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

and sat up so I could begin to

he was still staring. He

around to see if anyone was around to see no one in sight. I hesitantly took all my clothes off and placed them in a neat pile.

I screeched as

the time it took me to convince you

I wrapped my arms around

things to warm you up." He says as he swims closer to

and lightly placed my hands on

it would feel to kiss him. He moved his hand to the back of

should definitely start doing that a lot more

"Agreed"

the water and began

Antonio asked hopefully to

"Bye Antonio." I smiled.

him say as I walked towards

when I saw my Auntie Jana

Auntie Jana" I smiled at her as I walked next to her. She gave me a disgusted look before, walking even faster towards her house, passing me. I frowned. That

I went to kiss her in the cheek like

Aunt Jana

"That's.... nice?"

boy today." She said and I

was just asking for directions" I

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

very religious person, so for her to find out that her

me." She continued

breathe as if she couldn't even formulate the words. "She told me you were naked with

put up her hand again to stop

Tell me your not a slut like everyone is saying

It was true, I was a slut. What was

my reputation. Since when did you become such a whore, huh? This is not the daughter I raised. Your father would be

right" I said in a small voice,

get change into some

you mean? What's

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

I say shocked. "You can't be serious, mom, please don't make me get married." I

one else will marry you." She said dismissively as

anything else just please don't force me to get married." I pleaded again but it

got 17 minutes, hurry up and go sort yourself out, you look like a mess."

way upstairs. Why did this

the mirror and began reapplying my makeup

would he react? He would be heartbroken for sure, which makes this even worse because

out of my thoughts. Omar's family

I saw my

to be around 10 or maybe even 15

mother smiled fakely as I reached the end of

me" Sarah said and I saw Omar smile at me,

I said to Sarah, but my

warning glare to stop looking so miserable so I changed my facial expression to a bright smile but fake

in any of it. 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 I was excited to be with

***

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

bed, bored out of my mind with nothing to do when I

my window. I shot up from my bed and peered through

He was on the ground and wincing in pain. He slowly stood

to be romantic and shït by climbing up your window

"You fell?"

the obvious. I'm already embarrassed enough" he groaned and a

coming down." I announced as I began to swing my legs

door." He said as he moved directly underneath me