Chapter 1 Love Hurts

• A festive birthday party, attended by thousands of invited guests, looks so stunning. The beautiful decoration of the birthday party was very beautiful, crystal chandeliers and lily petals, it was like being at a princess's birthday party.
• The reporters were also present to capture the birthday moment of a very beautiful woman who had been welcoming the invited guests. The figure of a beautiful woman became the center of attention, no one could deny it. The royal-like gold gown succeeded in making the beautiful woman look like a princess.
• Skyla Audrey Russell, the daughter of the billionaire from Italy, is famous for always living in luxury. Even just for the sake of the 23rd birthday party, Audrey did not hesitate to spend millions of dollars for it. But what does Audrey care? Money is not a problem.
• The hotel where Audrey had a birthday was a luxury hotel owned by her mother's family even. Yes, Audrey is often dubbed the perfect woman. There was not a single thing that Audrey lacked and many envied her life.
• “Mom, where is Xander? Why hasn't Xander come yet? Does he even remember my birthday?” Audrey stepped away from the crowd of guests. The woman approached her parents who were chatting with Xander's parents—her fiancé.
• “Audrey. Be patient, honey. Surely Xander will come soon.” Miranda—Audrey's mother comforted her.
• “Calm down, Princess. Xander might be on his way.” Athes—Audrey's father—stroked her cheek.
• Audrey took a deep breath. Audrey's face looked so disappointed. This isn't the first time Xander has been late at her birthday party. You could say every time Audrey threw a birthday party Xander would always be late.
• “Marco, where's our son? Why is he taking so long?” Angela—Xander's mother—spoke quietly to her husband. Not only was Audrey annoyed by Xander's lateness, but so was Angela. Whereas previously Angela had warned her son not to be late at Audrey's birthday party.
• “Tch! That kid is really outrageous!” growled Marco.
• “Marco, maybe Xander is stuck in traffic or maybe there is an important job that Xander can't avoid,” continued Miranda wisely.
• “I will call my son.” Marco pulled his phone out of his jacket and tried to dial his son's number.
• Just as Marco was about to contact his son, his gaze accidentally followed everyone's gaze—which shifted to a tall, burly man entering the hotel ballroom.
• Audrey's smile was painted on seeing the figure of a handsome man in a black suit. His cold and resolute aura was so charming. Those sharp eyes always make Audrey bewitched.
• “Xander!” Audrey immediately threw her body into Xander's body. Unfortunately the hug was one-sided. Xander didn't even flinch when she hugged him.
• “Where have you been, Xander? Why did you just come now?” Marco shouted as he locked his phone that was about to call his son.
• “Xander, where are you from, honey? Mommy has asked you not to come late. But why did you come late, dear?” Angela scolded looking at her son.
• “Sorry, there's a meeting I can't avoid,” Xander replied in a cold tone.
• Xander Foster—Audrey's fiancé is notoriously busy. As one of Rome's leading young entrepreneurs, Xander barely has time to spend with Audrey. The American and Italian-blooded man has always prioritized his work over Audrey. Xander's job was more important than Audrey's birthday and it was evident.
• “Why do you always use work as an excuse, Xander?” Marco blurted out with a sharp look in his eyes.
• “Uncle Marco, please don't scold Xander again. The important thing is that Xander is here now, Uncle. I understand that Xander is busy with his work,” Audrey answered slowly and softly.
• Well, if you ask about Audrey's love for Xander, then the vastness of the ocean is inferior to the amount of her love for him. Even though Xander had disappointed Audrey thousands of times, it seemed that Audrey would not be able to leave Xander. Audrey's patience exceeds any woman in this world. This time was an example; even if she was upset but she would try to understand him.
• “Marco, what Audrey said is true, don't make a fuss over this anymore. Xander is here now,” continued Miranda trying to be wise.
