Diego clenched the steering wheel driving back home.
'Marriage' Just the thought it sent an icy wave of anger washing over him.
His phone buzzed insistently in the cupholder. Frowning, he glanced at the screen, not entirely sure what to expect. he quickly pulled over to the side of the road.
His heart skipped a beat realizing it was from his dad.
With reluctance He unlocked the screen, heart sinking as he read the message:
"Get ready, we're having dinner at Mr. Kenneth's place tomorrow."
Diego's jaw clenched in an immediate reaction. He wanted to throw the phone out the window, but instead, he punched the steering wheel hard. A blaring horn echoed through the night, startling a few birds into flight. "Damn it, Dad!" he shouted, his voice breaking into a mixture of frustration and anguish. "Why are you so hellbent on ruining my life?"
His voice lowered to a cruel whisper as he exhaled sharply, the weight of his emotions suffocating him. "Why can't you just let me live?" Anger surging within him
"Dinner at Mr. Kenneth's house."
The thought of Lucia made his blood boil. Not because she was a terrible person—he didn't know her well enough to say that—but because she represented everything he was resisting. The mention of marriage was like a noose tightening around his neck, choking him slowly.
Diego gripped the steering wheel tightly as he reversed back driving through the winding roads leading to Diana's place.
Finally he pulled up to her quaint house, his stomach twisted,parking the car quickly he took a deep breath, and stepped out, steeling himself forward.
He approached the door and knocked, the sound echoing in the silence that welcomed him. Seconds turned into an eternity as he waited. Finally, he heard the loud sound of footsteps approaching from inside, and the door creaked open.
Diana stood there, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, an expression of indignation etched on her face. "What do you want, Diego?" she snapped, her voice clipped and cold.
"Diana, can we just talk? Please?" he pleaded, leaning against the doorframe, desperation creeping into his tone. "I know things are a bit messy but we can figure this out"
"Get away from me!" she shouted suddenly, her eyes flashing with anger.
Diego felt the heat rush to his cheeks. "What the hell, Diana? I just want to explain!" The distance between them felt like a chasm,But her refusal to even let him in stung more than he had anticipated.
"Explain what? That you're off shuffling into some shallow marriage with Lucia while I sit here watching it all unfold? I can't trust you right now!" She flared, the bitterness dripping from her every word.
Each accusation felt like a slap, and Diego swallowed hard. "It's not how you think! I didn't ask for any of this! You know me better than that!"
"Do I?" she shot back, shaking her head vehemently. "You've changed, Diego! You're not the person I thought you were!"
He opened his mouth to respond, but the words fled him. Instead, he felt a wave of frustration crash over him. He couldn't believe she would shut him out so quickly. "Diana, please!" he tried once again, softer this time, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Just leave me alone!" She slammed the door in his face, the sound reverberating through his chest like a gunshot.
For a moment, he just stood there, dumbfounded by the abruptness of it all. His heart raced, a mix of anger and hurt swirling inside him. She didn't even give him a chance. The weight of the day pressed heavily on his shoulders, and with every breath, his fraustration increased.
Without thinking, Diego turned on his heel and stormed back to his car, he got in and slammed the door, letting out a furious sigh. "Unbelievable," he muttered under his breath.
With a jolt, he started the car,engine roaring to life as he backed out. He didn't want to go home, not after this. He couldn't bear the thought of facing his father and the barrage of questions about tomorrow's dinner. He needed a refuge, a place to breathe and just… be.
He drove back through the streets,He wouldn't return home to confront those expectations or the weight of his family's choices. No, he'd rather stay in a hotel, away from the chaos.
Diego finally reached the hotel,He parked and went inside.The clerk greeted him with a warm smile, and for a fleeting moment, Diego thought that maybe this was exactly what he needed at the moment.
"I'd like a room, please," he said, keeping his voice steady.
After a few quick exchanges, he signed the paperwork, and with a keycard in hand, he headed to the elevator.
Reaching his floor, he quickly unlocked the door to his room and stepped inside, but it was his for the night, a little haven away from notifications, expectations, and anger.
