Alara

It felt like the whole world stopped when he exited the dressing room. My breath stilled while my heart raced as I dragged my eyes across the handsome man before me. He looked absolutely breath taking in the suit, it fit him perfectly and Anna had been right the black shirt drew out his defined features and complimented his pale skin.

I didn't know what to say so I just gawked at him.

His lips curved into a smirk at my reaction revelling in the affect he had on me, "Cat got your tongue sweetheart?"

"No, No-", I sputtered out tearing my gaze away from him and trying to subdue the blazing blush on my cheeks.

A smooth low chuckle rumbled through him and I realised how addictive the sound was, I wanted to hear it on repeat not that I would ever admit that to him.

"I'm guessing this is a winner by the look on your face," again my blush deepened and I grasped at anything to save me from this situation.

"I'm just mimicking what you looked like when you saw me," I deadpanned and it seem to work.

"Well, I'll give you that, I did look at you like you were the most beautiful woman to ever exist,"

I went to thank him for the compliment before I realised what he was really saying, "So your saying I'm looking at you like your the most handsome man to ever exist,"

He made his way over to me, "Your words not mine,"

I scowled playfully at him, "Whatever helps you sleep at night Grayson,"

"Oh so we're on a last name basis now Mortello," he emphasised my surname before adding, "It won't be as fun when your last name is Grayson,"

"As I said before, who said I'm changing my name,"

He ignored the statement and just to rile me up further said, "Oh and Alara, its you that helps me sleep at night," then ever so lowly in my ear he whispered, "Or should I say it's you that keeps me up at night,"

I felt a shiver run down my spine at the implication of his words, and he had the audacity to walk off as though he had never spoken them.

"I think we're ready to head out," he said, slipping back into the dressing room and changing back to the clothes he came in with.

As soon as we had bought all that we needed we headed back to the car, bags in hand. I felt my stomach growl and the sound was loud enough for Cameron to hear, he gave me a pointed look.

"You should've told me you were hungry," his voice was awfully gentle and with no one else around to witness it full of care.

"My stomach just did," I shot back to which he laughed.

"Ok Alara's stomach, I'll get you some food," he spoke directly too my tummy causing me to scrunch my face at the absurd action.

Without thinking I said, "Why are you talking to it like that, it's not like there's a baby in there," as soon as the words were out of my mouth I lifted my hands to it, almost gasping at my own words.

Cameron on the other hand found it extremely funny as I wanted the seat to swallow me whole out of embarrassment, "Just drive...please," I said covering my face with my hands and not wanting to look at the sly grin on his face.

"Whatever you say darling," I didn't miss the last furtive glance at my stomach and I really did want to die of embarrassment right then and there.

We pulled up to a small café that seemed really homely. There were baskets of fresh flowers hanging near the door in woven baskets and as soon as we entered the delicious scent of coffee and cupcakes filled my nose. It smelt heavenly.

"Hey Cam," the barrister called out to Cameron, waving him over, "how are you man I haven't seen you in so long," the man who had dark toned skin and brilliant smile commented.

"It has been too long Latrell, how have things been?"

"It's been good," his eyes fell on me and then reverted back to Cameron, "And who is this lovely lady,"

In response Cameron pulled me to his side, "This is Alara, my soon to be wife."

"Your getting married," Latrell's voice was incredulous, "And you didn't even send me an invite, that's cold Cam,"

Cameron laughed it off, "We haven't really made an announcement yet so no invites have been sent out yet but don't worry you'll definitely get one,"

He smiled in response, "So what can I get you?"

"What do you want darling?" Cameron turned to me not knowing I had already been studying the menu as my stomach continued to growl.

"Some chips and a milkshake please," I said before adding, "It was really nice meeting you Latrell,"

"The pleasure was all mine Alara," he gave me another winning smile before asking Cameron what he would like. He decided to order the same thing as me, just with an added burger.

We seated in a comfortable booth in the corner of the café, me on one side with Cameron on the other. It wasn't long before Latrell brought over out food, it smelt amazing and the milkshake looked divine.

I began to eat my chips hungrily and then I took one and dipped it in my milkshake which caught Cameron's attention.

"What are you doing?" he questioned quirking an eyebrow at my milkshake covered chip.

I plopped it in my mouth earning a look of disgust from Cameron, "Why would you do that?"

"It's delicious you should try it," I said offering one of my chips that had been soaked in my milkshake.

He turned his nose up at it, turning away, "No thank you, you can keep your disgusting concoction to yourself thank you very much,"

This completely and utterly offended me, "It's not disgusting. It's delicious. And don't knock it till you try it,"

"Nope never going to happen."

I laughed, "And I thought you were supposed to be adventurous."

"Adventurous is not eating like a psychopath," he returned.

"Suit yourself," I responded finishing up my food and feeling content whatever Cameron thought of my eating habits.

Soon we finished eating and we went to pay to which Latrell stopped us, "It's on the house mate,"

"That's nice of you Latrell but I can't accept I'm going to pay,"

He shook his head and adamantly refused, "Nope what's the point in having a friend who owns a cafe and not being able to get free food?"

"But-" Latrell cut him off once more.

"Think of it as an early wedding gift," he said before shooing us away.

"Thank you so much Latrell," he smiled back at me.

"No problem Alara," he called out just as we were leaving.

"He's really nice," I observed, "I really like him."

"Yeah he's a really great guy, I've known him for forever, we went to school together and everything. But unlike Leo he never wanted to be in this life. He built his own business from scratch and sometimes I envy the normality of his life."

"But your stuck in this one," I finished his train of thought for him.

"Yh..." he breathed out a sigh and I felt like I needed to comfort him some how.

"Don't worry, I know how it feels to be in this life, even though I try my best to stay away from it my childhood was consumed by this, this never ending cycle of violence and thirst for power. Sure I got out of it to follow my heart but now I'm right back in the middle of it."

He began to apologise, "I'm sorry for-"

"No," I stopped him, "It's not you who has brought me back into this life. So don't be sorry. I was always destined to be dragged back into it whether I was going to get married to you or not. So don't ever apologise for that, because you have done nothing wrong."

I grasped his hand in my own, "We're in this together and we will get through it together."

Looking at out intertwined hands and softly rubbing circles on the back of my hand he whispered something I had said before, "Come hell or high water."