Avenge Marriage

CH-7 Fireworks And Champagne

                                                                              Ivan

I stood over the wooden arch bridge near the small pond in the premises of Navarro Mansion and watched as the water hyacinths floated along the water in their rhythm. It was a beautiful night, the sky flooded with stars and a soft breeze blowing along with it. It was peaceful. Yet there was something that was making me anxious. I can't place my finger on it. Ever since I came back from the masquerade two days ago, the feeling has lingered on. My life was about to change now. So far, it has just been me and some way or other I was able to manage on my own.

There was something I never admitted to myself... a truth that I didn't want to accept. That despite having everything one can ever ask for, I was very alone in my life. All alone. And that, despite what my mother did...I missed her. I missed her smile, her hands caressing me softly. I longed for it, especially now when I was on the precipice of making such a drastic change to my life. For years, I have tried to restraint this feeling of missing her with the fact that she betrayed me and my father and for which I hated her. It was only natural. And just because I missed her doesn't mean I didn't hate her. I did. Very much. And if I could ever find her, well I hope I don't but if I do...I'll have some words of choice for sure.

I sighed and stared up at the starry sky. I don't know where this was going. Where Vera and I were going. I wanted her to be comfortable with me, I do wanted to make her the happiest person on the planet but I also wanted her to understand me. To comfort me when I needed it and to drive this intense loneliness inside me away and breathe new life in me. But there was something about her that was telling me that I was expecting too much from her. 

She sure was my type but  marriage was not just about being one's type. It was much more than that, a commitment of a lifetime. I needed more time to understand her and for her to understand me and how I work. I needed much more time for myself to open up to her. It was not something that comes easily to me. But I was more than willing to try if she helps me. And if I go by my stepmother's words then Vera was the one I have been always waiting for. The woman of my dreams. But if that was the case, why doesn't it feel right? Why is there this absurd anxiety inside me that I just can't shake off?

"It's a beautiful night outside," I jumped, startled, and turned to see Mamá standing beside me. What was she doing here?

"Did I interrupt something?" She asked and smiled at me. Helena smiles weirdly, like it doesn't look like she was smiling. It never touches her eyes, there was no warmth in it. More like she was forced to smile or something.

"No," I shook my head and turned my eyes back to the clear water of the lake.

"I know there's a lot of anxiety and questions regarding this entire concept of marriage," She muttered, coming to stand beside me. I said nothing. As I said, I respected her but I was not close with her.

"What do you think about Vera, Ivan?" She asked and I could sense her dark eyes stuck on my face.

"She is nice. Definitely," I answered vaguely. I was tired of answering this same question again and again and now it seemed recited.

"That's good to hear," She muttered. "You should make an effort and get to know her better,"

"I asked her out tomorrow evening," I replied and she nodded her head.

"Good idea," She definitely was pleased. "Day after tomorrow you have to visit the welfare center regarding the funds raised from the ball, you remember, right?"

"Ah, yes," I nodded my head. "The cheque is with you, isn't it?" Helena nodded her head.

When I took over after my father's death, all the responsibility of all our businesses as well as managing of the ancestral Navarro property fell upon me. With so much already on my plate, Helena offered to take over the charity duties which was an absolute necessity for us. My father was a very kind man and I have no idea how many charity foundations are run and funded under Navarro's yearly budget for social welfare. I just signed what needed to be signed and my stepmother saw to the rest. It has always been like that so I never felt the need to question it and I hoped that once Vera takes over the throne from my stepmother she could handle all of this with equal dedication. This year, the masquerade ball that we hosted was aimed at raising funds for children suffering from Thalassemia worldwide. It was a joint venture with the global hearts foundation, an association actively engaged in raising funds throughout the world for the same cause. 

"I will ask Laura to schedule it," I answered. "Don't worry about it," 

"I am not worried about anything as long as you got the responsibility in your hands," She said. "If only Dario could be half as responsible as you are,"

"He is still young. Let him enjoy his life first," I answered and she shrugged wryly.

