5: Wedding My Bride

Alessia's POV

"What the fuck. Pick up, Rylan."

I cussed under my breath and paced restlessly in my spacious bedroom. 

"How stubborn and mean can you be?" 

This time, I engaged myself in an argument, punching the air like a lunatic. 

"You kill my father, then what? Damn it." 

My eyes caught sight of the bulky wedding dress with precious beads and crystals stoned on it.

Ruby had gotten it herself three days ago when I refused to chop for my wedding. 

I bet father wished for Ruby instead, and dear Lord, I wished she was me. 

"Argh!"

Rooting my hands in my hair, I plucked at a handful and cried. 

'One more time, Alessia.'

My mind played games with me. 

Perhaps Mr. Mafia was testing to know how consistent I was. 

Dialing his line for the umpteenth time, it got busied. 

I tilted my head upward, letting the cool air dry up the tears in my eyes. 

"Oh." 

Hurriedly looking down at my vibrating phone, my hope crashed into a million pieces, seeing it was Ruby. 

What the heck?! 

In a fit of rage, I tossed the phone to a far end, caring less if it got damaged. 

There was no way on earth I was going to wed that crazy and arrogant ass hippo!

If it'd take me going on my knees before Rylan, or fucking him till he got his senses, I would. 

Haphazardly throwing a robe around my body, with the fabric delicately hugging my curves, I walked out of the room, only to be met by two hefty guards. 

"What the fuck." I cussed under my breath, with my hand resting on my chest to prevent my soul from vanishing from terror. 

It's more annoying that they kept a stern gaze, making me appear even more foolish. 

"What the heck are you doing here?" 

"Your father asked us to guard you-"

"Am I in trouble that I'm not aware of?" 

They kept mute, facing forward as before. 

Pushing past one and almost falling off the banister as a result, I marched down the stairs while they followed behind. 

"Father!" 

My voice echoed in the hall, with the thudding steps of the guards coming afterward. 

"Hey, princess." 

He spread his arms wide, with a knowing smile kissing his lips. Today, he had a cup of his usual herbal tea in hand than his cigar. 

"Today's your wedding eve, honey." He beamed.

"What's wrong?"

"Everything, father. You. This. Every damn thing."

"Language, lady." 

He hushed me on the spot. 

"Why am I being followed around like a child?" 

I demanded, ignoring his warning. 

"First, tomorrow is your big day, you need the princess treatment."

"More like a slave, yeah? Thanks, but I'll pass, father."

He shrugged an arm and continued anyway.

"Two, Rylan has been silent after the attack, I would hate for any harm to befall my daughter."

"Your investment, you mean?" I argued bitterly.

"You've messed around and gotten threats a few times, why is this any different?"

"Rylan is a cold and conning man, I can't take chances."

"Of course, with your business plan with the Lopez." I chuckled. 

"Believe anything you must." He took a sip. "Heading out?" 

"Yes. And I can't do that with these minions from hell." 

"Oh, darling, send someone to fetch it for you. It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding." 

Argh! 

"I need to get them myself." I walked towards the door, but a guard locked it up. 

"The keys. Hand it over, now."

My cry was a low growl. 

"He won't do such a thing, princess." My father's tone was so smooth as if he had this planned out all day. 

"I need to leave here."

"Where you should be, is your room. Now hurry along, lady,  don't bother trying so much."

Anger boiled up in my bowels, consuming me up in flames. 

Defeated, I stormed back upstairs to sulk. 

Mr. Mafia wasn't coming for me. I was protected against the only Santa that could save me. 

If only he could just pick up his freaking calls! 

Collapsing on the bed and crying, I drifted off. 

* * 

"Latest bride in town!" Ruby's cry woke me up. She was meant to visit early and help me out.

How long had it been since I passed out last night? I bet I must be so wasted. 

"We need to get you ready." 

Her excitement overshadowed my anger and bitter emotions. 

