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Chapter – 2

last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-03-05 22:19:34

“Ouch!” I cried in shock and rubbed my ass as I blinked to clear my vision.

“Move your sleepy ass before I dunk you in water.” Mike’s voice infiltrated my still sleepy brain.

“I hate you!”

“Hate me more when I drag you out in this outfit. You have five minutes to change.”

“All right. All right.” I gave up. There was no point in taking out my fury on him. Knowing Mike, he wouldn’t hold back either.

I rubbed my sore ass that still ached from the pinch as I hauled myself to the bathroom, only to pause, noticing everything that had been laid out on the vanity.

“Four minutes.” My surprise was answered by another yell from my bedroom.

“A girl needs her time.”

“Yes, and we have only an hour left for the flight.”

That was enough to rouse my brain. “We’re flying where?”

“Three minutes. I don’t care if you’re naked. You know me.”

Shit!

Mike wasn’t someone I’d categorize into any stereotypical roles. He was brutally honest and didn’t give a damn how others felt about him. Brian once again made his way into my mind as I climbed into the stall for a quick shower. He had even charmed my friends and made them believe he was into me.

“Two minutes!”

My body jerked on hearing Mike’s voice, and I welcomed the distraction. Now wasn’t the moment to wallow in self-pity. I had no time to apply soap. I quickly dried myself and pulled on the underwear and the floral sundress he’d chosen for me.

“Time’s up!”

“I’m coming.” I opened the door just in time to see his leg in mid-air. “Must you be always so dramatic?”

Mike shrugged. “That’s the only way to handle your stubborn ass.”

“I’m not stubborn.” I followed him out of the room, and we didn’t speak until we reached the threshold.

“Hey, Mike…it’s been a long time,” Alana’s friend Andrea purred. “Are you in a hurry?” she asked when he tried to walk around her.

“Can’t you see?” Mike snapped.

“Whoa! There’s no need to yell.”

“There’s every need if you’re in my way.”

“Well, I was coming to speak to Arianna.” She turned her attention to me. “We’re going to choose bridesmaid dresses today. Alana wants you to be ready at two p.m.” Andrea pivoted on her heel while I was left wondering when I was added to the list.

“She’s busy,” Mike answered on my behalf. “I’m taking her somewhere.”

“Wha—”

We were out the door and in his car before Andrea could finish that sentence. While I didn’t like being manhandled, today was different. I appreciated Mike’s reaction to her.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere far.”

“How far?”

“Far enough to find the real you.”

His response surprised me.

“You’ve changed a lot in these two months, Ari. You’re not you anymore,” he said when I didn’t respond. “You don’t laugh or have fun. Hell, you don’t even hang out with us anymore.”

“I didn’t realize that.” My lungs contracted as I processed his words.

 “So, this trip is to bring me back?”

“Yes.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

***

The music blared, distracting my thoughts. Mike swatted my hand when I tried to turn the radio off. His eyes challenged me to try again, and my jaw clenched, trying to hold in the retort.

Ever since Brian’s betrayal, I stopped listening to music. I didn’t know why. I guessed I didn’t like the way it made me feel.

“Rule three—never turn off the music when you’re in my car.”

Yeah, his rules. Men and their cars. Why did they have to love a piece of metal so much? Had they taken care of their women the way they cared for their cars, the relationship could be so much better.

This again brought me to Brian. He loved his Mustang so much that we ended up hailing a taxi instead of driving back from our date. The reason? It rained unexpectedly, and we were drenched. To put it in his words, “The interior will be ruined.”

Sometimes, I wondered how I even fell for that guy. He was so different from me. Brian liked jazz, while I loved pop music. While he preferred to waltz, I enjoyed twerking to Nicki Minaj’s rap. The differences ran on every level. He loved a three-course dinner, while I was content with a piece of pizza or a burger.

Now I saw why he chose Alana, who shared his likes, but it still didn’t explain or justify his betrayal. He could’ve told me. I had no closure.

“He came of out of his cocoon when he was with you,” my subconscious reminded me. True. Brian relaxed after two months of our dating, and he said he could get used to my weirdness. No, he said, “I love your weirdness.”

My love-struck brain never processed what he meant at that time. It was now I realized. I was weird to him.

“I’ll be forced to lay out new rules during our trip if you keep zoning out.”

Mike’s annoying voice pulled me out of my depressing thoughts.

“Look, Ari, I don’t have experience with breakups. But I will say that he’s not worth this suffering.”

