Mother

"I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU, HUSBAND AND WIFE."

The whole cathedral was filled with claps from different people. Some are even whistling, while others are in poker face.

On the first row, Chiara's parents are seen with fake smile while doing claps that don't even make a sound.

With the priest signal, Ezio lift up the veil that's covering the face of his beloved.

"Finally," Ezio thought to himself. He felt successful, even though his ways to get Chiara is unethical. But as a man who believes that the end justifies the means, he doesn't care.

What's important is that they're already married.

When the veil was removed, Ezio cupped Chiara's face and leaned forward to give a kids on her lips — a kiss that he has been waiting for a long time.

However, just a millisecond before his lips landed on hers, Chiara moved her head to the side, making him kissed her cheeks instead. And it didn't escaped the priest's eyes.

"You may own me on papers, but I'm not yours," Chiara firmly said in a way that only the two of them can hear.

Ezio tried to hide his disappointment. In his mind, he will be able to do romantic things he wanted to her once they get married, but what's happening is the otherwise.

But Ezio is not the type of man who will surrender. He has a lifetime to love her and make her reciprocate that love.

He won't stop until he got her heart.

***

The newlyweds greeted everyone inside their reception. And every visitor that will glance on their direction cannot help but to notice the distance between the husband and wife.

"Just look at them. I pity that woman," one of the visitors released a heavy sigh. "That man must have forced her to marry him."

A woman opened her fan and gently swish it to herself. "I heard that the bride's parents have debt on Signor Ezio."

"Really? Poor thing. She must have sacrificed her future for her parents.

"Indeed," a man holding a red wine entered the women's conversation. "I can't imagine what kind of hell their marriage will be."

"She better hold on tight and ready herself. Living with a ruthless and manipulative man like Signor Ezio is one kind of torture, after all."

The murmurs of the guests didn't escaped Chiara's ears. Because of those words, she is now starting to regret her decision.

She doesn't even know what kind of mam he is. She have only known him for a few weeks, and her impression on him isn't good at all.

Chiara couldn't help but to look stealthily at her groom, wondering if he could hear what the guests are whispering. They are just a few centimeters away from each other, yet it looks like Ezio couldn't hear what she can hear.

As if Ezio can read her mind, he spoke. "Their words are useless. Don't listen to them."

Chiara couldn't help but to click her tongue. "The more I listen to them, the more I regret agreeing into this marriage. I should have married my boyfriend."

"Ex-boyfriend, cara. He's now an ex," he said firmly.

From her peripheral vision, she saw him moved closer. She can feel the heat that his body is radiating.

"Any more word about that man and you wouldn't like what I will do to him," Ezio threatened her.

Chiara's breathing became harsh. Her grip on the skirt of her dress tightened. "He has nothing to do with this. Leave him alone."

"He has something to do on why you're acting like this. Forget about him."

She shook her head slightly. "You can't control me," she looked up to meet his mismatched eyes. "I won't let you control me."

If Chiara only knew, Ezio has no plan to control her in the first place. But looking at their situation where Chiara still thinks of another man, he couldn't help but to do it.

"Let's see about that," he responded. "Remember that you are the payment for your parents' debts. One mistake and your family will fall."

Chiara gave a plastic smile. "So you're really good at this, huh?" she let out an insulting chuckle.

"People are right when they told me that you love using people's weakness to make them do your bidding."

Ezio didn't even blink before he answered. "I do love it when people do what I want, not when I manipulate them."

"Sounds the same to me," she break off their eye contact and looked around the reception area. "When are you going to let me go?"

"We just got married, yet you're already thinking of separation?" he asked while the waiter poured wine on his glass.

"I just can't wait to be free from you."

Ezio drank from his glass before speaking. "I have no plans of letting you go."

He looked at Chiara who is now hiding her radiating anger. "I will never file for a divorce, whatever tricks you may do. You will stay as my wife for as long as I'm alive."

"Then I should kill you, then. I should've read something on getting away from murder to be ready," Chiara responded.

"Be my guest," he opened his arms wide and grinned at her. "I'd like to see you try."

Chiara was about to speak to the whispers of the crowd became louder. Every person in the area started to look at one direction — the entrance.

She couldn't help but to take a peek on something that seem controversial for the visitors — something that is more controversial than their wedding.

When the ocean of people gave way, Chiara saw an woman — maybe in her 50's — walking full of elegance in the red carpet. She's wearing a red infinity dress, which is way out of the theme. The woman walked like she owned the whole place.

Chiara was so stunned that she didn't even noticed that the woman stopped in front of her.

"You must be the unlucky bride," the woman said while looking st her from head to toe.

Before the bride could answer, Ezio's voice was heard. "What are you doing here?"

The hatred in Ezio's voice didn't escaped his wife's ears. Chiara looked at his direction and there she can see how his jaw and fists clenched.

"Could I not attend the wedding of my own son?" the woman answered.

Chiara gasped for a little bit, but started to get confused afterwards. If she understood it correctly, this woman must be Ezio's mom. But why does it look like they have grudges on each other?

"The door is open. You may leave now," Ezio spoke and grabbed Chiara's wrist to pull her away from his mother.

"Your wedding looks plain and boring," the woman started insulting the event while walking around the place.

She touched one of the decorations. "Really? White and blue? Such dull colors. No wonder why everyone here, including your wife, is not enjoying the event."

Ezio's ears rang when he heard that. The fact that his mother insulted the color theme of their wedding made his blood boil.

It was Chiara who chose that, after all. From the theme, decorations, and even the foods, it was Chiara who gave the suggestion.

Insulting the wedding is like insulting Chiara herself.

Ezio was ready to defend his wife, but Chiara interrupted his supposed words.

"If you can't say something nice, maybe it will be better for you to leave," Chiara said while looking blankly at the woman.

Elisa, Ezio's mother, raised her eyebrows at the bride. "You really have guts to talk to me life that? You must've forget that you are only his wife."

"Yes, I am," Chiara answered. "But you are only his mother. You don't have the right to barge in our wedding and ruin it."

"Besides, I don't remember having your name on the guests list," she added and made her voice louder. "Guards! Take this woman out!"

Ezio, who watched such scene for the first time, is in cloud nine. Even though Chiara was only defending herself and her choices, Ezio can't stop himself from thinking that she was doing it for him.

"Hah!" Elisa spat out. "So, you're favoring this man?" she pointed out to Ezio.

"I'm telling you that this man is a bad luck. Every person close to him suffered because of him! Because they can't tolerate him!"

She laughed maniacally while looking at her son. "You are just a trying-hard person. Your business is useless. There are already a lot of mall chains in Italy yet you chose that business. You're like an idiot trying to fit in with the educated."

The guards started going to their direction, but Elisa wouldn't waiver.

"I'm telling you that you're life will be a living hell with him! He's a pain in ass! That man is a monster!"

But Elisa's words fell on deaf ears. When the guards reached her, she stopped talking.

"I know the way out. No need to escort me," she said before looking at Chiara for the last time that day.

"Marrying him is the biggest mistake of your life. You'll realized it soon."