Chapter 34_Compensation

Appeased by his yield, Raine sighed in relief and changed her sitting posture into something more comfortable. Dante noticed her subtle movement and curled his lips into a small smile. She thought it was all over now that she had gotten a satisfactory reply? 

"I accept your explanation but you do remember that it is only right for you to compensate while apologizing right?" Dante asked lightly as he poured himself a glass of water and considerately re-filled hers.

"I beg your pardon?"

Dante stared at her with mirth but didn't repeat himself. They were both aware that she had heard and understood what he had said. She might have been trying to play him for a fool but he wasn't going to yield. She had to appease him, after all, she was the one at fault in the matter.

Raine picked up her glass that had been re-filled by the 'apparently' thoughtful husband she had and thought deeply. His lack of response had made her know that he wasn't going to back down so she had no other choice but to appease him. However, she really didn't know what she could use to appease him!

The one thing she knew he wanted couldn't be done yet and if she couldn't offer something of subsequent value then she knew that he would hold on to this and mention it in their next discussion. At that point, she would be guilt tripped into agreeing to him even though that would be the last thing on her mind.

Moreover, she hadn't gotten any information on his company yet so she couldn't give him any profitable business opportunities as an apology and that wasn't taking into account whether or not he would agree. After all, they were already married and it seemed too distant to be holding business transactions between each other, something she wasn't fond of as well.

Noticing she had fallen into a trap he had so cunningly dug, she swished the liquid in her glass and laughed. "You are being so unreasonable aren't you? Does a wife still have to compensate her husband when apologizing? Why haven't I heard about that before?"

"Are you sure you haven't heard about it before or are you playing the fool? Don't couples always make up in bed?" Dante smirked then continued before she could reply. "However, since our relationship hasn't gotten to that level yet, I thought I'd give you a way out by allowing you to compensate using some other means but it seems you aren't too willing…"

"Willing! Of course I'm willing…why wouldn't I be willing?" Raine interjected before he could twist things around again. Dealing with him was harder than she thought it would be. She had lost her cool because of him more than once. 

Trying her best to calm down, she dropped the glass and looked him straight in the eye. At first she hadn't been sure of what to do but after his last reply she had figured something out. He was so sure that she wouldn't choose to do anything intimate with him and she was planning on making him lose his cool just as he had done severally to her. 

"I never considered your compensation and that's a mistake on my part that will be remedied. What about I make up for last night by coming over tonight to prepare you dinner?" 

"Just dinner?" Dante asked. He couldn't place a finger on it but for some reason, he found her behavior very suspicious.

"Majorly dinner…of course there will be some surprises added to it. After all, I need to apologize properly for making my husband spend our wedding night alone." Raine replied with a wink and Dante could feel his blood boil. Her mischief was so enticing that he had to clench his fists in order to control his desire.

"Then, I'm looking forward to tonight." Dante stated as he gnashed his teeth. He couldn't wait to see her tricks. It had been way too long since he had seen her being mischievous…so long that he was getting excited just thinking about it.

"Don't worry, it will be unforgettable." She smiled fully for the first time since they had re-united and Dante was struck dumb.

"So…about us? What is your plan? We got married before thinking about things deeply. I am serious about this marriage and before we make it known to others, I want to build a good foundation with you. What do you think?"

"Your thoughts are the same as mine. I didn't return earlier because I didn't want to drag you into my matters but I haven't dealt with them all yet. It is inevitable for you to be dragged into the mud with me so we need to be strong so the waves don't tear us apart. However, our slow cannot be too slow or else nothing will be built and our distance will increase. Moreover, your current situation is not in our favor. When will you round things up?"

Raine looked at him then stood up and walked towards one of the windows. She looked out into the sky and stared at the sun. Her every movement had been followed by Dante and he waited patiently for her to speak. 

"Things have become a bit more complicated. I'm working on it already but it seems like my maternal grandmother might have a hand in this whole issue so I can't confront things directly. The more I drag things out, the more my sister suffers and the longer it would take for us to cement our feelings. The person behind this really thought things out. A problem like this could drag out into months."

Raine shook her head and turned to Dante. "I don't know how long Lina can hold it out. As much as I want to focus on us, I really cannot right now."

Dante thought of things deeply before looking at her with determined eyes. "What if I have a solution to working things out between us?"

"You do?" Raine asked in surprise.

"It still depends on your overall situation. Are there moles in your home?"

"No. Everyone was vetted and trained personally by me."

Dante nodded then asked her another question. "What type of people do you usually train and keep at home? Does anyone know where you train or the people you train?"

Raine thought for a while before replying. "No, everything is confidential. Only my top agents know a bit about it and I have different training places for different groups. Though I employ both males and females, those that have direct access to my home are mostly females. I only have 5 male attendants in my main house."

"In that case, it won't be overly strange to suddenly employ a new male attendant?"

"You??"

"Hmm…just take it that you trained me for over 5 years because you wanted a versatile bodyguard and now is the right time to bring me in. I can serve as your spy in your company too. That way it wouldn't be suspicious for me to be seen going in and out of your home and also staying over."

"What about your work?" She asked.

"Since you are promoting me to a high position then I should have an assistant of a kind?" He smiled conspiratorially and Raine smiled.

"This is a good idea. It just might work out." Raine nodded.

"This is also for me. We need our relationship to work out and as for your sister; leave things in my hand. My network is more extensive than you could ever think. I'll get you the information you need. You are my wife and your problem is inevitably my own problem. I know you don't want me to interfere in how you deal with your family but I can serve as your informant right?" Dante asked as he stood up and walked towards her.

He took her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. "I don't want my wife to shoulder all her responsibilities herself. I know you are skilled enough to sort your problems out but remember…nothing that can possibly affect us directly or indirectly."

Raine returned his deep stare and struggled inwardly. He was kind of right. They were now married and anything that affected her would also affect him. He wasn't trying to make her feel small or incompetent but he was letting her know she wasn't alone anymore. "I understand. It won't be easy for me to change but I'll try my best to compromise and to let you in."

"Thank you." He smiled and released her face. "So…brunch?" He asked as he held her hand and dragged her out of the lounge into the dinning place.

"I thought you were asking?" Raine laughed and he joined her.

"Get used to this Raine. My domineering side hasn't changed over the last ten years instead it has been refined and made stronger." He winked.

"It doesn't matter how refined it has become, we are yet to see who is more domineering between the both of us. I have also changed and become more mature over the last decade." Raine smirked as she removed her hand from his and sashayed away from him.