VincenzoI straightened my clothes with my hands one last time as Bruno entered the room, searching for even the slightest hint of dust.“You look…presentable, you’ve cleaned this place, you’re on time.” He nodded approvingly. “Respect and order. These are the qualities you’ll need if you’re going to lead the Garcias and the Morales’ so I’m impressed.”Leading the Garcias and the Morales’ was enough news to give me a headache. It was not a surprise, it was bound to happen someday, but I had not expected it to be this quick.“The wedding preparations are going well, and Oscar and Aria have asked me to go through a few things with you.” Bruno pulled out a long list, nearly reaching the floor. “And where’s that big brother of yours?”“Still packing, I suppose,” I said, sighing. “I guess he has a lot of stuff.”“Meh.” Bruno scrunched his nose. “I appreciate him stepping up, but he hasn’t done much for the Garcias anyway.” He patted my back. “You are the real deal, and you will bring great
AriaWhen I expressed my feelings of wanting to get married, I had not expected to sit back and watch without being allowed to do a single thing.I trusted mom, always have—but watching her plan my dream wedding, choose my dream dress, and so much more while I could only sit back and watch tiring.Not wanting to waste my day, I focused on the business which would soon be mine. Today was collector day.A day where we would go through some of the small local businesses we had funded to collect our money.We hadn’t been in the city for long, but we had been investing in some businesses for quite some time.“And that is why you don’t send out men to take care of your issues.” Dad ranted as we were walking to our first target. “Seeing the big boss in person scares them, and that’s what we want. We don’t even want them to think about screwing us over.”I typed all of his words on my phone. “Yes, daddy.”If there were one thing I was serious about, it would be the fortune and the well-being
AriaVince took me for a drive, and believe it or not—I was frightened. He hadn’t said a word, and his hand, which was tightly wrapped around the steering wheel, made me believe that he was not here for a wedding talk.After a while of driving, Vince stopped the car at the side of the road and turned around to look at me.He took a deep breath. “Since we’ve both signed the contract, I’ll just say what’s on my mine.” He sounded serious.“First of all, let me start by saying that you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.” He said, staring at me. “I admire you for taking over your family, and I’ve heard good things about you.”“Thank you.” I took in his compliment, smiling brightly. Being admired by the one I loved was all I ever wanted—even if he despised me.“I feel flattered that someone as powerful as you would want to marry someone like me.” Vince paused for a second. “But the way you did it was wrong.”A sudden feeling of cold found its way through my body as all I wan
Vincenzo“I don’t know if anyone has ever told you this before—but you look ridiculous.” I shook my head disapprovingly, looking at Beau, who had his two toddlers seated on his lap.I guess it was selfish of me to say, but I missed the good old times when my friends didn’t have any dad duties. Most of them had children, while it felt like I was stuck on the same level with my life not going anywhere.“Not half as ridiculous as you driving to that thing’s house last night to make amends.”“Really funny.” I rolled my eyes. “Her name is Aria, and she is the one that apologized to me.”“I don’t understand why you’d want to listen to a single word she had to say,” Beau said. “Especially after the way she talked about Serena.”“I know she’s said many questionable things, but she’s not that bad.”Aria was crazy. I had concluded that a long time ago, but yesterday after seeing the tears streaming down her face, I felt terrible for her and could tell she honestly had no idea her actions had be
Vincenzo“Great, now I have to look for a tutor,” I mumbled, dragging my feet to Luis’ room.I found myself in front of a closed door. “Luis, we need to talk!” I knocked but got no answer in return.“Lu—““Don’t.” My brother yelled back. “I know what you’re going to say, and I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear your apology.”Where was Nic when you needed him? The same prick who had been so busy saying goodbye to friends was the only one who could handle Luis’ problematic behavior.“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Just tell me how I can fix it. ” I tried getting an answer. “Come on, let’s talk about it!”“I don’t want to talk because you don’t know how to talk—you only know how to yell,” Luis called back. “You can come and talk to me when I feel like talking to you.”Although I wasn’t the only one at fault, I felt terrible for what I had done and wanted to put it behind us so we could find a solution.Luis changed a lot, and I wondered when I began losing control o
AriaJust two more days.Forty-eight hours and I would officially become a married woman—a wife.After my talk with Vince, all hope had returned, and I was still prepared to fight for his heart. According to him, I was not that bad, and I didn’t see that as a rejection.I could only see it as a sign to change into the loving wife he wanted me to be.“Quit dreaming.” Angelo pushed my shoulder.“I wasn’t,” I spoke, looking out the car window.Angelo Marino had been following me around for hours, telling me what to do and what not to do, how to look and how not to look. Angelo was loud, talkative, curious, and anything but shy.I couldn’t even take a shit without him guarding the door.After persuading mom to at least let me take part in one activity, she agreed to let me do the cake testing. Despite the short timeline, mom had found someone who was up for the challenge and could create her dream wedding cake in days.She was in charge of everything, including flying over my awful cousin
AriaThe expression on his face made me anxious and worried. This was not a friendly visit.“I didn’t know you had company.” Vince looked through me, eyeing Angelo. I nudged Angelo’s shoulder, forcing him to step forward so I could introduce him.“Uh, this is—““I know who this is.” Vince snarled in a tone I had yet to hear from his mouth.“Angelo Marino.” Angelo stuck out his hand, showing off his good manners. “I’m looking forward to working…and living with you.”Vince scrunched his nose at the word ‘living’ and placed his hand behind his back, rejecting Angelo’s gesture. “Aria, can we talk.” He ignored his presence. “In private?”“Sure.” I turned to Angelo. “Do you mind giving us a minute?”“Not at all!” He spoke, giving Vince one last smile.As impatient as he looked, Vince tapped his feet on the floor, waiting for Angelo to exit the hall. With his hands through his hair, he let out a frustrated sigh.“I hadn’t expected to do this again, but you just won’t let me live in peace.”W
VincenzoThe three of us sat silently around the table: me, Joe Coreo, and his tempered daughter, who had thrown a cake at me.I had invited them over to talk, but it was really bothering Morales. Showing family they were not the boss over me was a priority, especially after that stunt Aria had pulled yesterday.The second she mentioned my father, something inside me snapped, yet I remained calm. Making a fuss would make me look like the crazy one, and the Garcias desperately tried to remove that image.Unlike Aria, I was willing to fight my battles and did not need guidance from someone like Angelo Marino.All that crap about how I should be grateful to receive her hand in marriage was bull that had undoubtedly come from his mouth. It sounded like something a Marino would say, and all of them were the same. There was no exception.I should’ve punched him yesterday, something to show him not to cross me—but I didn’t want to lose control and become like my father.Angelo and I were pla