Chapter Nineteen
Damien's POV;
I watched through the floor to ceiling window in my office, the busy streets. The loud honks of vehicles from a distance along with the usual hustle and bustle that came with a normal Los Angeles day.
This was one of those times when I would just sit and reflect on a lot of things. I had construction projects my workers were yet to complete and with deadlines to meet, I was really stressed out but no one noticed, no one actually cared. I grimaced at the thought.
I was taking a break from work but I knew I had to go back in soon enough. Just then I thought to the matter that had been on everyone's lips; my wedding ceremony.
It was about a week to the wedding, my team was going to release our pre wedding photos soon. I had spent roughly eight million dollars. It's a small amount compared to the billions I'm worth but some people saw it as an outrageous amount of money to spend on a one day event.
I had to give the world an illusion of the picture perfect marriage and the perfect way to start was through an extravagant wedding ceremony.
I had not seen my bride since the pre wedding photoshoot. A small part of me wondered if she missed me but I dismissed it, fully aware that she was happy to not have me around. I let her enjoy it because I knew by the end of the next week, it would be an entirely different ball game.
I had not spoken to her either but I knew her every move. My guards never failed to update me on her whereabouts and activities. She did not know it but I had a tracker planted in her engagement ring, that was why I warned her to never take it off, so I could easily figure out her location. I did the same with our customized wedding rings that had our names engraved on them, her diamond wedding band also had a tracker just in case she took off the engagement ring after the ceremony. I doubted she would do that though because that ring was just too beautiful.
Idly, I scrolled through my iPhone, I was typically not the phone type but for once, I had to admit I was bored. I scrolled through my messages on Instagram, I was thoroughly amused when I saw different women, fans and celebrities alike pleading with me to not tie the knot, while others begged for a wedding invite. It was hilarious.
I was not okay with the venue she had chosen for the reception but I was too occupied to argue it out, besides it was already written on the invitation and the cards had been sent out.
Why my hotel? Of all places? Was she trying to save costs? I shook my head at the thought. Ariana could be so forward.
I was not complaining about what I spent but she would rather go out of her way to save costs on every little thing. I heard from my mother that she was against picking a dress of just a hundred thousand dollars. I scoffed. She was just pretending to not like it, I knew. What sort of woman would not jump at such an opportunity to have a high class wedding? I took her actions as an act to win me and my family over but I would not fall for it. Not at all.
I sent my jets out to specific locations to convey important invites straight to venue. The cards were their tickets to board the jet and their flight schedules had been emailed to them. Most of them would arrive two days to the wedding, except Ariana's guests who would have to arrive earlier. I noticed she had a small circle and that meant the people on her list meant a lot to her. I made sure my team would look over them properly whenever they arrived.
As for Ariana, I did not plan on seeing her until the wedding day and nothing would change it.
My eyes fell on my new Rolex watch I got as a pre wedding gift from Aiden, I knew it was a way of trying to convince me to book strippers for my bachelor party that would hold a night before the wedding. I chuckled. He was smart but I was smarter.
I had spent over thirty minutes resting, it was about time I got back to work.
"Alexa, shut the blinds." I said to my virtual assistant.
"Shutting window blinds." She said just as I watched the black window blinds come to a close.
I spinned on my swiveling chair and positioned myself in front of my desktop computer.
Alden's call came in just as I was getting deep into my work.
"Smith, what is it?" I said exasperatedly.
"Hey Mr. Grumpy pants." He said playfully.
This dude was way too carefree and was quite the opposite to me.
"Why are you calling?"
"Straight to the point as always..."He mumbled.
"Aiden." I said sternly.
"Fine, I just wanted to ask if you've thought about my request." He said, I imagined him scratching the back of his neck.
"What request?" I feigned obliviousness, leaning back and rocking slowly on my swiveling chair.
"You know what we talked about Kingston, don't play with me." He said seriously. I chuckled deeply.
"I'm not bringing any strippers to my bachelor's party Aiden, it's going to be a game night with the boys." I stated.
"But there's no fun when there aren't hot chics around." He whined in a childlike manner.
And, I thought I was a womanizer.
"Come on, Damien let's head to the club and have a night of fun with the guys instead of your boring idea. Have some last minute fun before you get hitched man!" He went on and on, thinking of ways to convince me.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, tired of his tirade.
"If I say yes, would you let me be?" I asked.
"Of course, I'll arrange everything!"
"Fine." I gave in.
He whooped, I was so sure he did a fist pump.
"Now get off my phone."
"Sure thing, talk to you later man."
I hung up before he could say anything else.
I shook my head, Aiden was such a kid, I wondered how he was able to handle his businesses so well. Well, I had to get back to work.
