4: marriage day

Aurora Rossi

In my twenty-three years of living, I never envisioned my big day would be a prison sentence.

I thought I'd be getting married to someone I genuinely loved with Bianca by my side while we cried and laughed over what would have been if Mother was here.

Neither of that happened.

It was just me - the unhappy bride, a handsome devil for a husband, an inconsiderate father proud of his accomplished goals, and a crowd jubilating at an arranged marriage they knew nothing of.

I blinked my tears away as Father looked me sternly in the eye before linking his arm with me.

"Now smile." He mouthed and looked around with a smile before walking me down the aisle.

As I forced my lips into a smile, I wondered if anyone could sense the pain that made my stomach twist.

Everyone seemed to be excited, stretching out phones to capture the moment.

As Father left me at the altar with my husband with a wide grin on his face, I felt like a burnt offering offered in exchange for blessings.

"You do look good dear wife. Uhm, I'll give you a nine out of ten." Alessandro's whispered, winking at me.

My lips stretched into a tight lipped smile before I could control it.

My throat suddenly became dry as I took in his outfit.

One thing was certain - Alessandro loved wearing black.

Because tell me why he wore all black on his wedding?

Was he mourning what should have been like me?

Regardless, his all-black attire - crisp suit, longsleeves, shoe - looked good on him.

I fought the urge to bite my lips.

"Thank you, dear husband."

I don't know what made me say that to him but the words sounded foreign and I wish I could take them back.

"Don't you think he's wasting so much time? I could walk out right now." Alessandro bemoaned, refering to the priest.

My heart sank. "Yo-u shouldn't." I stuttered.

"I'd love to watch the look on your father's face when I do that but I'll be here for you dear wife."

Just shutup, I almost said to him but the Priest's voice filtered into my ears.

"It's now time for the vows."

I placed the ring on the tips of his slender finger and recited my vows. "I Aurora Rossi take you Alessandro De-Luca as my husband. I promise to love you, cherish you and honour you all the days of my life."

Alessandro smirked receiving the ring and reciting the vows I didn't bother to listen to.

It was all a stupid lie.

I felt like screaming and tearing my wedding gown but I all I could was balling my fist and biting my tongue.

I looked through the crowd, hoping mother was sitted next to father.

I squeezed my palm as tears slide down my cheeks.

The rest of the wedding passed in a blur and then during the after party I avoided speaking to father. I'd say I tried with the fakes smiles while I was being introduced to business associates.

I waited for the opportunity to go home while Alessandro chatted with some men around.

-

As we drove on the road to Don's house, I heaved a sigh of relief, leaning on the chair. Alessandro was sitting a few inches from me, looking out the window.

My mind suddenly wandered to what father had said to me the other time. About the italian tradition of showing my proof of virginity.

My breath hitched.

"Long day, hmm?"

I glanced at him briefly, his eyes was still out the window.

"Yeah," I muttered.

"Sorry." He replied and my eyes bulged.

"Do you mean that?"

"Obviously," He replied, "No."

"I thought as much." I said. "So I've actually been thinking, seeing that I am not virgin I was wondering how we could-"

"We'll figure that out," his firm voice was reassuring but before I could thank him out loud, what he said next shocked me.

"I wasn't going to fuck you anyways."

"Why?" I blurted out. Damn I shouldn't have asked.

"Because I don't love you."

"You only sleep with people you love?"

"Yes."

It was hard to believe that someone as sexy as Alessandro didn't sleep with random girls for fun as I thought.

His last statement made me curious. I had a ton of questions to ask him but I wasn't sure how to go about that.

I stared at him, disbelief causing me to stutter. "How?"

There was definitely more to his answer.

"I only fuck women I love. That's all."

"Have you been in love before?"

My phone rang interrupting me.

I should have put this phone silent.

My eyes fell on the call ID, widening at the realisation.

Julian? Why was he calling me on my wedding day?

I was fumbling with the phone, almost silencing the ring tone when Alessandro ordered in a calm tone.

"Pick your call, wife."

I forced a smile. "Yeah," I pulled the phone to my ears.

"Hey." I said into the phone, still trying to smile because Alesandro's green eyes was glued to me intently, watching my every move.

I averted my gaze.

"I'm sorry Aurora." Julian brittle voice came out almost as if he was on the verge of crying. At this point I had already given up on our relationship so his words did nothing to me.

"Aurora, are you here? Say something."

"I'm here."

"I'm sorry, I just thought to let you know about this. Your father paid me off, he wanted me to end the relationship with you, if not he'll kill me…" he cried, cutting his stament short.

I gasped, flinging my hand to my mouth. "He did what?"

"Aurora I swear he did. I couldn't bring himself to break up with you so I ghosted. I'm so sorry…"

I ended the call before he could finish. This was all too much for the night.

I was exhausted.

"Who was that?" Alessandro demanded.

"Just a friend." I breathed.

"Just a friend, hmm?"

The driver pulled to a stop in front of a huge mansion.

"We're home now."

"This isn't our home."

-

As we stepped inside the house, the grandeur of the house struck me. The parlour exuded elegance with soft golden lighting, cream walls and plush sofas.

Before I could finish admiring, Don emerged with a wide smile.

"Alessandro, Aurora, you're welcome."

"Thank you." I smiled looking over to Alesandro whose body was stiff.

"Can I have a word with you?" Don asked. "I'm sure Alesandro is fine with that."

"Sure." Alessandro agreed.

"Great." Don held his walking stick tighter and started walking in an unhurried gait towards the dinning area.

The moment we were together, the smile faded.

"I'm sure your father briefed on what this marriage is about."

"Yes." I forced a smile, my heart racing as his voice became low, taking a dark tone.

He smirked. "I trust Santini. Your father is such a smart man."

Yeah. A smart man who threw his daughter into an arranged marriage, got it.

"Thank you."

"Now listen young girl, we will be working hand in hand while you're married to my nephew. You will do as I say in this marriage without asking me questions." His voice took the tone of a silent threat.

"What do you mean?" My brows furrowed.

As Don's eyes flicked towards the doorway, his tone switched to a softer one. "You know Alesandro is actually a very good boy. Eversince his parents died, he has gone through a lot. So I trust that you'll treat my nephew wih love…" he continued rambling as his voice became higher with grin on his face.

Why was he suddenly going off topic?

"I need to ease myself." I stuttered, turning away but I looked up my eyes locking with Alessandro.

Before I could open my mouth, he spoke.

"This conversation is long overdue, I need my wife, Uncle."