Episode 11

Rafael felt a bit uneasy due to Keyza's words, and it wasn't that he didn't care about who would receive his mother's ring, but he knew that it would have a strong impact on Kenya once she saw it, even though it was rather cynical of him, the anger engulfing him was immense at the moment.

"For that very reason, you're the most suitable to wear it," Rafael said, downplaying it.

Keyza looked at the ring on her finger and showed a shy smile; it couldn't compare to the one she got from Antonio when they got engaged, an expensive white gold band with a 2-carat VC&A diamond, but somehow the ring Rafael had placed on her finger felt more valuable.

"Keyza, it's time we make some plans," said Rafael.

"The accountant in you is showing," Keyza joked.

Rafael laughed heartily because he was indeed a very pragmatic person who always stuck to plans.

"First, we need to sign a prenuptial agreement and keep our finances separate," Rafael stated.

Keyza and Rafael began discussing the terms of their wedding agreement, as both wanted to protect their own interests, and Keyza watched him write on a piece of paper, admiring his tidy handwriting.

"I agree with you, Rafael, on keeping our finances separate," Keyza said.

Rafael had several investments and owned properties he rented out, in addition to the pub. He couldn't be considered wealthy, but he was on his way there in the next few years; if only Kenya weren't such a frivolous woman, she might have realized he was worth a chance, and in time she would regret it.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Keyza, but I don't have much faith in your decisions in that area, and I don't want my assets at risk," Rafael told her sternly.

"I'm not offended, Rafael. What's mine is mine and no one else's," Keyza said cheerfully.

Rafael was unaware that at this point, Keyza owned 95% of the brewery's shares, with the remaining 5% belonging to her Aunt Anastasia, who had named her heir. If Antonio hadn't been a man without prospects, he would have realized he let go of a woman who would become one of the most recognized and awarded in her field in their country.

"If in the future you no longer wish to be intimate with me, I will respect that," said Rafael.

Keyza raised an eyebrow, recalling the passionate encounters with Rafael the previous night, and it would indeed be a pity, not to continue enjoying such a good thing; after all, she was soon to be his wife legally.

"Do you dislike being intimate with me?" Keyza asked, astonished.

Rafael smiled because he genuinely enjoyed it and felt they were very compatible in that department, but he seriously doubted her willingness; without the influence of alcohol, probably nothing would have occurred.

"It's not that I dislike it, it's just that I don't want you to feel pressured into doing something you don't want to," he explained.

"I agree, so don't worry about that," Keyza reassured him.

The conversation was intriguing to Rafael, and he decided to tease her a little just for the fun of it.

"How many times a week do you think is appropriate for us to be intimate?" he asked with a mischievous tone.

"Do we need to set a number?" Keyza queried, surprised.

"Not necessarily, but it might be good to establish it from the start," he suggested.

Keyza smiled, realizing Rafael was playing with her, so she decided to go along with the joke.

"Is three times a week okay with you?" Keyza asked, a touch shyly.

Rafael noticed her blush and nodded in agreement, thinking it fine that they enjoy intimacy while married, and if she wanted that frequency, he would "try his best" to satisfy her.

"That number works for me, Keyza, let's just keep things simple and, if you don't mind, I would like to avoid any 'accidents' – if you catch my drift," Rafael said coldly.

Keyza looked down, understanding what he meant; her sterility gnawed at her, but Rafael mistook her reaction for disliking the comment. However, he wasn't prepared to have a child with a woman he was marrying for such selfish reasons.

"I agree with you, Rafael, a child should not be born under these circumstances," Keyza said bitterly.

Keyza lied to Rafael because she knew it could never happen, she couldn't become pregnant, at least not naturally, and although she could have shared the truth, that topic made her feel incomplete as a woman, and she wasn't ready to confide in anyone.

"Don't feel bad, Keyza. You're still very young, and in the future, you'll meet a man with whom you can share that experience because I'm not the right one."

Rafael didn't know that in the future, he would deeply regret such foolish words, working hard to undo them.

"I understand, Rafael; a child is a lifelong bond," Keyza stated.

For her part, Keyza knew she would likely never share that experience with any man, and her expectations were now focused on achieving her revenge and being very successful; when the time came to end her marriage with Rafael, she didn't plan on remarrying.

"Exactly, a child is a serious matter," Rafael affirmed with conviction.

"Moreover, once we achieve our goals, we will divorce and each go our separate ways," Keyza said coolly.

Her coldness in uttering those words greatly annoyed Rafael, prompting him to change the subject as he realized he didn't want to think about the end of their marriage just as it was beginning.

"We need to figure out the living arrangements," Rafael stated.

"Where will we live, Rafael?" Keyza asked, concerned.

"I have a place in the city, though it needs a bit of work to get ready," he disclosed.

Keyza was worried because she now knew it was a bad idea to live in Susie's house.

"We could also stay at my apartment. I doubt your family would look for you there."

"I'd prefer to stay here," Keyza said honestly.

"You forgot that we have to return to the city tomorrow."

Keyza expressed annoyance, realizing they had to go to the civil registry, and with two weeks left of the semester, she needed to work.

"After the semester ends, we could stay here for a while," she suggested.

"I'd love to come back here," Keyza agreed.

"Now that we've agreed on everything, how about we do something fun?" Rafael proposed.

"Something fun? You're not thinking we'll do it again, are you?" Keyza asked, shocked.

Rafael had an amused look because he was playing a prank, but Keyza's horror was priceless.

"You and your dirty thoughts, Keyza," he teased.

"Me? I just meant to suggest we could take a swim at the beach," he clarified.

Keyza blushed, her lust laid bare before Rafael; perhaps it was the fireworks she felt for the first time after sex that left her feeling so hungry.

"That sounds like a good idea, Rafael," Keyza remarked uncomfortably.

Rafael noticed her expression but decided not to tease her anymore.

"How about you change into something suitable, and I'll send an email to Fausto with our agreement terms while you do so?"

Rafael was drafting the email and checking social networks, smiling upon realizing his ex's reputation was plummeting.

"It's time for some of your shameful secrets to come to light, Kenya," Rafael said, wearing a chilling smirk.

For a few minutes, Rafael was preoccupied sending information to a colleague whose hobby was posting humiliating stuff on social media, waiting for Keyza to change into her swimsuit.

"I'm ready," Keyza announced.

Absorbed in his task, Rafael didn't immediately notice her, but when he looked up, he was taken aback by her appeal.

"Let's go, then," he said, taking Keyza's hand as they walked to the beach, both enjoying the crystalline waters of what seemed a true paradise – so much so they could almost forget they couldn't stand each other just 24 hours before.

(Image by Klara Kulikova on Unsplash)

From the shoreline, Rafael watched Keyza and was pleased to see her so relaxed.

"It's nice to see Keyza enjoying herself," Rafael mused.

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