Despite not being summer yet, Villa Stella was in a frenzy. The vast garden was illuminated by the lights that hang over them. Lanterns were scattered near potted philodendron plants and along the open sliding doors that led towards the main house.

Apparently, their boss' homecoming was always welcomed with a big feast. It also happened to be the day Marcus renewed his vows to his wide. The merriment began at sunset and it was still going on even as four hours had passed.

Amara observed Primo's actions but his mien remained polite and accommodating. Her stare followed him all night but she was still clueless about his feelings over their engagement. She sat beside him as he talked to old man Marcus.

"Well, yes. I would have to think about it," Primo said.

"What about?" she asked.

"The future." He shrugged, downing a glass of wine. Primo remained quiet after that.

Amara clicked her tongue. She leaned closer to whisper in his ear. "Are you going to be like this?"

"Anyone whose choices were taken away has the right to act like this," he mumbled back.

Amara felt the force of his fury. She sat straight, thinking of ways to rectify the situation. "Primo, do you think I want this?"

His head jerked to hers. "Don't you?"

She couldn't reply. Amara might be doing this for his sake but he didn't know that. To him, it appeared as if she had let her father do it.

"Tesoro!" Nicolo bounced towards her. He grabbed her hands, pulling her to stand up. "Come, I have a small request."

Amara frowned as Nicolo winked to Marcus. He dragged to a makeshift stage where fairy lights served as the backdrop. The boy placed a microphone on her hand. "Wha...?"

"Can you sing..." he whispered the song to her that she giggled. "So?"

"Of course," she replied. Amara momentarily forgot about her problems with Primo. She tightened her hold on the microphone as the music began. The crowd swayed in time with the soft thrums.

"Strumming my pain with his fingers... Singing my life with his words..."

Amara continued singing. She met Primo's glacial eyes, feeling her heart hammer against her chest. His gaze didn't leave her the entire time that her skin prickled with something hot. The song's seductive tone didn't help. As she reached the middle, couples began pairing off and swayed with the song.

"Grazie, tesoro!" Jessica, Marcus' wife, hugged Amara after she finished the song.

Everyone clapped their hands and showered her with praises. Amara relished it, briefly wondering how her life would be if she grew up here.

Her eyes scanned for Primo. He was still staring.

Fuck.

Amara's throat was parched. She excused herself and trudged to the kitchen inside the house. She drank a glass of water.

Primo's stare was different. She couldn't read him. The whole engagement was quickly becoming a bad idea.

"Tesoro! Why do you keep disappearing?" Nico found her. A frown marring his features. "Let's go."

"But I..." Amara sighed as Nicolo dragged her back into the crowd.  People were dancing as a slow love song whirled in the air. "Are we gonna dance?"

"We are!" Nicolo twirled her around. He chuckled before he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Is something bothering you?"

Amara shrugged. She seldom shared her problems. And when she did, it would be with Primo or her dad. But both of them weren't an option now.

"Do you think I can dance with my fianceé?"

Amara's heart paced faster. Nico let go of her but not before shooting the other guy a dirty look.

"Hi," she mumbled. She clenched her quivering fingers into a fist.

"Why are you so awkward?" Primo yanked her to his chest, circling his hands around her waist. Amara smelled the wine on his breath, feeling his heated skin against hers. Primo brought up a hand to brush the hair off her cheek.

"Are you angry at me?"

"No."

She stared at him with hopeful eyes. "Really?"

"Do you think so little of me?" Primo let out a deep sigh, rubbing his hand up and down her exposed arm. "Truthfully, I didn't mind that's why I broke up with Natasha without even blinking."

"You did?" Shock and glee seeped into her words. Amara licked her lips, seeing that Primo didn't look too happy with his actions. "And? You feel guilty?"

He shook his head. "It just made me realize how much of a jerk I am. I pursue girls as if I want them but then I quickly change my mind. I don't know why but I'm thinking... maybe I'll be like my father..."

Amara gasped. She searched for the right words to say but found nothing.

"I like the idea of marrying you, you know." His declaration brought a flush to her cheeks. "Not everyone is lucky enough to marry their best friend. But I just..."

"You're afraid of discarding me?" Amara cast a look downwards. She knew what he wanted to do. She had expected it as one of the scenarios in this marriage. But she never expected she would feel pain.

"I'll hurt you." His fingers brought her chin up. "That's why I didn't pursue you all these years, Amara. No matter how perfect you are in my eyes. In the end, I'll fuck up. And I won't just destroy your heart but also our friendship. I will never want that."

Amara clenched her jaw. Her fingers dug at his shoulders. "It's alright. But... you need to stay with me for at least two months. That'll be enough time for dad to find me another acceptable suitor."

Primo looked like he would argue before he nodded. "Alright."

She didn't agree with him but she would respect his decision. Amara had gotten what she wanted. There's no need to push it further.

And yet... this sucks.

Fireworks boomed in the sky. They looked up, admiring the blooming patterns before they disappear. She smirked at how it fit her situation with Primo.

"It would be a great memory," she muttered.

"What?" Primo asked over the loud sound of the fireworks.

She shook her head and smiled. Amara grabbed his hand, tugging him down to kiss his cheek. She whispered in his ear. "Thank you."

✘✘