THE LONG-AWAITED BETROTHED

"Well, it is my dream to become as successful as my father someday. I look up to him, and with all that he has taught me, I am sure I will get there someday," I mumble, and my father wraps his arm around my shoulder, a wide grin plastered on his lips.


"You are already great, my dear. You have made me so proud of everything you have achieved. And I know you will do more," Father says with pride.

I nodded in agreement, doubting if I could do much like he has done. "Of course, Papa. I learned from the best."

At this point, the she-monkey that started this conversation is just staring at us as we continue what she started. Her little monkey is also as silent and bored as her. Starting a conversation that they can't keep up with? What were they expecting?


"I am glad that, finally, this day came at last. We so much anticipated it," Mrs Riccaforte says.

Well, I can imagine the anticipation. It was not just a one-day anticipation or a week'. it took years. A lot of years waiting for just this single day. I am sampling in their anxiety and if this is what they have been feeling all these years, then I pity them.


"Yes. And we hope that, finally, you and my son can meet."

Cold chill! Dry lump! I push it down forcefully, taking in as much air as I can, and at this point, I need more than just swallowing hard into the nothingness choking my throat. I gulped a glass of water all at once. Not even that is enough to calm me down. I should excuse myself and perhaps go to the washroom to work on my shattered cool, but the thought of returning in here to find the face of Damian shining bright in front of everyone rules out that idea. Also, I think I need to see for myself and witness the moment that my long-awaited betrothed walks in.

Should I, perhaps, ask where they left him and why he is taking an eternity to get his ass here? Sigh! They might think I am already in love with their son, which is never happening! I can see the hope on each of their faces, and even my father can tell that he would be over the moon if I fell for his best friend's son. I cannot afford to stroke their curiosity and then shatter their hopes later on.

'I have missed him so much," I snap at Mrs. Riccaforte, her face changing suddenly. 'I have missed my son so much," she adds, and that got me super curious.

Why does she seem sad all of a sudden? Why is she missing her son? I remember my father saying that they speak so highly of their son, even though he does not know. Haven't they been on good terms? Haven't they been talking? Is there a rift between them? Yeah, I know, because he didn't want this. But how big is that rift?

"So, where... where is he?" I ask, trying to hide the enthusiasm and curiosity that are itching my ass.

"He should be here any minute now. He was coming from afar," Mr. Riccafortye responds. His wife is so lost in thought that she cannot say anything.

This looks deep. I mean, whatever the issue between them and their son is,.

Just then, a security guard saunters to us, whispering something to my father that I don't pay attention to.

From afar? Where exactly? Abroad?

"Afar? Within the country or abroad." I curiously query with a low voice.

"He was..."

Everyone shoots their eyes to the entrance, to the distraction.

"I guess he will do the honors of explaining everything himself. Here he is."

He is here? Finally?

But wait! That scent! That odor sends cold chills all over the body! That…

As his strides echo through the entire still castle, his scent dominating all the fragrances with every stride he takes, everyone springs to their feet to honor his presence, while I, the one who is supposed to be welcoming her long-awaited betrothed, am still perched on the seat with my eyes in the opposite direction from where he is announcing his presence.

Something so strong is sucking the air out of my belly as I lazily jerk myself up last, slowly, and start turning around in the direction of the man who is killing me with anxiety—the man I have been waiting for all my life. The man I loathed all my

"Greetings, everyone! My apologies for being late. I had trouble finding a flight at such short notice!"

Double shit!

I stopped turning! Am I going insane?

That tone! That sweet, icy voice? What the….

I spin toward him at lightning speed, and I find myself choking on nothing the moment my eyes lock with a very familiar pair of bottomless, dark brown orbs.

I tremble. I am anything but okay. My eyes are glued to the familiar man before me while my legs are giving up.

What the fuck is he doing here?

"ELLIE MARRIE RICCAFORD," with my wobbling self, I fix my weak gaze on Mr. Riccaforte as he speaks, 'Meet my only son, your betrothed, DAMIAN ALMEDA RICCAFORTE!"

Everything echoes so loud and fast that I am sure I didn't hear that right. The thought of what I think I heard is a threat to my cool, my sanity, and everything in me.

This had to be a joke, or my ears were playing tricks on me. Or is it my eyes?

This man before me is the man I love, not the betrothed I loathed all my life! He can't be the ghost I was supposed to meet today for the first time!

"He... He... Is...your..." I stop to gaze behind Damian, hoping to catch a glimpse of another man that Mr. Riccaforte might be referring to, but fate seems to be playing a dangerous game with me.

"D.A.M.I.A.N.?" I whimper, dropping back to my seat.

No! No! No!

Is this a joke or what?