Adrino Diavolo Lucifer stared right at me.
I looked away, pretending not to notice.
WTF is he doing here?
I moved toward a group of crime bosses, shaking hands as my father introduced me.
Jason came up behind me, pulling me into a hug.
In the middle of it, I whispered,"I'm gonna kill you after this."
He chuckled. "I willingly accept," he said, handing me a neatly wrapped box.
"What's this?"
"Can you pretend to be happy and thank me first?"
I forced a smile. "Thank you so much."
"Weirdo," he teased, walking off.
I sighed, sensing Adrino's familiar gaze boring into me.
"Would you stop staring?" I muttered.
"My Amor, I can't stop staring when you're drop-dead beautiful," he said.
Adrino Diavolo Lucifer. Long time no see.
Have you ever missed someone so much that, the moment you see them, you wonder why you ever thought of them?
"Meena?"
"Uh-uh, no. It's Aria Delaney now."
"Okay, Aria. How have you been?"
"As you can see, not bad — for a trillionaire."
"But princess, I never imagined your dad was Tom Delaney."
"Well, DNA doesn't lie. So, why are you here?"
"Happy birthday, Aria. I came to wish you well."
"Thanks. Now you can leave."
"Here." He handed me a box.
"Thanks," I said coldly.
"Who was that?" Jason asked.
"Who?"
"The guy who hugged you."
"None of your concern. Remember, I'm no one's slave or toy anymore. So you can't question my life or the people in it. If you don't have anything important to say, excuse me."
Suddenly, I felt his hand grip mine.
"Aria, why don't we go somewhere private?"
"I'm comfortable here, in front of everyone. Besides, you're a married man now, right? Last I checked, I owe you nothing."
"Bye." I pulled away and walked off.
Two hours later
I came downstairs, this time wearing a red gown paired with silver-dipped heels.
Tonight, I wasn't just welcoming guests — I was introducing myself to the world.
On stage, I cleared my throat and began:
"Hi everyone, I'm Aria Delaney, the only and first child of Tom Delaney. We reconciled about two years ago..."
"I know many have questioned my whereabouts or how I'm now claiming to be his daughter, but DNA doesn't lie. Am I right?"
The crowd nodded.
"This isn't a secret, but a matter of privacy. I was kept in a cage built of lies and betrayal."
"Every time I sought help, it came with strings attached. I won't deny I've been through hell."
"And yes, to all paparazzi and gossip mongers —I WAS A SEX SLAVE WITHOUT WORTH. Not by choice, but circumstance. Life didn't give me options like it does now. So if someone digs up my past — well, I've said it first."
"I was forced into it. So please, no posting my picture with false stories about who I am or who I love. Life has shown me love is terrifying."
A reporter interrupted, "Miss, do you believe in love? Have you found it?"
I glanced at Adrino, whose lustful gaze burned into me.
"I believe love is real. I love my Papa. And maybe I loved someone who couldn't love me back — perhaps because of my past, or because he was too ashamed to show me to the world."
"Thank you, Miss Aria. And happy birthday."
"Thanks, everyone, for listening."
I headed to the terrace for fresh air, but a voice stopped me.
"ADRINO," I gasped.
"Princess, I've missed you," he said.
"What do you want, Adrino?"
"You. Every inch of you," he whispered, moving closer. Before I could react, his lips—those lips I'd craved—seized my breath, making my heart stop.
My knees went weak. Damn him. He was my weakness.
I kissed him back, tangled in a storm of love and pain, forgetting everything for a moment.
When we finally broke apart, gasping, reality hit.
I shoved him back.
"How could I? You're married. You're Adrino."
"What's wrong, princess?"
"Don't call me that! I'm no longer your toy to kiss or f*ck whenever you please. Is this how you say sorry — after your wife pushed me into the ocean? Now you come crawling back?"
"No. My body, my choice."
"You sick psychopath."
"And you kissed me back. I didn't expect it."
"Don't you have a wife? What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Aria, what do you mean Natalie pushed you into the ocean?"
"Oh, you don't know?"
"Your wife killed me. She killed Meena Alasdair."
"The person you're speaking to is Aria Delaney — Meena's rebirth."
"Aria, I'm sorry. I had no idea."
"Well, now you know. Leave."
"Aria..."
"Don't. Just go. Don't ruin my day." I spat, watching him walk away, muttering,"Arrive Derci."
BLACKOUT
Years later...
"Baby girl, this is called touring the world!" Larisa said.
"I never knew Tokyo could be this beautiful."
"I'm glad you finally took a break from that mad office. I had to beg you for this vacation."
"Haha, Larisa, so you left Claud in New York to party all night in Tokyo?"
"A girl's gotta be free! No time for commitment."
"Larisa, thanks for having my back five years ago."
"Girl, no bugging. I love you like family."
"But... I miss Dad. He knows how to spoil me. Bet he's worried."
"No, he insisted I drag you out of work after you finished school — modeling, running the empire — you're losing your glow."
"I made arrangements. Next stop: China for spa and shopping. Then Spain for the food."
"Don't forget Greece! I wanna snap pics with Greek gods."
"And Dubai and everywhere else."
"How long is this vacation?"
"Six months!"
"SIX MONTHS!" I shouted. "Too much!"
"No say in it. Just live life. Who knows how long before you beg me again."
"I never agreed to travel with you again. I'd kill you!"
"I'm the snitch you love. Come on, let's hit this amazing club I found."
"Why did I agree to this?" I muttered, trailing behind her.
In Greece...
After trying on countless dresses, Larisa finally exclaimed,"This one!"
"I love it!"
I was laughing outside a boutique when I bumped into...
Wait for it...
A god-like, drop-dead handsome man.
"Sorry," he said in the huskiest voice.
"No worries! I'm supposed to say that," I joked, while Larisa gave me the nudge to go talk to him.
I couldn't pass this up.
"I'm Aria," I said, extending my hand.
"Sean. Sean Walton," he replied, shaking it.
"Nice meeting you."
"Same. You're incredibly hot, couldn't resist saying hi."
"Thanks. I'd return the compliment but I don't think I'm the one you should be saying that to. You're probably the hottest woman I've ever seen — a full definition of beauty."
I blushed. Me? Blushing for a Greek guy?
"Okay Aria, I'm going to drop these bags in the car."
"Girl, take your time falling for him and make sure you get his contact," Larisa whispered loudly as she walked off.
"Your sister?"
"No, bestie. But we're close like sisters."
"He must be a hard nut to crack."
"Maybe, but I always get what I want."
"I get that. So, are you Greek or American?"
"I'm American — just here on vacation."
"And Greece of all places."
"Her idea, not mine. But I guess it's worth it."
"With the goddess' permission, may I have your contact?"
"Sure."
I handed him my phone; he did the same.
"How about a proper meeting tomorrow?"
"Perfect."
"See you soon. I gotta run."
"Bye, nice meeting you."
BLACKOUT