DYLANIt was lovely, deep under the water, like being in a different world. The water was very clear and schools of bright-hued fish and strange flowers decorated the sand floor.Alena was right next to me enjoying the moment as well and I could see happiness painted on her face.I was in a beautiful place with a beautiful person who definitely had deep secrets she hid but was somehow still smiling like all was well.She was living the moment in the deep blue underworld as free as a bird and I could tell she enjoyed the water. I did too.***For the next couple of days, we visited more diving sites, about ten, indulging in fun underwater experiences.We went on guided walks, and island excursions, cruised during beautiful sunsets and most importantly put aside all our differences, problems, and stress as we lived the moment.I got to hear Alena laugh and smile and even her voice was normal and she was as free as a bird. I knew all of this was temporary. Once we went back to New York a
ALENAEvery moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul.Our honeymoon was something that changed my life—something that gave me a little bit of hope that maybe this marriage wouldn't be as horrible as it appeared when we started off.After all, they say, bad beginnings make good endings.Being back in New York after an eventful getaway to Ibiza was something that saddened me a lot, but we had to come back home at some point.After a few logical calculations, I concluded that Dylan Cameron and I had basically built the foundation of our relationship in Ibiza.There was progress in our relationship, and maybe being alone together had helped us go towards sailing in the same boat.I couldn't exactly tell if everything was permanent in terms of his mood and everything towards me, but I had faith that he now at least considered me a human being.I had woken up quite early in the morning to shower and dress myself up after landing in New York the prev
ALENAA solemn tear escaped my left eye. I was a fool. A disgusting fool. I was stupid and senseless. I meant nothing at all to him, yet he held a special place in my heart.I didn't want to cry. I mentally screamed at my precious tears that he wasn't worth it, but they betrayed me and spilled out anyway. Nothing ever went according to my plan."Are you okay, child?" the older woman asked, holding my hand gently.I furiously wiped away my tears.You are not worth it. Dylan Cameron! I can't keep on crying over you! You've hurt me enough!"I'm okay. I'm just not feeling too well, and I thought of something that made me cry. I'm sorry, I easily get emotional." I lied, and I could tell they weren't buying it.They didn't dare to pursue the topic either. The last thing I needed was pity. Pity made me feel weak, and it just made me cry more."Should we get you a doctor?" Emily asked, squeezing my hand gently."No. I'm good. Did he perhaps leave me a message or anything?" I asked hopefully,
ALENAMy head throbbed painfully. It was as if someone had stabbed a sharp knife into my skull. I threw my head back onto the pillows helplessly.I hoped the pain would subside soon as I closed my eyes, tears involuntarily spilling out. To hell with these migraines.My migraines had the power to bring me down and imprison me. They made me weak and lose my mind. They were very powerful, and that was too occasional.It had been almost three months since my last devastating migraine. That one had left me vomiting, and I became totally paralyzed, and my vision was blurry. During those tough times, I had no one to take care of me. I had myself and my bedroom.I tried to think of what could have triggered the migraine, but I realized it only intensified the pain, so I stopped thinking about it.The pain had persisted for the whole night, and I couldn't even call either Emily or Elizabeth. My legs felt like jelly, and I felt nauseous. My head was spinning, and everything began to appear in c
ALENAI didn't like where things were going."I felt sick, so I didn't want to spoil our bedroom. This is one of my favorite bedrooms in the house, so when he is not around, I seize the opportunity and enjoy this comfort. I don't like being in our bed without him.""Alena, I'm sorry for being too interrogative. Dyl wouldn't like me interrogating his wife like this. I was just curious. I won't ask you silly questions again, I promise," he promised.It was as if he could read my mind. I loved his nature. I felt better, so I sat up and looked at him. All I could see in his eyes was kindness, care, and tenderness."Thank you for coming.""What are friends for, Alena? Every time you need me, just know I'm a phone call away. I will always come to you."I couldn't resist the urge to hug him. I hugged him wholeheartedly, and he hugged me back. His hugs were totally out of this world. Some unexplainable feelings were brewing inside of me. I had never felt like that before."You should go and t
ALENAAxel's Chevrolet Camaro was quite a cool and comfortable car. It was smart and classic, and he treated it like his baby.We had been traveling for roughly half an hour, just enjoying the peace as we listened to the radio and pretended we were both in our own worlds.My head had cooled off a bit, but I could still feel the buzz of the migraine in my head. Whatever drug he had given had surely resurrected me from the dead, and I needed it again in the near future because I could feel my head getting heavier and heavier by the passing minute."How are you feeling, Alena?" Axel asked me as he looked at me shortly, then turned his attention back to the road."My head is getting heavier by the minute. It's getting stronger, but I think I can handle it."I had been through worse. This was nothing I couldn't handle. Fear was suffocating me, though. Everything was suddenly scaring me. I felt like death was knocking at my door.That suffocating feeling was the same feeling I felt minutes
