor on top of you, then how do I look?"

His palm cradled my face as he pecked the corner of my lips. "Stunning. Exquisite. Ravishing. God, I love you so much."

"You know, I'm starting to doubt that I'm the first girl you've been with."

How does he always have such intoxicating words on the tip of his tongue?

"But you are," Riccardo murmured, peppering kisses all over my face. "I am so in love with you that I'm certain I can't live without you."

Oh no. If he looks at me like that, I might have no choice but to love him back.

The question remains: Have I already fallen for him and am refusing to admit it due to my stubbornness?

Oh no!

This is bàd, really bàd.

TBC 📖✍️

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