Scented Claudia

It was my first time meeting his old classmates, and if i was being honest, I felt a messy mix of excitement and nerves twisting in my stomach.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the straps of my white fitted long dress.

The fabric hugged my curves perfectly, and the high slit on one side revealed just enough skin to balance elegance and quiet seduction.

My hair fell in soft waves down my back, glossy under the warm light.

I slipped on my black heels and took a steadying breath, checking myself one last time.

Behind me, Raphael was finishing the buttons on his black shirt.

It was tailored to perfection, the top buttons undone in a way that made him look casually confident but undeniably attractive. His dark gray slacks and polished black shoes completed the look.

When he turned and saw me, he froze mid-motion.

"Wow," he breathed, his gaze sweeping over me slowly, thoroughly. "You look... stunning."

A slow smirk tugged at my lips as k stepped closer, my hand brushing down his chest. "You're not so bad yourself, Doctor Gutierrez."

He chuckled, looping his arm firmly around my waist and tugging me flush against him.

His breath was warm against my ear. "If we weren't already running late, I'd have a very hard time letting you leave the house in that."

He pulled back just enough to give me a challenging look. "But for now... I'll just have to make sure no one looks at you for too long."

I laughed softly, pressing a light kiss to his jaw. "We'll see about that."

-

The restaurant was already buzzing when we arrived.

I could spot Chanel among Raphael's old classmates, along with their former professor, who was deep in conversation.

Raphael rested his hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward with that calm possessiveness he had.

"Guys, this is my wife. Claudia Araneta," he announced.

At the word wife, the table fell quiet.

Surprised glances darted my way, and i could see the curiosity in their eyes.

"You're Claudia?" one of them blurted, incredulous.

His professor chuckled, shaking his head with fond exasperation. "Honestly, Raphael, I thought you and Aleine would end up together."

My smile faltered.

I turned to Raphael with narrowed eyes, studying his unreadable face.

Aleine? Her friend?. He had told me they are classmates.

But Raphael only smiled politely at his professor, offering no explanation.

"Right," another chimed in helpfully. "They were the famous couple back in university!"

My hand tightened around the silverware.

Famous couple? That definitely hadn't come up in any of our conversations.

I reached for the platter of steak, determined to hide my annoyance behind polite small talk, only for one of the women to laugh.

"Oh, they loved steak back then," she said cheerfully.

My fingers went rigid.

The steak.

Their favorite.

I slowly withdrew my hand like the food had burned me, inhaled sharply, and gestured to the waiter. "A glass of red wine, please."

Raphael's hand touched my arm gently, voice low. "Claudia, maybe eat first—"

I ignored him.

The waiter poured the wine, and i grabbed the glass, taking a long, deliberate sip.

The others kept talking, sharing old stories and jokes while i sat there in simmering silence.

Raphael, for his part, never once took his eyes off me.

"Love," he finally said softly, slipping his hand under the table to find mine. "Talk to me."

I jerked my hand away, clinking my glass against the plate as i set it down. "Didn't know i married someone with a famous past."

"Claudia—"

"How long were you together?" I cut in coldly.

Raphael let out a resigned sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Three years."

I smiled tightly, though my eyes burned.

I turned my gaze deliberately to Aleine, who sat watching us with thinly veiled interest.

"And you didn't think to mention that before?"

Raphael's jaw tensed. "Because it doesn't matter anymore."

I gave a hollow laugh. "It mattered enough that everyone here brought it up the second they saw me."

"Claudia, you're my wife. You're the one i love. Aleine is just—"

"An ex who apparently shared your favorite steak and was part of the 'famous couple' everyone still remembers?" I snapped.

His dark eyes flashed with warning. "You're blowing this out of proportion."

I raised my glass again, but Raphael's hand shot out to grip my wrist firmly, stopping me.

"Stop it," he whispered roughly, voice dark with frustration. "You're not punishing me by drinking. You're just hurting yourself."

I glared at him, our eyes locked in a silent battle.

Before i could retort, someone at the table, oblivious smiled brightly. "So, Claudia, how did you and Raphael meet?"

I turned to them with a fake, sugary smile.

"Oh, you know, nothing special. Just a story that started unexpectedly and led us here."

The table went quiet.

Some looked confused.

Others amused.

Chanel burst out laughing. "Wait, what? You're kidding, right?"

Raphael's teeth ground together. "Claudia—"

I ignored him. "Nope. We weren't exactly planned. But somewhere along the way, I guess we got attached." I tilted my head, giving Raphael a pointed, mocking look.

"Right, love?"

His jaw flexed visibly.

Aleine snickered quietly. "Interesting. I never pegged you as the type to settle, Raphael."

That was the final straw.

I leaned forward, resting my chin on my palm, and smiled icily. "And i never pegged you as the type who still clings to old flames."

The table fell into utter silence.

Raphael let out a harsh exhale.

Without another word, he pushed back his chair and grabbed my arm, tugging me up.