ALENA"Let me buy you something cool. The drug I gave you is very strong. You just have to relax and stop thinking about a lot of stuff. You should be fine soon," Axel said, pulling into the driveway of a food court."Sure. I hope I didn't ruin everything. I really want to have a good time with you.""You didn't ruin anything, Alena. I loved the fact that you were able to trust me and let your emotions out. That's the essence of friendship. Rest assured, we are going to have fun to the fullest," he said, pinching my cheeks playfully."Does Dylan ever stand in for you like this? I mean, you are taking care of me in his absence.""We've known each other since we were kids. We are family friends. He is one of my closest friends, and he has done a lot for me in my life. He would do the same for me.""Does he tell you all of his secrets?" I asked. Why was he oblivious to the fact that we were in an arranged marriage?"Of course not. There are some secrets that I keep from him and some that
DYLAN"Baby, can I come in?" I called out to Gwen as I knocked on our hotel's en suite bathroom door."No!" she screeched, and I heard something fall, probably out of panic."Are you okay, Gwen?" I asked, worried."I'm okay. What I meant actually is you can't come in right now," she told me nervously, and I could tell she was leaning against the door now."It's been close to two hours since you got in there, Gwen. What's going on in there? I'm coming in.""Please no, Dyl. I'm, uh, I'm naked," she announced, making me chuckle."Baby, I know what your naked form looks like, plus we could use that to our advantage." I breathed seductively as a way to convince her to open the door."No Dyl! I'm doing some womanly stuff, and I promise you wouldn't want to know. Give me fifteen minutes, babe, and I promise I'll make it up to you," she coaxed me, and I groaned in annoyance."Ugh. Fine. I won't come in." I groaned, then retreated to our king-sized bed, which was neatly made.I lay on my back
ALENA’S EPILOGUE Our black SUV pulled up in Mom's driveway a little late in the afternoon and we all got out of the car. Amelia was snuggled in her daddy's arms, a place I knew was one of her favourites in the whole world and the way he paid enough attention to her and kept her smiling just made their bond stronger.Aidan and Iris were on either of my sides each holding each of my hands tightly as we walked up the driveway to the main entrance. We had all been looking forward to this family gathering for some time now. Spending time together, catching up on each other's lives and just being there for each other was something we all enjoyed. We were a family and meeting up together like this was always a pleasure."Thank you so much, Mommy, for buying me these pretty sparkly shoes and sparkly dress," Iris squealed excitedly, jumping up and down on her feet as we walked, staring admirably at her new outfit. "I feel like a princess," she added, giving me a brilliant smile that revealed
FIVE YEARS LATERDYLAN’S EPILOGUEThey say that you will never truly understand something until it happens to you.I honestly never paid much attention to this saying until realistic things happening in my own life started weighing much on it and opening my eyes to how everything I was once told about this big mystery called life started unfolding before my own eyes and manifesting in my life.Many a time, Dad would tell me about how marriage and fatherhood changed his life greatly for the better and it barely made any meaningful sense to me, but right now in this very moment, bonding with my baby and showering her with unconditional love made it all make perfect sense.There was something inexplicably intoxicating about seeing our precious bundle of joy happy with a radiant smile on her face. That smile had to be the prettiest thing I had ever seen, for it extended deep into my soul and filled me with joy. I couldn't resist smiling back at her with an even brighter smile, placing the
ALENADylan twirled me around, dipping me as he leaned forward closer to me. Staring at the masterpiece of a husband before me, my breathing became shallow and my heart felt heavy in my chest.Dylan pulled me back up into his arms and I rested my head on his chest and let him sway my body as the chorus rolled in. The song twirled like thread around us, the rhythm of our bodies simply passionate and majestic. I was deep in love."Alena, you're the inspiration for this precious song, and I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on. So now I say goodbye to the old me, it's already gone. And I can't wait to get you home, just to let you know, you are...""The love of my life," we whispered together in unison as I joined him in saying some of the lyrics along to the song playing.I was crying. He was way too sweet. I never imagined he'd be able to love me this much and take our relationship to a whole new level.Couples eventually started joining us on the dancefloor. I looked