Diego dropped his bag on the bed and let out a shaky breath. He walked to the window, Closing his eyes, letting the cool glass against his forehead ground him.
___________
Megan stood in front of a mirror appling a touch of foundation, smoothing it over her skin with practiced ease.
It wasn't easy keeping her thoughts in check, especially with Aiden weighing heavily on her mind. As much as her heart raced at the prospect of seeing him.
After finishing her eyeshadow, she swiped on a vibrant shade of lipstick. Megan inspected her reflection, adjusting her hair falling in soft waves, " i look so hot, Aiden would definitely go crazy seeing me"she thought confidently
Just as she was about to grab her purse, the door swung open, and her mother walked to her,her brows arched in surprise. "I guess you're going out," she said, her gaze sweeping over her made-up face.
Megan blinked, momentarily distracted from her preparations. "Yeah, please don't wait up. I won't be returning until dawn," she replied, still busy with tidying up her lips, a hint of nervousness creeping into her usually assured tone.
"Are you still seeing Aiden?" Her mother question sliced through her focus, causing her to pause immediately,She turned slowly to face her.
"Yes," she answered, summoning every ounce of courage she could muster. "I'm going over to his place." The admission was simple, yet it felt heavy.
Her mother studied her for a moment, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. To her surprise, the air between them felt lighter than it had in recent weeks. "Stay safe, darling," she finally said, a genuine warmth in her voice. Her mother demeanor held an almost reassuring quality that made her chest tighten. As she turned to leave, Megan remained frozen in place.
The door clicked shut behind her, and she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She had expected more of a lecture or at least questions laden with skepticism—anything but this new, relaxed attitude. It left her feeling bewildered and slightly off balance. Why were her parents so accepting of this relationship with Aiden after all this time? What were they conspiring.
Megan plopped on her bed with a soft thud, scrolling through her messages. Aiden hadn't texted yet.
Sure enough, just when she started to question her worth, her phone buzzed, and Aiden's name lit the screen. Her heart leaped as she rushed to check the message.
"Hey! Just finished up some stuff at home. Can't wait to see you. See you soon?"
She smiled, fingers flying over the screen as she typed: "Can't wait either! Just getting ready now. See you!"
Picking up her back she walked downstairs storming to her car, jumping on it,she drove off at once.
Meanwhile her dad stood at his room from up watching through the window view as a dreaded mysterious smirk appeared on his lips.
Megan drove to Aiden place humming her favourite song,the thought of meeting Aiden alone made her so elated.
Immediately she got to Aiden House,she stepped out of the car approaching the door, Before she could even knock, the door swung open to reveal Aiden, standing there with a charming smile that made her heart leap.
"Hey there," he greeted, and before she could respond, Megan rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing him tight. He chuckled, wrapping her in his embrace, lifting her slightly off the ground as he held her close.
A moment later, he gently lowered her, laughing as he stepped back to look at her. "Wow, someone's excited. Did you miss me that much?"
"Of course I did!" she beamed, her eyes sparkling. "You have no idea. What's going on? Did you cook something special?"
"First, take a seat, baby," he said, giving her a playful nudge toward the dining room as he pulled out a chair for her. The table was decked out surprisingly well, a colourful display of dishes that made Megan more happy. She took her seat, eagerly glancing at the dishes across the table.
There were roasted vegetables, fluffy rice pilaf, and her favorite—creamy garlic mashed potatoes which made her stomach grumbled in anticipation.
The sight was enough to leave her impressed. "Wow, babe! Did you prepare all this?" she gasped, hardly able to believe her eyes.
"Yep!" Aiden beamed proudly, setting the dishes on the table before leaning in closer to her with a cheeky grin. "I thought it would be nice to make something special for our night together. I hope you're hungry!"
Megan could hardly contain her delight as she surveyed the spread. The rich aroma wafting through the air made her stomach growl louder, and she couldn't help but smile. "This looks incredible! You did all this by yourself?" She marveled, her heart swelling with appreciation. The effort he'd put in made her feel cherished and loved.
