73. Karina's Visit

Rion took me to a villa on the seafront. He has a private resort of his own with a full villa facility.

“Why is this empty? You don’t rent this place out?” I asked as I looked around the villa’s living room. The interior design was elegant and minimalist.

“Not for now, because I want to invite you here,” Rion replied. I nodded, and then Rion gently pulled my hand to follow him to the backyard. I could hear the sound of the waves as we were about to arrive at the door that accessed the back of the villa. The view of the sea at night is like black ink. The air was quite cold, but luckily, my vest was thick enough to block the night wind. Rion understands my situation, so he puts his long coat on me.

We took a slow walk along the shoreline.

“It must be beautiful here at sunrise and sunset,” I mused. The sea and the beach have always been my favorite places to enjoy a moment and forget about fatigue.

“After we get married, I’ll take you to stay here. I need to fix a few things because some of my business partners rent out quite often to this resort.”

I nodded, not imagining the amount of wealth Rion had. Apart from being the heir to the throne, a nobleman, and a Prince, he was also an excellent businessman. His company was ranked in the top ten with high profit and investment value. Rion is also a businessman who owns property and is worth hundreds or even millions of dollars.

It’s only natural that many women would want a one-night stand with Rion. A handsome face with unquestionable wealth and the good name of a noble family attached to it was luck that not everyone could have.

“Do you know why I always feel inferior to people like you?” I asked as I turned to Rion, who was beside me.

“You, with all your gifts, and me, with all my flaws, are like heaven and earth. When put together, the difference is very visible. People like you who feel they deserve everything, while me and people like me who feel they don’t deserve everything. That always made me feel like I never fit in with people who have everything.”

I stopped walking to enjoy the view of the black sea. I looked up at the sky and saw a few stars up there, then the moon, which was crescent-shaped but slightly bigger. Rion stood beside me, and for a moment, we were silent, enjoying the silence accompanied by the sound of the waves. I turned to Rion because I could see from the tail of my eyes that he was taking something out of his pants pocket.

I didn’t know what it was, but a few seconds later, a fluttering insect-like sound was heard, and dozens of drones flew through the air, forming a formation in the sky above the black sea. The drones formed an inscription that read *Marry me, Amelia* and then an explosion of fireworks enlivened the inscription around it.

For a moment, I marveled at this proposal, stared at the words written in the sky tonight, and said them repeatedly in my heart. At that time, I had no choice but to say yes. Even now, I have no other answer but to accept this proposal.

I will remember that revenge plan. If I had to say yes again to carry out my revenge plan, I had to ensure it would work.

“This is fantastic and expensive, Rion,” I said half-thoughtfully.

“A special woman deserves something special, too,” Rion said, putting his arm around me, and I pressed my body to his. This night was indeed wonderful, but on the other hand, I had to be more careful not to let my true intentions show, and even then, I had to appear to be enjoying all of this.

Rion drove me home when it was ten o’clock at night.

“Thank you for tonight. Everything I got tonight was wonderful, and I feel lucky.” These words were true; however, I enjoyed it and was amazed at Rion’s gentlemanly demeanor.

Arriving at my apartment room, I quickly changed my clothes and cleaned up. I remember today when Rion worked so hard to fulfill his dream. Sitting on the throne, having the offspring of an omega, and becoming an Alpha. As for me, I don’t even know what I want yet. Rion was even willing to return to beg for my forgiveness so that I would accept it. He must have gone to a lot of trouble to let go of his ego for that.

I smiled mockingly at that thought. Although this was just an assumption, most likely, Rion would only use me in the future through our children. Or it could just be my fear, and Rion loves me.

I yawned and quickly took my most comfortable position to sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll meet up with Karina. I smiled, remembering that girl. The only person who was always loyal beside me when I felt there would be no one who would sincerely be friends with me.

I turned off the nightlight on the nightstand and left the other one on. As my eyes closed, the moment Rion and I were at the beach replayed. Rion’s wish was a sentence for me to marry him. That moment transported me to dreamland so quickly but soon turned into a creepy sentence.

[I don’t need you anymore, Amelia]

**

Last night’s dream left me a little lackluster at the office. However, as much as possible, I focused on getting the job done well. When I had the chance, I thought about writing my resignation letter. I took paper and pen and wrote it in polite and clear sentences, including my reasons for resigning. Later, I will retype the letter on my laptop.

Rion called during working hours before lunch, saying he couldn’t have lunch with me this afternoon because he had a meeting with the stockholders. As a result, this afternoon, I had lunch with Elma and Lily.

“How are you and your ex-boyfriend? Are you guys okay?” asked Elma while I enjoyed my lunch.

“We’re fine; we’re getting married soon,” I replied.

“What? Getting married? Are you sure?” Elma sounded disapproving. I understood why she was there, but she didn’t understand my issue with Rion. I smiled and shrugged.

“Life always has a way of teaching us lessons. Maybe we just misunderstood, then, and it’s time to commit. After all, couples fighting is something common, isn’t it?” I asked, to which Lily replied with a nod.

“Misunderstandings in relationships are common, and we need to resolve them with the right solution and a cool head. I pray for you to be happy, Amelia,” Lily said, which made me smile and thank her.

“Me too; you deserve happiness with whoever you choose.” Elma finally softened. In the afternoon, I waited for Karina at my apartment. She came after I got dressed because I had already taken a shower. We hugged when we were already in the living room.

“Come on, we have a lot to talk about; I brought a lot of food for us,” Karina said while showing off her tote bag of nude-colored canvas. She sat down on one of the sofas and pulled out the contents of her tote bag. Yogurt, granola, and some snacks like oats cookies and soybean snacks.

“You’re pregnant, so don’t consume too much sugar,” Karina said as I examined all the food she had brought. I smiled at her unchanging concern. If I weren't pregnant, she would have brought canned beer or cola, fried chicken, pizza, or French fries.

“So, how are you and Rion?” Karina immediately started the topic we were going to discuss first.

“I have no choice but to accept his proposal again.”

Karina exhaled loudly.

“If he plays you again, he'll be my enemy for the ages,” Karina said in a serious, threatening tone. I chuckled at her threat.

Until eleven o’clock at night, Karina and I talked about many things. She told me about her current job at a television station and that her boss offered her to move and make a career at one of the famous television stations in Loxen. However, Karina was still considering the offer since I told her I would move to Cardinia after marriage.

“In the future, you should think that your life is no longer just for you, but for this baby too,” Karina said as I walked her to the door. I nodded, and we hugged once more before Karina left.