Page 79 of Guarded

“You can give him a message for me.” She exclaims.

“What? No. Why don’t you just go with me?”

“I can’t. I’m on house arrest again. My dad came to see Patricio, so I hitched a ride. Please, Ari. We deserve to know why we were traumatized.” She pleads. I hold in a deep sigh before finally releasing it.

I rip a piece of paper out of my notebook and hand it to her, ignoring the bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Today was the closest I had come to understanding that traumatic event. To understanding my best friend andeverything she has been bottling up inside. I couldn’t let her down. Besides, I know I need closure as much as she does.

Chapter 23

Ariella

Istep out of the bathroom and stare at the dress Preston sent me. Nero was right. This was not me at all.

“I can’t wear that.” I groan to Guapo.

“Guapo! Bad boy!” I shout when I find him humping my Hello Kitty pillow.

“You need to control yourself, cabrón.” I scold him before grabbing the pillow.

I need to control myself. Somebody, please tell me to control myself. I have to convince the world that Nero is my bodyguard and then convince my body of the same thing. Then, I need to make sure it looks like I am madly in love with a man I have never met.No pressure.

Opening my closet, I stare at the pink sparkly dress I had initially planned to wear. According to my daily horoscope, my day revolves around effort and persistence. This seemed like something I should be persistent about. Paparazzi would likely be at this event, and it was my reputation on the line.

Also, if, by chance, Cesidio Verde Biondini murdered me, I would want to be murdered in satin sparkles, not basic cotton. I wouldn’t get killed, though. My horoscope also said, “Support from a close friend will uplift your spirits, allowing you to tacklechallenges with a renewed vigor.” Honestly,no se que chingados‘renewed vigor’ meant, but I’m pretty sure the universe wouldn’t let me die tonight.

What my horoscope doesn’t say is what to do with a six-foot broody biker. I hear him enter the house while I’m curling my hair.

Following a YouTube tutorial, I apply a generous amount of makeup, highlighting, and contouring as I look at myself in the mirror. Anticipation and Anxiety remind me that this is happening: I am going to meet my future husband.

The first chapter of the rest of my life. Despite the circumstances, I still want it to be perfect. I want the fairy tale. I grab a pink clutch from my collection and step into clear pumps.Lista.

Walking into the kitchen, I find a large bouquet of pink carnations, a package of iced oatmeal cookies, and a six-pack of Dr. Pepper.

“Ari, you look-” I turn around to see Nero in a black suit, his brows furrowing when he sees my emotional ones.

“Did you get these for me?” I ask.

It’s not an expensive gift, but it’s better than an expensive gift. It was a sweet, thoughtful gesture that was tailored to me.

“I did.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, holding the cookies to my chest.

“Omg, before we go!” I stand beside him and extend my arm to take a quick picture.

“We look so cute!” I say, looking over the picture. The sight of Nero in a suit did something unruly to my brain. Guapo starts barking.

“Oh no! Is my little baby jealous?” I grab Guapo and kiss him. “We have to take one with him. Look, he’s sad he can’t go with us.”

Nero shakes his head at me but then reluctantly picks up Guapo and waits for me. Sticking out my arm, I angle the phone in front of us and snap the picture.

“Let’s get you out of here,” Nero says, setting Guapo into his bed before leading me out of the penthouse.

There’s a limo waiting out front. I step inside, and Nero follows behind me, taking the seat across from me. His long legs stretch out in front of him, his hands clasped together as he looks out the window. Starving for his attention, I shift in my seat, accidentally brushing his shoe with the tip of my pointy stiletto.

“Sorry,” I say.

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