I had my secretary bring me some black coffee. I needed it, because it was going to be a long night.
****
Ariana's POV;
It was exactly four days to the wedding. I breathed in and out at the thought. I had hardly stepped out of the suite except when I had to go for a fitting. My final fitting was today and I was going to get my dresses, finally.
Fiona and Lucy were my only bridesmaids, I did not have anyone else that would be there for me in that aspect. Their dresses were ankle length sparkly silver sequin dresses, with sweetheart necklines, spaghetti straps and thigh high slits, paired with matching d'orsay heels. I had Lucy's measurement before hand so her dress was ready because I had no idea when she was going to arrive.
Fiona had been with me in the suite, she took a break from school to keep me company after I casually mentioned that I got really lonely in the suite while we went dress picking for her dress. Her gesture warmed my heart truly and I sincerely was grateful for having such a sweet sister in law.
"Alright Fiona, are you ready?" I asked.
"Yeah let's go.Your last dress fitting is today! Oh my gee!" She exclaimed and gave me a hug in excitement.
I rolled my eyes and chuckled at her antics. Fiona, the drama queen.
"Let's go." She hopped ahead of me as I shut the front door behind me.
*****
It all turned out to be a success, everything was perfect. I had fallen in love with my dress and I was somewhat looking forward to wearing it on the wedding day.
"Congratulations once again ma'am." Leah bade as we left the shop.
"Thank you, Leah." I gave her a sweet smile and a hug before leaving.
She had been of immense help to us during the last few weeks and I just had to appreciate her.
Miguel tucked the well concealed dress along with the rest of the package in the trunk, he shut it and we drove off shortly afterwards.
When we got back to the hotel, I tried getting our stuff out of the trunk with Fiona but Miguel and the rest of the guards would not let us.
"You all are hell bent on making me lazy." I complained with my hands on my hips.
"You're the bride ma'am, you need to be pampered." Miguel commented just as he directed the guards close by to help us get our stuff up in one piece. I shook my head.
Fiona and I followed, chatting away. I noticed the stares as we moved, now everyone knew I was the bride whose wedding had been the talk of the town, the 'Hi, congratulations!', would not stop. I accepted all of them politely and was glad there was an elevator for VVIPs'.
I would never have found out that the hotel had a massive pool area if not for Fiona, I never had the chance to walk around. She wanted us to go down there few days back but I declined with the excuse of not having a bikini. I just did not want to expose my body, it made me absolutely uncomfortable.
My phone rang as soon as we got to the top floor. I dug it out from my purse while I walked with Fiona ahead of me. I finally found it, slid on the green button as I walked towards the suite.
"Hello?" I said into the phone as I pushed the door open and walked in.
"Surprise!" I heard yells in unison from all corners of the room that startled me so much, I almost dropped my phone.
"Dad!!!" I screamed and ran straight into his arms. He carried me like he used to do when I was a child, I was literally hung over his shoulder as I squealed, I wonder how he was able to pull that off.
"How? What? When?" I asked incoherently, truly overwhelmed with shock.
"Relax." Lucy came forward and hugged me, I hugged her back, still in shock though.
"Your fiance's assistant informed us that we would arrive earlier than the rest of the guests via email. Oh my goodness Ariana, I flew a on private jet! All thanks to you!" Lucy exclaimed.
I gaped.
"Damien flew you guys here by Jet?" I asked in bewilderment.
Lucy nodded.
"You didn't know? That's how most of your guests are arriving."
Just how many jets did this man have? I thought. This man I was marrying was just full of surprises.
"He sure knows how to surprise his woman, your reaction is priceless!" Lucy said, giggling. I smiled at her.
"Don't mind me, you're welcome. How was your flight?." I dismissed with the wave of my left hand.
Lucy suddenly started jumping and screaming.
"What's wrong?"
We all turned to her with worried looks.
"Ariana your ring is so dazzling!" She exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes. I honestly didn't know who was the more dramatic woman in my life, there were so many contenders.
"Thank y..." My words got stuck in my throat all of a sudden as I sighted the last person I expected to see.
Now this was the biggest surprise of all.
"Nolan?!"
"Hola bebita." He said with a soft smile. (Hello baby girl.)
He spread his arms out slowly and without thinking I ran into them. I hugged him so tight.
"Easy Ariana, I can't breathe." He said in a suffocated voice. I backed up a bit.
"I didn't think you would come." Tears stung my eyeballs while I said that.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He said and kissed my forehead.
I hugged him again and we stayed locked in each other's embrace for a while until someone cleared their throat.
Relax, it wasn't Damien. It was Lucy.