I looked away, not in a mood to listen.

“You have two choices. Either you can forget him and move on, or you can wallow in self-pity and ruin your life over him.” His voice hardened when I choked on a sob. “If you don’t stop it, Ari, I swear I’ll turn this car around and punch the daylights out of that bastard.”

That had my attention. Mike wouldn’t hesitate to follow through, and I didn’t want that drama. I bit my lip to stop the next sob.

“Good. Now, listen up, sweetheart. I know it won’t be easy, but you must do this. You should let this go.”

“It isn’t easy to erase it all overnight.”

“It will never be.”

“How do I forget him, Mike?”

Mike shrugged. “Distraction.”

Distraction. Yes. But what did he mean by “distraction?”

“Keep yourself busy until you no longer think about him.”

Yeah, easier said than done. All I wanted to do was to crawl into a hole and die.

The airport was a twenty-minute drive from my home, and we reached it in less than fifteen minutes thanks to Mike’s skillful driving. We walked along the concourse as I fought the memories that sneaked in.

I tried Mike’s advice. Distraction. Only it wasn’t working how I wanted. Different smells stirred my senses as he herded me toward the gate. The rich scent of coffee beans, cookies, and cakes succeeded in grabbing my attention as we walked past a café.

“We don’t have time.” Mike dragged me along. “Besides, I’ve stocked everything you need on the plane.”

“Are we flying on your private jet?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

I shrugged, relaxing more. “Where are you taking me, exactly?”

“The Cortez estate.”

A pair of cold gray eyes flashed in my memory at the mention of the name. The Cortez estate was located on a private island near New Ikandas, a small yet glorious city that marked the border of the United States and Canada. Señor Cortez’s father bought it as a gift to his late wife in the early 1900s. I had been there a handful of times, and it was a wonderful retreat if you were looking for peace.

“Why would you choose the Cortez estate?”

His gaze snapped to mine. “You forgot Enrique’s wedding?”

Right. Enrique was finally tying the knot. I vaguely remember Rosie telling me about his wedding, but it had slipped my mind.

“Grandpapa Cortez wants everyone under his roof for Enrique’s wedding. You’re my third wheel.

A chuckle left my lips. “I can handle that.” Mike was engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Skyler. “Is Rosalinda going to be there?”

“Yep.”

Our gang wouldn’t be complete without her. A real smile stretched my lips when my eyes found the bubbly blonde inside. The recent addition of cherry-red highlights to her hair stood out, and I had to admit it looked cool on her.

“Took you long enough, Ari,” she chirped, dragging me to the seat.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” I asked.

“On a godforsaken island in the middle of nowhere.”

“Oh.” That explained her mild irritation. Her boyfriend, Jeff, was an archaeologist.

“You had me worried last night,” she complained as I took a seat.

“My phone was—”

“On silent mode. Blah-blah-blah.” She rolled her eyes. “Please don’t shut us out, Ari. It hurts.”

Her voice radiated pain, and I nodded. “I won’t.”

“So, what’s next?”

“No idea. Mike hauled me out of my bed this morning. There was no time to plan.”

“That sounds like him. If it helps, he did the same to me. Except he shoved my ass in a taxi.”

My eyes felt heavy as I adjusted my position in the seat. A pounding headache from last night returned. Massaging my temples, I reclined in the seat, exhaling as the comfort of sumptuous leather enveloped me. Rosie’s hands replaced mine. The mild fragrance of lavender drifted into my nostrils, and a wisp of a smile bloomed on my lips. It felt so good. She continued to rub the diluted oil on my skin.

“What can I do to help?” she whispered, worried.

“You’re already helping by being here for me, Rosie.” I missed her. Rosie had a job in Seattle, so we didn’t see each other as much as we used to. She’d invited me over several times, and I’d been too stubborn.

I focused on her thumb, now circling in a soothing motion on my hand. Having friends like Mike and Rosalinda helped. But how could they help me in my own head?

Before I knew it, my mind was once again shoved into the swirling pit of previously sweet memories that now rose to haunt my days and nights.

“You’re very different.”

“Good or bad?”

“I don’t know.” Brian shrugged. “I’ve never met someone like you before.”

“What’s your family like?”

“You know them well. My parents have been friends with yours forever.”

“Wait, are you telling me you’re the Schultz-Schultz?”

“If you put that way, I’m the Schultz-Schultz.”

“Your mom hates me!”

“Oh, that’s bad.”

