Destined Hearts Ch. 03

The guests started clapping happily and whistling at Antonio. He could see that some of the people had their lust filled eyes staring at him. But he still didn't mind at all. All he was doing was waving back at them and smiling. He knew many people loved him and they were so happy.

"That's why we have gathered here but..." She pointed out as the brightest smile yet popped up her face. "...that's not the most important reason for this celebration. I am sure most of you have heard and read about my son's wedding just two days ago. This marriage had been planned a really long time by his father and I am telling you that I am happy because it's been fulfilled today. My son is a married man and I couldn't wish for a better son in law. He is the best son in law any mother would wish for her son.

Without wasting your time, may introduce to you the handsome, the beautiful and the gorgeous Praveen Antonio Gonzalez."

As soon as she said that, all the lights inside went off. Everyone suddenly started wondering what was going on but the spotlight went on and it moved to the top of the staircase. Everyone moved their eyes there and... Praveen was standing there.

Praveen was looking really beautiful, extremely gorgeous. He was wearing a pure white designer's suit which was fitted on his body like a second skin. He had a sky blue shiny shirt inside which just matched with his beautiful eyes. He had white shoes on his feet and he was looking like an angel. Everyone had their eyes on him, even Antonio.

Praveen's hair was tied in a beautiful braided ponytail, revealing his beautiful and gorgeous face. He had his spectacles on but that didn't reduce his beauty. He was sparkling and he stole the spotlight right at that very moment.

Slow music started playing as Praveen slowly started coming down, looking all around. He couldn't see clearly but he knew that everyone had their eyes on him which made him really nervous. He could feel himself getting weak in the knees. His body felt cold as he felt shivers ran down his spine.

He took a deep breath as he tried to forget that everyone had their eyes on him. He was dressed in the most beautiful clothes and cologne, something he had never had before. He felt like he wasn't himself and he just wanted the ground to open and swallow him whole. He knew that once he got down there, there were gonna be new faces. They were gonna be people of high classes. He was gonna feel like a fish out of water.

Anyway, the music continued and he was still coming down the stairs, almost reaching down. Meanwhile Antonio's eyes were on Praveen the whole time. He couldn't tear them away, not even to blink. He found himself staring even when he didn't want. He probably didn't even realize that Praveen had taken his breath away. He was probably the most beautiful boy he had ever seen.

After what felt like forever, Praveen finally made it at the edge of the stairs. He stood still, trying to get himself together before everyone realized he was nervous. He just prayed to God for everything to go perfectly. He didn't wanna mess up anything.

Suddenly, the lights went on again and everyone started clapping. When Praveen saw the people clapping and smiling, he truly felt out of place. They were so classy, elegant and fashionable. He was probably the only poor person there.

He took a deep breath and smiled at everyone without even moving an inch.

"Go on!" Emilia said, squeezing her son's hand.

"What?" Antonio gasped, getting back to reality. "What did you say?"

Emilia chuckled and then nodded slowly. "Praveen is finally down. Why don't you go and get him and show everyone how much you love him?"

Antonio lost the smile on his face, furiously moving his angry eyes to Praveen. He looked at his friend and saw the smile on his face and he was gesturing him to go on. In fact, everyone wanted him to go. At that particular moment, he felt really angry, irritated and mad. He took a deep breath as his fists clenched. Fuck! He couldn't believe his mother was gonna make him do that.

Antonio nodded and then started slowly going to Praveen. Everyone cheered harder and instead of smiling, Antonio's face got really serious. He reached Praveen and slowly extended his hand, slowly asking for Praveen's hand.

Praveen on the other hand didn't even realize that Antonio had come to get him. What surprised him the most was when he saw his hand extended. He didn't know what to do or what to say. He looked at Antonio's face and their eyes locked. When he looked in those eyes, he got scared with what he saw. He could tell that Antonio was definitely angry.

Seeing the look in his eyes, Praveen got really nervous. He took a deep breath before he slowly started extending his hand. He placed his hand in Antonio's hand until he felt Antonio holding him tightly. When he felt Antonio's hand on his, his entire body felt really hot. His nerves got the best of him and his breaths came out harshly. He couldn't control himself.

