Chapter Twenty-One
The next day was their last in London. Laurence had two important meetings lined up for him. The Chief Architect from the architectural company that they had hired for the renovations would arrive at their office in another two hours and they had to get ready. They hurriedly got ready and made sandwiches and coffee for breakfast. They reached their office just ten minutes before the meeting. The whole day they were busy sorting out the work and delegating it to the other members of the team. It was nearly evening when they finished their work. Tiredly they went back to their apartment.
There wasn't any food items left in the refrigerator or in the pantry, so they just ordered pizza. After having their dinner, they packed their suitcases up and got ready for their flight at 12 o'clock midnight. It was 11 o'clock in the night when they locked up the apartment and went to the airport. Laurence was exceptionally quiet as they boarded their flight. It seemed as if he was upset that their time at London was over.
After take off they retired to the bedroom to sleep. "Are we getting married soon?" Asked Arianna, unsure about everything.
"Yes, I'll talk to your uncle David and aunt Henrietta. My best friend, Troy has taken care of all the preparations. I'll talk to him first and then we will plan everything, " he told her. "Don't worry darling, even if my parents don't approve of you, we will move into our own apartment and live with one another, Okay?" He said gently, cuddling her to him.
"Yes Laurence, I trust you, " she said, snuggling into him.
"We will go straight to Italy for our honeymoon after getting married," he told her and Arianna's face brightened up.
"Really?" She asked him excitedly and Laurence nodded.
"I've already made arrangements for it," he told her. They discussed and planned their honeymoon trip and then went to sleep late. The next day they would reach by noon so they had all the time to catch up on their sleep.
The next morning they woke up feeling lazy and enjoyed a delicious breakfast in bed. They would reach by noon so they spent as much time as possible with one another. "After marriage I want you to stop working as my PA. I want you to complete your studies Aria," said Laurence, stroking her cheeks.
"Yes," agreed Arianna. She too wanted to complete her studies first.
"What do you want to study after graduating from school?" He asked her.
"I'll want to pursue a Culinary program," she said and Laurence nodded.
"It's good to be focused," he said his fingers trailing down to her jawline and then to her neck and to her breasts. Arianna's sharp intake of breath made him aroused again. He always only made out with her, controlling himself before losing himself and plunging deep within her although he wanted to. He wanted to make complete love to her on their wedding night.
He captured her lips in a gentle and lingering kiss, his hands played with her, pleasing her and making her moan. She too had been trained well in the art of making out by now and she pleased him too. Laurence sighed and got up from the bed.
"Get ready darling, it's nearly time to land," he said reluctantly.
She nodded and got up to wear her clothes. The pilot's announcement came on that they were to land in ten minutes. They left the room and sat down on the landing seats, buckling themselves securely. They landed in ten minutes and went outside to their waiting car. Their luggage was also loaded and they set off for home.
"I'll drop you off at your house and then go directly to office. You can take the day off. I'll meet you tomorrow at 8 o'clock in my office," he said.
"I could go to office today too," she offered.
"No darling. You can take the day off," he insisted. He was going to have a talk with Troy first at office today. After getting an update, he would proceed with his plans.
Arianna got down at her house. Tim unloaded her luggage for her. Laurence kissed her forehead before she went away. "Don't worry, I'll update you the plans tonight," he assured her. She nodded and walked up to her house.
Laurence waited for her to go inside and then asked Tim to drive him to his office. Reaching his floor, he found Troy already waiting for him. "Sorry, bro, got late," said Laurence walking into his office chamber. Troy looked behind him searching for someone.
"Where's she? Where's Arianna?" He asked curiously.
"Oh, I dropped her off at her house. She was tired," he told Troy.
"You were never so horny? You tired her out already? It's just 1 o'clock, man," said a grinning Troy.
"Stop talking shit. I haven't done it with her yet. She's too innocent and pure. I want our first time to be special and pure too. I can wait," he said, holding onto his heart.
"You're deeply in love with her bro," said Troy and Laurence nodded. He had fallen deeply and he knew it. He was going against his family and he knew the consequences. It was worth the effort compared to his deep feelings for Arianna. He would die if he didn't get her.
"Well, I have arranged for your wedding at the Holy Cross church this Saturday at 11 o'clock in the morning," said Troy.
"Great then, that gives us two days to buy our outfits and rings," said Laurence.
"You will talk to her family and involve them, won't you?" Asked Troy.
"She doesn't have anyone. She lives with her best friend's foster family, " informed Laurence. "I'll talk to them. If they don't want to be involved then fine. We'll do it ourselves," said Laurence.
"I'm not liking the feel of this bro. You know how your mom is obsessed with Serenity. She'll drive you both crazy. I'm sure you would need to move out with Arianna," said Troy, shaking his head.
"She isn't obsessed with Serenity because she's a sweet girl or something. She's obsessed with Eric Parker's wealth which would be ours once Serenity marries me," said Laurence with a sigh. Troy sighed too, he had known Laurence and his family all his life. They were childhood friends.
"You do what you think is right bro," said Troy.
"I might tell you to hunt for an apartment for us near yours after we return. Let me introduce Arianna to my family first," said Laurence and Troy agreed.
"Sure bro, anything to help you," he said.
They discussed the wedding details and then Laurence's plans to go on a honeymoon. "It's a seven day trip," informed Laurence. Troy left and Laurence caught up on his pending work. He started missing Arianna and wanted to see her badly. So he wrapped up all work and asked Tim to drive him to Arianna's house.
He knew he was crazily in love and couldn't stay away from her for long. It was good that they were marrying in two days. Tomorrow they could go shopping for their wedding finery and rings.
He got down and went up to her house and rang the bell. Arianna rushed to open the door. The whole afternoon she had waited for Laurence's call or message. She missed him so much that she didn't know what to do. She was thinking of calling him when the doorbell rang. She saw Tim and Laurence's car through the window curtains. Excitedly, she opened the door and rushed out into Laurence's arms, clinging to his neck, embedding her face into his chest.
"Hey darling, did you miss me?" He asked her indulgently looking at her.
She just nodded and hugged him tightly. "Aww, aren't you two cute!" Said a teasing Isabella.
Arianna released him shyly but Laurence hugged her to his side, entering into the house. Isabella led him to the living room where uncle David was reading a book and aunt Henrietta was surfing the net for party favor ideas for Hudson's reception party.
"Mom, dad, Laurence is here," said Isabella. Aunt Henrietta smiled at him warmly. Uncle David shut his book and smiled at him, shaking his hand cordially.
"Please have dinner with us Mr Lennard, " said aunt Henrietta.
"I'd love to. Thank you Mrs Gray. Please call me Laurence," He said with a warm smile, sitting beside Arianna.
"So Laurence, how was your London trip ?" Asked aunt Henrietta.
"It was great, Mrs Gray. Actually Arianna and I have realized our feelings for one another in this trip. We've already got engaged. We'd be getting married soon," said Laurence. Aunt Henrietta smiled knowingly. Even uncle David smiled knowingly. He got up to hug Laurence and Arianna, congratulating them. Isabella and aunt Henrietta also congratulated them. Arianna smiled shyly as Laurence kept glancing at her every now and then.
"So when are you planning the wedding?" Asked uncle David.
"This Saturday. It will be a simple church wedding. We would be honoured to have all of you with us at the Holy Cross Church this Saturday at 11 o'clock on our wedding, Mr and Mrs Gray," said Laurence.
"We'll be there, son, " said Mr Gray.
