Chapter 2 Not Ready To Make Their Marriage Public

The memory of how she and Brian had come together flashed vividly in Rachel's mind.

It had been a tumultuous beginning. Back then, Tracy had left him for another man, moving to a different country.

The betrayal had shattered Brian. In his despair, he had drowned his pain in alcohol, losing himself in a haze of anger and heartbreak.

On that fateful night, consumed by raw emotion, he had pinned Rachel down. She had sobbed and trembled beneath him, but he hadn't stopped. Driven by a desperate, almost primal need, he had taken her again and again as if trying to fill the void Tracy had left behind.

The following day, as the weight of the previous night hung between them, Brian turned to her with a somber expression. "After everything, are you still willing to be with me?"

She had nodded, her voice trapped in her throat. And just like that, their relationship began, not out of love, but as an impulsive outcome of a night together.

Now, as Brian stood before Rachel, her heart aching with the weight of unspoken questions, she wondered if he felt anything for her at all, if there was even the faintest trace of affection or tenderness in his heart, or if she had simply been a placeholder for the love he had lost.

Brian's eyes lingered on Rachel, his voice tender yet firm. "Our wedding is just around the corner. Soon, you'll be my wife. I'll love and protect you, always."

A sudden chill brushed her lips, and without thinking, she placed her fingers gently over Brian's lips, halting his words. "Brian, please," she murmured, "I already understand. You've been up all night, and you're exhausted. Go change before you head to the office. I'll bring your clothes."

Her voice was calm, but as she turned, tears began to fall uncontrollably.

Brian had spoken in such tender tones, filled with promises of care and devotion. Yet, all she could feel was the emptiness behind them. His reassurances were sweet, but they lacked the sincerity she longed for.

If it were truly love, there would have been no need for such grand declarations. A single, honest word would have been enough. The more he tried to convince her, the more his words seemed to reveal the truth, that love was something he hadn't offered.

At that moment, Rachel found herself unable to bear any more. She turned away, unable to listen further, feeling a deep ache settle in her heart.

As she reached into the wardrobe to fetch a suit, a familiar embrace enveloped her from behind, pulling her close. Brian's chin rested softly on her head, and he held her hand gently, his voice filled with concern. "It's not cold, yet your hands feel so cold."

Tears still clung to Rachel's lashes; her chest weighed down with an unspoken ache. She struggled to find the right words, unsure of how to respond to his sudden tenderness.

Without warning, Brian turned her around, his gaze soft but intense.

Rachel lifted her eyes, her tear-filled gaze meeting his. The vulnerability in her gaze stirred something deep within him. Unable to resist, he cupped her face and kissed her, hard and desperate, as if trying to consume her, to make her a part of him.

Rachel rose on her tiptoes, leaning back under his forceful yet tender touch. Her face flushed, and her breathing became erratic, caught between the rush of emotions and the intensity of the moment. But amidst it all, a subtle sweetness began to stir in her chest.

Years together had taught her that only in these quiet, intimate exchanges did Brian show her any sign of wild passion. It was in these rare moments that she felt truly cherished.

"Brian..." Rachel whimpered, her voice trembling as she struggled for air.

Brian seemed to snap out of his trance, releasing her with a sudden shift in demeanor. His words, heavy with desire, were thick with regret. "If it weren't for that meeting, I wouldn't have held back."

Rachel's face flushed deeper, a rush of both embarrassment and warmth sweeping through her. She gave him a gentle push as if trying to escape the intensity of the moment. "Last night, we've..." Her voice trailed off.

Brian, however, remained unfazed, his hold on her steady yet gentle. His gaze didn't waver as he looked at her with unwavering resolve. "What does it matter? You're mine now, and I can't stop wanting you."

Before Rachel could respond, she felt something cool and smooth slide onto her wrist. She looked down and saw a stunning bracelet, its ruby centerpiece catching the light and sparkling brilliantly. The gem's deep red hue made her skin appear even more delicate.

"Is this... for me?" Rachel asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

Brian nodded, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yes. Do you like it?"

Her gaze flickered from the bracelet back to his face. "Did you choose it yourself?"

He nodded again, a faint smile on his lips. "I thought it would be perfect for you."

