Chapter 38

"I am really sorry for the inconvenience I caused you." He spun around to see her standing at his balcony. Only then did he realise the golden rays illuminating the room. He walked towards her and swore she took a few steps back.

"Thank you for all your...assistance. I won't bother you anymore." Her voice sharp and direct. She started to leave.

"I don't want you to leave." Blaze declared and she stilled in front of him.

"Well I want to leave." She retorted venomously, her eyes shining with resistance. She made a step forward and he grabbed hold of her arm.

She looked at his grip and then into his stony eyes. Juliette could tell he was trying to maintain his composure. "Can you just...please stop pushing me away?" His words a command, not a question.

Juliette pulled her arm out of his grasp. "Can you please stop trying to control what I do? You don't get a say in how I react!" She shot back.

Blaze sighed, he brought his temper down, his voice at a reasonable level. "Can you cut me some slack here Juliette? Please?" His eyes pleading.

"How much slack should I allow? Whatever it is you're asking of me Blaze...I can't comply."

"What are you referring to?" He asked slowly. He needed to know what was bothering her.

"Your little flirtation with Diane." She answered fluently. She was not ashamed to admit her hurt anymore.

Blaze stared at her. That bothered her? When he made her think that he and Diane...she had acted as if it didn't bother her.

"Diane?" He questioned again.

"Yes Diane. Whatever it was you two were doing in her room and probably on other occasions. I just...I feel so sick whenever I think about it. What were you even doing with me Blaze? If you wanted the pleasure of having multiple women then why?" Her voice bordering in hysteria.

"Juliette I don't want multiple women. I don't even want Diane." He tried to defend himself.

"Bullshit!"

"I know how it must seem but I still want you. Please reconsider and marry me." He begged.

Juliette's brow furrowed. "Marry you? Blaze in case you have forgotten, I have lost the baby." Her voice cracked at the mention of her crushed dream.

"There is no reason for you to want to marry me anymore."

"That is where you're mistaken Jwels. I didn't propose because of the baby. The baby was just an excuse to propose. I still want to marry you, baby or no baby." He walked closer to her, his voice a half shout.

"I can't Blaze. I love you so much but I can never forget Diane and I will never stop wondering if you will be cheating on me and belittling our relationship." Her eyes closed to stop the tears from flowing.

"You love me?" Blaze stood in astonishment his heart and soul smiling. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Juliette laughed sardonically. "Tell you? Why would I tell you when it wouldn't make a difference?"

"It would have made the world of difference-"

"How? Would you have loved me back? Would you have been honest with me about our relationship? How would it be different?" She questioned.

Blaze made an attempt to hold her but she moved away.

"I do love you Jwels! More than I ever imagined possible." He retorted.

"Is that why you went into Diane's room? Why you told me that you were just screwing me for fun!" She shouted.

"I went into Diane's room because she wanted to tell something pertaining to Mary-"

"You expect me to believe that?" Juliette countered.

"No. Not when I should have told you before. But I was blinded by my pride. I thought falling in love would be a sign of weakness. You have to understand I walk to my own tune Juliette. I wasn't ready to change that. I was scared but I know now that my pride and everything else pales in comparison to a life without you." He persuaded.

"As for Diane. I was going to tell you the truth the night before the wedding but you never came to bed. She's pregnant for Luke." He confided.

Juliette's eyes snapped up to meet his. "For Luke? She was having an affair with him while..."

"While he was engaged to my sister." Blaze finished. "She called me in to tell me that. I wasn't going to go but I was curious to know what she could possibly have to tell me that relates to Mary."

"Does your family know this?" Juliette grew sympathetic.

"Emma called while we were asleep. They just found out. But I managed to convince them to keep it from Mary until she returns from her honeymoon."

Juliette shook her head back and forth. "How could they be so cruel?"

"I don't think it matters anymore, my sister has dodged a bullet. He is no longer a part of her life thankfully. I also hope my family will now see the evils of keeping Diane as a friend." He replied.

"So you didn't- with Diane?"

Blaze smiled sadly. It was all his mess. If he didn't lie then this would have been avoided. "I didn't. How could I forsake you for anyone else?"

"I just don't know what to think right now." She confessed. All this information swam around in her head.

Blaze took this opportunity to walk closer to her, his arms snaking around her waist and pulling her flush against him. "Don't think, just listen. I have been cold and distant. I have deceived you into thinking you meant nothing to me but Juliette allow me the chance to correct it. Allow me the chance to prove my love and devotion to you. Because love, I can't imagine any other way to spend my existence.

I do adore you more than my words can do justice please do me the honour of marrying me." He was down on one knee now. His hands holding on to hers.

Juliette gasped. "I am not good for you Blaze. I can't give you a family, I can't-"

"You're all I need. We can always adopt. But I can't imagine sharing you with anyone. Oh wait." He paused and searched his pocket. He pulled out a velvet box, he stared at it a while. "I've had this for a while now. Since the day I came back. I was never given the opportunity to give it to you since...you know. Juliette, marry me." His gaze intent as he opened the box and the rays of heaven cascaded over the sliver ring studded with diamonds.

It was simple but Juliette doubted there would ever be its equal. The ring suited her taste. It wasn't huge and flash but neat and small. She smiled. How was it that he knew her so well?

"I will." She answered.

"Juliette please-" he stopped. "What did you say?"

Juliette smiled. Shining droplets falling down her flushed cheeks. "I will marry you."

Blaze shot up from the ground, his lips crashing against hers. In a moment of logic he pulled away and slid the ring on her finger. "Now you shall always be mine." He expressed huskily.

He planted his lips on hers again. His hands cupping her face eagerly. How he managed to stay away from her for so long he didn't know. He gathered her up in his arms and walked her over to their bed.

He laid her down gently, his fingers working on removing her clothing as his lips explored and savoured the sweet taste of her flesh.

Without the hope of ever having a baby, Juliette would probably go mad. But with this man who was caressing and gifting her with immense pleasure, she knew she would gain the world of support. The chances of her mourning her fate of being childless had indeed been reduced to naught.