Chapter six Aria agrees to marry Damian

Aria's Pov

“I made a mistake” she blurted out, desperation creeping into her voice. “I didn’t think—”

“You wanted to marry me,” he said, a cold edge returning to his voice. “Was that your brilliant plan, sweetheart?”

She shook her head. “It was a mistake. A huge one.”

He pressed his palm against the wall beside her head, caging her in. His body was close, too close, and her thoughts blurred.

Then, just as suddenly, he leaned in to kiss her.

But Aria turned her face at the last second and bolted. Her heels clicked frantically as she ran through the hallway, past the confused guards, and out of the mansion.

Damian stood still, watching her escape, a bitter smirk tugging at his lips. “Interesting,” he murmured to himself.

The ride home felt like a blur. The city lights outside the taxi window spun like stars in a galaxy of regret. She held her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.

As soon as she reached the front door, Fiona opened it.

Aria didn’t speak.

She walked straight in and collapsed onto the couch, her face pale and expression haunted.

Fiona shut the door and followed her. “What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Aria stared blankly ahead. “I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life.”

Fiona knelt in front of her. “What do you mean?”

Aria’s lips trembled. “The man I met at the club last night... the one I kissed, the one who touched me...”

Fiona nodded, already piecing it together.

“He’s Marco’s father,” Aria said, almost choking on the words. “He’s Mr. Damian De Luca. The mafia Don.”

Fiona gasped. “What?! How is that even possible? You mean you never met Marco’s dad?”

“I hadn’t,” Aria whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. “I threw myself at him like some desperate... thing. And today I went to his house asking him to marry me.”

Fiona's eyes widened. “Oh my God, Aria.”

Aria buried her face in her palms. “He must think I’m some kind of cheap woman. I feel so disgusted with myself.”

Fiona gently pulled her hands down. “Don’t you dare talk about yourself like that. You didn’t know. None of this is your fault.”

“But don’t you get it?” Aria snapped, standing up. “I got intimate with Marco’s father. Do you know what Marco will think if he finds out? Do you know what everyone will think?”

Fiona crossed her arms. “Honestly? Who cares what Marco thinks? He cheated on you and humiliated you. If anyone deserves betrayal, it’s him.”

Aria shook her head. “No. I can’t marry Damian. I won’t survive in that world. I need to stay far away from that man.”

“Then stay away,” Fiona said gently. “Walk away and forget all of this.”

Just then, Aria’s phone rang.

Her heart dropped.

The number was unknown.

She hesitated but still answered with shaky hands. “Hello?”

“Hey, Aria.”

The voice sent chills through her spine. Cold. Calm. Commanding.

It was him.

“Mr. Damian?” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

“See me tomorrow,” he said without emotion. “Don’t be late.”

Before she could respond, the call ended.

Aria stared at the phone like it might explode.

“What now?” Fiona asked, already guessing.

Aria swallowed hard.

“I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into,” she whispered. “And I have no idea how to get out of it.”

The next morning came faster than Aria expected. She hadn’t slept much. Her body might have been still, but her mind was a battlefield, haunted by memories of Damian’s touch, his commanding voice, and the shocking truth of who he really was.

She stared at the caller ID again, Damian De Luca. Just his name made her stomach twist with anxiety… and something else she didn’t want to admit, excitement.

“What am I doing?” she whispered to herself as she stood in front of her mirror, applying a light coat of makeup. Her hands trembled slightly.

She’d chosen a simple white blouse and a pencil skirt, trying to look formal, composed… but no amount of clothing could disguise the turmoil inside her.

Fiona walked in holding a coffee mug. “So… are you seriously going?”

Aria took a deep breath. “I don’t have a choice. You didn’t hear his voice last night, Fiona. He’s not someone you say no to.”

“Yeah, I noticed,” Fiona muttered. “That man oozes danger. And sex. It’s scary.”

Aria gave her a look. “Not helping.”

“Just be careful, Aria. He’s not Marco. He’s… something else entirely.”

Aria nodded. She knew that too well.

“I’ll go and tell him that I made a stupid mistake. I’ll tell him I’m not interested in the marriage anymore.”

