I Get to Love You by Ruelle

One look at you

My whole life falls in line

I prayed for you

Before I called you mine

Oh I can't believe it's true sometimes

Arianna walked down the aisle, hands linked with her father. But she was looking at someone else, Axel noticed. As If he were the person walking with her. Axel's gaze directed from his father to Arianna and then to the way she was looking at. Mr. Finley. He was sitting with an old lady who did not look well, they both had happy tears in their eyes.

His gaze shifted toward Arianna again and then It clicked him, they were not just looking. It was like they were walking down the aisle as father and daughter together. Their eye contact did not break for a second.

And then there was Brandon, looking like he couldn't wait to leave his daughter's hand and just sit back and relax. So Axel did something Arianna was doing, He looked into Mr. Finley's eyes while taking Arianna's hands from her father, assuring him that he will always take care of her and Mr. Finley gave him a curt nod, that he better...

Arianna saw her future husband as he was just moving his gaze to her from Mr. Finley. Oh my God! She gasps. Arianna turned around to give one last look at the elderly couple, remembering the time when she assured them that everything is gonna be alright when she went to see them give them the wedding invitation.

Victoria was taking a rest in her room. Cancer was slowly taking over her soul, the couple tried everything but at last, they lost the battle and embraced fate. Victoria did not want to spend her last days in the hospital, so they moved everything to their house where she first arrived as a bride.

When Arianna gave Arthur her wedding invitation, he asked her one thing.

" Are you sure about this decision...???" He frowned at her, not being in the favor of her marriage at this young age, and to the man, her parents have chosen for her. She had told them, she was marrying as per her parent's wish. But he knew better.

"Yes, Mr. Finley. I am doing the right thing." She said, feeling guilty for lying to him, but it wasn't a complete lie she was indeed doing the right thing for her future and Axel was a nice guy.

*****

Soon the nuptials were over, the bride and groom promised to honor and respect each other. When the time came to kiss the bride Axel cupped her cheeks, tilted her mouth in the angle that hid her face from people sitting in the aisle. He kissed her on the corner of her mouth. Jenny saw that exchange and blushed crimson, Ranveer shifted his gaze so Jenny couldn't see him looking at her with dreamy eyes. Arianna peered at Axel in surprise, she kissed him back on his cheek astonishing him. The crowd cheered for the newlywed. 

The newlywed greeted Mr. and Mrs. Finley first, and they went home after so Victoria could take some rest, then they were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Bell who ran a good show in front of their future business partners. Only Axel noticed how Arianna had stiffened when they approached her.

When Matthew came to Arianna, she tensed. It was strange that this was the first time they met. Neither of them even thought of meeting before. Matthew pulled her in a warm hug. And Axel stepped back when he saw Arianna relax.

"Thank you so much, my dear. Kimberly would have been so happy to see you. I acted on impulse when I forced Axel for this marriage but I accidentally made the right choice. You are good for him, he is a good son And I'm sure he will be a good companion too." Matthew said in a hushed voice. Arianna's eyes stung listening to his kind words.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was crying, watching the two of them talking. She tried to talk to him about meeting her and inviting Arianna for a dinner before the wedding but Matthew waived it off. She was afraid Matthew was wary of her because of the enmity he had with her father.

"Gosh... this woman is embarrassing me." Said Daphne out loud, which made others laugh. Elizabeth playfully hit her friend. Axel stepped toward his father, as he pulled back from the hug. He snaked his arm around Arianna's waist and kissed the top of her head and smiled at his father. Matthew doesn't know how Axel had made Arianna agreed to this marriage.

Meanwhile, Ranveer was busy planning his future wedding with Jennifer, though he was yet to know her name. And Jenny who was now fully aware of Ranveer's scrutiny tried not to make her blush obvious, but the redness on her cheek betrayed her. She liked the feeling but when she saw Marion glower at her, the butterflies in her stomach died before they could even flutter. She didn't belong here and obviously not anywhere close to the man whose shoes cost months worth of her salary.

After meeting all the guests. It was now time for the bride and groom for their first dance. they stood at the center waiting for the music to play. Arianna was so nervous that she could feel sweat dripping from her palm. When Axel held her hand. He stifled his laughter, amused at how nervous Arianna was. On the other hand, Arianna could not believe he was holding her cold sweaty palm and was not disgusted even the slightest bit. Even she felt disgusted with herself.

As everyone gathered to watch the new couple. Ranveer sidestepped like a crab to stand near Jennifer, so he could ask her for a dance.

The spotlight was above Arianna and Axel, and the rest of the place was in dim light. A slow song was played. Arianna and Axel stepped closer to each other. Axel's lips move close to her ear, he could feel Arianna's slow faltering breathe on his neck.

