Chapter 48

I've been all smiles for the past few days, right after that day when Keith said we should get married, we have been doing anything but planning. All we ever spent time on was daydreaming of the after, not so much invested on the wedding. We were more then ready for the start of our lives, the start of our story being rewritten.

My excitement was beyond words and whenever thoughts of getting married again came to mind, I would either zone out or squeal into dance. I was a woman in love, ready to walk down the aisle and spend the rest of her life with the love of her life. Everything now felt anew, like it was the first time getting married, only this time, things were going to be done the right way.

As exciting as everything was, it still felt stressful and overwhelming, I didn't know where to start and right now, I am exhausted from just staring at the many wedding magazines. I didn't know what to do, what to choose and I was beyond frustrated, that a frustrated tear slipped out.

I was getting all emotional over the smallest things right now, everything was so beautiful, tempting and I couldn't make a simple decision on anything. Two weeks was such short time, I didn't know many people, the latest trends nor what would be in the Salvatore standard.

The Salvatore's are known for throwing grand parties and their weddings, earned a mouthful from on watchers. I was anything but grand or extravagant, I loved unique, intimate, breathtaking and romantic. My favourite colour was blue but I wouldn't mind going in a different direction, more on the blush, white, a bit of purple, maybe grey or silver theme. Anything catching my eye was a win and I loved for things to be memorable for everyone.

" Aah!" I screamed in frustration, throwing a magazine across the room.

" Woah, hello there tiger." Keith says, halfway in, glancing from me to the magazine that had landed right by the door.

" Keith help me." I whine, waving my arms around.

He enters into our room, coming over to stand in front of me, jumping magazines along the way. He holds out his hands for me to take, helping me up to my feet. He takes off his suit jacket, before picking me up, my legs wrap around his waist and arms around his neck.

We now face each other at eye level." Hi my angel." He steals a kiss before pecking my cheek.

" Hi. Will you help me?" I ask him as he walks us to the bed, him settling down with me straddling his lap.

" What do you need?"

" The wedding preparations, I don't know what to do. Evverything is just so nice and I can't decide, it's literally stressing me out."

" Woah, calm down, take a breath." I do as he says, feeling calm right after.

"Good, now start again."

I nod. "Okay, to be honest Keith, I was all for getting married in two weeks, happy even. But it's a bit overwhelming, everything just seems so expensive and I don't know the budget."

"There is no budget." He says calmly.

" No?"

"Sweetheart, money is nothing compared to your happiness, you are most important. "

" But it's also your wedding and I need your opinion too."

" You've got it."

" And your family?"

" What about them?" He frowns.

" Well your family is a well-known family. I'm pretty sure everyone else would like to see something grand and- ," I gasp in surprise when he rolls us over, him hovering over me now. He places his arms on either side of my face.

" F*ck everyone else, this is your day, go crazy on it, go simple , small I accept. As long as I have you at the end of the aisle, taking me as your husband, in front of everyone." My heart melts at his words and I smile in appreciation.

" Okay." I nod.

" Now that's the smile I wanted to see, " He says, his own coming out.

"Well since you'll be helping, I have a task for you, it's the most important."

" Okay, tell me."

" I'm entrusting you with my dress, my gown is your call. "

" You mean- ?"

" I want to be in what you envision me in, I'm giving you full reign."

" You know that you just gave me the hardest job."

" Perfect for you." I pat his chest.

"This will be my greatest challenge yet," he says dramatically. " But I'll do it, just like you will with my attire."

"Ofcourse." I say with a smile.

"This is different, but I like it, as much as I love seeing the stress leave your face." His thumb brushes away the frown, which had been there minutes ago.

" Well it's a short notice wedding." I remind him.

"If it gets too much, just let me know. I'll hire a wedding planner."

I think it over. Having someone else involved and do all that work, all I'll need to do is just point direction.

" Give me a day and I'll get back to you."

" Alright that's fine. Well I should take a shower, join me?" He pecks my lips twice.

I blush, when my thoughts threaten to envision us in the shower together.

He notices my embarrassed face, thus leaning close where there's little space between our faces. "Okay I'm sorry, I'll stop."

I reach out my fingers to trace patterns along his chest, making myself busy and just enjoying this time with him.

" I've never felt so blessed like right now." This earns my attention, that I look up at him.

All he does is stare down at me for a minute or two, an emotion passing through his eyes, one I can't figure out.

I want to ask him about what he's thinking but then he distracts me with a kiss." Let me shower." He says, moving off the bed, walking away to the bathroom.

Sitting upright, with intention of getting back to what I was doing, the phone rings. At first I think it's mine but I notice that mine is quiet, then I reach into Keith's suit jacket, searching for it.

Once I find it, I intend to answer but the person on the line speaks up first.

" Keith hey, I just wanted to tell you that everything has gone according to plan, your wife will never find out about this." A female voice says, sounding mighty proud.

My heart sinks at her words, confusion and curiosity deep within. I don't know this female, have never met her yet she's on first name basis with my husband.

"Look I just called to tell you this, everything we've done has been worth it, you don't have to worry, it's still our secret. I should go, talk later." She hangs up before I can say anything.

I stare at the phone screen, trying to make sense of what that call could mean. I hear the shower turn off and I quickly place his phone back in its original place.

