Epilouge
Epilogue
Maeve
I KNEW SOMETHING WAS different the moment he told me to close my eyes.
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Tough. It’s the only one you’re getting.” I laughed, but I still let him tie the blindfold around my eyes. The fabric settled softly against my skin, shutting out the last of the afternoon light.
“Can you see?”
“No.”
“You’re sure?”
“Unless you’ve somehow become transparent, yes.”
His laugh came from somewhere close beside me. “Good.”
I felt his arms wrap around me as he held my hand.
“Now trust me.”
I squeezed his fingers. “That’s a dangerous thing to ask of me right now.”
“I know, chaos.”
The front door opened, and a cool rush of air brushed against my face. I heard the faint echo of footsteps beneath us as he guided me forward.
“Step up.”
I lifted my foot cautiously.
“Up where?”
“Just trust me.”
“I hate when you say that.”
“You’ll survive.”
I stepped up, and he steadied me immediately, his hand tightening around mine as we crossed the threshold.
Something about the space felt different. The air was warmer. Quieter. There was the faintest scent of fresh paint and something woody beneath it, unfamiliar but comforting.
“Are we inside?”
“No, I thought I’d brought you to the roof.”
I smiled.
“You’re very funny.”
“I’ve been told.”
He kept walking, guiding me further into the house.
I could hear the soft scrape of my shoes against the floor, the quiet echo of our footsteps, and somewhere in the distance the muted hum of traffic outside.
“Are we there yet?”
“No.”
“How much longer?”
“You ask a lot of questions.”
“I’m blindfolded. I feel like that gives me some rights.”
He laughed again.
Then his hand moved from mine to my waist, guiding me more carefully as we turned.
“Okay. Stop.”
I did.
I heard the soft ping of a noise as we waited. His hands wrapped around my waist, as he settled his chin on my shoulder.
My heart began beating faster.
Not because I knew what was coming.
Because I didn’t.
“Ready?”
I swallowed. “I think so.”
“Okay, step in.”
“You’re coming too, right?” I asked, my one hand finding his on my waist.
“Right behind you, baby.”
I relaxed. “Are we in a lift?”
“Mhm.” He replied curtly.
“Rihaan. Did you really buy a house with a lift?”
“Nope,” He replied, and I could feel the grin that was plastered across his face. “I got them to add one in for me.”
“Question, if I had bought a private jet that day with your card—would that payment have gone through?”
“It would’ve depended on the size, but most likely, yeah.”
The sound of the lift opening again reached me as he tightened his grip on me again. “No wonder you’re happy to quit Cricket. I didn’t know they payed you that well.”
“Well, it’s not just the pay. I’ve got sponsors, brand ambassador roles etc. Plus, my granddad left me a part of the company too.”
“Really? What—”
“I promise to answer all your questions, Chaos. Let me do this first.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” He placed a kiss on my cheek before I felt his fingers slipped beneath the edge of the blindfold. “You ready?”
“Yes.”
“Three.”
I felt my smile growing.
“Two.”
My fingers curled around his wrist.
“One.”
The blindfold came away.
For a second, I could only stare.
The room stretched out in front of me, bright and open, sunlight spilling through enormous windows and catching across the polished floor.
Everything felt new without feeling sterile.
Warm wood, soft neutral walls, furniture that somehow looked both expensive and lived in.
There were plants tucked into corners, books already stacked on shelves, a throw draped casually over the back of the sofa.
My gaze moved slowly across the room. “What is this?”
“Your new library.” He replied, making my hand snap in his direction.
“What?” I squealed.
“The interior designer wouldn’t let me build you one in complete secret—she’s a big reader too. So she made me ask you if you approved of the shelves before they built it.”
I blinked. “Are you crazy? Why are you doing this?”
“Because I love you?” He laughed. “And, No. I’m not asking you to move in—yet.
I know you and Samyra have been roommates for so long that I could never push you to abandon her like that.
But I want you to slowly build this with me, so when the day comes when you are ready to move in, this is here.
Plus, the interior designer is building my gaming room next to this one, so it’ll be both of our space. ”
“I love you.”
He grinned before kissing the tip of my nose. “Okay. Lie down in the middle of the room.”
“What?”
“Just do it.”
I frowned, following his instructions, completely unbothered by the dusty floor that would absolutely ruin my dress. I was mostly sure it’d be coming off any second, anyway.
When Rihaan came and laid next to me, all I could do was stare at in question.
“Look up.”
I did, and I noticed him pressing a button on his remote before two door glided across the ceiling. “It’s a sky light. It may not be Edinburgh, but you can still have your raining days like this.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I whispered.
“I know.”
I turned towards him.
“When did you have time to do this?”
“I had to keep myself busy the two months we didn’t see each other.”
I laughed, but my eyes were starting to sting.
He noticed.
His expression softened.
“Maeve.”
I shook my head quickly.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re crying.”
“I’m not.” My voice was muffled as he pulled me into him.
“You are.”
“I’m absolutely not.”
“You haven’t even seen the best part yet.”
I looked at him through the blur of sudden tears. “What could be better than this?”
His mouth curved. “You’ll see.”
He reached for my hand again.
This time, I did not need him to ask me to trust him.
I already did.
And the soft bark that came from downstairs, along with my best friends voice. “Look who’s finally home!”
Home.
I turned to Rihaan then, as a memory jolted through me.
He grinned, a sparkle in his eyes shined knowingly. It was as though he knew I finally remembered it. “Now you’ll forever have a place where you’re wanted, Maeve.”
Leaning on the tip of my toes I placed a kiss on his lips. “This is so much better than finding out you got a secret tattoo for me the first night we met.”
“I would hope so,” He winked. “Although, if you’re still disappointed, I can always get another one.”
“I like the bow. I like the placement even more.”
“Yeah, I remember you showing me just how much.”
My laughter boomed through the house, mixing with his, and I knew there was nothing in the world that could ever top this feeling.