Chapter 9 - Preparation.

V E L I N A

I stand completely still as the hot water runs from the top of my head down to the rest of my naked body, my hands braced against the wall as I keep my eyes closed, trying to slow my breathing and quiet my thoughts, though neither seems willing to cooperate. My mind keeps replaying everything that happened downstairs, the handshake, my father's voice agreeing to the deal, Luciano watching me, my mother's slap, and every time I try to push it aside, another memory replaces it, leaving me feeling drained before this marriage even begins.

Eventually, I reach forward and turn the water off, the room growing silent as lone droplets of water fall from my body to the shower floor below. I remain standing there, letting the last drops slide down my skin while I try to gather myself before stepping out.

I dry myself slowly, my movements stiff and distracted, and once I am dressed in the robe left out for me, I step back into my bedroom.

And the moment I walk in, I freeze...

There are already people inside.

Three stylists stand near the vanity table, while two medical professionals stand beside them, their equipment placed neatly across the surface. I recognise all of them immediately. They are the same women who usually tend to Kyla whenever she has an event, or whenever she simply wants to be pampered. They rarely ever enter my room, and seeing them here now only makes everything feel more real...

As for the medics, they're the same women from before, and they almost look relieved to see me, immediately becoming alert as soon as I step into the room.

One of them steps forward, offering me a polite smile as she eyes me.

"Ms Merrano. We're here to make sure you're in good condition before the ceremony," she says gently, her voice calm and professional.

I nod slowly, still unsure what to say, my body tense as they begin guiding me toward the chair.

They begin their examination without wasting time, their movements careful as they check the visible bruises on my arms, my cheek, and my ribs, their fingers gentle as they inspect the injuries left behind from earlier. One of them places an oxygen mask over my face briefly, asking me to breathe slowly while she monitors my breathing, and I comply quietly, my mind still racing.

They ask me a few questions about how I feel, whether I am dizzy, whether I feel nauseous, whether I remember everything clearly, and I answer them as honestly as I can, my voice quiet as I speak.

After a few minutes, they begin checking my pupils, then draw a small sample of blood, explaining that they need to confirm whether the drug Kyla used is still affecting me, and the mention of the drug makes my stomach tighten.

"What was it...?" I ask quietly, unable to stop myself.

They exchange a glance before one of them answers.

"A mild sedative mixed with a respiratory suppressant," she explains calmly. "It was designed to make you weak and disoriented, while also affecting your breathing..." She continues, and I swallow slowly, my mind processing her words as I remember how difficult it was to breathe earlier, how my body refused to cooperate. I thought it was just because of the smoke, but it seems Kyla took it a step further... all to make me suffer...

"It should be wearing off by now," she adds reassuringly. "But you may still feel weak for a while..." She says finally, and I nod quietly, not trusting myself to speak.

After finishing their examination, they apply ointment to my bruises immediately, creating a cooling effect and immediately easing the pain, a quiet, relaxed breath leaving my lips as I shut my eyes briefly. Their movements are gentle and careful, and once they are satisfied, they gather their equipment and prepare to leave.

"You're alright to proceed," one of them says softly before they give me one last look.

"Thank you..." I let out quietly, giving them a grateful expression. They really have no idea how much they've helped, and I already feel so much better than I did before. They both give me a small smile before nodding once and proceeding to the door to exit the room.

The door closes behind them, leaving only the stylists behind, and they are much different from the medics.

They waste no time and gesture toward the chair in front of the vanity. I get up and make my way over to it, where I would sit down quietly, my hands resting in my lap as they begin working.

They start with my hair, brushing through it carefully before styling it into soft, bouncy curls that fall down my back, the strands framing my face in a way that feels unfamiliar to me. Another stylist begins working on my makeup, her hands gentle as she applies light, sultry tones across my eyes, blending them carefully before finishing with a bold red lipstick that instantly changes my appearance.

I watch my reflection slowly transform, my breathing slowing as I stare at the mirror, hardly recognising myself as they continue working.

They then bring out the dress...

Despite the circumstances, I can't help but admit how beautiful it is, to the point where I don't even feel worthy of putting it on. It is a long, white satin dress, elegant and fitted to accentuate my figure with a slight dip into the cleavage, the fabric smooth against my skin as they help me step into it carefully.

It is the closest thing to a wedding dress they could find on short notice, yet it still looks magnificent...

I stare at myself in the mirror once they finish adjusting it, my chest tightening slightly as I take in my reflection. I don't think I have ever looked this pretty...

I am completely taken aback, and though I can appreciate my appearance, it does little to ease the situation. Once they are done, they step back, satisfied with their work, and just as they begin packing up, the door opens, and my mother walks in.

Her gaze lands on me instantly, and for a brief moment, she simply stares, her expression focused and cold as she takes in my appearance.

She gives me one last look before she exhales lightly. "Come..." is all she says before turning around and walking out of the room, not bothering to look back at me as if she is completely certain that I will follow.

I hesitate for a moment, glancing one more time into the mirror as if staring at my reflection would give me the courage to go through with this, right before deciding to follow after her, my heart beginning to race again as I step out of the room and the hallway.

I catch up to her as she leads me silently through the house, her pace brisk as I follow behind her, my hands clasped together in front of me as we walk.

We eventually reach the conference room, and my steps immediately slow down as we approach the door, my chest tightening as I realise everyone is already inside...

That's when she pushes the door open and steps inside, just as I follow her.

My brothers, sister, and father are already seated, along with Luciano and his men, and the moment I step inside, the room falls completely silent. Everyone stares at me with shock, more so my siblings, especially my sister. She stares at me with raised eyebrows before a deep frown settles on her face, almost as if she is jealous, and suspicion is cemented when I watch her cross her arms and immediately look away from me...

But out of all the people in the room that have their eyes on me... only one person grabs my attention...

Luciano...

His gaze lands on me immediately, and his expression changes. His eyes move slowly across my face, then down to my dress, and back again, his gaze lingering as he watches me. That's when I slowly and cautioisly approaching him, gulping quietly as I finally reach him, looking up at him as I search for his reaction, curious to know what he has to say about my appearance...

That's when I notice a small smile appear on his face as he steps closer to me.

"You look magnificent, my darling," he says, and before I can react, he takes my hand gently and lifts it toward his lips, placing a soft kiss against the back of it.

The gesture immediately makes my heart sink and leaves me frozen, my breath catching slightly as I stare at him, confused by how gentle he is being with me, especially after everything that has happened.

He keeps my hand in his as he turns toward my father.

"Shall we begin?" he finally says, and my heart begins to race as I realise...

This is actually happening...