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. Did he leave already? I thought he’d at least say goodbye. I continued to pace the confines of my room.

My phone blared, interrupting my thoughts. “Hey, Rosie.”

“You’re shutting me out again.”

“I’m not.”

“Bitch, you didn’t respond to my calls or messages since last night.”

“It slipped my mind. I’ve been busy.”

“Busy doing what?”

An exhausted sigh left my lungs, and I plopped on my bed. “I’m moving out after the wedding.”

“That’s good news. Need any help?”

“Nah… I’m almost done.”

“Did you speak to Orlando?”

“His phone is switched off.” She’d have caught the defeat in my voice.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Ari. It must be because of his tight schedule. Do you want me to check with someone?”

“No,” I said quickly. I didn’t want anyone to worry. This was expected. I mean, I did tell him I expected nothing, didn’t I? Pain filled my chest. The familiar ache spread in the cavity of my ribcage. Once, it ached for someone who didn’t deserve it.

“Oh, baby. I’m coming now.”

“No. It’s all right. I’m fine.”

“I’m on my way.”

I ended the call, defeated. The truth was that I needed someone and was just trying to act tough. Half an hour later, my door burst open, and my bed dipped. Rosie didn’t speak as she hugged me. We lay there in comfortable silence as her fingers massaged my head. It was a habit between us. She’d been more of a sister than Alana would ever be.

“Orlando wouldn’t avoid you without reason. You know that, don’t you?” Her gentle whisper caressed my ears.

“I know, but I can’t help feeling like this.”

Her hold on me tightened. “Love hurts. Whether you’re too happy or too sad, love is painful.”

I couldn’t agree more. “Do you know she changed her hair color? She looks like me now.”

“What the…?”

“I know.” A deep sigh left my lips, and the weight once again settled in my heart. “I blocked them all from my social media accounts.”

“Why would she want to color her hair?”

“I wish I knew, Rosie. I’m gonna change again, and this time, she’ll never get a glimpse. Sometimes, I feel like I’m a fugitive running from something. You know, changing my looks and all.”

“Trust me, girl. Running from the FBI and Interpol sounds much better than this.” Her brows creased in thought. “But seriously, why would she want to steal your identity?”

“Brian wants to talk to me.”

“About what?”

“I don’t know. He’s persistent and won’t give me a moment’s peace.”

“That bastard. I’m gonna have a talk with him.”

“No, Rosie. I told him I’ll meet him tonight. Whatever it is, I’ll make sure there’s nothing left between us after this.”

“Do you want me to stay?”

“Not really. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“Okay.” Her gaze narrowed, and her teeth gripped her lower lip, something she did when she was deep in thought. “Perhaps there’s trouble in paradise. Does he want you back? Is that why she’s trying to impersonate you? To keep him?”

“As reasonable as it sounds, it’s sick.”

“That it is.”

Is that why he wants to meet me? Does he want me back?

***

“What did you want to talk about?” There was no one at the park at this time of night. I shouldn’t have come. But I had to end this tonight.

“Look, Arianna. I messed up. I know that now. I should’ve fought for our love, but I didn’t,” he pleaded desperately.

“Why are you saying this now?” He made his choice. And it was her.

“Because I don’t want to lose you, Arianna.”

What the hell? Did he even realize what he had just said?

“You already lost me, Brian.”

“Hear me out, please. I lied to you. Alana was the first one I met. My parents wanted us to get married. But then, one day, I bumped into you and got intrigued.”

I stood silently as he ranted.

“I wanted to get to know you better. I fell in love with you and even broke up with Alana.”

My suspicion was right. They knew each other before he met me. He was going behind her back. “So, you were seeing each other.”

“Kind of.”

“There can be only one answer to this question, Brian. It’s either yes or no.”

“Yes.”

“So, you were sleeping together.”

His head bowed, confirming my accusation. “Yes.”

“Okay. What you both did or do is none of my business. I don’t want someone to see us together and assume something. I should go.”

“Please…” he pleaded, clutching at my arm. “I love you, Arianna. I should’ve been truthful with you from the beginning. I’ve realized my mistake now.”

“Let me go, Brian.” I tried to pry his hands off me, only for him to tighten the hold.

“No. Please.” His eyes teared up. “Hear me out, please. I was going to talk to my parents. But then I saw your party photos.”

My cheeks heated up, remembering the embarrassing paparazzi photos.

“When I arrived, my parents showed me the photos and said how disgusting they were. They said it is why I should never associate with you now that I’m going to marry Alana.”

“Good. You listened to your parents.” I tried to leave again.

“I had no choice. Alana is pregnant.”

It shouldn’t have affected me, but I’d have been lying if I said it didn’t. It confirmed he lied about their breakup, even now. We dated for five months. They were fucking each other while he was dating me, and it made my stomach sick.

“She forced me to break it off with you. I don’t want her. I want you. No matter how hard she tried, she will never be you. Let’s go somewhere and get married. We’ll leave this all behind and start fresh.”

“Do you even hear yourself? That’s the most horrendous thing I ever heard. What about your parents? What about the company and its reputation?” The new edge of my anger knew no bounds. I felt disgusted for even looking at him.

“It can all go to hell, for all I care. I can’t live without you. I realize that now. Look, I don’t care about your photos, and I don’t care that you cheated on me because I was doing the same to you. Let’s forget everything and start fresh.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I never cheated on you.” My blood boiled. How could he accuse me of something like this? “I don’t love you anymore, Brian. We shouldn’t even be here like this.”

“Alana…hear me out, please.”

