“Hi, I’m looking for Aria Gray,” Deagan asked the male receptionist and at the mention of the name, the man frowned.
“May I ask who you are to Aria?” He asked somewhat suspiciously and Deagan got annoyed at the familiarity with which he said her name, but still stumbled on his answer, he couldn’t tell the man that she was his ex-girlfriend, so instead, he took the high road.
“My name is Deagan Lockheart, Dr Aycin Lockheart’s brother.” The man’s eyes widened, realising his mistake, he quickly typed her name into the computer.
“East Wing, third floor, Room 306.” He answered casting a hesitant glance between Deagan and the computer screen. Deagan frowned at his behaviour, but thanked him and turned to follow the signs to the east wing.
<To say that Ayc was pissed at Deagan was an understatement, he was sure that Deagan loved Aria, so he felt betrayed on her behalf when he found out that Deagan had moved on already. Hazel had tried to get him to see reason, but the man was stubborn as a mule, once he got it in his mind that he was right, it was virtually impossible to change it.Deagan considered her words for a moment and decided that the woman wouldn’t be telling him anything that he wanted to know, at least willingly, so being the businessman he was; he used that to his advantage.“So let’s make a deal.” Hazel immediately turned wary; she knew that the odds were stacked heavily against her and that Deagan was a brilliant businessman, who knew how to use it in his favour.“What kind of deal.” She winced, knowing
Both men sat silently beside her bed, Deagan growing more and more agitated as the moments passed. Without so much as a word, Deagan stood up off his chair and stalked out of the room. Aycin let out a heavy sigh, knowing that his presence was like a ticking time bomb from the moment he entered the hospital and that bomb just exploded.Hesitantly, Aycin followed him out of the building. There was a storm brewing in both of them and it was probably best that they got it over with. Preferably somewhere far away from that hospital room, the last thing he wanted was to cause Aria more stress.Deagan was sitting on a bench with his head in his hands when Aycin approached him.“Deagan?” his head shot up at the mention of his name.“I can’t just sit back
Aria was laughing at something that Sally said when they heard a commotion in the hallway; they all exchanged a curious look. Just as Aycin was about to peep out the door to find out what the ruckus was all about, a huge figure bounded in the door, almost knocking him over.The humongous teddy bear had to squeeze through the double doorway and followed by the walking stuffed animal were three men pushing carts packed with an array of different flowers. Without another word, they began placing the vases around the room, not bothering about the group of shocked onlookers.“Aww Ayc, was this my surprise?” Aria asked, looking at the huge bear in awe.“Uhh… Yeah?” he said unsurely.Suddenly a screen was pulled out from behind the teddy bear and
“How are you taking this so well?” Aycin asked Deagan as he scarfed down a chicken wrap in the hospital cafeteria, both brothers made their way down when they were sure that Aria was sound asleep and Deagan declared that the last meal he had was when he was on a different continent.“You think I’m taking this well?” Deagan laughed sardonically with a mouthful of food, causing Aycin to cast him a disgusted look.“You eat like a pig, it’s a wonder how women are constantly falling at your feet.” Aycin’s comment made him smirk.“I bet if you hadn’t eaten since America you would also eat like a pig.” Aycin matched his smirk and replied.“Well I haven’t been in America for two weeks, so I proba
“Wow!” Deagan’s eyes widened the moment he stepped into Aycin’s apartment.“Cool, right?” Deagan studied the huge floor-to-ceiling portrait, nodding distractedly.It was the last picture everyone took together at Aria’s birthday celebration the day he proposed… The day she left him.In the picture everyone was laughing at something, it looked so natural and carefree that he found himself loving the picture instantly.“It was the first thing Aria put up in the house, some nights she would fall asleep just staring at this portrait from the couch.” Deagan’s heart clenched, remembering how he missed her in the e
“Good morning Beautiful!” Deagan greeted enthusiastically when he entered Aria’s room and dropped a kiss on her forehead, but Deagan was surprised when she smirked at him in response.“What’s cooking good-looking?” She asked, eying the paper bag in his hand with excitement.“Starbucks.” He smirked and she rolled her eyes.“Well obviously.” She said reaching into the brown bag to pull out her surprise breakfast.“Have I ever told you that you’re amazing?” She asked when she saw the warm English muffin, her favourite.“I don’t recall.” He frowned, resisting the urge to smile.“Well,
“What do you think?” Aria was practically bouncing on her feet awaiting Deagan’s critique. She insisted that he tried Earl Gray tea, swearing that once he did, he would be hooked.“Okay who are you and what have you done with my Aria?” He asked, looking genuinely concerned. Aria’s heart sped up at his endearment ‘my Aria’.What do you mean?” She asked warily, her smile falling instantly.“I mean, you, the girl who couldn’t go without her iced coffee fix even in winter, is swearing that tea is the best thing to grace the earth.” He pointed out, feeling genuinely concerned.“I don’t know, Hazel forced me to taste it one day and I liked it sinc
“Okay Miss London, let’s get this show on the road.” She giggled at his enthusiasm.“Anywhere, in particular, you’d like to see?” She asked, plotting out a basic agenda for the day. When Deagan didn’t answer she turned to face him, ready to ask again but stopped when she saw the far-away look in his eye. She knew that look all too well, he was reminiscing about something.“Kew Gardens.” Aria’s eyes widened at the sudden answer, the word was out of her mouth before she could stop it.“What?” Deagan didn’t seem to notice her wide eyes; instead, he continued staring ahead with a small smile on his face.“It was the next place she planned to visit.” He glanced at her fleet
Unlike other brides, Aria didn’t want to be escourted down the aisle by her father. While their relationship was far better than it had ever been in the past, she held onto the dream she had as a little girl of her grandfather giving her away and since he wasn’t there to do it, she opted to leave the space beside her empty. She sucked in a deep breath as the last of her wedding party exited the mahogany doors and descended the stairs into the backyard. “You okay, Honey?” Her mother asked when she saw the nervous look on her face. “Yeah, just nervous.” Her mother smiled comfortingly. “Why? You’re about to marry the man of your dreams.” Aria blushed at her mother’s words.
