ena
ed, my eyes darting aroun
you're
n written all over her face. She quickly pulled me into a hug. I smiled weakly a
ftly. "You also had a panic attack. Are you really that nerv
spered, forcing a
of the room where Nico and Caldwell st
e is it?"
r guests arrive," Nico replied in a
I sighed
ence. "You should rest. Don't you think? I'll speak
El stare at me in surprise. I
e to let you keep going like
, my voice pleading. "I'm f
e were worried. El looked like she wanted to argue, but thankfully, she stayed quiet. If she we
k with Aleena a
l hesitated before finally leav
tation?" Nico asked coldly
're not the boss of m
" I sai
m to refuse, but surprisingly, he walked out. I was grate
ing, studying me as though he co
with physical touch an
tely stiffened
quietly. "I'm okay
how terrified I was of people touching me or getting too close. Sometimes my b
ispered, break
oing anything you're unco
," I whisp
is arrangement going for six m
him in conf
ause of the circumstances,
t you," I muttered, turnin
's plans. What if he betrayed me and told his father?
o speak your mind,
first,"
r six months," he said in a calm voice.Dodgin
d over me at
agreeing." He g
we're engaged, you'll move to the Bellini estate. I'll make sure
Long Island, but I pushed the thought aside and forc
*
ng endless instructions on how I should look. I was completely clueless w
Thankfully, Caldwell wasn't standing guard in the room under Fa
ensive gowns and tuxedos. Nico stood waiting for me in a black tuxedo, his eyes f
e asked, his ton
ly, the media surrounded us, cameras flashing endlessly to capture every glimpse of us. My father stood
all to the engagement pa
lause as my hand tighten
ng directly on us. Nico's father handed him the engagement
say a few words to your l
so long for this moment," Nico said smoothly. "And I'm g
good at acting, making every word sound natural and sin
rowd's reaction, eve
. I was certain they had never seen him look at anyone like that befor
rds," the emcee said
smile ont
inally be yours,
oked at me, and whispers inst
re in
cu
or the cameras, even though
mth, and I smiled back as cameras captured the moment. The flashing lights only
aced it on N
ke confidence. I had already embarrassed myself by fainting. I didn't
om as flowers showered over us
orners of my past memories and echoes I tried desperately to ignore. Still, I forced a smile,
retending was alr
o, I nee
at me, and
n?" Nico asked. "You never called me that d
odd
whispered. "This pl
ain, making it difficult to understand him. Talking to him wasn'
ceremony room, the air felt a little less suff
n't wander out
nd found Caldwell standing there in a black suit, his blue eye
alm down. I stru
owly," he s
faster, and sweat rolled down my forehead. My palms
me forward. My body pres
rtbeat reached my ear, steady and soothing, like
w breath,"
I d
y hands wrapped around him, though I noticed his body was sti
feeling?" he
." I said. "
s still held me close. I lo
member me at
"Did we m
me with an expression
lace." Nico's crisp voice cut
t move away from me, so I did. The moment I pulled back, he
d Caldw
toward the ballroom. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Caldwell watching me. For
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