Paula woke up screaming like some banshee, sweating and thrashing her legs on the bed. Suddenly a pair of strong arms enveloped her in a tight hug. Her entire body stiffened in fear. One word came to her mind.

Leandro!

She began to struggle against the strong arms that trapped her,still screaming. The pair of arms tightened its grip on her and one hand threaded through her hair in a smoothing manner.

"Shhhh! You are safe now. Leandro will never harm you again."

"Rafael," she stuttered and then clung to his shoulder sobbing with immense relief.

"I was so scared. I thought he was going to force himself on me," she choked out between sobs.

His hand ran along her back comfortingly. He kissed her forehead. She felt him tense in her arms and she knew he was angry.

"I was going to kill him if he raped you but l still want to kill him for laying his filthy hand on you," he gritted out.

"I never imagined Leandro was like that all along. He's been spying on me for eight years."

"People wear different masks,Paula. We all do. The masks just differ but we all wear them."

She leaned back to stare at him with a mischievous smile. She traced one hand on his cheek.

"And what mask do you put on,Mr Rafael Ramirez," she asked in a teasing voice but his eyes clouded with sadness for a moment.

He removed her hand from his cheek and kissed her finger tips, staring intensely at her from beneath his long dark eyelashes.

"Six years ago,l put on a mask pretending not to desire you and six years later,l put on that same mask,pretending to hate you when all along l was trying not to want you again."

She smiled at him through a veil of tears in her eyes.

"I hate seeing you crying," he whispered, his thumb wiping away a lone tear which had escaped her eye.

Paula laughed, rubbing her face,realising that she had indeed shed some tears over his confession.

"I am crying not because l am sad. It's because l am so overwhelmed with joy. I never imagined we would be together again. I yearned for this moment for six long years."

Rafael cupped her cheek and kissed her deeply.

"I have dreamed of holding you in my arms kissing you. I have lived for this moment. To be able to breathe you again," he mumbled, his face buried in the crook of her neck smelling her.

He brought up his face and captured her lips in a passionate kiss while his hands ran wildly in her hair. Paula went on his lap and straddle him never breaking the kiss.

Her fingers went into his ruffled hair. Rafael groaned in pleasure when her hand ran along the hard planes of his chest. He drew her closer and she gasped in his mouth when she felt him straining against the fly of his jeans.

One hand cupped the back of her head as he deepened the kiss and the other trailed along her bare thigh, inching dangerously close to the core of her where she was aching for him.

His kisses grew more wild and his hands grew more desperate and urgent. He crushed her to him,hands clawing in her hair and the kisses more deep.

Paula tore her mouth from him,barely able to breath. She stared into his eyes. There was a cold hard feeling in them.

"Rafael?," she asked.

He drew in a deep shaky breath and closed his eyes as if tormented by something. He opened his dark eyes and stared at her with a pained look.

"I am sorry l got out of control."

"What's wrong?," she asked with her hand on his cheek.

"I just found out who my father is!," he told her in a strained voice.

Paula gasped out loud.

"Rafael!," she said in disbelief.

He gave out a bitter laugh,shaking his head.

"You can't believe the bastard who fathered me. No wonder l grew up feeling like l was born messed up already," he spat out,his jaw clenched in anger.

"Don't say that! Despite your few shortcomings, you have a good heart. Never doubt that."

"You always look for the good in me,querida. Even if l don't deserve it," he told her with a sad smile.

His smile flattered as he said the next words.

"It's Fernando Rodriguez," he spat out the words like it's poison.

"Juan Rodriguez's father!," she cried out in a horrified voice.

"You are kidding, aren't you?"

"I wish Valeria was lying."

"Dios!," Paula cried out in shock,realising the gravity of the situation.

Rafael and Juan Rodriguez were sworn enemies from the very moment they laid eyes on each other. And now they were brothers bounded by blood. She couldn't believe the turn life had taken.

"I wish l never knew. I am so angry at both Valeria and Mr Rodriguez."

She laid a hand on his cheek and he calmed down a bit.

"Look on the bright side,Rafael. For years you have agonized on not knowing your father. Now you know him and one weight has been lifted from your shoulders. It's up to you whether you want to acknowledge him or not but at least now you know."

