Chapter # 51

Holding endless expectations, limitless affection in their lives, praying no evil eye cast on their home, they restarted. Carrying dreams, the promises, the long lost love, holding each other's hands, they lived with their purest affection. One fine morning, during breakfast, Zariah's elbow inclined on the table. Chin on her palm to stare at the man who was using his phone while eating his toast. ‘How could someone be this beautiful? Or are my eyes made to stare at them?' She thought with a giggle. Staring as if he was the greatest blessing, the most precious chattel of her life- he damn was. Soon noticing her eyes drowned in him, he put his phone aside, finishing his breakfast. 'Will you stop staring, Zari?" She didn't. He ended up laughing, scratching the back of his neck. 'You are making me nervous now," 'Give me a reason to not do it," Smirking, she leaned forward, observing his muscular body from top to bottom, enhancing his anxiousness as her finger poked his nose. 'Because here, I see my man with no shackles to bind him away from me," Smirking back, he poked back, 'Except for my work," Leaning back on his seat, he stretched his hands out with a groan, 'I thought I would be able to manage between hospital and my position but it's not that easy. I might not be able to return tonight, I have a load of work to do." Starting his series of complaints, having someone beside him to whom he could share his stress with. 'I am also thinking of returning to America, there is nothing left here, I have Zoran's neck in my hand now already," To his frown, she shrugged her shoulders, uttering without thinking. 'If it's that stressful, give this title and power to De Villiers," 'That sounds like an insult to the name I spend years to build, Darling," 'What?! I- I apologize if I hurt your feelings, Nathaniel," She panicked, putting her hands up defensively, not wanting to hurt his feelings at all cost. 'No, no, I was also say playfully, relax, Darling," He had considered it his last chance which he by all means couldn't fuck up and grinned, pinching her cheeks, gesturing to her to relax as well. 'Oh, then it's okay," Sighing in relief, they put their dishes in the sink. Zariah decided to wash them as he embraced her from behind, nibbling on her neck. 'Ah, seeing my Zari filled with emotions is so satisfactory. Not a crazy woman, not a robot, no killing machine. Just Zariah," Grinning delightfully, he bit her earlobe with the desire to exist in her world only and never leave it as he whispered seductively. 'My Zari," 'All yours," She laughed a little, tilting her head back to lean against his shoulder. Creating a mesmeric five-second eye-contact before he kissed her briefly yet lovingly. Latching his heartbeat to hers accompanied by a smile. 'I guess if you are going to be late then I will go with Amanda to her appointment to doctor," 'Sure," She was putting the dishes away while he refused to unlock those hands on her front, getting out of his grasp playfully, she went to their room. 'I never imagined De Villiers and Amanda will be a couple," She spoke as his steps followed her to hold her like a need, he knew he must grip onto that waist and bite on her slightly exposed shoulder. 'Me neither but they both are carrying their marriage so perfectly, they look so sweet, so good together," He commented while his eyes and mind were on his unspoken desires, licking his lips when she opened her hair. 'No doubt," And the second her hair fell on her back, he placed them on her shoulder and placed his chin on the other side. 'Just like us?" She asked huskily. 'Oh, we are a couple made in paradise, we will be together here, now, forever and even in the afterlife," He enunciated. Smirking at their reflection when he buried his face down. 'Really? You think so?" Nails digging into her waist, sending a satisfactory shiver down her spine as he kissed intensely to fulfill his longings that never ceased in her matter. 'Yes, you will be mine, in all lives, in all worlds, in hopes, in happiness, in sadness, in any condition, you hear it?" He growled, pressing their bodies against the mirror. Fingers connected to lock them around him while he indulged in the divine sight. His lips pressed onto the mark he made on her delicate skin, rolling his tongue before ending in another kiss. 'Of course. Who am I without you?" She moaned, spellbound by his one action. He smirked, pleased with her response and was about to take this further only to get the moment ruined as she released her one hand and poked his cheek. 'Well, the ruler of my heart, if you are done with your affection then get ready, you are already late for work," 'Already?" He whined, embracing her rigidly, not letting her go. 'Yes," 'Okay, okay," Left with no choice, he sighed in disappointment, got ready for the hospital and was about to leave for work. 'Take care," He gave her a side hug, kissing the top of her head. 'You too. Love you, Darling, bye," Flashing a radiant grin, he waved his beloved Zariah goodbye and left for work as she decided to accompany Amanda with her appointment. They were in the hospital, waiting for their turn as Amanda noticed the glimmery grin on Zariah's face. 'You seemed delighted," She commented, not used to finding her this pleased. 'Maybe because I am," She laughed a little. 