Months Ago
The sky hung low with clouds mourning with me. I wrapped my hands around the bouquet hoping it would give just the right amount of comfort.
My fingers brushed the carved names, and there they were.... Still, silent,final.
My eyes traced each letter, each date etched deep into the granite keeping them from being forgotten.
But I couldn't forget... the loss never got easier, it only grew quieter.
As I lowered my head in silent prayer, my phone shattered the silence with a loud ring.
My hand shook as I pulled the phone from my coat.
"Mom…" I whispered
"Oh lord! She's going to kill me!" I added already dreading the conversation
I took a deep breath answering.
"Where are you? And why are you late?"
"I'm wrapping up, just needed a moment."
"Come here right now!" her tone sharp, final, echoed through my ear drums.
"Ye..."
The line clicked dead before I finished my sentence.
I sighed, shoulder sagging under the weight of unsaid words and unspent tears already dreading the meeting at home.
......
I stare in shock, gobsmacked at what I'm hearing.
"Do you even know this man?" I screeched
Their silence was louder than a scream. I stood slowly voice rising with every syllable.
"You want me to marry someone you don't even know?" I rephrased hoping I'm just hearing things.
"He's a good man, he'll give you the best life anyone could." Dad responded
"No….No….No….. you're not doing this...I've done everything you asked of me, but this I won't." I growled
Then my mom stood abrupt, scalding.
"Can you stop being selfish and think of this family! We should be grateful all he asked for was a marriage proposal." She flared back
"Why choose me, what about Bianca?" I flared back.
She's older! Shouldn't she be the one to do it…..?
"Don't you dare bring me into this….. I've worked my ass off for this company and what have you been doing.... Sulking and cleaning graves…" she growled
"And whose fault is that?" I retorted.
"Shut up you both!" Dad cuts in
"It's decided….. you are to marry Mr Knoght and that's final."
"Do you even care about me?" I whispered silently.
"You know we love you so much dear, but you're in safe hands." He whispered back.
"You'll be financially equipped for life. This is a win-win situation." He added
"And what about my happiness?It doesn't matter?"
"Who cares about happiness when you can have everything you've ever wanted." He let out a low clipped laugh.
"I care..." I whispered back
"I will not marry a man I don't love"
"You'll let us get ruined cos of your feelings?" My mom cuts in again this time more agitated.
"Do you think you'll be where you are right now if we hadn't taken you in? Is this how you repay us for our good deeds, by letting us go down the drain when you can save us from this mess?" She added
"I….."I stuttered cornered once again.
" You will marry Mr Knight..."
A pause stretched, thick and breathless and then I hear Bianca snickering beside me.
Feeling defeated I spinned running out of the house.
...…..
"How could they do this to me?" I whimpered
My heart bled as I downed another shot of tequila, eyes already spinning.
"How can I marry someone I don't know..... I don't even know what he looks like." My mind was a mumbled mess, every way out of this mess impossible.
I slid my hand in my purse dailing my best friends number, wanting any kind of comfort.
"Hey bestie!" My best friend Tobi's voice rang out the speaker
"Babes..." I whispered
"What's wrong?" His voice now panicked
"Where are you?" He added
"I'm in a bar... stopped to have a few drinks" I whispered
"Text me the address, I'll meet you." He hangs up before I could explain further.
" I don't even know where I am... I was just driving around and saw the flashy lights of this place." I thought to myself
I turn to the person sitting next to me.
"Excuse me sir...…"
He turns to me and I was gobsmacked by the beauty in front of me. His shoulders filled his jacket perfectly, his jawline perfect, sharp, kissed with faint stubble, the low glow of the light caught the curve of his cheekbones. His eyes deep, steady, impossibly clear, met mine and for a moment I forgot what I was even there for.
My eyes trailed around his perfect face, settling on his lips. My entire body shudder with desire and then I realized his lips were moving.
"Oh….. I'm sorry…. Uhmm I wanted to know where I am." I stuttered, embarrassed at being caught in 4k.
"I mean….. the name of the bar." I added.
He tilts his head to something behind me and I trailed his gaze to see the name of the bar boldly written on the bar with neon lights.
"Great! Now I look like I creep…." I thought, totally embarrassed.
I laughed nervously thinking of a comeback.
"I'm sorry.... I wasn't paying attention. Thank you. "
He nods but briefly trails his eyes around my body, tingles coursing through me as he undresses me with his eyes.
He finally looks up at me, extending his hands.
"Axel….."
I place my hands gently on his, biting my lips shyly. I've always been the outspoken one but something about him made me feel shy and nervous.
He stares expectantly and then I remembered.
"Liana....."
I pull my hand away downing another shot of tequila.
"Tobi...." I panicked just remembering.
I quickly check my phone to see it's flat.
I didn't text the address to him and my phone is down.
I look around thinking of how I'll get home as I obviously couldn't drive in this state.
"Rough night?" He asked curiously.
"Is it that obvious?"I cut in.
"It's written all over you."he replied
I force a nervous chuckle.
"You're tipsy, are you here with someone?"
He continued.
"My friend is on his way."
As handsome as he looked, he's still a stranger, won't tell him I'm a damsel in distress who needs saving.
He stares me down obviously seeing through my lies.
"From my observations, your phone is dead and you couldn't forward the address."he blurts
"Ohh he's been paying attention." I thought.