Gosh what am I doing? I'm acting as a person who'd been snooping around and now feels guilty. Keith is my husband and I have every right to answer his phone right?

The bathroom door opens and he comes out in only a towel,  looking mouthwatering but I can't focus on that right now. The call plays at my mind and I don't want to think about it, because then, I'll be letting it consume my thoughts everyday, no.

" Care for pizza tonight?" He asks, heading to his walk in closet.

" Should I call them now?"

" Yeah!" He says.

I take my own phone to call the pizza people, but I stop again, biting my lip. I'm curious and anxious, I want to know this big secret that I'm not supposed to know.

I mean I trust Keith with my every being, anything concerning me is always done with best intention. I should not question him nor doubt him, so I won't put any little suspicion into second thought. This is Keith, I'm pretty sure it's something important and not something to worry about.

" Hey, called them yet?" He asks, coming out of the closet.

"Uh I was just about to." I tell him, making no move to do so and he takes notice.

" Hey, are you okay?"

I nod, giving him a reassuring smile." I'll be in the kitchen." I tell him, getting off the bed and heading to the door, only to stop in my tracks and turn to face him once again.

I watch him for minute or two as he stands with his back to me, staring out the window. I walk over to join him, wrapping my arms around his waist and laying my head against his back.

His bigger ones cover my smaller ones and we stay like that in silence, just enjoying each others presence.

"You know that whilst I was in the shower, I was in deep thought about the after." He says.

"Okay."

" Do you know that things might change? " I frown at his words, listening quietly and trying to understand where he's going with this, or what he's trying to say. " The world now is aware of you, they always want to be in the know and I worry that it might get too much for you."

I unwrap my arms from around his waist, walking over to stand in front of him. "Are you talking about everyday life?"

He brings up his hands to rest on my hips." I travel a lot, you know that. Now it won't just be me, now you're involved, I'm talking about conferences, business parties, the works. We might even be hosting parties here at our home." He sighs. " I just need you to be ready for that."

His eyes show off concern, he's worried about all the pressure I might be under, after I say I do.

"Well I still have a week or so to learn, I'll take notes and try my best to be- ."

" No, no. This is what I was talking about, I don't want you to change or try be like someone else. No pressure, I want you as Akiandra."

" I won't change, I'll just try meet the standards of being the wife of- ."

" Akiandra stop!" I stop talking, surprised at him calling me by my full name. It's been a while and I don't know if him calling me in full name is sign of me irritating or frustrating him.

He sighs." I want you as Akiandra, I don't care about what people say. You ,my beautiful angel are definition of innocence, your presence is one many have missed for a long time and crave, I just don't want people to try take advantage of that when I'm not looking."

I smile up at him." Well I won't let many into our corner, I know that many may not have the best intentions, they have hidden agendas but trust in me to not fall."

"There's no question about my trust in you. I mean I've never trusted anyone as much as I trust you."

" Gokd. So you'll teach me a few things - I mean I am the wife of the Keith Salvatore." I wiggle my brows with a wide smile.

He chuckles at that, the worry having left his face as he pulls me to him." I like the sound of that." He says, meeting me halfway for a kiss.

I can't help but smile into the kiss, loving being in his arms.

Our moment is soon interrupted by a knock on the door. He pulls away to go answer, leaving me sighing in contentment.

Gosh, I love this buttery feeling, wish it never ends.

I only am able to hear low murmurs between Keith and the person, on the other side of the door. I decide to see who is at the door, heading over to join him but only stop in my tracks, when his phone rings once again.

I hope it's not that lady or something that'll leave me questioning again.  Taking his phone out of the jacket pocket, I make sure to check the caller ID this time. I sigh in relief when I see Ricks name.

"Hi Rick."

"Oh hey Akiandra, it's been a while hasn't it?" He responds, sounding surprised.

" Yeah. Alot has been happening as I'm sure you know." I tell him.

" Yeah a lot has happened, and I'm glad you're okay, you are okay right? Keith still treating you like the Queen?"

I chuckle at his questions." Yes, he's been wonderful, the best husband."  I notice Keith close the door and come over to me. "Oh here he is, hold on." I hold out the phone to Keith, mouthing who it is before heading out of our room.

Walking down the stairs, I try not think about that night, it still haunts me till this day, the memory vivid and experience still raw.

I'm safe and it's all over, I'm happy now. I remind myself.

I meet Maria at the bottom of the stairs.

" Mrs Salvatore."

" Ms Maria, you know you can call me Kea, Mrs just sounds so- .

" It's the right fit, a perfect reminder to anyone trying their luck."

I chuckle at that, about to walk past her, when her hand shoots out to grab my wrist.

" You have a visitor."

" Me?" She nods.

" Are you sure they are looking for me, and not Keith?"

" They specifically asked for you, even called you Akiandra Thompson."

I perk up at that.

" Where?"

" Living room." I nod, heading over to the living room to see this guest.

Once I make it there, I notice the lady's back to me.

" Uh hello." I say in a low tone, trying to not scare her but I do anyway, when she jerks around to face me, her hand against her chest.

My own tightens when I give her a double take.

" Oh my God." We both say at the same time, gasping in the process.

Brown eyes stare into brown eyes.

She looks like her.

She looks just like my mother.

" My niece." She says.