Chapter 53

I couldn't face him after last night, I would blush so hard, just by glancing his way and he made no secret with his knowing smirk.

That's why I'm sitting at the opposite end of the table this morning, doing all I can to not look at him. I trusted him last night and let him have his way with me. Let's just say I had to get a mouthful of air just to not lose consciousness, my rapid beating heart was the only thing, reminding me that I'm still breathing.

So last night was last night and today is a new day, I've got quite a busy day ahead, well we both do and we won't get to see much of each other. I'll miss him dearly but preparations need to be done.

" Kea?"

" Hmm?" I look up at him, to find his eyes already on me.

" You're very quiet this morning." He mentions.

" Am I?"

" Hmm, and you barely touched your food," he gestures to my full plate.

" I'm not really hungry."

" Eat." He tells me.

I look down at my food, non moving.

I hear him sigh. "Is this about last night, did I do something wrong?"

I quickly look up, shaking my head." No, no....Um last night was um good and you, you were , oh God."  I murmur the last part behind my hands, having covered my blushing face.

I hear a chair moving along the tiled floor before my hands are pulled away from my face. I'm turned sideways on the chair, facing his crouched self.

" Was it good?" He asks me, eyes intense.

"More then good." I breathe out, chills trailing down my spine at the intense look he's giving me.

" Kiss me." He demands.

I lean forward, closing the distance with my hands on his shoulders, meeting his lips for an intended soft kiss but his hand on the back of my head, says more. He wants more. He tilts his head to the side, angling our faces to deepen the kiss.

His other hand squeezes my hip, making me gasp and he uses this to his advantage, shoving his tongue and tasting my mouth.

Oh gosh, I think I'm going to be dizzy.

A moan releases from me, when his hand moves on to my back and rests just above my behind, his thumb makes circling movements.

As he senses my shortage of breath, he breaks the kiss and leans his forehead against my own. Our chests move up and down and we take needed air back into our lungs.

" I don't like you too far from my grasp in my presence, okay?" He says in that authoritive tone.

" Okay." I breathe out.

" Good." He pecks my forehead before rising to his feet, picking me up and sitting back down on my spot, with me on his lap now.

Without a word, he starts to feed me.

We continue on in silence before I push the plate away, having had enough and my nerves starting up again for today.

" What's wrong?"

" I'm nervous." I say honestly.

" Because of your meeting with Amareen?"

"Your aunt will be present too and we hadn't spoken since....." I trail off.

" Do you want me there?"

I shake my head no. " I'll be fine, Theresa will be there with me."

" If at all you feel uncomfortable, just call me okay?"

" You have meetings today, you need to focus and I'll deal with my- ."

" You are my first priority."

" And I love you for that, but you can't protect me from everything, including such a thing as my nerves. "

He opens his mouth to speak but I double peck his lips, silencing him." Thank you for being the best man for me." I smile at him, before getting off his lap and walking out of the kitchen, heading up to our room to get ready.



" Are you sure about this?" Theresa asks me as we wait for Jillian and Amareen.

I turn to her. " Amareen is good at what she does, I've checked her out and I don't have much time."

" I'm not talking about the planning, I'm talking about her." She gestures to Jill, who shows up with a brunette.

" A part of me yes." I tell her, rising to my feet and waving for them to see me.

When they do, Jill gets Amareen's attention, pointing to me. I take a much needed breath as they make their way over to us.

Amareen up close is pretty with short brunette hair, brown eyes, almost pale skin like Theresa's. Both she and Jill look very nice , with Jill in a navy knee length dress and nude hills, hair tied in a loose bun and nicely done make-up.

Amareen on the other hand, looks to be just close to Jill's age, her outfit of choice more different, with white pants and a green blouse, a navy blue bag with a file in hand.

I step aside from the table to meet the ladies, Theresa close behind.

" Akiandra." Jill breathes out and before I can react, I'm pulled in for a hug. " Thank you." She says before quickly releasing me.

I'm not even sure about what she's really thankful for, it could mean many things, not so long ago, her family was mended.

" Akiandra this is Amareen, she's really good at what she does. Amareen, this is Akiandra, the bride to be." Jill introduces us.

" Hello, nice to meet you Akiandra." She holds out her hand with a smile.

" Good to meet you too, and you can just call me Kea, everybody does." She nods." Um this is my best friend Theresa, Theresa this is Jillian Salvatore, Keith's aunt, and this is Amareen."

