Part 1

A huge sigh slipped out of my lips. This was not going to end well I knew it. But something inside me was telling me not to quit. So with a huff, I tried again.

I give up! I raised my hand dramatically.

"Mum. Please help me" I yelled from my room turning over and glaring at the stupid bag in front of me. That's what I was trying to zip.

It was not like I was overloading the bag. I was only trying to fit four pair of footwear, some pair of shorts, two summer dresses, a few tank tops, some pyjamas and some cocktail dresses.

Just then I heard the loud footsteps approaching towards my door and I shuffled inside to wait.

My mother, as usual, had her dark brown hair tied up in some messy bun, few strands already escaped and falling on her face. She was holding a wooden spatula in her hand and the apron she was wearing had splatters of some sauce.

"Why are you yelling Aria?" She glared with her eyes knitted together as she stared at the floor and then back at me.

Almost meekly I pointed accusingly towards the bag. Following my finger, she let out a sigh as her eyes fell on the travelling bag sitting heavily on the bed.

"Seriously this is your problem?" She sighed.

My mother placed the wooden spatula on the nightstand beside my bed instead of handing me. Her own blood and flesh. But then again I had the record of dropping things. But still, it was a wooden spatula. What harm could I have done?

"Of course trust you do something silly like this Aria. Did you see the size of the bag?" She scoffed looking over at me.

"And why do you need so many pairs of footwear? You're not going to live there forever. It's your friend's wedding. Not yours." She grumbled throwing away my dirty sneakers making me gasp.

"But mum they are all essentials. How will I survive with only a few clothes?"

"Don't be dramatic. And do not call me again unless it is important..." As I tried to open my mouth she shushed me with a pointed look continuing, "Important as in if there is an earthquake or if there is a ghost in the room or zombie apocalypse. Are we clear?"

I closed my mouth and nodded my head.

Giving me one last look she walked out before I could say anything else. Rude.

"What the fuck Adrian?" I yelled staring at my idiot brother who was sitting in my window seat. How dare he? He just rolled his eyes in return and resumed the song.

Even though he was three years older than me he was staying with us. Taking a gap year after he was done with his creative writing course.

"What happened Aria?" My dad asked as soon as he settled in the driving seat.

"Dad will you look at Adrian for a second?"

He saw my brother who sat in my seat without a single care in the world while humming the lyrics to The Green Day and shoving gummy bears in his mouth.

"Sit on the other side then" He sighed

"Andrew is not going with along with us" My mother added referring to my brother and that was it.

Spectacular. That's the only word I could think of as I glanced at the four-storey beach house in front of me. The sound of waves softly hitting the sand echoed around the smell of salt was in the air.

Turning back I looked at my mother who was clutching the copy of a cooking book by Amanda Hesser close to her heart.

"Aria come on. Let's go inside" My dad signalled.

Nodding my head I followed him but my walk was slow, my fingers unconsciously running through my hair.

"Dad, is Andrew coming?" I asked tilting my head towards him.

My father shrugged, "I don't have any idea amour. Maybe he'll be here by evening if his internship is done."

I nodded, a soft sigh leaving my lips. The last time I saw my brother was two months ago on mom's birthday. He rarely visited us, being busy with his internship and university.

"Alex!" A loud screech made my ears ring.

"Finally you decided to grace us with your presence!" Armund Murray, my father's best friend snickered and they both hugged each other. His daughter was the one who was getting married.

My mother laughed beside me, shaking her head at their interaction. She was used to their antics by now.

Armund was my father's childhood best friend. He owned a huge beach house in North Carolina and he owns the huge beach house we were going to stay in.

"Ciao Zio" Francesca's soft voice floated which broke my chain of thoughts. I turned my attention to her and couldn't stop staring at her.

She was a sight for sore eyes. Her curly light brown hair falling on her shoulders, glowing due to the sunlight. The light pink summer dress that reached up to her knees, sloshed around due to the long breeze floating by. Her dark blue eyes were her best features it always made me jealous. As she had a wide smile on her face, her eyes crinkled at the corner. No wonder she was the first one to get married. Who could resist her? But she always told me marriage was the last thing on her mind.

"Aria! How are you?" Francesca yelled running towards me.

"I'm fine Ces." I softly smiled accepting her hug.

