Panting and Sobing

Chapter 3

"How can you two be so different and yet have the same face? Your boobs are smaller not to mention your butts"Isobel announced startling Amanda who just walked out from the bathroom in just her undies,she quickly reached out for her robe but unluckily for her, Isobel saw what she was trying to hide.

"God!How can you have a scar like this in your stomach? Which kind of woman harbours scars like this,you really can't be spotless like...."

"That's enough, already"Amanda snapped tying her robe."If you keep talking to me this way, I might just change my mind"She warned.

Isobel swallowed."Anyway, your body doesn't matter since he won't be seeing it anyway.You have to make excuses upon excuses,no matter what,do not let him lay with you and don't ever forget that you ain't his bride"

"You have no need to worry, I won't have any cause to be his real wife"

Isobel smirked and stood up,she walked over to the closet and opened it.

"These are her clothes, You won't be taking them along with you because I'm sure the Da Silvas had already bought a trousseau for you, I just want you to know how classy she was"

Amanda stared at her clothes,she was happy that she wouldn't have any reason to wear this clothes.One doesn't have to dress like a prostitute because of class.

"Miguel would briefly tell you about his family and I'll be back to teach you about some things you need to know"And then, she walked away.

Amanda wore a loose fitting gown, wondering when Isobel would allow her go to bed.

A knock sounded from the door.

She grinned."Someone's pretending to be modest"She teased.

Miguel laughed opening the door.

"I've always been modest, you're the one always intruding my privacy"Miguel slammed back sitting on the bed.

"When?"

"Should I start reminding you, especially in highschool"

Amanda's cheeks flamed recalling when she had walked into his room to find him totally naked in highschool...

She quickly shook her head."You talk too much"She snapped.

Miguel snickered."My parrot is saying I talk too much"

She gasped."Your parrot?"

"If we keep going on and on with this when you know I'm always right about everything,you won't get to know about his family"

"You ain't right about everything"She snapped.

"Why do you always like to argue with me?"He asked ruffling her hair.

"Stop doing that, I'm not that little girl anymore"

Miguel grimaced."Oh sorry, Grandma."

"Grandma?"She asked picking up a pillow.

"Oh no!we don't have time for this right now"He said backing away from her but she lunged towards him and they ended up running around the room.

"MIGUEL!"Isobel yelled.

They frozed."I think she heard us"He whispered.

She slowly sat on the bed.

"I was sitting so quietly before and you started being as troublesome as always"

Miguel sat beside her."You always trigger my troublemaking spirit.Now, before I get distracted by grandma again, let's proceed"

"Don't call me that"

"For now, listen.... Xavier had been in Spain for three years now, he got back two weeks ago and the preparation for the wedding began, I think Alisha and himself had met up three times before the fitting of the wedding dress."He paused and brought out his cellphone showing her some pictures.

"This is Xavier's father,cesario Da Silva...his mother.. Alice.... and older brother... Salvador, he's a doctor"

Amanda stared at the pictures, only Salvador had a slight smile on his face,the faces of the others were stony.

"This family looks so scary"

"There's nothing to be afraid of, I'll make sure Alisha comes back soon to take over her hell of a husband"

"Is he really that mean?"

"He is not just mean, he's evil"Miguel ran a hand through her hair smoothening the mess he had made earlier.

"Don't worry,you won't have to put up with him for long"He assured.

Isobel stared at Amanda as three women made last minutes tweaks on the wedding dress.

If only Alisha hadn't been so stupid,she'll be the one wearing this beautiful dress.Anyway, everyone would think it's Alisha so that was enough for her.

She walked out of the room and saw Miguel approaching.

"You should keep an eye on her today"

"I'm not going to the wedding"He snapped and walked away.

As he walked into the room, he stopped dead in his tracks seeing her looking so stunningly beautiful,to him,she had always been the most beautiful woman in the world but today,it was as if her beauty doubled tremendously.

"Miguel"She called snapping him out of his reverie.

He shook his head and walked closer to her.

"You look so beautiful"He said staring at the wedding dress as the sparkles shone on her chest.It was a strapless dress, and was mercilessly distracting him.

He had dreamt of her countless times in a wedding dress,but he had always been the one waiting at the alter.He tried to assure himself that this wasn't her wedding but then he couldn't help this uneasy feeling running through his mind.

"You ain't dressed"Amanda said staring at his black jeans and hoodie.

"I'm not going to the wedding"He announced.

"What? I need you there Miguel"

Just thinking about that man touching her in church hurts, and seeing it would just....

"I have to start looking for Alisha today.Don't worry,you can do this without me, just say whatever is required of you and don't talk much,his family wouldn't like your hobby.I'm the only one who likes my parrot"

Amanda nudged him playfully.

"You've started again and if I continue we won't leave here"She warned.

Miguel grinned and held her hand,he clamped a bracelet around her wrist.

"It's so beautiful!"She exclaimed staring at it.

His heart gladdened."I'm glad you like it,I don't want you to feel lonely the few days you're going to spend with him, whenever you feel alone,look at it and if it doesn't make you feel any better you can call me on the phone,you know I don't miss your calls for anything, right?"

She smiled and nodded,she closed the distance between them and hugged him.If she didn't have someone like Miguel in her life she would be lost.