I move back for them to shake hands, sharing a few words before we all take our seats.

" So Bride to be, are you excited?" Amareen asks.

"Yes, very much so."

"Uh I don't know if your fiance told you, but we'd already spoken this morning."

" Oh?" I'm surprised.

" He told me to not let you limit anything, whatever you want, even the smallest detail, you will have it."

I blush, nodding okay.

Gosh it's like he knew that I'd be overwhelmed with everything expensive.

" Did he say anything else?"

" No, everything else is up to you."

"Okay, um I haven't really got anything done besides his suit, or planned much, that's why I'll need your help."

" And that's why I'm here, to take the load off of you and get you enjoying this time, instead of stressing. I even have records of my passed work and ideas, but I need to get to know what you'd like, favourite colour and more, so I get an idea of what fits you."

" I'm sorry to interrupt, but I want to say something about Kea." Theresa speaks up.

" Okay."

"This young woman right here is one of the most selfless, most generous people I know. She's a Godsend, she puts everyone first before her, especially Keith. He's her heart and would do anything for him. Her journey hasn't been an easy one, for she's had to be patient on most things, she's been in tears for most of her life, she's almost lost her life twice at the hands of not so good people, yet she still forgives.

She deserves the world at her feet, she deserves a fairytale, her story and love to be reflected through this day."

" She's one of a kind." Jill adds.

My eyes threaten to moisten at Theresa's words, and I give her a side hug to thank her for her kind words. I notice Amareen look at me, eyes reflecting some emotion, as if in understanding.

" So what I'm trying to say is, throw out all professional planning, be adventurous and creative with this and tell their love story to the world, it can only be done with a personal and passionate hand." Theresa continues.

Amareen glances at me nodding " I understand." She starts flipping through her large file, before she stops at a page, handing the file over to our side. "Shall we tell a story?" She says with a smile.

I glance at a page with a grey and blush wedding theme. My own smile making it's way onto my face.

"Okay, let's do it."


  Hours later.........


" Kea could I talk to you for a minute?" Jill says, just as we've wrapped things up.

"Oh okay." We step away from the two females, walking on to stand at the balcony of the restaurant, where we overlook the beautiful green lawn.

Theresa throws a concerned glance our way, before continuing her conversation with Amareen.

" Kea?" I look away from Theresa and to Jill, who stands at the further corner, more out of view from people.

" I don't know where to begin." She looks away from me, looking ahead with both her arms propped up on the rail.

I don't say anything, but walk on to stand by her, leaving enough space between us.

" I don't know what I could have done if you had died."

"But I didn't." I remind her.

" Yes but if you had, I wouldn't have forgiven myself. And he wouldn't have survived."

She turns to face me. " I had never seen him so torn, like how he was all those times, he was at near breaking point, unlike how he was with his mothers passing. No, the time they declared you dead, was the time I saw him break into millions of pieces, but then you came back."

I bite my bottom lip, looking down at my feet. " My family has done nothing but be bad to you, and you, you received us with a clear, truthful and kind heart. We were unfair to you."

" You don't have to blame yourself."

" No I do, because Elena is my responsibility and I should have paid close attention to her behaviour and state of mind. I suspected her change of feelings towards Keith when they were young but I thought it was a mere crush, not something that would form into a deadly obsession."

" I just want to move on from this and I shouldn't have treated everyone else like how I did, you know pushing you guys away. I guess I was just scared and was selfish enough to want Keith to myself. You are his family and- "

" You are His everything." She cuts me off." I understand where both of you were coming from, it was not easy to trust us when Elena used us like that and we weren't aware. I get it if you believed we were part of her schemes too."

" I'm sorry about how things turned out, she's still your Goddaughter and I can understand, if knowing this side of her hurts you."

" It isn't easy but I know necessary steps had to be taken."

I nod, averting my eyes to Theresa, who now stands alone, Amareen now gone.

' Are you okay?' She mouths and I nod, before turning to Jill again.

" Thank you for today, helping both Keith and I, you know, recommending Amareen. It'll really take off the load."

" I'm just grateful that you even came and allowed me, to be a part of this beautiful moment."

" Well the Salvatores have good taste and know what's best." I compliment with a small smile.

" Kea, I want to apologise for everything that's happened, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive us." I grab ahold of her hand, in between my own, squeezing it.

" A start over?"

