The Secret Between Us
Chapter 12

(Hours later)

I walk into the room after a relaxing day at the beach and realise that he hasn’t arrived yet. The clock strikes six in the evening and even though he’s not here, I’m about to go and take a shower so I can start getting ready, when there’s a knock on the door I’ve just closed. I open the door and to my surprise, I find one of the hotel bellboys with several bags of local clothes – Miss Morelli, Mr. De Luca sent you these. – He tells me and I quickly open the door a little more so that he can come in and leave the bags -he also sent you this. – she adds when she finishes and hands me a small envelope.

-Thank you, if you give me a moment I’ll give you the tip. – I ask, but he refuses.

-Mr. De Luca has already taken care of that, enjoy your evening. – He explains politely and leaves me alone.

Slowly I open the envelope Izan sent me and as I take out the small piece of paper inside I smile like a fool.

“I hope you like what I chose for you, a limo will pick you up at eight o’clock. I love you.”

Here I go once again sighing like a fool thanks to him… I leave the note and the envelope on the table and then go to open the bags he sent me. Opening the first one, I find a beautiful long white party dress with amazing beading work that makes it look just like I would like my wedding dress to look, but obviously with Izan and not with that jerk Santiago… In the second bag are some beautiful Jimmy Choo heels that match the dress and I still can’t believe he did something like this. I leave the shoes and dress on the bed, and open the third bag. Inside are two plush grey boxes and as I open the first one, I see a stunning diamond necklace sparkling in all its splendour, I carefully leave it there and open the second box, as if the necklace wasn’t enough, she also gave me a bracelet and matching earrings.

In the two years we’ve been together, he’s given me a lot of things, but this is different… it’s a gift that for some reason I feel means more than meets the eye. Without a doubt he is the man who, although forbidden to me, is the one who makes me happy in infinite ways… no one will ever understand why we choose each other every day without caring absolutely nothing, but it doesn’t matter, love wasn’t made to be understood.

In front of the mirror, there’s a smiling woman looking incredibly elegant and happy about to leave this room to find out what surprise her beloved has in store for her and I can’t help but feel as excited as the first date we had after our first night. I grab my mobile phone, my tiny matching purse and walk out of the room to the hotel entrance where the limo should be waiting for me.

-Miss Morelli, welcome and good evening. – The chauffeur greets me when I get to where he is waiting for me.

-Good evening. – I answer and kindly, he helps me into the limousine and then he gets in and starts driving.

The ride through the streets of Miami goes by in silence without me knowing where he’s taking me, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s that Izan would never let anything happen to me. After several minutes, he finally parks near a beach and I don’t understand anything?

He gets out of the car and offers me his hand to help me get out – follow those lights. – He asks me and as I look towards where he is pointing, I realise that there are white floor lamps forming a path to the beach.

-Thank you. – I reply and start walking towards it, I have every intention of taking off my shoes when I get to the sand, but to my surprise there is a path made of wood that makes walking easy.

-Miss Morelli. – a woman says to me when I make a few steps into the beach-let me take your things and have this. – she asks me and with some hesitation I hand her my bag and she gives me a white rose in return. -Please continue. – she adds and I keep walking.

The lanterns continue to light the path and as I get closer to the beach, I can see a white pergola completely illuminated by many lights hanging from its roof and underneath it, Izan is dressed in a black dinner jacket that looks amazing on him. I continue walking and as I get closer, I see another man with a small box in his hands.

-Welcome to our wedding, my beauty. – Izan says to me when I get in front of him.

-What did you say? – I ask totally confused.

He comes a little closer to me and takes my face in his strong yet delicate hands – you look beautiful… – he flatters me – this is our wedding my love… it’s not an official one as I would like, but this is my best friend, Santino, the man with whom I was supposed to do business. – he explains smiling, “he will make official this symbolic wedding where I just want to let you know that, even if the whole world opposes us, you and I will be united forever, will you marry me tonight? – he asks and with tears threatening to spill from my eyes, I nod.

-Of course I do. – I say without hesitation and k**s him with all my might.