After a good shower and lunch I head outside to join Sam and Roshni. Despite the last minute mishap at the river, I can still confess that I had a great time with Liam. I wouldn't hesitate doing it again—the outdoor sex with my fiancé.

Oh boy! Just the memory turns me scarlet on the cheeks.

"I know I said this before, but I'm telling you once again . . ." Eleanor's voice catches my attention as I near the staircase. I take a halt. "Get to know her. At least try to be friendly with her, Malik. You're charming with everyone but so indifferent with her. Why? Forget she's your fiancée and see her like any other girl."

Oh man! I think they're talking about Roshni. I know eavesdropping is terrible but my late mom has to forgive me because I need to hear this.

"Do you agree with that, Brother?" Malik asks, definitely referring to Liam. "See? Even Liam doesn't—"

"Mother is right," says Liam, cutting Malik short. "You have been too hard on her and she doesn't deserve that treatment. You're both victims here."

I totally agree. Both parties are victims of this arranged marriage. Jeez, it shouldn't be legal, honestly.

"No," Malik murmurs. "I can't believe you're all ganging up on me." I smile. That's typical Malik's response.

Eleanor chuckles. "You don't have to fall in love, Malik. Just be good to her." I hear him grunting as Eleanor adds, "I'm taking my girls out later, so you're on your own about lunch." Her heels echo and I think she's heading out.

"Have you spoken to Elton?" Liam asks Malik and their voices are slowly fading.

"Yeah, and you were right. They're going to keep tabs on us," Malik replies and at last I hear nothing from them.

What a bitch! My subconscious snarls at me, and I mentally shrug.

Sam and Roshni are seated on the front porch when I finally step out. As expected, they start asking about my honeymoon plans, giving me countless suggestions on where I should go.

"You can try a trip around Europe," Sam says, and it's a big no. If I go on a trip to Europe, then it's going to be an adventure—backpacking preferably—and not a honeymoon.

"Well, thanks for your lovely suggestions, Samantha." I sit cross-legged. "I've already found the place I want to go so you don't need to worry," I state with honesty.

After my chat with Liam about his opinion, it wasn't so hard coming up with the place I definitely want to go with him for our romantic after wedding nights.

"If you say so," Sam states. "As long as you're not going to the Sahara." She is probably disappointed but this is going to be about me, so my opinion should matter this time.

Eleanor takes us out and it so happens that today I'm supposed to try on my wedding dress that's already done, according to Ricky—my designer. We start our afternoon at the boutique and I try the dress right away.

A moment later I'm standing in front of a large mirror, as Ricky fastens something at my back. I swear it feels surreal watching my reflection in a wedding dress, something white and immaculate.

"What do you say, Eleanor?" Ricky asks sassily, holding his slender waist that's tied with a white sweater hanging on his behind. Dressed in blue cropped pants and black V-neck, he looks like a proud designer on the Paris Fashion Week runways.

"Wow," Eleanor mutters, her expression awed through the mirror. "This is splendid, Ricky. What do you say, girls?" She eyes Sam and Roshni with pure stun.

The dress is utterly elegant—maybe too elegant I might add. It does fit me perfectly that I feel like a fairytale princess after the magical spell from the fairy godmother.

Floor-length, large umbrella skirt, and a tight top with a little bit of nude lace embellishing it—the dress looks majestic on my petite body.

"Like you said," says Sam with a big grin, "it's just wow! You look amazing, Kiki." She comes closer to touch it with her hands.

"Yes, very amazing," Roshni adds admiringly, her smile sweet.

"I guess." I twirl around nervously. I still can't believe it's really me in a wedding dress.

The feeling is somewhat eerie, yet beautiful.

"You're gonna be the most beautiful bride, my friend." Sam hugs me tight, her voice emotional.

I smile softly. "Thanks, Sam. I just hope it goes well." I really want the day to come so that I can reclaim my tension-free life.

Planning for a wedding is not easy at all, no matter how small it is.

"What about the maids of honor?" Ricky asks Eleanor, a while later.

"Um . . . about that, I'll get back to you later. I've got some new arrivals today, including the two exclusive dresses I've ordered for the occasion. Let's see how it works out and I'll let you know," Eleanor answers, talking to him privately. "But well done with this, boy. I knew you wouldn't let me down." She once again stares at the dress that's now off my body.

"As you wish, Eleanor. You must be such a happy mother-in-law, huh?" Ricky teases.

"Oh, that I am." Eleanor winks, and I smile as I watch them laughing.

Afterwards we accompany Eleanor to do grocery shopping in the city, promenading while at it, and then drop at the saloon for hairdressing. Everyone looks in their best mood by the time we return home—the day turns out splendid.

And I thank the heavens that we're almost done with the hard part of the preparations, for the rest is to be handled by the wedding planner. I'm very exhausted as I join Liam in bed, ready to call it a night after the long and eventful day I had.

"Tired?" Liam throws a copy of Danielle Steel's Heartbeat, the book I've been re-reading lately, on the nightstand.

"Very tired." I tie up my hair into a messy bun and clamber into bed.

"Good. Let's get you to sleep then." Liam takes me into his arms. "Do you know that we're going to Las Vegas tomorrow?"

"We are?" I'm totally surprised by this.

"Yes." Liam chuckles. "I get they wanted to surprise you and I've ruined it. Malik planned everything so we're leaving tomorrow."

"Okay, hold on," I mutter, stunned. "Why are we going to Vegas? Oh, don't tell me it's for the bachelor party! Is it?" I'm suddenly awed, the idea somehow exciting.

"I suppose that is," Liam answers with less surety, but I'm sure as hell that is the case.

Wow! I guess I should get ready to party. I lay my head on Liam's chest, a childish smile on my face.

