Roxy was too emotional hearing him as her tears trickled down on her cheeks.

All were waiting, holding their breath to hear her accept but she shrugged his hands and wiped her cheeks.

​​

"My makeup is all ruined."

All burst into laughter hearing Roxy.

Romantic Rian was back to his real self, "Hey, is that important now?"

Noah, Aria, and Eva looked at each other and again started laughing. Only Rian knew how he was able to control his anxiety.

Eva said between her laugh which diverted Roxy's attention to them, "Oh my crazy couple, we are still waiting for you to finish."

Aria wasn't expecting a hug from Roxy at that time. She patted her to calm down.

Rian growled, "You Little devil, why are you taking my girl?"

Aria: "..."

Roxy complained, "You didn't even kneel to propose. Where are roses? Where is the ring?"

Rian threatened, "Alright, don't answer, I'll pick another girl."

All started laughing again seeing Roxy punch him and hug him tight.

"You dumb man, I dare you to look at anybody other than me. You only have me now and forever."

All gave them a round of applause for the couple. Rian and Roxy exchanged rings and thanked everyone when they were wishing.

Eva and Aria teased Noah for being single. Noah had to join his family while grim Eva sat next to Isaac.

Aria stayed with Curtis as they planned how crazily they could torture the new couple.

Ford understood what Amelia had meant by 'Our children celebration'. Nobody could say what was going on in his head.

He really wanted Jeremy's daughter to marry Alan. He didn't like how things progressed. He was happy for Rian and Roxy but he wanted Alan and Monroe to get together.

He felt his eyes sting looking at Aria and Curtis laughing.

When it was time for the birthday celebration, all gathered around, Curtis and Orla cut different cakes at the same time.

Curtis had taken Amelia, Aria, and Roxy with him so Rian called his brother and stood behind their woman. Amelia and Rowan stood with Curtis and they got perfect family pictures.

The guests applauded for them looking at their warm interactions and all felt that's the complete family.

But they couldn't understand why Aria and Alan weren't together and they wanted to know Roxy's identity.

Rian and Roxy cleared to the family that they weren't in a hurry to get married or wedded. So their wedding won't be celebrated soon.

Aria sent them on holiday arranging everything after Curtis's order.

Eva complained to Isaac that he never proposed to her and their confession was also in a moment of confusion.

Hence, Isaac had told her, 'Actions are more important than words' before taking her to bed.

After dropping Curtis back home, Aria realized Alan didn't listen to her. So she quickly planned and sent a maid to Cooper mansion in her car and she reached the lakeside villa.

"Alan..."

"Hmmm."

"Still angry?"

"Hmmm."

"Speak to me."

Aria closed his laptop and sat on his lap. He had just hummed to her even in the banquet hall.

"Hmmm." Alan didn't give in.

"Alan, I'll try not to repeat."

Alan's brow twitched. "Try?"

Aria grinned, "You know I only do it in front of you and you will never let me get hurt."

Alan tried to push her away dissatisfied with the response but Aria didn't allow.

"I will not fall backside again."

Alan's lips twitched, "So you will try something else."

Aria tried to hang in there but Alan who stood up left her on the floor.

"Alan... Okay... What should I do to appease you?" Aria ran behind Alan who went downstairs to get water for them.

"Return to Cooper mansion and rest."

Aria pouted in displeasure but didn't leave.

Alan noticed her standing quietly and went in front of her, "Where is the ring?"

"Ring?" Aria asked thinking which ring he was asking about.

Alan knew she always wore their church wedding ring on her chain instead of a finger because of their problems but he didn't see it that day.

"Oh forgot? Or don't you want it anymore?"

Aria realized which ring he was talking about. She again ran behind Alan upstairs.

"A ring doesn't guarantee that we will be together forever. It's only a piece of mental. It takes trust, respect, love, understanding, friendship, and faith to make it last."

Alan suddenly stopped which caused her to bump into his back.

"Alright then, I will throw this off."