'I am glad to see you two," They both smiled, creating a moment of silence between them until Zariah, who adored kids, got excited to imagine a little one coming into the world. 'Ah, I can't believe I am going to be a mother in a few months. Oh Lord, I just hope I will be able to do it properly." Amanda laughed. 'You will be a great mother just like you are a great wife," Zariah beamed, stretching her hands out. 'You think so?" 'Really?" 'Yes, Amanda," To her encouragement, Amanda looked down, praying her child would lead a good and remarkable life. 'To be honest, Zariah…" Smiling to herself, she murmured. 'I think this is a sign from above, for my new life, I am now amazed how blind I was to not notice him before," 'De Villiers told me it was a one night stand that got you pregnant," She nodded, 'Yes and he took responsibility of the child and proposed to marry me and he is the blessing of my life," She never imagined she would fall in love again due what happened before, how Brandon abused her and killed her child too. 'You know… how he used to be, how he stole my faith on love but De Villiers has revived it," And after having De Villiers, all her fears were vanishing. She had begun to dream of having a good and loving life as well. 'Really? How?" Giggling, she began to tell Zariah sweetly what happened. 'On our wedding night…" ‘I was actually afraid due to my past experience, I thought he would… hurt me, I had no idea what to do,' They got married, Amanda was distressed, not sure what to do or how De Villiers would react. Her body was cold, mind barely functioning and in that moment, De Villers entered, witnessing his bride immersed in disruptive thoughts. 'What happened? Are you okay? Are you uncomfortable?" Snapping his fingers, he dragged her out from her trail of unwanted thoughts. 'Huh? No, no, I am fine," Flushing, she looked away shyly, gripping onto her wedding dress. He smirked, loosening his tie. 'What?" 'Didn't expect to see you all flushed and shy." Compelled by her reactions, he pinched her cheeks playfully, 'Suits you a lot," She blushed, not expecting such tenderness from him. While he had already considered himself a responsible man and aware of her past trauma, he would never allow that to occur again. He had accepted her wholeheartedly after all. 'Anyways, I think you are not okay in the dress. Let's take a selfie as a reminder then you can change," He grinned, taking out his phone as they turned to the mirror. 'If you don't mind, can I hold your waist?" He asked politely. She nodded gracefully as his large hand gripped her waist firmly, pressing her body, evoking a blush. A forsaken sensation bubbling in her as they took a picture. 'Amazing, see, we look great together," He grinned. Showing her as her eyes were glancing at the sweet man, drowning in him. ‘Where was my mind before?' She thought before pulling away a little. 'Share it with me too," 'Sure," After she changed the dress, De Villiers was using his phone while humming to himself as she sat on the bed, throat drying in anticipation. Not that she hadn't dated, not also that they were each other's first yet being here as spouses after working together for years. It sounded weird, almost wrong to her that she failed to meet his eyes until he ended. He obviously noticed her expression and decided to comfort her, prioritizing soothing her worried state. 'Amanda," 'Yes?" Her tone was softer, her demeanor was honeyed while he had witnessed her worst, her demonic side being the torture specialist. He was in fact astonished to find her like this. 'This is my mother's brooch. It means a lot to me. She passed away, I don't have much memories about her but-" Ending in a sigh, he bent to one knee and offered her a beautiful flower shaped brooch with all his sincerity and heart that brought a glow on her face. She absolutely adored it. 'I think you will be a great mother so this for you and I hope I won't disappoint you too," To his chuckle, she stared at the man before in deep admiration, tilting her head to the side with tears blurring her vision. '... Where were you all this time?" 'Next to you, I guess?" And she ended up crying, hugging him immediately as they both fell on the ground with her hands holding onto him with all her heart. Tears rolled down as if the lava, the fear, the anguish of her heart had been cured and finding him ended her search. 'Don't abandon me, don't hurt me, don't leave me, De Villiers," She sobbed, snuggling to his neck. He was flabbergasted to find their best broken but soon relaxed. She was not his work partner, the woman before him was his wife. Subsequently, embracing her back with a heartfelt sensation. He kissed her neck while his other hand rubbed her back to shift her into his lap and ease her. 'I promise to annihilate any bad memories from your mind. You can trust me, I am not an undignified pig," He whispered affectionately, wiping her tears. Her fingers gripping onto his shirt desperately, refusing to lift her head from his shoulder as he laughed a little. His one hand on her back as his other hand slowly traced from her shoulder to her knuckles, kissing them endearingly, marking a new beginning for both of them. 'I am accepting you as my wife, as the mother of my child and my future wholeheartedly. Will you?" With tears glistening, heart pumping madly, mind intoxicated to imagine a future with him, she ended up grinning. 'Gladly, De Villiers,"