Hotel Berlin - Chapter 3

It was silence in the room.
The elderly woman was watching the younger one.
-How couldn't you realise you were pregnant?
She was obviously mad about the other woman.
Sylvia, the younger one, stopped watching through the window and turned to talk to her former mother-in-law.
-Do you think I wouldn't have wanted to find out before he divorced? I could have avoided all the scandal. I was on the front cover of every newspaper and magazine.
-Yes, I know.

After a short break, the old woman went on:
-How much are you going to wait until you tell him?
-I think three months is enough. I'll be 8-months pregnant and he'll have to face the truth and marry me again.
-And then you'll have access to our entire fortune.
Sylvia tried to protest, but her former mother-in-law stopped her.
-Don't even try. I know what kind of person you are, you inherited your traits from your parents. I am sure you agreed to marry my son only for his money. Me and my husband forced him to marry you since you are from a noble, wealthy family. But you are avid for money like a thirsty deer is avid for water.
She didn't reply this time.
-What time is it, Sylvia?
She glanced at her watch.
-It's 7 p.m.
-Oh, so I have to leave. Francis told me to be at home until half past seven.

She rudely showed the door to Emily, her former mother-in-law. The other woman was very calm and didn't reply to her gesture.
When she was just about to leave, she kindly told her:
-Take care of yourself.
-Yes, I'll do.

Sylvia closed the door. She was angry but thought to calm down.
-Why be nervous? In three months,all their fortune will me mine. You did it, Sylvia!, she talked to herself.
Money really made her happy. It was - probably - the only one thing she cared about in life. Yes, Emily was right.
She smiled cruelly.
-Now I got you, Richard Deschamps!

At Hotel Berlin, Richard had just arrived into his room.
He sighed. He was already too tired.
While sitting on the leather couch, he remembered about the small plastic bag in the hall. He went to the hall and saw it there.
He took a small red box from it and opened it. The box hid a beautiful, tiny golden ring with some diamonds. It was delicate and looked perfect.

Richard stared at it for a while, then smiled.
If she feels the need to marry, I'll use it. If not...there are so amny women desperate to have something like that on the ring finger.

Like a response to his thoughts, the door bell rang.
And Danielle entered the room.
-Richard!
-Danielle, sweetheart...How did they let you come to me?
She was obviously excited, like a child that first learns to walk on his own. That was the way she felt, since she had done something that was her own decision.
-Well..Mrs. Deborah is gone this week.
-And the Dutch?
-The same, except he's only gone for this day.
-Perfect. Oh, sorry, I didn't realise, I let you stand in the doorway...Please come in.

As they were walking towards the living room, he asked her:
-So, does this mean this day is only for the two of us?
She stopped, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. A whole day, only for them, whithout anything and anyone involved.
-Yes, I...I assume it is.
He went in front of her and took her head in his hands, just as he did before. He looked straight into her deep blue eyes and said:
-Then let's enjoy our day.
And he kissed her. She replied to his kiss in the same passional way, but suddenly realised things were going too far.

She detached herself from the kiss and turned her face.
-No, Richard.
-What happened?, he asked, although he knew the answer. Sometimes it was better to pretend you don't know, he thought. You know I love you.
-I know, and I love you, too, but I...I don't want anything to happen before I marry.
She was shivering, as she was a bit ashamed of the situation.

-Don't you think I am serious?
-No, I didn't mean that, Richard...
Now she felt stupid. She thought she was guilty of everything.
He went to the square table where he had put the box onto and took the box.
-Open it, please.
He really tried to look serious -and he succeeded -
but everything was just fun for him. The final obstacle.
She was amazed at the sight of such a beautiful ring.She had never really thought Richard would ever want to marry someone like her. A poor, countryside girl...Even if he had told her about his love before, in a strange way she thought it was too beautiful to be real or that he would leave...
And then, realising it was the time, he kneeled in front of her and asked:
-Danielle, do you want to marry me?

She hardly opposed her tears of happiness and emotion and answered:
-Yes, I do, Richard, I want to be your wife, as long as I live!
Richard then stood up, embraced Danielle and held her tight.

One week later, Danielle hand in her resignation to Deborah, who was stunned.
She and Richard bought the most beautiful wedding dress they found. But, since neither Danielle nor her future husband had any friends, they decided to have a wedding without godfathers.
Their marriage was simple, both in front of the registrar and at the church.

After the ceremonies ended, he took his wife to a very nice house surrounded by trees and flowers.
-Richard! What is this?
-It's our house, Mrs. Deschamps.
She thought she was experiencing a dream. But it was real, and it was all hers. She would have enjoyed even a small house, but if he had wanted so...
Richard showed her the inside of the house. She had never seen something like that before. That was his personal "place to live".
-And that is the last room.
-What is it, Richard?
-The bedroom.
As they entered it, Danielle was taken by surprise. The bed was full of red rose petals.
-Do you like my idea?
Her facial expression was worth a thousand words.
-This will be the place where we'll spend our nights from now, my love.
He took her to their bed and kissed her again. She was a bit afraid of the unknown, but she also kissed him with all her hidden passion.
That moment Richard said to her:
-You are mine now, forever.