Aria's POV:
My heart stops as my head throbs at the sudden sunlight flocking into my room. My brain feels like mush, my surroundings don't feel real, and there is a fucking man in my bed. Derek fucking Montgomery is in my fucking bed. In my fucking arms no less. His defined body is touching me and my hands. I am cuddled up behind a Montgomery man. I hate that my stomach is flipping in constant circles.
Looking down at my body, I realize that I truly have to give myself bonus points for still having my pants on since Derek and I got trashed last night. When I'm drunk, I enjoy flirting... sexual flirting to say the least.
I sit up slowly, so that I don't wake Derek, as I take in my messy ass room. Beer cans are scattered near the trash can, very few making it in. I guess that shows the passage of time between being sober and being hammered. Derek is still sleeping beside me, his chest steadily rising and falling. I study his sleeping face for a moment. His gentle features are so calm when he sleeps. The only movement Derek has is the twitching of his nose; which is more than I can say for myself. I'm an ugly sleeper. Snore, drool, and all. I don't look good whenever I sleep, hence my wild bed head every morning.
Derek suddenly shifts in his sleep, pulling me from my gaze and thoughts. I leap off the bed, my feet hitting the cold ground as he opens his eyes, head whipping towards me. A slight smile appears on his face as he chuckles.
"Leaving so soon, preziosa?" Derek asks, sitting up in the bed. My face is beat red as I nod quickly. Derek yawns as he stretches, flexing some of his muscles through his tight tank top. I start to feel hot, unsure if it's hangover sweats or the attractive asshole in front of me.
"Breakfast?" Derek once again breaks me out of my thoughts as he gets up out of my bed. He pads over to me as I stand still as a statue in a museum. "Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?"
"N-No, I was just surprised to see you in my bed is all," I reply swiftly, my cheeks still rosy. Derek cracks a grin.
"You got plastered last night and told me all about your life. I loved hearing about it by the way. You're quite an interesting girl, preziosa," Derek begins to explain the events of last night. It takes everything in me not to smile at this man's words. "Anyways, when I was a little buzzed, I stopped drinking and made sure you were alright. When I tried to leave, you kept pleading for me to stay."
My heart begins to beat out of my chest as Derek continues to look down at me, his eyes holding such kindness for me. It's weird. Derek is seen as a monster to everyone else, but he has this hang up on those he holds close like me and his father. He holds us so close to him. I can't help but find comfort in that.
"I would never do such a thing," I reply, my cheeks remaining a pink shade. Derek lets out a chuckle as he shakes his head.
"Darling, I'm not judging, nor am I annoyed. I'm actually quite flattered," Derek says. I put all my weight on one foot as I roll my eyes.
"I'm glad you're flattered," I state simply. Derek doesn't speak again as he kisses my forehead and leaves the room, laughing under his breath. Cocky bastard.
I get dressed for the day in a yellow, white, and black plaid skirt as well as a black cardigan. I take care of my bathroom business and set a golden headband on top of my head. I have plans today. Number one thing is seeing Rowan and calling my dad. Rowan would've reported me missing if it weren't for the several messages I shipped out so that people wouldn't be concerned for my safety. And as for my dad, I just miss him.
As I make my way to the kitchen, head buried in my phone, I bump into the world's biggest dickhead.
Ryder.
"Aria," Ryder nods at me, a sly grin across his lips. I furrow my eyebrows and glare at him.
"What do you want?" I ask, hatred lacing my tone. Ryder's gaze burns into me as if he's trying to hypnotize me. I wish he'd screw his damn head on properly and just leave me alone. Jesus fuck.
"I want to catch up and talk. It's been year after all, il mio fiore," Ryder uses my old nickname, causing me to bite my tongue full of seething anger.
"I'd rather not. Thank you for the offer," I reply, beginning to walk away. But as per usual with this man, he grabs my wrist in a firm grip. "Go ahead, keep grabbing me. Watch what happens, fucker," I hiss quietly as I lean towards Ryder's face.
He takes advantage and kisses me on the lips. I revolt the action as I react and shove his chest. Ryder stumbles back slightly before regaining full balance. "Your lips are as salty as your tongue and attitude," Ryder comments, wiping his bottom lip with his thumb. I grit my teeth angrily at him as he steps forward. Ryder looks down at me before his expression hardens. "Remember this, Aria, I could have you in any way I want you; so you'd better damn well watch yourself."
"You think you're tough shit, Ryder, but we both know your brother's better than you," I reply, a sarcastic smile on my lips. Ryder grits his teeth, his anger to the boiling point as I turn on my heel and walk away. Karma will hit that two-faced narcissist. What goes around comes back around. I just hope it hits him before I die. I just want to see Ryder Montgomery suffer.
~
About a week later, I meet up with Derek in the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets for painkillers. I've had this killer headache all day.
"Aria, we need to talk," Derek's voice creeps up behind me as I find some pills. I swipe the bottle and close the cabinet before turning around.
"What is it?" I ask, grabbing a cup to fill with water. I swallow the pills as Derek sighs deeply. His expression softens as his bright eyes stare into mine.
"This is very important, and I need you to say yes or else someone will die," Derek explains.
"Why so cryptic?" I ask, leaning against the counter. I don't speak in code. I hate it when people beat around the bush, just tell me the truth.
"If I tell you, then someone dies. See the problem here?" Derek asks. I nod slowly. "Look, please just go to the court house with me and sign a marriage license that way I can save a life."
My jaw hangs open in disbelief. "Derek, we can't."
"Please, Aria... I know you don't want this, but you don't understand," Derek starts. He makes his way over to me, trapping me against the counter. I don't move as he grabs my waist, pulling me to him. My cheeks heat up as his expensive scent fills my nose. I hate him. Right? "Aria, if anyone in this or any other world so much as lays a hand on your hair, I will fucking burn them to ash and dust."
Derek's words make my heart run marathons inside my ribcage. "Derek..." My voice is caught in my throat as Derek's face inches towards mine. His breath is hot on my face as my stomach knots. I thought I hated him. I truly did, but this man is everything I could ever want. I lean into him slightly before footsteps make their way down the hall towards the kitchen.
Derek and I pull away, Derek stepping back as Ian comes into the kitchen. "Derek, it has to be today or else we're fucked. Aria, you can either do this willingly, or I'm sorry but we're going to have to do this the hard way," Ian explains hurriedly, his eyes averting from me to his phone every few seconds.
Maybe I should. A human life isn't worth marriage. It's worth so much more. I can't let someone I don't even know die just because I don't want to marry some asshole. Divorce is always an option. Marriage is reversible, death is not.
"Alright... I'll do it.