He got to the floor and Antonio coiled his arm with his, bringing him closer to his body. It was a shock to him. He had expected Antonio to say something hurtful to him, some sort of warning but he was surprised by his reaction. He just wanted that night to go perfectly without getting hurt. Maybe Antonio wasn't gonna do anything silly, he hoped.

Praveen got out of his thoughts when he heard the people cheering. He started moving closer to the guests and his mother in law before...

"Wow!" Ethan said through the mic. "Aren't they the cutest couple ever?"

The people cheered at Ethan's comments. Praveen couldn't help but blush. He didn't even notice how serious and angry Antonio was getting. In fact, Antonio was hatching up a plan to make that night unbearable for Praveen. He wanted to find some way to hurt him or his feelings.

"But being cute isn't what we want." Ethan teased. Then he did something even sillier. "Tell me, who would love to see the happy couple on the dance floor to give us the first dance of the evening.'

"Yes!"

People started cheering and Antonio stopped in his steps, clenching his fists. He was doing the most embarrassing thing ever already. Did he have to go to the dance floor with the idiot? He was gonna kill Ethan for what he was doing.

"Come on, Antonio..." He said happily through the mic. "...why don't you take the love of your life on the dance floor so that you can show us how to dance?"

Antonio took a quick glance at Praveen and just got madder. People were cheering for them to dance and even his mother was gesturing him to do that. He knew that in that situation, he was helpless. He couldn't be rude in front of the people.

"Come on DJ," Ethan announced. "Give us a romantic song to put these two in the mood."

The lights suddenly went dim and the spotlight shown on them. Antonio groaned but he slowly walked to the dance floor where everyone cleared, leaving a very big spot for them. He slowly turned, facing Praveen and staring into his eyes. Somehow, that look Praveen got from Antonio got him really nervous and he stood still without saying anything.

The music started and it was "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran which really annoyed Antonio to the core. His heart started pounding deep in his chest, threatening to rip out. His breaths got really harsh and his hands started trembling in anger.

"I found a love for me, darling just dive right in and follow my lead,"

That song got him really mad and he knew he was gonna hate it for as long as he lived. He was supposed to be dancing with his lover, kissing him on the dance floor and not some cheap boy from the slums. That was a total insult and he didn't appreciate it one bit.

Antonio hesitantly wrapped his arms around Praveen's body, bringing his body closer to him. That got Praveen really surprised but a bolt of lightning passed through his entire body making him jerk. He moved his trembling hands and slowly wrapped them around Antonio's neck and they slowly started moving with the music.

"Well I found the girl beautiful and sweet. I never knew you were the someone, waiting for me. Cause we were just kids when we fell in love, not knowing what it was. I will not give you up this time...

Darling just kiss me slow your heart is all I own and in your eyes you are holding mine.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms,

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song when you said you looked a mess, I whispered under my breath but you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight."

Antonio and Praveen moved slowly with the music. Being close to Antonio, feeling his arms around his waist felt really beautiful to Praveen. For a moment he thought his husband was a loving guy and he forgot about what he had said.

Antonio on the other hand just wanted to be done with the charade but somehow, the song moved slower than he remembered. It was disgusting and his anger was getting intense with each second that passed. Fuck! He just wanted to get out of there.

Everyone watched the happy couple, or so they thought as they danced. They were admiring them, some of them wishing they were in Praveen's shoes. But they had missed a great opportunity and most of them were jealous and sad. It was supposed to be them and not some boy they didn't even know came from.

Emilia was happy and proud of her little boys. She got lost staring at the two of them, just admiring their charm and beauty. It was really lovely and she couldn't help but shed a tear from time to time. She missed her husband and she wished he had been there to witness how happy his son was.

"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms," The song played, irritating Antonio even more. "Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite songs..."

Antonio just wanted that stupid music to end quickly but it didn't even do that. He was getting angrier with each passing second. He groaned angrily, pulling Praveen closer to his body. Praveen was really surprised at that. He tightened his grip on Antonio's neck, still moving with the music.

