5

"Marriage is the most beautiful day of a life. Or not. "

POV Serena Alvarez

August 2, 2016, 8 a.m., Costello House, Trapani, Sicily, Italy.

I slowly opened my eyes, someone's voice had just brought me out of my sleep. Mia.

- Come on Serena, let's get up! Today is the big day, the hairdresser and the make-up artist may not be long!

Oh my god, I feel like I'm being woken up by Rosa.

- I leave you 30 minutes to wash, we have no time to lose! She said leaving.

I was blowing loudly. Me and my eternal morning good humor irony when you hold us. I got up in the direction of the bathroom with a slow pat. I undressed and went under the shower stall. I turned on the hot water and stood under the jet for a few minutes thinking.

Yesterday I had a great day for my birthday. With Mia we were going to the spa. Which made me crazy. Massage, Manicure, Waxing, Facials. We came out all spruce up. But I quickly came back to reality.

About Aiden, well, I got a phone call. To be honest, he didn't really let me talk.

"Happy birthday Serena, I don't think I need to remind you what will happen tomorrow, don't do anything you might regret, I won't hesitate to damage that pretty face"

He immediately hung up following his, without even giving me time to answer. And after all, what could I have said to him in return?

I came out of my thoughts to finish my shower.

I left the cabin and took a towel on the way that I wrapped around my body. I then headed for one of my suitcases to take out my underwear, a T-shirt and jogging I like to feel comfortable while they are doing my makeup and doing my hair.

Once dressed, someone knocked on the door.

- Between !

- Hello my dear. Said Martina entering. She walked towards me. Ready for the big day?

Not at all, but we deal with it. It's not like that's what I wanted.

- As you can see, I'm just waiting for someone to come and take care of me. I lied.

- It's great, the hairdresser has just arrived, I'm going to tell her she can come upstairs.

She left the room. I have a lump in my stomach I think I did not quite realize what was going to happen.

Today I was going to marry a man I don't know. Who on top of that is a mob boss. I don't know anything about this man, apart from a few character traits that I observed in him, in my eyes he was an unknown. Even if it must be admitted it is very sexy. Well, a super sexy stranger.

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Aiden Costello POV:

August 2, 2016, 12:30 p.m., House of Aiden Costello, Trapani, Sicily, Italy.

I put on my suit jacket, and here I am ready.

Today is the big day, I was going to marry Serena. Which means that today I would take control of his father's mafia. I have waited a long time for this day, I have long coveted it. Having the Cuban mafia under my control would save me a lot of money.

Getting married today was neither hot nor cold. I never intended to get married. Love, women did not interest me more than her. Except for sex or work I had no other relationship with women. I was brought up like that. I only live for the money. I always want more. I must honor my ancestors, who have always worked for Cosa Nostra.

Unfortunately for Serena she was just a pawn in this story and marriage an obstacle.

I did not prevent myself from playing a certain role of seduction. She had to love me. I had to destroy it. I would destroy her so that she would forge a more solid personality. In the environment where she was led to live, she had to be strong.

She had to discover the darkness of this world. She couldn't live by my side with this naivety. All her life she has been away from the truth, but now everything will change.

It will be a long road to get what I want from her, but I have time.

POV Serena Alvarez

August 2, 2016, Costello House, Trapani, Sicily, Italy.

I was now combed, made up, dressed (Media). I was in front of the mirror. I watched my reflection. I thought I was beautiful. Usually I didn't think I was particularly beautiful, but today was different. I had been taken care of.

The situation was still depressing to me. Many girls would have liked to be in my place, I'm sure. This marry a beautiful man and rich in addition to his. But that's not what I wanted. I just wanted to get my life back, I didn't ask for anything more. I was not happy, I was living in the wrong. And seeing myself in that wedding dress gave me an electric shock.

- You're beautiful Serena! She says.

I gasped in surprise, I hadn't heard her enter. I turned to Mia and smiled at her.

- Thank you, I explained it quickly, you're not bad either.

- Not as much as you, I wouldn't steal the show from you, she said winking at me.

I smile at him. Mia was beautiful she wore a long pale pink dress that suited her perfectly.

- Are we leaving soon?

- Yes, I just came to warn you that you had to go.

- Well, I'll follow you then.

We leave the room. As I descended the stairs I was careful not to fall. Already I was born with two left feet so add to that the fact that I'm in heels, it's a disaster.

I was careful to go down the stairs, taking my time. Although I could see on Mia's face that she was growing impatient.

I finally arrived at the bottom without the slightest fall.

- It took you a long time!

- I would much rather make you wait than beat me up on the stairs, I told him, smiling at him with all my teeth.

She grabbed my arm, and pulled me out. I almost fell a dozen times. Take revenge on me Mia, I won't tell you anything.

We left the house. There was a white limo parked outside the entrance. It was decorated for the occasion with pretty pink flowers with ribbons hanging from the doors. Mia opened the door and walked inside. I followed her and came back in my turn. Martina was already inside.

- Honey, I'm not the words. You are splendid !

- Thank you Martina. I replied smiling.

She was dressed in an off-white dress, reaching her knees. It suited him very well. This woman had class.

