Chapter Twenty-Four
"Hey girl, show what you bought?" Asked an over-enthusiastic Isabella. They had gone to Arianna's room to keep her stuff. Arianna showed the wedding fineries that Laurence bought her.
"Amazing girl. You're so lucky that you're marrying the one you love," said Isabella, checking out her wedding dress.
"Even you'll find true love soon Isa. Then don't forget me," said Arianna.
"I won't ever get married Arianna, " she said with a sigh.
"Of course you will," said Arianna.
"You don't know anything. The one I love loves another woman," she said with a sigh.
Arianna hugged her close. "Have faith in God. He'll set everything right," she said.
"Hopefully. Well, guess what? I bought my dress too. Wait, I'll get it," said Isabella, wiping her eyes. Isabella also had bought herself a white dress as she was her maid of honour. She went to her room to get it and show her. She came back after two minutes with a beautiful white dress. It had a sweetheart embellished neckline which made the dress all the more attractive.
"It's awesome," said Arianna. Afterwards they went downstairs to cook dinner together.
"Tomorrow's my last day at office," informed Arianna.
"What will you do the whole day after marriage? Won't you get bored?" Asked Isabella.
"Laurence wants me to study well for my upcoming final exams at school. Then he wants me to finish college, " she informed them. Aunt Henrietta appreciatively nodded.
"I think you need a break from working. You need to improve your health. Look at you, you're so thin," said aunt Henrietta.
"Yes I'm glad that you'll get to complete your studies, " said Isabella.
Even uncle David came and sat upon a kitchen stool participating in the conversation. "So when's your flight to Italy?" He asked Arianna.
"In the afternoon at 4 o'clock, uncle David. Laurence will be treating everyone to lunch after the wedding," she informed them.
"Did he introduce you to his family?" Asked an eager aunt Henrietta.
"No, they won't accept me. So he'll introduce me to them after we return from Italy. But I met his sister, " she told them. Aunt Henrietta frowned at her answer.
"At least he should have introduced you to them even if he didn't wish to involve them," she told Arianna.
"He knows his family best. I can't argue aunt Henrietta," said Arianna.
"Yes, true, " agreed aunt Henrietta.
"No problem, we'll make up for the absence of his family, " said uncle David. Hudson and Weston had gone back to their own apartments, so only the three of them would accompany her to church.
After dinner, Arianna, Isabella and aunt Henrietta packed her suitcase for the Italy trip. Then they packed the rest of her stuff to be shifted to the Lennard house. Arianna would take to Laurence's house only the stuff that she would require immediately. The rest she wanted to leave here. "What if they don't like me aunt Henrietta? Then I would need to move out. So it's best that I only carry a few dresses only," she said with a sigh.
"Yes dear. You can come back here for your stuff anytime. We would be gone after twenty days to New York to attend Hudson's wedding. Are you coming too?" asked aunt Henrietta.
"I have to ask Laurence. Maybe he would introduce me then to his family," said Arianna, hesitantly.
"You do whatever he says dear. You can always meet Hudson and his wife later whenever it's convenient for you," said uncle David. "We'll be staying in New York for a month," said uncle David.
The next day, Arianna quickly got ready and went outside to find Tim waiting for her. He smiled at her, "Good morning ma'am, " he said, opening the door for her.
"Good morning Tim, thank you for everything that you did for me yesterday, " she said with a warm smile.
"It's my duty ma'am. If you ever need any help in life, you can always depend upon me. You're just like my daughter. She's of the same age as you," he said, closing the car door. He went inside the driver seat.
"Save my number, " he said dictating his number aloud. Arianna saved it. No one knew when you might need help. Tim was worried about the young girl who was marrying into the Lennard family. He had been with Laurence for the last six years. He relocated to Las Vegas with him. He liked Laurence's nature very much but the same didn't hold true for his family though.
He drove her to the office and Arianna thanked him and went up to her floor. Today was her last day here. She had liked working here. She sighed thinking that she would lose her financial independence after today. Not that she minded Laurence. He had a golden heart but it was the other members of his family who she was worried about. She didn't want to be completely dependent upon anyone. But her education was important if she wanted to accomplish something in her life.
She kept her handbag and made coffee for Laurence. Her mind was on numerous things but mostly upon her uncertain future. She took the coffee to Laurence's room. He was sitting with a man of about his age. They were laughing and joking together.
"Here she comes at last," said Laurence getting up and drawing her to his side. "Aria, meet my best and only friend, Troy Wagner, " he introduced.
"Troy, this is Arianna Willis, my love, my life, my everything," he introduced.
"Hi, heard so much about you. This guy's been harping about you since that night at the bar. I was there too," said Troy, stretching his hand out to Arianna for a shake.
"Hi, yes I remember you," said Arianna shyly and Troy gave Laurence a triumphant look. Laurence was green witu jealousy.
"So tomorrow's the wedding, who's your maid of honour?" Asked Troy with a mischievous grin.
"Isabella, my best friend," said Arianna.
"Wow, is she single?" Asked Troy.
"Yep but she loves someone who doesn't love her back," said Arianna.
"Good for me then," said Troy with a laugh.
They all laughed. "Don't you try anything with her dude. She's only eighteen too and her family would be after your life," said Laurence trying to warn him off.
"Don't worry, I'll marry her too just like you are," said Troy with a wink. Arianna rolled her eyes. Isabella was a spitfire and she loved Weston. It wasn't so easy to marry her. She might be eighteen but she knew exactly what she wanted.
She handed the coffee to Troy and got another one for Laurence. They sat discussing their plans for tomorrow. "Have you packed your suitcases for the trip?" Asked Laurence.
"Yes," said Arianna.
"Good, I'll pack mine tonight and load it onto my car. Tomorrow after the wedding lunch and cake cutting, we will head to your house. From there we'll freshen up and leave for the airport. Okay?" Asked Laurence. Arianna nodded. Troy left afterwards and Laurence pulled her onto his lap, holding her close.
"Don't worry so much darling. I'm there for you always," he promised as she embedded her head into his neck.
"I trust you Laurence, " she told him.
"I won't let you down baby," he said.
He kissed her and made hwr sit with him at his desk. "There's not much work to be done. I've already appointed a PA. She's very efficient and has 25 years of experience," said Laurence. Arianna smiled warmly.
"When is she joining?" She asked him.
"She'll be arriving at 9 o'clock today. You just update her and she'll catch on," said Laurence. Arianna nodded.
"Sure," she said.
Jennifer Holland was a fifty year old lady, very efficient and hardworking, immaculately dressed in an expensive pant suit. She arrived at exactly 9 o'clock and quickly picked up the work that Arianna showed her. It was evening when the work was over for the day. Laurence explained everything that needed to be done for the next few days that he would be away. They left the office by 7 o'clock in the evening.
Laurence took her to the Holy Cross church to check out the ongoing decorations. It was all simple and white, nothing extravagant except the huge ornate brass candlesticks, strategically positioned at he entrance at the altar. They also visited the restaurant where they would be having their wedding lunch.
Afterwards Laurence took her to her house. He stayed back for dinner and talked with her uncle David, aunt Henrietta and Isabella. They discussed the next day's plans. Laurence would get ready with Troy who was his best man at his house. Tim would pick up Lisa and she would get ready at Troy's house too. Arianna would go to the church with uncle David, aunt Henrietta and Isabella. Her bridal bouquet had arrived in the evening. So more or less everything was taken care of.
Laurence kissed her and left for home. He needed to pack too for their trip. Thankfully Lisa hadn't spoken a word at home and he was glad.