"Guilty as charged," Aiden replied, all mock-seriousness as he pretended to wipe nonexistent sweat from his forehead. "I spent all afternoon in the kitchen. Good thing I remembered to keep some fire extinguishers handy."
Megan burst into laughter, the sound bubbling from her as she watched him feign exhaustion. "You're ridiculous! But seriously, Aiden, this looks amazing! You're like a gourmet chef now!"
"Just for you, babe," he said, winking as he plated food onto her dish, serving her with the same care he had shown when he pulled out her chair. "I wanted to impress you, though I know you aren't the foodie type"
"You've definitely succeeded," she replied, her heart warming at the thoughtfulness he had shown.
"Alright, chef," she said after a while, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms triumphantly. "What's your secret? Is there something special in the mashed potatoes? Because they are out of this world!"
Aiden grinned, leaning closer. "A secret ingredient I can't share, or else I'd have to take you out to dinner every night."
"Fine, but I expect to be invited to the secret restaurant, whenever you open it," she joked, her heart soaring.
"And you'll be my most loyal customer," Aiden said causing Megan to blush hard.
They continued chatting over the meal each moment felt perfectly stitched together, like Megan realized just how much she cherished him—more than she had imagined possible.
Finally, after finishing the last bite, Megan leaned back in her chair, patting her stomach in satisfaction. "That was incredible, Aiden. You seriously need to teach me how to make all of this."
Aiden chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Next time, we'll have a cooking lesson together"
Megan laughed, "I can't wait. You might even inspire some of my famous burnt toast."
"Now that's something to look forward to!" he teased, grinning back at her.
"Aiden," Megan called out turning to face him, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. His attention shifted from the television screen to her, his eyes bright with curiosity.
"Yeah, babe?" he asked, a smile illuminating his face that made her heart flutter.
"I got the opportunity to work on a project with the Glowy team!" Her voice bubbled with excitement, and she watched Aiden's expression transition from curiosity to delight.
"Wow, babe, that's incredible!" he exclaimed, his smile widening as he reached for her hand, "You've always wanted to collaborate with them. This is huge!"
Megan felt a rush of joy at his reaction. She had been anxious about how he would receive the news, hoping it would spark the same excitement in him as it did in her. "i know and I can't wait to get started. It's such a big step for me, Aiden."
"That's amazing, Meg! You deserve this," he said, squeezing her hand gently. His encouragement melted away her nerves.
Megan suddenly realized something was amiss. "Uh, baby, your sister Cassie... I haven't seen her around," she said, glancing around the lightly lit living room.
The smile that had been illuminating Aiden's face faltered,"She had to handle some urgent work," Aiden replied, his tone shifting
"Oh, I see," Megan said, a small frown appearing on her face. She had thought Cassie might pop in, considering they had all spent so much time together. "I hope everything's alright," she added, though a part of her felt a twinge of disappointment"
"She'd wished to see you, babe," Aiden said, his voice gentle.
"I can always see her some other time," Megan replied, trying to read the mood. She didn't want the moment to lose it light.
Aiden nodded, "Yeah, I'm sure she'd love that. She's been looking forward to seeing you again."
"Not too bad," she answered, but her tone was firm.
"I don't know, Aiden but there is something I've been wanting to talk to you about" Megan uttered her expression now demure.
"Okay, you've got me curious. What's that?" He leaned into her, concern etched in his expression.
She hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's about my parents."
Aiden nodded, encouraging her to continue. "What about them?"
"They seem... different. I mean—" she paused, trying to piece together her thoughts. "They're acting as if everything is fine between us, as if the past few days of arguments and tension didn't exist at all. It's frustrating."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, absorbing her words. "What do you mean? Is this a bad thing?"
"I don't know!" Megan exhaled sharply. "I guess I just don't trust it. I don't understand how they can just pretend that nothing happened. I feel like this isn't real."
Aiden took a moment to process that. "Well, maybe they're trying to turn over a new leaf. How do you feel about it?"
