4. I do

JADE

ONE WEEK LATER

Everything all happened like a dream before my eyes. I did not even know what got over me but I just had to accept the marraige proposal.

Hearing the terrified tone of my mother speak about how ruthless my said groom was got me so trepadised with fear. I would not even dare go against his words if he is as bloodthirsty as they paint him to be.

God. What is going on in my life? The more I thought about what took place in my life in just a space of less than three weeks, the more confused and worried I became.

I mean one moment, I was single, planning to open up my very own cosmetic line and do something useful with my life and then the next moment, I was thrown into a marraige alliance and my life went upside down.

As my thoughts dwelled on it the more, tears trickled down my cheeks.

"Stop crying baby so you will not ruin your makeup. We do not want your groom to notice your pale features" my mum whispered in my ears, using a white handkerchief to brush off little droplets of my tears.

I sniffed my nose and pushed her hands away. "Why should he not see it? Why should he not see how miserable I am because of this marriage I was forced to accept?" I shot back, my eyes focused on the road as we drove to the church.

"Jade you will be fine at the end of it all. I promise you" Father assured me with a smile on his face.

"I hope so" I snivveled.

Funny how I had never even set my eyes on this man even after consenting to the marraige. I actually thought that when I did consent to it, he would show up and I and him could get to know each other more and probably I could talk him out of it or maybe he might not be as bad as people paint him to be.

But reverse was the case. He never did show up, not even for one moment and I will not be surprised if he does not show up for this wedding either.

I pray he does not.

"Just focus on the bright side baby. You will be doing us all and yourself a very great favour by saving our lives through this marraige and you shall never lack anything in the world. The Greco's are filthy rich ok" Mother kissed me by the cheek.

I stared at her, disgust and bewilderment written all over my face. I refused to speak further and fixed my attention back on the road.

Minutes flew by so quickly and before I knew it, we had rolled into the church premises.

Mother stepped down before me, accompanied by father before they both helped me get down.

I stared at the huge church before me, jitters spreading through my body.

"Shall we?" Father asked with outstretched hands.

I gave him a nod and placed my hand in his.

Together, hand in hand, he led me into the church and down the aisle. On entering the church, my eyes spotted a hazy figure of my groom as he stood next to the officiating priest. But I could barely see him as a result of my thick veil.

If not for father, I bet I would have missed my step and fallen flat on my face.

As I neared the alter, I began getting a clearer vision of my groom which seized my breath.

His face was distinct, oddly familiar the more closer I got to him. It seemed like I had seen him before.

Fear infused itself in me the moment I stepped on the alter.

"My beautiful bride, I have been waiting for you" he lowly said, pulling of my veil.

At that fleeting moment, my jaws went unhinged and ajar as I stared right at him.

I felt a cold slither run up my spine giving me goosebumps just by staring at this handsome devil right in front of me.

And he was likewise as shocked upon seeing me.

What the actual hell!?

The stranger I met at the pond was my husband! The almighty, blood thirsty Luciano!

So when he made jokes about being a murderer he really was not just bluffing!

Oh my God! I did not know how to feel!

A wave of emotions caused wreckage within me as we both held each other's gaze.

"Wow, so you are Jade, my bride? You are beautiful but I never really expected my wife to be hot tempered too" He smirked.

"Don't you dare call me hot tempered" I spoke through clenched and gritted teeth, trying not to give the crowd any hint of the emotunal turmoil I was facing.

"I like you already" Luciano leaned down and whispered into my ear which gave me an overflow of goosebumps.

I quit talking to him and focused on what the priest was saying. The rest of the ceremony went smoothly to my very dismay. Luciano kept on passing lustful glances my way which seemed to only get me more bittered and enraged.

Can't he keep his lustful and wistful stares at bay!?

Does he really think we will have sex after this forced marraige!? Definitely not. He owes me a lot of explanation concerning this fucking marraige!

I wanted something to happen that would ruin the events planned but it seemed like the universe was against my plans.

Everything kept on happening so quick that before I knew it I had already said the big word, "I do accept to marry Luciano Greco" , and a loud ovation took over the atmosphere.

I stared at my parents in the crowd with tears in my eyes; tears of anger, sorrows, regrets and pain.

I just wish I could be anywhere but here.

Soon enough, the reception ceremony kicked off as expected. So now I am officially married to Luciano Greco.

God. I can not take this anymore. I feel so suffocated in here!

The hall which we were in was lavishly and expensively furnished to match the taste and lifestyle of those in attendance.

Round tables with scented red candles were littered all around.

The lighting and decor was absolutely superb though, little chandeliers spread their vibrant colours across the hall.

The centre of the hall had both mine and Luciano's name conscripted on the tiled floor and a live band played at a corner, filling the hall with classical and rhythmic symphonies.

Chattering filled the air accompanied by the delectable aroma of various cuisines.

The Greco's and my parents literally must have spent through their nose to make this wedding and reception a success.

Everybody was surely thinking I was blessed and lucky to get married to such a wealthy family but there was something very fishy about these people. And most especially my husband.

As I sat next to Luciano, different guests kept on showering gifts our way. I had to put up a plastic smile and accept them all.

"You know in my family, couples offer each other gifts on their wedding day" Luciano attempted to spark a conversation between us.

"Oh really? What should I do with that piece of information?" I asked with disdain.

"Stop being too arrogant and rude to me. I am your husband moglie" Luciano smiled.

"Have you even stopped to ask yourself if I wanted this marraige? Huh? You are just so selfish and wicked that you think of nothing and no one but yourself" I spat at him.

He chuckled briefly before speaking, "I think of you sweetheart". Luciano lifted my chin with his fingers, "I think of you morning, noon and night. I know you do not want this marriage but I promise to accord you with all the respect you deserve as my wife and be a dutiful and loyal husband to you. You got that?" His voice dropped low as he held me trapped in his hypnotising gaze.

I could barely even say a word. I just stared into his eyes. It is said that the hottest fire burns blue.

"Our two love birds!" The cheery voice of a young lady accosted by another lady broke into our moment.

Moment? Hell no!

I blinked severally, breaking off our stare and facing the ladies before me.

"Umm I will have to leave you three. I am coming back Jade ok" Luciano stood up and left.

"Jade Peterson, it is nice to finally meet you in person. I am Mariposa Greco and this is Aurora Greco. We are the wives of Luciano's brothers. We just came to offer you our heartfelt congratulations and also this gift" she smiled at me which I presumed was a pretence smile as she handed me the wrapped gift.

I collected it hesitantly and forced a farcade smile of my own, "Thank you".

"Do not mention it. I believe you will enjoy your stay here Jade" her tone was laced with so much acrimony, there was no hiding it.

"Hopefully you can bear Luciano a son before he grows tired of you and toss you away like a rag just like he did with your predecessors" Aurora chortled, winking at Mariposa.

"How dare you both speak to me in such manner?" I retorted back.

"Shut it you stupid bitch else I will shut you up myself" Mariposa scowled.

"Oh really? I will like to see you try. You will not even stand a chance against me" I was not intimated by their threats.

"You better be careful here Jade or whatever it is they call you. Do not think so highly of yourself because you got married to the capo. Fortunes change. Today you might be the wife of the capo and tomorrow you might be a slave" Aurora gave a sadistic smile at me.

What the fuck! What the hell is even a capo?!

"Fuck you both. Get out of my sight and I do not need your freaking gifts!" I threw it back at their faces.

"Suit yourself whore" Aurora chuckled before she and Mariposa left.

I watched them go with my anger growing within me.

This is just my first day being known as his wife and I already have enemies! Just great!