You Belong To Me (A Spin-Off To Avenge Marriage Series)

Chapter #4 Vera's Proposal

                                                                          Enrique

Her lips were soft and assuring. Her touch was cajoling and full of assurance. It gave him hope that maybe all was still not lost. Maybe, he managed to come here just in time and rectify the situation before it got worse. There was no way Enrique ever wanted to be the reason for someone shedding tears. Especially not Vera. He gazed at her face and even though her sparkling blue eyes looked dull today, her nose red and face pale, she was still extremely beautiful. He had no idea why she would fall for someone like him. He was just so...normal. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Vera asked distracting him and he realized he was blatantly staring at her. 

"I have a question," He answered and Vera raised her perfectly plucked brow and nodded her head. 

"You seem to have a lot of questions," She pointed out. Enrique wasn't sure if she said it bitterly or playfully but he shot her a sheepish smile regardless. 

"I guess," He answered, scratching his head before turning serious. "I have the same question as you...why me?" Vera blinked at him, looking lost. 

"Why you what?" She demanded and before Enrique could answer, realization flitted across her face. "Oh," She muttered and he nodded. 

If he goes by how Vera Vazquez was, she most probably seemed to go for men with a flirtatious attitude, lopsided playful grin and beach tanned bodies. He had no idea why the image of men roaming around the beach in their swimming trunks popped into his head out of the blue and even though it was not a very appealing image to him, it seemed like her taste. Or maybe those brooding CEO type men who knew what they want in their life exactly like they knew how much sugar they want in their coffee. 

Enrique knew neither. For the latter, he just goes with what tastes best to him and for the first part...well, that was another sad story of his life. But in all his senses, he can't ever understand what Vera saw in him. Like Amber doesn't gets what he saw in her. He shook his head and he knew he has to shove that name in the back of his head. He has promised Vera that he would try and so he would. Because he knew if he tries a little hard, he could let Amber go and embrace whatever it is that was between him and Vera. 

"Didn't Amber give you my letter?" Vera inquired, distracting him. Enrique nodded his head. 

"She did," He answered. "But all I saw there was thank you...for being me. It made no sense to me if I am being honest," 

"The letter or the reason why it's you?" Vera inquired. 

"A little of both," He replied. "I don't understand, Vera. You left someone like Ivan and then you fell for me....why? Ivan is ten times much better than me when compared but..." 

"I don't see how he is better than you or how you are worse than him," Vera replied, cutting him off. "And it's...I don't know how this whole love s**t is supposed to work but I am pretty damn sure it doesn't involve checking someone's bank account or how many cars he own...or I don't know. Amber loves Ivan because it's something...that has happened over years. Since she was a small child. He was her hero for some reason whereas I don't even remember ever meeting Ivan before the masquerade. And he seemed just...normal to me. But you..." She trailed off as her sparkling blue eyes held his gray ones. 

"You?" Enrique prompted. 

"You made me feel worthy," She replied softly. "And wanted when everyone was pushing me away. You saved my life and your capacity to love someone from afar and even your hatred towards me..."

"I never hated you," Enrique pointed out. "I just lost it at Cecilia's birthday with everything that happened," 

"That was pretty harsh regardless," She shot him a look. "But in more ways than one, you prompted me to look within and try to be a better person even if it was just to please you. I had no idea I could ever love someone or a guy could make me cry. Trust me, I called my Ob-Gyn to ask if something was going wrong with me. She told me I might be experiencing what normal people call love. It was humiliating that my doctor needed to point out I was falling in love. I was almost convinced I had last stage caner or something,"

Enrique blinked at her and she looked so serious that he burst out laughing as he imagined Vera asking her doctor if she was going to die because a guy made her cry. It was a hilarious thing to imagine. 

"You are cute," He laughed as he pulled her cheek and then stopped and blinked at her. What was he doing? Vera smiled at him, a soft shy smile that baffled him a little as she shook her head. 

"So you see..." She shrugged, looking embarrassed. "I don't love you because of the family you belong from, there's nothing to like in that department, no offence. I don't love you because of how god damn good looking you are and I how much love it when you wear those plain white and black tees that sticks to your body, it's an added bonus for sure but that's not it though. It's your inner beauty, it's who you are and who you made me as person that made me fall for you. It's what inside of you and I don't mean it the wrong way...I mean the person you are," 

Enrique blinked at him and then blushed. She was way too outspoken sometimes. But he also felt a little smug. If Vera Vazquez thinks he was good looking, there must be some truth to it. He never paid much attention to all that. It was Ivan who was more popular among girls and yes women did made a pass at him more than often, he credited all that to his birth and his loaded bank account which he didn't have now. And yet, a woman like Vera...who could literally own the world was taken by him. It definitely fueled his ego and made him feel like he was seeing himself in a new light. 

"Er...thank you so much," Enrique smiled bashfully. "Nobody said anything like that to me ever before," Vera blinked at him and then snorted. 

"I am sure you have had your share of women," She answered and Enrique shook his head. 

"Not as much as Ivan," He answered. "I have had a few relationships...a few flings too, that's all. What about you?" 