'This man is such a child.' Aria thought to herself and held his hand quickly to stop him.

Alan frowned seeing her place his hand on her waist.

"Honeytrap to escape. Do you think that will work on me?" He thought she was seducing him hence he sounded very upright and cold as if he wasn't shameless at all.

Aria rolled her eyes but didn't speak.

Alan realized there was a circular ring under her dress. Due to her off-shoulder dress, she couldn't wear that chain on her neck.

Aria waited for him to realize but Alan pulled her to embrace and went for her lips.

Aria thought he didn't understand and was punishing her so she stopped forcefully, "I have the ring, Seriously. I couldn't wear it on my neck..."

Alan saw her panic-stricken face and closed her lips with his before pulling her dress off effortlessly to see a thin chain on her small waist which had her ring.

He got envious of the ring and the chain on her porcelain skin adorning the sensual curve of her waist.

He bit her waist removing the chain flinching her, "Alan..."

He slid the ring on her finger and took her to bed seeing her flushed scarlet.

Aria pulled his collar down and spoke looking him in the eye, "Alan, I will wear the ring daily. But if in case..."

Alan cut in as his seductive tone sounded above her lips to tease them, "You are important but not the ring. I have you and your heart. That's all I need."

Of course, he knew that.

It's just that, he hated when people see her hand and think she wasn't his woman while he wanted to tell the world that she was his love, she belonged to him. She was his woman, his dearest wife.

Aria was content that he understood her.

The situation they were in, the problems they had to face, she couldn't guarantee how long she could protect the ring hiding from all hence she wanted to explain that to him which wasn't necessary anymore.

To make him happy, "Who said my honeytrap doesn't work on you?"

She flipped him down to fulfill his wish but heard, "Are you sure?"

Aria paused and flushed, 'Dumb man, was it important to ask now?'

He nibbled her neck and melted her in his arms.

Alan controlled laughing seeing her softened and flipped her down.

His husky voice tantalized near her ear, "My little wife, enjoy your husband's service tonight."

...

'Enjoy? You just know to wear me off.' Aria could only think of that laying in his arms when he let her off leaving her with no strength to even move.

Alan smiled looking at her flushed face on his chest. "Sweetheart, did you ever thought we shouldn't have married so early?"

He heard her mellow voice, "Never... Between us, marriage was never an important factor. It was just to tell the world, we are together. In fact, I'm happy that we married so soon. I can legally say you are mine."

Alan knew only Aria had the power to soften him and his stubborn heart. And she was successful.

"Then why did you want a wedding?"

Aria smiled but her voice failed to conceal her real emotions, "To be the princess but became a skedaddle bride."

Alan wrapped his arms tighter around her. He thought the man behind the scenes appears soon if it happens openly but he didn't expect to take so long.

Aria knew Alan was equally hurt like her so she quickly changed the melancholy, "Are we holding wedding again after all these?"

Alan rubbed her nose with his, "I don't mind holding a wedding every year with you. We can have wedding nights and honeymoons every year."

Aria: ⦿_⦿

'Wedding nights and honeymoons?'

Failing to word, she bit his cheek first while he justified, "Who told you to be steaming hot!"

'Steaming hot? Am I coffee or steamed bun?'

"Really?... Deal. On the other days, you fast in the guest room."

Alan controlled his laughter seeing his dummy wife, "Alright, we will return to the city for the wedding after a year-long honeymoon each time."

Aria had forgotten she never could win on him. She gave up wiping her invisible tears leaving him to laugh heartily.

She wanted to show herself as disappointed but her lips tilted up seeing him happy. If he gets happy over winning on her, she would heartily lose every time.

She didn't stop her urge to kiss him went for his curled up lips and ended up going for another round of their steamy session.

---

In a private clubhouse,

A group of wealthy heirs was enjoying music, drinks, food, and talks.

'Ding'

Everyone's attention went to the owner of the mobile who received notification because it was very rare he received such notifications.

The mobile user smiled after checking the new post from Aria Cooper on her social media account.