6 The Reluctant Bride and Regretful Groom

I saw myself kissing Louis and as if he didn’t want to let go of me, this time, I see love and sweetness, not anger or remorse. I thought he hated me, I wonder. He is now cupping my face, with his eyes fixated on me alone. I love you, Maria, I….when I woke and thought Louis is near and haay!, it’s just a dream. A weird and crazy dream. My God! Why is it, he is always in my dreams or am I thinking about him more often?... Please God no, I hate him, I should hate him, but why is it that I feel love and not anger or hate?, I added so confused with what I feel for Louis.

Mom is the best. Wow, I still can’t believe she was able to pull that wild and heroic stunt. I w ant to see more action in the future, hehe!. Anyway!, mom is asleep, she must have dozed off after I slept feeling exhausted after that crazy shooting at the joint. It’s good she changed her clothes, that skirt was hot but torned. My stomach’s growling and I’m hungry. So, I decided to go and get me some food at the kitchen. There is a custom made kitchen at the ground floor, Tessa said that Louis wanted it since he always wanted to cook and have parties at the castle before. I was walking carefully so as not to wake my team up. I felt someone was watching me so I looked at my back, but no one is around, it is late anyway, at about 1:00 in the morning, I think.

Hmmmm…chocolate cake with cherries on top, and hot chocolate. Yup, I’ll fix me some hot choco, and, Crasssshhh…Ouch!, a voice so familiar to me blurted when some cups fell and broke on the left side of the room from where I am seated at the kitchen counter. Who is there?, I asked but I know already who he is. Ah it’s me, I just wanted water to drink, Julian is out, soo…..Louis said when he fainted in front of me. I was able to run across and catch him in time when he fell. Are you okay? Louis, umm… you’re temperature’s so high. Come on, I’ll help you up. Help me here. Louis, please!, I whispered while I try my best to carry him back to his room on the left wing. Oh, my God, stairs, how can I, f…c!

Louis woke and …I’m sorry Maria, I can walk now, thank you, he said apologetically. No, it’s okay, I’ll help you to your room and will be back to get that fever down. What happened? I asked worriedly while I place the covers to heat his body up.

I went back to take care of Louis, though he didn’t’ want me to, I still helped bringing his fever down with towel and cold water. I changed his clothing and got some anti-biotic and pain killer to help him rest. What is this wound he has on his arm? My eyes went big when I remembered the boy who shot my mom at the joint. She did nail the culprit, and he was Louis. My mood changed. From the caring me I suddenly felt the scare and anger towards Louis. Tessa came in and was shocked I found out about Louis maybe. Ah, I never imagined you’ll help Louis after…Tessa said feeling sorry. I know, but I forgive him, I just want to know why he did it and the reason behind his anger towards me and my family.

Tessa silently asked me to follow her and I did to a locked room on the castle’s right wing. There I saw many pictures and news about what happened to Montfort family before. So many years have gone by and Louis hated my great grandmother Gisel for cursing their family. I heard mom said before I made arrangements to travel here and help out with the castle’s renovation, my grand ma Gisel went to visit and asked for Louis’ forgiveness, he was just 15 years old then and he never gave in.

Ten years has passed and he still carried the old grudge. Yet, when he saw me, Tessa explained, he changed. He was still angry with me and my family but he seemed soft when he sees me or even when Tessa mentions my name or anything about me, his mood becomes lighter, happier and excited. She confirms this when I was invited by Louis to have dinner with him. As if he went back to the time when we were little and he has that silly crush on me. He still does I think, cause whenever I see him at the hall way or anywhere in and out of the castle, he seemed aloof, friendly but shy, he always blushes when I talk to him or he wants to escape my gaze when I look at him. It is strange but I think I like it when he does that. It’s cute, really.

I left Tessa with Louis since his fever went down anyway. I never knew Louis feels that way towards me, I thought to myself while I walk back to my room. I brought a piece of cake with me for mom, I bet she’ll be hungry when she wakes. I slept soundly the night away while thinking about Louis and what Tessa reveled to me about his family. I thought I knew him but I was wrong to believe he is really a bad person. It turns out he isn’t and he is still the sweetest boy I knew when I was little.

Rolando and Theresa are talking about Louis and Maria's engagement. Rolando was giving Tessa all the pointers why Louis needs to marry Maria and what's at stake on the said union. Both were still talking about the teens engagement, when Victoria caught them, while scouting the castle, looking for Tessa to talk to her about another issue. She was now sneak peaking (door slightly open) while the two relentlessly argue. And it didn’t take an hour to know everything about the marriage between her daughter and the prince

You are crazy Rolando, to think Maria will marry Louis now that he plotted to kill her mom or her. Who's idea was this, yours, right? Tessa boilin gin anger while seated on her big chair at her office at the centre of the living room of the castle.

