CHAPTER 6: A WEDDING WITHOUT VOWS

The day finally arrived—the day she married Aldo Marino. When she visualized her wedding, she would always think of happiness, a soon-to-be husband that she loved, and an intimate ceremony with her loved ones. This wasn't what she had dreamed of. She stared at herself in the mirror, dressed in a beautiful satin dress that clung perfectly to her curves, the soft lace brushing softly over her skin, the beauty contrasting her heavy heart.

“Ready to go?” Melinda’s voice cut through her thoughts.

Liya turned to face Melinda who stood at the doorway with a neutral expression. The woman had been her shadow since the attack and while Liya was thankful for the support, her presence only pointed out that she was continuously in danger.

“I'm not sure I could say that but I can't back out either,” Liya said in a resolved voice.

Melinda looked at her with soft eyes only for a moment. “It’s not about being ready, it’s about doing what you can to survive.”

With that, Liya nodded and followed Melinda out of the room.

The celebration took place in the vast hall of Aldo’s mansion. The room was decorated with beautiful flower arrangements weaving over the railings and pillars. Only a few guests were in attendance; important allies and members of Aldo’s business, their faces stern and cold.

Liya glanced over the crowd as she walked down the aisle with her brother who had a remorseful and ashamed look on his face. He had apologized to his sister so many times that she lost count.

Currently, her eyes were glued to Aldo who stood at the end of the aisle, dressed in a fitted dark suit with his hair gelled back leaving his defined features on display for her to fawn over. He was certainly handsome. His electric blue eyes stared at her so intensely that it made her nervous.

Aside from that, his expression wasn't what she had expected for a wedding day. He looked so detached and uninterested. He looked more like a robot than a human being and she couldn't do anything about it but hope for better days ahead.

As the officiant commenced the ceremony, her eyes ran over Aldo’s face, taking note of every detail. His eyes caught hers and her breath caught in her throat. Luckily for her, the officiant's words cut them out of the moment.

“We’re gathered here today to join Aldo and Liya in holy matrimony,” he said, his voice sounding through the quiet hall.

As he carried on, one could tell this was simply a transactional affair. No emotions were involved, no mention of love or feelings. When it was her turn to speak, she avoided Aldo’s eyes as she said “I do” in a hollow voice.

When it got to Aldo’s turn, his silence stretched longer than she was comfortable with. She held her breath and looked into his eyes which were filled with something like anger or regret and she wondered if he was going to back out at this very moment.

While thoughts of rejection and humiliation ran through her mind, he finally spoke in a firm and neutral voice. “I do.”

After the ceremony came to an end, Aldo took Liya’s hand in his, leading her away from the altar, down the aisle, and toward the doors. He didn't wait for the clapping to stop or even give room for congratulatory words from the guests.

As they left the hall, Liya couldn't hold back her irritation. “Is this it? Is this how it’s going to be?” she asked him sternly. “Cold, empty, and without meaning?”

Aldo stopped immediately and turned to face her, looking at her like she was a strange being. “I don't know what you were expecting but this isn't a fairy tale. It is not one of those romance books you like to read where the characters are hopelessly in love with each other and live happily ever after. No, this is reality. You married me to save your brother and I married you to be useful,” he said in a stern voice. He didn't want to give her any ideas.

Liya flinched as if he had hit her. “Useful? Is that all I'm good for? A puppet you can manipulate as you wish?”

Aldo sucked in a breath. “That's not what I meant. You're…you’re more than that,” he said trying to avoid the emotions, he didn't have time for that. “We both know what we got into, in terms of marriage. Let's stick to that. I can't have you being more than that right now.”

Liya looked at him and couldn't lie she felt her heart breaking a little bit. She had hoped what started as a transaction between them could grow into something better– maybe not lovers but friends for a start. That hope was just shattered even though she was positive about the way he looked at her…like they could be more.

“Why are you against it,” Liya asked him in a quiet voice.

“I’m not against anything. I'm telling you it won’t happen. Nothing will change between us,” he said forcefully like he was trying to convince himself more than her. “Let’s go. We have to make an appearance at the reception.”

During the reception which was held at the dining hall, Liya felt like she was in a business meeting rather than a wedding celebration. She sat beside Aldo, her hands on her lap and her nerves working overtime.

“Smile,” Aldo whispered only to her hearing.

“My emotions are anything but happy so how can I do that?” Liya said, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

“Put those aside. Appearances mean everything in this world,” Aldo said as he leaned in to whisper in her ears. “If we look weak then we are as good as dead. Now I believe you can do better than whatever you just did with your face. Smile Liya.”

Goosebumps erupted over her flesh as his hot breath fanned her ears. Gathering herself together, she gave a breathtaking smile that left Aldo stunned. If this was her role in this charade, then she’d play it well.

As the night dragged on, Liya excused herself from the table to get some fresh air. She needed to breathe. The pretending and fake smiles were giving her a headache. She soon found herself on the balcony holding onto the railings as the cool night air and the scent of flowers from the garden below washed over her.

Her moment of peace didn't last as she felt as though someone was watching her. Before she could turn around to go back inside, a strong hand clamped over her mouth.