To say things are going well would be an understatement.

Once Alec got back, security was immediately ramped up. He ordered Emil to come up with plans to make sure Mara is safe under all circumstances. He warned Emil to never make the same mistake twice or he'll lose his job. For good.

Mara, now, has to go to class with at least two body guards in the same room as her. She is not allowed to walk in hallways or even go in a cafeteria alone. She's being monitored all day, every day. I could tell it's taking a toll on her.

I would argue with Alec but even I want Mara protected at all cost. These Natividads are unpredictable. They could strike anytime and anywhere just like what they did a week ago with Mara and her friends.

"Dy." Mara uttered my name with surprise as she walked closer to my car parked a few spaces near their cars. Her hair is in a bun, her gray eyes are dull. She speed walked to me and immediately jumped in my arms when she was close enough. "Thank God. I'm going crazy."

I hugged her comfortingly. I could the stress coming off of her body in waves. She seemed to have been keeping up with appearances all week. "I'm here. I'm sorry shortcake. All of these are needed to protect you." I said as she steps back from the hug. "It'll be over sooner than you think."

"You've been busy, huh?" She said suspiciously.

"Maybe." I teased her, flicking the end of her nose playfully. "Let's go."

"Wait." She said as she pulls her hand away and runs back to Emil and his group of bodyguards. Mara seems to be explaining why she's ditching them behind as she points in my direction with a very worried looking Emil. She goes and dumps the books in their arms and runs back to me with an excited smile. "Ready."

"Let's go." I said and pulled her behind me. I'm glad she's smiling.

"Where are we headed?" She asked as I pulled out of the parking lot. My eyes focused on the black car following us without hesitation. Guess Emil never really took no for an answer afterall.

"We're going on that food tasting for the wedding's caterer we canceled." I explained. "Clarrisse was able to reschedule the first appointment."

"I get to eat a lot of food?" She asked excitedly.

I chuckled at her childish behavior. "Your cute." I said as I look at her sideways for a second.

She glares at me. "I am not a dog, don't call me cute." She remarks smartly.

"Would pretty suffice?" I asked, with a teasing smile on my lips. As if on cue, her cheeks turned red immediately without further poking.

We stayed quiet until we reached the destination. It's a very well-known place for different cuisines. A buffet style kind of restaurant. It's a seven storey building with glass windows and a beige coated paint building walls.

"I think Clarrisse is already inside. Let's go." I said as I put the car in park. My eyes wandering to the black car behind us. Emil already standing by the door, waiting for us to get down. "Your guards are in place." I said, snickering as I got out to open Mara's door for her.

"They never leave my side." Mara said, sighing tiredly as she does. "Emil." She said as a greeting as she notices Emil already standing on guard. Emil nods in response.

"Bet he's got his panties in a twist already." I whispered to Mara as I close the door behind.

Mara looks at me before laughing as she looks at Emil. "I bet." I pull her with me as she continues to laugh at my small jab to Emil. "That was a bad image you put in my head, mister." She said waggling her pointing finger in front of my face.

I opened the door for us and let her enter in first before walking in after her. "I'll be your mister when you marry me." I said as I look around for Clarrisse.

"Then you are my what now?" She asked cheekily. Her smile still in place as her gray eyes shine brighter than it did when I picked her up.

I put my hand on either side of her cheek and pulled her face closer to mine. "I'm your fiancé and possibly, hopefully, the love of you life." I said, winking at her before planting a kiss on top of her lips.

"You are." She said smiling beautifully at me once I released her. "Oh. I found Clarrisse." She said before walking to Clarrisse without clarifying her words. I shake my head at her and follow her to the table.

"Clarrisse." I said, greeting her politely. My eyes travel to the eyesore beside her and regretted it the moment I saw what she was wearing. "Is this appropriate?" I asked, referring to what Stella is wearing. To put it lightly, she's wearing a body hugging dress with the top practically falling from her body.

"It's okay. She's comfortable and that's fine." Mara said with a smile and took the seat across from Stella. "Well, let's get started." She said and patted the chair beside her.

Giving Stella a bad look, I took the seat. I didn't try to hide how displeased I am at how her assistant chose to show herself to us - her clients. I expected more professionalism from them than what we are getting. "I can't say I'm satisfied with what's happening."