- Today you are finally going to meet my husband, don't trust his tough looks. He's like that with people he doesn't know. But he'll get used to it quickly, she said smiling.

Good ba as it is clear.

We were heading to the wedding venue. From what I had understood it will take place in a hotel finally the ceremony will take place in the garden of the hotel and the reception inside. Mia had told me it was a magnificent palace very famous in Sicily.

~~~ One Hour Ellipse ~~~

We were in a different hotel room than the one I was supposed to spend the night in, because of course I had to stay here tonight with him.

We were working out the final details. It was almost time to go. I had a lump in my stomach. I was going to be surrounded by a hundred people that I don't know. Mia had told me that most of the guests were family but also influential people in the mafia world. I didn't know if these people were aware of the arrangement but I would be happy not to talk much in order to avoid blunders.

Martina handed me my bouquet. It was a very pretty peony bouquet.

- Come on my beautiful, it's time.

I looked down. Frankly, I wasn't ready. I couldn't move. I did not want. I knew that after this marriage the little freedom I had left would be gone.

Martina touched my shoulder friendly.

- Look Serena I'm going to tell you something, you know what's happening to you today is a few things that happen very commonly in the mafia. Many arrangements have already been made in this way. Other women have been through what you have been through. It will go with time I assure you.

- How can you be so sure?

- Simply because I myself have experienced what you are experiencing today. For different reasons but I have also been there.

I looked at her without answering. I was shocked at his revelation. I wasn't expecting that, really not. I didn't think I was the only one going through this, but neither did Martina experience it.

- I'm going to go to my place before it's too late. Be strong Serena She smiled at me and left the room.

I turned to the mirror and replaced my veil in front of my face. And at the same time Mia entered the room.

- Come on, let's get moving, it's time! She said taking my arm.

We both walked towards the exit of the room. We were going down the stairs. We arrived in the hotel lobby. She directed me to the back of the hotel where the garden was. When we crossed the door we arrived in a magnificent garden decorated for the occasion. The music started.

I had more and more the ball with the belly. I even almost thought my stomach was going to explode.

We walked along the red carpet. All eyes were on us. Only unknown faces. I live far away Aiden. He was standing there a few yards from me. He wore a black suit, with a white shirt and a tie the color of his suit. He was really handsome. He had his hair slicked back. I melt.

When I arrived in front of him Mia let go of my arm and left to take a seat behind me where the witnesses were located. I found myself in front of him. He looked at me. I could not determine the nature of his gaze. He was pretty neutral, just staring into my eyes. Which made me quite uncomfortable. And it didn't help my current state of mind at all. The priest was between us ready to begin the ceremony.

- Hello everyone. If we are gathered in these places today it is to unite Mr. Aiden Luciano Costello here present and Miss Serena Alba Alvarez. If any of you can give a valid reason that opposes these two people being united by the sacred bonds of marriage, that he declares it where it remains silent forever.

There was a silence. I secretly hope that someone comes to save me by opposing the marriage, you dream my poor.

- GOOD. If no one objects, we can continue with the ceremony. He turned to Aiden. Mr. Aiden Luciano Costello, do you want to take this woman as your lawful wife?

- He looked at me more intensely Yes I do.

- He turned to me Miss Serena Alba Alvarez, are you concentrating on taking this man as your lawful husband?

The words did not come out. I wanted to take my legs to my shot and go away from here. Very far. And never see them again. But I was not stupid enough to take such a risk in this place surrounded by members of the mafia.

I saw Aiden looking at me with killer eyes. I realized that if I didn't answer the priest within seconds, I was risking my life.

- Yes I do.

Did I really have a choice?

- I, Aiden Luciano Costello, declare to take you, Serena Alba Alvarez, as my lawful wife, from this day forward, for better and for worse, in wealth and in poverty, in health and in illness, for t love and cherish you until death do us part.

I really had to repeat that? None of his words made me want to repeat it to him. But did I really have a choice again?

- I, Serena Alba Alvarez, declare to take you, Aiden Luciano Costello, as my lawful husband, from this day forward, for better and for worse, in wealth and in poverty, in health and in illness, for you. love and cherish you until death do us part.

A little girl came in front of us, holding in her hands a sort of cushion on which our wedding rings were placed. They were both gold. What differentiated mine from his was that mine was adorned with small white stones. As for Aiden's, it had nothing on it. He took my wedding ring between his fingers and then took my hand and put it on my left ring finger. His touch gave me some shivers. My god this man attracted me. I reproduce the same actions for him.

- By the powers bestowed on me. I declare you husband and wife before God. You may kiss the bride.

Oh my God. Aiden looked at me intently and approached me. He gently lifted my veil. And came even closer to me. His head was inches from me. His head moved closer still. His lips were only millimeters from mine. He put his lips on mine. Applause was heard, as well as cries of joy. He put his hands on my hips. I placed mine around his neck.

A few seconds later we had ended the kiss. It was a simple kiss. But who had given me so much emotion.

He put his lips to my ears.

-Not bad for a simple kiss, right? he whispered to me.

He liked to make me uncomfortable and destabilize me. Of course it worked every time and it seemed to amuse him.