The Billionaire's Island Romance
CHAPTER ONE
“Oh, the dress is gorgeous, Blue.” Arianna Duponte beamed at her friend Blue Monroe as she held up the white satin and lace gown to marvel at its intricate details. The bright Jamaican island sunlight burst in through the window of the fourth floor bridal suite at Duponte Hotel & Resort in Montego Bay. The water splashing from the pool outside, laughter of guests, and the live reggae band playing Bob Marley’s “One Love” could be heard from the open patio door.
“You really think so?” Blue cocked a brow.
“Um, yeah,” Arianna grinned. “Oh, don’t be so nervous, girl. Really. It’s fine.”
“Thanks, Ari. I totally trust your opinion. And thanks to Venus here for helping me pick out the design.” Blue carefully took the dress from her friend and placed it back inside the lace garment bag. She appeared giddy, like a schoolgirl in love. “In seven days, I’m going to be Mrs. Zack Romero,” Blue gushed, looking dazed as she sucked in a deep breath.
“Hey, that’s what friends are for,” Venus chimed in.
“So, are you getting the wedding fever, too?” Arianna turned to Venus.
Venus’s smile evaporated. “Um. No,” she said quietly. “I…I won’t be getting married.”
“Never? You sound so final,” Arianna said with concern.
“Oh, I’m very happy for Blue but…I…” Venus closed her eyes then opened them again and drew in a deep breath.
Arianna felt terrible for bringing it up. She sensed the topic was painful for Venus.
Venus appeared as if she was trying to lighten the mood. She playfully wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I don’t think I would make the best wife. Besides, my little guy is my world. I just want to raise him the best I can.”
“Of course,” Blue added.
“By the way, thank you so much for the special daycare program,” Venus said to Arianna. “At least I know my son is safe and happy with the other children while I help out with the wedding.”
“Oh, no worries,” Arianna replied. “That’s one of the perks for visitors here. Childcare is free for children of our guests.”
“Thank you.” Venus glanced down at her watch. “Oh, no. I’d better get my son. Tristan likes me to give him his asthma medication. It was nice meeting you, Arianna.”
“Likewise,” Arianna said, still looking confused about Venus’s previous reaction.
Venus left the hotel suite after she gave Blue a bear hug.
“She’s wonderful,” Blue commented after Venus left. “She’s been working for the Romeros for a while now and she’s the sweetest person I know.”
“She seems nice.”
“Anyway, I’m glad I hit it off with Zack. Being with him and being a part of his family has changed my life, Ari.”
Arianna smiled then briefly turned her gaze towards the wonderful view of the glistening bluish-green sea outside the window. The aquamarine water had sparkling diamonds of white dots entwined in its waves from the bright reflection of the sun. The splendid white-crested waves rolled along the sandy beach swirling and crashing into the coast. The Duponte Resort had one of the best beachfront locations in Montego Bay. It was an intimate, five-star hotel and resort property that boasted several massive pools, pool bars, party rooms, snorkelling adventures, tours around Jamaica and ample poolside entertainment. Not to mention the breathtaking view of the green hills, a golf course and a tennis court for guests.
“You can’t go wrong with the Romero family, Blue. They’re amazing,” Arianna murmured, swallowing a painful lump that just climbed in her throat. She then turned to face her friend. Her smile was heartfelt. Arianna knew Blue hadn’t had much luck in the past with men. She was glad she’d found someone truly worthy of her heart. She’d heard about how well Zack Romero treated her. If anyone deserved a good man it was Blue.
“Thanks, Arianna.” Blue blushed. “I know that. I feel so lucky to have met Zack. Just goes to show that you can’t trust rumors.”
“Rumors?”
“Oh, some old stuff. I’ve covered so many events the Romeros held over the past few years when I worked for Channel 31 News, but getting to know them up front was so…different. Special. To be quite honest I hated seeing those online tabloid headlines about his love life and his too-many-to-count girlfriends. Zack is so…romantic. So good to me. He’s so…real.”
“The Romeros are,” Arianna agreed. “They all are,” she continued in a low voice.