"Excuse us," he said stiffly, offering the table a tight, forced smile before practically dragging me away.

"Raphael!" I hissed, trying to pull back, but he didn't stop.

-

The cool night air hit me like a slap as we burst out of the restaurant.

Raphael didn't let go of my arm until we reached his car, but even then, he spun to face me, eyes blazing.

"What the hell was that in there?"

I ripped my arm free and glared at him. "Oh, don't you dare talk to me like i embarrassed you. That was all you, Raphael."

He let out a harsh laugh, full of disbelief. "Me? Are you serious? You started acting like a jealous teenager the second you heard Aleine's name."

I barked out a humorless laugh of my own. "Jealous? Oh, please. Don't flatter yourself."

He stepped closer, voice low and dangerous. "Don't even try to deny it. You heard her name and lost it."

I didn't back away.

I shoved him, hard enough to make him take a step back.

"Of course i lost it! You failed to mention you two were the freaking legendary couple of your university! You let me walk in there blind while they all waited to see how i'd react. You made me look like an idiot!"

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Claudia, stop. You're blowing this out of proportion."

"Stop telling me how to feel!" I shouted, voice cracking with rage. "I'm your wife. I deserve to know these things Or do you just leave out all the parts of your life that might make me feel like i'm second choice?"

Raphael's jaw clenched. "Aleine doesn't matter anymore."

"She sure as hell seemed to matter back then," I spat, crossing my arms so tightly my nails dug into my skin. "Long-term girlfriend. Famous. Favorite steak. The one your professor thought you'd marry and take note you both still close until now, you even brought her in a coffee shop. But no, why would i need to know any of that? It's not like i have feelings!"

He exhaled sharply. "Claudia—"

"Don't 'Claudia' me," I cut him off, voice ice.

"Do you even get how humiliating that was? Sitting there while they all reminisced about your great love story? Watching you pretend you had no idea why i might be upset?"

His brows lowered, eyes dark. "It was years ago."

I scoffed. "Funny how everyone remembers it except you."

He closed the distance again, crowding me against the car. "Listen to me—"

"Don't touch me." I pushed at his chest, hard.

"I swear to God, Raphael, if you tell me one more time that i'm overreacting, I'll leave right now. Don't you dare make this my fault."

He stared at me, breathing hard, fury and something else flickering in his eyes.

"You drive me insane," he ground out, voice low and raw. "You always have to fight me. You won't just trust me."

My lip curled. "Trust you? Why would i trust you to tell me anything real when you can't even admit she was important?"

He grabbed my face between his hands, his fingers digging in just enough to make me meet his eyes. "Because she was important. I'm not going to lie to you. She was. But she's nothing now. You are everything. You're my wife."

I jerked my face free, eyes stinging. "God, you're such an asshole sometimes."

"Yeah?" he snapped. "Well you're being impossible."

We glared at each other, breathing hard.

Before i could spit out another insult, Raphael lunged forward and crashed his mouth onto mine.

It wasn't a gentle kiss.

It was bruising, teeth and tongue and raw anger.

I bit his lip hard enough to taste blood, and he groaned against me, tightening his hold until i had no choice but to grip his shirt to stay upright.

He shoved me gently but firmly against the car door, kissing me like he was trying to erase the entire fight, like he needed to brand himself onto me.

I kissed him back just as angrily, nails raking down his back, yanking his shirt collar until it threatened to rip.

Finally, breathless and flushed, he broke the kiss just enough to rest his forehead against mine.

"Let's go home," he growled, voice wrecked.

I glared at him, panting. "Fine."

The drive home was anything but calm.

We didn't speak, but the silence was electric.

His hand rested on my thigh like he owned it, thumb digging in hard enough to make me flinch, daring me to tell him to stop.

I didn't. I kept my arms crossed, staring out the window, seething.

-

When we finally got home, I barely managed to unlock the door before he hauled me inside, slamming it shut behind us.

"Raphael—"

"Shut up." His mouth was on mine again before i could finish.

He kissed me like a man possessed, his hands rough on my hips, pulling me flush against him.

I fought him at first, shoving at his shoulders, but he didn't budge.

His grip only tightened.

"Let me go," I hissed against his lips.

"No." He bit at my lower lip, forcing me to open up to him. "You're mine."

He walked me backward down the hall, pressing me into the wall, kissing me until I was dizzy with anger and want.

His voice was ragged as he spoke against my neck. "Let me remind you, Claudia."

"Remind me of what?" I snarled, raking my nails down his arms hard enough to make him hiss.

He grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head, eyes dark and furious. "That no one else has ever mattered. No one but you."

My breath came in harsh pants.

"Say it," he demanded, voice cracking. "Say you're mine."

I stared at him, chest heaving. "Prove it."

He let out a guttural sound and lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the bedroom.

When he laid me down, there was nothing gentle left.

He ripped my dress over my head, his eyes burning with possessive fury.

And when he finally lowered himself over me, he didn't ask again if i believed him.

He made sure i had no choice but to.