Taming Mr. Cold and Arrogant

"If so...does that mean he's been pretending since then? From the time I visited him to his office and saw him talking to his ex-girlfriend---wait---Mom! Don't tell me he knows I'm coming that day?"

She and Rian shrugged their shoulders. 

"Argh!" My face became horrified and immediately dropped my head on my both palms. I felt the blush creeping all over my face as I suddenly remembered the events of that day. "Oh, my God! This is so awkward!"

"Come on, Belle, forget it and think that it's only a part of your journey! Your journey to the happy ending with your cold and arrogant man who's now waiting for you at the altar."

"She's right, baby. We know that you've been overwhelmed with the fast sequence of events, but we can't blame your poor man. He loves you and believe it or not, he barely sleeps these last few days just to finish the final touches of this house. He wants to give it to you on your wedding day."

"Ohh... my! Why didn't these things cross my head?" I glanced at them, biting my lower lip. 

"He asked for all our help to plan this grand surprise for you. To think that this was just going to be your engagement party only, but he said he couldn't wait any longer to be your husband---"

"But he's my husband already."

"Yes, but we all know that it was just an arrangement before and you just had to accept the deal because of Joseph De Lucca, right? So this time, it's for real. No deal, no contract and no arrangements happened. In fact, he has called the pastor who attended your wedding the last time to perform your wedding ceremony again!" Her voice held excitement and it's so hard not to be affected by it as they clapped their hands. 

I smiled, then closed my eyes as I couldn't explain the different emotions I was feeling right now. I don't know what to do. I want to scream for so much joy and happiness. I want to jump and kiss my mom, thank Rian and hug them both, but my tears beat me as it runs down my cheeks before I could even move. 

"Ahh...sis..." Rian immediately took a piece of tissue from the tissue box in front of me and wiped it down my face. "This is not the time for this tears to shed, you're ruining your makeup. Argh! It's so hard to put it on you."

I couldn't help but laugh at her dialogue. 

"Duh! As if you were the one who did my makeup, you don't even know how to use eyeshadows and concealer on your face."

"Ouch! You're so mean!" She said rolling her eyes, but then she gave me a warm smile before pulling me into a tight hug. "I missed this kind of moment with you, Belle. I know from the very start that you were meant for my brother. You are the one who will put a smile on his lips and will tame his annoying and arrogant side. Welcome to the family again."

After a few minutes of embracing and exchanging compliments and advice towards each other, we decided to leave the room and headed into the wedding venue which is located in the garden area at the back of the mansion. 

°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°~~~~~~~°

My hand automatically reached my mouth the time I took the first step in the garden. I was surprised to see the huge beautiful mansion and the luxurious living room earlier, but the wedding venue almost swept me off my feet. 

White roses and purple tulips were beautifully arranged on the side of the aisle and their scents filled my nostrils. Lanterns are hung everywhere which create a romantic ambience in the venue. And of course, the faces of the people I loved the most... my mom, my brothers, my best friend and my handsome man who's waiting for me at the end of the red carpet full of rose and tulip petals. 

He's smiling at me. His eyes shine with love and emotions that I have never seen before. I bit my lip before giving him back his smile. But it turned into a light chuckle when the music started playing around the venue together with the very familiar voice.

'What if I never knew? What if I never found you? I never have this feeling in my heart. How did this come to be? I don't know how you found me. But from the moment I saw you, deep inside my heart I knew... baby you're my destiny...'

And I don't have to look at who the owner of that voice was as she suddenly disappeared on my side earlier. 

'You and I were meant to be. With all my heart and soul, I give my love to have and hold. And as far as I can see, you were always meant to be my destiny.'

I gulped, realizing the meaning of each word. And like my mom, tears started to flow down my cheeks. Thinking about all the pains I have experienced and what I have gone through in the past, who would have thought that a simple woman like me would have met a handsome yet arrogant man who has turned into my husband and will now become my partner and best friend for a lifetime? 

Who would have imagined that after all of has happened between us, after all the words that have been said and things that have been done... we will reach this moment together? 

Taking a few steps towards him, I realized the meaning of what they always say 'blessing in disguise'. Everything happens for a reason or should I say... everything that has happened to me in the past has a reason... or reasons maybe. Because sometimes life takes us in a direction we never saw ourselves going... but it turns out to be the best road we have ever taken... just like the road I crossed and walked in... it has bumps, cracks and obstacles but in the end, it took me to where I am... in the arms of the man who would love me and that's meant for me. 

'Marry a man who loves you more than you love him. When you hold a man's hand and he makes your heart beat faster, he makes you feel giddy and excited, walks away from this man. He is not the man for you. But if you hold a man's hand and he makes you feel warm, safe and secure, hold onto him. This is the man you're going to marry.'

Now I feel it. The warmth of his love and the security in his touch embraced me completely and took away all the heaviness, insecurities and worries inside me. 

"Your hand is sweating," I whispered, frowning. 

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I can't help it! I feel so nervous right now." He shrugged, giving me a nervous smile but it took me several times to swallow keep from laughing due to his reaction. 

I didn't know that a man such 'Daniel Kelley could also feel nervous... yeah... I know he's a human too, but knowing how cold and arrogant he is towards other people and in front of his business colleagues... you won't even think to see him like this. 

"Nervous? Really, sweetheart?" I asked but I couldn't help smiling.