The clear sky stretches out thousands of shimmering stars tonight. The air’s humidity is just right for the ambiance, making the surroundings tranquil. A piece of beautiful instrumental music is being played by a quartet instrumentalist when I step into the garden house.What astonishes me the most is when I see Brandon in an immaculate tuxedo, standing by a stunning candlelight table surrounded by fairy lights and a red carpet beneath my feet. Lydia and her assistants are standing at a distance. I notice the excitement in her eyes, too. I clasp my mouth as my chest explodes in bliss, and butterflies flutter in my stomach, making my eyes water.Brandon reaches out his palm to me, inviting me to come to him, but I make no attempt to move. I am too dazed to move my feet, and my knees suddenly feel frail.He chuckles and walks toward me instead. He cocks his head as he looks at my face, then takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Don’t hide your face from me,” he whispers.“All this…” I
Arianna squeezes me against her fit and toned body when we arrive at the house this morning. The family is gathered in the living room except for Mom—she’s in the kitchen, but she’s aware I’m coming home, and the other kids are in school, except for Mira and Martin, the younger ones are playing in their room.“Wow.” Ari studies me from head to toe, although I’m sure there’s not much difference in my appearance from the day I left three days ago. “You look… beautiful. Happy.”I grin. “Thank you.”“Brandon.” Arianna smiles at my fiancé as well and greets him. “Congratulations to both of you.”“Thank you, Arianna.” Brandon tenses up behind me, then greets Jason next with a shoulder pat but already eyeing Chris.“Well.” C opens his arms, and I embrace him as well. I feel a soft squash in his arms before he releases me. “Welcome home, Laynie.”“Thank you for waiting for me, C.”“I only have three favorite women in the world. I wouldn’t miss your announcement.” He beams.“Yeah, thank you. O
After a few minutes of silence, Mom speaks.“Chris, when are you leaving?”“Right after this meal,” he answers. He seems to enjoy our mother’s cooking; he must’ve missed it so much.“Already?” She sighs. “Is everything alright with your job?”“Everything is fine, mother. I have some important matters I need to attend to.” He eats his food delightfully.“And when are you coming back?” Mom asks.“Saturday, I guess. I already told Alayna I’m clearing my schedule so I can stay longer.”I nod, remembering I was supposed to announce Brandon and I’s engagement this weekend. “That’d be great timing, C.”He looks at me. “What is?”“Okay, um…” I wipe my mouth then look at everybody. “We also want to tell you we’re having a formal engagement party for both our families to meet. Brandon is inviting his grandfather and some close relatives from Greece. We can make it on Sunday. What do you think, Brandon?” I ask, holding his arm.“Sunday is fine, darling,” he approves.“Is everyone okay with Sunda
BRANDON“That’s pretty complicated,” Oliver comments after I tell him who that fucking mayor is to Alayna’s life, minus the most sensitive parts of her story. We’re in my penthouse in Belltown, killing time while the girls are at the spa.I’d been inconsiderate of her feelings because I was fucking angry—not with her—but with our situation. I can’t imagine Alayna in another man’s hands, not to that disgusting piece of shit. So, knowing that something is still holding her back is driving me insane.But I understand. No, I’m really trying. She’s more important to me than anything else I have now, and I’d rather lose everything than lose her. Not again. Theoretically, if that happens, I’d probably have to beg her to hold my hand.I pinch my nose bridge, thinking of what else I should do. Honestly, I have no concrete plan. I’m not sure how I can help Alayna with her problem. Her problems are mine now too. I am claiming it all, so her burden won’t be so heavy.“He’s a mayor,” I say somethi
BRANDONThe girls and Alayna’s mother are already outside when I arrive at the spa. I’m just in time. We will meet a fashion designer for the ball on Sunday, and we basically have two days left. The preparation time is brief, but it’s much better than waiting for days. I can’t wait to be officially engaged to the love of my life.However, to my confusion, as I look from a distance, Alayna’s sister’s eyes and cheek are burning red. Cassius’s Aston Martin is parked in front of the building as well. My cousin gets off his and approaches Casey first. It’s as though she is explaining something to him, and Cassius seems furious by the look on his face.Suddenly, Cassius catches Alayna’s sister in his arms, cradling her as she cries. He then speaks to Alayna and Elizabeth and takes Arianna to his car. I cross the road, and my fiancée’s face meets my gaze.She just looks fucking incredible.“Hey,” she greets me with an affectionate embrace and kisses my cheek.I gaze at her gorgeous face. Her
I step out of the car first and open her door. She takes my hand, but she can’t take her eyes off the storefront.“That’s a beautiful black dress,” she says, referring to the glittering piece of display. I instantly imagined her in that dress, and I’m sure she’d look stunning. I’m certainly not letting her wear black at the engagement.I grin. “Yes, and I can’t wait to see you in one of those. Come on. This is Oliver’s friend’s shop. Omar designs wedding dresses too, and if you like his work, he’ll design your dress.” Omar Taylor is also recognized as an official fashion designer for beauty queens. He made the dress of the crowned Miss World two years ago.She looks at me in awe. “I get to wear a custom-made dress for our wedding?”“Yes, darling. You can tell the designer whichever style you like.”“That’s wonderful!” she says breathlessly. Her reactions are going to be the death of me. I like how relaxed she is about showing her feelings.That’s it, love. You can tell me whatever you
“Monsieur Lucien!” Omar Taylor welcomes in slightly accented English. “I was expecting you.” The couturier leans forward, dabs his cheek with mine, and then extends his greetings to my fiancée. “And Mademoiselle.”“Merci, Omar. Comment allez-vous?”“Je vais bien. Merci.”“Ah, this is my fiancée, Alayna Hart.”He looks fondly at Alayna and smiles. “What a lovely bride! You‘re gorgeous.”Alayna smiles back. “Thank you, Mr. Taylor.”He lightly touches the tip of her hair. “Just call me Omar. Come, come. Monsieur Katrakis called me this morning. Luckily, I am here in town. When he told me you are coming today, I cleared my schedule to show you my newest design.” He takes us further inside as he talks, walking past the showroom and his employees. He snaps his finger in the air, and two attendants swiftly shadow him.After that, we head to another door leading to a spacious room that houses his designs and office.“I could’ve made something else for you, but I’m afraid a designer needs more
Guests fill the event hall tonight. Ecstatic classical music is being played by a live quartette, and I see many unknown faces. Some of those who have attended are our friends and even acquaintances of friends. I recognize a few even with masquerade masks on their faces. Family members I know back in Athens, Alayna’s siblings in Arianna’s care, her family, but I mainly observe the media. The press, journalists, and reporters are all jammed in one place.Alayna’s still in the dressing room with Casey, preparing for the night’s program. I am wearing the matching suit for her evening gown tonight—a custom-made black and white suit with fabric that feels light as a feather.“Brandon,” Oliver greets me with a shoulder pat. He wears a gold mask covering his eyes and an Armani blue tux.“Thanks, man.”“Hey, I missed that mask.” He grins. I am wearing the same one.Daphne stands next to him, holding a black sequined mask attached to a stick.She extends a brief hug in a gesture of politeness