Alivia and Mr Sebastian Wulfram stood quietly in the wet garden. Droplets of water slowly fell from the leafy branches of the silver birch trees and the Betula utilis trees next to them. The roses which have been soaked in water now diffused their sweet perfume around and the grass was shining with the clear water which resided on them.

"Why...did you want to see me...Mr Wulfram?" Alivia asked after mustering up her courage.

"To apologise." he replied, facing her, "My behaviour was rather repulsive, I admit it."

Alivia smiled slightly and whispered as she looked down:

"Indeed."

Mr Sebastian Wulfram tilted his head and observed her.

"You were in the middle of the streets. That was inappropriate."

"I didn't know I was." Alivia replied,looking at him, "I was fixing my umbrella which was getting carried away by the wind and without realizing it..."

"You arrived on the streets." he finished for her with a glare.

"I wasn't doing it on purpose!" Alivia cried.

"The truth is you are a very irresponsible person Miss Alivia!" Mr Wulfram raised his tone, "Admit it! You go to run some errands and end up like a jellyfish in a plate of red sauce on the streets! And then you don't even feel sorry for behaving that way! You find excuses just like an irresponsible person does."

"Will you please shut that mouth of yours!" Alivia cried out.

A silence swallowed them and Alivia knew she should not be saying such a thing, but she just could not keep quiet anymore. He was insulting her too comfortably a manner! What was wrong with him all of a sudden? He just apologised!

"Mr Wulfram!" she began, anger in her eyes, "The truth is that you have no respect for me! You are a despicable human being who believes he is always right and has not an ounce of respect, care, humility let alone love in you and you dare to come here thinking that you will marry me! How much of a fool can you be!"

"Don't you dare talk to me like this!" Mr. Wulfram said menacingly.

"I am not afraid of you nor impressed by your status!" Alivia cried out.

"Do you even know who I am miss?" Sebastian asked in a coarsed voice.

"A ratbag who loves insulting people, I believe." Alivia burst out, not even knowing where all this courage was coming from.

"No." he answered calmly.

"Then who in the world are you?" she asked crossly.

"Your beloved future husband with whom you'll spend the best nights ever." he smirked.

Alivia backed off, her cheeks red. Was he a rake? Now she was having doubts on whether he was a gentleman or just a person who loves to have fun with women.

"And I am not a ratbag who loves insulting others. Mrs Blackwood led us here and recommended me to your respected family. How does that make me a ratbag?" Mr Wulfram continued as he approached her menacingly.

Alivia was still recovering from his topic concerning her "nights" and her breathing was not agreeing to be even when she realized that he wanted to close the gap between them.

"About what you said concerning me not being able to love..." he continued in a seductive voice as he came close to her and grabbed her by her shoulders firmly, but not in hurting way, "I can love. I loved you when I came to know about you from others, I loved you in the rain and I love you now."

As he finished he pulled her against his hard chest and kissed her feverishly. Alivia could not do anything except...feel a deep emotion...an explosion inside of her. She now understood those "nights" he was talking about in more detail.

"Mr Wulfram!" she cried as she pushed him away.

Both looked at each other in shock. Alivia understood why she was in shock...but why was Mr. Wulfram in shock?

"Please forgive me!" he breathed as he went away and leaned against the Betula uitils nearby, "I am truly sorry."

Alivia stayed still for a moment. Not knowing what to do or say. She took a deep breath and watched Mr Wulfram as he stood by the tree,giving his back to her.

Both stood silently for a few moments with only the calm wind blowing around them, gently fluttering the leaves. The young woman then decided to talk....or at least she tried to.

"Mr Wulfram...why..." Alivia began as she slowly approached him, but not too much, fearing another kiss attack.

