(DANTE'S POV)

I parked the car in front of the Kim's residence. I turned to look at her, she was biting her fingers. This was something she did when she was nervous. It was more like an habit.

I smiled, having her back in town seemed so surreal. It felt like a dream.

I don't have her back in my life- not yet, but I will.

"Thank you for bringing me home." She said, her eyes refusing to meet mine.

Home is with me. I'll make sure to bring you home Ria. One step at a time.

"You are welcome." I said.

God, I wanted to hold her in my arms and kiss her senseless.

This is all too much for her and I don't want her to feel overwhelmed. The plan is to take things easy but I can only hold back for so long..

My eyes met her lips and it took every bit of strength to hold back from kissing her.

The fact that she left me remained, but so is the fact that she wasn't to be blamed. I blamed Cici, no one but Cici Ferrari. Still, I had to make sure to let Ria realise that leaving doesn't always solve problems.

I still love her, so much. But I have to hold back now even if it kills me.

"Uhm.. thank you." She said again.

She was too cute and my lips twitched up in a short smile.

"You are very welcome." I rolled my eyes.

I watched her as she got down from the car. She still didn't ask me the one question I expected her to.

My upcoming wedding with Lilly Morgan of Spark Industries.

The car roared back to life and I was prepared to leave, but she stopped me.

"Yes?" I raised an eyebrow.

I knew it. She's going to ask now. 3, 2, 1-

"Shawn and Kay are engaged, I feel you should know. You weren't there, everyone hasn't heard from you in a while." She drew out the last part slowly.

Of course, I know. Shawn came to see me when he came back to town. He told me he was going to propose to his girlfriend, I encouraged him of course.

I wasn't there because I wasn't ready to see Ria. I didn't have the strength to face her at that moment. Shawn understood that, it was quite nice of him if I might add.

I didn't cut ties with everyone. I just didn't have the strength to be around them without remembering Ria. I was broken and didn't want to be a burden to them all.

I gave her a nod and smiled genuinely.

"Tell her I said congratulations. I'm happy for her."

She smiled and said goodbye, turning around to leave.

I guess she isn't bothered about the news or maybe she doesn't know yet-

"Are you really getting married?"

Finally, she asked.

My hand on the wheel went still. Looking at her, I saw the eagerness in her eyes and it excited me.

A smirk formed on the corner of my lips. Depriving my eyes of any emotion, I replied.

"Yes, I'm getting married Ria."

My eyes narrowed when I saw her stumble on her feet, thank God she didn't fall.

Did I take things too far?

"Congratulations." She said and I could hear the crack in her voice.

"Good night Dante."

And she turned around, every stride she took was longer than the previous one. It almost seemed like she was running.

When teasing goes wrong..

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(RIA'S POV)

Just when I thought the universe had plans. Was this the plan?

I cried myself to sleep that night. I lost hope, every inch of hope I had left was gone.

Days flew by so fast and before I knew, it was back to the usual. I go to work, come back home, eat and sleep. Only that, I hardly spoke to anyone.

Mrs. Kim advised me to go on vacation. Then, the thought seemed useless but now, it did sound like a good idea.

I thought of going somewhere far but my budget was short so I decided to take part time jobs. Though, getting busy still wasn't enough to ache the pain in my heart.

Sometimes, I would cry at work, earning stares from people. It wasn't easy- at all.

Every night, I got home feeling extremely exhausted. I was tired of living, living was way harder than I thought. The universe must be so cruel to me because everyone was happy except me.

What did I do to deserve such?

"Get up." Kay's loud voice woke me up from sleep.

"It's Saturday, I need to get some sleep." I groaned.

"I say get the fuck up. All you do is work, cry and mope around. What the hell is wrong with you?" She shouted.

"Dante Moretti is getting married? Yes, so what? You need to get hold of your life and get your shit together. You are still so young."

"I know." I agreed, stretching out my arms.

"No, I'm not going to hug you." She scoffed.

"But I want to." I pouted.

She rolled her eyes, coming to bed and giving me a long hug.

"I love you, Ria but please don't live like this." She said softly.

I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips at how motherly she could be at times.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"What? No." I shouted, staring up at the tall building.

"You brought me to shop at Ivory? Why?"

"All you do is mope around bestie. I just thought maybe we could change that, you know?" She scratched the back of her neck and I knew she was up to something.

I know Kayla Garett too well and right now, she seems too suspicious.

"What are you planning, you little devil?" I asked, narrowing my eyes in suspicion.

"Come on, I'm not that evil." She rolled her eyes, still, I didn't miss the glint in her eye.

What on earth is she up to this time?

"Alright, let's go in now. Jamie will be joining us soon, it's a girls day out." Her lips broke into a huge grin and I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

My crazy best friend is one of the few things keeping me sane at the moment. Though, she makes me run mad sometimes.

Kay being Kay, bought almost half of the shop. Still, it wasn't enough.

"I'll shop more next weekend." She had said with a shrug.

Shawn doesn't know what he's getting himself into just yet- before popping the question. Poor Shawn..

After shopping, Jamie took us to this huge saloon where we had our hair and makeup done.

"Why the need for hair and makeup." I asked.

"We are getting a makeover girl."

That was what Jamie had said.

"Girls do this everyday, come on its not that serious." Kay added.

So I had my hair done. My usual brown hair, now had caramel blonde highlights with layers. I must admit, I sort of liked it.

Like the girls, my makeup was also done. Kay and Jamie asked the makeup artist to apply a bold red lip. No matter how much I whined, they both went deaf and wouldn't hear a thing. Eventually, I threw up my hands in defeat.

"Now, where to next?" Kay asked, grinning from ear to ear.

I wondered how her lips were still intact from smiling too much all day.

"Just drop me home guys-"

"Let's go to my place, we can get ready over there." Jamie replied, bringing the car to life and driving off.

"Good idea." Kay said, beaming at her.

"Hello? I don't get to have a say at all?"

And they didn't listen..

God, what did I get myself into?