Chapter Sixteen

Ariana's POV;

"And this is the last spot, what do you think?"

That was Marissa.

I had spent about a week in Los Angeles at the time and I still had not seen Damien.

We had been out all day searching for a suitable reception venue. One that would be somewhat close to the church where we would exchange vows. We had a church in mind but Damien and I had to meet the Reverend first.

I stood in the middle of the grand ballroom.

"I'm not feeling it." I said after a while.

I truly wasn't. The hall could take up a large number of guests, it had bright chandeliers, it was everything any bride would wish for but I still was not feeling it.

"What's wrong Ariana? Are you getting cold feet?" She asked concernedly, placing her palm on my shoulder comfortingly.

I exhaled. How was I supposed to say that I did not want this marriage but I didn't have a choice in it? There was nothing I could say to her. I shook my head at her, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat, I asked...

"Damien's hotel has a hall in it, yes?"

"It does." She answered absentmindedly.

I turned to look at her as soon as the idea struck me.

"Marissa! That's it! We could get married at the Catholic Church down the road and drive down to the hotel which is just minutes away for the reception. It would much easier for all of us because I could have a change of clothes immediately after and the guests could lodge in the hotel." I said excitedly. It made perfect sense.

Marissa smiled.

"That's real smart Ariana and it saves costs too because the hotel is owned by the groom."

I nodded and heaved a relieved sigh. At least that was out of the way.

I put a call across to Stella and she loved the idea. She apologized for not being able to make it, because there was an emergency with her husband. When I asked what the problem was, she assured me he was fine and it was just a minor mishap. We ended the conversation after she told me we had to go and pick out my wedding dress in two days.

It made my heart thump erratically whenever I thought of how close the wedding was. Those were the thoughts that occupied my mind until I got into the penthouse suite.

The strong scent of his cologne teased my nostrils. My heart skipped a bit at the thought of him being around.

I walked further into the large living room and found about medium sized boxes. Out of curiosity, I opened them up and was met with the most beautiful set of wedding invitations I had ever seem.

As expected the wedding was strictly by invitation and from what I deduced via the note stuck to the top of one of the boxes, I was allowed to invite about a hundred guests, hence, the invitations sent to me.

At he's letting me invite people from my side, I thought.

The white and gold invitations looked so sophisticated. The hard print in white, had our names and details of the wedding inscribed on it. I had my communicated my thoughts concerning the venue hours back and in no time the invitations had been sent. These things would usually take lots of time but Damien had them made in hours. Money sure opens doors.

Then the opening intricate designs in gold, doused with shimmering butterflies. The back had our names in fine gold font along with the wedding date at the bottom.

"August 30th." I whispered. It wasn't so far away. In three weeks I would be married, it felt like a dream.

I closed the boxes and carried them into the bedroom. When I came back out, I was met with Miguel waiting for me.

"Hola Miguel." I bade with a faint smile.

"Hello Madam." He said back.

"The boss said to inform you about your pre wedding photoshoot that would take place tomorrow."

I gasped.

"Is that necessary?" I asked in shock.

He shrugged.

"Was he here?" I questioned, trying to satisfy my curiosity.

"Yes, he left just before you came." Miguel informed, and I hummed.

"I'll take my leave now." He said while I nodded absentmindedly, deep in thought. He left afterwards.

"How on earth am I supposed to prepare for an impromptu photoshoot?" I thought aloud.

I walked into the bedroom, not wanting to bother myself with it. This was Damien, he most probably had everything sorted out and just wanted to let me know before hand.

I honestly did not find the whole photo shoot thingy necessary because it was not a love marriage. How was I supposed to portray a lovey dovey look with a man I absolutely disliked? I hated his guts and he knew it. Maybe he was trying to get on my nerves again and make me flustered but no, I was ready for him this time.

Game on, Damien.

***

As expected, the next morning, I was driven to an unknown location. The place seemed like an oasis, a much needed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life. I feel in love with the freshness of the greenery and the dazzling blue lake. The sound of the water was absolutely soothing.

"Hi Ariana."

I turned around and was met face to face with Marissa.

"Oh hi,Marissa. I wasn't expecting you to be here." I said truthfully, pulling my hair in place because of the breeze.

"I'm your wedding planner, where else would I be?!" She exclaimed. I just shrugged in response. She looked around and leaned closer to me like she wanted to tell me something in confidence.

"And don't tell Damien but I secretly want to see how romantic he can be. He acts way too tough, plus I'm a sucker for romance."

I narrowed my eyes at her while she shrugged innocently, I threw my head back in laughter.

To think, I actually thought this woman was fierce, intimidating and possibly rigid because she was so strict with her employees. I shook my head as she hurriedly dragged me into the trailer to get my hair and makeup done.