“What are we gonna do?” I asked, knowing she would never accept someone like me, especially me.

“Doesn’t matter.” Brian’s smile was contagious. “She isn’t the one getting married.”

“Marriage?” My brows quirked as my heart fluttered.

“Yeah, someday.” There was that shy smile on his face again as I pulled his head down. When our lips met, everything felt right.

 “Ma’am…”

My eyes shot open as I felt the slight tap on my shoulder, and I blinked to clear my vision. “Hey.” My voice was groggy.

“Mr. Frisby ordered this for you.” The flight attendant placed a tray before me and left with a professional smile in my direction.

“How long was I out?”

“About two hours.”

“Oh.”

Uncovering the lid, hot chocolate, chocolate muffins, and sponge cake greeted me. Food certainly was a way to instantly lift your spirits. The delicious aroma coming from that hot chocolate was beckoning me to dive in.

“Skyler is one lucky bitch,” Rosie commented as she popped a piece of chocolate muffin in her mouth.

“She is,” I agreed. Mike knew how to treat a woman. “So, since we’re stuck on the island for the next two weeks, I’ve made some plans to make the most out of it.” Rosie bounced in her seat, pulling out her notepad.

“I’m listening.”

“Well, while we’re not busy with Enrique’s wedding, we can go surfing and skiing.”

“Girl, you can’t even swim without drowning yourself.”

“I heard Orlando hired a sexy lifeguard when he heard we were coming.”

The pair of gray eyes flashed again in my mind. Eyes that carried a sadness and anger I could never fathom. Orlando, Mike’s maternal cousin and Enrique’s elder brother. It felt like ages since I last saw him.

“He’s gonna be there.” My whisper was barely audible, even to myself. Enrique was more approachable and friendly than Orlando. While Orlando was pleasant to be around, he was always guarded.

I didn’t understand why his presence suddenly mattered. It wasn’t like we never talked. He was always there at our weekend dinners with Grandpapa Cortez. The thing was, he was always there. Silent and observing.

“I’m concerned about his yacht and jet skis, not him,” Rosie said, distracting me.

“And who’s going to convince him?” Orlando rarely allowed anyone to use his jet ski or yacht.

“That’s why we have Mike, isn’t it? Besides, I’m sure Cortez Senior is easily convinced.” She winked.

Grandpapa Cortez was the exact opposite of Orlando. Cheerful, even now. Though he missed his wife dearly, he never let others see or feel his sadness. The old man still visited her grave every day with her favorite flowers. That was how deep their love was.

“Okay. Have it your way, then.”

Bab terkait

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 3

    When we landed at the New Ikandas airport, there was a chopper ready to take us to the estate. I always loved the Cortez family helicopter. Its glass floor gave us the perfect eagle’s eye view of the city, an experience one should never miss. The Cortez family ranked on the list of the top ten billionaires for the past three decades. My dad always wanted to do business with them, but it wasn’t easy to get a deal with the Cortezes.Mike was the only son of Cortez Senior’s daughter. Only a few knew of his relationship with the famous family since he had a different surname. Mike, Rosie, and I went to the same school in Linnesse, and we’d been friends since kindergarten.If my dad knew, he’d have found a way to marry Alana to Mike. I shuddered at the mere thought.“Say cheese!”I was pulled out of my reverie by an excited Rosie, and I smiled in time for the selfie. “Are you posting that?”“Yeah!” Rosie chirped. “The twin pig is stalking me on Instagram. I’m gonna show her that you aren’

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  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 4

    I sat facing Rosie as she worked on my hair.“You came prepared,” I said, noticing the different shades of hair color packages in her vanity case.“Yeah. I’ve been planning a visit ever since your breakup, and when Mike called, I grabbed everything that came to mind.” She inspected her bag, producing a catalog of six colors. “So, which one do you want?”Indecision clouded my mind. The dark shades were appealing. Would it look good? I’d always been a blonde. After contemplating for a moment, I gave up. “Anything that’s not her.”“Hmm…something dark, then,” she said to herself as she browsed through the packets. “Why don’t you close your eyes and relax while I work on you?” she suggested, and I nodded. A few hours later, I was stunned to see my transformation. My now dark brown hair complimented my honey-brown eyes, and it was now cut into layers. Though nothing would change much, it brought a sense of relief.The day had surprisingly been relaxing, and I felt a lot better after my mak

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  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 5

