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
VincenzoDazed, I stared at my own reflection in the mirror. My hair which had always reached just above my shoulders, was cut and looked as ridiculous as the suit I was wearing.Today was my wedding day, and I would not turn back. It had to be done for the family's good, and I was ready to take responsibility.I felt nervous and anxious and had no idea how to go from here—but I had no intentions of showing it. As the head of the Garcia, I could not crumble, especially not the with merge happening. Being there for my family and not letting the Morales walk over me was vital.“You look handsome.” Aunt Nora stood behind me, holding me by my shoulders. She was uncle Bruno’s wife, and by her soft personality, one wouldn’t be able to tell.“Thank you.” I smiled slightly as Bruno pushed away his wife to fix my tie. Lots of friends and cousins had gathered to support me as my groomsmen, which was something my uncle had pushed for, and all everyone kept telling me was how brave I was for savi
AriaIt had been three days since the wedding, and Vince had yet to say a word to me. Ever since the ceremony, he had ignored me like the plague, and I knew I deserved it.What the hell was wrong with me?Why did I have to open my big mouth and call him Vincenzo Morales?Sleeping in separate rooms was not what I had in mind for marriage, nor was Vincent's coming home late every night, making sure he didn’t have to see me.Luis, who rolled his eyes at me whenever he got the chance, locked himself in the room because he didn’t want to be in the same space as me. The only ones keeping me company were Angelo, who had gone away on a family trip, and the maids.Mom and dad, who had finally retired, had treated themselves to a nice vacation and were out of sight.I felt lonely, broken, neglected, and regretted ever marrying Vince—but it was too late to turn back.Due to dad’s latest request, I sent Vince a text, telling him it was time to work on our family's future.That was why he needed m
Aria“Eat as much as you can,” Christian spoke, sitting at the table. “Serena didn’t touch anything—so we’ll live.”The three laughed, and I felt left out because I couldn’t understand the joke. Maybe this was karma for inviting myself to a lunch I wasn’t even invited to.“I can’t cook. I can’t even boil an egg. It’s tragic.” Serena tapped my arm, explaining. “Christian made everything.”“Everything?” I questioned, wondering how he even found the time. The table was filled with bread, pastries, meat, salad, and everything one could think of.“Yes, he baked the breath and everything.” Serena praised her husband, rolling her eyes seductively. By the looks of it, Christian was someone who liked to get stuff done.“What about all those maids?” My words came off as rude—a reminder to myself why I had to keep my mouth shut.“Personally, I think eating a homemade meal feels more sincere,” Christian explained, not feeling offended. “Do you cook, Aria?”“Yes, I love cooking.” The first two day
AriaWe said our goodbyes to the Lambertis, and the driver took us to the infamous Garcia Factory. Many who had either worked or been there stepped out traumatized.From the inside, the heavily protected Garcia Factory looked like an innocent paper mill, but those affiliated with the Garcias knew better.May it be money laundering, forging documents, sending out trucks to deliver and spread the words about their product—the Garcias could do it all.At one point, they were big enough to give the Lambertis and the Alfonzos a run for their money—but with Fabio Garcia out of the picture, rumor had it a lot had changed.As we walked through the building, many women went above and beyond to grab Vince’s attention. From accidentally dropping a pencil and bending so low, we could see their panties from under their uniforms to brushing his shoulder, not giving a shit I was standing right next to him.Vince didn’t forget to acknowledge every single one of them, showing me this was not his first