"Mr. Franco.." Clarrisse uttered, her gaze moving to Mara who sat patiently beside me without a care. "You could just tell me what you need, and I'll make sure it is well taken care of."

"Of course." Stella said in her flirtatious and nasally voice. She leans forward, her breasts almost spilling out from her clothes. "Anything."

"Okay. Miss Mara, if you would please follow me." Clarrisse said, standing up from her chair to wait for Mara to come and follow her.

"Actually, I'm a bit tired. Dy will come with you." She said, looking at me expectantly.

I widened my eyes at her. "We could reschedule. I'll take you home." I said immediately as my eyes already looking for Emil's reliable figure by the door of the place.

She shakes her head with a smile on her face. "No. I'll stay and rest with Stella here. Go. You know me better than I know you."

I steal a look at Stella's unpleasant face before looking back at my fiancée. "I will if you answer my question earlier." I said, trying to lighten the mood and possibly, my nervous heart from shattering. I don't feel good about leaving her with her. Who knows what she'll do if they're alone?

She grins at me and drops a kiss on my cheek. "Both." She whispered in my ear, which in turn made a huge grin break from my face.

I can't stop the giddy smile from showing on my face despite trying hard not to show it. I shake my head and asked Clarrisse to show me the way. But not after dropping a kiss on Mara's lips and giving the stink eye to Stella as a warning.

"We'll have to talk about that assistant of yours." I told Clarrisse as she leads us away from the table.

I catch Emil's eyes and I nod my head to our table. Telling him to watch over Mara while I get a handful of food that might be on the catering menu of our wedding. Before I lose sight of the table, I made sure to look again. Only to see Mara leaning in on table with a funny look on her face,

"Sir." Clarrisse steals my attention again. "I'm going to introduce you to the chef and owner of this fine place."

Confusion covers my face as we near the table. Mara is comfortable sitting in her chair but Stella- or her things - are nowhere to be seen. I walked faster to our table, worried that something had happened to Mara.

"Hey." Mara greets me cheerfully as she puts her phone down on the table, "That was quick."

"Yea.." I said, trailing my words. "Where's your company?" I asked, not able to hold myself back.

She shrugged her shoulders, her eyes following the movements of the waiters as plate after plate is served in front of us. "She ran out crying. I don't know."

"She did what?" Clarrisse asked as she retakes the seat across from I. Her voice is inevitably higher and louder, surprise clear on her face. "I'm sorry for raising my voice, Miss Mara."

Mara waves her hand in a dismissive manner. "It's fine Clarrisse."

"Anyway. This is Chef Nickolai Banks' owner and head chef of this fine place." Clarrisse says, as she puts her phone down back to her purse. "He's one of the best chefs in New York. Has catered for a lot of high profile events and weddings."

"Oh. Nice to meet you." Mara said, standing up to shake hands with the man.

Nickolai smiles and accepts the handshake. "Congratulations. I have to say, you look prettier in person than you do in televisions or tabloid." He said as both of them take a seat.

"Why, thank you." Mara said.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but I held back. He was clearly trying to impress my girl. Unfortunately for him, Mara accepts compliments like it was nothing but a normal set of words. She completely brushes him off by her words and actions which in turn, made me smile satisfactorily.

Guess I don't have to worry that someday, someone might snag her away from me.

"Hey." I said, as I called Mara's attention away from the food in front of her.

"Yea?" She asked, her gray eyes shining innocently.

I smile at her.

This woman is going to be my wife.

I can't wait.

"I love you." I told her.

A full blown smile broke out of her face. A giddy look on her face, "I love you too, Dy."

Needless to say, we spent hours trying to decide which foods would be available in our wedding. We picked three different appetizers, main course and dessert. It was a menu, if we ever decided to get Chef Nikolai as our caterer. But we both decided to visit two more possible caterers from Clarrisse's long list of caterers.

I dropped Mara off not long after. I wanted to walk her to their apartment but she told me not to. She's tired, visibly tired, and sleepy. So I settled for a kiss goodnight and watching her walk to her building with a handful of bodyguards surrounding her.

That night, I walked in my apartment with a contented smile on my face.

Love really does things to a person.