"I don't know how I feel about it. I'm glad they're trying, but it feels so unusual, like they are up to something,i can't just shake the suspicion that they're only acting this way to support me as if this is just a phase, and once I move on with my life, they'll revert back."
"That sounds tough," Aiden said softly, placing a comforting hand on her back. "Have you talked to them about it?"
"No,I haven't" Megan replied
"I get it," Aiden said, his fingers gently stroking her arm. "But maybe it's worth giving them a chance? Maybe this is their way of saying they want to change."
Megan pondered that for a moment. "You might be right. It's just so confusing. It's like I don't know who they are anymore."
"Maybe you should focus on how you feel," Aiden said carefully. "How does this affect you?"
"It makes me feel like I'm stuck in limbo," Megan said, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I want to be able to share everything with them, but I can't even trust that they're engaged with my life properly."
Aiden nodded in understanding. "And that's completely valid"
Taking a deep breath, Megan shifted the conversation. "This overwhelming uncertainty has made me think about what we want, Aiden..."
"What do you mean?" he asked, tilting his head slightly in confusion.
"I was thinking that maybe... as we move forward in our relationship, we should consider seeking their blessings for our future. You know, talk about marriage?"
Aiden's expression changed almost immediately. The light in his eyes dimmed, and his brows furrowed. "Megan, I don't know if that's a good idea."
Her heart sank at the abruptness of his rejection. "What? Why not?"
"It's not like that," he replied, his voice firm but soft. "I mean, I care about you deeply, but I still have a lot of things I want to achieve before thinking about marriage."
Megan recoiled slightly, hurt by the sudden distance in his tone. "So, you don't want me in your life? You don't see a future with me?" The question slipped out before she could cage it, tinged with a vulnerable edge that made her heart race.
"No! That's not it!" Aiden rushed to clarify, running a hand through his hair in fraustration "I just... I'm not ready for marriage yet. I have plans, dreams I want to pursue. It's not about you; it's about where I am in my life right now."
"But don't you think being together means thinking about these things?" she asked, trying to mask the hurt in her voice.
"Of course! But I want to be able to give you everything you deserve—all my focus, all my time." Aiden stressed the words as his eyes flickered with sincerity. "I don't want to rush into anything because I love you, and I want it to be perfect."
Megan felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. "But what does perfect mean? Can't we build that together?"
"I want to, but I'm also being honest with you." Aiden took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Right now, I need to establish my career, my own independence. I want to be successful before I think about bringing another person into the equation."
Megan stared at him, confusion swirling in her mind. "But marriage isn't just about all of that. It's about love. It's about being there for each other through all the ups and downs."
"I agree, but it's also a commitment that I take seriously," Aiden replied, his voice steady. "And I want to make sure I'm in a place where I can uphold that commitment fully."
She took a deep breath, trying to rein in the tangled emotions spiraling inside her. "So you're saying that until you have your life completely figured out, we can't even discuss the future? That doesn't feel right."
Aiden exhaled slowly, frustration lacing his voice. "It's not that simple, Meg. I don't want to rush into things just because there's a societal expectation. Our relationship deserves more than that."
"I know," she whispered, feeling a lump form in her throat. "But I'm not asking for the world right now. I just want to know that we're headed in the same direction."
"I want that too," Aiden said, his tone softening, though there was still a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "But can't we take our time? There's no rush, you know?"
"Time?" she echoed, trying to mask the wavering in her voice. "Sometimes I feel like time is passing us by—like it's slipping away and we're on two separate paths."
"But can you see the bigger picture? We're both young, and there's so much we can experience. I have goals I need to achieve first, and I want you by my side while I do it," he insisted, his voice holding a note of pleading.
Megan felt her resolve slumping as doubt crept in. "What if I want to be part of those goals, Aiden? What if we could build things together? Isn't that what a partnership is?"
"I want that! You know I do!" he exclaimed, frustration creeping into his tone. "This isn't about us not being partners. It's about me wanting to provide you with the life I think you deserve. I feel like I can't do that if I'm not stable first."