"But what happened to you? You said marriage was the last thing in..."

"Alberto why don't you show all of them their rooms. Si?" Armund interrupted me loudly before I could complete my sentence.

I glared at him. What was wrong with him? I was just asking a simple question.

"Ciao Signora" Alberto mumbled walking up to me. I gave him a warm smile. Because my father was friends with Armund I stayed most of the time in their summer house. I could pick up a few words of Italian.

"Hello, Adrian. What have you been up to these days boy?" I heard Armund loudly clapping his hand and grinning at my brother who stood behind me. I mean what is with Italians and their hand gestures?

Shaking my head I turned around to see my mother standing beside Adrian, a frown on her face.

Deciding not to wait out any longer I picked my bag from the ground and started walking inside. I looked over my shoulder and noticed Francessa. She waved at me as she was talking with my mother.

Walking inside the door I stubbed my toe against the edge of the door and I winced. My eyes immediately narrowed at the edge and with a scrunched face I continued walking ahead. As I took a step forward I squeaked my nose crashing into the wall and I closed my eyes shut expecting the harsh fall. Instead of that, I felt a strong grip on my waist.

"Watch your step cara" A strong deep voice mumbled and I fluttered my eyes open.

As soon as I opened my eyes it felt as if someone knocked breathe out of my lungs. I sharply inhaled making it worst because all I could feel was his spicy vanilla cologne surround me.

I just gaped at him, my mouth slacking a bit just looking closely at him.

The person holding me had the most sinful blue eyes with dark hue at the edge. His thick eyebrows were pulled together, narrowed at me as if he was patiently waiting for me to say something. His jaw was clenched and rigid. I forgot to blink my eyes, busy staring at his Adonis-like beauty. Why aren't men like this in Jersey?

He cleared his throat after a few seconds of me staring at him.

Flustered and embarrassed I quickly moved away from his arms but instantly missed the feeling of warmth. I mentally slapped myself for thinking about it. I really need to get laid on this trip.

My eyes immediately scanned his appearance and my throat felt dry at the way his white button-down shirt was rolled up near the elbows. I could feel the pointed shoes pressed against my sandals to which I realise how close we were standing.

Meeting his eyes I gave him a pointed look.

"You should have watched your step mister before crashing into me and almost killing me." I huffed.

I looked around and noticed that the hallway was empty. And where was Alberto? He was supposed to lead the way. Then my eyes fell on the stairs and I sighed. Alberto must have already placed the bags on the floor.

"Killing you? Please, If anything I saved you cara" He chuckled, the vibration of his laughter travelled straight down to my core. I felt my abdomen clench at the deep husky sound and my legs clamped tighter.

"Keep the endearments to yourself and an apology could suffice." I raised my eyebrows, petulantly crossing my arms and placing them against my chest.

The action caused my breast to push up and his eyes travelled there for a second but in a flash, he was staring back at me.

"Apology? Don't be ridiculous cara, you should thank me for saving you from falling on your pretty ass" He drawled out slowly. This time his endearment sounded as if he was mocking me.

"I will thank you over my dead body mister." I snorted.

"Well, I would prefer Edward instead of mister." He smugly said.

"And I would prefer to go instead of standing here" I innocently blinked my eyes at him.

He looked impressed by the retort and shook his head. Exhaling loudly he placed his hand on the left side of his chest and stuck his bottom lip at me and his eyes crinkled at the corner.

"You hurt me principessa"

I tried to focus on what he was saying instead of his glistening pink lips. I almost wanted to feel those moving against mine. That's such a weird thought to have in the middle of the argument.

"Glad I could do something for you"

Giving him another innocent smile I tucked the loose strand of my hair behind my ear. Before he could say anything we heard the loud voice followed by the footsteps from behind me.

"I see you have met my nephew, Aria"

Nephew? I thought while turning towards Armand. Since when did he have a nephew? And why was his nephew so attractive?

"Edward this is my best friend, Alexander and you have already met his daughter Ariana here. This is..." Armund said looking at the handsome man and making introductions.

I tried to hold back my groan as I thought about staying with Edward in the same confined space for two weeks. An entire week. As I tilted my head to at him, he was already staring at me with a smirk.

Just what I needed! Not.