CHAPTER 22

Ronald couldn't bear the friendly dalliance between Erika and Mr. Rafeal. He saw how she was forcing herself to smile and to look good.

He left the dinner table without completing his plate, Erika watched him heading to the balcony.

"What do you do for living? I didn't know that Mr. Rafeal had a brother." Erika stated to break the strange tenssion. Fastino's thin smile appeared. He took a sip from the orange juice and then said, "Well, I'm his adoptive brother; I'm the good, nothing man in the family."

Mr. Rafael smiled in glory. His brother finally complained about his useless role in the family. Fistino put the glass down, raised his eyebrow, and showed the brightest smile ever seen.

"But I can be somebody for you." Fastino replied as he was testing Rafael's patient. Erika pointed to Rafael with the back of her spoon, then said,I have him, and that's enough; I don't want more headaches."

"Isn't it so strange to call him Mr. Rafael? Is it a contract marriage or an arranged marriage? I know my brother well," Fastino asked with that sharp devil smile on his face. Erika slowly raised her sights on Mr. Rafael.

She wanted to get married like any normal ladies, to fall in love then, but despite that, she didn't guarantee his feelings; she doubted the fact that he had emotions towards her.

"Fastino, it's better if you keep your mouth shut. I'm trying to have a peaceful meal." Mr. Rafael stated, he grabbed Erika's hand tenderly as he was telling her everything would be alright.

"I really want to work this marriage out; I truly want to gain his love," Erika whispered. She was staring at Mr. Rafael, who was so calm and quite.

"Thank you for the meal; we have to go anyhow; may be I will pay you a visit before I travel back to London," Fastino mouthed as he took his suitcase and put it on Ronald's car.

"Nice to have you, Mr. Fastino," Erika said. She was trying to hide her pain; her arm ached her in an unbearable way since they sat on the table, and till now, no one has noticed her suffering.

"Where is he gone? He didn't pick up my calls " Fastino asked he could not find Ronald anywhere. Rafael stood by the door with a cross hands.

"Maybe he ran away," Mr. Rafael said, his sassy smile showing hatred towards Ronald, who just came running to the gate.

The sweet on his shirt, his messy hair—he handed the pouch to Erika, who took it.

"Be sure to take those tables on time; you don't have to move your arm like this; you're still healing. It takes at least three months to be completely covered, so watch yourself," Ronald said in an intermittent tone. The glow on his eyes as he kept staring at Erika could tell he was falling for her.

"Thank you, doctor; I can treat my wife on my own." Mr. Rafael said, standing between them. Erika's tears were about to drop. She wiped her eyes, then said to herself,

"He is just trying to mess around you; no way, did he run to the city hospital to get those tables; it took two hours."

"By the way, Ronald birthday party will be after a week from now, I insist you to come," Fastino said as Ronald ignited the car. He gazed at Erika, who was still in a doze, thinking about Ronald's hidden wellings.

"I might not come, I'm not into baby boys parties, " Mr. Rafael replied. He stared at Ronald, who didn't allow himself to take his eyes off the wheel.

"It's enough, Fastino; you overrated it." Ronald's angry tone was clear. They drove as Erika and Rafael entered the room.

She took her tables as she was told to; she was watching the dark sky from the window and the calm of the night.

He ran his hands on her waist to grab her tight till she felt hurt. She sighed as she grew in pain.

"So is that your standar?" Mr. Rafael hissed in her ears, slowly turning her to face him. She held her tears; she could not move her body; he was pressing too much stress on her.

"You're hurting me, Mr. Rafael," Erika said weakly. He touched her forehead with his, to notice her high temperature.

He quickly lifted her and laid her on the bed with a worried look. He almost lost control, and she turned to the other side.

"It's all your fault; now I can't get the image of you and him from my mind," Mr. Rafael said to himself as he leaned closer to her. She could feel his breath on her neck.

"Mr. Rafael, for your sake, let me alone; I need to sleep," Erika whispered while she tried to cover herself with the soft blanket.

"You're my..." He hissed, kissing his cheek. She pulled him away and said, "Mr. Rafael, get the hell out of my room; why can't you feel with me?" Erika yelled; he made himself out of the room, carsing Fastino and Ronald; he had planned to make this night special for them.

"What's the important issue that needs my personal presence?" Fastino required that, as he sat himself on the chair, Ronald handed him a phone showing the video that Kan made of Erika.

"I want you to erase this video from every website or social media; I don't want to see any trace of it." Ronald said. Fastino nodded his head and put the phone inside his back pocket.

"Why are you going this far for her?" Fastino asked as he noticed the love flame in his friend's eyes.

"Isn't it clear, Fastino? I don't want to talk about this; just do it, and I will make the party as I promised you."Ronald stated, and Fastino raised his shoulders and lowered them, then said, "If my brother fell in love with her, then your chance to get her heart is zero."

"You're overreacting, Ronald said as he threw the pillow at him.

"From now on, write your testament and put all your property in my name; my brother has set you up." Fastino said with a giggle, his smile turned sad, then he thought, "I'm really sorry about her; she didn't know the true face of Rafael; his was such a solid heart and a savaman."