Mystery Man

Arias's POV

The boutique was huge. Like, the kind of fancy place you only saw in those wedding reality shows where brides freaked out over dresses and had dramatic breakdowns because their moms didn’t like the one they picked. It smelled like flowers and expensive perfume, and the lighting was all soft and golden, making everything look like it belonged in a fairy tale.

I, however, felt like a total outsider.

While other girls twirled in front of massive mirrors, looking all giddy and in love with their wedding dresses, I stood near the entrance, arms crossed tightly over my chest. My black blouse and jeans felt completely out of place in a sea of white lace and silk. I hated being around people. I hated weddings. And most of all, I hated that I had to be here, pretending like I cared about any of this.

“Aria! Come help me pick one!”

Cassandra’s voice rang through the boutique like a bell, sweet and excited. I turned and saw her standing on one of those little podiums, spinning in a light blue gown that swished around her like water. She looked like a princess, of course. She always did.

Our mom stood beside her, practically glowing with pride. “Oh, Cassandra, you look breathtaking,” she gushed, her hands clasped together. “Absolutely radiant. Just like a princess.”

I bit my lip, already bracing myself for what was coming.

Cassandra turned to me, eyes shining. “Well? What do you think?”

I forced a polite smile. “You look beautiful, Cass.”

And I meant it. She did look beautiful. With her golden hair and perfect honey-colored eyes, she was made for moments like this. Meanwhile, I was just the extra in the background, the shadow no one ever really noticed.

“You could at least sound like you mean it,” our mother muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.

My hands clenched into fists, but I kept my mouth shut. There was no point in arguing. Not today.

I wandered away, letting my fingers trail along the lace of a nearby dress. The material was soft under my touch, delicate and intricate. I wished I could just disappear into the fabric, vanish from this whole situation.

Then, the bell over the door chimed.

And I felt my stomach drop.

It's like I knew what was coming before I even turned around.

Victor Castillo had arrived.

He strolled in like he owned the entire store, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor. He had that same smug smirk on his face, like he was the most important person in the room. My hands curled tighter. I hated that smirk. I hated everything about him.

“Ladies,” he greeted, walking straight over to our mother and Cassandra. “I just had to come see how my beautiful stepdaughter was doing.”

Stepdaughter.

I wanted to gag.

Our mother, of course, practically melted at his words. “Victor, how sweet of you to check on us.”

His eyes flicked to me, and I felt my entire body stiffen. There was something dark in his gaze, something that made my skin crawl. He knew exactly what he was doing.

“You’re awfully quiet today, Aria,” he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear. “Not excited about the wedding?”

I swallowed hard, forcing my face to stay neutral. “I just don’t like shopping.”

Victor’s smirk widened. He stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm—just a light touch, barely even there, but it was enough to send a shiver down my spine.

“Shame,” he mused. “A pretty girl like you should enjoy getting dressed up.”

I yanked my arm away like his touch had burned me. My heart pounded in my ears, my skin prickling with unease.

Victor just chuckled. Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned back to Cassandra, who was still spinning in front of the mirror, completely oblivious.

I needed to get out of here.

“I’m going to get some air,” I muttered, not waiting for a response before walking straight out the door.

The cold air hit me like a wave, and I sucked in a deep breath, trying to steady my racing pulse. The street was busy, cars rushing by, people chatting, laughing, going about their normal lives. I wished I could be one of them.

Then—BAM.

I walked straight into something solid.

Or, more accurately, someone.

A pair of strong hands grabbed my arms before I could stumble back. My breath caught in my throat.

He was… tall. Like, ridiculously tall. At least 6’4”, with broad shoulders and a suit that looked like it was made just for him. His black hair was slightly messy, like he had just run his fingers through it, but somehow, it still looked perfect. But it was his eyes that stopped me in my tracks.

Deep, piercing blue. The kind of blue that felt like it could see right through you. There was something playful in them, like he was amused by something I didn’t know about.

His lips curved into a lazy, crooked smile. “You okay there, princess?”

Princess?

Heat rushed to my face. I tried to say something, but my brain had completely shut down. All I could do was stare.

He let out a low chuckle, the sound sending a weird, tingling sensation down my spine. Then he leaned in just slightly, his breath warm against my skin.

“You gonna keep staring,” he murmured, “or should I be flattered?”

My stomach flipped.

I snapped my mouth shut, stepping back so fast I nearly tripped over my own feet. His smirk deepened, his eyes glinting like he was enjoying this way too much.

He cleared his throat. “Well, as fun as this is, I should probably introduce myself.”

I blinked. Right. Normal people introduced themselves.

“I—uh—” I struggled to find words, my face still burning.

His smirk widened. “Matteo,” he said smoothly. “And you are?”

I hesitated. Something about him felt… different. Like he was the kind of person who could flip my world upside down without even trying.

“…Aria,” I finally mumbled.

Matteo’s eyes darkened slightly, his smirk turning into something unreadable. He looked at me like he recognized my name.

Before I could ask why, the boutique door swung open behind me.

When I looked back at Matteo, his expression had shifted. The amusement was still there, but now there was something else in his eyes. Curiosity. Interest.

Like he had just found something—someone—worth paying attention to.

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, smooth as silk.

My stomach flipped. I snapped my mouth shut and quickly took a step back.

He smirked, then cleared his throat, the sound snapping me out of my trance

I blinked, reality crashing back in all at once once i heard Victor’s scratchy voice.My heart was still racing, my skin still tingling where his fingers had touched me

Who the hell was this man?

And why did he make it feel like the ground had just shifted beneath my feet?