As Amara reached the gates of the Moretti mansion, she glanced back. Rowan had stopped his car just a bit away, watching her intently. She felt a small surge of relief mixed with frustration; at least he still had some rational thinking left. Pulling out her phone, she dialed his number again.
“Leave now,” she said firmly when he answered.
“Go inside,” Rowan replied, his tone calm but commanding.
Amara gritted her teeth, her patience wearing thin. “Leave,” she repeated more forcefully before ending the call. She drove through the gates and parked her car, her mind still buzzing with irritation. Through her rearview mirror, she saw Rowan’s car reversing and finally heading back.
A playful smile appeared on Rowan’s usually cold face as he watched her go inside.
The next day dawned bright and busy. Amara was deeply engrossed in the wedding preparations, her to-do list seemingly endless. She was in the backyard, surrounded by files and notes, when Giovanni, one of the guards, approached her.
“Miss, Mr. Romano is here,” he announced.
Amara looked up, puzzled. “Mr. Romano?”
Giovanni nodded. “It’s Alessandro Romano, miss.”
Amara sighed, wondering what Alessandro was up to now. Given their arranged engagement, she couldn’t just ignore him, despite her growing exasperation with these unplanned visits. “Okay, lead him here.”
A few minutes later, Alessandro strolled into the backyard, his usual confident smile plastered on his face. He saw the scattered files and the slight frown on Amara’s face and decided to make his entrance lighthearted.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he said, his tone casual. “Want some help?”
Amara gave him a side glance, her patience already tested by the day’s tasks. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought you’d be busy, so I might come and help you,” Alessandro replied, taking a seat across from her.
“So thoughtful of you,” Amara said, her tone a mix of sarcasm and weariness.
Alessandro ignored her tone, maintaining his pleasant demeanor. “How can I help you?”
Amara looked at him, contemplating whether to accept his offer. After a moment, she decided it was better to keep him occupied than to argue. “Thanks, but I can manage.”
“Please, sweetheart,” Alessandro insisted.
Seeing no point in further resistance, Amara called Lucas over. “Lucas, are the invitation letters ready?”
“Yes, miss,” Lucas replied promptly.
“Good, bring them to me, along with the covers,” Amara instructed.
After a few minutes, Lucas returned with a stack of invitation letters and envelopes. Amara handed them to Alessandro. “Here’s your work. You don’t need me to tell you what to do, right?”
Alessandro smiled, taking the stack. “Nope, I got it.”
Lucas couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene, but he quickly stifled his laughter and got back to his duties. Alessandro started sorting through the invitations, occasionally glancing at Amara. She seemed more focused on her work than on him, which only made him more determined to be of not so genuine help.
“Amara,” Alessandro began, trying to break the ice. “I know things are hectic right now, but I just want you to know I’m here for you. Not just for the wedding preparations, but for anything you need.”
Amara paused for a moment, looking up at him. “Thank you, Alessandro. But as you can see, I have everything under control.”
“I can see that,” Alessandro said, his tone softening. “But sometimes, even the strongest need a bit of support.”
She sighed, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. “It’s not about needing support. It’s about managing everything and making sure things go smoothly.”
“And you’re doing a great job,” he acknowledged. “But if there’s anything.. anything at all.. hat I can do, just let me know.”
Amara gave a small nod, her mind already drifting back to the tasks at hand. Alessandro continued working on the invitations, determined to prove that he could be more than just a future fiance in name. He wanted to be a partner she could rely on, even if it meant starting with something as mundane as stuffing envelopes.
The hours passed, and gradually, the tension between them eased. Alessandro’s presence, though initially unwelcome, started to feel less intrusive. He worked diligently, and occasionally, he would crack a joke or make a lighthearted comment that drew a reluctant smile from Amara.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the backyard, Alessandro looked at the finished stack of invitations with a sense of accomplishment. “All done,” he announced, stretching his arms.
Amara glanced at the neatly organized invitations and felt a small wave of gratitude. “Thank you, Alessandro.”
“Anytime, Sweetheart,” he said, his tone sincere. “So, what’s next on the agenda?”
She sighed, glancing at her list. “There’s still so much to do. I need to finalize the seating arrangements, confirm the catering, and make sure the decorations are on schedule.”
“Well, I’m here to help,” Alessandro said, rolling up his sleeves. “Let’s tackle it together.”
For a moment, Amara studied him, weighing her options. She had always been fiercely independent, accustomed to handling things on her own. But seeing Alessandro’s earnest willingness to assist, she decided to accept his help for now.
“Alright,” she said finally. “Let’s start with the seating arrangements.”
As they worked side by side, Amara found herself appreciating Alessandro’s company more than she expected. He was attentive, respectful, and surprisingly efficient. Despite their complicated circumstances and the underlying tension with the Falcones, it was moments like these that made her think that maybe, just maybe, their arranged engagement could work out in a way she hadn’t anticipated.
The evening turned into night, and by the time they wrapped up for the day, a significant portion of the wedding preparations had been sorted out. Amara felt a rare sense of relief and satisfaction, realizing that having someone to share the burden with wasn’t as bad as she had initially thought.
As Alessandro prepared to leave, he turned to her with a gentle smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”
Amara looked at him, weighing her options. Despite her reservations, she couldn’t be entirely dismissive. Reluctantly, she said, “How about you have dinner before leaving?”
Alessandro paused, clearly surprised but pleased by the invitation. “Sure, I’d like that.”
They moved to the dining table, where a simple yet elegant spread awaited them. The atmosphere was relaxed, a stark contrast to the frenetic pace of the earlier preparations. As they sat down, Vincent looked over from his seat. His gaze shifted between Amara and Alessandro, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“It’s good to see you two getting along,” Vincent said, his tone warm and approving.
Alessandro, appreciating the gesture, responded with a genuine smile. “Thanks, Uncle. I’m glad we could get some work done together.”
Amara, though still somewhat guarded, couldn’t help but appreciate the effort Alessandro had put into helping her. The dinner conversation was light, and Alessandro’s easygoing nature made it easier for her to relax.
As they finished their meal, Alessandro looked at Amara with a hopeful expression. “Thanks for dinner, Amara. It was nice to spend some time with you outside of the wedding preparations.”
Amara nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “You’re welcome. It was… nice to have some company.”
Alessandro stood, preparing to leave. “I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“Yes,” Amara replied, her voice softer than before. “See you tomorrow.”
As Alessandro left the mansion, Amara watched him go, her thoughts a mix of contemplation and curiosity.
She needed some space to clear her mind, so she decided to take a walk in the garden. The night air was cool and refreshing, offering a brief respite from the day’s stresses.
As she strolled among the meticulously manicured hedges and blooming flowers, she heard footsteps approaching. Turning, she saw Leo, her older brother, making his way toward her with a casual yet concerned expression on his face.
“Are you happy with him, babysister?” Leo asked, his tone carrying a note of genuine curiosity.
Amara stopped walking and looked at him, her expression guarded. “It’s fine.”
Leo raised an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied with her vague response. “That’s not my answer.”
Amara sighed, running a hand through her hair. “We’re working on this.”
Leo studied her for a moment, his gaze assessing. “I know it’s not easy, and I’m sure things are complicated with all the family politics. But I want you to be honest with yourself. Are you genuinely okay with this arrangement?”
She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “It’s not about being okay or not. It’s about making the best of the situation. Alessandro and I are trying to find common ground, and maybe… just maybe, something good will come out of it.”
Leo nodded, his expression softening. “I just want you to be happy, Amara. You deserve more than just ‘fine.'”