Megan turned away, her feelings swirling in a tempest of confusion, doubt, and hurt.
"Megan..." Aiden's voice was softer now, a hint of desperation behind the words. "Please don't misunderstand me. What I feel for you hasn't changed. I still want to be with you. Just... give me a little time."
"Then you have to be fast Aiden,"Guess I still haven't told you about my parents plan,to get me into an arranged marriage" Megan announced
"What?An arranged marriage—How come you never told me" Aiden replied harshly
"I felt there was no use telling you,it wasn't going to hold in the first place" Megan replied touching his face.
"Who were they planning to sell you off to" Aiden uttered clenching his fist.
"I have no idea,they wouldn't tell me" Megan said!
"Did your parents ever thought of me before trading you off" Aiden continued,anger rising in his chest.
"It's not like that, Babe it's never going to happen,I won't let them control me" Megan said with firm determined tone.
"So what happens if I don't get married to you, you're leaving me for some random guy"
"Stop it, Aiden,I never for once thought of leaving you, please understand" Megan pleaded.
"Rubbish" Aiden cursed smashing a glass against the wall.
"Are you serious?" he said sharply, his voice rising. "Your parents think so little of me l, like I'm not the right guy for you"
"It's not how it seems," Megan replied, feeling panic creep into her chest. "I didn't want them to pressure me into this, but they think it's what's best for me.
"Why would they think that?" he roared, his voice echoing in the small kitchen. "Do they really think I'm not good enough for you?"
"Megan, this is insane!" Aiden raged, the heat rising in his cheeks. In a fit of anger, he snatched another glass from the counter and hurled it against the wall. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the room,
"Aiden, please!" she pleaded, an urge to calm him taking hold. "It's not just their decision—"
He cut her off, his frustration coiling tightly in the air. "No, this is beyond that. Your parents are undermining our relationship! Do they think I can't provide you the life you deserve?"
Aiden seized a decorative vase from the table and smashed it on the floor causing Panic to seized Megan as she rushed towards him, her instinct to quell the storm churning within him.
"Aiden! Stop!" she cried, grasping his arm. But in a sudden motion fueled by grief and fury, he turned and caught her by the neck, pinning her back against the wall.
Megan gasped, shock coursing through her veins as she struggled against his grip, her heart racing in fear. "Aiden, please! You're hurting me!" she choked out, the pressure around her throat tightening with every panicked beat of her heart.
The fire in Aiden's eyes flickered for just a moment as he realized what he was doing. In those fleeting seconds of clarity, he released her, stepping back as horror filled his gaze. "What have I done?" His voice dropped to a whisper.
Megan slumped against the wall, breathing heavily as she rubbed her neck, the warmth of his anger lingering like an unwanted shadow. Aiden moved closer again, his face filled with alarm and regret. "My God, baby, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to… I just—"
Before she could respond, he rushed in running and He hurried back returning with a glass of water, his hands shaking. "Here, drink some," he said gently, lifting it towards her.
She took the glass, allowing the coolness of the water to seep into her parched throat. "I'm sorry, Aiden," she managed, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to set you off. I just wanted you to know what's happening."
"No, it's me who's sorry," he said, kneeling before her, the weight of his actions heavy in the air. "I let my anger get the best of me, once again.
It somehow got used to Megan as this wasn't the first time Aiden had shown this side of himself to her , but despite all this,she still found herself running back to him to some idiot.
Megan felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes,"It's just so overwhelming," she whispered, her heart aching for the man she loved. "I didn't want to keep it a secret from you, but I knew how upset you'd be."
Aiden reached up, brushing his thumb gently over her cheek. "I would have never wanted to hurt you like that. I was just so angry about how they are treating you. You deserve better than to be pushed into something you don't want."
"All I want is for you to understand," she murmured, holding his gaze, desperate for affirmation. "I don't want an arranged marriage. I want to be with you."
"I know," he replied, "It's just hard to see the woman I love being reduced to someone's choice. Your parents don't see how special you are, how amazing you are, and it drives me insane."
