Stefan realised too late that he didn't get flowers, but no matter he was going to get her back first and then he'd give her all the flowers in the world. He punched the doorbell in anticipation, a woman in her late forties almost identical to Evie Cortes stood by the open door and Stefan knew without a doubt that he was at the right address.
"May I help you?"
"Uh, good evening ma'am my name is Stefan and I have come to see Rella.
Marjorie stared at him long and hard then assessed him from top to bottom and her eyes widened for a second before it was gone in a snap. "Rella isn't here." She told him and Stefan's heart dropped into the pit of his stomach.
" What, but I was told she'd be here? "
" You were told wrong. I haven't seen my niece in a while. "
She must be lying. Stefan thought. But what reason does she have to lie to him? If Rella wasn't here, if she didn't come here at all then where could she be?
This isn't how he envisioned the day would end. No, this couldn't be it he refused to let it end this way.
Staring at the woman now with renewed hope Stefan couldn't tell how he knew but he was certain she was lying to get him to leave. Then with a saccharine sweet smile he said, "then you wouldn't mind if I see for myself would you?" Her eyes widened then and that's when he knew he'd been right, Rella's here and he needs to tear the whole place down to find her then so be it. Before Marjorie could stop him Stefan pushed her aside and went inside the house.
"You, are nothing to me,"
Rella could still feel herself flinch at the thought of those words he'd flung at her without a second thought. The dinner Aunt Marjorie brought to her was left untouched.
"You and I are not married, and you're not my wife the only reason we're together right now is because of the baby you're carrying in your womb. My son."
She felt the tears hot on her face before she realised she was crying. The only thing binding them together is now gone, and Stefan's gone too. She thought she had no tears left to cry but she was mistaken, fat tears dropped from her eyes like it was ordinary water. Furiously she wiped at her face, there was no use crying Stefan was never hers in the first place she'd stolen him and was hoping she could keep him, she was hoping he'd choose her in the end because he'd told her he loved her…
There was a commotion downstairs. Rella listened closely but she couldn't make out what it was about. Was Aunt Marjorie scolding the maid again?
Rella wiped her eyes with her sleeves before leaving her room she didn't want Aunt Marjorie to know she'd been crying again.
"Where do you think you're going I'm calling the police!?" She heard Aunt Marjorie say from downstairs and Rella hurried over. Was her Aunt in trouble? Was there an intruder?
Rella's heart was racing with fear as she reached the top of the stairs.
"Aunt Marjorie what's going… on?"
Her pulse quickened but not out of fear when she saw who it was.
"Rella!"
Before she could process what was going on Stefan was already running up the stairs where she stood gaping. When he got to where she was rooted to the ground, one look was all it took and he was pulling her in his arms and his mouth found hers.
The kiss was hot, frantic, desperate. Rella clung to him for dear life as she returned the kiss with a desperation of her own, it felt like they were each other's water to quench each other's thirst, like a lifeline. Their tongues duelled with each other as their passion ignited, stefan pulled her even closer until there was no space between them.
When they came up for air they were both panting breathlessly.
"I went to the hospital but you weren't there." He said his eyes roaming her face. "I looked for you everywhere I was so sick with worry." He swallowed. "Why did you leave me?"
Rella's lips trembled. "You said I meant nothing to you. You said you were only with me because of the baby." She looked up at him her eyes shining with tears as she sniffled. "The baby's gone so now you don't have to put up with me any more."
"I lied." Stefan admitted. "I only said those words to you because I was angry I didn't mean any of them. You're everything to me Rella, with or without a baby I want you in my life. I love you. "
"what?" Rella choked out.
" I love you. "
Tears fell from her face at his confession.
" Say that again."
" I love you." And then she was all over him kissing him like her life depended on it only stopping long enough for him propose.
"This time let's do it right. Rella Cortes, will you make me the luckiest and happiest man alive by becoming my wife? "
"Are you kidding!? Yes a million times yes! I love you."
And then she was kissing him again.