A Loveless Marriage

Isabella’s point of view

Today was supposed to be my sister’s day, but things just turned around all of a sudden, I sighed as I imagined the echoes of her laughter, she not being here made me feel empty and me taking her place made feel ashamed. I was a second option.

I snickered at my current situation, a situation I don’t have control of, I was being dressed in the most beautiful gown in the world, a gown every bride would be proud of, just that I am no bride and the gown was never intended for me.

I just stared ahead as madame Rosita dressed me, I didn’t feel anything, the lace of the wedding gown was just a constant reminder that I was a replacement, that I will be bound by marriage to a man I don’t even love, a man I knew nothing about.

“Miss Isabella, you look so beautiful. You look like an angel, bless your soul.” she whispered, her eyes teary. I wish I could believe her, but all I saw in the mirror was someone that looks like me, a stranger with unhappy eyes and a very pale lips, wearing what belongs to her sister.

“Without makeup and the pearls, you look just like your mother.”

That did it, the tears that were threatening to fall began to roll down my cheeks, I couldn’t restrain myself anymore. I sniffed, trying my best to cry.

“Wipe your tears my child, you have to be strong.”

Madame Rosita has always been the mother figure for I and my siblings since the demise of my mother. And if anyone will understand me, she’s the best person that can, she knows more about me than my father, she knows my past and my present.

My father seems to be avoiding me, I’ve not seen him since the last time he told me I was going to take my sister’s position, I know we’ve agreed the wedding will go on and there won’t be any delay, but I just couldn’t help but hope Jessica would show up and take her spot back.

How will I live with someone I don’t love, is it even possible to even come to love him. The name alone sends a chill down my spine anytime I think about it, I have only seen him just once and that was from afar, I didn’t really get a chance to see his face or know what he looks, but one thing I know is that he’s tall and has a dark hair, with the little I’ve heard about him, De’ Luca was that type of man who never begs, he just makes his demands and he gets what he wants.

A loud knock on the door startled me, madame Rosita hurried to the door to answer it.

“Miss Isabella, Mr De’ Luca’s assistant is here,” she said, looking a bit worried.

My throat went dry immediately, my hands began to tremble.

“Let him in, it’s probably something important.” I replied, hoping it has something to do with postponing the wedding or probably canceling it.

I shut my eyes tightly as I heard the door open.

“Miss Ford,” he said, clearing his throat, I opened my eyes to see a man in a black suit standing before me, he has the most unreadable expression I’ve ever seen.

“Mr De’ Luca requests to see you before the ceremony, is that fine with you?”

I felt the disappointment at the pit of my stomach, “Before?” I asked, making sure I heard right.

“Yes ma’am, he insists.”

“That is ridiculous, a bride seeing her groom before the actual ceremony is bad luck,” Madame Rosita warned, holding me by the elbow.

“It’s fine,” I tried to reassure her,“Marrying him is already a bad luck on its own.”

“He’s waiting outside, I’ll let him know he can come in.” My eyes widened at the realization that he might probably be eavesdropping, I mentally face palmed, I thought I was being taken to see him.

I felt my heart thudding against my chest as I watched the assistant step out, Madame Rosita also stepped out to give us some privacy. So he was actually waiting outside.

I looked away from the door as he stepped into the room, I didn’t dare look at his face.

“So…” he drawled out with a calm voice.

“You are the replacement.”

That word replacement hurts so much, I sank my teeth into my lips, swallowing hard and trying to keep calm. I forced myself to meet his gaze.

“My name is Isabella.” I said, looking into those cold eyes of his.

One thing I must commend is that he actually has good looks, brown eyes and a well sculptured chin, his broad shoulders complements his look, on a scale of one to ten, I will give him a nine, he’s a hot piece of cake and with his charisma, it was obvious he is well aware of his good looks.

I noticed the smirk on his face, he seems to be enjoying whatever he is doing, trampling on me.

“Actually, names do not matter in a business deal.” He replied, his words stung more than I expected, I wanted to say something, something demeaning, but I just didn’t have the right words to say, you know that crazy feeling that comes with loss of words, when you desperately need the right comeback, but nothing comes and you begin to feel stupid.

“I understand this is just another transaction for you, you give my father what he wants and you take me.” I whispered.

He began to step closer, “You really have no idea, what this is.” He said without emotion, his expression was cold and unreadable.

“You’ll come to learn.”

I sighed, hugging myself.

“I never wanted this,” I replied, trying my best to keep calm, I really do not want to break down in front of him.

He just watched me, maybe he was trying to read my facial expression or something.

“No, you didn’t want this, but you chose not to run like your sister,”

“The ceremony starts in an hour, finish up.”