Xavier stood at the top of the church staring impatiently at his wrist watch,she wasn't late though, but he had always heard of brides who kept their grooms waiting for some minutes,if she dares make him wait any more than this, he would make sure she gets it from him later tonight.

The church doors opened and she started walking up to him.He must admit,she had turned out more beautiful in that wedding dress.

As she walked slowly to the beat of the wedding match,her fear of staying with this man for a few days increased.A potent aura of raw sexuality surrounded him,he was the most elusive and sought-after bachelor in Rome.His hands were thrust deep into the pocket of his expertly tailored suit trousers.Xavier Da Silva was a truly magnificent specimen of virile masculinity.

He took her hand and led her up the stairs beside him.

He lifted the veil up and over her head looking down into her eyes and for a tensed moment,she saw an unmistakable glint of confusion in his eyes, and she feared that he noticed something different already.

"You're lucky you didn't keep me waiting"He said gruffly and turned to face the priest.

Amanda sighed, relieved.

The ceremony passed in a blur.Somehow, Amanda knew she must have said everything required of her but she couldn't remember.She was aware of the cool band of gold on her finger.

"You may now kiss the bride"

Shockwaves rolled through Amanda as she looked up to see him moving closer.He placed his hands on her waist, bent his head and took her lips with his.

Her eyes fluttered close and her body trembled violently.As if sensing her reaction,he snaked his hand around her back, pulling her even closer.

When his tongue touched hers,it was as if her brain was disconnected from her body and mouth.

She found her hands clinging to the lapels of his jacket, clinging because her legs had turned to jelly.

Somewhere,in a distant part of his brain told him that this was supposed to be a socially suitable chaste kiss,he pulled back and smiled seeing her upturned face..so lovely with a bloom of pink in her cheeks, lips soft, pouting and moist.It took a second for her to open her eyes,he read the reaction in their dark chocolate depths... shock and confusion and something much more potent.....fear.

A warm feeling seeped into him,the heat between them just seconds ago had been fierce and elemental,he had always thought there was nothing good about her.... but right now,he was sure she would make a good wife in bed.

Amanda seethed at herself inwardly as she walked slowly on Xavier's arm.But she managed to paste a fake smile on her face, nodding to people she knew were smiling to her face,but already dissecting every minute of the ceremony,her dress and the prospects of the success of this marriage.They would be the topic of coffee mornings all over the capital for days...weeks to come.

She couldn't believe that she actually loved the feeling of his mouth against hers.No,she couldn't love it....It definitely had to be the fact that she couldn't remember when last she had someone lips on hers.The feeling was new to her.Yes,that was it....she didn't love the kiss.....it just felt foreign.

One thing was paramount as of that moment,she needed to protect herself at all costs and maintain a distance between them until Alisha comes back.

When they emerged from the church,all Amanda's thoughts scattered.A barrage of press awaited them,the camera flashes almost blinding her... and a huge cheering crowd had gathered across the road.Unconsciously,her hand tightened around Xavier's arm.

He looked down at her and grimaced slightly before saying.

"You should have expected this.Just smile and look happy.They're all here to see you"

Amanda was beyond shocked at the sight in front of her. After a few minutes, Xavier led her down the steps of the huge cathedral and to a waiting car, handing her carefully into the back before joining her.

As they pulled away,Amanda saw the rest of the wedding guests start to spill out of the church into the heaving crowds.She realized she was shaking like a leaf.Xavier noticed and took one of her hands in his....to Amanda's dismay,her shaking started to subside

"The reception will be held at my house, it's not that far from yours"

Everything seem to be impacting upon Amanda at once.Miguel didn't mention anything about Alisha ever visiting him at his home...or even meeting up with his family, what kind of marriage was this?

She said nothing and took her hand back from his.Before long,they were driving through the expensive suburb of a street, pulling up outside impressive gates.

Amanda tried to hide her reaction.This house they were approaching was nothing like her family home.It was grand and palatial on a level that made her home look like a gatehouse.

The car pulled up in a gravel courtyard surrounded with flowering trees which kept it secluded and private.An impressive array of vintage cars was lined up on one side and despite herself, Amanda's interest was piqued, she'd always loved old cars.

But Xavier had come around to open her door and was waiting for her,hand outstretched.Thoughts of anything else disappeared.Amanda had no choice but to take his hand... and hated the tingle of awareness that raced up her arm and the blooming of heat.

Staff in pristine black and white uniforms were waiting for them at the top of the steps.They blurred and morphed into a jumble of names and faces as Xavier introduced them all.

He turned to face her."Come, I'll show you to your room, where you can freshen up,the guests will be arriving at the back of the house where a wedding Marquee has been erected for the reception."

Amanda ignored his outstretched hand this time and followed him slowly up the stairs.Xavier glanced at her, stunned that she was maintaining a distance between them,this was a woman who for the past two weeks wanted him to touch her.... even to hold her hand and now that he wanted to do all that,he noticed the way her body reacted to his touch as if she didn't want him to touch her.Something was different about her today and not being able to put a finge to it was confusing as hell but he tried to assure himself that she was only acting, trying not to seem easy when in reality she was.Her continuous flinches wouldn't stop him from having her tonight,she was his now,she was like a property he had to use and use until its beauty fades away.His ultimate triumph would be when she would lay underneath him... panting and sobbing for him to take her.