Chapter 03

Arielle Walton

He told me to be home in the evening, he didn't tell me why but I don't feel good about this. Walking past the hallways to get to my Dads office room, I couldn't believe my eyes. Mike and Cato were here. I couldn't recognise them at first, they haven't changed much. I had to talk to them because they were in my house.

"Cato?" I told his name just to make sure it's them. He turned around to look at me

"Elle?" he asked me,

"Yup, that's me" 

"It's been so long, I've seen you.How you doing girly?" Mike asked, he's physical appearance has change but he's still the same.

"I'm doing well,but what brings you all here?" 

"We are here to meet Mr Walton, Oh and meet Nonno our grandpa"  He gestured his hand to where the old man was sitting. What did he mean by our grandpa? Mike and Cato aren't biological brothers. 

"Hello Mr..." saying I reached out to shake his hand,but I realised that I don't know his name 

"Ruffalo, Dominic Ruffalo. You must be Arielle, the daughter of Anthony Walton ?"

I just realised, Mike and Cato are here and I suppose this is his grandfather. Holy cow, please don't be it. I don't even want to see that man's face ever again.

" Yes, that would be me."

"I think your father is waiting for you inside" that's exactly why I don't want to go is most probably with Niccolò.

" Right, then see you in a while."

Bracing myself I knocked on the door, please don't be him if it's him I'll oppose the marriage no matter what if it's him.

"Come in" exhaling a deep breath I pushed the door open. It is him, It's Nic. As soon as his eyes locked with mine, I froze, my legs felt jelly at that moment but thankfully I was gripping the door handle tightly. There he was sitting with one leg on top of his other and his elbow resting on the couch arm rest while his head rested on his fist.

"Take a seat Ari." my dad spoke zoning me out of it. clearing my throat I reached to the couch which was in front of Nic possibly avoiding eye contact with him. 

"So, Ari met Niccolò Ruffalo, and Niccolò this is my daughter Arielle." 

"It's nice to meet you Ms Walton" saying he reached out for my hand. I just stared at his hand, how possibly out of fifty percent of men do I end up with this man, anyone but him. 

"Ari?" my dad spoke and eyed me to shake his hand. You snap out of it Arielle.

"Uhm sorry, Nice to meet you too Mr Ruffalo." I reached out to his hand and shook, he gripped my hand and he didn't let go of my hand, my dad was in front of us. I gave him a forceful smile and tried to pull out from his grip. My dad's phone rang and he excused himself and went outside to answer it. I pulled out a straight face and said

"Let go" 

"Never again " he spoke with confidence and with a smirk on his face. While I was trying my best to get my hand out of his hold . 

"You want to come to Italy?" I huffed at his question with my arms crossed.

"Why would I need to come to Italy?" I asked him with arms crossed in front of my chest.

He stood up and took a few steps to come closer to me. His strides were long even though he had to come around due to the coffee table being on his way. My eyes traced every inch of step he took towards me. In no time he was leaning towards me, I leaned back to the couch since his face was coming closer to mine. Closer and closer he came until his lips were inches apart from mine. 

"Because you are going to be my wife." The 17 year old me would have died to hear this from the man she loved the most.

"Who says that I'm going to marry you"  I basically whispered because he was so close to me. He gave me a deep chuckle before replying. 

"Everyone but you." I tried to push him away by placing my hand on his shoulder but he didn't move an inch. He just gave me a smirk, the audacity this man has to smirk at me.

"Move, dad might come in" 

"Your dad knows that we are going to be a married couple so I'm pretty sure he wouldn't mind," he spoke with his deep voice. Which made chills go down my spine.

"I am not going to marry you" I told him all well and clearly.

"Oh really?" he raised his eyebrow at me with a smirk on his face. This man thinks too ahead of himself just like his 17 year old self.

"Oh yea." I told him not backing down from it. 

"Well, your dad already has arranged the date." I was surprised, more frustrated and furious about my dad arranging something behind my back. I'm the one who's getting married, not him. 

I pushed him this time a bit harshly but he just stood back up to his standing position.

"Move" I spoke with a harsh tone. He didn't come to argue with me, instead he made way for me to go out. His grandpa and my dad were in conversation, I didn't want to interrupt them so I just headed to my room. Plopping myself on the bed tears gathered to my eyes, I can't marry him I just can't he broke my heart once he'll do it again. I don't want to go through that pain all over again.

"Ma'am,sir is calling you  to join us for dinner with the guest" one of our maids knocked on my door.

"Tell him I'll be there in a few minutes." saying I wiped my tears, looked at myself in the mirror and went down like nothing happened.