"You are asking me about my dating history?" Vera demanded, her beautiful complexion suddenly turning crimson. Enrique nodded. He was very curious to know what all mighty Vera Vazquez's dating history be like. "Trust me, it's not as colorful," She waved her hand nonchalantly and Enrique scoffed. 

"Please, you can pass for anything but innocent," He muttered. Vera shot him a look and shook her head. 

"Where are you staying?" She asked instead and Enrique's eyes widened. Crap! He forgot to check-in first. He was so anxious about how things will go that he headed straight here to see her before checking into a hotel. 

"Er, I forgot to check-in," He muttered. "I thought you will leave or something and I just rushed here. I should better get going and find a place to stay first," 

"You can stay here," Vera offered and he blinked at her. What? 

"Here?" Enrique muttered. "But there's...just one bedroom here," Vera gave him a blank look and rolled her eyes. 

"And? I have a king size bed...it's matter of two days anyway," She prompted. "After this entire talk that we had for the past one hour. I presumed you are officially my boyfriend now," 

"If that's would you like to call me," He answered with a shrug. 

"Are you really this innocent and simple or you just play along like this to attract women?" Vera commented, her blue eyes peering intently at him. "It sure works even if it's the latter. But that's not the point. You don't have to be shy of me. It makes no sense to waste money. After everything that happened with us, sharing a bed with me shouldn't be a problem," Enrique stared at her and she showed no hint of embarrassment. This woman was sure something to deal with but that was what was also attractive about her. This quality of hers was what made Vera...Vera. 

"That was not what I meant," He mumbled. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable, that's all," Vera gazed at him silently for a moment and then smiled. 

"You can never make me feel uncomfortable, Enrique," She said softly. "I want you to stay here. Don't worry, I will keep my hands to myself," She gave him a smile that was not as playful as he was privy to but still it was beautiful. Something about her screamed sad but he can't point his finger out at what. If she was happy that he was here, if she was not pissed at him either...than why did she look sad? Was there something else she was hiding? 

"Okay, thank you so much," He answered and Vera nodded her head. Standing up, she held out her hand. 

"Come, I will show you around," She said. Enrique smiled and placed his hand in hers. It wasn't much small compared to his because Vera was quite tall with beautiful long, perfectly manicured fingers and nails that could literally kill someone. Her nails reminded him of something and he quickly shook his head as she dragged him into the bedroom. Yes, they do have a lot between them to feel embarrassed or awkward but he still did. 

"This is my bedroom," She waved her hand around and Enrique nodded his head. 

"This is your bedroom," He said, gazing around. It was pretty contemporary, all shades of grey with a big king size bed tucked into the wall in the center, followed by a huge grey furry rug on the floor, sleek wardrobes camouflaging with the color of the wallpaper on his right, a flat screen and several mundane posters was on the opposite wall of the bed, followed by a dresser and a gigantic bamboo swing chair tucked with fluffy pillows in the center. 

"It's very you," He repeated. 

"What is that supposed to mean?" Vera demanded. "You are not insulting me, are you?" Enrique rolled his eyes and shook his head. 

"No, I mean very sophisticated and regal...like you," He replied. "Grey is my favorite color too. It's nice," 

"Oh, well...thank you," Vera smiled, looking pleased. "There's the bathroom. You will find spare towels and stuff in the cabinets if you want to er...take a shower. Be comfortable and feel free to ask for anything," Enrique gave her a smile and nodded his head. It was a little awkward for sure but it was just two days so. 

"I...will leave it to you than," She muttered and giving him a wave, walked out, closing the door behind her. Enrique glanced at the bed briefly and shook his head. He felt like invading someone's privacy here. But since Vera seemed absolutely comfortable having him here, guess he need not be bothered.

"So, where are you headed exactly?" Enrique asked, dragging the shopping cart behind Vera as she blatantly threw things into them, without even checking what she was throwing. 

"Moscow," She replied, gauging between two flavors of cup noodles. "The first five days," Enrique was fascinated but frowned at the same time. 

"Uh, Vera...why are you picking up all kinds of ready to eat food, may I know?" Enrique demanded. Vera turned to face him and she looked a little sheepish. 

"Well, I suppose you wouldn't want to eat burn food because I can't cook, obviously," She said breezily. Enrique stared at her for a moment and then rolled his eyes, putting half of the things back. 

"Leave it to me," He said, taking charge of the cart, rather than dragging it. Vera blinked at him and then quickly followed behind. 

"You can cook?" She asked, fascinated and Enrique shot her a grin. 

"You won't need to eat burnt anything, I can assure you that much," He answered, throwing a packet of spaghetti and canned tomatoes in the cart. 

"Sorry," Vera mumbled. Enrique frowned and turned his eyes grey eyes to her contrite face.

"For what?" He demanded, c*****g his head to the side. Vera fumbled with the can of tomatoes and shrugged. 

"I am not much good at anything," She grumbled. "Amber could have cooked you a pretty decent meal without even winking," Enrique was surprised. Of all the people, he doesn't expect Vera to talk like that. He held her chin lightly and tipped it up, forcing her to look at him. Her lips were turned down like that of a child and if anything she looked adorable. He gave her an assuring smile. 

