Chapter 47: Boy was I wrong.

>>>>>>>>>WEDDING DAY.

I refuse to let anyone walk me down the aisle.

There is no need for all that, It is not like this wedding is real anyway.

So why pretend? Why dress it up with all the traditions and ceremonies that are supposed to make this moment meaningful when both Lysander and I know exactly what this is?

A transaction, a solution to a problem my family created.

So, no.

I am not walking down the aisle with someone holding my arm like I am some blushing bride being handed over to her husband.

I can walk myself, I can handle that much. Besides, the sooner this is done, the better.

I stand at the entrance of the hall, staring ahead at the long aisle separating me from the man waiting at the other end.

The entire place looks exactly like a wedding venue. White flowers, candles, rows of chairs filled with very little people from both families.

Guards stationed discreetly around the room.

Important members of the Luciano and Sanchez families sitting stiffly beside each other, pretending this union is something worth celebrating.

The irony is almost funny.

Almost.

I take a slow breath.

I am glad Uncle Lorenzo and all the important family members are here, It means everyone’s attention is on me and on the wedding.

Which means no one should be paying enough attention to notice that Olivia isn’t here.

At least, that is what I am counting on.

By now, she and Nathaniel should be on their way to the cabin I prepared for them. A cabin in another country, miles and miles away from here.

Far enough that even if Uncle eventually realizes what happened, finding them will not be easy. I have already made sure there is enough money waiting for them to survive comfortably for the first few months.

They have everything they need.

A place to stay, money, food, new identities and a way out.

I just need this wedding to hold everyone’s attention long enough for them to disappear.

My only worry is Uncle.

I hope he does not find it strange that Olivia is not here. I hope the explanation we prepared is enough, i hope he does not start asking questions before they are safely gone.

I force myself to stop thinking about it. They have to make it, they will.

I have to believe that.

I take my first step, the sound of my heels against the floor echoes through the hall.

Every pair of eyes seems to follow me.

I keep my chin high, I refuse to look nervous, I refuse to look scared.

And most importantly, I refuse to look like a woman walking toward her wedding, because that is not what this is.

I am walking toward a deal, a deal wearing a black tuxedo.

And speaking of him...Lysander looks fine as hell.

There is no other way to put it.

The black tuxedo he is rocking fits him almost unfairly well. His dark hair is neatly styled, his shoulders broad beneath the tailored jacket, and that irritatingly calm expression sits perfectly on his face.

Of course he has to look good today.

Because apparently the universe enjoys making my life difficult.

His eyes meet mine as I approach, there is something unreadable in them.

I don’t bother trying to figure it out.

When I reach him, he gently grabs my hand.

His fingers close around mine, firm but careful, and he leads me up the remaining steps.

I don’t resist, there is no point.

Once we are standing together, the priest begins.

He talks about marriage, commitment, love, two souls becoming one.

I almost laugh...If only he knew.

I stare ahead, doing my best to look like I am listening. But after a while, his voice becomes nothing more than background noise.

My attention drifts.

Mostly because...

Fuck.

These heels are killing me.

Why did I have to choose these?

Of all days.

The earlier me wanted to make a statement.

As if the black wedding dress wasn’t statement enough, I thought these killer inch heels would be great too. Now I am suffering because of my own stupidity.

Every second I stand here feels like punishment.

I shift my weight slightly.

Bad idea.

Pain shoots through my feet and I immediately straighten again.

I really need to sit.

How long can this priest possibly talk? Let’s just exchange the rings and get going.

Seriously.

I glance sideways at Lysander, he looks perfectly comfortable.

Of course he does.

I look forward again.

The priest keeps talking.

Something about forever, something about vows, about standing beside one another through sickness and health.

I almost snort.

Forever? Yeah, right.

I will be lucky if I survive being his wife for a few months without strangling him.

My mind drifts again.

To Olivia.....I hope she’s getting there safely. I need to stop worrying. Nathaniel is, well was our best enforcer I’m sure he will protect her.

If becoming Lysander’s wife is the price, then so be it.

I can handle him, I have handled worse.

At least, that is what I tell myself.

The priest’s voice fades even further into the background.

My feet hurt, my back hurts, my face hurts from keeping this neutral expression and I am beginning to wonder if I can fake being interested for another second.

Then suddenly, I feel a hand wrap around my waist.

My entire body stiffens but before I can process what is happening, Lysander pulls me closer.

My eyes snap toward him.

What the hell? I jerk back slightly, dragged out of my thoughts and straight into reality.

His body is suddenly much closer than it was a second ago, close enough that I can feel his warmth, close enough that I catch his familiar scent.

I barely have time to process it before I hear the priest’s voice.

"...kiss the bride."

Oh.

Guess we are at that part of the wedding.

My stomach drops as I turn toward Lysander.

For a second, neither of us says anything, his eyes are fixed on me.

I swallow.

Well...This is awkward.

He pecked Olivia on the lips at their wedding.

So, naturally, I assume he is going to do the same thing to me but this time maybe peck my cheek.

Easy, quick and harmless so I turn my face slightly and offer him my cheek.

There.

Problem solved.

He can peck my cheek and we smile for the audience. Then this whole ridiculous ceremony can finally end.

Boy was I wrong.