“Deagan Lockheart, I swear to God I will cancel this wedding in a heartbeat if you don’t get that creature out of my bedroom right this instant!” Aria screeched from upstairs, gaining the attention of all the guests that were invited for their rehearsal dinner.Deagan with a huge mirthful grin on his face carried the glass tank down the stairs, much to the amusement of their friends and family.“I am going to kill that man and it will be completely his fault, but I’ll have to rot in prison for it.” She mumbled, stomping down the stairs, trying to brush away the escaped wisps of hair that tickled her chin.“Oh honey, he’s just having a little fun.” Aria’s mother tried, but her face morphed into a po
The evening turned to night as the sunset in the sky and before Aria knew it, they were taking the elevator down to the basement parking. She was beyond happy that Deagan was officially taking over D’Heart enterprises, but she had worked herself up to a different kind of happiness which she never received and that was disappointing.“Everything okay?” Deagan asked just as the silent elevator ride came to an end.“Yeah, just a little tired. I’ve kind of been living on coffee this week.” She confessed, blushing when he sent her a disapproving frown.“So all that talk of, ‘I slept well’ was just a hoax?” Aria grimaced and nodded.&ldquo
Aria hopped off the truck with her heart rate erratic and smoothed down the frock of the beautiful red dress. The sweetheart neckline with cap sleeves accentuated her collar bones and the flattering A-line fit made her waist appear smaller. There was a pair of silver heeled sandals inside the box which fit her feet perfectly and complimented the dress in the most subtle way possible.They were parked in front of D’Heart Incorporated as the sunset. She had no idea what to expect, but at the very least she knew she would find the love of her life in that glass skyscraper which calmed all the nerves she felt.The chauffeur handed her another rose, making it the sixth she received that day.Halfway there beautiful, are you ready for a little walk ‘up’ memory lane?
One year laterAria turned to exit the Espresso bar with an iced coffee in hand and her phone in the other.‘You know. I still owe you a cup of coffee.’- Deagan Lockheart ‘Why?’- YouHer eyes were so focussed on the strange text she received from Deagan, trying to decipher what he meant, that she didn’t notice the man in front of her until he placed his hands on her forearms and stopped her midstep.Aria was shocked out of her distraction to find a si
“Sweetheart?” Deagan’s voice pierced through the darkness.“Hmm?” Aria hummed from her position with her head on his chest.“Have you ever considered London home?” Aria bit her lip.“No, not really.”“Have you ever considered moving back to Seattle?” Aria sat up and folded her legs beneath her, prompting him to sit up as well.“I’ve thought about it a few times, more so after the party the other night. I mean it’s cool that you guys are all here right now, but everyone has a life back there and I don’t expect you to stay here forever
Deagan waited patiently outside the ladies’ room as Aria tried to pull herself together, the redness of her eyes refused to subside and the pain in her heart wouldn’t allow her peace.She sighed for the umpteenth time, throwing away the tissue with resignation.“Hey, you okay?” Aycin asked with a worried look in his eye the moment she exited the bathroom.“Not really, but I will be.” Aria smiled, taking Deagan’s outstretched hand.“Just mingle a little, then we’ll run away.” Aycin winked and Aria grinned.Together they made their way back to the table where Alaster’s parents w
Aria blew out a heavy breath as she stepped off the podium, the bright stage lights made sweat bead along her hairline, but despite the discomfort, she was elated at the response she received. The crowd was alight with cheers after she told her story and made the opening pledge towards the charity of her choice.Taking a deep calming breath, she placed her hand in Alaster’s and smiled at the photographer as he escorted her down the stairs.“You were amazing, Aria.” Alaster complimented seriously, making her smile.“Thank you, Alaster, thank you for giving me the honour of doing this.” He nodded at her, smiling tenderly. She was an inspiration that he was proud to call his friend.
“What the hell?” Aycin commented, seeing Andrew seated on Maddie’s bed, feeding her a cup of yoghurt.Maddie looked at Andrew in panic, she knew they would put two and two together when they saw them, but she wasn’t ready for the outburst, especially knowing about Andrew and Amaya’s recent past.“It’s okay, I’ve got this. Did you have enough?” Drew asked, putting the empty cup and spoon down on the table. Maddie nodded and glanced over her shoulder at her family who watched the exchange with confusion and suspicion.“Does someone want to explain what’s going on here?” Uncle William asked sternly when Drew turned around.&