All the Wrong Reasons: When something so wrong can feel so right! (Destiny's Games Book 1)

by Jerilee Kaye

  Adrienne giggled. “It’s tradition, Justin,” she asserted. “The bride and groom are not supposed to do it until the honeymoon, remember?”

  He inhaled the scent of her. “Hmmm…” he murmured. “I’m not really one for traditions.”

  She laughed. “You’re not the only one suffering, you know. It’s hard for me, too.”

  “And yet, I’m not the one who made the rules!” he muttered.

  She laughed and kissed him gently on the lips. “Three days, honey.” she whispered. “And I’ll be all yours.”

  He pulled her to him one last time and kissed her forehead. Then he took a deep breath and said, “I can hardly wait.”

  ***

  They had dinner with Mason and his wife in one of the garden restaurants in the hotel. They discussed the arrangements for the wedding.

  Mason knew some people and used his connections to ensure they got quick approvals for their marriage license. It would be a garden wedding to be held in one of the largest estates in Tuscany. Justin used the word ‘estate’, but it was slightly more than that. He wanted it to be a surprise for Adrienne.

  Abigail gave them all the details about the flower arrangements, venue decorations, famous photographers and videographers who will be flown in from the States. And of course, Adrienne’s gown.

  “Wait!” Adrienne interjected. “This sounds like a grand wedding.” She turned to Justin. “I thought we were going to have an intimate and simple one.”

  “It’s going to be intimate. With just you and me, and these two as our witnesses. But I want it to be as amazing as it could be. Like your dress… I want you to wear a wedding dress like you’ve always wanted. You will only get married once, Adrienne. Sure, we can renew our vows in a couple of years, but this is your wedding. And I want it to be close to what you’ve dreamed of.”

  Adrienne smiled at him and nodded. Her eyes were a little bit teary and it broke his heart just a little bit to know that she wished she could have some of her loved ones with her on this day. Justin took a deep breath and pulled her to him. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, “I love you.” Right now, that was the only thing he could do to make her feel better.

  “I love you,” she whispered back to him.

  “We’re going to go look at some couture tomorrow,” Abigail said. “You will have to try on some dresses, choose one and finalize everything so they could get it ready in time for the big day.”

  Adrienne nodded. “Okay. Anything else we need to do?” She let out a sigh. “I’m nervous now.”

  Justin chuckled. “I’m sure these two got it covered. They’ve been working on it for weeks.”

  Adrienne stared up at him. “Weeks?”

  Justin nodded. “I’ve been asking them to make the preparations while I made… my arranged fiancée’s life miserable enough for her to reject me.”

  “What happened to that anyway?” Mason asked. “How’d you successfully get out of it and sooner than you planned?”

  Justin shook his head. “I didn’t.”

  Mason’s eyes widened. “Shit, man! Your parents are going to kill you! Don’t get me wrong. I love this whole rebellion thing going on with you. But I worry about how Uncle Jac is going to react.”

  “He’s going to get pissed for a while,” Justin stated, smiling. “And then I’m hundred percent sure he will forgive me.”

  “He loves you,” Mason asserted. “Wish my parents were as forgiving.”

  “You cannot get what you do not ask for, Maze,” Justin said.

  Mason just grunted. Then he asked, “How sure are you they would accept you guys?” He looked at Adrienne. “No offense, Adrienne.”

  But Adrienne smiled and answered for Justin. “Because our parents are going to find out that I and the girl they arranged for him to marry are one and the same.”

  Mason and Abigail stared at both of them for a long while, unable to believe their ears.

  “Seriously?” Mason asked.

  Justin nodded. He gave Adrienne as gentle squeeze. “Destiny, isn’t it?”

  Mason and Abigail nodded in disbelief.

  “So why are you eloping? Everybody at home will be delighted to be at your wedding.”

  “I don’t want to give our parents the satisfaction that they were right to meddle with our lives like this. It gave me hell for a long time. I just want them to know that they can’t do that to me. Even if I liked how it all ended.”

