CHAPTER NINE - Elopement

Ariana's POV

What aunty Jan says makes sense, but Cole already propose, I can't very well force him to marry me until he's ready.

"Can't we pretend to be married, until Cole is ready" I suggested already knowing that it's one of the dumbest thing to pass through my lips, since I met Cole yesterday.

"I'm sorry that was dumb" I said to myself. "If I'm not legally married, it won't be hard for my father to emotionally break me into being submissive to him once again.

Wiping his hand on a kitchen towel that hung on the refrigerator door, "so aunty Jan, what you're saying is that Arie and I should elope?" Cole asks her musing.

Shaking her head and her hands, "oh no! I never said anything. Uh, uh, don't drag me into your love affair" aunty Jan said waving her hand between Cole and me.

Cole chuckles and I open my eyes in horror.

I fought but failed miserably at blushing!

Sitting back down in the seat I vacated earlier, "so we are actually doing this? You are really going to go through with this? You know, like marrying me" I said, taking deep breaths.

Looking at me with a soft unreadable expression, "yes, Arie, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health till death do us part" Cole said with a far away look as he lifts his eyes from my face to the wall behind me.

With butterflies, fluttering inside my chest. I can't deny it, I'm genuinely happy to be marrying the guy I love, him, Cole.

"I don't have a dress" I blurted out.

Getting up to stand in front of me, "that's the beauty in elopement, it's impromptu." aunty Jan in all her worldly wisdom, says.

Turning to Cole, "lets go get some wedding emergencies for the happy couple." aunty Jan told Cole.

Grinning excitedly, "let's go break into your apartment, Arie" Cole said walking out the door. "Get dress" he instructs as he leaves.

Darn, "What doesn't he get?" I turned angrily to aunty Jan. "I have nothing to wear" I said, huffing like a spoilt brat.

Aunty Jan looks at me with a soft smile, then at the doorway that Cole just went thru.

'Arie, this is your second chance at love and love with Cole the only one you ever loved. And the one you still love? Am I right?" she asks me softy.

My earlier excitement disappears, as she reminds me of the crush I had for Cole all these years.

Shrugging as if it means nothing to me, when I'm actually screaming inside with happiness to be marrying the guy I loved, the guy I still loved!

Eyes moisten with unshed tears, I nodded silently, admitting to still having feelings for Cole my future!

"Arie," aunty Jan hugged me close, whispering softly in my ear. "For what it's worth, Cole is not being selfless but selfish" she chuckles. "Cole loves you just give him time to show you and that little Ms Arie is all I have to say" she releases me as she zip her lips shut, with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Surprised, is it true? Does Cole like me? What about his girlfriend, I thought.

Shaking my head in denial to what she said.

Putting a finger to her lips, "shoo" she said as Cole back into the kitchen.

Frowning, "is that what you're wearing?" he asks, looking at my T-shirt, self-conscious of how little it covered.

"It's absolutely perfect for a break in" I chuckle, pulling at the hem of the front of the T-shirt.

Cole's eyes remained on my bare thighs where the hem of the T-shirt dropped.

Turing to aunty Jan, "you tagging along?"

Shaking her head, "no, I think I'll remain and make you something to eat for lunch" she tells us.

I went back to my room to collect my keys for the apartment and the vault key.

Selecting a hair tie from my handbag, I ran my fingers through my hair, before tying it into a messy bun.

I couldn't find my phone anywhere, so I guess it must me downstairs with the others that I give Cole last night.

I grab my handbag that also held the papers from Antoinette's handbag. I will run through it in the car.

Joining Cole and aunty Jan who stood in the corridor close to the staircase, whispering softy with what seems to be a serious conversation.

I walked downstairs, "have you seen my phone?" I asked Cole just before I reached the bottom of the stairs.

Cole pulls the phone out of his pocket, handing it to me as I stood in front of him, searching my eyes.

"What?" I asked frowning

"You don't remember?" he ask with concern

"Remember what?" I responded, curious.

Shaking his head, looking away, "nothing, its nothing" he said, muttering incoherently as he walked away.

What was that? Aunty and I followed Cole with our eyes as he walked back to the kitchen.

Handing me a tights and a coat, " put these on to keep yourself warm" she said ushering me out the front door to wait for Cole to take me to my apartment.

Mentally picturing all that I can take with me that won't instantly cause anyone to realize that I've moved out.

Opening my phone to check messages, I notice quite a few from coworkers, my father, my stepmother.

I immediately opened a her message:- Ariana, your wedding is in precisely thirteen days. I will be coming tomorrow evening after work to see what you have done so far. I need all of your receipts for your purchases and down payments on caters. venues etc. Be home or there will be consequences.

Wow, chuckling because I have absolutely nothing in place for the wedding they planned. They are forcing this yet still they want me to pay?

Angry and for the first time I felt a little backbone, I decided to respond.

Me:- I'm sorry aunty, I have nothing in place because my father is suppose to pay for his only daughter's wedding, right?. I'm at work, I will message you when I'm leaving.