"He is just two years younger than you," She pointed. "He takes after his father," The bitterness in her voice was hard to miss.

Helena was divorced when my father married her. Divorced with a two-year-old son, Dario. She was married to a big businessman or something who turned out to be an abuser and cheater. Though she doesn't hail from an aristocratic family like Vera, her father is a very influential businessman. My mother eloped and she got divorced, it all fit so well and hence here she was now, my stepmother. Dario and I were not even half-brother so technically he has no claim in any of Navarro's property. As per the law, it was all bequeathed to me. But he was my brother nevertheless. We grew up together so there was no way I was going to veto him out of the property. And I think Helena knows that which was why this topic was never brought up between us. Since last year, Dario has started going to work with me. We have varied businesses to look after. From shipbuilding to a hotel chain and financial investment, you name it...we have it.

I started going to work with my father at a very young age, as soon as I graduated from Harvard. So I knew my way through most of it. Dario was not keen on the business. He was keener on spending and living his best life. But with Helena as his mother, I knew that won't be happening.

"Don't worry. He will be fine," I assured her. "I will teach him everything I can. Then we will see where he does best and I will hand over that part to him to manage. You don't have to worry about any of that,"

"Thank you, Ivan," Mamá said and patted my back. "I am grateful to have you around," I nodded and managed a smile for her.

"Don't worry too much, okay?" She assured with her weird smile. "It will all turn out to be good," I nodded and sincerely hoped that it does.

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Cecilia has sent me some really great places for taking Vera out and even taken the pain to go out and choose a ring for her. If I say I was uncomfortable that would be the understatement of the century. I was shitting my pants here and I never had a problem with women ever. But Vera was just not any woman, she was going to be my wife. I haven't proposed to anybody before. It was not something you do every other day.

What if she says no?

She can't you moron. This marriage was inescapable. Whether we want it or not, it was happening either way. I shook my head and scrolled through my phone as I waited for her. I have completely booked the finest and most romantic restaurant that Cecilia could find and I hoped that would impress her. 

Villa del Cielo was the most picturesque restaurant and lounge to date with big beautiful gardens, romantic lanterns everywhere, and a beautiful view of the lake illuminated with a hundred that was floating lanterns. I had asked the management to get me a beautiful set up by the lake. So they have set up a tent sort of thing, big enough to fit our table and an orchestra. It was decorated with beautiful lights and white roses, Vera's favorite flowers. The trees all around and every other place that was possible was decorated with lanterns. I have to give them, the people have done a splendid job. It was breathtaking. And for the end, I have arranged a fireworks show over the lake. Girls like fireworks, right?

I stared at the golden water of the lake and tried to calm my anxiety. I was doing everything that I possibly could for her. I wanted to make her happy and assure her that together we can work through this. But the sunken feeling deep inside me that something was not right, that I was betraying someone plagued inside me. There was no sense in feeling that way. I was single when the m-bomb was dropped on me. So, I wasn't betraying anybody. Then what was the foundation of all these crappy feelings?

"Señor, la señora está aquí," One of the waiters announced, distracting me and I nodded my head. 

(Trans: Sir, madam is here)

Taking a deep breath, I adjusted the lapels of my suit blazer and plastered a smile on my face. My eyes were eagerly waiting for her as if this would be the first time I was seeing her. A moment later, she arrived and I almost forgot how to breathe.

Fucking hell....she was so goddamn beautiful!

Wearing a black body-hugging dress that accentuated every inch of her beautiful curves and a thigh high slit that revealed her long legs as she walked towards me, she was a sight to behold. Medium-length blonde hairs as silky as corn silk and red lips added with killer heels, I knew I wasn't going to forget this sight of hers for a very long time. She was a hundred times more beautiful than my imagination. Then any of my paintings even though she didn't quite match them as the girl on them had long dark hairs. But still, none of it was any match to her. Vera looked up as the waiter pointed at me and smiled, not shy or anything but a slow sexy smile stretching across her full lips.