Antonio slowly moved his right hand up Praveen's back and then to his arms. He slowly traced his arm and then tightened his grip there. He started adding pressure to his hand as he pulled the boy closer. If he wasn't gonna enjoy the party, the one that was causing it was gonna pay. Everyone was busy staring at their faces to notice anything. Besides, it would seem as if he was just dancing.

Antonio kept on adding pressure on that hand. Meanwhile, Praveen felt a really sharp pain on his right arm. It was as if someone was squeezing it hard. It started hurting and he looked at Antonio and saw the hatred in his eyes.

"You are hurting me," He whispered, feeling himself getting really uncomfortable.

"Really?" Antonio whispered, still locked with the boy's eyes. "I thought you were enjoying this." He smiled, still adding pressure and making sure the boy felt it too.

Praveen on the other hand felt the pain worsen and he winced a little. He tried to remove his hand but Antonio had a tight grip on his arm. He could feel his fingers even through his jacket. It hurt like hell and he got really uncomfortable.

"Please," Praveen slightly closed his eyes and tried to move away but Antonio used the other arm and pulled him closer to his body, hurting him even more. "You are hurting me."

"No!" Antonio grinned evilly. "You and I are dancing baby. This is what dancing with me feels with me so you better get used to it for the rest of the night."

Praveen closed his eyes and tried to forget about the pain but Antonio's grip was so powerful that he felt as if his arm was gonna be broken. He was now sure that he was gonna have a bruise there. He wanted to cry but he couldn't. His only savior was for the song to end and at that moment it seemed to be going slow and he didn't appreciate it.

"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms, barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song..."

Praveen felt as if the song didn't stop he was gonna be with no arm in a few minutes. He couldn't do anything but endure the pain the man he was married to was giving him. He was used to pain and besides, he couldn't cry no matter what he did.

"...I have faith in what I see." The song went on. "Now I know I have met an angel in person and she looks perfect,

I don't deserve this. You look perfect tonight."

Finally the song ended and people started clapping harder than they had done the first time. Praveen quickly removed his hands from Antonio's neck hoping he was gonna let go of his arm but he was wrong. Antonio stood closer to him, letting go of his waist but he didn't let go of his arm. In fact, he squeezed it harder with a smile on his face.

Praveen tried to pull his arm free but he just caused himself intense pain and he winced, almost letting out a louder sound. He looked in front and saw Emilia coming closer to him with Ethan. Finally, Antonio let go of his arm and it felt as if someone had just engraved something on his arm. It was painful as hell.

"Oh my babies," Emilia chuckled as she hugged them together. "You were so beautiful on the dance floor. I almost cried when I saw the two of you."

Antonio looked at Praveen and gave him a mocking laugh. "I am sure Praveen enjoyed the dance the most." Praveen couldn't answer him because his arm was on fire. Antonio was really evil and to think Praveen had hoped he would at least change for that night but it was hopeless.

"Oh, I am sure you enjoyed it too." Ethan patted on his back, smiling at him. "I could see the way you were looking into his eyes."

Ethan and Emilia laughed together but neither Praveen nor Antonio found it funny.

"Anyway, let me introduce you to our guests now." She coiled her arm with Praveen's, feeling really happy. "They are eager to meet you."

Praveen gave her a shy smile, nodding his head.

"It's fine, mom." Antonio had an excuse. "You can introduce him while I greet some of my friends and businessmen. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." She shook her head in disagreement. "I only need Praveen but don't go far because tonight is your night. You should be with him."

"Okay," He smiled, feeling relieved that he was released from the idiot.

Praveen and Emilia went away and Antonio started heading towards a group of old businessmen and women that were waving at him. Ethan wanted to follow him but he also got called and they went in different directions.

"Congratulations, Mr. Gonzalez," One of the businessmen said, extending his hand which Antonio happily shook.

"Thank you so much." He said with a smile.

"Yeah," Another one patted on his back. "You are a very lucky man. You are young, famous, sexy and really rich. Not only have you become the owner of Gonzalez wealth but you have married a really gorgeous boy."