He grabbed her neck and planted a wet kiss on her lips. He released her and his thumb rubbed her swollen lower lip.

"You are a wise woman,querida."

"I know," she replied with a smile.

Their eyes held for a moment, their love for each other mirrored in their eyes.

"I can't wait to marry you and make you my wife," he whispered, leaning his forehead on hers.

"Me too."

She brought down his face for another kiss which soon turned intense. They came up for air. Paula leaned on him, feeling feverish and limp with want.

"Help me forget today ever happened," she whispered to him in a passion filled voice.

Rafael locked their lips in another passionate kiss as he gently pushed her down in the fluffy bedsheets.

                            ~****~

Three months later

Rafael kissed her and then looked down into her smiling eyes with a wide grin on his face.
"You are the most beautiful and radiant bride l have ever seen," he drawled.

"And you are the most handsome groom ever," she replied, her arms going around his neck.

He leaned down and captured her lips with his own, a smile on his face.

"That's gross!," a small voice wailed beside them.

They broke apart laughing to look down at Nina scrunching up her little face at them. They gazed at each other with a knowing smile and then they dissolved into another loud laugh.

"You two should get a room already!," Sofia slurred.

"Sofia!," Hazel cried out in horror,while blocking Nina's innocent ears with her hands.

"Trust me kids these days are way more clever than you know," Sofia chuckled, emptying another glass of wine.

"Mother!," Paula cried out in a warning voice.

"You are drunk, Sofia," Hazel chimed in.

It was Rafael and Paula's wedding reception and Sofia was already drunk. Rafael called Nikos to escort Sofia to the guest room.

"I know l am a shitty mother, Paula and l never taught you well but trust me, Rafael is the best decision you have ever made. I am glad you went against me six years ago," she giggled as Nikos escorted her out.

"You deserve all the happiness, my princess!," Sofia called out as she stepped out and everyone in the room stared after her.

Rafael laid a comforting hand on her shoulder as she wiped a few tears which had escaped.

"I will never understand my mother. One minute she pisses me off and the next she loves me," Paula chuckled in a teary voice.

"Sofia is not a woman used to affection displays but trust me she loves you so much," Hazel told her with a small smile.

Paula looked around the room at all the people who had come to share in their happiness. She felt a little sad because one person she cared about was missing.

"I wish Andres was here with us."

"It's okay,Paula. Maybe its best that he enrolled into a rehab," Rafael replied.

Andres had came back a month ago and apologised to Paula and Sofia for stealing their money and running away. He also apologised to Rafael for mistreating him six years ago. Paula and Sofia hadn't made it easy for him. To gain their full approval he had decided to enroll in a rehab program to get rid of his drug abuse problem.

"This reception is taking way too long," Rafael grumbled with a meaningful glance in his wife's direction.

Paula's face turned the shade of tomato. She too couldn't wait to be alone with him. She had his present waiting for him.

"I think l am the happiest person here," Hazel spoke up,her warm brown eyes glistening with tears.

"No. I am the happiest, abuela. My parents got married and l got to be their flower girl," Nina chimed in, in her delightful voice.

They all laughed in joy. Rafael took his daughter in his arms and kissed her cheek.

"My little princesa. I am glad you are happy."

Valeria walked up to them on her husband's arm. Viktor Santos, their son followed behind them.

Viktor hugged Rafael, clapping his shoulder.

"Congratulations big brother. I am happy for you. The wedding was very emotional."

"Gracias," Rafael replied,hugging back his new found little brother.

Ever since Rafael forgave his mother two months ago and became part of the Santos family, the two half brothers had become inseparable. Viktor looked up to him both as a brother and mentor. He was very proud of him.

Valeria stepped forward with tears in her eyes. She embraced her older son in a tight hug.

"I am glad that you gave me a chance to see you as a groom,son."

There was silence as everyone looked on while the two embraced. Paula saw him fighting back tears. She knew that this was an emotional moment for the two of them.

Gabriel Santos, Rafael's stepfather also congratulated him. Rafael never knew that he needed a father figure until Gabriel Santos came along with his kind heart and contagious smile.

To him,Gabriel Santos was both a father figure and a business mentor. Their business deal was a success and their businesses had flourished more.

"Riya!," Paula suddenly cried out.

