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

noticed he was still staring. He

my clothes off and placed them in a neat pile. Without waiting

warm!" I screeched as my

was, but by the time it took me to convince you to jump in, it had cooled down."

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

couple of things to warm you up." He

Like what." I said and lightly

better than how I imagined it would feel to kiss him. He moved his hand to the

definitely start doing that a lot more often." I

"Agreed"

probably looking for me now" I said as I slowly got out the water and began to put to get my clothes on, making sure to

tomorrow?" Antonio asked hopefully to which I

"Bye Antonio." I smiled.

say as I

turned around the familiar corner when I saw my Auntie

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

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

Jana today." She said as she went back

"That's.... nice?"

told me she saw you with a boy today." She said and I froze when I registered what she

He was just asking for directions" I

directions." She said as she continued to cut the vegetables and grinned her teeth together. This is how I knew

I didn't know what to say. My mother has always been a very religious person, so for her to find out that her only daughter had gone around and kissed someone out of wedlock,

She continued and I

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

but she put up her hand again to stop me from

not a slut like everyone

lowered my eyes, unable to deny it. It was true, I was a slut. What was I thinking?

idea what people are saying about you? Saying about me? You've ruined my reputation. Since when did you become such a whore, huh? This is not the daughter I raised. Your father would be disgusted if he was still alive."

I said in a small voice, tears threatening to escape my

change into some nice clothes and come down quickly. They'll be here in 20 minutes" she said

mean? What's happening?"

has agreed to let her son Omar marry you. She lives in a different city so she

serious, mom, please don't make me get married." I

else will marry you." She said dismissively as if it was no big

force me to get

and go sort yourself out, you look like a mess." She finalised and I knew

made my way upstairs. Why did this have to happen

on some nicer clothes. I looked in the mirror and began reapplying

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

snapped me out of my thoughts. Omar's

where I saw my mother standing next to

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

mother smiled fakely as I

she's even more beautiful than the photos you sent me" Sarah said and I saw Omar smile at me, revealing his crooked and yellowing teeth which

Sarah, but

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

arrangements were made- I had no say in any of it. My mother suggested the wedding would happen in 2 weeks. Omar's family were unsure at

***

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

now lying on my bed, bored out of my mind with nothing to do when I heard

too well come from outside my window. I shot up from my

He was on the ground and

romantic and shït by climbing up your window

"You fell?"

point out the obvious. I'm already embarrassed enough" he groaned

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

front door." He said as he moved directly