Reception Party

Ariana POV

In the evening,

I got ready in a silvery grey gown whose sleeves were fully covered. The cleavage was on display, and the chest had diamond work.

Wearing that dress, I felt like a queen of some state. The beautician put my hair in a messy bun.

Before getting ready, Evelyn had called some salon experts for my all-body makeover. They massaged me and shaved my body. 

I didn’t know I was beautiful until mom said that I was beautiful and little care enlightened my features. Mom had arranged this gown urgently, and it perfectly fitted me. I looked like a goddess today.

"Aw, Arianna, you’re looking fab. I’m sure my son is going to be crazy.” Mom admired me.

Damien, in the meantime, entered the room.

"Woah, whom do you want to kill with your looks? Ari, you had a perfect figure. Your curves are in the perfect places.” Damien tried to show with his hands the outlook of my figure.

I felt embarrassed. It was the first time I wore such an expensive and revealing dress.

I tried to cover my cleavage, pulling the gown from my shoulders, but in vain. Ryan’s mom slapped Damien’s shoulder. “Stop teasing her.” She caressed my cheek. “Arianna, you’re looking gorgeous.”

I smiled, feeling highly uncomfortable.

“Let’s go. Everyone was waiting downstairs, and I came to tell you. Ryan had also come from the office. He is in his room. “

“I’m sure your dad had talked to him. I’ll go and check on him. Just wait a while, then go downstairs together.“ Evelyn walked off to see Ryan.

I felt out of place because everyone loved me, but the person who took me here and with whom my relationship was didn’t want to see me.

**************

Ryan’s POV

I was getting ready in an off-white tuxedo and tying my bow tie when someone knocked on the door and walked in.

“Are you ready?” Mom’s voice landed in my ear.

I nodded, looking at her from the mirror.

“Let’s go. Arianna is waiting for you.“

‘This girl, not again.‘ I thought and walked out of the room. I didn’t know what was the problem because I married her myself, but now she was irritating me. I felt something I couldn’t name whenever she came around. I didn’t want to feel that way. 

Subsiding all my thoughts, I went to the room where Arianna was. 

However, when I reached there, I saw her coming out with Damien talking and smiling.

I was glued to my place, and the beauty of hers started to go down in my heart. Mom cleared her throat mischievously and said.

“Someone is losing his heart.” I composed myself, but soon, my forehead creased with lines of anger when I saw Damien’s hand on her bareback. I instantly approached them and took Damien’s hand in mine.

“You should know where to put your hand,” I said, staring into his eyes.

Ariana stumbled, listening to my voice, and her back touched my chest. She instantly turned around, and I lost it looking at her eyes, face, and lips. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

“What happened? Where I should put my hand?” Damien’s voice pierced through my ears. I left his hand. Damien chuckled.

“I’ll see you later,” I said to Damien and held Ariana’s hand.

“Let’s go,” and walked downstairs to the garden where our wedding reception was being held.

********

Ariana POV

“You’re hurting me, Mr. Ryan. Leave my hand.” my voice cracked, and my eyes twinged because Ryan’s hold on my hand was way harsher.

He left me with a jolt. “Stop doing this because you can’t have my attention.”

I looked at him in disbelief.

“Wait a minute, what did I do?”

“Whatever. I don’t want to talk to you. Let’s go,” Ryan walked off, so I had to follow him even though I didn’t want to.

‘What does he think of himself as a prince or king of some state? I know he is handsome and rich, but that doesn’t mean he would do this to me.’ I thought about following him, but all my thoughts flew away when Ryan put his hand on my lower back and the media came in front of us.

“Mr. Ryan Walter, how do you feel about marrying your dream girl?” The man asked Ryan, and I looked at him. ‘I’m his dream girl.’ 

Then the camera flashes at us, and I put my hand on my eyes. I felt uncomfortable and gripped Ryan’s suit.

The reporters were asking many questions.

“Now, tell us your childhood lover’s name. You hid for a long time. “ The other man asked.

I blinked my eyes several times. “Childhood lover. Oh, they’re interested in his runaway bride.” I thought.

The camera flashed to click pictures, and I held Ryan’s arm tightly, almost digging into my nails. 

“Excuse us. No more questions. “ Ryan wrapped his arms around my waist securely, and guards came to escort us to the main hall.

Reaching the center, where only guests and important people were present, Ryan stopped.

“Now, you can leave my hand,” Ryan spoke with a subtle face.

I left and composed myself.

“Now, you’re my wife. The famous businessman, Ryan Walter’s wife, so gets used to this fame and attention. So behave yourself. The press, media, and reporters will follow you wherever you go.“ I glared at him. What did he take me? 

“What? Stop glaring. I know you’re from a middle-class family, and you didn’t attend such parties, but now you have to, and I don’t want to lose my face next time. “ Ryan gritted his teeth, and I knitted my brow at his behavior. He couldn’t insult me with such words.

“Smile. Otherwise, people will think I forced you, and you’re not my lover. “ I forced a smile to my lips, even though I was abusing him mentally. However, soon my demure changed and a lovely smile came because now I understood why I felt his name was familiar yesterday at the altar. I heard his name from the girls in the grocery store. 

‘The famous business tycoon, the most eligible bachelor, Ryan Walter, the crush of every girl, is now my husband.’ I smiled, and my face glowed because I thought Ryan was a reward for the hardships I had endured for 21 years.

I looked at his face. ‘I’ll try my best to make you mine because I don’t want to suffer more.’

Ryan looked at me and raised his brow to ask, “What?” I shook my head, smiling.

Soon, people came to congratulate us, reporters and media clicked our photos and lived to the stream.

In the photos and videos, I was sure we looked like a happily married couple.

_______________________________________________________

Unknown POV

Here they enjoyed the wedding reception, but at a distance of a few kilometers, someone saw them on TV, and her blood boiled.

“How did she end up here? No, I have to tell Mr. Elijiah. I’m not going to let her live happily ever after.”

“Mom, did you watch the news? That good-for-nothing Arianna is on the news, and she marries Ryan Walter.“ Ainsley ran to Helen’s room and spoke in one breath.

“I know everything,” Helen yelled at her.

“But mom, do something. Where did you send her, and where did she end up?” Ainsley claimed to have provoked her.

“Shut up and let me think. You’re also good for nothing. You should learn something from her. She caught such a big fish, but you fell for that poor boy, Keith.” Helen gritted her teeth.

“Mom, please don’t say that.”

“Cut the crap and go to your room. I’ll think of something.” Helen took the nail file and started to shape her nails.

********

“Jack, did you see that girl? She looks so familiar. “ The man exclaimed, watching Arianna on the TV screen.

“Not only is she familiar, but she is a replica.” Away from this country, in another state, someone exclaimed, touching Arianna on the screen with his fingers.