“Hi, I’m looking for Aria Gray,” Deagan asked the male receptionist and at the mention of the name, the man frowned.
“May I ask who you are to Aria?” He asked somewhat suspiciously and Deagan got annoyed at the familiarity with which he said her name, but still stumbled on his answer, he couldn’t tell the man that she was his ex-girlfriend, so instead, he took the high road.
“My name is Deagan Lockheart, Dr Aycin Lockheart’s brother.” The man’s eyes widened, realising his mistake, he quickly typed her name into the computer.
“East Wing, third floor, Room 306.” He answered casting a hesitant glance between Deagan and the computer screen. Deagan frowned at his behaviour, but thanked him and turned to follow the signs to the east wing.
<Unlike other brides, Aria didn’t want to be escourted down the aisle by her father. While their relationship was far better than it had ever been in the past, she held onto the dream she had as a little girl of her grandfather giving her away and since he wasn’t there to do it, she opted to leave the space beside her empty. She sucked in a deep breath as the last of her wedding party exited the mahogany doors and descended the stairs into the backyard. “You okay, Honey?” Her mother asked when she saw the nervous look on her face. “Yeah, just nervous.” Her mother smiled comfortingly. “Why? You’re about to marry the man of your dreams.” Aria blushed at her mother’s words.
“Deagan Lockheart, I swear to God I will cancel this wedding in a heartbeat if you don’t get that creature out of my bedroom right this instant!” Aria screeched from upstairs, gaining the attention of all the guests that were invited for their rehearsal dinner.Deagan with a huge mirthful grin on his face carried the glass tank down the stairs, much to the amusement of their friends and family.“I am going to kill that man and it will be completely his fault, but I’ll have to rot in prison for it.” She mumbled, stomping down the stairs, trying to brush away the escaped wisps of hair that tickled her chin.“Oh honey, he’s just having a little fun.” Aria’s mother tried, but her face morphed into a po
The evening turned to night as the sunset in the sky and before Aria knew it, they were taking the elevator down to the basement parking. She was beyond happy that Deagan was officially taking over D’Heart enterprises, but she had worked herself up to a different kind of happiness which she never received and that was disappointing.“Everything okay?” Deagan asked just as the silent elevator ride came to an end.“Yeah, just a little tired. I’ve kind of been living on coffee this week.” She confessed, blushing when he sent her a disapproving frown.“So all that talk of, ‘I slept well’ was just a hoax?” Aria grimaced and nodded.&ldquo
Aria hopped off the truck with her heart rate erratic and smoothed down the frock of the beautiful red dress. The sweetheart neckline with cap sleeves accentuated her collar bones and the flattering A-line fit made her waist appear smaller. There was a pair of silver heeled sandals inside the box which fit her feet perfectly and complimented the dress in the most subtle way possible.They were parked in front of D’Heart Incorporated as the sunset. She had no idea what to expect, but at the very least she knew she would find the love of her life in that glass skyscraper which calmed all the nerves she felt.The chauffeur handed her another rose, making it the sixth she received that day.Halfway there beautiful, are you ready for a little walk ‘up’ memory lane?
One year laterAria turned to exit the Espresso bar with an iced coffee in hand and her phone in the other.‘You know. I still owe you a cup of coffee.’- Deagan Lockheart ‘Why?’- YouHer eyes were so focussed on the strange text she received from Deagan, trying to decipher what he meant, that she didn’t notice the man in front of her until he placed his hands on her forearms and stopped her midstep.Aria was shocked out of her distraction to find a si
“Sweetheart?” Deagan’s voice pierced through the darkness.“Hmm?” Aria hummed from her position with her head on his chest.“Have you ever considered London home?” Aria bit her lip.“No, not really.”“Have you ever considered moving back to Seattle?” Aria sat up and folded her legs beneath her, prompting him to sit up as well.“I’ve thought about it a few times, more so after the party the other night. I mean it’s cool that you guys are all here right now, but everyone has a life back there and I don’t expect you to stay here forever