157 BONUS CHAPTER. CLAIRE

157 BONUS CHAPTER. CLAIRE
I kicked the covers off my feet and jumped out of bed as soon as I heard the main door open. The house was huge, and it should have been nearly impossible for me to hear it open. But my ears were as sharp as a bat's when it came to Raviel. I could even hear his footsteps as he walked down the driveway. He always opened the main door as quietly as possible so as not to wake me, but I could still hear him.
He had just returned from Miami.
"Why are you still awake at two in the morning, baby?"
Raviel scooped me into his arms before kissing me hard.
"I was waiting for you to come home. I can't sleep if you come home late."
"I have a meeting with some of my clients. Seth can't handle it himself because they really need to discuss the details of the weapon with me."
Raviel sighed softly.
"I should have hired a physicist specifically for that, but the weapons I make come directly from here." Raviel tapped his temple with his index finger.
“They can only handle the manufacturing process, but they can’t make a prototype.”
“Then give them a chance to make their own weapons.”
I led Raviel to the sofa.
We’ve had fascinating late-night conversations since we got married three months ago. It became a routine. I'd spend an hour or two listening to Raviel ramble on about his work. I never got tired of listening to his stories. It was nice to know all about his activities outside the house, rather than being completely in the dark.
“I've already done that. Every year, I go to the science fair to see the students’ work. The projects that interest me receive full funding. I hire them to work in my factory. Some students who perform well will be offered permanent positions in my company. I always pay them a fair price for their work, far above market value. But most of my clients want weapons that come directly from my mind. I can’t hand that over to anyone unless I do it myself.”
“That’s the risk of being a genius. Your brain is incredibly brilliant. I hope our children inherit your intelligence.”
“Aiden is a brilliant baby. I can see it.”
“And the other baby.”
I placed my palm on my belly.
Raviel stared at me in confusion. A second later, his jaw dropped in shock. His chin looked like it was about to fall to the floor as he watched me nod.
“Don’t tell me you’re…”
“Pregnant,” I said enthusiastically.
“I just found out this afternoon. I’ve been feeling unwell for the past two weeks. I was a little suspicious because the symptoms were almost the same as when I was pregnant with Aiden. And when I got tested, it turned out to be positive.”
“Wow, I can’t believe this. Our family is growing.”
He was still speechless as he took me into his arms. I knew he was thrilled with the news of my pregnancy, but he was too emotional to express his happiness.
“I’m so happy, baby. I regret not marrying you sooner if it would have brought me endless happiness.”
He kissed my temple and tightened his embrace.
“Three months, and so many amazing things have happened. I want to share my happiness with the world.”
I raised my eyebrows in confusion.
“What does that mean?”
“I want to hold a wedding reception and announce your pregnancy to everyone.”
“Weren’t we already married at the registry office?” I chuckled softly.
Raviel hadn’t fussed when I asked him to marry me there three months ago. But perhaps the wedding was too simple for Raviel’s glamorous lifestyle. Our wedding was witnessed only by a registry office staff member. There were no relatives, and no guests. After our documents were legalized, we went to Anthonio’s townhouse to pick up Aiden. It was far from my dream wedding, but I was happy because I was marrying the man I truly loved.
“We did get married at the registry office, but we haven’t held a wedding reception yet. My colleagues don’t know that I have a beautiful wife and a handsome son.”
“Why should they know about me? I don’t care if they don’t know anything about me, as long as you know about me and that you love me.”
“I’ve always loved you, Claire,” Raviel kissed my lips gently. "But if they attend our wedding, they'll know I'm off-limits. That way, they won't be throwing women into my lap at every meeting."
“Are there women at every meeting?”
“Not if it’s at my office, but sometimes we meet at their place or at a club. Women are always present among us.”
“How many women?”
Jealousy began to burn in my heart. I imagined Raviel sitting on a sofa surrounded by beautiful, sexy women. They were definitely not just any prostitutes, but supermodels with perfect faces and bodies.
“At least six women. All topless.”
“Topless?” I widened my eyes in surprise.
“That’s a perfectly normal thing. And it’s not as extreme as in the underworld. In the underworld, you’ll find completely naked women, crawling around like insects. Some of them are also bought and sold.”
“I don’t care what you did before we were married, but if you do it after we’re married, I’ll cut off your balls.”
“Baby, you’re so sadistic. I’m not interested in them because all I want is you. I haven’t even been with anyone for a year. For a man like me, that’s a level above loyalty. We always have amazing sex every day like it’s the first time. All because I’m crazy about you.”
“I don’t like having women around you during meetings. Can’t you let Seth or Charless handle your meetings?” I started to get possessive of him. I blamed my pregnancy hormones.
“I can’t leave that responsibility to them because it’s my job.”
I pursed my lips in annoyance.
I was about to get up to return to our room, but Raviel held me in his lap.
“That’s why we have to have a wedding, baby. I want them to know I’m a married man, and I’m proud of it.”
“I’m pregnant.”
“And? There’s no rule that says pregnant women can’t have weddings.”
I smacked his arm lightly.
“I’ll balloon up and be ugly. You know how big I grew when I was pregnant with Aiden.”
Raviel chuckled softly before kissing my pursed lips.