***

"Is everyone ready to see Vegas?" Malik shouts as he walks into the kitchen for breakfast.

I can't believe it's really happening. We're going to Las Vegas, dammit. Yeah, I've never gone there before so I might as well be excited.

Everyone laughs at Malik's unweaving enthusiasm; including Roshni whose head is shaken to the sides, amused. I'm glad she is adjusting well.

"We all are, Malik," Sam replies from the bottom of her heart, gobbling the crispy, buttered toast with a seemingly great appetite she's currently having.

"That's it!" Malik grins contentedly. "Okay, be absolutely ready. We're leaving this afternoon and everything is sorted out," he states with confidence, taking seat next to Eleanor.

"With you in charge, I have no doubt that everything is under control," Eleanor remarks softly, sipping her tea gracefully.

"Oh, that is very accurate," Malik boasts. Roshni rolls her eyes at him. He blows her a subtle playful kiss that makes her scowl hard at him. "Where is Liam?" He starts serving himself some toasts.

"In the study," I reply while chewing my doughnut. "Speaking of which, I should probably go and remind him of something called eating." I get up right away, fully aware of a workaholic I'm about to marry.

"Oh, you're going to feed him, huh?" Malik teases.

"Yes, I'll do so if necessary." I down my coffee.

Eleanor is busy reading the latest Vogue magazine, a smile on her face. "I'm glad he has you. Liam can be such a nutcase when he's engrossed with work. I knew he needed a woman by his side so that he doesn't get lost in just one aspect of life."

Her statement makes everyone chuckle, but she seems serious. I flush at the words, for I'm willing to take care of that man with pleasure.

As I walk into the study, Liam is overindulged into a video call with someone who's most probably from the London office. He regards me with a smile as I carefully place the breakfast tray on the small table in front of a leather sofa, facing his desk.

"Hold on," Liam tells the one on the call, casting a glance on his watch. "Do it in ten hours. Also . . . do not buy or sell any stock in this time frame unless I say so."

"Yes, sir," I mutter, teasing him.

He fakes a glare toward me. "No, I won't be available for a while, but you can leave a message in case that happens," he says, back onto the call.

I use the opportunity to roam around the study without a clear quest. It's homey and cozy, smelling of wild wood and not so old paint. I stop in front of a small painting of a running brown horse in a green field.

"Beautiful." I run a hand on the painting and get myself lost into it for a while.

"I thought you're here for me." Liam's voice snaps me. I smile right away. "Is this for me?" He's nearing breakfast as I turn around to regard him.

"No. It's for your associate on the video call," I joke.

Liam huffs a small laugh. "You have a horrible sense of humor, Ms. Jones, so I'll let it slide." He instantly hails me for a kiss, gripping my waist tight. "Did you sleep well?" he asks gently afterwards.

"Hmm. But it's so unsexy waking up on an empty bed, Mr. Darcy." I nuzzle his neck, and his lips stretch into an irresistible smile of content. "Don't smile! I'm serious," I scold.

"I had to catch up with some work, and I had no reason to disrupt your beauty sleep," Liam replies playfully. I giggle softly at the feeling he entices in me. "And I think I'm famished. You're very thoughtful, my love." He eyes the breakfast tray with utter admiration.

"Good. Have a seat, and finish everything," I say urgently to him, forcing another smile out of his beautiful lips.

Taking a seat on the couch, Liam grabs a cup of coffee and starts sipping nonchalantly. "Why do you look gloomy?" He frowns and takes a sausage bite, eyes fixed on me.

"I'm wondering . . ." I lean comfortably on the backrest of the sofa, sideways. "Are you excited about this trip? I mean, for all I know it's interfering with your work and—"

"Baby, I'm totally okay with it," says Liam, cutting me short with an assuring smile. "As long as you're happy, this trip will be fabulous to me. Don't worry about my work; I can manage, and I don't want you thinking of it, okay?" He gently holds my chin, it makes me feel five—in a good way.

"Well . . . I'm really excited about it, but I wanted to make sure you're feeling at least half of what I'm feeling. I want us to have a wonderful moment with our friends. Especially since it's going to be my final moment with Sam," I utter sadly.

The idea of living continents apart from my best friend who is more like a sister—the only family I have—scares the shit out of me. I'm not used to being far from her so it won't be easy.

"It will be hard, right? You two have been together almost your entire lives," Liam remarks in a similar tone of voice as mine.

"Exactly." I play with my perfectly manicured fingers on my lap. "And I'm more worried about her instead of myself. I wish I could be there for her during this time of her pregnancy, Liam. But then again, I know she's stronger than she lets on. It will be fine, right?" I gaze up at Liam, hopefully.

"It will be." Liam gives me a reassuring smile and we proceed talking of happy things.

Malik pops his head at the door. "Excuse me. May I intrude for a while?" He grins at us.

"Um, sure. I think I better leave you two," I say while getting up, and Malik gets in at the same time. "Are you done?" I ask Liam about breakfast.

"Yes." He empties the rest of his coffee. "Thank you so much, I'm full." His smile lights up my heart.

"My pleasure." I gather everything back onto the tray. Before leaving I give Liam a kiss on the lips—I'm already used to this even though we've been apart for a good while.

"Ahem!" The handsome Arab clears his throat while feigning to be lost wandering his gaze around the study.

"What?" I chuckle.

"Um . . . I should probably get married too, right? I mean, the VIP treatment is something else, Professor—right, Brother?" Malik utters.

Liam and I laugh.

"As long as you treat her right," I whisper as I walk past Malik, smiling.

"Really now? Is that a message for me, Professor?"

"Could be!" I wink at him, and I definitely like that he's my brother-in-law.