Pure Perfection

This chapter is going to be about Aria and Antonio (Tyberias' parents) and how they met. It is set in Jordan (where Aria is originally from)

ARIA'S POV

I squinted as the sun hit my face and I continued to dip my legs into the lake near my house. I always came here to think. There was something about the serenity that helped me clear my mind.

I come here every day just to spend some time away from my family. My mom has been pushing me to start looking for a husband, claiming that I'm 'old' even though I'm only 20.

I hate it here. It's almost like the only goal for a female is to find a nice man and have kids. Although I did want that in the future, I wanted to explore first. Maybe even get a job or got to university. When I voiced my thoughts to my mother she simply to stop having 'stupid dreams' and to be realistic.

"Mind if I sit next to you? You look like you could use company." I heard a rough voice say. I looked up and my lips parted slightly as I saw who the voice belonged to. The man had pitch black hair with dark brown eyes and a light bear covering his jaw. He didn't look like he was from around here and his accent was more than enough to prove so.

"Sure. I'm Aria" I smiled and shuffled on the dock so there was enough room for him.

"Antonio" he said and gave me a charming smile.

"Italian?" I guessed and he nodded.

"I've always wanted to go to Italy." I sighed thoughtfully. The only place I've ever been to is America to visit a few friends.

"It is a lovely country." He agreed with a nod.

"So Aria, what's a beautiful girl like you doing sitting here all alone."

"Just thinking about... life"

"I find that the best place to contemplate is in the shower. You should try it sometime- it's very therapeutic."

"I'll make sure to give it a try. So Antonio, what brings you to Jordan, you don't look like you're from around here."

"Just business- boring stuff, really, so I'll spare you the details."

"So you're a businessman?" I asked and he hesitated before answering.

"You could say that." He replied and I decided not to interrogate him any further.

We continued to talk for about an hour about anything and everything- our favourite books, films, celebrities. What I loved most was how much we had in common. When he soon announced that he had to leave, he offered to was me home since it was getting late. I accepted and tried to hide my disappointment as much as I could because I secretly wanted to spend more time with him.

***

The next day I came to the same lake again and sat in the exact same spot. I knew it was stupid, but I was hoping to see Antonio again. I was waiting for about half an hour when I decided to finally leave.

"I didn't know if you would show today." I heard a voice. I smiled before turning around.

"Antonio?"

"The one and only. I hope you weren't expecting anyone else."

"I just didn't know if you'd come again. I was kinda hoping you would though."

"I'm glad to hear that"

Once again we talked for what seemed like hours where we got to know everything about each other. I've never opened up to anyone like I have to Antonio but it just felt natural when I was with him.

This happened everyday for about 3 weeks. When it was time for him to leave, he decided to extend his stay for another month just so we could keep seeing each other. I had begun to dread the day he would finally have to leave.

***

"Get in here, it's really warm." Antonio said as he swam up next to me and shook his head like a dog, making me wet.

He had arrived about 15 minutes ago and the first thing he said was that he wanted to go skinny dipping. He tried to convince me to do it with him but I wasn't going to do that anytime soon.

"I'm not getting in, Antonio." I rolled my eyes and dried some of the water off me.

"Don't be so boring."

"I am not boring" I said, slightly offended.

it then." He

sat up so I could

was still staring. He sighed and turned in the

sight. I hesitantly took all my clothes off and placed them in a neat pile. Without waiting any

I screeched as my

convince you to jump in, it had

you for making me come in here" I said and I wrapped my

a couple of things to warm you up." He says

what." I said and lightly placed my hands

mine. I was taken aback. This is way better than how I imagined it would feel to kiss him. He moved his hand to the

start doing that a lot more often." I breathed

"Agreed"

probably looking for me now" I said as I slowly got out the water and began to put to

asked hopefully to which I

"Bye Antonio." I smiled.

gorgeous." I heard him say

when I saw my Auntie Jana also walking

faster towards her house, passing me. I frowned. That was weird. I quickened my pace when it began to get dark outside, eager to

said as I walked into the kitchen. I went to kiss her in the cheek like I do

with your Aunt Jana today." She said as she

"That's.... nice?"

you with a boy today." She said and I froze

like that, Mom. He was just asking for

do you kiss all the men that ask you for directions." She said as she continued to cut the vegetables and grinned her teeth together.

religious person, so for her to find out that her only daughter had gone around and kissed someone out of wedlock, let's just say she would be too

all she told me." She continued and I

my mother began but took a deep breathe as if she couldn't even formulate the words. "She told me you were naked with him

i began but she put up her

it's not true. Tell me your not

lowered my eyes, unable to deny it. It was true, I was a slut. What was I thinking? Kissing and getting naked with Antonio when I've only known him

saying about you? Saying about me? You've ruined my reputation. Since when did you become such a whore, huh? This is not

sorry. You're right" I said in a small voice,

be sorry. But it's okay because I've got the situation under control. Go get change into some nice clothes and come down

do you mean? What's happening?"

to let her son Omar marry you. She lives in a

serious, mom, please don't

If not Omar, no one else will marry you." She said dismissively

me to get married." I pleaded again but

hurry up and go sort yourself out, you look like a mess." She finalised and I knew pleading with her was

I made my way upstairs. Why did this have to

the mirror and began reapplying my makeup that had washed off when I was

How would he react? He would be heartbroken for sure, which makes this even worse because the last thing I wanted to do

doorbell snapped me out of my thoughts. Omar's family

saw

looked to be around 10 or maybe even 15 years older than me and had

as I reached the end

sent me" Sarah said and I saw Omar smile at me, revealing his crooked and yellowing

said to Sarah, but

so miserable so I changed my facial expression to a bright smile

My mother suggested the wedding would happen in 2 weeks. Omar's family were unsure at first but she convinced them it was just because

***

day, I was about to leave the house to go meet Antonio when my mom stopped me. She knew I was going to meet him and told me I was no longer allowed to leave the house unless I

nothing to do

from outside my window. I shot

hushed voice. He was on the ground

romantic and shït by climbing up

"You fell?"

I'm already embarrassed enough" he groaned and a light blush was forming on

as I began to swing my legs off the balcony, preparing myself to

the front door." He said as he moved directly underneath me so he could catch