He turned slightly in his seat now giving me his full attention, resting an arm casually on the bar.
"I can give you a ride home." He added.
I eyed him suspiciously and he chuckled.
"I'm not helpless" I retorted.
" I didn't say you were, but you are alone." He cuts back.
That silenced me a bit cos he wasn't wrong.
"You don't seem like the kind of guy who makes a habit of rescuing strangers."
"I don't."
"So why are you talking to me?" I asked curiously
"You look like you needed someone to."
"And what do you need stranger." I asked
"Peace, Silence, Good bourbon... Two out of three tonight." He grinned
"Good... most people don't know what they need, they Just be following the crowd." I whispered back.
"I do, that's why I rarely end up in bars late at night talking to women with broken phones." He whispered back.
"I think that was almost a compliment." I chuckled.
"It was…." He whispered back.
Then a warm silence followed. Then he nodded at the exit.
"Do you want to walk?"he asked
"Now?"
"Just down the block...fresh air might help." He continued.
My first instincts was no….. it was dark outside….. I am tipsy…..he is a stranger. A tall powerful stranger with a wrist watch more expensive than my car which cost a fortune. He could be anything…..
I glanced at the door, then back at him.
I should care more about safety, I should think harder, but I was tired of being careful, careful had gotten me no where.
Maybe walking with a stranger isn't smart….. but my life's already a mess.
"Alright." I beamed
...…
The air was cool and soft with scent of late night and distant rain.
Our footsteps echoed along the sidewalk in rhythm.
I didn't know this part of the city, but walking beside Axel, I felt safe, protected.
"Are you always this quiet?" I asked
" I talk when there's something worth saying." He replied
"So I'm not worth it?" I grinned playfully.
He glanced to me, gaze unreadable but not cold.
If you weren't, I wouldn't still be walking."
My smile faltered for a second, I'm not used to being spoken to like that, too calm….. too direct…..too honest.
"Fair enough." I replied.
" I used to love walking at nights. When I was younger, I'd sneak out and just…. roam….made me feel like I could breath." I whispered.
"Still fee that way?" He asked.
"I can't remember the last time I received something without expecting to give back in return." I answered.
"Even walking feels like rebellion now.... Isn't that sad ?" I sighed
"Freedom always comes at a cost... the trick is deciding if it's one you're willing to pay." He continued
"Have you paid yours?" I asked
"Yes…"
"Was it worth it?"
"It will be."
"Hmmmm" I thought aloud.
"Do you ever get lonely?" I asked
"Often…" he responded.
A simple raw answer that made my throat tighten, no one admits that.... People pretend or laugh it off but he didn't need to lie.
"You look like you have it all in control, like nothing rattles you….."
"Control and loneliness aren't mutually exclusive."
"You're... not what I expected" I whispered.
"What did you expect?"
" I don't know, some brooding playboy with too much money and not enough manners."
I blurted still grinning.
"So what's the conclusion?"
"Still brooding….. but maybe not a playboy. I haven't decided on the money part yet."
That earned another amused flicker of smile from him.
...
"Wait how far did we walk?" I asked big sighting the bar or colorful lights.
He stopped beside me, calm as ever.
"Far enough."
I looked back down the street, then at my feet. My legs were beginning to ache in my heels, the alcohol still a low thrum behind my ribs.
"I'm tired, didn't even notice we walked this far." I smiled
He pulled out his phone typing something quickly.
"You're not walking back."
As I opened my mouth, two sleek black SUVs pulled up into the curb. One of them tinted windows, matte finish, practically announcing wealth, stopped in front of us.
The second car opened behind, three men in dark suits stepped out, all moving with quiet efficient precision.
One of them walks up handing Axel a key fob.
"Sir....."
"Give us some space." He replied.
They stepped back into the second vehicle waiting ... He walked closer to the car, opened the passanger side of the door.
No explanations, no urging.... I give a quizzical look at him then the car then I stepped forward sliding inside without a word.
...…..
"Thanks for keeping me company also bring me here." I smiled.
" I should say same. It's nice meeting you….. Aria." He responded
We stared at each other waiting for who will make the move.
He smiles taking a step back and I sigh in disappointment.
I turned away, and just as my feet touched the first step, he was there.
I barely registered the movement... fast...silent... before his hand curled around my wrist, gently spinning me. Then his lips were on mine.
There was no hesitation, no soft build... just hot passion and raging hormones.
His other hands slipping up to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair as he pulled me in.
I gasped into the kiss and he took it, deepened it.... Like he'd been waiting for this very day all his life.
His body didn't fully touch mine but I felt the tension, the restraint, he was holding on from devouring me and it only made the kiss burn hotter.
His lips moved against mine, no akward fumbling, no question of dominance. He kissed me like he knew how I tasted and needed more.
And then it was over...
He pulled back, breath steady, lips parted slightly, eyes unreadable in the dark but still composed.
Before I could speak he turned on his heel and walked back to his car without a word.
The engine started and the sleek black vehicle melted back into the night like ghost.
I stood on the sidewalk, mouth still tingling, heart thudding, skin aching in places he never even touched.
"What the hell….." I whispered.
My fingers brushed across my lips, still warm....still his.
My head was a mess... I should be confused, upset, but it didn't matter....couldn't matter.
Because no matter how good that kiss was, I am getting married.