"You are not Amber, are you?" He pointed out. "You are you. You might not be able to cook a five star meal but you can pretty decently beat up ten guys without blinking, can't you?"

"Well, not ten but..." Vera trailed off and smiled at him. To his surprise, she moved closer and wrapped her arms around him, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Thank you, Enrique...again," She whispered.

 Enrique smiled, and gave her a pat on the back. It was a bit weird for him to be so freely display affection to her. He was still wrapping his head around the fact that they were in a relationship. But it was just the way he was and he was willing to try and break that mold.

"You are the last person I expect to compare herself with anyone," Enrique said softly, tracing her cheeks with his thumb as she moved away. "It steals your authenticity, so don't do that," Vera smiled and slowly nodded her head. 

"Keep reminding me," She smiled. "So, what am I having for dinner?" Enrique laughed, shaking his head, as he took his position behind the cart again. Vera hooked her arm with his as they moved along the aisles and Enrique raised his brow at her. 

"Girls are eyeing you continuously," She clarified, trying to sound nonchalant. "They should know better," Enrique stifled his smile and gently shook her head as they headed ahead. She was possessive. Doesn't surprise him and again made him feel a little smug inside. This...was much nicer than feeling shitty as hell back at home.  

Enrique stared silently at the sleeping form beside him, eyes closed, lashes fanned across her cheeks, silky blonde hairs thrown across the silk pillow. She was beautiful. There was no denying that. And sleeping, she actually did look quite innocent. He stared at her lips and for some reason was tempted to run his thumb across it. They were full and reddish pink, extremely inviting. But he wasn't the man to touch a woman ever without her permission and consent. 

He couldn't sleep because of probably the change in places but watching her sleep, he realized was not that bad for time pass. He had so many questions in his mind. How was this going to work? She would be travelling for almost a month and he would have to get back and start working on his new business ideas that were still yet on paper. Can they do long distance? Hell, can they even do a proper relationship? Both were so new to this. Both still needing to learn so much. 

Unlike Ivan and Amber, who have learned what they have between them today the hard way, he and Vera have just started. And Ivan and Amber, both crazily loved each other. What about them? How strong was their bond and connection? It was strong enough to drag him here but was it strong enough to make this work with so much distance between them? What if seeing Amber makes him loose his path and commitment again? It was a terrifying thought because he cannot afford to hurt Vera. He won't. There were so many things that needed to be discussed but all the thoughts came to a halt as he was distracted by a low sobbing sound. He blinked and dragged his eyes from the ceiling to Vera's sleeping form. Her eyes were closed tightly shut but she was most definitely crying, rapid tears falling down her cheeks, lips quivering. 

Crap! Was she having a nightmare? 

"Vera," Enrique shook her lightly. "Vera? Open your eyes...Vera?" After calling her several times, blue eyes opened up, looking almost like an ocean with the tears brimming in them. She blinked at him, probably not recognizing him. Her eyes were wide, filled with bewilderment. 

"It's okay," Enrique said softly, patting her head. "It's completely okay. Just a bad dream," Though he wasn't sure if that was what it was. Despite everything, she seemed upset the entire day. She still looked jolted, so he softly pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Vera nestled her face in his chest and he could sense her crying again. Why was she crying? Vera definitely wasn't the crying type. Amber has told him that she hates people who cries and yet in the matter of a day, he has probably seen him cry thrice. Why? 

"Don't go," She whispered, surprising him. Enrique moved his head back and blinked at her. 

"What?" He asked, not understanding. She gazed at him with her oceanic eyes that looked extremely sad for some reason. 

"Come with me," She said, almost begged and Enrique had no idea what she was talking about. 

"I...don't understand," He said. "Come with you where?"

"To this trip..." She answered, caressing his cheek with her fingers. "I...I really need you, Enrique," Tears brimmed in her eyes again and Enrique was baffled. Something was not right. He need to force the truth out of her but he also knew now was not the moment. 

He moved closer and softly ran his thumb across her lips. They were even more soft from all the crying. He gazed at her softly, seeking permission. Vera closed her eyes tentatively and he took that for a yes as he placed his lips on hers, brushing them lightly with his before locking them with hers. He kissed her tenderly, her lips soft as silk and eagerly tending to his. His breathing hitched in his throat, desire flooding through his body at the tender,  touch velvety touch of hers but he held back. 

"We need to go slow," He whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. "I don't want to make the same mistake again," Vera gazed at him and nodded her head in thorough agreement. 

"I love you," She whispered, nestling her head at the crook of his neck. Enrique slowly ran his fingers through her hairs and stared silently into the darkness.

 He still needed some time to say that back. 

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A/N: Hello lovely readers! How are you all? Here's the next update. I am so glad to see that everyone is enjoy the story so much. I am trying my best to make Enrique and Vera's story as beautiful as any other. I hope you enjoy today's update and let's see what crazy idea Vera has. Thank you so much once again! 

Have a great day or night :)