She nods, her eyes moist. " I'd really like that, thank you."

I nod, pulling my hands back and walking off, only to stop in my tracks and glance over my shoulder." Um Jill, if a time comes in the future, that she's better and out. I'd appreciate it if she stays away from my family, especially my husband."

With that I leave, dragging Theresa with.


It's late in the day and I am quite tired and ready to relax at home, I just hope Keith's there but I'd understand if he wasn't, these days we are quite busy.

We arrive at the apartment complex to drop Theresa off. Looking at it, I'm tempted to go to my apartment, I miss it now.

" I have a feeling that your wedding is going to be a grand one." Theresa comments.

" I still want it to reflect our love and for it to be about us."

"Ofcourse, that's what I'm here for, to make sure your vision comes to life. Thank you friend for giving me such a responsibility."

" I trust you and value your opinion. "

" Speaking of opinion, have you decided on the bridesmaids and maid of honour dresses?"

" Well I still need to collect everyone and then we'll discuss everything further."

" Alright, and the engagement party, pre-wedding pictures?"

"One day at a time." I chuckle at her.

" Okay okay, I'm just so excited, everyone in class will be so jealous." She gushes and I roll my eyes playfully.

"Get out Theresa before you drown me with more ideas." I tease her and she pouts at me.

"But I bring life into this wedding preparation."

"Yeah yeah go."

"Fine, but you'll miss me." She says, pecking my cheek before getting out, saying goodbye to both Joe and I.

We remain in our spot until she's gone inside. I release a sigh, laying across the back seat, staring up at the car roof, just as Joe drives us out of there.

" Tired?" Joe asks.

" Very. Um do you know if Keith is back already?"

" Yes, he'd been back 30 minutes ago."

"Hmm" I close my eyes, relaxing against the seat.

It feels good to know that plans are coming together, especially at such a short space of time. I have a good feeling about this wedding, that it's going to be beautiful and dreamy, it's going to be the best of my life.

I'm going to get married to the man I've long waited for.

" We're here." Joe says after some time, having arrived.

I open my eyes and turn my head in his direction, his own already facing me, over his shoulder.

" What are you thinking about so much?" He asks.

" I'm thinking if you'll say yes."

" Yes."

" I haven't even asked yet." I say amused.

" Okay. Ask away." He gives me his full attention.

" Would you walk me down the aisle? " I finally get it out.

He stares at me, without blinking and taking in my whole face. " You've been with me from the beginning of this story and before that, you've supported me, been my guardian and protected me. You fulfilled my mother's promise, that you'd always be there for me and you'll never abandon me." I sit upright and face him.

" You are the right person for this job." I say in my best business tone.

This makes him to snicker at me, making my serious face to crumble and a smile to take over.

" So, will you?" I ask, nervous within.

Instead of an answer, he gets out of the drivers seat, walking over to open the door for me. His raises his arms and open them for a hug.

My smile widens and I jump out of the car, rushing over to him." I accept and thank you."

I nod, laying my chin on his shoulder. " You have no idea what this means to me." He says as I pull back.

" Thank you for accepting." I quickly take my bag and close the door, pecking his cheek before heading inside.

Joe might have been my bodyguard and chauffeur but first, he's always been my friend and guardian, after mom passed. He's always taken care of me.

Entering into the house, I greet everyone I pass, heading upstairs to see my darling husband, who I haven't seen since morning.

The minute I step into our room, a soft smile takes over my face at the sight of Keith, laying on his stomach.

He must be very tired, because usually he's not one for afternoon naps.

I take off my own shoes and place my bag on the dressing table, before joining him. I lay beside him with intention to not disturb or wake him, but of course, I'm pulled close without any warning.

Bringing my fingers through his hair, I massage his sculpt admiring his handsome face.

" Hello baby." He pouts his lips for a kiss which I grant.

" Hi, long day?"

" Mmm, tired?"

" Yes."

" Don't leave, join me."

" Already am, I missed you."

" I missed you too." He leans his face closer to my neck, his breath fanning my skin.

" Go back to sleep." I tell him.

" How was it?"

" Good." I peck his forehead.

I start to close my eyes when he speaks up again. " Do you know what my mother said before she passed? "

" What?" I murmur, a bit surprised that he's easily entering the topic of his mother.

" She said. You are the one." My heart jumps at those words. With a soft smile on my face, I close my eyes and let sleep take over.