Aria POV
“You look so beautiful dear.” Ma’am Serena complimented.
“Thank you.” I muttered with a smile.
I was presently wearing one of the dresses Theodore bought.
I ran my hands over the red dress , it was so beautiful, It was beaded and it hugged my curves well.
“Red is definitely your color girl, Theodore is definitely going to drool when he sees you.” Becca gushed excitedly.
“Oh Becca, come on let’s go, we have a lot to prepare.” Ma’am Serena playfully dragged her away to the kitchen.
The engagement ceremony would be staring in a few hours.
I stood in front of the mirror as I touched my hair, how am I even going to style it?
I looked at the makeup kit on my bed, also bought by Theodore.
I sighed and opened it up.
“You can do this Aria.” I encouraged myself.
I was nervous because I have never tried applying makeup before.
I took out the powder brush, suddenly the door opened.
“Oh Aria.” Becca sang out with a wide smile.
I turned around to see her standing by the door with two other women, they looked like stylists.
“Mr De’Leon sent us, we are going to help you with your makeup and hair.” The woman with darker hair informed with a warm smile.
“isn’t he just perfect?” Becca mouthed with a wink, then sprinted out of the room.
I was left with the two women.
“Your dress is so beautiful dear.” One of the women commented, she looked much older.
“Thanks Ma’am.” I replied with a smile.
“Oh dear, call me Teresa, you make me feel so old.” She whined and we all laughed .
“Your hair is so beautiful too.” The younger lady added as she took it in her hands, feeling the texture.
“Now let’s make it more beautiful and elegant.” She smiled to me.
I sat down and they did their work. After what seemed like an hour, they were done.
“and viola.” Teresa gestured.
I stood up from the chair and walked to the mirror, when I saw my appearance, my jaw literally dropped.
“Wow, I look so pretty.” I exclaimed and giggled.
Teresa walked closer to me,
“you were beautiful girl, we didn’t do much.” She commented with a smile.
“Thank you so much.” I blushed.
“You are very much welcome, enjoy your day my dear.”
With that, they left.
The door opened and little Paolita walked in.
“Sorella(sister), wow, you look so pwety like a pwincess.” She gushed in her cute baby voice.
She doesn’t always get some of the pronunciation of the words right but it surely sounds so cute.
“Thank you my Paolita.” I said and kissed her chubby cheeks, she giggled.
“Your hub-hub is so handsome, my hub-hub will be like him too.” She blushed, flipping her hair dramatically.
I laughed out hard, How is she just four?. Her way of calling ‘husband’ is also cute.
“Yes my little flower, your hub-hub will even be more handsome.” I cooed and pinched her cheeks .
“Just like your uncle Simon.”
We immediately turned to the door to see Simon standing at the door with a wide smile on his face.
“Uncle Simon!” Paola squealed and jumped on him. He laughed and wrapped his arms round her tightly as he spun her around.
I was surprised to see him, I had no clue he was coming back.
“When did you come back?” I asked with surprise and excitement
“Just now. I couldn’t wait to see my two favourites.” He commented as he grin grew wider, then he opened his arms wide for me to hug him, I ran into his arms excitedly and was engulfed in a warm hug.
“Oh Simon, I missed you so much.” I squealed as my voice broke down into tears, but the wide smile was still plastered on my face.
He cupped my cheeks in his hands and gently wiped my tears away.
“A face like yours should only be filled with smiles.” He encouraged and kissed my forehead.
I closed my eyes, relishing in the comfort of his presence.
“Uncle Simon, did you get me chocolates?” Paola asked with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot like an impatient Latino mother. We laughed at her dramatics.
“Would I ever forget that?, come on run to the kitchen, there are lots of them.” He assured and kissed her cheeks one last time before she hopped away happily.
Simon then turned to look at me as his eyes roamed over my appearance,
“I guess it’s true then, you really are getting married.” He uttered with a sad expression.
I nodded in response.
He groaned, “Aria, if Dad is making you do this..”
I cut him off, “it’s fine Simon, I want to.”
He furrowed his brows as he tilted his head in confusion,
“Why?, the Aria I know didn’t even have marriage on her list,”
“what happened to your dreams to become an artist?” He asked worriedly.
“You know I would never achieve that while I’m still in this mansion, Dad would never let me.” I stated, then took his hands in mine.
“But with this marriage, will finally be free from his torment, I might finally get the opportunity to live my dream.” I smiled slightly.
“But that’s not the only reason why you agreed to the marriage. You love him, don’t you?” He asked.
I nodded, I can’t even deny it.
