Chapter 72: Chapter 72

''In all the world, there's no heart for me like yours.

In all the world, there's no love for you like mine.'' - www.etsy.com

Azura's POV

We arrived at Stefan's house for dinner. Gran and mom called me and made me sit with them. and we chatted about our childhood memories, Adrian's childhood antics as well as my family. Gran asked me about my parents and I told them everything about how my mom left us to marry her boyfriend and shifted in with him. Remembering everything after so many years made my heart heavy.

Since childhood I had grown up seeing my mom fighting with my dad, asking for expensive, luxurious things, which dad couldn't afford. Still, he tried to keep her happy, but she was never happy. After his death, she sold off our ranch in Texas and shifted to New York and found work in a departmental store. The pay wasn't enough for the four of us and the constant poverty, and three children to provide for started taking a toll on her nerves. She would always behave rudely toward us, hitting us for petty things, and making our lives unbearable.

So when she met a billionaire, ten years older than her, who wanted to marry her, she immediately broke all ties with us. I remembered our last argument, it made me start hating her for life. She argued with me, packed her stuff and eventually left us forever. Our condition worsened while she was happy with her life and didn't bother about us. I sent the twins to nana's house and did small jobs until I turned eighteen and landed the job at Parkland Manor.

Gran hugged me to her, "You are a fighter. You really are a brave girl," she said as I smiled, knowing that I didn't have a choice but to fight. The future of my little siblings was on me. "Thank you, gran," I whispered, feeling conscious of all gazes upon me. I don't know why I told them so much since I never opened up about my life to anyone.

"Forget her, if she's happy. Move on and find your happiness elsewhere. You have a bright future ahead of you, right?" Mom said smiling as I smiled back.

"Yes mom," I said and she smiled and got up.

"That's my girl. Come upstairs. I have something to show you," she said as I followed her upstairs to Anna's room from where mom took out some packets and gave them to me. "You have to come to the wedding Azura. Wear these dresses, the whole family would be there. I'm so proud that my boys chose such worthy and wonderful girls," mom said handing them to me. I was overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness and my heart instantly warmed towards her. Why didn't I get her as my real mom? Adrian was lucky indeed!

"Mom, Adrian has already bought me so much," I said helplessly, embarrassed to see so much expensive stuff for me. I didn't want to look greedy!

"Parents can give anything to their children, it's their token of love. Keep it dear," she said as I was rendered speechless by her and accepted the packet full of clothes and accessories.

"Thank you, mom," I said kissing her cheek.

We went down for dinner. After the meal, we discussed the wedding preparations. Jason and Claire did a final rehearsal of their speeches as best man and matron of honour.

"Come at least an hour early. We will leave for the venue tomorrow after lunch at 1 o'clock. It's a 3-hour drive, so come prepared, " said mom to every one of us.

The wedding was taking place at their extravagant wedding resort in Callicoon, New York, The Springwell Golf Club and Resorts, overlooking their 18-hole golf course and Callicoon's rolling hills. We were to stay there for 4 days and return home, while Anna and Stefan would leave for their 10-day honeymoon to Hawaii.

We left Stefan's house and walked to the car when Adrian caught hold of me, "Are you avoiding me?" he asked. It was true to some extent though, but I couldn't tell him that. After his declaration in the morning, all my traitorous body could think of was what it would feel like to be made love to by Adrian. I couldn't look him in the eye, lest he saw my feelings for him.

"No, I'm not," I told him as he grabbed me by the waist.

"Yes, you are, I wonder why?" he asked as I avoided his eyes.

"No, let's go home," I said but he just stared at me for a moment.

"You can't avoid me. Anyhow, I'll make you mine," he said as he smashed his mouth to mine, kissing me passionately. His teeth gently bit at my lower lip and I gasped at the sting. He immediately plunged his tongue to deepen the kiss to new heights. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips, giving in to the kiss at last. My arms snaked around his shoulders and I couldn't stop myself from kissing him back.

The next day we started at the scheduled time and reached the resort in the evening. It was beautiful beyond words, with vast expanses of golf turf, and lush green lawns that rolled down to the water's edge of the huge private lake. Paddleboats floated near the edge and beautiful swans, and geese waddled about and swam serenely. I immediately loved the tranquility and freshness of the place. It had a natural and country feel to it. Adrian unloaded our luggage and he and Jason instructed the resort workers.

I accompanied dad to the private deck of the executive suite where the whole family was gathered. Finger foods and appetizers were served along with some aperitifs. "Let's eat before it all vanishes," said Dad as we both helped ourselves to the food.

I sat down with my food and Amelia came and sat beside me. She was Tristan's girl, I heard about them from Adrian. We discussed the hardships that we faced in our lives. Claire also joined in the discussion, talking about the hardships that she had to deal with.

"We have the AC executive double bedrooms. You all figure out your sleeping arrangements. I have no problems with your arrangements, just leave us and your gran in peace," mom told all of us after a gala bbq dinner, bonfire, and lots of dancing and singing. "And please no noises in the middle of the night. Hope you understand what I mean," she said as she left with dad and Anna, leaving us all flushed and giggling with embarrassment. I couldn't believe that mom had actually said that! Anna would be sleeping with gran till the wedding.

However, my eyes widened at her announcement. So where would I sleep? The sleeping arrangements didn't figure in my head when I agreed to come here. Was I expected to sleep with Adrian? I started blushing profusely and avoided looking at Adrian whose eyes were fixed upon me all the time. So when everyone left with their girlfriends, I slowly walked with Adrian, with bright red cheeks to the room Adrian had already chosen for us. The whole resort was empty as the rest of the guests were yet to arrive.

Our room was on the top floor, in the farthest corner with a beautiful view of the lake from its balcony. It was above Julian and Cassandra's room. I avoided looking at him as I opened my luggage and took out my pajamas and went for a shower with Adrian's hot gaze following me everywhere.

When I came out of the bathroom, wearing my pajamas, which were soft pink lace hot pants and a matching tank top with no bra, Adrian's eyes widened and jaws dropped. He was lying on the bed waiting for me as a predator waits for his prey, wearing only a pair of sweatpants, riding low.