  “That is one hell of a love story.” Abigail smiled. “Then let’s make the wedding as magical as possible.”

  “I don’t understand this arranged marriage thing,” Mason informed them. “When Justin first told me about it, I warned him. That’s going to be his life imprisonment.”

  “You were almost right. During those times, I contemplated why I didn’t run away with you three years ago. It was our grandfather’s wish, I think. He felt that…he owed the family’s fortune to Adrienne’s grandfather. When he was penniless and all he had were great ideas, Adrienne’s grandfather financed his first venture. And he never asked for anything in return. Our grandfather always felt indebted to him. They were like brothers. They wanted to connect our families together through marriage. But he never had a son. Neither did Adrienne’s grandfather. When they learned of our existence they just decided that we’ll be the ones to make their dreams come true for them.”

  Adrienne’s head snapped back at Justin. “Learned of our existence?”

  Justin shrugged. “I meant, when we were born and they knew they have a boy and a girl on either side. That meant a marriage was possible.”

  Adrienne let out a sharp breath. “I was my mother’s daughter from her first…relationship. At first, my mother thought her father wouldn’t be able to forgive her if he found out about me. I think…my mother told me that when my grandfather heard about me…that I’m a girl…he forgave her and asked her to bring me home.” She sighed sadly. “And I thought he really did want me to be part of his life. Maybe he accepted me because finally…he had something to offer to your family.”

  Justin saw that Adrienne had suddenly gotten upset. She felt unwanted all her life. She was raised by a woman who wanted nothing to do with her. And she just realized that her grandfather accepted her because she had value. She was a bargaining tool.

  Justin wanted to deny that, but he couldn’t lie to her or speak for her grandfather. Maybe that really was his intention, but Justin didn’t know. And the last thing he wanted was to lie to her just to make her feel better.

  He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. “Well… he didn’t have to offer you to me, you know. I’d take you even if it’s against his will. I’d steal you away even if he promised you to somebody else or you belonged to somebody else.” He paused and said, “Wait, I think I actually did that.” He smiled at her. “Because I want you to be part of my family…my life. That’s how much I love you, hon.”

  Adrienne smiled at him. Then she leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “You said you were trying to make her miserable.” Mason asked. “What did you do?”

  “I actually sent Jordan to pretend to be me and be a total ass!”

  Adrienne laughed. “It worked! My God, I wanted to kill him! He’s…despicable!”

  “But he didn’t find you hateful, actually.” Justin said, remembering that day that Jordan first met ‘Andrea Blanc’.

  Jordan called him immediately after the meeting.

  “Dude, are you crazy?” Jordan asked on the other end of the line. “This girl is beautiful!”

  “Don’t really care,” Justin said to him.

  “Not just cute. Not just gorgeous. But beautiful! And she’s not even wearing makeup!” Jordan said. “And she’s…cool! She wasn’t even rude to me, although I understand she just tried her best to be polite.”

  “Again, I don’t care,” Justin said. “Don’t tell me you’re backing out of this deal?”

  “It’s just that…” Jordan sighed
. “She doesn’t deserve this, man,” he said. “Can’t you at least get to know her? You might like her. Hell, I like her and I’ve just met her!”

  “You like her? Then you marry her instead!” Justin snapped.

  “Dude, I’m too young for that stuff! But if her folks can wait five more years, yeah, I’d take her. I am a part of this family, too. So it’s basically the same thing.”

  “Jordan, just do what you’re asked to do!” Justin said in a more authoritative voice. “Or I’m keeping my 911!”

  That threat actually made Jordan work on irritating Andrea Blanc even more. And it worked. It brought Justin comfort that even if the ruse didn’t work, he would still be marrying Adrienne one way or another. But he really did prefer it this way. Here. In one of the most romantic cities in the world. Just the two of them.

  “I was being nasty to Jordan!” Adrienne said, bringing Justin out of his thoughts.

  “Men generally like feisty girls,” Mason said. “When you think you were repelling us, you are actually getting us intrigued. And when we’re intrigued, we tend to come back for more.”

