She is the Queen

Chapter 22

I found myself gently stirred awake by the soothing apricot rays of the sun, filtering in through our large wooden window. As my eyelids fluttered open, a sense of warmth and intimacy enveloped me. The soft texture of Andrea's chest beneath my cheek, the comforting weight of his chin resting atop my head and his arm tightly embracing my waist formed a cocoon of our shared affection. The gentle rhythm of his heartbeat pulsed beneath my fingertips, soothing my senses.

I wished, with all my heart, that this moment could stretch into an eternity. Every waking moment next to him felt like an endless, enchanting fairytale. A cherished narrative woven with love, trust, and a tantalizing blend of pleasure and pain.

With utmost care, I removed myself from his loving embrace, cautious not to stir him from his peaceful slumber. His arm, previously encircling my waist, now lay beside him on the bed. As I rose from our shared haven, I shrugged on my underwear and ventured into the bathroom to make myself presentable for the day ahead.

The memories of the night before still lingered on my skin, a tantalizing blend of soft caresses and fierce passion. It was a night of profound intimacy, where our bodies conversed in a language only we understood. Transcending words, we embarked on a journey of trust, nudging the boundaries of pleasure and pain.

After refreshing my body and spirit, I headed towards Andrea's closet. A sense of familiarity washed over me as I selected a simple white cotton blouse. Determined not to let my past invade our shared present, I decided that this time, I would stay.

Venturing downstairs, I made my way to the kitchen. As the fresh aroma of coffee filled the air, a wave of tranquility washed over me. Soon, I found myself whisking together the ingredients for the pancakes, surrendering to the familiar motions. I adorned the tall bar table with plates and cutlery, setting the stage for our morning feast.

To accompany my cooking rhythm, I connected my phone to the Bluetooth speakers and turned on a soft jazzy tune. In the intimate solitude of the kitchen, I hummed along to the music, lost in the euphoria of cooking breakfast for my love.

So engrossed was I in flipping pancakes and brewing coffee that I remained oblivious to Andrea's fond gaze. He had silently descended to the kitchen and seated himself on a stool at the bar table. His attentive eyes watched me fondly, a contented smile adorning his handsome features.

Finally, catching his gaze, I felt the familiar flutter of butterflies in my stomach. Unprepared for his gaze, I greeted him with a casual "Oh, didn't see you there. Goodmorning." His response, a loving hug from behind and a soft peck on my cheek, was laced with his husky morning voice.

"Goodmorning." He said with his morning voice "I thought you have left.". 

"No, I didn't." I replied assuringly "Alright, now sit down. Pancake time." And I nudged him while placing the pancakes on top of each other on a plate and placed it on the table.

"Alright my lady." He mocked with a very fake British accent.

"Maple syrup?" I asked.

He nodded.

I poured a good amount of the sweet syrup on top of the pancakes and gave him his cup of coffee. The breakfast was a quiet communion of satiated hunger and unspoken words of affection. 

"So did you consider my question?" He asked, head bent down whilst poking his pancake with the fork.

"What question?" I said peeking at him.

"I asked you if you would marry me..." He said finally turning to me in an unwavering look.

"I..I" I stuttered.

As I delicately cradled my steaming mug of coffee, my mind began to drift to questions that had been buried at the back of my consciousness for far too long. The bitter-sweet taste of the beverage mirrored my current emotional state; a love steeped in uncertainty. Were it six months earlier, before the mafia became woven into my life's fabric, I would have eagerly uttered a heart-filled 'yes' to Andrea's marriage proposal without a sliver of doubt. Love does strange things, doesn't it? Yet, there was a lingering unease that clouded my bliss. A burgeoning list of enemies gnawed at my peace, notably the looming threat of the Russians. Entwining my life further with Andrea's could potentially cast him into the spotlight, transforming him into a target within their predatory crosshairs. The mere thought sent chills spiraling down my spine.

"Tell me what are you worried about?" He furrowed his eyebrows as he held one of my hands in his huge ones.

"If we were to marry," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, reflecting the delicate nature of the topic at hand. The word 'marry' rolled off my tongue with a sense of warmth and wistfulness – an idea that had once been so beautiful but now carried a heavy undertone. My gaze locked into his, searching for understanding, reassurance.

"Over the recent months, many enemies have cropped up in my life, the Russians at the forefront. It's a dangerous game of shadows and secrets I'm involved in," I continued, my voice steady now, crafting a shield of fortitude around my deepest fears. The threat was real, not a figment of my hyperactive imagination. And the idea of Andrea becoming one of their targets was my worst nightmare.

"I...I can't bear the thought of putting you in danger." There, I had spoken the first truth. He was powerful, formidable in his own right, yet the very thought of him being under threat was enough to send shivers down my spine.

He cut me of as his hands cupped my cheeks.

"It's cute you are worried about me but that should be your smallest concern."

"Yeah but I don't want to lose you trying to form the Circle, maybe it is better if we hang out till everything is stable. What do you think?"

"Do you promise me once everything is settled, you will be my wife?"

"Yes, I do." I said softly.