Yes, it was my strange idea, but I never thought Louis would plot that and ruin everything we had planned for. I loved this family and that includes Maria and Victoria too. Maxie left them to my care and I would not start losing them when I wanted for them to ccome here in the first place, just to help in the castles renovation and to talk about the marriage arrangments. Victoria knew the risk but she wasn't prepared to hear my proposal on the two kids union. So, any bright ideas on how we reveal it to noth of them?, Rolando winking at Tessa.

Haaa, you're hopeless. You middle aged mongrel!!!, Tessa added laughing a bit.

Ha ha, but you love me that way, you old cunt!, Rolando said backfiring strongly. So, how will we do it? The great reveal , the engagement?, the proposal?, Rolando’s hands placed on top of Tessa’s table. Hmm! maybe, we can arrange for another romantic dinner, or to eradicate the bad first impression of the prince to Maria, let’s plan a picnic trip, ah, right, in the Montfort Farm Villa. Where Gisel and Maxie grew up together, and besides I love that place too?, What do you think?, Tessa eyeing Rolando and still waiting for the affirmation on the idea.

Yes, yes, and we can let Louis work for it, to get the woman he loves and sweat for it. He he!, Rolando added with an air of victory. Then let’s set it for next week. Maria and her team still has another 2 weeks to finish the front area of the castle. So, maybe her team can work things out here, I’ll stay to make sure everything will be prepared in time for their engagement and the proper announcements for it. Right! Tessa now getting fired up and excited for the awaited event. At long last!, she sighed in relief.

Okay then, Madam, I’ll leave the arrangements to you and I’ll prepare the Farm Villa ASAP, Rolando said happily, whistling while he walked out of Tessa’s office and head towards the Villa using the castle’s Benz. To reach the Villa it only takes a 2-hour drive. Rolando can get there at 12.

When Victoria heard about all this, running towards the other room near Tessa’s Office so Rolando won’t see her nosing around, she was relieved but worried at the same time. How will Maria take this engagement? I don’t know if she’ll consider being married to someone, most especially to Louis who hates our family in the first place. Hmm! this is going to be a long week, I bet, she added giving out a deep exhale.

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I was wearing my long silk gown when the same man with scars on his face started running after me, Then his face lit up and the scars, dishevelment, gone. He was so handsome, yet I kept running away from him. He was crying and started begging me to stay, but I kept running away…..Ah, ha, ha, ha, huh! Another strange dream, Haaay! This is getting weirder and weirder. I really need to get out of this castle as soon as the renovations are done, or I’ll go crazy, Maria thought touching her forehead and shutting her eyes again to clear them up. Mom???, she’s not in her bed. Hmm, where could she have gone to?

I went in for a quick shower, I was wearing only my towel when in front of me, Louis, seated at the end of the bed. Looo….f..k? You scared me!, I almost had a heart attack seeing him again and he’s in the same room as I am. Why are you here? I added still wearing my towel, sitting in front of the drawer to dry my hair with the hair dryer. When Louis moved and took the drier off my hand and turned it on to dry my hair. I came to say, “I’m sorry” about everything that happened, from the moment you set foot at the castle. I apologize for how badly I treated you, Em!, Louis added, his face revealing his sincerity. Em!, it’s the first time you used my nickname after so many decades.

Stop Louis, I don’t need your apology, so give me back the drier and get out of the room, I said angrily not looking at him or his eyes. Cause if I do, I would melt with his gorgeous eyes speaking to me. Em, pleaseee, Louis vey insistent. I stood up to push him away but the towel wrapped around me slipped and there exposed my naked body in front of the man I literally hate now. Ah...my, tow…, I said when trying to get the towel on the floor. Louis was doing the same thing but he bumped in to me and we both fell on the floor. He was looking at my body and as if in a flash he’s already on top of me. You are so beautiful Maria, Louis said touching my face. Seeing me in my vulnerable state, I wanted to hide my feelings by looking away from him. Louis was holding my arms on top of my head. He tries to kiss me on the lips but I didn’t budge. He was now holding both of my hands with his left hand and he gently took my chin and lips to his, and kissed it slowly, gently, then when he felt I responded, he went deeper, hungrier , taking his tongue out and literally eating my mouth now. Since I am naked in front of him, he can’t help but touch my breast and from my lips he went down my neck to my nipple and bit it, then licked and indulged himself on both of my bosoms. Lou…Louisss, please, stop!, Stop!, I bolted when he can no longer control himself and still kissed and bit my chest down to my navel. I, I’m sorry, Em, I love you and I have been yearning for you ever since you came at the castle. I never needed anyone else and never desired for anyone but you, Louis confessed and released my hands, took the towel I was wearing on the floor and placed it on top of me. He stood and gripped his hands, knuckles all white with regret maybe, then went out of the room. I didn’t see his reaction and how his ego looked. I was lying on the floor speechless but got the most wonderful and erotic feeling I have never felt before in my entire life.

Touching my lips, I now believe that I am in love with Louis. Whether I like it or not, it's definite that I am head over heels in love with

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