"Why are you laughing?" Sophia was annoyed that Aiden never did anything she expected.

"Oh, baby!" Aiden hugged her tight, "I'm so happy you have feelings for me too."

She still had a frown on her face and kept trying to push his solid chest away from her. He kissed her forehead, "You have it all wrong Sophia. I'm not dating Princess Gloria. Aristocratic families have connections with different countries. Country X is one of them, but since the king ruled the country, they still have old-fashioned rules and have applied communism as their form of government. People are trying to revolt and push the government to hold elections so they could overthrow the monarchy. They want to turn their government into a democracy.

Technology was being monitored for security reasons, so I couldn't contact you. Those pictures you saw had been taken by someone at one of the meetings, something to stir trouble while they distracted the people. The perpetrator got caught and was punished by the king, so every picture and article has been removed from the internet and the news.

As for Gloria, we are not interested in one another, she already has a lover. They were having a family dispute because her father wouldn't agree to their marriage.

Is everything clear now?"

"Oh," was all Sophia could say, she felt guilty for doubting him.

"I am capable of running my own empire, I don't need a woman's family background to make it work. So I don't need a princess. I just need you. Not a second went by that I didn't miss you. I worked hard day and night, so I could fly back home. I was supposed to arrive tomorrow morning, but I told the pilot to fly last night because I wanted to see you. I barely had enough time to sleep on the flight because I was excited to head home." He explained.

Sophia did not have time to look at his attire this morning, if she did, she would have seen that he was wearing a wrinkled suit, something he wouldn't be caught wearing on an ordinary day. And if she had looked closer, it would also have been evident that in the last month Aiden had lost some weight. His eyes had dark circles under him and had a day-old beard covering his face. He just looked very exhausted.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize," she acknowledged as she lowered her eyes.

"Look at me," he commanded, "I love you Sophia, and I will keep on telling you until you believe me. I make a decision once and stick with it. You are the first woman I have fallen deeply in love with, and you will be the last. I am courting you with marriage in mind. This is not a fling, this is going to be forever.

Do you know why you couldn't bear to see me with another woman? It's because you know deep in your heart that the place beside me belongs to you, and only you. I am here to give you everything you wish for in life."

Sophia could not look away from Aiden's loving face. This is the one she recognizes the most and hopes to see every single day.

"Until when are you going to keep denying that my presence affects you? I know you missed me just like I missed you. Just open your heart and trust me, you know you want to. I promise you that it will be the best decision you've made in your life," he added.

Sophia felt deep in her heart that what he said was true, and maybe it was high time she had accepted her feelings for him as well. There was no point in denying something that has completely consumed her heart. She had fallen for Aiden Cooper, and her acceptance made her feel peace in her heart. It also brought hope that the rain was finally over, and finally, the rainbow was coming into her life.

"You promise not to leave me, right?" she asked as she grabbed his coat. Every single person she cared for in her life had left her, and they've caused her so much psychological pain, that she had to be sure that Aiden would not leave her too.

Aiden smiled sweetly as he took her hand in his, "Never sunshine. I will hold your hand 'til my last breath."

"I love you Aiden," Sophia declared softly as she looked into his eyes.

Aiden leaned his forehead into hers. He had waited a long time for this moment to come. Not asking for permission, he took her lips in his and kissed her thoroughly, parting them with his tongue to gain entrance, he wanted to taste her sweet nectar. And as expected, it was better than he had imagined.

The touch of her lips was softer, the taste of her mouth sweeter, everything was better than what he had dreamt up. Sophia followed his lead and noticed that her hands had wound their way around his neck, bringing him closer. They were both panting when Aiden decided to stop to breathe. He was mesmerized by the way her chest rose up and down to draw more air, that he squeezed one of her breasts.

Sophia squealed, "Ahh… stop it!" All this kissing and physical intimacy were new to Sophia. She had been together with Gavin, but they never even held hands. Since they were resigned to be in the relationship it felt like they had no sexual desires towards each other.

He did not heat up her blood as Aiden did. Gavin had always been polite and proper, and she knew now why he never complimented her on her clothing or her looks, it was because he was just pretending.

Aiden made it clear the first day they met that he was physically attracted to her and that always made her question her relationship with Gavin, he was a brother more than her lover.

Today Aiden wanted to show her a lot of things lovers do, but since she was not ready, he took a step back and relished the fact that Sophia had finally agreed to be his girlfriend and that she acknowledged her feelings. There was no need to hurry. Things will happen when they do.