Finally the wedding day!

There are beautiful flowers with simple, yet amazing decorations all over the place. It's quite exceptional... everything about the wedding setting. My heart is busy doing flips all through the vows exchange between the couple. Sniffling, I wipe off my tears quickly. It's so emotional, a beautiful wedding no doubt and the fact that it's a beach wedding makes it more beautiful. My dream wedding.

"Bride and Groom, you heard the words about love and marriage, have exchanged your vows and made your promises, and celebrated your union with the giving and receiving of rings. It is at this time that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." the priest announces.

Immediately, the now married couple seal their union with a kiss, the sound of whistling and cheering from the crowd take over the whole place. I join in applauding, my cheeks starting to hurt from smiling too much. It's such a lovely ceremony... a union between two souls now becoming one.

"Alright, ladies are you set?" Caitlyn chirps, grinning from ear to ear.

It's tradition for the bride to throw the bouquet with the believe that whoever catches it becomes the next bride. Honestly, I wonder who started the trend making it a tradition. It's quite funny how people believe in this so much.

"Okay, one."

"Two."

"Three."

I fold my arms around my chest, standing among the ladies who are all extremely excited to catch the flower. Immediately the bouquet of flowers is thrown by the bride, my eyes follow it, watching it move in the air while keeping my stance on the spot. I hear a gasp followed by a squeal. I turn my head to the side and I see Kay, her mouth covered with her palms. Her eyes are all wide as if she's seen a ghost.

"Oh God! Ria got it." she voices out finally, rushing to my side.

Looking down at my arms folded around my chest, I see the bouquet resting there as if it found it's home.

Oh shit!

"Congratulations sister." Kay chirps, hugging me.

I remain there frozen. What the actual fuck?

"You will make one beautiful bride, Ria." Caitlyn smiles, holding my hands in hers before hugging me.

"Thank you?" I mutter, unsure.

This is so awkward.

"I don't even have a boyfriend." I tell Kay once we are finally alone.

She seems too excited with the whole thing for no particular reason.

"So? Who knows, maybe your prince charming is closer than you think honey." she winks.

"You brought me out here just to say that?"

She narrow her eyes, feigning annoyance.

"What, you do like the beach." she smiles, taking my hands in hers and squeezing them lightly.

I do agree with her, I totally love the beach. It keeps me calm. Mama teased me a lot when I was much younger, she would call me a mermaid saying it's why I love the beach so much. I really miss my mama.

"You will find the one for you, Ria. Love takes time but it happens eventually. And believe me, love is never late."

For strange reasons her words get to me, bringing tears to my eyes. I sniffle, wiping away my tears.

"Why am I so emotional today?" I laugh, still wiping the tears that escaped from my eyes.

"Maybe it's that time of the month?" Kay pokes me in the rib.

"Oww! Stop it fish head." I laugh, hugging her. "I love you dummy."

"And I love you more." she says, placing a kiss in my hair.

"Ria."

Oh, what does he want this time?

"Dante." Kay chirps, walking to him. "That was such a lovely ceremony right?"

"I couldn't agree more." he smiles, keeping his eyes on me. "You look beautiful, Ria."

Almost choking on my saliva immediately the words left his mouth, I stare blankly at him. After the other night, I didn't expect him to act all nice, complimenting me and stuff. Are we forming amnesia now?

"Ah ah, uhm-" Kay is practically squeaking. "I'll see you guys later, bye."

And where is my best friend when I need her the most? Dante laughs, watching Kay's back till she's out of sight.

"She's something else."

"Dante, what do you want?" I break the silence.

"You look beautiful, I just told you that remember?" he smiles. "Don't I deserve a thank you?"

I want to tell him badly I would rather strip naked and run around the resort than say thank you. Knowing him, that will only earn me one of his famous stupid remarks.

"Thank you Dante." I manage to force a smile. "Can I go now?"

"Ria, about the other night I-"

No. No. Not now.

"You were drunk, let's not talk about it." I say firmly.

"Ria I-"

"No. Stop Dante. Please."

(DANTE'S POV)

"Ria I-"

"No. Stop Dante. Please." her voice is all calm but it bears a hint of what seems like sadness.

With Ria, there's always that weird force, drawing me to her even when I don't want it. Just like now, watching her stand here in front of me, I want to hug her, I want to kiss her... my hands are itching badly to touch her. God dammit! I want her, all of her. It's crazy isn't it? No matter how many women I've been with, it just doesn't stop my hunger for her. It doesn't stop me from wanting her.

Since the first night I saw her, I knew there was something different about her, something I just can't seem to figure out. The worst part of it all is I know I shouldn't have slept with her. I should have let her go that night in my room at the resort, while I still had the chance. The moment I had her in my arms, I knew I would do anything to have her in my bed again. As crazy as it sounds, I want Ria in a way I've never wanted a woman before.