Get hold of yourself for God sake!

"Welcome," I smiled and walked across to take her hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again,"

"Likewise," She smiled, placing her perfectly manicured hand in mine. "This place is very beautiful. Why is it empty though?"

"I booked it privately for us," I answered, pulling back her chair.

"Hmm, that's impressive," She said and then raised her brow at me for some reason. "Why though?"

The way she said it made my face go hot instantly and I tried my best to cover that up and not divulge in unnecessary thoughts. I knew what she was implying at and I instantly got one thing about her. She was very forward. And I can't say I didn't like that. I gave her one of my seductive smiles and stared right at her.

"Because I don't want media swarming around us," I answered and she laughed, looking impressed.

"Clever," She smiled. "So...how are you holding up about the fact that we are supposed to get married?"

Oh... a serious topic right off the bat.

"I am the only heir of the Navarro family, Vera. I kind of already knew what awaited me," I answered simply. "It's you, we should be talking about. How are you feeling. Are you alright? You didn't seem to be the other day when you texted me," She stared at me and her eyes turned hard and mouth pressed into a firm line.

I was right...she wasn't very pleased about the entire idea. It was understandable. Neither was I. At least not at the starting. 

"If I say I was shocked...that would be the joke of the century," She answered, scowling. Was it weird that I find that cute?

"My parents never once thought that they at some point needed to let me know that I was supposed to get married to a certain person?" She continued, staring at the lake. "And now out of the blue, they want me to get married to you next month. Like what the hell? This was our life, not some stupid joke,"

"I don't think what we think matters in this decision anyway," I answered. "This has always been decided. It has always been this way for generations and generations,"

"That's bullshit," She grumbled. "We ought to be the ones to decide what we want to do with our lives. This is the twenty-first century for god sake. When my mother told me that I was supposed to get married to you...since...since the incident that happened by the frozen lake years ago, I thought she was talking in some ancient language. I think the phrase she used was 'you were promised to, Ivan' Like what is that?" My eyes widened at her words and I stared at her blankly.

"What?" Vera demanded, frowning at me. "I know...I know...I talk a lot sometimes," I shook my head.

"By any chance, do you remember anything about that day? By the frozen river?" I asked. Mamá was right, Vera was the one I was looking for all along. I felt blinding happiness inside me and I wanted to hold her and kiss her and shower her with all the love that I had kept stored in my heart all these years.

"No, I was too young then," She answered. "Do you? Remember anything?"

"I remember you," I smiled at her. "And I know you won't believe this but I have been looking for you all my life," Vera shot me a blank look.

"Wh...what do you mean exactly?" She asked and I shook my head. If I tell her how I have fallen in love since that day, she might think I was a creep. So I was going to save the story for some other time. Maybe once we get comfortable with each other.

"Look...I know this is all very sudden," I said and reached over to take her hand. She looked a little startled "It is for me too so I get where you are coming from. But we can't escape this, right? This is our duty. I am sure Vincent would have succumbed to the same fate had he not fallen for Cecilia,"

"Lucky bastard," She muttered under her breath, looking despondent.

"Yes...but we aren't so I guess it's better that we accept this and try to work on things isn't it?" I continued. "I assure you that you won't regret the choice that your parents made for you, Vera. I promise I will love you and try my best to make you happy and be loyal and faithful to just you. So, please be at ease with yourself,"

"You are making this sound easier," She mumbled and I smiled at her.

"I am trying to...for you," I answered and was pleasantly rewarded with her beautiful smile in response.

"Well, let's just try our best then. But mind, Ivan Navarro...you are dealing with a very dangerous woman here," She said, leaning across the table and resting her chin on her palm as she stared at me with a seductive look. I tried my very best to remain impassive.