“I’m not Alana.” Brian stilled. A sigh left my lips as I contemplated his words. Did he even understand what he’d said? “We’re over, Brian. Nothing you say will change the outcome of this meeting.” I straightened my shoulders and locked my gaze with his.

I was about to leave, but he pulled me closer, capturing my lips. I yelped in surprise as he deepened the kiss, filled with heat and passion. My lips moved against my wishes before I stilled. While the kiss roused all my warm memories, it was wrong in every sense. It didn’t feel right anymore.

I pushed him away with a force that surprised him. Before my mind could decide what I was about to do was right, my palm connected with his cheek with a loud crack. A stinging sensation spread across my palm as my skin reddened.

Brian clutched his cheek with wide eyes. His jaw went slack. “Arianna…”

“Don’t.” My hiss silenced him, and he took a step back. I’d never been so furious before, not even when he betrayed me. “I feel ashamed for even falling in love with you, Brian.” I didn’t care how loud I was being. I had to get it off my chest. “There is no place for you in my heart anymore. You’ve betrayed me and didn’t even have the decency to break up with me before you went on one knee in front of her.”

My chest rose and fell with every heavy breath. “Alana and I might never have a friendly relationship. She might have backstabbed me more times than I can count. But I’ll never, ever do the same to any woman, even if it is Alana.”

“Ari—”

I raised my hand, stopping him. “You are going to become my brother-in-law. My sister’s husband and the father of my niece or nephew. Did you ever think of that child?”

“I…”

“You didn’t. You see, Brian, we would’ve never worked out. I was smitten with your charms. But eventually, I would’ve seen right through your façade and left you. I’m glad it ended the way it did.”

Brian hung his head. His shoulders slumped. If it was a few months ago, I would’ve been there, holding him. But now he only irritated me.

“You deserve each other. Go home to my sister, Brian. I hope you’ll treat her better than me and love your child the way it deserves to be loved. Please don’t ever try to see me or talk to me after this. Whatever we had, it ends right here. And I thank you for everything. I was happier during the first few months I was with you, and your betrayal helped me realize there are better things in this world. I wish you a good life.”

When I turned, my chest felt light, and a smile crept over my lips. This time, he didn’t stop me.

My breathing grew heavier as the distance between me and Brian grew. It hurt, and tears badly wanted out. But I refused to cry. He didn’t deserve my tears. I rubbed my lips furiously, trying to get rid of the way his kiss made me feel—dirty.

Fuck!

How did he even think I’d go with him after everything?

My sister was pregnant. I couldn’t believe it. She knew he was seeing me behind her back, and she let him. How sick was that? Why? She could’ve fought me. Told me he belonged to her. Why?

People say you should make no decision while you are angry or sad. But I had to decide. I’d leave tomorrow after the wedding and never look back. My shoulders straightened as the thought took hold. I lost any hope I had for my family. There was no point in trying. If they wanted to see me as a Swanson, they would have done that already.

Sadness weighed down my heart. What did I ever do for them to hate me so much? Would they have hated Alana if she was the one who partied instead of me?

A sudden yelp escaped my mouth, and my body was pinned against something my mind registered as a car. Warm lips encased mine as a familiar scent of cologne clouded my senses. His mouth swallowed my relieved sobs, and soon, my back pressed against the soft leather.

“Orlando…” I couldn’t hide my surprise when he closed the door to his car. I thought he already left the country. “How did—”

His lips silenced me before I could complete the sentence. I opened to his seeking tongue and melted under his skillful hands. There was urgency in his movements, and I loved it. His lips sucked and nipped mine.

Orlando was already between my legs and had my dress bundled up above my hips. Frantic fingers moved lower.

A gasp of pleasure left my lips when he entered me. “I missed you,” I heard him say before he kissed me again. His hands cupped my breast over my dress. His hips thrust in a fervent rhythm as his other hand gripped my ass, adjusting his position to allow him deeper than before. Our combined moans filled the confined space as the car rocked, matching his thrusts.

The familiar pressure built in my lower region, spreading the pleasure-filled vibration to the tips of my toes. Orlando vocalized his pleasure as our breathing grew heavier.

His lips released mine to shower me with wet kisses along my neck and the valley of my breasts. “You feel so good.”

“Oh, Orlando…”

“Say my name again,” he said hoarsely.

“Orlando…”

“Yes…I love my name on your lips.” His hand on my breast slipped between our bodies, finding the center of my need.

“Orlando…I…” I didn’t know what I wanted to say. My thoughts were haywire.

“Arianna!” He came with my name on his lips, his cock twitching within me. The pressure hadn’t been released from my body yet, and my hips arched on their own. He continued to stroke me until I cried out his name along with my release. His chest pressed against mine as he rested his forehead on mine. Our breath mingled.

“I thought you left already.” My voice wavered. I couldn’t thank him enough for being here when I needed him the most.

“I wouldn’t leave without telling you.”

“Your mobile was switched off,” I accused.

“I’m sorry. Isabela was calling non-stop, and I locked it in my office drawer.”

“Oh.” I thought he had sorted that out. There were many things I didn’t know.

“You’re cute when you do that.” He pecked my lips, making me laugh.

“Orlando, what are we?”

“I don’t know,” he sighed. “No expectations, remember?”

I nodded, closing my eyes. No expectations. Then why couldn’t I help wanting more?

He paused for a moment. “You are my friend, and I trust you more than anyone, that much I can tell you now.”

“That sounds better.” I wanted to voice my fear of losing him, but I stayed quiet.

He isn’t ready yet.