Part 1

A huge sigh slipped out of my lips. This was not going to end well. Oh well. What's the harm in trying again? Sucking a sharp breath, I tried again only for the chain to dig in my thumb and unzip.

I winced in pain, wetting the tip of my finger before peering at the empty hallway.

"Mom! Mummy! Maa!!" I sighed. "Please help"

Looking back, I twisted my lips at the state of the overloaded suitcase.

In my defence I was told it could fit over ten kilograms so I stuffed three pair of footwear, six shorts, four summer dresses, half a dozen tank tops, few jackets, my soft pyjamas and of course an evening gown.

The creaking of floorboard echoed as the footsteps approaching towards my door got louder.

"Even the next door neighbour heard you! What is it Aria?!" I heard my mother before I saw her in my line of vision. My birth giver was as usual wearing a scowl on her face, her dark brown hair tied up in some messy bun, few strands falling on her face. She was holding a wooden spatula in her hand, the apron tied around her spotting few splatters of sauce.

Almost meekly, I pointed accusingly towards the suitcase on my bed.

"Again? You should not be allowed to pack!" An exasperated sigh escaped her. My mother placed the wooden spatula on the nightstand, tightening her apron.

"I am improving!"

"Sure let's say that."

I sheepishly smiled, looking away.

"Did you really pack your Christmas jammies? We are going for a wedding!"

"So?!" I made a face. "It's not my fault that Franci decided to get married in December!"

It should be illegal to get married around Christmas season. With my elder brother making money I was sure he was set on getting me most of the things from my wish-list.

My mother rolled her eyes, already pulling out most of the items I had neatly folded. "You both are same age and she's getting married before you."

"Exactly. We are nineteen I do not know why she's in rush to marry."

When the invitation came in mail I could not believe my eyes. I tried to call Francesca multiple times only to hear dial tone. Nothing about this impromptu wedding made sense to me. It was in last week of December and in middle of nowhere.

"This again? I am sure her parents are not forcing her Ari. Please behave at the wedding. We are old family friends and I would like to keep it that way."

No matter how many times I tried to probe neither of my parents gave away. I had to see Francesca in person and ask her all these burning questions.

"I know mom!"

"Good. Now let go of some of your items from here."

***

"What the fuck Adrian?" I sneered at my idiot younger brother who was sitting in my window seat. He barely looked at me, not even bothering to remove his earphone and simply drumming his fingers.

"Dad! Tell him to get out."

"There's enough space in the back, my love."

"We are already late, Ari. Get in." My mother made a face.

"This is not over." I pointed a finger at my brother while dragging my feet and throwing myself in the back seat. From the rear view mirror I saw my brother poke his tongue out before shoving mouthful of haribos.

For sixteen year old, he was a pain in my behind. Then again I was exactly like him at sixteen to my older brother.

"I miss Andrew! My brother would have taken my side!" I exclaimed, crossing my arms.

"You two cannot go a minute without fighting, amour." My father laughed, while turning on the ignition.

"Whatever."

***

Spectacular. That's the only word I could think of as I peered at the four-storey beach house. It took us five hours to drive with my father refusing to stop more than once. I stretched my arms, a smile curving around my lips at the sound of waves softly hitting the sand. There was a heavy smell of salt in the air.

"This is beautiful, no?"

"Si, mi amore. I can't believe they own this." My mother responded to my father, leaning into his arms.

I looked away, making a sound. My parents were so in love even after three decades of marriage. It was nauseating at times but also made me yearn for that kind of bond.

"Alex, you bastard!"

I stilled at the boisterous laughter that followed the sound, heavy footsteps rushing our way.

"Look who finally decided to show up in this humble abode!"

Humble. I thought under my breath watching an older man in his late fifties. Armund Murray, my father's best friend snickered, tugging on his arm and they both hugged each other. They both were childhood best friends turned business partners. So it was natural for Francesca and I to be friends as well.

"I hope it was a pleasant journey here." Francesca's soft voice floated around breaking my chain of thoughts. I blinked, adjusting to her presence as she embraced my mother.

Francesca Murray was definition of beauty. Everyone at school were absolutely enamoured at her curly blonde hair falling down her shoulders, always shimmery and glowing due to the sunlight, button nose and almond eyes that were a deep shade of brown, borderline golden. She could easily be a model with her natural features but simply hated the attention and was quite introverted.