"You know... this is the moment when I am supposed to say something and you will laugh at that," he said huskily in her ear. His breath fanning on her neck sent a small shiver through her.

"Too bad, my husband does not have a good sense of humor." Arianna said challenging him, In her 6-inch heels they were standing of almost the same height.

Axel faced her, the tip of their nose brushing each other's.
"Is that so, Mrs. Knight." He said playfully. Mrs. Knight! that made Arianna quiet so he continued
"... about your hands." he leaned to her. Arianna pressed herself closer to him, trying to hide her face in the crook of his neck to hide her embarrassment.

"Please Axel. I am already embarrassed, You must be disgusted." She said quietly, holding his hand for dear life.

"Disgusted? Why would I feel disgusted knowing how wet you are because of me." He chuckled.

Arianna pulled herself a little out of his embrace to face him, her eyes became saucer-like wide. She could not believe he said that. And then she started laughing.

"I can't promise you moon and stars but I can promise you happiness, protection, and freedom, Arianna. And lots and lots of fun, Axel style." He winked at her. On a cue, lights illuminated the place again. And the song changed...

Dream Girl - By Hunter Hayes

Upon hearing that song, Arianna beamed at him. It made Axel feel as though it was her smile that lighted up the whole place. They started bouncing with the music hand in hand. Ranveer pulled his palm out for Jennifer. She looked at his hand and then his face. Her gaze then darted to the Bell family, they were clutching their champagne flutes, scowling at Arianna. She pushed back her insecurity and decided to forget who she was and placed her hand in his as they moved to the dance floor. She felt like Cinderella, dancing with her Prince Charming, when the celebrations will be over, she will crawl back to the place where she belongs.

Soon others joined the dance floor too, In no time the dance floor looked like a scene from a prom night. The investors who came here to humor them in the charade, where they would play along with that this marriage was for love and not a business purpose were now convinced that indeed this couple is really in love. And they too joined the dance floor. 'The Bells' were ringing with anger making them the only people who did not enjoy the celebrations.

But, a few feet apart from them, was a man who hated every bit of it. He swore to ruin them, crush their happiness, piece by piece.

"Hello, dear sister-in-law." Liam Knight crooned. His intimidating aura was enough to suck all the positive energy surrounding the newlywed. Axel tensed beside Arianna not liking his tone. She was baffled thinking that she has seen Liam before, but couldn't put a finger on it.

Liam took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Pleased to meet you, Arianna. I am Liam, Axel's elder brother. I am sure he has told you a lot about me." He said, blatantly checking her out. Axel curled his fists to break his jaw.

"Actually he did not but, your mother did." Said Arianna and slipped her hand out of his grasp, and held Axel's curled fist. Slowly his fist uncurled and Arianna intertwined her fingers with him, making Liam's temper spark. She had just wanted to snatch her hand away and wash it until his touch wore off. But she could not let Liam win. People like him fed on other people's fear of them.

"What? He did not mention me. What kind of a brother is he." He said, pretending to be genuinely hurt.

"You're the one who arrived last. So, what kind of a brother are you." Said Arianna quirking her brow at him. Axel knew his brother was short-tempered and was moments away from flipping his lid. Before he could intervene, his parents came and his mother started scolding Liam for arriving late, For which he gave some stupid reasons, Axel knew were nothing but lies. Matthew was silently watching his son lie to his mother. Axel had noticed the way his father looked at Liam these days. Axel was not doing Liam's work, maybe he found out Liam was good for nothing after all.

Axel's happiness did not last long. 'The Bells' came for Liam's rescue. Dammit! Brandon greeted Liam like he was their Son-in-law, not Axel. Jessica clung herself to Liam's arm like a leech. Now Axel understood the reason behind their warm gesture. They are trying to marry off Liam and Jessica. Axel felt a zap of excitement surging through his veins. Karma. His father had decided to make Arianna his daughter-in-law before even meeting her. If the business maybe he will repeat the trick with Liam.

But one thing that did not settle well was that when Liam shot Jessica a glare and she immediately separated herself from him. The Jessica Bell who did not understand the not-so-subtle and brutally direct signs immediately compelled. Arianna and Axel exchanged a look, Strange!

*****

Namaste, reader!!! I hope you liked the chapter. If you did then please don't forget to VOTE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave your precious COMMENTS behind.

I would love it if you check out my other stories, 'Aurora's Aura' 'Mafia & Miss Honey' 'Becoming Romeo' 'Violet Hues' & ''His Captive'. The story link is on my profile.