"I'm not marrying that man, Ruby."

She slapped her palm to her face.

"Are we still on this? I thought you apologized?" 

"Father struck a better bargain, one their greedy ass couldn't ignore."

She held back laughter. 

"You and I know that if it means father tying you up, you must get married to Gabriel."

"Eww." 

I spat out. 

"You know he listens to you, Ruby. Please, get me out of this mess."

She shook her head. "Enough of the drama, Alessia, we both know that your father won't let me say more than a word about it."

I sniffled. 

"Come here, honey," she pulled me in a warm hug and cuddled me gently. 

"You will be fine, okay?"

I exhaled sharply. "I guess."

'Please, Santa, let Mr. Mafia save me. Make him mine.' 

In my head, I groaned a deadly wish. 

"Now, let's get you ready."

Ruby pulled away and set her big bag of clothes and accessories down. 

Not so long after, the make-up artist showed up in the company of another weird lady. 

Forcing my ass into the bathroom, I got rid of the sweat, one I hope would have driven Gabriel away and forced him to abandon the bride. 

"You look drop-dead gorgeous!" 

Ruby kissed her fingers and blew them in the air. 

"I know you can't get me out of this mess, but please, make it less awkward." 

An angry bride, I packed the bulk of my wedding gown and stormed out of the room. 

Walking past my father who was smartly dressed in an expensive black two-piece suit, I walked out of the house, while they struggled to catch up. 

Father had the guards set up the SUV and other expensive cars reason. 

Heaping myself in the back seat of a random car in the fleet, Ruby joined me, panting from the race. 

"Alessia-"

She swallowed the damn words in her throat when I gave her a cold stare. 

On arrival at the old chapel, Gabriel was yet to arrive. 

A freaking red flag! 

Who comes late to their wedding? 

It was either he was trying to punish me for the other day, especially since I refused to apologize, or that he was just being sheer foolish. 

"I love you, Alessia." Ruby batted her lids, overly emotional. "I'll be right there, your bouquet, make sure I get it." 

She stepped aside for my father to take charge. He opened his arm for me to lace mine in his. 

"Don't be silly, woman." He cussed to my hearing alone. 

Reluctantly, I locked our arms and he walked me down the aisle, going in front of the altar to receive the greatest embarrassment; waiting for my groom. 

It took about an hour, or maybe I lost count, for the moron to show up, looking like some frog in suit. 

Eww! 

"I'm sorry, Don." He whispered to my father. "Something came up."

"We will iron that shit out later, for now, get this thing done."

My father's tone was angry and flat. 

Gabriel faked a smile and signaled the priest to resume the ceremony.

"I hate you." I groaned, looking him deadly in the eyes.

"The feeling is mutual, Alesa."

He intentionally altered my name. 

"Do you, Mr. Gabriel Lopez, take Alessia Torres, as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health..."

"Just in health." He whispered to my hearing.

"Yes, I do."

Pressing my lips together, I held back from yelling at the top of my lungs and ramming my fist against his ugly face. 

I bet no one could put up with his attitude, which is why his father was ready to ship him off to any bidder. 

Ignoring the murmuring from the crowd, the priest continued. 

"Do you, Miss Alessia Torres, take Gabriel Lopez, as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

No! No! Never! 

These are the words I desperately want to say, but they will cost me a lifetime of torment...

"Don't mess with me." 

My father's stare was cold and lethal. 

With quivering lips and eyes wet with tears, I opened my mouth to speak and stamp my way to my doom.

"I..."

"Lessi."

A cold and familiar voice reverberated in the old chapel. That voice of steel that could rip any lady off their last shred of dignity. 

Spinning in that direction, I locked eyes with his sexy brown ones; dangerous, but delicate. 

The fine sculpture of a demi-god who made being incapacitated in a wheelchair a sexy luxury. 

"Mr. Mafia."

The words escaped my lips before I could stop myself.