“I guess you should know.” Blue arched a brow playfully.
“Oh, the dress is gorgeous, Blue.” Arianna Duponte beamed at her friend Blue Monroe as she held up the white satin and lace gown to marvel at its intricate details. The bright Jamaican island sunlight burst in through the window of the fourth floor bridal suite at Duponte Hotel & Resort in Montego Bay. The water splashing from the pool outside, laughter of guests, and the live reggae band playing Bob Marley’s “One Love” could be heard from the open patio door.
“You really think so?” Blue cocked a brow.
“Um, yeah,” Arianna grinned. “Oh, don’t be so nervous, girl. Really. It’s fine.”
“Thanks, Ari. I totally trust your opinion. And thanks to Venus here for helping me pick out the design.” Blue carefully took the dress from her friend and placed it back inside the lace garment bag. She appeared giddy, like a schoolgirl in love. “In seven days, I’m going to be Mrs. Zack Romero,” Blue gushed, looking dazed as she sucked in a deep breath.
“Hey, that’s what friends are for,” Venus chimed in.
“So, are you getting the wedding fever, too?” Arianna turned to Venus.
Venus’s smile evaporated. “Um. No,” she said quietly. “I…I won’t be getting married.”
“Never? You sound so final,” Arianna said with concern.
“Oh, I’m very happy for Blue but…I…” Venus closed her eyes then opened them again and drew in a deep breath.
Arianna felt terrible for bringing it up. She sensed the topic was painful for Venus.
Venus appeared as if she was trying to lighten the mood. She playfully wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I don’t think I would make the best wife. Besides, my little guy is my world. I just want to raise him the best I can.”
“Of course,” Blue added.
“By the way, thank you so much for the special daycare program,” Venus said to Arianna. “At least I know my son is safe and happy with the other children while I help out with the wedding.”
“Oh, no worries,” Arianna replied. “That’s one of the perks for visitors here. Childcare is free for children of our guests.”
“Thank you.” Venus glanced down at her watch. “Oh, no. I’d better get my son. Tristan likes me to give him his asthma medication. It was nice meeting you, Arianna.”
“Likewise,” Arianna said, still looking confused about Venus’s previous reaction.
Venus left the hotel suite after she gave Blue a bear hug.
“She’s wonderful,” Blue commented after Venus left. “She’s been working for the Romeros for a while now and she’s the sweetest person I know.”
“She seems nice.”
“Anyway, I’m glad I hit it off with Zack. Being with him and being a part of his family has changed my life, Ari.”
Arianna smiled then briefly turned her gaze towards the wonderful view of the glistening bluish-green sea outside the window. The aquamarine water had sparkling diamonds of white dots entwined in its waves from the bright reflection of the sun. The splendid white-crested waves rolled along the sandy beach swirling and crashing into the coast. The Duponte Resort had one of the best beachfront locations in Montego Bay. It was an intimate, five-star hotel and resort property that boasted several massive pools, pool bars, party rooms, snorkelling adventures, tours around Jamaica and ample poolside entertainment. Not to mention the breathtaking view of the green hills, a golf course and a tennis court for guests.
“You can’t go wrong with the Romero family, Blue. They’re amazing,” Arianna murmured, swallowing a painful lump that just climbed in her throat. She then turned to face her friend. Her smile was heartfelt. Arianna knew Blue hadn’t had much luck in the past with men. She was glad she’d found someone truly worthy of her heart. She’d heard about how well Zack Romero treated her. If anyone deserved a good man it was Blue.
“Thanks, Arianna.” Blue blushed. “I know that. I feel so lucky to have met Zack. Just goes to show that you can’t trust rumors.”
“Rumors?”
“Oh, some old stuff. I’ve covered so many events the Romeros held over the past few years when I worked for Channel 31 News, but getting to know them up front was so…different. Special. To be quite honest I hated seeing those online tabloid headlines about his love life and his too-many-to-count girlfriends. Zack is so…romantic. So good to me. He’s so…real.”
“The Romeros are,” Arianna agreed. “They all are,” she continued in a low voice.
“I guess you should know.” Blue arched a brow playfully.