Chapter 2

Aria

“Daddy!”

Dad shot me an annoyed look and placed his finger over his lips, which was not surprising, considering I had burst through his office.

He seemed to be on an important phone call, so I sat down in front of him and looked into his eyes—forcing him to end his conversation.

“I’ll call you back later. Something important came up.” Dad spoke. “What’s up? My beautiful daughter needs me.” He said, ending the call.

Oscar Morales was a busy man, even to busy for his daughter—but whenever I really needed him, he was always there. As his only daughter and his heir, I was the hope of the Morales family.

“Muffin, what do you want?”

I ignored his cringy nickname and went straight to business. At times it seemed as if my dad still thought I was a teenager, but today I would show him otherwise. “What did you think about the wedding yesterday?” Dad continued. “Christian seems like a good family man, doesn’t he?”

I gave him a nod and reached for his hand across the table. “The wedding was nice, but dad—don’t you think it’s time for me to get married?”

Dad stared at me with big eyes before a wide smile appeared on his lips. He was an old-fashioned man who had devoted his time picking out a suitable suitor for me, and he had been doing so since my eighteenth birthday. “Do you have someone in mind?”

I bet he thought I was talking about one of the men he had introduced me to throughout the year. Although they were rich, handsome, and would be of value to the Morales family, they were not like Vincenzo. They did not have to face a single struggle in their lives and were weak-minded. They could not handle a boss bitch like me.

“Daddy, I want to marry Vincenzo Garcia.”

Dad blinked his eyes a few times before releasing my hand and burst out in complete laughter. “Princess, you have got to be kidding me?”

“N-no, dad.” I shook my head. It seemed like I had to fight for Vincenzo, but I was willing to do that. I had never experienced love at first sight before, so I would not let go of him. Ever.

“I want to marry Vincenzo Garcia—“

“No.” He spoke.

His answer was loud and clear. It was something I wasn’t used to. He never said ‘no’ to me. That word almost sounded foreign to my ears. “No? What do you mean, no?” I furrowed my brows, confused.

“Aria, I’ve introduced you to the finest men, and now you’re telling me you want me to hand you over to a—a—a...Garcia!” Dad spoke, disgusted. “You know they don’t have a good name around here—“

“Then we’ll make it good!” I got up from the chair. I turned my back to my father and took a deep breath to prepare myself for what I had to say. “I know you think they’re weak and useless, but Vincenzo is the one I want.”

“I heard about what he’s been through...he’s strong, determined, a fighter, and worthy of becoming my husband.”

The way he turned me down yesterday had only pumped my adrenaline. I was even more desperate to have him by my side, and I was going to marry him—even if I had to hold him hostage.

“I’m pretty sure the Garcia’s need this alliance, and having Vince by my side will only make us stronger, so please, daddy.” I pleaded, turning around to stare at him with puppy eyes.

It seemed to have worked because dad’s eyes slowly softened. “I’ll discuss it with your uncles, but I can’t promise anything.”

Wait a second…

It worked?

I jumped up and down and flew into dad’s arms to give him a tight hug. Who would’ve thought those sad puppy eyes would actually work?

“Wait, dad, are you serious?”

Dad placed his hands on my shoulder and nodded. “I would buy the world for my Aria if she’d ask me to, so if you want to marry Vince Garcia—I’ll pull every string I possibly can to let you marry Vince Garcia.”

•••

“And that’s what happened!” I summarized the conversation for Stella, who had an uncomfortable expression throughout the story.

She rubbed her neck and smiled awkwardly. “And how does Vince feel about this?”

“What do you mean?”

Stella cleared her throat as she covered her long dark bangs in front of her eyes. “Well, he’s expressed not wanting to get married many times—and now you’re kind of pushing him into an arranged marriage.” She forced a friendly tone.

I knew what she was thinking. She thought I was stupid, insane even—but so what? Maybe I was.

Vincenzo was made for me, and I would marry him—one way or another.

