Wedding day

Mia's POV

I was wearing a white gown waiting in the bridal room for my stepmother to take me to the wedding hall. 

I hadn't met Xavier Leonardi. But I heard about him that 

he was a big playboy and a successful businessman. He was one of the richest persons in the world and that scared me to death. 

I was scared to have the same fate like my mother. I was completely freaking out. I wanted to run away from this freaking wedding. But I couldn't leave my father hanging in the middle of a business deal. 

Plus so many people and media people had come for the wedding. I couldn't back out and embarrass my father in front of these people. 

Andrea had come and took me to the aisle where my father was waiting for me smiling. I saw for the first time him smiling at me. My heart became happy. 

But I knew it was only for the show in front of these people. He stretched his elbow for me and I held his elbow, hooking my hand around him. 

"Mia, I expect you to behave properly in front of these people. You need to stay in this marriage for three years. So behave yourself with Xavier and don't enrage 

him." He whispered in my ear in a way threatening more than suggesting. I nodded my head. 

He walked me down the aisle towards the stage where Xavier Leonardi was standing. I could not focus on decoration nor was I paying attention to the people around me. 

I was too nervous to think Straight. I was praying in my heart that I wouldn’t do anything stupid that would embarrass my dad. 

We halted in our steps when we reached near the stage. I wouldn't dare to look up. My eyes kept staring down at my feet. 

I saw a hand stretched in front of me offering me help to climb up on the stage. I hesitated at first but took that hand and he pulled me up on the stage. I stumbled a little and gripped his shoulder with my other hand. 

I saw a handsome face staring at me as he was trying to see behind the veil . I knew he couldn't look properly through the veil. But I could see him staring at my face with his cold eyes. His face was expressionless. 

I pulled my hand away and took a step behind, I stood beside him. 

The officiant started the rituals. They made us exchange our vows which I knew were all fake.

He announced to us to exchange the rings. A lady brought gorgeous looking rings on a plate. She offered one to Xavier Leonardi and another to me and gave us the rings in our hands. 

The officiant said that I should stretch my hand in front of Xavier Leonardi. I held my hand in air between both of us. He grabbed it gently and slid the ring in my finger. He stretched his hand and I slid the ring without holding his hand. 

Officiant announced us as husband and wife and said the groom could kiss his bride. Oh God this was the most difficult part of the wedding. 

I saw Xavier Leonardi didn't make any move. Someone tapped on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. 

He descended his head and cupped my cheeks in his hand. He kissed the corner of my mouth so lightly that I couldn't tell if it was a real kiss or not. But my first kiss 

was gone just like that. 

Wedding was over and the media was clicking and covering everything about this big event. Of course Valerio's and Leonardi's made it a grand event. 

We all went to the ballroom. He was sitting beside me scrolling down his phone. I didn't dare to look at him. 

But I saw him frowning from the corner of my eyes. His phone began ringing. He picked up to answer and I could not hear anything. But he wasn't looking good. 

He left the ballroom while talking on the phone and I 

was left there sitting alone. The announcement was made for the first ballroom dance by the newly wed 

couple and my groom was nowhere to be found. 

I could feel the pity full glances of people, they were throwing towards me. I sat there, bowing my head down. I was used to this kind of embarrassment and insult. 

Xavier's parents were calling him , and tried to reach him on the phone. I could see them dialling numbers. But the expression on their faces said that they didn’t 

get any response. 

Xavier's mother came towards me and said, "Xavier has something urgent to attend to immediately. So he got stuck in that and can't come back. I will take you to your new home. You must be tired. You should take a rest there."She said in a polite and soft voice. 

My heart filled with warmth. I wasn't used to someone talking to me so politely.She was such a nice lady. I just managed to nod my head and smiled at her. She led me towards a car which was decorated for a newly wedded couple. But I have to ride alone in this car. 

She helped me to settle inside the back seat and instructed the driver to drive me to Xavier’s mansion.

Whole ride I was thinking about what kind of urgent work Xavier had to attend on his wedding day. 

The car stopped in front of a huge mansion. The driver came out and opened the door for me. I stepped down and walked towards the main door. 

There was a guard standing on the door. And a queue of servants one standing there, waiting for their master. But here seeing me coming alone, disappointment was visible on their faces. They greeted me and looked at me with their pitiful eyes. I sighed in my heart. 

One of the maids led me towards my room. Entering there I knew it was a room with the decor all in grey and white. A large TV was hanging on the wall in front 

of the bed and gaming setup was lying beside it. 

I panicked to think that my luggage was not with me. I didn't want to sleep in this heavy wedding gown. It would be so uncomfortable. I walked towards the walk in closet. I saw it was filled with his clothes and accessories, footwear and so much stuff. 

I couldn't decide whether I should borrow his t-shirt for a night or not. I wasn't used to people sharing their things with me. 

I decided to sleep in my wedding gown. I was very tired and as soon as I lay down on the bed , sleep engulfed me in its embrace. 

I heard the sound of the door opening. My eyes snapped open. It was dark. I blinked so many times to adjust my eyes to the darkness. I searched for the switch and turned on the light. 

I saw Xavier Leonardi was standing near the door frame. He was looking so miserable as his jacket was gone and his tie was hanging low. Some of his shirt's buttons on top were open and sleeves were folded to the elbow. 

His eyes darkened as he saw me on his bed. Taking three long strides he was in front of me grabbing my chin in his hand so painfully. 

"How dare you whore to sleep on my bed."

I flinched at his tone. 

Why was he calling me whore?

Memories of my childhood started running in front of my eyes. I began shaking in fear because I knew what 

was coming next. 

"I am… I am sorry." I apologized and wanted to explain to him why I am sleeping here.

Before I could say anything I was thrown on the bed ,his body was pressing on me. My eyes widened and I freaked out. 

"No please, let me go." I pleaded with him. 

"Why are you acting so innocent you wanted this right? That's why you were sleeping in my bed, waiting for me." He said mockingly. 

"No, no, please, leave me." 

I moved my face away because he was drunk and I could not bear the smell of alcohol which was making me suffocate. 

"Shut up you slut ! Why are you acting so innocent? I know who you actually are and when we are married why shouldn't I get to fuck you. I am your husband. Please me as you used to please other men in the past." 

He said in his drunken voice and started kissing my neck. He was biting and sucking on my neck, making me feel pain and nothing else. I tried to push him away. But he was so strong and I was no match for his strength. 

"No, no, please stop… I don't want to be raped on my wedding night." I yelled in desperation. 

He stopped assaulting my neck. He moved up and glared at me. Tears were rolling down from my eyes. 

Did his eyes show pain and concern or was I hallucinating? 

Because the next moment he was cold again. Making me think that it was all my imagination and he loathed me. 

He pulled away and shouted, "Get out!"

I shook in fear and immediately slipped down his bed and ran towards the door clutching my wedding gown up in my hand. As soon as I was out of his room I stopped and fell on my knees. 

I cried hard. I didn't know when I fell asleep on the cold floor due to exhaustion and trauma enough for me on my wedding day.