“Yes, just tell him you weren’t thinking straight,” Fiona said.

“Oh Lord, help me,” Aria muttered as she left the house.

She sat in a taxi, her eyes watching the city blur past, thinking of how she'll talk to damian, until something, someone, caught her attention. Through the window, she saw Marco. He was opening the car door for Elena, helping her inside before driving off with her.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Her heart squeezed painfully as old memories came rushing in, his smile, their long conversations, their engagement… and then his betrayal.

Her grief quickly turned into rage.

“You ruined my life, Marco,” she thought bitterly, “now I’ll ruin yours.”

She reached the De Luca mansion. Her emotions churned violently as she marched straight toward Damian’s study and knocked on the door.

“Right on time,” Damian said smoothly as he looked up and saw her.

He stood and walked over to her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You seem tense.”

“You ruined my life, Marco. Just wait and watch,” Aria thought darkly.

“I’m ready to marry you,” she said firmly.

Damian raised a brow and smiled. “Just yesterday, you said you made a mistake. What changed all of a sudden?”

“Nothing. I’m ready to marry you,” she repeated, her voice steady.

Damian smirked and tilted his head. “I’ll give you one more chance to walk away, Aria. Because once you sign this… you’ll be mine forever.”

She should have walked away. She should have thought about her life, her future. But all she could think of was revenge.

“I’m not leaving,” Aria said.

Damian’s smile widened. He picked up a paper from his desk and handed it to her with a pen. “Sign the papers.”

“What is this?” she asked.

“Marriage certificate,” Damian replied smoothly. “Sign it, and we’ll become one, Aria.”

He sipped his drink as she hesitated, but then she signed.

He took the papers from her, then pulled her by the waist, making her breath hitch.

“Don’t be scared. You shouldn’t be scared of your husband, right?”

“I… I have to go home and pack my things. I’ll come back tomorrow,” Aria said quickly.

“Why? I can get you whatever you want. Just say it.”

“No, it’s fine. I also have to inform my friend.”

“Fine, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He leaned in, his voice low and warm. “Don’t keep me waiting.” Then he kissed her neck.

Aria stepped out of the mansion with her thoughts in chaos. Had she made the right decision? Was this bravery or foolishness?

She returned home, and Fiona immediately asked, “So? How did it go?”

Aria sank onto the couch. “I agreed to marry him. I signed the papers.”

Fiona’s eyes widened in horror. “You did what?! Are you insane? That man could ruin your life!”

Aria broke down. “I saw him, Fiona. He was with her. Marco didn’t even call me once after our engagement was broken. He didn’t try to explain… to reach out… nothing.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Fiona pulled her into a hug.

“I loved him. And he threw me away like I meant nothing.”

Fiona stroked her hair. “I know, honey. I know.”

After a while, Aria wiped her tears and stood up. “Enough. I’ll deal with him.”

She marched into her room and began packing her things.

Fiona stood by the door, worried. “Aria, are you sure? He’s a mafia don. If he finds out you’re using him for revenge—”

“He’ll kill me?” Aria finished, turning to look at her. “Maybe. But I’m not scared. Not anymore.”

Fiona said nothing.

“I just can’t wait to see the look on Marco’s face when he sees me tomorrow… at the De Luca mansion… as his father’s wife.”

That evening, Marco returned home. He walked straight to the study where Damian sat with a glass of whiskey.

“Welcome, son,” Damian said casually. “You’ve been away from home since your engagement.”

Marco didn’t respond.

Damian smirked. “By the way, you didn’t tell me what happened that day. I haven’t seen your fiancée yet.”

“There’s no need,” Marco said coldly. “It’s been cancelled.”

Damian raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“She’s not really worth it.”

Damian chuckled softly. “So… why did you realize this on your engagement day?”

Marco avoided his eyes. “Forget it, Dad. Why did you call me here?”

Damian leaned back in his chair, swirling the drink. “I have a surprise for you tomorrow. I want you to be home.”

Marco frowned. “What surprise?”

Damian smiled. “Don’t be in a rush, Marco. Wait until tomorrow… and you’ll see.”