ALENADylan pulled me towards him gently but firmly by my waist and he placed his lips firmly on mine, cupping my cheek with his hand.His lips were soft, almost silken against my own. Our lips fitted perfectly as if they were meant for each other. Moving against each other, feeling each other.Warmth blossomed in my chest, sparks igniting. This was beautiful and magical, a dream come true. When we pulled away from each other, the crowd was cheering loudly for us, clapping and everything.We both chuckled, holding hands tightly. We turned and faced everyone. Their cheers grew even louder and more enthusiastic.I could see Mom sitting in front with Benjamin, Steve and Celeste. Ezra was in front on the other side with Axel, Sophie and Elizabeth. Everyone else followed behind them. They all looked happy for us.Dylan and I stepped down from the wedding altar and we proceeded down the aisle. Everyone rose and started throwing confetti at us as we walked out. It was perfect.I looked up at
ALENA"Of course, I will. When can we start making the preparations?"Dylan laughed, pinching my nose. "Silly, I mean today. Everything is already set. You just have to get ready and walk down the aisle.""You're kidding right?""I'm dead serious, honey. Everything's the way you wanted it and mostly your choice. I know this isn't our first wedding, but I want us to consider this our actual wedding because the previous wasn't even one. This time around, I'm marrying you willingly with pride."I laughed, failing to believe this. "How? I can't believe this.""Believe it, baby. We're getting married and this time around the proper way. I've been so excited to finally take you as my wife the proper way and give you the joy you deserve. I want to marry you, Alena.""Dylan, how did you even think of this? Just how?" I asked him, blinking away my tears.He wiped away my tears with his hands. "Because I want to see you happy and make your dreams come true. It's called love, honey. You've drown
ALENADylan opened the door of his car on my side and I stepped out, taking his hand which he had extended politely towards me to help me out. I murmured a polite thank you with a smile on my face as he helped out and closed the door once I was standing next to him.We linked arms and he gave me a small peck on my forehead before we started walking down the pathway that led to the dock of a beautiful lake.There were bright heart shaped lanterns hanging on tree branches and rose petals artistically scattered on the pathway we were walking on. Star shaped twinkle lights were wound around branches and lining the pathway. It was breathtakingly beautiful.It was a beautiful sunset and it felt extraordinarily magical with the water in the lake glimmering beneath the beautiful sky, looking calm and inviting.I had no idea if it was the beautiful weather and scene that added the special magical effect or if it was the exceptional man right next to me, holding me like his entire life depended
DYLANI loved it when she played dirty. I loved seeing that side of her that only I knew. I loved this state where she was raw, untamed and fierce sexy."Naughty girl," I chuckled, smacking her butt firmly. She winced, her lips cracking into a wider smile."If I am naughty, what are you?" she purred, pressing her body firmly into mine. She bit her bottom lip tenderly, looking at me with lust filled eyes."Your sexy husband who loves bringing the naughtiness out of you." I smacked Alena's butt one more time, pressing her body into mine at the same time."Ah," she moaned, throwing her head back. She loved it.I took my spoon and scooped some ice cream onto it. I trailed the spoon from her earlobe down to her throat. She shivered, looking at my hand. "Cold," she breathed."I'll set you on fire," I promised and with those words, I smashed my lips onto her neck, earning a loud moan from her.I held her firmly close to me by her butt as I attacked her neck with deep kisses, soft nibbles and
DYLANShe took her wine glass from me and looked up at me, taking a step closer. "Careful what you wish for, Princess. I want to, I can and I will eat you," I said, closing the small gap between us."Is that a promise?" she asked me, running her finger slowly down my torso. I had been working out a lot to get back in shape. All my hard work hadn't gone to waste."It is," I affirmed, brushing my lips against her smooth skin. "And you know I never break my promises."Alena stood on her toes and she pecked my lips. She held both of our glasses, looking deep into my eyes with her bottom lip between her white teeth. I poured the wine and took my glass from her."What are we toasting to?" she asked me."To us. To our lives, love, freedom and everything we ever wanted that we can proudly say we achieved.""Cheers to that," she said, raising her glass."Cheers." We clicked our glasses and washed down the red wine together in one go. We had a second round and we drank the wine in the same mann
DYLAN"No," she mumbled quietly. She was crying."Show me your face. I want to look at you," I spoke softly."Do I have to?" she replied quietly. She sounded cute and in my head, I could see a cute pout on her lips as she said so. That made me smile."Yes. You have to," I murmured, kissing her temples. Alena slowly pulled away from me and she sat up, facing me. She had tears in her eyes and a few had fallen down her cheeks. I wiped them away using my thumbs."And why is my beautiful princess crying when we're supposed to be celebrating?" I asked her, taking both of her warm hands into mine. I planted sweet kisses on both of them and looked up at her. "I don't know," she mumbled, looking at our hands. "Tears of relief if there's anything of that sort I guess.""You don't have to hide your feelings from me, you know. It's okay to cry if you feel like it. We all express joy and relief in different ways.""Does that mean I can bawl my eyes out and you'll still be okay with it?""Hmmm...