    As soon as I stepped into the loneliness of my room, the composure I’d managed to pull together crumbled. I relieved a pained breath as I made my way to the bed.My fingers massaged my temples as I lay there with no will to change. I couldn’t comprehend why I reacted to Orlando like this. After all, we were never an item. He’d been my childhood crush, nothing more. I was sure every teen girl had one. The crush I had on Orlando was like the crush one would have over their favorite movie star.Yes, that’s it.You’re overreacting, Arianna.My hands found the phone that was carelessly tossed on the bed. Several notifications on my Instagram beckoned me. Opening the app, I noticed several comments about our trip, mostly about how beautiful the place was and how lucky we were.There were more photos from Alana and Brian, snippets from their pre-wedding photoshoot. I was tempted to unfollow and block them, but I didn’t. I should stop looking, but I also had to remind myself why I shouldn’t b

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  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 6

    The cold breeze kissed my face as I gazed off into the distance, listening to the sounds of the sea.Orlando continued to rub my back, his fingers circling soothingly. “A month ago, there was a request to the estate office for a beach wedding. I didn’t accept it since Enrique’s wedding is planned here, and he wanted the beach guesthouse for his honeymoon.”This information had me perked up. Brian, that bastard. “Is it them?”“Brian Schultz and Alana Swanson.” He nodded. “Your father called me personally when I declined their initial request.”Tears accumulated again as this news hit home. Brian knew this estate was my retreat. “I wanted to get married here.” My voice was barely a whisper.Orlando shifted, facing me as his hands circled my body. I wiped my tears and looked away when his thumb started rubbing my right hand.“There’s a vacancy in one of my companies if you’re interested,” he said. “You can stay at the staff quarters if you want to.”I appreciated the change of subject an

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  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 7

    “Distraction tip of the day: live in the present and enjoy the moment. Worry about the depressing stuff later.” Rosie’s cheerful voice pulled me out of my thoughts as I made my way to the beach.I smiled and took a deep breath, realizing the others were closer. “How long did it take for you to move on?”“I don’t remember.” Rosie shrugged. “I guess the pain is always there. But now that I have Jeff, I always think of how blessed I am to have him whenever I remember Gage.”I nodded. It sounded like a logical answer.“Just live one day at a time, Ari. When you remember the pain, distract yourself with something that helps you to forget it enough to get through the day.”Her words made sense, and I felt like it was doable. I could certainly do that. Distract myself with something…My eyes found the epitome of male hotness walking toward our little group. The afternoon sunlight kissed his glistening olive skin.“That’ll work too,” Rosie smirked. “He’s hot.”“Rosie!” I pinched her arm.“Ouc

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  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 8

    When Mike invited me for a round on the jet ski, I declined with a polite smile. I didn’t know why I felt uneasy all of a sudden. It looked fun, but I didn’t feel like riding. I watched and took pictures from the shore as my friends enjoyed their day. I was content with the distraction that often paraded shirtless along the beach.The change in the atmosphere and the sea’s exceptional calming effect kept my mind in check. For the first time, I wasn’t pulled deep into the depressing memories of the person I tried hard to forget.When everyone returned to the shore, I stood and pulled on my now dry trousers.“The sun will set soon. Let’s ride the jet ski and meet back at the yacht for dinner,” Enrique suggested, and everyone agreed except me. I thought we would get ready for the evening and then walk. The pier was just about fifteen-to-twenty minutes’ walk from here. On the jet ski, you had to go around the small island to get there.“Orlando, hope you don’t mind taking Ari with you,” M

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  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 9

    I stifled my yawn and focused on the brunette who was making my ears bleed. She was going on about all the designer brands that were in her closet and the number of fashion shows she had hosted in her career. The worst part was she recognized me as a Swanson and didn’t miss a chance to sing my parents’ praise.“If you don’t mind, Ms. Weston, I promised my girl a dance.” Orlando arrived to rescue me. The woman’s mouth went slack as I graciously accepted his hand with a sigh of relief. “Sorry for that. I got caught in a conversation and couldn’t get away,” he said as he led me to the dance floor.“This party is boring as fuck.”Orlando’s brows rose in question before he chuckled under his breath. “Don’t say that too loud. I’m their host, remember?” he casually joked as we moved around the dance floor.I couldn’t help but compare him with Brian at times like this. Brian would get offended and didn’t appreciate my cussing. Had it been him, he’d have lectured me for an hour, unlike Orlando

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  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 10