Megan nodded, the ache in her heart partially soothed. "It's not just about us. They've made choices for me my entire life. It's like they don't trust me to make my own decisions."
"Then we need to make them see that. Together. I won't let them dictate our future," Aiden said, resolve setting into his features.
Megan could see the fire in his eyes still blazing.
"Of course," he said, caressing her face again, brushing thumb over her skin tenderly. "We will figure this out, but I can't allow anyone, not even your parents, to come between us"
Aiden glanced at Megan, whose eyes were beginning to droop.
"Hey, I think you need some rest," he said, his voice gentle and teasing.
She looked up at him, "I'm fine, really," she replied, stifling a yawn.
"No, you're not," he countered playfully, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "You look like you could use a nap… or a proper sleep."
Megan chuckled softly, but the laughter quickly faded as another yawn escaped her lips. Aiden watched, a smirk creasing his lips.
He stood up, walked behind the couch, sweeping Megan off her feet, cradling her in his arms in a classic bridal-style hold.
"What are you doing?" she squeaked, half-surprised, half-happy, her heart racing from the unexpected gesture.
"You need to rest, and this is the best way to do it," he declared with confidence, walking through the door, carefully making his way to his room.
Megan wrapped her arms around his neck as he walked up the stairs.
Once they reached his bedroom, Aiden kicked the door open with his foot, striding insidezThe room was softly illuminated, and the bed was draped invitingly with a soft duvet.
Aiden gently laid Megan down on the bed, his eyes holding a softness as he stepped back to ensure she was comfortable. "There you go—now you just relax," he said sweetly, smoothing back a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead.
Megan felt a rush of warmth at his care and attention. "I can't believe you just carried me like that," she admitted, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush.
Aiden chuckled lightly. "You're kind of light as a feather," he quipped before jumping onto the bed next to her, pulling the duvet over both of them, snuggling in closer to her,His arm draped protectively over her shoulder, and Megan nestled deeper into him, her body fitting perfectly against his side.
"See? This is much better," Aiden murmured softly, enjoying the closeness they shared. "No stress. Just rest."
Megan took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the warmth of the duvet. "I think you're right," she replied, her eyelids fluttering.
"I think you should stop thinking and just sleep," he encouraged, his voice smooth and calming.
Aiden leaned forward kissing the bruises he had inflicted on her neck softly.
"I'm sorry for hurting you babe" he apologized again.
"It's fine, you didn't mean to" Megan replied softly.
"Goodnight, Meg," Aiden whispered, placing a tender kiss on top of her head.
"Mmm... goodnight," she murmured back, her voice barely a whisper.
Eventually, his own eyes began to grow heavy, The gentle rise and fall of Megan's body against his was a lullaby he found difficult to resist.
Just as Aiden was beginning to drift off, he felt a soft stirring beside him. Megan shifted, her eyes fluttering open as she emerged with a sleepy face.
Hey, how long was I out?" she asked, voice still slightly husky from sleep.
"Just long enough for me to enjoy watching you," Aiden replied, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Oh, really?" she grinned, her fingers tracing the contours of his arm beneath the duvet. "I must have been cute."
"Adorable," he corrected, tucking her hair behind her ear. "But I must admit, you made me a little envious. I tried to stay awake, but it seems your sleep was contagious."
Megan chuckled softly, leaning in closer to him, "I'm glad I don't snore," she said with a wink.
"Not yet," Aiden retorted playfully, giving her a mock-serious look. "You might have a natural talent for it. Next time, I might keep the pillow handy just in case."Aiden joked forcing a little chuckle from her
"Feeling better?" he asked, tracing small circles on her shoulder with his thumb.
"Yeah, a lot," Megan said, her fingers instinctively finding his. "Thank you for making me take a break, Aiden."
"Anytime," he said, squeezing her hand gently.
"Come on, get back to sleep baby" Aiden encouraged.
"Sure…..then what about you" Megan asked.
"I'll be watching your cute sleeping face while I waiting for my slumber" Aiden responded .
Giving a slight nod Megan closed her eyes falling back again to another slumber in his arms.