Chapter Four

Aria's POV

It had been a week since I found out the truth of how my father wants to me use for his own selfish benefit. I had not found the chance to talk to Axel and tell him everything that is going own because I had been busy the whole week with the wedding preparations, not because I want to but I am forced to do it. I had been informed by Lisa that Axel had come a couple of times to see me but every time my father always gives him an excuse of how I am busy with the wedding preparations even when I am always free sometimes. I know that this is my father's plan to keep me away from seeing Axel so that I don't expose him, but no matter how hard he tries to keep me from seeing Axel, I am going to find a way to tell him. My wedding rehearsal is in a few days and I am going to use that as an opportunity to tell Axel everything.

"What do you think of this dress Ms.Aria?" Amanda, the wedding dress designer, asked me as she showed me a picture of a wedding gown from her book. I had even forgotten that she was still here.

"Just pick the one you think is best for me." I said as I didn't have any interest in anything that was going on.

"But I would like some of your opinion as it is your wedding."

"I said pick the one you think is best for me!" I snapped at her and she was shocked at my reaction.

"She just means that you choose what you think will look good on her, it is her wedding and she is having the jitters so please pardon her behavior. Here, why don't you show me your best designs and I will give you my opinions." My mother who had been sitting beside me said, and I couldn't help roll my eyes.

"Okay Mrs.Watson, and I completely understand you Ms.Aria, it is totally normal to have anxiety on one's wedding day but don't get yourself so worked up, everything is going to be fine." Amanda said in her sweet kind voice, and I kind of felt sorry for snapping at her.

After coming to a conclusion of which dress would suit me best, Amanda took my measurements and my mother saw her off.

"Why did you act that way in front of the designer?" My mother asked, and I just stayed quiet as I read a magazine while lying on my bed.

"Aria I am speaking to you." She said but I still remained quiet.

"I know you are mad at me and I am sorry Aria, I didn't want things to get this ugly but I hope we will fix them." She said and left my room.

Today is my wedding rehearsal day and we are on our way to the wedding venue. I am going to tell Axel everything and put and end to my father's plan. I know that he will be keeping an eye on me but I have the perfect plan to get Axel and I alone so that I can tell him everything.

We arrive at the hotel where the wedding will take place and we head to where the church set up has been put. The decorations are still going on and everyone else has arrived.

"Aria!" I hear Valerie, my cousin who is also one of my bridesmaids call me.

"Valerie, how are you?" I ask as I hug her.

"I am good, what about you?"

"I am great."

"Of course you are, you are getting married, how do you feel?" She asked excitedly.

I was about to answer when the wedding planner spoke up.

"Okay everybody, take your places, the rehearsal is about to begin." She said and Valerie went to her position.

I looked around and saw Axel standing at corner with Aiden and his parents. The music started and Axel walked down the aisle with both his parents. He was so happy and I did not want to think how he will be when I tell him everything.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle with one another and now it was my turn. My father came up to me and held out his arm for me to put my hand, I put my hand and we walked down the aisle together.

We reached the alter and after my father took his seat, the priest started saying the vows. All this time Axel was smiling brightly and I on the other hand wanted this whole thing to be over so that I could get him alone and tell him everything.

After we were done, we went to the reception for the dinner rehearsal. After everyone was seated, Axel's father started hitting his glass with a spoon so as to get everyone's attention. Once everyone was quiet, he cleared his throat and spoke up.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for being here and celebrating this special day with us. It is Axel's and Aria's wedding and I am happy for the both of you, I hope that you two will always be happy and will always love each other, no matter what what challenges you go through, thank you." He sat down and we applauded him.

Axel's mother stood up to give her speech. "It is a beautiful day and I am glad to see my son getting married to the woman he loves. I just want to wish you all the best in your married life and may you always be happy and prosperous and also live long. I also hope to see my grandchildren soon so you both better get to working." She said and everyone laughed.

It was my mother's turn to speak. "Aria, Axel, it is your big day and I am more than happy for the both of you. I hope that you always hold each other no matter the ups and downs that life comes with, and that you will grow closer and stronger together. I wish you all the best in your married life." When she was done, I started wishing that this whole thing was real and it made me very emotional.

My father stood up to speak. "I wish you all the best in your married life and may you always be happy." I couldn't believe my father, he didn't even have the decency to give a proper speech, yet he was the one who suggested this wedding to take place.

Everyone was now busy chatting and interacting with one another and I saw this as the perfect opportunity to get Axel and I away from everyone.

"Axel, can you come with me, there is something important that I need to tell you."

"Umm....Okay." He said and I helped him stand up. We walked down the hallway and after we were far away from the noise I stopped.

"Is everything okay Aria?" He asked concerned.

"No, nothing is okay Axel."

"Tell me, what's wrong?"

"There is something important you should know." I took a deep breath before continuing. "The reason this wedding was planned was because my........"

"There you are Aria, I have been looking everywhere for you." I heard my father say and I saw him walking towards us.

"We should get going now, it is getting late and you must be tired as you had a very long day today." My father said in a 'caring' voice.

"Wait, Aria has something to tell me." Axel said.

"She can tell you some other time, besides you guys are soon getting married so you will have plenty of time to talk to each other." He said as he grabbed my arm. I wanted to snatch it away when Aiden showed up.

"It's time to go Axel, your parents are looking for you." Aiden said as he took Axel's arm.

"You can tell me what you wanted to say some other time Aria, goodnight." He said and they walked away.

"You thought that you could ruined my plan, didn't you." He said as he stared at me coldly.

"I was going to do what is right." I said as I stared back at him and the next thing I know he slapped  me across the face.

"If you try this again, I swear you will more than a slap." He said and walked away. Tears started rolling down my cheeks. I couldn't believe my father just laid a hand on me just because I wanted to tell the truth to Axel.

My father's relationship and I had always been a bumpy one but he had never once raised a hand on me till today, but I was not going to give up, one way or another I was going to tell Axel the truth and if I don't succeed, then this wedding is not going to take place.