  “Oh my God. Then I should be thankful that Jordan was a fake!” Adrienne rolled her eyes.

  “Did your mother tell you, you were engaged to him before you met him?” Mason asked.

  Adrienne shook her head. “I told her I would try to befriend her friends and their kids. I told her I was waiting for my fiancée to set himself free.” Then she stared up at Justin. He pushed a lock of stray hair away from her face. “I’m glad you still fought for us after I set you free.”

  Justin smiled at her. “I would never give up on us, honey. I would never take another woman for a wife. I want to be as happily married as my parents.”

  Adrienne sighed. “I planned to be happily married. My own parents separated even before I was old enough to remember my mother. And the mother I’ve known had a twisted concept of love and happiness.”

  Justin leaned forward and kissed her lips. “I promise you will be happy, honey. Your happiness will be my top priority. You’re done being sad now. Your stepmother and your stepsister can no longer touch you…or do anything to hurt you. If they do…they will pay the price. And it’s not going to be cheap.”

  Justin’s voice held a hint of a threat. And he meant what he said. Adrienne has suffered too much at the hands of her family. They belittled her and crushed her. In becoming Adrienne Adams, no one could question her, doubt her or look down at her anymore. Well, she is an heiress by her mother’s family anyway. Becoming an Adams just sealed her place in the world of the privileged.

  Justin smiled at the thought. He didn’t believe in destiny before. But now… he couldn’t help thinking that Adrienne was born to be with him. And he was born to love her for the rest of her life. Even if they didn’t meet each other at Blush or live next-door to each other…or even if Jin Starck didn’t find her. They still would find a way to be together. They would still fall in love with each other. He would still choose to marry her and spend the rest of his life with her. Because Adrienne is and will forever be his destiny... his choice.

  37. Rohanás

  Hungarian for Rush

  The next day became hectic for Adrienne. Abigail may have looked shy and quiet at first, but hell! She ran a military rule when it came to organizing stuff. She got on the phone, putting pressure on the photographers, videographers and other suppliers. She seemed so meticulous and so strict. Adrienne no longer wondered how she managed to straighten out the old Mason.

  Abigail turned to her, taking deep breaths. “Okay, I sorted out the cake! Now, let’s get you to the couture house so you can pick out a dress.”

  Adrienne nodded. She almost got scared of her future cousin-in-law. While Abi’s driver transported them to a shop, she spoke over the phone in Italian. She was almost raising her voice. Adrienne found it a little amusing now.

  When she hung up the phone, she turned to Adrienne and smiled. “Sorry. That was Justin.” She turned to her driver to give out instructions in Italian. Adrienne had no idea what she said.

  “My Justin?”

  Abi nodded. “Yeah. He speaks perfect Italian.”

  It was already past noon and Adrienne realized they hadn’t eaten yet. Abigail kept her busy with choosing anything from ribbons, to flowers, to linen and paper. The arrangements were looking grand now and there would only be four people attending the wedding.

  They stopped by a small hotel. Adrienne seemed confused because she thought they would go to look at wedding dresses.

  “Abi, I thought you wanted me to pick a dress.”

  “Yeah, but Justin berated me for starving you.” She laughed. “He said we could schedule dress-shopping after lunch.”

  Adrienne just nodded but deep inside she thanked Justin for rescuing her. Abi looked like she didn’t know how to take a break. She was all work, work, work!

  “Where is Justin?” she asked Abi.

  “In the restaurant with Mason,” Abi replied. “We all will have lunch together.”

  Abi led her up the marble staircase to the mezzanine floor to the restaurant. The door was closed. Abi turned to her and smiled.

  “Smile, Adrienne,” Abi said.

  Adrienne didn’t get what she meant. But then she opened the door to the small restaurant. Adrienne then saw Justin and Mason talking to some people seated across from them. Adrienne looked at their guests and she felt like her heart immediately went up to her throat as she looked at their familiar faces. Justin’s guests were none other than…Jill and Yuan.

  “Oh my God!” Adrienne breathed.

