Chapter 45: Bad Decision

The open sea breeze touched Rakiza's entire body, soothing her skin and bones as she walked in her two-inch black sandals lent by Susan and her white short-sequenced closed-neck dress by Chin.
Rakiza drew some men's attention as she walked past Nikolas' Augustus table. It was in the corner of the restaurant's bricked open-air patio. His dark, beautiful eyes twinkled like rare gems, and his side smile warmed Rakiza's heart. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, which gave him a dashing look in gothic times. "Good evening, you look stunning tonight," he said as he led Rakiza into the opposite chair, the ocean view in the background.
Rakiza was so nervous that while she was settling herself and putting her handbag (Chin's favorite handbag), her hands shook slightly and she covered it with an awkward smile. She had no idea why she was sitting in front of Nikolas after her argument with Theo.
She and Theo had a squabble about her dinner date with Nikolas Augustus an hour ago. Theo got angry when he discovered that she had already accepted Nikolas's invitation without informing him.
"Are you suffering from amnesia to the point where you forget our agreement?" Theo was furious, "Why did you accept Nikolas' invitation without informing me first?"
"I was looking for you, Theo. I tried to contact your number but only heard beeps. I haven't seen you, Theo. And I am not a relative of yours, girlfriend, or wife, so I have to ask permission from you for all my decisions. What we agreed on is for you to watch me from a distance. That's all. You have no right to distract me from whatever decision I am deciding and with whom I was going to be friends or not. "
"I told you about my suspicions about Nikolas Augustus's involvement in the dark movements of vampires; isn't that reason enough for you to be wary of him? Or maybe he has already bewitched you. "
"You still don't have any evidence to back up your accusation against him." And I didn't see Nikolas' fangs, which would have been a major reason for me to decline his invitation. Perhaps you should accept that Nikolas is the gentlest man I've ever met. You're causing friction between me and Nikolas, which is bad for both of us. The more you portrayed him as evil, the more I realized how gentle he was with me. And, please, no more manning over me. Do you understand that I have to do what I have to do?
Rakiza's back shivered as she remembered Theo's protest against her coming to Nikolas's invitation, and then Nikolas's voice slowly became audible in her ears.
"Are you all right, Rakiza?"
"Huh? Okay, ahm, yes, I'm fine, "she said with a smile.
"Do you know what you want from tonight's menu?"
"No, would you kindly do it for me?" Rakiza gave a timid smile.
Nikolas didn't look at the menu and instead motioned for the waiter to take their order. Rakiza could tell Nikolas was familiar with the restaurant and knew what the best course of menu in the Vanilla Royal by the Sea restaurant was. Rakiza was troubled because it was her first time in such a high-end restaurant, and she missed Muriel's expertise in the world of the wealthy. But she remained silent, noticing a red wine color in his zinfandel wine glass, which he sipped every now and then.
"You look stunning tonight," Nikolas said as he poured a glass of red wine for Rakiza.
"Thank you, you already said that," she smiled.
Nikolas smiled again. "I want to repeat what I feel." Anyway, I'm delighted to see you walk down the aisle. Rakiza, how are you doing? "
"Well, I'm cramming a little with my work. I didn't think it was too difficult to balance studies and work. " Rakiza smiled and looked around for Theo.
"What transpired?" Did your boss put you under any kind of pressure at work? "
"Not really, it's just that what they had offered me was almost too good to be true."
"How come you said that?"
"It's just that I can feel it, "Rakiza shrugged." It's strange.
"What is strange?
"Nikolas was curious to hear Rakiza's ostensible response when their order arrived and the waiter placed all the dishes in front of Rakiza.
Rakiza was taken aback when the majority of the dishes were placed in front of her rather than in front of Nikolas. He only had one plate with a small number of dishes.
"Aren't you hungry while you're waiting for me?" Rakiza inquired.
"No. I just want to spend the evening with you. Go ahead and surprise your taste buds with the uniqueness of their food here. "
Rakiza smiled as she began to nibble on the caviar. It was her first time tasting such an expensive dish, but she made no comments in order not to appear ignorant, and she enjoyed the taste of it, whereas Nikolas barely touched his food. He just stared at Rakiza and smiled every now and then. After they finished their meal, Nikolas invited Rakiza to join him on a walk along the beach below the restaurant. It was a little dark, but Rakiza was unafraid of Nikolas.
They were silent for a few moments before Nikolas came to a halt beneath a young coconut tree, the leaves of which could be reached by Nikolas's long arms. The scenery was romantic and appropriate for the two of them.
"I've been looking forward to this night, Rakiza," Nikolas said solemnly.
Rakiza stared silently at Nikolas, waiting for him to continue. Her heart was palpitating, as if she sensed something was about to happen. She was correct. Nikolas took her hands in his and kissed them; he was suddenly acting romantic, and Rakiza was afraid of Theo's interference, but there was none, as if Theo had forgotten to guard her. She looked around but saw no sign of Theo. Nikolas held Rakiza's hands tighter to divert her attention away from whatever was distracting her.
"Marry me, Rakiza."
