I Need Your Warmth (Original, English Version)

Chapter 18 - Clara Regan

I returned to the bed after using the washroom, not bothered by my nudity. I pulled the blanket and settled myself next to Allen. I think he's awake. I peppered kisses on his face.

Staring at him, I'm glad to have surrendered myself to him. I truly thought I'd lost him.

I'm still unsure if he can really escape the plans my family has threatened to do. I grimaced. I should really stop calling them family. What kind of family are they to do that kind of thing? They wanted to destroy the only reason for my happiness.

I sniffed and Allen opened his eyes. He kissed the tears away. He held me silently.

After a while, he stated something that shocked me out of my mind.

"Let's get married." It wasn't a question. It was merely a statement.

I stared at him wide-eyed. He did say it before, but... "Are you sure?"

"Yes." He answered as he stole a kiss.

"Do you know what you're saying?" I asked again, still not believing he said that.

"Say yes." He asked this time.

I stared at him for a minute. I frowned, but I did say yes. He smiled after hearing that. He started a slow coupling to celebrate. I could feel so much from his actions.

For some time, I forgot about our problems.

I asked him about it the next day, but he only told me not to worry. He said that he has plans of his own. He also told me to stay at home for a week or two, accompany him at his house. Axel agreed readily when I informed him. We'll go out to register the marriage before the weekend. Technically, that's in two days. His assistant was preparing everything before then. I was nervous, afraid something would go wrong before it happens. Allen noticed.

"Do you want to go out? A change of scenery could cheer you up." He suggested after we had dinner Thursday night. I shook my head.

"I'll feel much better as soon as we get married. What time did you say it was?"

"Ten in the morning." He answered as he pulls me close to him.

I was silent as I enjoy his company, just him with me is bliss.

"What's wrong?" He asked again. I'm not sure how he knows there's something else that's bothering me.

"Just wondering... How do I cut my ties with the lot of them?" I asked him slowly. He values family a lot and here I am... wanting to have nothing to do with mine.

"Have you thought this through?" He asked. I have.

"Would it make me a bad person?" I can't help asking. If he says I shouldn't, I probably wouldn't.

"They haven't treated you well all these years, have they?" I was glad to hear it from him. He understands I have a reason.

"I changed my number so they couldn't contact me anymore." I explained. "I was also planning to look for a new apartment so they can't just barge in when they wanted to."

"You're no longer looking for a new apartment, are you?" I felt him kissing the top of my head. I turned to look at him and smiled.

"No. Can I live here with you?"

He narrowed his eyes and punished me with a thorough kiss. I was only teasing him. If we can register our marriage tomorrow, I'm sure he would have me packed and settled into his home.

"Will you be my new family?" I asked when he softened his kisses.

"Of course. You get my family, too." I chuckled at how he readily offers his own family. I think it's his way of telling me I will be welcomed by his siblings. I sobered at the thought of becoming in-laws with Axel and Lee, and Alex as well.

"What is it?" He pulled back and satisfied himself with just holding me close.

"Nothing bad would happen come Monday, right?" I still feel anxious about it. I would be guilty if I drag him and the rest of his family to the mud.

"I do have a reputation for being upright. People who know me wouldn't believe any attempt to ruin my name. Besides, I already filed the lawsuit. Anything he does, it could be seen as an act of retaliation. He's only going to dig a hole for himself." He explained and though he didn't give more details, I believe him.

The next day, he presented me with a beautiful white dress. It was simply gorgeous. Although we aren't having a wedding, getting married is more than enough for me. A judge officiated for us, we stated our vows, signed the contract, and shared an unbelievably sweet kiss. I was giddy with excitement. My anxiety disappeared as I content myself with watching his handsome face. I ogled him, yes. He must have liked it as he only smiled. We had a private lunch. Just the two of us, at the Queens hotel.

"Does Alex know?" I suddenly felt lacking. Wouldn't his family want a wedding to attend?

"Yes. I'll take you to meet everyone next week. For now, it's just the two of us."

"Don't they mind that we didn't invite them to witness?"

He chuckled. "We don't really bother with how others do things their way. They respect that I wanted to do this soon and that I wanted to spend time with you alone. They'll get their chance to hog you next week. They don't bite so you don't have to worry about it." I appreciate how he tries to calm my nerves, because I was suddenly nervous again, knowing I'll meet everyone in one place all at the same time. Lee is fine. Axel, too. I've only met Alex a few times, but I think he's nice. I smiled at the thought of having them as family. They're all good people.

He wanted to take me someplace for a honeymoon but I declined. I wanted to stay at his place, to feel at home there, so to speak. We could go anytime in the future.

I agreed with him when he had his assistant clear out my apartment for me. I really don't want to go back and they organized my stuff neatly on boxes. Allen helped me unpack and I enjoyed answering his questions about the things he's seen in those boxes. In a way, we got to know each other more. I asked him questions, too. Sometimes, it looked hilarious how some of my stuff clashes with his. But he insisted on putting them together on the shelves. He reacts on almost everything he sees, and teases me about it. He got serious when we got to the books, though. He sounded like a mentor. I like him every which way.

The Regans did what they thought they had to do, and I was terrified for some time. When I met everyone the following Friday, I kind of realized what happened. As individuals, each of them maintains a low-profile status. They don't publicize their relationship. Together, they have more than enough power and influence. Even when some clients of Allen doubted him and jumped ship, Axel is there to cover the loss and work with him on more projects. Lee and Alex didn't have to do anything except show support. Allen had a team handle the PR and they must have prepared well ahead of time. They refuted everything in a professional way, provided evidences and stuck to the truth. Whereas the other party is simply throwing shade, with malice, uncoordinated statements, and no concrete evidence. People aren't blind.

It wasn't long before the whole thing quietened. The Regans withdrew and stayed low-profile. They've experienced enough hate and criticisms from people who became aware of the situation. They can't continue moving forward with what they have. Allen's lawsuit proceeded as intended, though. He's not planning to withdraw even with the current situation and I sure as hell wouldn't ask him to. It took me a while to disassociate myself with them, calling them mister, missus, miss, or by name when I have to speak about them. Allen understood my struggle and he was there to keep reminding me that I have a new family.