Chapter 4: A Wedding to remember

The Clayton household was bustling with activity. It was the day, after all, Anastasia was to get married to Vincenzo Griffo. In a strange twist of fate, the biggest competitors and the most savage of enemies would be about to be bound by family. The wedding was scheduled to take place on a bright Sunday afternoon, in the cool autumn breeze.

However, Anastasia, the supposed bride, was being whisked away to a distant Clayton villa.

"Anna, don’t ever think of coming back or leaving the villa," Randy ordered. "We can’t risk any further tragedy. Do you understand?" He demanded, speaking in German.

"Yes, I do." Anastasia’s heart clenched as she replied.

Meanwhile, the actual bride of the day, Rain Coxson, or as she was now known, Rain Clayton, was busy studying the last and most intricate details of the plan. This elaborate plan had lots of failsafes in place for any unforeseen circumstances.

“My dear sister, it's your wedding day! I'm sure you must feel ecstatic. Why don't you go and get ready." Randy said to Rain in a condescending tone, patting her hair.

"Make sure to play your role well and you just might get the opportunity to return to your normal life and live out the rest of your sad days in peace, or however you would describe the depraved and pathetic life you led before you ended up with us.” He said, a grin plastered on his face. It was clear that he had been enjoying himself thus far.

Rain, having accepted her fate, knew that crying over the unfairness of the entire situation would serve no purpose. She understood her role as a disposable bride.

Rain could clearly remember Randy barking instructions at her like a drill sergeant.

"If you screw up this tracking system, the Griffos will tear us to pieces. Learn it, live it, until your eyes see GPS coordinates when you close them!"

Rain clenched her jaw, her gaze unwavering. "I won't."

"You better not," Randy replied, his eyes laced with fury. "Your life depends on it."

He had given her a berate of instructions all of which she kept engraved in her mind. It was the only way she would stay alive.

Rain sat silent in the dressing room, the whirring and clicking of the makeup artist’s tools providing some background noise. But in her mind, her worries swarmed.

'What if I mess up? Will Randy be merciful, or will he kill me?'

'What if Vincenzo finds out? Will I have a chance to beg for mercy?'

Either way, she knew was doomed. She held on tight to the wedding white fabric, staring at the mirror and admiring herself. She looked stunning like she had been brought to life right out of a well-edited luxury wedding magazine. She could have never imagined wearing a wedding dress and preparing to get married without her mother present. Not only that but to a man she had never seen. All for a deal with the Claytons.

‘A deal you have no choice in and no way out of.’ She reminded herself as she began to despair once again.

"Your eyes." The makeup artist gestured to her to close her eyes.

Her natural beauty resonated with the light makeup and matte gloss on her lips, and when Randy came in to give her some farewell threats, he was slightly taken aback by her transformation. He had only been seeing her either in pain, crying, or shivering in fear.

"It's time, sister." Randy declared loudly, startling Rain.

Rain, who was surprised by Randy coming in, jerked a little at his booming voice then tensed up when she noticed he was staring at her. He was spellbound by her appearance. Any other person would have noticed that, but in Rain's eyes, no way. She had developed a primal fear of Randy and no matter what she did, her adoptive brother was the devil in her story.

"You better not mess this up.” He said to her, leading her to the car.

Finally, his late father’s revenge plan would commence.

The wedding ceremony was going to take place in John F. Collins Park. It was a venue recently acquired by a joint effort of both families. Both families had sent their best guards to make sure anything the other side tried pulling wouldn’t end well for them.

The Claytons had seen their disadvantage in machinery and with Vincenzo's threats, they decided to liquidate some of their overseas assets to purchase the highest military-grade weapons, automatic rifles, laser-guided systems, and even more, as much as the money could buy.

In a corner of a room, a group of government agents huddled together in discreet conversation, all dressed in their finest formal wear.

"I would hardly call this a wedding, it's more like a ticking time bomb. Pretty much everyone with a recognized status in the Philly underworld is here. It's a business alliance, nothing more." One gentleman whispered to his companion.

"You’re right. It's not just the clans. Do you notice all the armed men lurking around?" he asked, his tone hushed. "I bet they are waiting for things to go sideways so they can swoop in with weapons blazing."

“We’ve got a front-row seat to a powder keg.” one agent muttered, a tense smile gracing his face. “Let’s just hope we can contain the fallout.”

Another shook her head in exasperation, eyes darting across the room. “You would think attending a wedding could be enjoyable. But of course, we are only here as legitimate witnesses to babysit under the alias of doing damage control.”

“That's what you're worried about?” The gentleman spoke up again, giving the woman a sideways look. “I don't care what anyone expects. I'm here to enjoy and I sure hope there'll be some popcorn when all hell breaks loose.”

On the surface and to people who were oblivious to the truth, it would seem that two wealthy families were simply tying the knot. But in reality, it was two armies faking a truce with their swords at the ready at the first sight of weakness.

The priest, unaware of the real nature of the two parties, was about to unite in holy matrimony. Vincenzo, a dashing young man clad in an equally exquisite tuxedo, waited patiently at the altar.

His suspicion that the Claytons were up to something still lingered fresh in his mind, but at this point, he let it take a backseat. Because, finally he could be united with his lover. While waiting for his bride, thoughts of his last encounter with Anna flashed through his mind.

"I can't keep hiding this,” Anastasia murmured, her hand caressing his jaw. Their limbs entwined on the soft mattress stared at each other with a mix of love and fear.

"Your family doesn't know us like I do,” he replied, brushing a lock of hair away from her eyes. "I'll figure out who was behind your father's death, I promise. I'll-"

"We can't keep seeing each other." She interrupted him and then adjusted her naked body away from him.

"Ann..." Vincenzo trailed off.

With no words, Anna got up and walked to the bathroom.

Anastasia Clayton and Vincenzo Griffo had been in a secret relationship for years. Their families were oblivious to this fact, so when Harold Clayton proposed the arranged marriages, Vincenzo was more than willing to accept. With Anna by his side, he would be able to prove that he was innocent of all accusations.

With the announcement of the priest, he impatiently waited, as Randy brought forth his bride, walking her down the aisle, to come to meet him. Randy shot him a death glare.

Rain stood in front of Vincenzo. The couples exchanged vows and the time to unveil the bride came.

"You may kiss the bride," the priest announced.

Vincenzo lifted off the veil, his smile grew wider, but it wasn't a joyful one. It was a calculated, knowing smile. It was just as he expected. Randy, being freaking Randy, had struck again, always with the most ridiculous twist.

The woman standing before him was nothing like Anastasia. She was the same height but with dark red hair. He had never seen her before in his life but he didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her with gentle pressure. His hands wrapped around her waist with a tight grip. The crowd cheered and clapped as the two families were finally united.

Rain's eyes widened in disbelief as she tried to process what was happening. She thought to herself, her mind racing with questions.

'Did he think she was her half-sister?'

'Had he ever seen the real bride?'

Vincenzo's grip on Rain's hands was firm, yet gentle, as he led her out of the altar. Despite his inner turmoil, he maintained an outward composure, refusing to display any hint of anger towards the brother who had changed the plans of the ceremony. A waft of tension rippled through the air, as Vincenzo was fully aware of the fragility of his position in the family hierarchy.

Amidst the turmoil, Rain's heart hammered, and her breath hitched, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. Yet, as her eyes locked with Vincenzo's, she was struck by a glint of something more than anger that sent a shiver down her spine. Despite his smile, his eyes told a different story.

Despite his smile, his eyes told a different story. There was hell to pay, and someone would be held responsible.