Rakiza had blown her mind away from reality. She couldn't believe what she was hearing and inquired. "What? Did I understand correctly? You're asking me to marry you, Nikolas? "
"Yes, marry me." And I'll give you everything you've ever wanted, Rakiza. " Nikolas's gaze was fixed on Rakiza's, and Rakiza looked straight into Nikolas's eyes, her inner emotions trembling with both excitement and fear. She couldn't believe a millionaire would ask her to marry him. "How did you choose me?" she inquired.
"You were chosen by my heart, Rakiza." The moment I saw you, you became a part of me. You are the love of my life that I have been searching for for so long. Rakiza, you must remember me. You must." There was something strange about his tone and voice that drowned Rakiza in deep thought and made her see herself riding a horse, full armor covering her body. She was in a trance.
She saw herself once more as a female warrior. In her mind, she transformed into Maruja, the huntress. And she was riding a black stallion as she approached the castle in the desert. Packs of werewolves were chasing her down and attempting to kill her. The situation became more complicated when, unexpectedly, another group of werewolves emerged from the castle's right wing. And they were deliberately running towards her, but suddenly, a golden spear flew from nowhere from the mysterious enemy and struck into her heart, and she fell off the house and slammed hard on the ground, rolling until she halted and puked blood, lots of blood that turned her vision red and then black.
"What’s happening?" Rakiza was teary-eyed when she was back in reality.
"You are Maruja," Nikolas said, touching Rakiza’s cheek. "You are my one and only love, my secret love from a previous life."
Rakiza was confused, but she couldn’t resist what she felt for Nikolas. She felt something for him, some kind of irresistible feeling.
"Please marry me, Rakiza." Nikolas was touching her face. "Marry me."
"Yes," she said, surprised by what she had just said. Then she noticed another ring on her left ring finger. Everything became hazy, and then Nikolas kissed her on the lips, causing Rakiza to tremble, but Nikolas quickly stopped what he was doing. "I'll bring you home."
They drove in silence, Nikolas happy but in control of his emotions. Rakiza was silently contemplating what had just occurred. "What will become of us?" She was still hazy and out of control. There was something in her head that acted as a controlling energy. All she could think about was the fact that she had unexpectedly become engaged to Nikolas. *Is this still a dream?* She pondered.
The car came to a stop, and Lupe quickly stepped out to open Rakiza's door. She was numb and wanted to say something to Nikolas, but her tongue was also numb.
"Goodnight, my love, and dream of me," Nikolas said as he gently kissed Rakiza's hand. Rakiza was still mute. Rakiza was completely unaware that Chin and Susan were watching them from the dorm window. Nikolas then left with a cheerful heart.
Rakiza's friends posed exciting questions to her in her room.
"Are you in a serious relationship with Sir Nikolas Rakiza?" Chin laughed.
"I thought you and Theo were the ones," Susan said.
How come you haven't told us about your growing relationship with Sir Nikolas? "
"If Muriel was alive and knew you and Nikolas were on, she'd be overjoyed."
"Is that an engagement ring?" Chin asked, noticing the ring Nikolas had given Rakiza.
Susan confirmed, "Of course it is, Chin." "Wow, is that a diamond?"
"Well, knowing that Sir Nikolas gave that ring, I'm sure it's a diamond."
"Oh, you're getting married, aren't you?"
Rakiza said, "I'm not sure," and frowned.
"What is that nonsense, Rakiza? What is it that you don't understand? " Susan asked.
"It went by so quickly. He proposed marriage to me, and I accepted. I'm not sure why, but I said yes." And no one had stopped me. He wasn't there to stop me. "
"What are you on about, Rakiza?" Who is supposed to prevent you from saying yes? "You appear perplexed."
"Yes, I am," Rakiza said, frowning. I'm not sure what's going on with me. It just happened. "
"Ignore what you've done. Chin exclaimed, "What matters now is that you're getting married to a handsome billionaire man in Tuskenvale." And please, Rakiza, don't forget about us. I'd be honored to be your maid of honor. "
"Me, too," Susan laughed. "I can be one of the most beautiful maids of honor on your wedding day."
"Would you please leave me alone? I'd like to ponder something for a while. My... my head isn't working normally, and... I'm doing something I'm not sure why. " Rakiza frowned. "I wasn't in myself."
"But you really said yes to him, didn't you?" Chin inquired.
"Yes, I did... but..." Rakiza
Susan stated emphatically, "If you said yes, that means you can't back down."
Rakiza begged. "Please, I need to be alone."
Chin and Susan both left Rakiza alone without interrogating her.
Rakiza went to her bed and lay down, replaying what had happened at the restaurant. She hadn't planned on saying yes to Nikolas, but she did. And the diamond ring on her finger was clearly telling her that she was engaged to Nikolas Augustus.
She passed out and fell into a deep sleep, only to be awakened the next morning with a light head. She sat down and realized she was still wearing the dress she wore to her dinner date with Nikolas. The diamond ring, like the red beryl ring on her right ring finger, glitters on her left ring finger. She stood there motionless for a while. She dashed into the bathroom to wash away her worries. After freshening up, she put on her school dress, grabbed her schoolbag, and ran.
She was rushing down the road when a skidding car, Theo's car, came to a stop in front of her. And his face was whiter than it had ever been. His face was filled with horror. "Hop in, right now!” Theo was yelling.