"Miss Alivia..." he said with pain in his voice as he turned around and looked at her, "When Mrs. Blackwood described you to me...I felt like...you're the one I have been waiting for. I was here since early morning...trying to catch a glimpse of you from your window and only seeing you for a few seconds only. After I realized you would no longer be by the window I went to have a trip in town...only to find you there later...almost hurt by my carriage. Now you understand why I was so angry. I thought I killed the person I loved! I thought everything was over! That's why I was angry with you all the time! You were not careful enough! What if something happened to you! I...."

Alivia came close to him. This man...loved her. And she had no idea about it.

"Mr Wulfram..." Alivia began, feeling sad for all the things she told him, "I..."

"Sebastian..." he interposed, "People who are close to my heart call me Sebastian."

"S...Sebastian..." Alivia said, blushing slightly, "I am so sorry. I didn't know. This is a shock to me. Believe me...I don't know what to say..."

She looked away, biting her lip in discomfort. She felt so special suddenly. He loved her. He cared for her so much! But at the same time she had no clue how to react.

"Alivia..." Sebastian said softly as his hands cupped her face, "I should be asking forgiveness. I did not have the right to insult you like I did. Forgive me. I...become a bit..aggressive sometimes."

"Forgiven." Alivia smiled, "But you have to promise you won't attack me with kisses like....that and you won't let anger overtake you again even if I am in danger one day. After going through something difficult...I would like you...to hug me..and comfort me...after marriage...don't yell..."

"I won't" Sebastian gasped as he burried her into a hug and this time Alivia did not fight back, "I will take good care of you. I will not hurt you and...I will love you...with all my heart..."

"I...will love...you too..." Alivia said shyly, " I think I already do...I love you...Sebastian. From the first moment I met you."

Sebastian sighed in happiness and hugged her tightly. Soon the rain started falling again and  her head still resting on his chest and her eyes close, Alivia whispered to him.

"It's raining again. We should go inside."

"No...please." Sebastian begged, "Let me stay with you a bit more like this."

"Oh..." Alivia breathed, "But...I might catch a cold."

"Oh dear!" Sebastian gasped, releasing her instantly, his eyes showing concern, "Forgive me."

The next moment he was undoing his coat and putting it gently over her.

"Let's go inside." he said as he offered his hand which Alivia happily took and they walked inside, closing the entrance door behind them.

Three years later

The entrance door of the Bancroft's swung open and Mr. Sebastian Wulfram along with his wife Mrs. Alivia Wulfram walked outside.

"We'll come and visit soon again!" Alivia said back as they walked in the garden with her parents, "The children must be waiting for us so we have to go."

"We understand dear." Mr. Bancroft replied, "Please give our love to the children."

"We will." Sebastian answered happily, "Please do come at our place whenever you have the time!"

"Of course dear" Mrs Bancroft smiled.

They all made their goodbyes and the Wulframs stepped in their carriage. 

As soon as they were inside, Sebastian pulled his wife in a hug and and whispered.

"Be honest! You wanted to spend some time with me alone here, that's why you left so quickly."

"Oh Sebastian...romance is in the bedroom not here..." she whispered back.

"Oh! So your thoughts are wandering to the bedroom already...oh dear...what a wife I have...." he said in an exaggerated tone.

"You are the one who made me like this, don't you remember...in the garden? With your fierce kiss?" she asked as she wriggled her eyebrows.

"Pity that I could not go further with that kiss." Sebastian smirked.

"Well be happy...now you can..." Alivia giggled as she kissed her husband who responded with much enthusiasm.

As their kiss ended, Alivia laid her head on Sebastian's shoulder and both watched the half timbered houses and the calm river as their carriage passed by them. The young woman intertwined her fingers with Sebastian's who looked down, smiled and kissed her on the forehead. Alivia smiled as well thinking how life can have surprises which she could never imagine.

The End.

Author Note: This is the end then! I am so happy I was able to write this short story for you all! It's been almost a week since rain is falling here in my country. Combine that with my creativity and here's what I come up with! A sweet romantic story! Lol! I really hope you all like it!

If you've enjoyed this story please leave a vote. Comments are most welcome! Thank you so much for reading! Have an amazing day dear readers!