The first outfit was a red dress with a dramatic train. It was long sleeved and somewhat simple. It hugged my curves though, but I could freely move in it. I did not have to wear shoes with it since it was a natural shoot, I was going to have my legs in the water anyway.

The make up was kind of loud though, I had bold red lipstick with a slightly nude eyeshadow, the lash extensions were just fine and not too long. I had press on nails fixed on my fingers, they matched well with my outfit. My hair was packed to the back in a sleek low bun with my edges styled to perfection. I looked amazing.

It was soon time to take photos and I was led out by Marissa. I was nervous, I had never had a photoshoot done and with little prior notice, I did not have time to practice any poses. I was worried about how well I would do.

"Oohhh, now that is one handsome man." I heard Marissa comment and I looked up.

I sucked in a breath as my eyes fell on him. He looked breathtakingly handsome in his dark blue tux with a black bowtie and white inner shirt.

My eyes followed his every move as he glanced around before his gaze fell on yours truly. I looked away shyly when I noticed him walking towards me.

I did not realize his arms were around me until he pulled me into a hug and pecked me close to my lips. I just wanted to sniff him because he smelt so good and looked even better but he didn't have to know that, at least not from me. His muscular body made the tux look even better, those biceps had my eyes glued to them for as long as I could remember.

"Hi darling." He said with a smirk. His grey eyes were laughing at me, he knew I was checking him out.

"Awww." I heard Marissa sigh dreamily in the background but I was just too caught up in his beautiful eyes to care.

"You guys are so cute. But we really have to get started on the photoshoot." Marissa reminded, snapping me out of my daze.

What was wrong with me? I was supposed to be busy hating this man but here I was fawning over his good looks, but I had to admit it even when I did not want to this man is one fine specimen, his attitude was a turn off though.

I slipped out of his arms and faced the camera man who was all set for the shoot. He was just waiting for Damien's go ahead.

We stood in front of the lake, facing each other just as the photographer had instructed. The wind blew the train of my dress which was the concept the team had opted for.

I was told to place my hands on his chest as strong hands held me in place. I was pushed closer to him, to give off a close proximity illusion while he looked down at me, I suppose, affectionately.

We stayed in that pose for a few shots before we switched up to him planting a kiss on my forehead as I looked down. I held my cool as soon as lips touched my forehead but I felt jittery on the inside.

Next thing I knew, I was spun around and held with my back to his chest. One of his arms stayed around my waist while the other was in his pocket. I shivered as he began rubbing his hands around my waist. My face flushed.

"Smile ma'am!"

Now, how was I supposed to smile when he was torturing me with his hands on my body? I looked up at him and realized he was enjoying this. I glared at him subtly before turning to the camera and faking a smile.

The last few poses had me flashing my ring with Damien holding on to my hand with love filled glances while I blushed.

He was good at this. I never thought of him as a picture person but then again since he was always in the media, he must have gotten used to it and he sure looked like a model. If he wasn't a word class business tycoon, I was sure he would be a model and an Oscar winning actor because he hid his expressions so well.

We finished with the first part of the shoot and went to get ready with our second outfits.

The team retouched my makeup and let my hair down. I smiled when I saw the casual outfits that we were to use for the shoot. The jeans and white T-shirt paired with sneakers were customized with our ship name on it.

"#Damriana21." I read out and smiled unknowingly.

"Alright people, Mr Damien does not like to be kept waiting. Chop chop." Marissa clapped her hands, urging the team to hurry up and put finishing touches.

We we soon went outside. I posted the hashtag on my Instagram story with a picture of the lake and people the replies would not stop coming in. I just hoped nobody paparazzi would figure out we were here currently for the photoshoot. I bit on my lower lip, because I was sure I had done something stupid.

I frowned, Damien noticed and asked me what was wrong, I said nothing, because I knew he would be pissed if he found out what I did and that would ruin the shoot. I could not delete the post because it would raise further suspicions, I was truly in a dilemma.

The shoot went on in the woods, and I was able to pull it off without acting like anything was wrong.

When we were done and were about packing up, Damien held me by my wrist and pulled me aside.

"What did you do?" He interrogated. Guilt began seeping through me.

"Nothing." I stood my ground avoiding his gaze.

"I don't think you did nothing because the freaking paparazzi is out there trying to get to us!" He yelled angrily as he pointed out towards where the trailers were parked. I trembled at his tone. This was why I did not want to tell him, it would have ruined the shoot.

"This was meant to be as private until I wanted it out, and when you I asked you what was wrong, you said nothing! I can't believe you, Ariana!"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, kicked a log and walked out on me.

I was tongue tied. I was too overwhelmed by his outburst to say anything. I managed to get a grip and walked away from the spot he left me on into the vehicle that brought me here. Damien had left already, in annoyance.

We managed to scale through the paparazzi and I got to the penthouse in one piece.

My day certainly did not end well.