"You look like a queen,my love," Riya chuckled as she walked up to them with her famous dazzling smile.

Paula gathered her long gown in her hands and rushed to meet her long lost best friend. The two embraced as they both cried.

"I missed you so much," she sobbed on her friend's shoulder.

"I missed you too,mija. I am sorry that l missed the wedding ceremony."

Riya brushed off tears on Paula's face.

"The bride isn't supposed to cry on her wedding day,remember?," Riya told her with a smile.

"I hate you," she cried,more tears leaking.

Riya hugged her back.

"I am sorry that l went off the radar when you badly needed me."

Riya glanced over Paula's shoulder at Nina in Rafael's arms.

"I knew your daughter would look like some little princess. It's something to expect when two beautiful specimens come together," Riya whispered in her ear and Paula giggled.

"You never change, do you?"

"Why would l?," Riya replied with a shrug.

"I am glad you still have your sense of humour."

Riya went to Nina and introduced herself. Nina was so excited telling Riya she knew her from her mother's photo album.

"It's nice to see you again,Riya," Rafael greeted her.

"I am glad to see that you are still drool- worth handsome as before," Riya replied taking his hand in her own.

Everyone around them gaped their mouths in shock but Paula was laughing. Riya had always been so blunt and carefree. She was never afraid to speak her mind,a trait that Paula admired.

Fernando Rodriguez later arrived with his wife, son and daughter in-law. Valeria had told Fernando about his son a month ago and he was furious at first but Valeria reminded him of his own deception and he was apologetic. Afterwards he tried to bond with Rafael but Rafael didn't make it easy for him because he had deceived his mother.

As for Juan Rodriguez, when he heard that Rafael was his brother,he had been shocked initially and then he had given him one of his sly smiles saying,

"Seeing that you are also of noble blood,l guess you have gained my little respect. Welcome to the family,big brother."

Rafael had simply glared at him over their handshake.

"I may have accepted you as my brother but my woman is off limits. If you so much as glance at her with yearning, l will kill you myself with bare hands."

Juan's eyes had simply shined with admiration and adoration.

"You truly have Rodriguez's blood running in your veins. I admire how you fight to keep what's yours. Need not worry again,big brother. Now that l know you are family, l will never desire her again. I am a honorable man."

The two were getting along but Rafael kept a safe distance from him. Juan Rodriguez was an unpredictable man and he thought it wise to keep a safe distance.

Fernando and Juan congratulated Rafael while Mia hugged Paula. Mia had told her that she was divorcing Juan in two months and she supported her decision. She was clearly an unhappy woman. Juan Rodriguez flaunted his affairs so unashamedly in her face.

She was so glad that she was getting rid of him. Paula was also glad that Juan had stopped perverting over her. She was sure Rafael had something to do with it.

Paula and Camilla had also made their peace. Camilla missed the wedding because she went to Brazil with her new boyfriend, Roberto.

                          ~****~

Rafael laid in bed with his wife in his arms. He was hugging her from behind as she dozed off.His hand trailed to her front and he began to caress her naked stomach.

"When were you planning on telling me?," he whispered against her shoulder.

She came fully awake at his voice. She turned to face him with wide eyes.

"How did you know? You spoiled my gift for you. I wanted to tell you myself," she cried out.

He kissed her mouth chuckling.

"It's so obvious. You are already round with our baby and your breasts are more bigger and sensitive," he said,one hand pinching a rosy bud and she gasped out at the sensation.

"Thank you for making me a father again."

She touched his cheek smiling sadly.

"I am glad this time l have someone to help share the load."

He hugged her again.

"I feel like l am the most lucky man in the universe right now."

                        The End

A/N: l am a little sad we have come to the end of Paula and Rafael's story. I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as l enjoyed writing it.

I want to thank everyone who was reading,voting and commenting on this story. You guys inspired me to continue.

Now let's hear what you think of the story.

Tell me the characters you loved so much in the book and the ones u hate.

If l were ever to write a story about one of the characters, who would you choose.

Young Hazel, young Sofia, Leandro, Juan Rodriguez, Camilla, Riya, Mia,Andre??

I have decided to finish my other two books: Beyond the glamour and Tell me your secret. Please check them out and tell me which story you want me to continue first.