Chapter 5

Bella

Friday came fast. Too fast in my opinion. For the last two days, my heart had been beating like I just got done running a marathon. This is why I don’t run. Not to back up what Gianna said about me though.

I tried to convince Mabel that I was having a heart attack yesterday, but she laughed and said, “He must be as hot as everyone says,” before winking at me and walking away.

Gianna had barged into my room this morning, holding a dress like it was a gift from God. I was half asleep, but I caught her saying something about Mother had picked it out for me to greet Aristide.

I should have known better.

I barely got it over my head before I realized that it was three sizes too small. I stood there in front of the mirror, stuck, feeling like the walls were closing in. I was just about to start crying when I heard the front door open and Mom and Gianna’s voices echoing up the stairs. I suddenly realized that the sooner I got downstairs, the sooner I would get to see Aristide.

And God, I needed to see him.

I wiggled out of the dress and threw it on the ground. Maybe I’d burn it later. I pulled my favorite one out. The one that made me feel like me. I twisted my hair into a tight bun, not because I liked it that way, but because it kept me focused. Then I flew down the stairs, practically sprinting past Mabel, who chuckled as I passed like she knew exactly what I was up to.

I heard Aristide’s voice in the sitting room asking if someone should check on me and I smiled. He noticed I wasn’t there. He cared. But I told myself not to get too excited.

I stepped into the room, just as my father called for Mabel. My eyes flicked across the people gathered. Gianna’s friend Rosa was there. Great. The enabler. Her presence could only mean trouble.

I announced that I was there, and Aristide’s eyes were on me in an instant. He told me I looked beautiful, and my stomach fluttered like a thousand wings taking flight. I barely had time to absorb the moment before he got down on one knee.

My breath caught in my throat. I could practically feel everyone’s shock around me, my mother’s gasp, Gianna’s little angry squeal thing she did sometimes, and even father’s amused chuckle, but all I could do was stare down at him. Aristide Moretti was kneeling there like something out of someone else’s story.

Then he said, “Will you marry me?”

I blinked confused for a moment. “Didn’t we already agree to that?” I asked, unsure if this was real or maybe even a cruel joke set up by Gianna.

His shrug was cute, casual, and confident. “We did. I just thought the would be more fun.”

From the beside us, Enzo laughed his deep belly laugh. “Oh yeah. Smile.” I turned just in time to catch his phone aimed at us.

When I looked back at Aristide, he still was waiting, only now, he held a ring. Simple. Elegant. A delicate band of platinum, no flashy diamond, just a single. Flawless emerald cut stone. Classic. Just exactly what I mentioned offhandedly once to Elena. He was in the room, but I doubted he was listening.

My head started to nod. I whispered, “Yes.”

Aristide smiled at me, slid the ring on my finger, and pulled me into a hug. His arms wrapped around me, warm and firm, and he leaned in and whispered in my ear, “It’s all going to be okay.”

I nodded against his shoulder. Maybe… maybe it really would be.

When we pulled apart, my father stood and clapped his hands together, drawing everyone’s attention. “This calls for a toast,” he declared, then called for Mabel, asking her to bring champagne.

As she disappeared down the hall, Marco made his way over to Aristide, offering his hand. “I look forward to our families working together,” he said smoothly. “After the wedding, we can talk business.”

Aristide raised a finger. “After the honeymoon. Once we’re settled in New York, I’m sure Isabella and I would love to host you.”

Marco nodded. “Of course.” I could see the confusion on his face though. I smiled at Aristide when he looked at me, but I was surprised as well. A honeymoon? That was rare in our world. Most marriages, like ours- arranged, calculated- didn’t come with honeymoons. There was no point in playing house when love wasn’t expected. So why was he planning one?

Mabel returned with a tray full of glasses for everyone. My father rose his glass, “a toast to the glorious union of two great families,” he boomed. We all said, ‘cheers’ and took a sip.

Then, of course, Gianna lifted her glass with a syrupy smile and said, “thankfully you could still fit in one of your dresses after eating last night.” Her and Rosa giggled together.