“It’s for his own good.” I tapped the table, leaning forward. “We’re a good match, and he’ll realize soon enough!”

Stella bit her lip and reached for my hands. “Aria.” She tilted her head. “You’re gorgeous, intelligent—the Morales heir, and so much more.” She spoke. “I think you need to think this through because you’re really rushing into things.”

“Didn’t you say Vince is a nice guy?”

“He is, he is!” Stella defended him. “He’s been best friends with my brother for years, like since they were kids—“

“See!”

“But—“ Stella raised her hand. “Vince went through a lot, and he hasn’t really been the same ever since.” She said. “He blames himself for what happened to his family, and other than Serena, who he absolutely can’t get—I don’t think he’s capable of loving a woman, at least not yet.”

“Then I’ll make him capable,” I stated, knowing I would not change my decision. Stella was the first one to tell me that Vince did absolutely not have feelings for Serena, so her words came as a surprise.

It was almost as if she didn’t want me to marry him.

“I’m perfect, so he’ll end up loving me—everyone loves me!”

Stella snickered. “Okay, if you say so.”

That same evening I sat on the sofa, thinking about Stella’s words. How could she possibly claim Vince would never fall for me? Were we really talking about the same Vince who has been running after a married woman all along?

As for his family being rotten? I didn’t care one bit.

The Morales had a good name, so marrying me would only come this his advantage. Of course, I wouldn’t allow myself to change my name to Garcia because that would be unacceptable as the heir—but Vincenzo Morales has a nice ring to it.

“Ana, where is my mom?” I asked our maid. Ever since we moved, that woman had way too much fun to the point I didn’t even get to see her face anymore.

Mom had been annoyed with living a humble life, and moving to the big city has always been her dream. Growing up, I didn’t see my parents a lot which was something Vince and I would most likely have in common.

We were just so perfect for each other.

“Your mother is having dinner with Mrs. Lamberti and Mrs. Alfonzo.”

“Hmm.” I chuckled. “Of course she is.”

It seemed like mommy’s call for attention had also been working as she had been hanging around those two women of status quite a lot—Cesca Lamberti, Christian’s mom—and Lita Alfonzo, Serena’s mom.

‘Christian has an unwed brother.’ Those were mom’s words as soon as we landed. ‘One of the Alfonzo boys just got out of a bad relationship, and the other one is a single dad.’ Those were her second words.

She was probably pulling every string to set me up with one of them, but trust me—I wasn’t interested. I wanted…no, I needed Vincenzo Garcia.

“Did you have fun with your friend?” Ana asked while sweeping the floor. I nodded, smiling for a split second.

Yes, we had fun—until she had to leave because Serena had an emergency. The emergency in question? She didn’t know what gift to buy her husband and required her sister-in-law’s assistance.

Serena…

Just that name bothered me.

How could a married woman, with children on top of that—keep all those people in a chokehold?

Just how?

“Sweetie, you’re squeezing your cup.” Ana pointed out.

Shocked, I looked at the imaginary stress ball in my hands and faked a smile. “Yes, my bad.”

“Are you excited for your birthday next week?” Ana started another conversation. “Twenty-one is a special age.”

Yes, certainly.

It’s the age I would marry Vince.

“Is it my party or mommy’s?” I rolled my eyes, annoyed. This party would just be another way for my parents to brag about how rich and amazing they were, not to forget—a way to meet suck up to the other families.

“Does it really matter?” Ana grinned. “Your parties are always the best, and so are your different outfit changes.” She spoke. “They’re impressive enough to grab any man’s attention.”

I grew a smug smile on my lips, processing Ana’s words. It was not crazy for men to throw themselves at me, and especially not after a grand birthday party that would show off our wealth.

Vincenzo would not be able to keep his eyes off me.

“It is, isn’t it?”

It would be a good way for Vince to get used to the Morales lifestyle.

It would be a good way for my future husband to mingle with my family.