Amara Villafuerte POV Manfred meant what he said when he told me he’d make our marriage happen, it’s only been five days since he proposed to me at the waterfall, and today the beach is all set up for our private ceremony. Daniel is flying to the island with the marriage certificate he somehow arranged for us, and, since Manfred is insistent that we do things right, he’s bringing a priest with him. I’ve never had him down as the religious type, but I’m a go-with-the-flow kind of girl. “Are you nervous?” Greta asks as she adds a few more pins to my hair. “Not at all, it’s not like there's a lot of people here for me to mess my vows up, in front of.” I smile back at her through the mirror, as she places the pretty, purple orchid among the neat up-do she’s given me. “Oh, sweetheart, marriage is about far more than just the vows. It’s about a love in your heart that overflows. It’s perseverance against all odds. Marriage is not easy. Especially, to a man like Manfred Valderrama.” She
Manfred Valderrama POV “What are you doing out here all alone?” I turn my head away from watching the ocean when I hear her voice come from behind me. I thought she’d be flat-out asleep after all the different ways I’ve made love to her since our guests left the island. “Couldn’t sleep.” I shrug, continuing to watch the waves slide onto the sand and drag back out, again. “We could talk about whatever's on your mind?” She sits down beside me, burying her feet in the sand as I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Some things are better left unsaid.” I kiss the top of her head and smell her hair, despite the coconut undertone of her shampoo, she smells of me, and I love it. “I disagree, I think whatever it is that’s on your mind would feel much better if you shared it. Are you scared about my father being in Manila?” “I’m not scared of your father, Amara.” I shake my head. “I told you, I’m figuring all that out.” Amara called Steven last week and the fact he hasn’t told her he’s in
Amara Valderrama's POV “Everything is progressing perfectly.” Dr. Jonathan Ferrero finishes pressing his hand into my pelvis to check the baby’s position and steps over to the dresser, where his notes are. I can’t imagine how much it must have cost Manfred to fly him out here, it seems over the top considering there are perfectly good doctors less than an hour's boat ride away, on the mainland. “But…” “What do you mean ‘but’?” Manfred stands himself up straight from where he’s been resting his shoulder against the patio door frame, watching my examination, sternly. “Unless you plan on having this baby here on the island, which I wouldn’t recommend, you will have to start making plans for a return to the mainland.” He clears his throat as if he can sense it’s not what Manfred wants to hear. “Amara is only five weeks away from her due date, it’s not recommended that a pregnant mother fly any less than four,” he adds, causing Manfred to run his finger across his lip and nod like he
Mrs. Amara Valderrama POV “Mrs Valderrama, what a nice surprise.” I somehow manage to scramble up off my back and onto my knees when Manfred’s mom waltzes unexpectedly into the living room. “What on earth are you doing?” She studies the yoga mat I was laid on, with a snarl on her lips. “Oh, this? It’s just a little yoga. It will, apparently, help with the birthing side of things, though I’m not sure what aids having to push a six-pound baby out of your…” I stop myself from rambling when the disgust on her face tells me I’m over-sharing. “Drugs, dear.” She clears her throat before lighting up a cigarette, and despite me knowing that Manfred would be mad at her for it, I keep my mouth shut. We may have agreed that her party tomorrow night is a good idea, but the woman still detests me. “Manfred has a few meetings he had to attend, is there something I can help you with?” I use the armchair to help me struggle back onto my feet. I’m so big these days that even doing the minimalist ta
Manfred Valderrama POV I can’t believe Amara would doubt how beautiful she looks right now, and I could curse my mother and her stupid, designer friend for coming here today. I’ve been edgy enough due to the loose ends I had to tie up this morning, that dragged me away from her. And after I convinced Amara that her wedding dress will be the perfect thing for her to wear to Mom’s party, I fuck her in it before we take a bath together. I’m doing all I can to keep her mind off tomorrow night, even if it was her own stupid idea. We have dinner on the patio, and watch some crap on TV, that she’s recently become addicted to. Now, it's time for me to take my wife to bed and worship her. “Come on.” I hold out my hand to help drag her off the couch, placing my other hand under her stomach, to support it, as she stands. She’s really starting to struggle with how heavy it’s gotten. Jonathan Ferrero gave her a scan the day after we got back from the island, and he estimates the baby is almost s
Amara Valderrama POV “Steven, will you not congratulate us? Amara is soon to deliver you a healthy grandson.” There's a sarcastic bite to Manfred’s tone as he strokes his hand proudly over my bump, and my father says nothing, just glances at the crowd surrounding us, looking overwhelmed. “Amara, it's been a while since I saw you.” He manages to pull himself back together and pastes on a smile, “Perhaps you and I could talk in private.” Manfred places himself in front of me, protectively. “I’d like a word with you myself, first,” he tells him. “Very well.” My father nods his head, and when Manfred turns around to face me, the pure rage on his face makes me even more anxious. “I’ll make this right,” he promises, kissing my forehead before he steps towards my father and stands down his guard. “Follow me. I have somewhere private we can talk.” I hear him utter to my father as he passes him, not looking back to check if he follows as he marches back through to the hall. My father shak
Manfred Valderrama POV “Do you want to explain to me what the fuck is going on?” Steven Villafuerte sounds fuming. Despite all my own anger, I manage to remain calm when I close the door to my father’s old office and take a seat behind his desk. “I should kill you!” he snarls at me through his teeth, and I say nothing, just stare the evil bastard right in his eyes. “But you won’t. Innocent women and unborn babies are much more your style,” I point out, waiting for him to show some form of reaction. “What are you talking about, Manfred?” He shakes his head, impatiently. “We both know you marrying my daughter and knocking her up with the next Valderrama heir, is your version of a very distasteful joke. I’ve been out of my mind with worry. It’s almost been a fucking year!” “Don’t give me bullshit, we both know your daughter is nothing to you. Just a pawn. You were going to marry her to the wrinkly, old bastard. You were going to sacrifice her chance of happiness for your own gain,” I
Amara Valderrama POV “This is where Manfred told you to bring me?” I look at the abandoned cabin that Daniel stopped the car in front of. It doesn’t exactly scream ‘Manfred Valderrama’ vibes, which is probably why he’s chosen it as his safe place. I’m just happy the journey is over, we had to go off-road to get here, and it was a very uncomfortable, bumpy ride. My stomach is churning like I’m gonna throw up. “This is it,” Daniel confirms, getting out of the car. He opens the back door and grabs the holdall that’s resting on the back seat. “I hope Manfred packed some comfortable clothes in there.” I smile at him over my shoulder, knowing that Manfred is always attentive to detail. He would have thought this plan through. I have to trust it. Opening my own door, I manage to hoist myself out of the car; just as I’m about to follow Daniel to the door, another pain shoots across my stomach, catching me off guard. I rest one hand on the car roof and rub the side of my tummy with the ot