Sunlight creaked through the curtains as I squinted my eyes open. I was immediately met with Richard's sleeping face, muscular chest, and disheveled hair. However, he was the most handsome man to me. I recalled last night's events and blushed.
I stood up, took a shower, and stealthily went to the kitchen. I found my aunt already there; the entire kitchen was clean and organized.
"Good morning, Aunt," I greeted.
"Good morning, swan," Aunt replied as she turned towards me. She was slightly startled, then knowingly smiled as she continued cooking. I was confused by her expression; could she know what Richard and I did last night?
"I am sorry for the mess we left on the table yesterday," I apologized.
"No problem. However, you may need to put on a sweater," Aunt said.
"Why?" I asked in a confused manner.
"If you don't want anyone to guess what went on last night, go look in a mirror," Auntie said.
I quickly headed towards my own bedroom on the first floor and looked in the mirror. I immediately blushed in shame; my whole body was covered in different love marks! I helplessly put on my crocheted sweater and went back to the kitchen.
"Let me take breakfast to Richard," I said to my aunt. She smiled knowingly, causing me to blush in embarrassment.
I quickly left with the breakfast. Richard had long woken up and washed up. He immediately walked towards me, removed the tray from my hands, placed it on the nearby table, and hugged me.
"Why did you disappear all of a sudden? I thought you had run away from me," he said. I helplessly smiled as I hugged his bare back. Richard said such words with his stone face, but I could feel the fear in his voice.
"I will never disappear from you," I said as I pressed my face to his chest.
"Okay, I bought you breakfast. Eat first," I said.
"I won't eat without you," Richard said.
I could only helplessly look at him; him saying such words with such a serious face was so funny! I internally laughed at him.
Richard held my right hand and walked me to a nearby sofa while holding a tray in his left hand. We then sat down.
"Swan, I am serious about you. I don't want to wait anymore. I feel like when you get your memories back, you might leave me. I can't bear that," Richard said.
"I won't leave you. I feel it deep in my body and soul that you are the first man I have been with," I replied.
"You are so good, Swan. I don't know how you might take this, but I want you to be my wife. I don't care about your past. Once you are my wife, I will be responsible for you. Even if you refuse, I will still be responsible," Richard said.
I felt my eyes sting. I don't know why, but Richard's words seemed to trigger something in my soul. I felt the genuine love and passion in Richard's words. I also wanted this man to only belong to me and only me.
"I accept, Richard. I want to properly become your wife," I smiled as I said.
"Really? Don't be quick to say that just because I saved you," Richard said.
I smiled at his words. I knew what I was feeling now; this wasn't about gratitude towards Richard. I loved and cherished this man; I would do anything for him.
"I know what I want. I accept," I said. Richard immediately kissed me and hugged me tight.
"Alright, the breakfast is getting cold," I said.
Richard insisted on personally feeding me; there was nothing I could do other than helplessly comply.
"I have to go back to the office. I have burdened Michelle a lot," I suddenly said after we had had our breakfast and were cuddling on the sofa.
"Don't go. Michelle is a veteran in the industry; she will handle such matters," Richard said as he tightly held me. I could only helplessly smile.
"You also have to go back to work," I commented.
"The employees will handle matters at hand; nothing is better than spending a day with my swan," Richard said beside my ear as he peeked at me.
Suddenly, the door opened. I quickly tried to struggle out of Richard's embrace, but he didn't seem to get the signal! We could be seen by someone!
It was Fred. When he saw us, his face twisted into different emotions, and I simply looked down at my hands.
"You beast! Release her now! Don't worry, swan, I will cut off relations with him if he has forced you! I can beat him up too!" Fred exclaimed.
I helplessly turned to Richard. I saw that he sneered at the fuming Fred, looking at him as though he were a chattering child.
"What's that look? Do you think I can't cut off relations?" Fred asked.
"I am thinking, can you really beat me up?" Richard asked.
I saw Fred slowly hesitate before he ran to the kitchen and came back with a mop. "With this, I can cause some harm!" Fred loudly declared.
I simply laughed at their bickering; these two were really an interesting combination. When Fred saw that I didn't mind Richard's cuddle, he weakly let go of the mop as he sat in the opposite seat.
"I am confused. When did this happen? Was it when I left yesterday?" Fred exclaimed.
"Swan and I are planning on getting married—just a small civil wedding, nothing grand. After all, Swan can't be seen by the outside world until she regains her memories," Richard said.
"Wait! Wait! This is going too fast. Didn't you just establish a relationship? Why rush to get married all of a sudden?" Fred asked.
"We both have the same thoughts about tying the knot, so we are going to do so," Richard added.
"Oh!" Fred weakly replied.
"What about our promise of being each other's best man?" Fred slowly asked. I was touched by his words.
"You can still be; we will register the marriage at the civil office. You will still be my best man," Richard elaborated.
"I am the only one single now," Fred listlessly said as he headed to the kitchen.
"Aren't you going to comfort your friend?" I turned to Richard and asked.
"He will be fine," Richard said as he kissed my lips.
When Michelle got to know about our relationship, she furiously rebuked Richard, who confidently stood and received the attack. However, she settled down after I told her that it wasn't only his decision but mine too.
Just as Richard had said, we had a very small civil wedding. Richard's circle of friends consisted of brilliant young and old men and women from different business circles. They attended and congratulated us on our union.
We were finally husband and wife; no one could come between us, and I would make sure of that!
I continued with my life after the wedding. Different stores had opened, and the 'Swan' collection wear was immediately mass-produced and placed in them. They were selling well.