"Ha ha..." Antonio chuckled, smiling at the man. "...thank you so much, sir..."

"Sir," They laughed happily. "We don't call our friends that. Anyway, welcome to the business world and we are happy to have you in our world. Your father must be very proud."

"Yeah," Antonio gave a sad sigh. "It is also my pleasure. I look forward to doing business with you."

Antonio continued his conversation with the businessmen and he was happy.

Meanwhile, Emilia was introducing Praveen to the people around as her son and Antonio's better half. Although Praveen was really nervous, the people were really nice to him. Some of them kissed his cheeks while others hugged. She introduced him to many of them and with their welcoming smiles and words, he got confident and smiled back. Everything was going perfectly.

They were going round for almost an hour and everyone he met seemed nice. Maybe living a rich life wasn't difficult at all. Maybe he had judged the rich too early, he thought as he was introduced to another woman who smiled at him.

The introduction continued and he met a whole lot of people. But before they could move on, Emilia received a really important call. She excused herself and just told him to enjoy the party. It was planned for him and he had to enjoy it to the fullest. He didn't have to be scared.

She kissed his cheek and went outside to answer the call.

Praveen took a deep breath and started moving around slowly. He didn't move really far before... he heard something that made him stop in his tracks. His heart started racing, pounding deep in his chest. His body felt hot and cold at the same rime.

"Honestly I never thought someone like Antonio would marry someone like that." A lady who seemed angry said.

Hearing her voice, Praveen quickly turned and found a group of three girls and two guys talking. They both had champagne glasses with them and they had their backs to him so they didn't even see him. They were probably right but it hurt.

"You are absolutely right," This time a man said. "I thought he was gonna marry a high fashion model or someone rich or someone from his class."

Praveen was definitely hurt. The people were dressed beautifully and he had no idea why they were talking like that about him.

"But I am surprised he chose to marry that boy, a nerd." Another girl seethed. "What was he thinking? The boy even wears glasses and he probably knows nothing about high fashion. It's really a shame that someone as handsome and sexy would marry someone like that boy."

"Anything can happen," Another girl said, taking a sip from the glass. "Maybe he got tired of all those models and wanted to settle for someone simple, someone he knew would take care of him."

"Oh please," A guy said chuckling teasingly. "There are so many high class men that would take care of him but he chose to settle for that, uh..." He groaned. "...they are probably not gonna last. He will meet someone else very soon and..."

Praveen couldn't stay there anymore because he was getting really hurt. He quickly turned and started heading towards the staircase but he didn't reach far before he almost bumped into Antonio who for some reason was smiling at him holding a glass of champagne. He stood still and looked away.

"What's wrong?" Antonio teased, chuckling foolishly. "Why did you look away? I thought you loved looking into my handsome face and where are you going?"

"Why are you asking?" Praveen asked without even looking at him. "It's not as if you care where I go?"

"Oh!" Antonio touched his chest in mock, chirping as he moved his head. "How can you say that I don't care about you?" He gasped in mock astonishment. "Oh wait!" He laughed. "I actually don't care about you. By the way, have you heard that the people are saying you don't look good with me and you don't deserve me?"

Praveen tried to open his mouth but he couldn't utter a word.

"It's a pity because they are actually right you know." He placed his hand on Praveen's shoulder. "We are from different worlds that will never ever meet so if I were you, I would just leave."

"Why would he?" Antonio heard a familiar voice.

Both of them looked towards the direction of the voice. They found Andrea coming closer to them with her perfect catwalk. She had changed and she was really amazing. She was putting on a beautiful black designer's dress with sparkles on the edges. The dress reaching her knees and she was on beautiful, classy and expensive high heeled shoes. They were so high but her catwalk was amazing.

Her face was glowing with makeup, making her look even more beautiful than she was. Her hair was made in a perky side ponytail with flowers and she was like a princess. She looked more beautiful than any girl in the room which she really wanted.

"He is enjoying all this wealth for the first time and he won't leave us alone." She seethed, growling at him. "Boys like him only care about money. They look innocent but absolutely dangerous. They need to be driven out like demons."