Last night when I saw her with Ashton, the mere thought of him holding her and touching her in ways I did before almost drove me mad. It's so crazy how I want Ria so much and that is why I decided I would do anything to make her want me the same way. No one can stop me, not even her.

The plan is to fuck her one more time and that's it. Finally, I will get her out of my system. Just one more time and this will all be over. If playing nice is the ticket to achieving my goal then so be it.

"I'm sorry." I speak calmly, studying her.

She looks shocked but somehow relieved at the same time, making me so sure she isn't going to leave. This is the perfect time to say the things that seem right, anything at all to reduce her hatred for me. Go ahead Dante, it's just another stupid woman. You can win over her, after all you are Dante Moretti.

"I was a jerk. I was totally an ass. I treated you badly since we met. You probably won't forgive me but I want you to know that I'm truly sorry." I make sure to sound sincerely as possible, hoping she buys it. "From now on, I'll refrain from causing you any form of trouble."

The two of us remain in silence, I didn't speak and neither does she. When I see the look in her eyes, I know for sure she believes me. Poor little Ria... she's so naive.

I turn around, pretending to take my leave. She's unaware I'm actually waiting for her to call me back. I start counting the second my legs take the first step.

One

Two

Thre-

"Dante, wait..."

I smirk before turning around slowly to face her.

"To be honest, you've been nothing but a jerk and that's just the truth. However, since the jerk just apologized I would be a jerk too if I didn't forgive him now right?" she smiles nervously. "I forgive you, Dante."

I am at loss for words and somehow I can't bear looking in her eyes. In her eyes reside so much emotions, almost making me feel guilty. Come on, I can't possibly be tagged the bad guy just for wanting a woman. There's absolutely nothing to be guilty of.

She keeps smiling and I notice properly for the first time how truly beautiful Ria Lee is. Damn! The sooner I end this, the better.

"Ria." I say softly, drawing her close.

"Thank you."

Hugging her tightly, I realize maybe I shouldn't have. Though, one thing is certain now... I need to have sex with this woman before the end of the night. Tomorrow morning, we all go back to our various homes, back to our lives. Once we leave Cannes, I want nothing more to do with Ria Lee. It's either we fuck tonight or I forget the whole thing. The latter is out of option if you ask me.

"Why the hug? You don't appear as the hugging type." she smirks.

"Who knows, could it be because you are so tiny and huggable?" I fake a smile.

The clock is ticking, I have to start planning now if I truly wish to execute my plan. I need to start moving now.

"Did you see me catch the bouquet earlier?" She rubs the back of her neck nervously.

Why is she feeling nervous?

"Oh, yeah." I smile, thinking of what to say next.

Come on, think fast Dante. Think. What do you think she would love to hear?

"Oh." she returns my smile with bigger one of hers.

Poor thing, her cheeks probably hurt so much now from smiling too much. She really must have forgiven me.

"You will make one really beautiful bride, Ria."

She freezes, her lips trembling as if the cold is starting to get to her. Her eyes, filled with tears all of a sudden. I almost feel guilty because there's no emotions attached to those false words. I close the little space between us, removing my suit jacket. Gently, I help her put on my jacket. A gasp escapes past her lips, and I smirk but she didn't notice.

Just few more hours Dante... few more hours.

"You gave me your jacket." she says, sounding almost unsure.

"Why? I can't do that?" I raise a brow.

"No! It's just..." Her brows furrow, and she keeps struggling to find the right words.

"You surprised me is all. I guess chivalry isn't dead in this society of emotionally dead people."

I burst into laughter.

Oh dear, you got it all wrong. Chivalry can go fuck itself for all I care, I just want to get in your pants. She's too innocent and naive.

"What's funny?" she asks, eyeing me as if trying to read me.

"Nothing." I smile, comporting myself.

She studies me carefully, almost as if suspicious. For a second, it feels I got caught but then she smiles brightly. I heave a sigh of relief. That was so close...

"Thank you for lending me your jacket." she says softly.

"And you are welcome." I wink.

"See you later at the after party?" she asks.

"Definitely." I tell her.

She smiles again, her eyes holding mine. She seems genuinely happy. The Ria before me at this moment is way different from the version of her I knew.

She radiates warmth, sweetness, kindness and she looks even more beautiful. I shake my head, knowing I shouldn't be seeing her in that light. It feels wrong, that's not the plan. I need to focus on my plan and execute it perfectly with no complications whatsoever.

She flashes one last sweet smile before walking away. I watch her till she's no longer in sight. She's absolutely unaware of what I have in store for us.

After party? No, I don't think so.