  Jill let out a scream. She and Yuan stood up their seats and immediately ran to her to give her hugs and kisses.

  “What are you guys doing here?” she asked them. Her eyes started to get a little bit teary. This was indeed a pleasant surprise.

  “Your boyfriend…I mean… your fiancée…” Jill said, her eyes sparkling. “Contacted us last night and told us to immediately get on the next flight to Italy. No matter what the cost.”

  “I cannot believe you guys eloped!” Yuan said.

  Adrienne waved her finger in front of them to show them her ring.

  “It’s wonderful!” They exclaimed.

  “Heirloom?” Yuan asked.

  Adrienne didn’t exactly know the answer to that. Justin came to her side, wrapping an arm around her waist and giving her a kiss on the forehead. He turned to Jill and Yuan and said, “That ring originally belonged to my grandmother. She gave it to my father when he proposed to my mom. And my Mom gave it to me when she wanted me to propose to my… ‘betrothed’.”

  Yuan’s eyes widened. “You guys are so dead!”

  “Maybe.” Adrienne smiled at them mysteriously.

  They both raised a brow at her and she laughed. “Funny how my mother arranged me to be married to someone, too.”

  Yuan and Jill’s eyes widened. “What?”

  Adrienne smiled widely at them. “What are the odds that my parents arranged me to marry somebody I was already in love with.”

  “You?” Jill echoed. “You were the ‘brat’ who had been destined to marry Justin all along?”

  Adrienne laughed. “Yes. It’s…surreal, really. Like, what are the chances, right?”

  “The chances of that happening is not even one in a million!” Yuan said in amazement.

  “Yep,” Justin agreed. “But it doesn’t change my decision. My parents could never force me to marry anybody else than your best friend.”

  “And when I saw you at Blush you were looking rather happy.”

  Justin laughed. “Maybe I was. Because I planned to scare off my designated fiancée and it was working. I had no idea then that it was Adrienne.”

  “Did you tell your parents?”

  Adrienne shook her head. “We’ll just…shock them when we get back.”

  “I’ll bet they will be,” Justin whispered staring down at Adrienne. Then he leaned forward and kissed her forehead again. He turne
d to Jill and Yuan. “Let’s have lunch first. There are still a lot of things to be done. And I believe I have made Abi fall behind schedule. She will order a firing squad if we don’t eat fast. Don’t choke on your food, okay?” He grinned teasingly at Adrienne.

  Adrienne sat beside Justin. She felt very happy. She would have loved it if Jin, her Mother and Pierre were present…even her Father, but for now she’s content that at least Jill and Yuan had made it. And she couldn’t help falling in love with Justin even more for doing this for her.

  “I love you,” she whispered in his ear. “Thank you so much for getting Jill and Yuan here. I don’t know how to pay you back for this.”

  He grinned at her. “I accept payment…in kind,” he whispered. “And you already know which kind.”

  She laughed. “And yet you’re gonna have to wait.”

  He let out a frustrated sigh. Then he pulled her to him and gave her a squeeze. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

  Adrienne looked at him from under her lashes and said, “And I’m just getting started,” she said in a voice full of mischief.

  Justin laughed and gave her a squeeze again. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “And I can’t wait for you to start ordering lunch,” Mason said to Justin, bringing them both back to reality.

  Adrienne blinked back at the other people in the table. She immediately turned red, realizing they’ve been oblivious of the others around them. They had whispered but Mason sat close enough to Justin that he couldn’t help overhearing.

  Justin shot Mason a murderous look and then he looked at the menu in front of him. Mason just laughed. It was obvious he loved taunting his cousin. And Adrienne found it adorable how Justin had so much patience for Mason. Maybe even more than he’d shown Gian.

  After lunch, Abigail took Adrienne away from Justin and they went gown shopping with Jill and Yuan.

  They went to a boutique that looked like it only sold expensive couture gowns. The moment they walked in, the doors closed behind them and the saleslady turned the “Closed” sign on the door.

  Abigail smiled at Adrienne. “So you can shop without interruption.”