16

Mark approached Aileen and hugged her as if afraid to lose her again. The family had finally reunited. Mark, Sofia, and Aileen were overjoyed to be together again.

"You've grown so much," her father said. "I feel terrible for missing the best years of your life, for not seeing you grow up or scaring away your boyfriends."

Aileen laughed and thought of Oliver, who was still upstairs. She didn't know how her father would react when he found out she was getting married and that her future husband was lying in her bed. Sofia and Aileen exchanged knowing glances.

"That's what I wanted to tell you," Sofia interjected. "Aileen, our daughter, is getting married."

Mark furrowed his brow, not understanding.

"I don't understand."

"That's right, Dad, I'm getting married," she showed him the ring on her finger.

"With whom?"

"His name is Oliver Price."

Mark was familiar with the Price family; they were widely talked about in London. He couldn't believe his little daughter was going to marry Oliver Price.

"Oliver Price? The owner of Price Enterprises? How did this happen?"

"It's a very long story," Aileen admitted. "My mother can tell you. Why don't you go for a walk with her and catch up? I'm sure you have a lot to talk about."

"That's true," Sofía said. "Come on, we'll be back soon." They left through the door and walked down the street. Oliver Price was coming down the stairs, adjusting his shirt.

"I woke up and you weren't in bed," he said.

"My father just arrived," she told him.

"Is he here?"

"No, he went for a walk with Mom. So it's better if he doesn't see you right now."

"Why?"

"First, I want to talk to him, and then I'll introduce you. Please."

"Alright. I have to go to the company. Today I have a meeting with the shareholders, including Anna."

Upon hearing that name, Aileen felt nauseous. She didn't like the idea of Oliver being alone with Anna, not because she didn't trust Oliver, but because she didn't trust Anna.

"What time?" she asked.

"At ten."

"I'll be there at nine-thirty, sweetheart."

Oliver smiled and leaned in to give her a tender kiss on the lips.

"I'll see you there."

After saying that, Oliver walked out the door. Aileen felt that today would be a day full of emotions. Her father had returned, she couldn't believe it. How was she supposed to act now? Would the rules of the house change? She asked herself so many questions that she decided to ignore them and go make some breakfast. Perhaps her mother would be a little late, and she was starving. She made some meatballs and pasta, and brewed some coffee. After breakfast, she went upstairs to take a bath, as she would have to go to Oliver's office later.

Oliver arrived at the office with his usual expressionless face. He didn't resemble the face he had when he was with Aileen. He took the elevator up to his office. The secretary appeared just then.

"Sir, the intern who's coming to do the internship is waiting."

"Who is it?" Oliver asked, opening his laptop.

"His name is Zac, I think he's a friend of Aileen's."

"Alright. Show him in."

"Right away, sir."

Minutes later, Zac walked through the door. He was wearing dress pants, a tucked-in black t-shirt, and tennis shoes. Oliver was slightly surprised by his attire, but he knew he was a college student, so he let it slide.

"Good morning, Oliver."

"How are you, Zac?"

"I'm doing well. Have the journalists been bothering you again?"

"Not at the moment. Tell me, you're here to do an internship in the marketing department, right?"

"That's correct."

"I'm making an exception for you, Zac, as we're currently not accepting interns. That's why we canceled certain scholarships at the university; we made a change in the process. So, since you're a friend of my girlfriend, I'll accept you."

Zac didn't know how to take that confession, but he knew he would use it against Oliver one day.

"Thank you, Oliver. One day, I plan to be like you. Successful, elegant, with money and power."

Oliver thought that Zac was a bit ambitious, and he didn't quite like it.

"Not everything in life is about money and power, Zac."

"Of course."

"You can start. My secretary will take you to the department and explain to you what you need to do. She'll also go over your schedule and salary. You may leave."

"Thank you, Oliver... Do you know when Aileen will come for her internship?"

"I believe it's on Monday."

"Perfect." With that said, Zac left, looking for the secretary. Zac felt great because he had managed to enter the company, and now he just had to wait for Aileen. He would show her that he, too, can become successful and powerful.

Oliver thought about Aileen and that she would be coming in a few hours. His cell phone rang, and it was his mother, Miranda.

"Mom..."

"Son, I'm on my way. I want to see you and give you a hug. Are you at the office? I'm heading there."

Aileen talked to her father about Oliver once they arrived from the park, feeling a bit guilty because she was lying to him. They hadn't met months ago, but just a week ago. They used to hate each other—well, not so much anymore—but they were very different and didn't get along on many things. In addition, Oliver had been the reason she dropped out of college. She omitted many things from her father because they weren't worth mentioning, and he wouldn't understand. She explained the situation to him in great detail, and Sofía also supported them. Sofía was happy to have Mark back with her; they needed to catch up.

"I want to visit Colton and Devon. Do you still talk to them?" Mark asked Sofía once Aileen went upstairs to change her clothes because she had to go to Oliver's company.

"Not much, to be honest. Each of us went on with our lives, and we rarely see each other."

"I'll go look for them later."

Aileen chose a serious yet sexy outfit. She liked how it looked on her. She wouldn't let Anna make her feel inferior, just as she did at the engagement party. She combed her hair and tied it up in a high ponytail, applied some makeup, perfume, and earrings. She was ready. She grabbed her purse and her mother's car keys and left. Now that her father was there and he brought a car for her mother, she didn't mind using hers.

"I'm leaving," she said when she found them kissing on the couch.

Mark looked at her, feeling proud of the daughter he had.

"You look beautiful," he complimented.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Drive safely," Sofía told her. Aileen left the house, feeling the sun's rays on her face, searching for the keys and heading towards the car. In the distance, she saw a black, tinted car. Inside, there was an older man with white hair, looking directly at her. It seemed suspicious; she had never seen that man in her neighborhood before. She thought he was another paparazzo, so she completely ignored him and got in the car. Aileen started the engine, embarking on her journey to the company. Along the way, she noticed through the rearview mirror that the car parked near her house was following her. When will this stop? She wondered, feeling uncomfortable that a stranger was tailing her. She didn't like it at all and would have a serious conversation with Oliver. Aileen accelerated a bit to lose sight of the car until she took another more secluded and somewhat dangerous route. Without thinking twice, she did it. Her hands trembled slightly, nervous about meeting Oliver. However, destiny didn't seem to be on her side that morning because the car started making a strange noise from the engine, causing smoke to come out of it.

"This can't be," she murmured, stopping at a corner. The neighborhood was the most dangerous in the city. The walls were covered in graffiti, and the streets were filled with trash. She didn't want to stop there; she believed that someone would come and rob her or do who knows what. Aileen took out her cell phone and called Oliver.

"Aileen?"

"Hey, I think I'll be late."

"What happened?"

"My mom's car broke down."

"Where are you?"

"That's the thing, when I left home, there was a guy watching me, and he followed me too. That's why I ended up in a dangerous neighborhood, and now my car has broken down right here. Imagine my luck this morning." Aileen dropped her head onto the seat, feeling exasperated.

"What men? Why are you telling me now?"