• Marco finally kept quiet, not wanting to prolong the problem. Marco realized he didn't want to ruin Audrey's birthday. Especially since the camera's focus has shifted to Xander and Audrey. That's what made Marco choose not to angry about Xander being late anymore.
• “Xander, next time you should spend more time with Audrey. You can be busy with your work, but you must be able to distinguish which is the main priority,” Athes rebuked Xander.
• Xander was silent when he heard Athes' words mentioning "priority", Xander wanted to answer Athes' words firmly. But Xander realized his answer would still be useless. In the end Xander knew he would be forced again.
• “Sorry. Next time I will try to come on time.” That was all Xander could say. His tone was firm, cold, and mature.
• Audrey smiled at Xander so gently and warmly. The woman had been holding Xander's arm ever since, as if she didn't want Xander to be far from her.
• “Athes, we better announce it now. Xander is already here,” continued Angela impatiently.
• Athes nodded his head in agreement with Angela's words. Then Athes looked at the invited guests as well as the reporters who had been pointing the camera at them for a long time.
• “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending my daughter's birthday party. I want to share the happy news with you. In two weeks my daughter will marry Xander Foster.” Athes spoke in a firm and loud voice.
• Loud applause was heard after they heard Athes' words. The whole family seemed happy too. Especially Audrey who hugged Xander's arms tighter.
• Audrey had such a happy face, but sadly Xander didn't. Since Athes announced his and Audrey's upcoming marriage, Xander's expression changed, his eyes sharpened with anger..
• “I have to go.” Xander let go of Audrey's hand which was hugging his arm. The man immediately walked away from the hotel ballroom. Everyone looked surprised.
• “Xander, wait for me!” Audrey ran after Xander.
• Audrey managed to catch Xander's arm as the man headed towards the back of the hotel. A place where there are no reporters or guests. It seemed that Xander had deliberately wanted to stay away from the crowd.
• “Xander!”
• Xander let out a rough breath. The man did not move his back to Audrey. The next second, Xander turned his body to look at Audrey with a cold and sharp gaze.
• “Why did your dad announce that we're getting married in two weeks, huh? Didn't I tell you that I don't want to get married yet?” Xander exclaimed raising his voice.
• Audrey fell silent at Xander's anger. Audrey knew from a long time ago that Xander had not wanted to be asked to marry. They have been engaged for seven years. But until now Xander didn't want marriage.
• “Xander, I don't know. All this time, didn't my Dad and your Dad manage our relationship?” Audrey said quietly. Audrey had absolutely no idea about the wedding plans.
• Audrey waited until Xander was ready to marry her. But it looks like it was her father and Xander's father who arranged all of this. It could be said that since Audrey and Xander were matched, their relationship often happened because of the intervention of their parents. Of course Audrey obeyed because Audrey really loved Xander, but it was different with Xander, who always rebelled when his family set him up.
• Xander smiled sarcastically at Audrey's words. “You're not a teenager anymore, Audrey! You're 23 years old, Audrey! You should be able to take a stand! Don't always want to be controlled by your family!” he shouted holding back the growl of emotion that was contained within him.
• Audrey's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Xander who was so angry. “I want to be controlled because I love you, Xander. I love you too much. I want to always be near you. We have also been engaged for seven years. Isn't that quite a long time? What else has you in doubt, Xander?” she asked quietly.
• Audrey and Xander were betrothed since they were little. There should be nothing else to make Xander hesitate, but for some reason Xander keeps delaying their wedding. Audrey is eager to officially become Xander's wife—the man who became her first love and she hopes that he is her last love.
• Xander sighed again. The emotions within him gathered together. The man's anger was evident. He didn't even pay attention to Audrey's teary eyes, which almost burst into tears.
• “From the start the one who wanted this damn matchmaking was you, not me. If only you had stopped this matchmaking, then I would have been free from you long ago.” Xander said sarcastically and immediately walked away leaving Audrey—who started to have tears running down her cheeks.