She was dressed in a simple light pink summer dress, the kind that hugged her in right places. Unlike before the smile did not reach her eyes, skin looking pale and her figure shrunken as she stood next to my mother.

"Franci!" I exclaimed, rushing to envelop her in a tight hug, feeling her immediately relax. My eyes clenched shut as I was hit with a strong whiff of her citrus shampoo. "Why were you not taking my calls? What happened to your phone?"

"Aria..."

"The last time we spoke we were planning a trip and now you are getting married?!"

"Brian!" A bark jolted me out of her arms as Francesca was pulled away. "Why don't you show all of them their rooms, si? They must be tired after the journey, no." Armund said, his grip tightening around his daughter.

I glared at him.

"Follow me, signora."

Grudgingly I nodded my head, still eyeing my friend who stood in silence. Something was not quite right but I had no means to confirm my doubts.

"Franci can show..."

"Aria!" My mother nudged me, handing me my suitcase.

"Go to your rooms and fresh up. I will ask the cooks to hurry up with the dinner. Brian will come get you then, okay?" Armund smiled. "I am sure Franci is needed by her mother in the kitchen. She will meet you at the dinner."

A sigh escaped my lips, watching my friend get dragged inside.

***

Unpacking and changing into one of my most comfiest shorts and a shirt, I hopped out of my room with a new mission. Find Francesca and talk to her alone. The problem with that was I had no idea where's her bedroom. It was my first time at the beach house and everything looked same to me.

Lost in my thoughts, I stubbed my toe against the edge of the door. Wincing in pain, I hopped on one feet, cradling the injured toe when my head crashed against a wall. I squeaked as my nose brushed against it, body jerking and waiting for the fall but it never came.

Instead of that, I felt a strong grip on my waist.

"Watch where you are going."

At the unfamiliar voice, something coiled inside my belly, my eyes adjusting to the sudden light. As my head tilted, I felt as if someone knocked breath out of my lungs. Oh. I sharply inhaled making the situation worse, taking huge gulps of his spicy vanilla cologne.

The boy no scratch that. The man in front of me had the most sinful shade of blue eyes with dark hue on the edges. His thick eyebrows were pulled together, narrowed at me as if he was patiently waiting for me to say something, jaw clenched and rigid. For a second I forgot to blink, staring at his Adonis-like beauty.

"Take a picture it'll last longer." He added and that was enough to snap me out of my daze.

My cheeks reddened at that, suddenly that hot feeling spreading all over my body. I immediately flailed, getting on my feet and his arm fell from my waist. I mentally slapped myself for thinking about missing his touch.

"I-I wasn't..." My throat felt dry at the way his muscles flexed as his arms crossed against his chest, the white button-down shirt was rolled up near the elbows. I could feel the pointed shoes pressed against my sandals to which I realise how close we were standing.

"Yes?"

My toes curled at the smile playing on his lips.

"You should have watched your step mister before crashing into me and almost killing me."

He snickered.

"Killing you? Please, If anything I  saved you, cara."

"You don't know me enough...Whatever a simple sorry is enough."

I petulantly crossed my arms, mirroring his stance which did not work out well. The action caused my breast to push up and his eyes travelled there for a second but in a flash, he was staring back at me.

"Apology? You americans are too entitled. I should be getting a thank you for saving you from falling on your pretty ass" He chuckled, the vibration of his laughter travelled straight down to my core. I felt my abdomen clench at the deep husky sound and my legs clamped tighter.

"I will thank you over my dead body, mister."

"It's Edward."

"It's I don't care."

"You wound me." He placed his hand on the left side of his chest and stuck his bottom lip at me. I tried to focus on what he was saying instead of his glistening pink lips. The thought made me shiver. I really needed to focus.

"Just like you did. So we are settled I guess."

He opened his mouth to respond but before that, there was a familiar face standing next to him. I blinked at Armund as he patted the strangers back.

"I see you have met my nephew, Aria"

Nephew? I thought while gaping at the attractive stranger in front of me. Good genes runs in the family. I thought under my breath.

"Aria." He rolled the name, every single syllable sounding foreign and new to my ears. The piercing gaze as he said did not help.

"Edwardo she is Francis best friend and also Alexander's daughter..." I tuned out the rest of the sentence, trying to bite back a groan. If he's the nephew it meant he will be staying in the same beach house till the wedding. Two whole weeks of Edward and his stupidly attractive face.

Just what I needed! Not.

***