As soon as he finished speaking, he kissed her again deeply, until she was breathless.
He rested his chin on her forehead and said in a low, hoarse voice,
> "It's also my first kiss, darling."
Aria, who had just been kissed, was stunned. So… I'm the first person he's ever kissed? Ah! What am I even thinking?
She quickly scolded herself in her mind.
Aria, remember, don't fall in love again. All men are trash. Seal your heart—they don't deserve your love.
But her heart wouldn't listen. Why is it beating so fast? I…
"What are you saying? Are all men trash—including me?"
Aria froze, her eyes wide. She hadn't realized she'd said everything out loud!
Mortified, she covered her face.
Adrian chuckled softly. "Are you my bride, darling?"
She peeked through her fingers and asked, "Are you a monster?"
He raised a brow. "Why ask?"
"My dad said I should marry the monster known as Mr. K," she murmured, her voice trembling. "I have to do it for my grandma's sake… but I don't want to die."
"Do I look like someone who'd kill a nineteen-year-old girl? Especially one as beautiful as you?" he asked with a teasing smile.
Aria's eyes widened. "You… you're Mr. K?"
"Yes, darling. But don't let anyone know." He gently patted her head. "Now, let me drop you home. We'll wait for our wedding."
Aria followed him quietly like a child.
When he stopped in front of her apartment, he smiled mischievously. "Darling, how should you send your husband back?"
Aria turned and said shyly, "Mr. Deluca, would you like coffee or tea? If you do, I'm sorry, I don't have any—"
Her words were cut off by his sudden kiss.
"Now I can go back," Adrian said, licking his lips. "Next time, call me husband."
He drove away, leaving Aria standing frozen, her heart pounding wildly.
---
The next morning, Aria woke up to her phone ringing nonstop.
Still half-asleep, she picked it up.
"Aria! Aria! How are you doing? I called yesterday but you didn't pick up! Did my uncle scare you? What did he say? Aria, are you there?"
Sophia's voice was full of worry.
Aria smiled faintly. "No, he didn't scare me. He's… not that bad."
Sophia went silent.
"Do you know your uncle is Mr. K—my soon-to-be husband?" Aria asked calmly.
Sophia gasped. "Oh my God! I'm sorry, I didn't tell you. I thought you still liked Liam. Don't be mad at me, please."
"I'm not angry," Aria replied softly. "But—"
"Please don't say we're not friends anymore!" Sophia interrupted quickly. "I'll do anything!"
Aria laughed. "Who said that? I just want you to take me shopping today."
"Deal! Let's go, sis!"
---
At the shopping mall
"Try this red Snow-White dress, it'll look perfect on you," Sophia said, pushing her toward the rack.
Just as Aria touched the dress, a cold voice said,
> "I want that dress."
Aria turned and saw Ava walking toward her with a mocking smile.
"Well, well, look who we have here. Aria! I thought you'd hung yourself by now," Ava sneered, laughing cruelly.
Aria's face hardened. "Sorry to disappoint you, Ava." Her fierce look made her even more stunning, catching the eyes of several men nearby.
That was one reason Ava and Amalia hated her so much.
"It's a pity, Aria. Even with your pretty face, your boyfriend still dumped you. I stole him easily," Ava said with a smirk.
Aria smiled sweetly. "Then I'm happy you like my trash." She turned to the clerk. "Please pack up this dress."
The clerk smiled and began packing, but Ava's voice rang out sharply.
> "If you move, you're fired! I'm a VIP here—and an investor in AD Shopping Mall!"
The clerk froze, terrified.
Ava smirked. "I'll always win, Aria."
Sophia quietly moved aside and made a call.
"Uncle," she whispered, "your wife is being bullied…" She explained everything that happened.
On the other end, a deep, chilling voice spoke,
> "Eric. Go and acquire AD Shopping Mall. Put it under my wife's name."
The entire meeting room went silent.
Executives whispered, Who's brave enough to marry this devil?
Their whispers stopped immediately when they felt a cold, deadly aura.