"Perfect. Dangerous women are just my type. Women who know what they want. Nothing is more appealing than that," I replied and she smirked at me.

"And I like men who treat me like a Goddess," She answered, sitting back again. "I am hoping you are not expecting me to have a clear slate when it comes to dating? I have dated a lot of men just so you know,"

"I don't mind," I answered with a shrug and tried to hide the jealousy that I felt. "And I don't think you deserved to be treated any less,"

"Hmm, you have a way with your words," She smiled and clinked her champagne glass with mine. I smiled back at her. Great...this was all going well.

I was glad that we were done with the heavier topic at the beginning because by the time we got to dinner it got much easier with us. Vera was already very easy to talk to. She was not shy or mysterious that would need me to keep imagining what might be going through her mind.

Like Amber...

"Your sister doesn't seem to like me," I murmured and Vera stopped eating and stared wide-eyed at me.

"Amber?" She asked and I nodded my head in response. Vera laughed shaking her head.

"What gave you that impression?" She demanded and I shrugged. Even I don't know that myself. 

"She is not very...very verbose, I guess," I said and Vera smiled. 

"Yeah. Amber has always been like that," She answered. "She is the reserved one and I am the chatterbox. And she is the most sensible among the three of us for sure, more like a grandma. So if she didn't look at you in the eye or just didn't smile or talk to you. Don't worry...that's how she is. Amber takes an insane amount of time to open up to new people which is why she hardly had many friends throughout. Her best friend is her Viola...if you don't include me that is," 

I nodded my head. Good, so here's that mystery solved. And I was right she was polar opposite of Vera. Again, I was glad I wasn't getting married to her. She and I would have never worked. 

I turned my attention back to Vera and felt an innate sense of happiness within. This date was turning out to be better than I imagined. I got to know a lot about her. Like if she can go back to one place in the world again and again that would be Puerto Rico and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Japan. A food she can eat everyday was sushi and churros and hot chocolate. She was a fitness freak and her favorite color was turquoise blue. It was so much fun to hear and  a pleasure to watch as her blue eyes starts sparkling when talking about what she loves. She loves to travel for sure and I made sure to keep that in mind and take her on vacations whenever possible. I could give her the world and for me... she was my world. The woman I have been looking for all my life. 

"I have a surprise for you," I said and placed out my hand for her. She raised her brow but placed her hand in mine nevertheless. We walked over to the metal railings that separates the lake and I smiled at her. 

"Just a minute," I said and pulling out my phone, I made a call to the manager of the place. 

"This lake is beautiful," Vera murmured, staring at the golden water and I nodded my head in agreement. Just as we were watching the little lanterns float around in the dark water, the fireworks started...slow at first and then picking up pace. One after the other was fired, filling the sky with brilliant lights.

 Vera looked up, her face bathed in the glow of the lights and a wide smile stretched across her lips. I watched her as she watched the fireworks and smiled. I probably was the most lucky person in this world. How many people actually get to end up with the one the love? Taking a deep breath and mustering up the courage, I took hold of her hand and softly slipped the ring in her finger. Startled a bit, she stared at me wide eyed and I smiled at her. 

"I know this is not the most desired situation of your life....both of our lives," I said softly. "But let's try our best, shall we? I promise from this day forth to make you the happiest woman in this world," 

She stared at me and then gave me a soft smile and then to my surprise and amazement, she reached out and pressed her lips on mine, kissing me softly and slowly. I was completely baffled at first but then I realised that this was the moment I have always waited for. Always dreamt of. I placed my hand on her back and pulled her closer, kissing her with as much enthusiasm as I possibly could. She was a good kisser and I marveled in the feeling of her in my arms. 

Finally after years of waiting...all my wishes were coming true...

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A/N: Hello my lovely readers! Here's the new update. I hope you are so far liking the character. And of course the story. Its not the beginning though...its just the build up so stay tuned! And thank you so much for all your love and support as well!