I’m already in love with Theodore, maybe I’m being Naive cause it’s my first time of being in love but I’m sure of my feelings. I do love him.
Simon sprang up angrily, “How can you love a man you just met Aria, for God’s sakes!” He yelled, I flinched at his tone.
His eyes widened as he realized he was scaring me, he sat down slowly and gently again beside me.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, but you need to understand me, I care about you. I just can’t let Dad force you into doing this, there has to be another way.” He groaned in frustration.
I rested my head on his shoulder, “It’s really okay Simon. If you really care about me,then you would know this is the best decision, for me and for everyone.” I reassured him and hugged him again.
“Oh Aria.” He mumbled as he squeezed me tightly in the hug
I smiled and broke the hug, “Come on, let’s go, the party would be getting started soon.”
We walked outside and the Veranda was already decorated fully.
It’s not a surprise to me. Ma’am Celine doesn’t give two fucks about me but she does care about her fake reputation, so all this is a show.
“Aria, Wow! Look at your hair and makeup, you look so gorgeous.” Becca gushed, she too was already dressed.
“Thank you Becca. You look beautiful.” I complimented her.
Guests had started arriving, everyone looked so good and they all seemed rich, influential.
They must be Dad’s and Theodore’s business partners.
I looked over to Simon again, he still looked glum. I know he wasn’t happy with my decision.
I sighed and walked into the Veranda.
“They are here!” Paola squealed excitedly.
My eyes met with Theodore, he looked strikingly handsome.
I gawked shamelessly at him. His silk black hair was ruffled stylishly, but it made him look much hotter.
He was dressed in all black as usual, I guess that’s his favorite color.
He smirked as he walked closer to me, then took my hands in his and placed a warm kiss on them.
“You should take a picture, it would last longer.” He teased in his usual husky voice and I just blushed as usual too.
God!, I’m a mess around him.
He led us to our seats, “I have something for you.” He said and brought out a ring from his suit pocket.
He slid it into my ring finger. It was adorned with green emeralds, it was simple but yet gorgeous.
“It’s so beautiful, thanks.” I smiled, still looking at it.
“It belonged to my mother.” He added.
I raised my eyes to look at him,
“really?, I can’t wait to meet her.” I said excitedly.
“She’s dead.” He said coldly.
My smile immediately turned into a sad frown,
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.” I apologized, but I was really curious about his family.
I only know His aunt Salma and his cousin Renee, so I pushed further and asked about his Dad.
“Uhm, what of your Dad?”
“Dead too.” He simply said with the same cold tone and looked away.
I know he was trying to hide his pain, he must feel so lonely.
I leaned in and hugged him, rubbing his back comfortingly, without saying anything. I just felt the hug was all he needed.
I felt him stiffen again like the last time but he relaxed after some seconds and hugged me back.
I smiled and wiped the tears I didn’t know was already forming in my eyes .
Then I disengaged from the hug and blushed when I remembered they were people around.
“You blush a lot.” He commented, touching my warm cheeks with his fingers, which only made me blush harder.
I bit my lips In frustration.
He chuckled, “Let’s dance, yea?”
Shit! I don’t know how to dance. I never really learned though because I never actually thought this day would come true.
I decided to come out with the truth.
“Um, I… I don’t know how to dance,” I stuttered, playing with my fingers.
He smiled and took my hands, “Well, I guess you would learn now, come on.”
I nodded excitedly as he walked us to the open area for dancing.
“Hold me.” He uttered staring straight into my eyes.
Suddenly, I started feeling so hot under his intense gaze.
I placed my hands on his broad shoulders as he snaked his large hands around my small waist and pulled me closer.
We started moving to the rhythm of the music, he leaned in and sniffed my hair, inhaling it’s scent. I just blushed.
I was being extra cautious, trying really hard not to step on him.
“Free yourself Aria.” He ordered and I don’t really know why, but it made me feel some strange feelings down there.
“I… I don’t want to step on you,” I stuttered nervously, avoiding his gaze, which hasn’t left my face since we stared dancing.
He raised my face up instead and continued staring at me intently, almost as if I was a treasure.
He leaned in further, I tried to back away a little but his grip on my waist was firm. His eyes roamed to my lips.
“What are you doing?” I mumbled as my eyes widened in shock.
My thoughts immediately ran wild.
Is he trying to kiss me?. I’m so shy, I don’t even know how to kiss, and there are so many people around, what if…
“I don’t know how to kiss!” I blurted out nervously and immediately covered my mouth, shutting my eyes closed.