    Rosie caught up with me just as I exited the pond, throwing a towel at me. “I have something for them to mull over,” she said and winked.“What did you do now?” I knew immediately she had posted something on Instagram.Rosie giggled as she swiped her thumb across the screen. My breath hitched as soon as the post came into view. The sudden rush of blood to my brain drowned all the sounds around me. I recognized the moment she’d captured, and the memory warmed my heart.Orlando had his hands around my waist as a pristine smile adorned his lips. My orange gown with gold embroidery contrasted well with his gray suit. It was his first real smile in a long time. My eyes were mesmerized as I looked at him, and the camera had captured it all.“When did you take this?”“Oh, I was passing by and saw two birds picking sticks to build their nest. Couldn’t help but capture what I thought would be one of the many best moments to come.”Goose bumps erupted on my flesh as my eyes widened. “Rosie…” My

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Bab terbaru

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 22 | The End

    Sunlight streamed through the maple-colored curtains. I stretched under the sheets, relishing the soft texture caressing my bare skin. Orlando was missing from the bed. He was an early riser, unlike me. A tray of food and flowers greeted me. How can I not fall in love with this man? My body ached deliciously when I hopped out of bed and walked to the bathroom. I smiled to myself at the memories of last night’s events. A deep chuckle had rumbled out of his chest when he flipped me on my stomach. His hand caressed my tattooed ass cheek, giving it a squeeze. His chuckle soon turned into full-blown laughter. Why wouldn’t he laugh? The tattoo consisted of a dark-colored dick with thick red letters reading “fuck me harder.” The reason I always covered my bottom with modest underwear. His hand had given a tap, making it bounce. “Those words are encouraging.” He’d caressed the flesh before slipping his hands inside my dripping folds. The slow, torturous caress had driven me crazy. Orlando

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 21

    A deep sigh escaped the confines of my lungs when Orlando allowed me to get up, and both of us adjusted our clothes. “Stay with me tonight,” he murmured as he looked at me intently. “Or I can stay with you.”“Why?”“Is that question necessary?” His brows rose. “I’m not done with you yet.”A smile crept on my lips as I watched him climb into the driver’s seat. I was giddy with excitement as I slipped between the front seats to sit in the passenger seat. “Your apartment is an hour away. I prefer you in my room tonight.”“Impatient, I see.”“Can you blame me?”Orlando’s free hand held mine as we drove back to my parents’ home.“How did you find me here?”“I was coming to see you. When I saw you crossing the road, I followed.”“You saw.”A slight pause before he responded. “I did.”“He’d been pressuring me to meet and said he wanted to talk. He said it was urgent.”Orlando raised my hand to his lips, pressing them on my wrist. “You don’t have to explain anything, Arianna. I followed you a

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 20

    “Arianna, wait!”What did he want now? No matter how much I avoided him, he was determined to get me alone. Last night, he knocked at my door until I threatened to scream and wake everyone in the house. My heart used to ache for him. Now, the only emotion I felt for him was disgust.“What the fuck do you want?”His handsome features cringed. “Please…I want to talk.”“I told you there is nothing left to say.”“There is…please, let me explain.” His expression was pained. Though it shouldn’t bother me, it tugged at my heartstrings. “All I’m asking for is a chance to talk. Please…”My fingers reached to massage my temples as I considered his plea. “Okay, and after that, you should stop bugging me.”“I promise.”“We’ll talk tonight.”“The same spot.”“Fine.” I didn’t wait to see the relief flooding his face. My thoughts were on Orlando. His cell phone had been switched off for the past three days, and it had been driving me crazy. I was restless and restrained myself from calling Enrique.

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 19

    When I woke up the next morning, Orlando wasn’t in the bed. The clock showed 10:15 a.m. The delicious aroma of crispy bacon, toast, and scrambled eggs wafted to my nostrils. I turned to look at the hearty meal as a smile graced my lips.An orchid with a note rested on top of a glass of water.Arianna,I’m leaving early for work. I’ll call once I’m done here.Orlando.The note was simple. I appreciated his responsibility as warmth coated my insides. After the heart-warming breakfast and a quick shower, I was just pulling on my dress when it came to my mind that we had to leave today. Crap. I didn’t want to leave yet.Remembering I left my slippers in my room last night, I hurried to pack.“I won!”I was greeted by Rosie’s squeal when I opened the door. The entire girls’ group was here, including Chiara. The girls chuckled under their breath as I made my way toward them. They were packing my clothes.“What are you doing here?” I asked Chiara. “I thought you wouldn’t surface for another

