CHAPTER 2

                                                      HATE AT FIRST SIGHT

“Likewise, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Stefano Graziani” says the idiot in perfect English with a sexy accent.

“Ah! you can speak English!” Sarcastic words come out of my mouth before I can stop them.

“Of course, we all speak English” my brother-in-law intervenes, a little bit confused by my comment.

“I say it is because... umm... as in the beginning you spoke to them in Italian, well...”

“Oh yes, it's a family tradition, we speak Italian among us” I can see an old man looking at the idiot of the airport and laughing mischievously. Now I recognize him, he was the person to whom the prick was very distracted talking to.

“Excuse me. Rehearsal is about to start. Please come to the center of the hall”  One of the wedding planner's assistants tells us, with no protocol, I turn around and go where I was told to go.

“Welcome to the wedding rehearsal of Mr. Donato Galli and Miss Catherine Swan” everyone bursts into applause “because of the different cultures between both bride and groom, they have decided to change a little the way the ceremony will be celebrated. First, the girl Isabella will enter and lead the rest of the procession, then the best man, Mr. Stefano Graziani, and the maid of honor, Miss Christie Swan, will go together” what? It has to be a joke! My luck can't be that bad, why him? Life is cruel and hates me.

“Fate insists on bringing us together,” he says with a smug smirk.

“Haha very funny” at this moment I just want to skin him alive.

“I hope you have paid attention to all the indications, miss” A deep voice near me brings me to reality.

“What?” did I miss something?

“The instructions, I hope you heard them.”

“Of course I did! Are you insinuating that I have hearing problems?” He smiles and then proceeds to l**k his arm with mine “Hey, Mr. Stefunny, get off! Let go of me! don't be insolent.”

“If you really had paid attention, you would have realized that it is time for us to move forward and take our place on the improvised altar. My name is Stefano, not Stefunny” he says with a hint of irritation.

“That's what I said, Mr. Stefunny”. He lets out a hiss, and I suppress the urge to laugh.

***

Finally, my sister's big day came. I must confess all night I feared that at any moment she would enter my room crying because Donato had abandoned her. To calm my nerves, I spent almost the whole day locked up in my room with Alena, we were reviewing the details of a partnership contract with a European businessman. Luckily my family knows how vital this negotiation is for my company, that's why they didn't bother me until it was my turn to be attended by the stylists.

I continually wonder what my wedding would have been like, would I have looked as radiant as my sister? Tears swirl in my eyes, secretly I clean a tiny little drop that has slipped out the corner of my eye and act as nothing happened. I don't want to be pitied.

“Well, the time has come. We must leave” says my father, as we exit the house, and my mother and I help Cathy to get into the car, then I go to the car James rented to ride with him and Alena.

“Are you all right?” she asks, seeing as I am in complete silence.

“Yes, it is...  I need to release some tension” I answer like nothing happens while internally, I fight against my feelings. She knows it, she knows me well.

“I'll email the agency so they can send Roger tomorrow as soon as we get to New York,” she says as she quickly types on her cell phone. Roger Campbell, is an escort who accompanies me at social events, but we have a sort of side arrangement, he satisfies me sexually and gets a bonus in return.

“Thank you” after a long drive we arrived at the Cathedral of Saint Mary, where the ceremony will be held. In a way, it bothers me that my sister has had to give in to all the demands of her soon-to-be husband's family, everything has been done according to the Italian tradition. I imagine that happens when you are really in love, you don't care about how things are done, but about the fact of marrying the love of your life.

I get out of the vehicle and approach the church to inform the organizer that the wedding procession can start now and, I am going to place myself next to the obnoxious best man.

“You can come a little closer,” he says, offering his arm for me to take “unlike you, I don't bite” who does he think he is? I want this ceremony to be over as soon as possible to get back to my beloved big apple. I never want to see this idiot again in my life.

“I don't bite either Mr. Stefunny” we walk towards the altar smiling and trying to ignore the discomfort between us. When we arrive, I try to separate from him, but he restrains me. I'm about to hit him when the wedding march begins to play, announcing the bride will make her entrance. She looks splendid and radiant, the smile on her face is a reflex of the happiness she feels at this moment. The ceremony begins, the words of the priest are touching, the way he talks about the meaning of love makes me remember what I once felt and that Jonathan took it upon himself to kill, I can no longer contain myself, and the tears begin to flow freely down my face.

“Aww! Cruella DeVil has feelings” mutters the idiot.

“Shut the fuck up, you have no idea” I'll answer him in the same way.

“Bullshit!” he says dismissively.

“I hate you!” I manage to get my arm out of his grip and my fist connects with his most cherished parts, he lets out a faint moan.

“Same thing, Cruella,” she says with a choked voice, “Ours is hate at first sight.”