I heard him laugh, “I wasn’t trying to kiss you, Bella.”
I opened my eyes slowly and looked at him.
He was still smiling, then he moved some of the strands of hair laying on my face away .
“That’s what I wanted to do.” He smirked.
I bit my lips as my cheeks went hot. Gosh! I’m so embarrassed. We returned to our seats.
The rest of the evening went well, though I could feel Martina and Ma’am Celine burning gaze on me though. If glares could kill, I would already be dead by now.
I looked around subtly, but didn’t see Simon. I decided I would talk to him later after the party.
Then Paolita hopped towards us excitedly,
“So you are my Sister hub-hub?” She asked cutely.
A wide smile appeared on Theodore’s face, he looked even more handsome when he smiled like that.
“Yes cutie, and you are?” He asked her.
“Miss Paola, but you can call me Paolita like My Sorella calls me.” She offered with a shy smile.
“Okay miss Paolita, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Theodore said and kissed her tiny hands .
“I think I like miss Paolita better now.” she blushed and her puffy cheeks turned pink. I laughed, she’s just so cute .
“But what should I call you?” She asked him, resting her little pinky finger on her cheeks.
“Well, you can call me Theo.” He smiled at her.
“Okay Theo, I like you.” She giggled and pecked his cheeks, then scurried away.
Theo?, it sounds so nice.
“So can I call you Theo too?” I asked shyly.
“You can call me anything you want, mi Amore.” He smirked.
I blushed harder. I heard him mutter something like ‘precious’ but I wasn’t sure.
I simply smiled and turned to look at the guest.
The night was truly beautiful, almost like a fairytale.
and Even if it was, I hope it would never end.
Simon POV
I gulped down my drink in frustration. I can’t believe Aria agreed to this.
I tore my eyes away from her and Theodore, storming off angrily.
“Dude where are you going?” Matteo, my best friend asked.
“I can’t watch that anymore Matteo. I can’t believe my Uncle would force Aria to do this.” I yelled.
“Calm down Simon. I know you care about Aria, but it’s all that Mr De’leon doing, he made this condition.” He started.
“Mr Romano even handed Martina to Mr De’leon initially but he was so hell bent on Aria, you know your uncle is so ambitious, he definitely wouldn’t want to offend an influential man like him.” Matteo explained.
I kicked the chair beside me with anger.
“What does he truly want, why Aria?” I raged.
He shrugged, “from the look of thingsI think he’s in love with her and she loves..”
I cut him short, “no!, don’t say it Matteo, don’t!, Aria doesn’t love him, she’s just confused.” I reasoned and sat on the pavement, he sat next to me.
“You are still in love with her, aren’t you?”
“I can’t stop loving Aria, bro. That’s why I’m going to stop her from making this mistake. She thinks that man is her savior, that’s why she’s doing all this, but I am going to show her that she’s wrong. I will talk Uncle Giovanni out of this if I have to.” I gritted and stormed off to his office angrily, ignoring Matteo calling out to me .
Uncle Giovanni didn’t come to the party, he only welcomed the guest and left.
His door was open but I knocked on it before going in.
“Uncle, can we talk?” I asked.
“Oh Simon, come on in.” He gestured.
“What is it?” He furrowed his brows in confusion when he noticed my angry expression.
“How can you give Aria to that man when we know nothing about him.” I complained.
“He’s my business partner.” He simply said.
“But that’s not enough!, you are allowing her to get married to him because of a business partnership!” I yelled.
“You will not raise your voice at me Simon!.”
“This is what’s best for everybody in this family, we have to get rid of that girl’s bad blood!” He groaned.
I shook my head in disgust at his vile words, “She’s your daughter, your flesh and blood!”
“I stopped considering her my daughter a long time ago when my precious Camille died because of her. My decision is final Simon, she is getting married tomorrow.” He insisted, lowering his head back to his work.
“I’m in love with her.” I blurted out.
He raised his head slowly from the papers and looked at me.
“What did you say?”
“I’m in love with Aria, I have always been and I plan to marry her.” I said sternly.
“Nonsense!, Simon nonsense!.” He chided.
“oh!, don’t let me forget you are my precious nephew and put a bullet through that head of yours, don’t ever speak this rubbish again. Even if she’s the last girl on this earth, I still wouldn’t allow you marry her, never!.” He yelled angrily.
“Uncle I have..”
“Simon!” He growled.
I knew better at this point not to push him, he is already so angry.
I walked out of the office and slammed the door in frustration.
I would have to find another way, but I can’t just allow Aria to be with that man.
Nnodim Praise