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 18

    The wedding was perfect in every sense. Tears of joy streamed down my cheeks when Enrique kissed Chiara. The setting sun cast a golden shadow on the couple, and the photographers utilized the moment to capture the moments that would be remembered forever.Warm lips graced my bare shoulder, and I turned to meet Orlando’s stormy gaze. We moved aside, and I stayed by his side as he greeted the guests, introducing me to them.The function was a blur, and my cheeks ached with all the smiling I’d been doing that evening. We shared our first dance together, and I couldn’t help but admire how delectable he looked in his white suit.“That was such a wonderful moment.” Mike’s mom burst into tears.“It was.” Orlando smiled down at his aunt.“I’m so happy for you both.” She hugged me. “Ari and Rosa are my darlings. Take good care of her, Orlando. I don’t want to see any more tears in her eyes.”Orlando’s face tightened. Mr. Frisby was right on time for the rescue. He pulled his wife away with a w

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 17

    The Cortez estate glowed like it was Christmas again. The exterior expanse of the mansion and garden was decorated with lights. Bouquets made of natural flowers decorated every corridor. Unlike the exterior, the decorations inside were minimal. However, the grand interior design compensated for the lack of other items, and the fragrance of the flowers made the environment pleasant.Boxer stayed by my side as I ambled my way through the staff, buzzing with activities. Orlando asked if I could dog-sit for a night, and I agreed. The men were at the guest house celebrating Enrique’s last night as a bachelor. They whisked Enrique away, claiming he shouldn’t see the bride until tomorrow.“Arianna, did you see my daughter?” Chiara’s mom inquired when we bumped into each other.“She’s with the girls.”“Oh, she’s not answering her phone. I’m heading out with her dad. His brother and family are arriving tonight. Please look after her for me, will you? She’s so nervous.” Her face was full of con

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 16

    Brian Schultz“Brian…that’s too much carb. You have to be fit for our wedding.”My jaw clenched as I glared at Alana before pulling the bowl closer. “Stop telling me what to eat,” I hissed under my breath as she looked around the table, smiling sweetly.“Others are listening.”“Then you should just shut your mouth and concentrate on your food.” There was only so much a man could take. For the third time today, she made me question my decision to marry her. Maybe I should’ve waited. But it wasn’t like I had a choice.Alana turned her attention to her friends, chatting while I shoveled my favorite chicken casserole into my mouth. It had been a week since I’d had proper food. She tried to control every aspect of my life, which I didn’t appreciate.“Here is your dessert, sir.” The waiter placed the delicious chocolate mousse in front of me.“I think you brought the wrong order. We ordered fruit salad.”“That’s my order.” I cut her off.Her face changed, not that I gave a damn about it. I

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 15

    I lay breathless, my eyes rolled back into my skull as his lips took possession of my mouth again. His fingers were still buried deep in me. Orlando’s thumb applied pressure on my bundle of nerves, making my body jerk. Climbing down from the high, every inch of my apex was still sensitive to his touch.When his lips finally released mine, I opened my eyes to peer into his lust-filled gray ones. That was my best and first orgasm at the hands of a man. A gasp left my mouth when he pulled his fingers out. I looked between us to see my virgin blood coating them, and I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks.“I’m sorry about that,” I muttered, mild embarrassment lacing my voice.Orlando’s smile was unfazed. “This isn’t something I’d be embarrassed about,” he whispered thickly. “This is an honor. Thanks for giving it to me, Arianna.”His words dumbfounded me, and I felt those weird feelings snaking into my heart, taking possession. What is he doing to me? “You’re welcome, I guess.”Orlando pecke

  • Getting Over Him (A Bonus Novella - Arianna's POV)   Chapter – 14

    Nine days had passed, and three days since our conversation. A lot had happened, and I was happier than I’d been in a long time. I never knew just a few days was enough to take my mind off certain things. But in truth, I was never over the crush on Orlando. It felt right in every sense. Sometimes, I thanked my fate for bringing Brian into my life. If it wasn’t for the heartbreak, Orlando wouldn’t have felt the need to get closer.Isabel was removed from the property, and everyone was back to normal after that. The wedding date drew closer. While Brian poked his head in my mind once in a while, all I felt now was shame and anger at myself. I was furious for not seeing through his facade. Shameful for trusting him and for allowing him to jerk me around.I had no way of knowing. Even moving in again with my parents was temporary. I was going to move out as soon as I found a job, which I already had with Orlando’s recommendation.A smile broke past my lips at the thought. This morning, he

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