Her heart warmed, and she couldn't help but smile. "I really love it. Thank you." She leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek in gratitude.

But Brian, still not satisfied, raised an eyebrow and pointed to his lips. His playful yet earnest look held her attention, silently demanding more.

Rachel understood the silent plea, though hesitation lingered in her heart. She wasn't accustomed to being the one to initiate, and a slight blush crept onto her cheeks.

With a teasing grin, he raised an eyebrow. "If you don't kiss me, I'll walk out the door." He let go of her hand, his smirk daring her to act.

Rachel's heart raced, her thoughts momentarily lost in the rush of emotions. Without thinking, she closed the distance between them and kissed him.

Brian, almost as if waiting for this moment, cradled her head in his hands and deepened the kiss, his fervor leaving no room for hesitation. It wasn't until she gasped, clutching at his clothes, that he pulled away, his breath uneven.

"Take some time to rest," Brian suggested gently, his eyes softening as he looked at her pale, tired face. "Stay home for a few days. You can visit my grandparents when you're feeling better. Don't worry about going back to work until you're fully recovered."

Rachel nodded obediently, her mind still hazy from the intensity of the moment.

She had always poured herself into her work. After earning her degree in fine arts, she joined White Group and quickly rose to become the department manager of the design division. Yet, the truth of her relationship with Brian remained a secret from her colleagues.

Though her dedication had never wavered, the stress had taken its toll recently. Severe headaches, dizziness, and occasional bouts of nausea were her body's way of demanding a break. Had it not been for these signs, she would have never taken time off. But she planned to slow down after their wedding. She wanted to shift her focus from work to the family she was about to build with Brian.

"Oh, and Brian," Rachel said quietly, the weight of the moment hanging between them. "Your mom already has the wedding date set."

Brian's lips curved into a faint, amused smile. "I know. She called me this morning."

Rachel paused for a moment, her thoughts tangled, before speaking hesitantly. "Then... shouldn't we tell the company about us? Everyone knows I'm getting married, but no one knows to whom. They've been teasing me, asking for invitations lately." The words escaped her, tinged with a mixture of anticipation and unease.

But Brian's expression didn't soften. Instead, it grew more rigid, his jaw tightening as he avoided her gaze. "Rachel," he began, his voice heavy with an unspoken apology. "I'm sorry."

Stunned, she looked at him, trying to process his sudden shift. "What? Why?"

He met her gaze, his eyes soft but resolute. "I'm not ready to make our marriage public yet. And I've told my family about it. For now, we're keeping it small, a private ceremony with close family and friends."

Rachel's hands froze, the tie slipping from her fingers. Her mind raced as his words sank in. So, everyone else already knew? She was the last to find out? If she hadn't brought it up, would he have kept her in the dark until the very end?

The idea of keeping their union a secret felt suffocating. A marriage, a vow to share their lives, yet it was to be hidden away.

Rachel wondered why. The truth, as painful as it was, began to sink in. Tracy was the reason. He still hadn't let go of her, and that realization shattered whatever hope Rachel had left.

Her chest tightened, and for a brief moment, the air felt too thick to breathe. Her eyes burned, the sting of unshed tears threatening to overtake her, but she blinked hard, pushing them down.

If Brian were marrying Tracy instead of her, he would have made it public in an instant. He would have broadcasted it to the world, eager for everyone to know that Tracy was the one he had chosen.

"What if I demand that we go public?" Rachel's voice wavered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she posed the question with unexpected defiance. "What if I want everyone to know about us?"

Brian was visibly taken aback. Rachel had always been compliant, and her demeanor was gentle and accommodating. This sudden assertiveness was unlike her, and it left him momentarily speechless. After a brief pause, he reached for her hand, his touch firm but not unkind. "Rachel," he said, his tone measured yet pleading, "just give me a little more time. I promise, when the moment is right, I'll make sure everyone knows who you are to me."

"So, it can't happen now, can it?" Rachel's voice was soft, almost resigned. She didn't dare let herself hope anymore.

Brian lowered his gaze, guilt clouding his expression. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

Rachel's hands trembled as she fought to steady herself. She took a deep breath, forcing her emotions into check, and finally spoke again, her voice quiet but resolute. "I'll agree to this... but on one condition."