CHAPTER TWELVE - WEDDING SHOPPING

ARIANA'S POV

Cole? Antoinette loves Cole? is this what it has been over the years? That can't be the reason they hate me. The both of them always hated me just like they hated my mom.

Is Cole aware of Antoinette's feelings but then she's also with his brother. This is all so confusing for my tired brain.

She trashed my apartment, but I can't call my grandfather yet, not until I'm married. No one can force me to do anything once Cole's supporting me. Aunty Jan will also be there to help protect me, like before she vanished.

"Where did you go when you left" I turned to ask her sadly.

She looks at me surprise, with her hand still on my head, lifts her eyes to meet Cole's in the rearview mirror before returning to me with a softer smile.

Turning away, to look out the window as if in a dream with a far away look.

"Your grandparents, I've been working at their estate since that time until Cole called and sent a car to bring me here last night" she explains, still staring out the window.

Sitting up straighter, "does my grandparents know you're here with me?" I asked nervously.

Shaking her head, "no, not yet. They think I'm on a medical leave, that's why I don't want them to know the truth until you and Cole are married" she looks at us.

"At first you marrying him shocked me, but when I think about it, it's the best thing and Cole will take good care of you, otherwise he as to face my wrath"she chuckles looking into the rearview mirror, as he turns into the basement carpark of his penthouse,.laughing softly.

As we opened the door, to step out "and if/you don't take care of him, you will face my wrath" she adds, as Cole laughs out loud.

We entered the elevator, with Cole pressing the button to his penthouse, I clutched my bag and he held the other smaller one.

When are we getting married? " I ask him as the lift opened at the top.

Turning around to face me, eying the heavier bag in my hand with a smug smile knowing I'd prefer to drag it along than relinquish it to anyone.

"It's your call" he says turning back to walk to his apartment.

"Today" I said firmly, my mind made up. "I have to get you a ring though" I muttered, walking inside ahead of him as he opened the apartment door.

"Okay" he quickly agrees, following me inside leaving aunty Jan to shut the door behind us.

I left them behind, walking up to the room Cole give me.

Sitting on the bed looking at the few belongings, I owned because I've so much from what I had over the past three years that is now trashed.

So Antoinette loves Cole, I thought musingly, looking at the ring in my finger. Pulling it out, I stared at the diamond, thinking about Cole marrying me is a dream come through.

Twisting the ring, I saw an engraving inside. Drawing it closer to my eyes, I read the engraving softly.

'HAPPY 18 A LUV C'

WHAT?? Happy 18, A luv C???

I stood up immediately, I'm A he's C, I thought. 18??? I walked around my room. Cole loves me? What is 18?

My heart hammered loudly in my chest. Did he understand Antoinette's message on the mirror.

But I told him I loved him and he left me alone, until yesterday.

Would they look for me here when I don't show up when I'm requested to?

Chuckling softly to myself because never in their wildest dreams would they look here, because in the weeks that followed Cole leaving me, Annette and Antoinette constantly goaded me about me never being enough for Cole. Never good enough like Antoinette.

Sitting back down sadly, she like me always wanted Cole and Annette knew. But Cole didn't love me, he left me, how can they hold that against me?

There was a knock on the door that interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in" I said, smiling as aunty Jan walked into the bedroom.

Coming to sit beside me, frowning at the mess on the bed.

"It's all I own now" I said, following her eyes as they traveled over the few pieces of clothing that's mines.

"You ready to marry Cole?" she smiles.

Nodding, shyly.

Where's your passport, "she looks around.

I walked to the first bag I took from the vault, taking out two credit cards that grandfather gave me and my passport, looking for my handbag to put it in.

I found the handbag on my bed together with the documents I took from Antoinette's bag.

Shoving it back in crumpled up, deciding to read it on the plane.

Plane! Where are we going?" I asked aunty Jan, curiosity.

Chuckling, that's a question to ask your fiancé" she said. "Come" she says walking out expecting me to follow her.

Hoisting my handbag over my shoulder, I followed her in my tights and T-shirt, for once wishing I had a pretty dress to wear.

We met Cole, who looked at his watch impatiently, "sorry to keep, your highness waiting," I bowed in front of him, as both he and aunty Jan laughs at my silliness.

Grinning up at him, "where are we going?" I asked him.

Holding my arm, tugging me along. "It's a surprise" he whispers.

Aunty Jan follows us but as we boarded the plane after a brief shopping spree that Cole paid for because he didn't want my credit cards being tracked yet. Aunty Jan took a cab elsewhere promising to meet up when we retuned from the surprise.

Everything that followed was a dream that became a reality.

Cole and I choose matching wedding bands that he paid for promising that he will allow me to reimburse him for the ring and dress only.

I actually got my pretty dress.