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.

then." He

up so I could begin to

he was still staring. He sighed and

to see if anyone was around to see no one in sight. I hesitantly took all my clothes off and

I screeched as my

took me to convince you to jump in, it had cooled down." He

making me come in here" I said and I wrapped my arms around my body to preserve some of

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

and lightly placed my hands

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

definitely start doing that a lot more often." I

"Agreed"

now" I said as I slowly got out the water and began to put

asked

"Bye Antonio." I smiled.

I heard him say as I walked

the familiar corner when I saw my Auntie Jana also walking

faster towards her house, passing me. I frowned. That was weird. I quickened my pace

day." I said as I walked into the kitchen. I went to kiss her in the cheek like I do everyday but she put the hand up to stop

phone with your Aunt Jana today." She said as

"That's.... nice?"

She said and I froze when I

Mom. He was just asking for directions" I

as she continued to cut the vegetables and grinned her teeth

for her to find out

all she told me." She

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

her hand again to stop me from

me it's not true. Tell me your not a slut like

true, I was a slut. What was I thinking? Kissing

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

right" I said in a small voice, tears threatening

I've got the situation under control. Go get change into some nice

mean?

her son Omar marry you. She lives in a

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

should be grateful, Aria. If not Omar, no one else will marry you." She said dismissively as

please don't force me to get married."

you look like a

way upstairs. Why did

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

heartbroken for sure, which makes this even worse because the last thing I wanted

the doorbell snapped me out

slowly walked down the stairs where I saw

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

my mother smiled fakely as I reached

Sarah said and I saw Omar smile at

you" I said to Sarah,

warning glare to stop looking so miserable so I changed my facial expression to a

of the 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 first but she

***

She knew I was going to meet him and told me I was

with nothing to do

all too well come from outside my window. I shot up from my bed and

What are you doing" I said in a hushed voice. He was on the ground and wincing in

romantic and shït by climbing up your window like they do

"You fell?"

out the obvious. I'm already embarrassed enough"

swing my

just come out the front door." He said as he moved