Nicco

Ch. 33: Fuck It All

ARIA

A sudden awareness cuts through my dreams even though my eyes stay shut. I feel a large, warm hand grasp my wrist. Something cool glides over my skin. It feels quite small. But solid.

Like... metal?

My ring finger tingles from the sensation. It's not unpleasant, though. My mind grows sharper and more alert as the need to sleep fades away. When my eyes flutter open, I'm shocked to find myself staring at Nicco's handsome face. He's laying right beside me on the sleeping bags in my makeshift fort.

When did he get here?

I groan sheepishly, "I'm so sorry. I wasn't supposed to fall asleep. I meant to surprise you."

A faint smile appears on his face. "Believe me when I say that I am deeply moved by all of this. The wine. The lights. The rose petals. You have outdone yourself, Aria."

I blush slightly. "It's nothing compared to what you've done for me."

As though on cue, right as I utter these words, something sparkly catches my eye.

What in the world?

Frowning, I glance down at my hand. The sight that greets me draws a loud gasp from my lungs, "Oh, my God!"

If anyone's outdoing and one-upping shit right now, it's definitely not me. It's Nicco. The most gorgeous fucking diamond ring I've ever laid eyes on is now hugging my ring finger.

The style of it is so unique, and the diamond almost looks... gray?

Something about the stone calls to me. The silvery hue and perfect roundness remind me of a full moon.

I ask in a small voice, "Did you get this ring for our... engagement?"

Our fake engagement, I remind myself before my heart can beat any faster.

"But of course."

Mesmerized by the glimmering stone on my ring finger, I mumble, "This ring..."

Nicco's brow furrows slightly. He appears genuinely concerned. "You... do not like it?"

I swallow.

Hard.

No.

I don't like it at all.

I fucking love it.

I adore it so much that I'm somewhat devastated when I realize in the next second that the ring is only meant to be a prop in this play we're putting on. This diamond looks like it likely cost a fortune, Nicco will want it back eventually, and I'll have to return it to him. This inevitability makes my chest ache with longing. I meant what I said last time. Nicco makes me want to believe in love. I yearn for our story to have a happy ending against the odds.

I turn to him with a pensive expression. "How could I not love it? This ring is the most beautiful fucking thing I've ever seen in my life!"

"Then what is the problem?"

"You didn't have to get me something so nice," I say with a cough, adding as tactfully as possible, "given the circumstances."

The circumstances being—we're not really getting married.

He smiles a faint smile. "Fuck the circumstances. I had no choice, principessa."

I tilt my head to the side. "What do you mean—no choice?"

Nicco's green gaze shines with a softness I've never seen until this moment. "The color reminded me of your eyes."

My pulse jumps a beat.