Enzo’s hand landed on Aristide’s shoulder, and I shook my head at him when we both saw him take a step towards Gianna. I didn’t want him to react. It would only make things worse. “I’m sorry,” he leaned over and whispered.

I knew what was coming. He was going to say something that he couldn’t take back. He would be standing up for me, but he also would be making my life so much worse. “Oh no!” I gasped as I tipped my glass and spilt it all over him. “Let me help you clean that up,” I quickly gave him a look so that he wouldn’t say anything.

As I started to drag him out of the room, my father started to protest. Mabel stepped in smoothly and stopped him. “I’ll supervise,” she smiled at him, making him nod reluctantly.

We made our escape to the kitchen and the second we were both where none of my family could see us, I whirled around on him.

“Please,” I whispered, “don’t say anything to them. Not yet. I’m so close,” I pinched my thumb and pointer finger together, “to being out. Once we’re back in New York and married,” I paused and shook my head. “None of this will matter anymore.”

Aristide’s jaw worked back and forth. “Fine. But only for you,” he pointed a finger at me as he bent his knees brining himself down to my level. “And once we’re married, if they so much as look at you the wrong way, especially Gianna, I’ll say whatever you want… and maybe a thing or two you don’t want me to,” he winked. “There won’t be enough champagne in the world to shut me up.”

The weight on my chest eased a little as I smiled at him before I chuckled a little. I like the sound of all of that. Mostly of him being my husband.

“I’m going to be your husband,” he added. “it’s my job to protect you. Even from them.

We looked into each other’s eyes for a minute before Mabel clears her throat behind us.

“We should get back,” I told him. Aristide groaned then looked back at her nodding his head.

“Yeah. Unfortunately. Enzo’s about to explode if he can’t make an inappropriate joke soon. He needs to let off some steam.”

I rolled my eyes knowing how much Enzo loves a good job, “Oh great.”

In the back of my mind, I was already bracing for what he meant. ‘Letting off steam’ probably with Rosa. Aristide probably needs it too… with Gianna. We weren’t married yet, and men in this life were rarely faithful. It didn’t matter. I told myself it didn’t matter. Then I squared my shoulder and grabbed his hand.

“Come on.”

As we entered the room, Aristide clapped his hand, gaining everyone’s attention.

“We should head to the hotel.”

Gianna and Rosa’s faces both dropped. “Where are you staying?” They asked, almost in unison.

“The Royal,” Enzo said casually.

My stomach sank. Of course. That probably was the plan, if the way my sister and her friend scurried out of the room, giggling and whispering as they ran up the stairs. I pushed it aside. I would not care. I would not care. I repeated the mantra over and over.

Aristide and Enzo said their goodnights to my mother before Aristide turned to my father. “Mind if Bella walks me to the door?”

He waved him off, “Fine,” he sighed.

At the door, Aristide looked at Enzo, “Wait outside. I’ll be out in a minute.”

His eyes were soft when he looked at me again. “I can’t wait until tomorrow,” he said. Then he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “We’re staying at the Summer Palm,” he whispered. I heard the gasp that escaped me as I’m sure he did too. He was grinning when he stood up tall.

I started laughing as he whispered good night to me and I shut the door behind him.

I was so surprised that he knew that was what I was worried about and delighted that the two of them had pulled off their little prank of sorts.

My parents stepped out of the sitting room. Mother gave me a once-over. “You should probably skip dinner tonight,” she said coolly. “You’ll need to fit into your dress for the party tomorrow."

Father cleared his throat. He sometimes tried to correct her with these comments, but it never worked. And honestly, this time, I didn’t even let it get to me. Not with the way Aristide looked at me tonight. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t dreading marrying me after all. I nodded and headed upstairs.

As I passed Gianna’s room, her voice floated out. “What do you think?” she asked, holding up a skin-tight red dress. “You think Aristide will like this?”

Rosa joined in, laughing. “Enzo’s gong to love this one. Though I doubt that it’ll stay on long with the way he was eyeing me all night.”

I paused at the door, gave them a sweet smile, “You’ll both look amazing.”

Then I turned and walked to my room, closed the door, and laughed. Hard.

They wouldn’t be finding anyone at the Royal tonight.