The Wedding

Isabella's point of view 

Cameras flashed repeatedly almost blinding me, this was an evidence that the press was present. The hall belongs to the De Luca and according to their traditions, every member of their family must get married in this hall.

The hall was filled up with different guests, the city’s elite, even the ones who thrived on anything that has to do with gossip were present, they were probably waiting for a mistake they can all dwell on and spread around social media. Some might think it would be the most beautiful wedding ever, only if they knew the truth.

They are not aware that the bride behind the veil wasn’t the intended bride but a replacement, all they knew was that the bride is a Ford and of course I am a Ford. None of them knew I was a stand in, a replacement , a daughter who was buying help for her father with her future.

I found it difficult to breathe under the gown, maybe it’s the awareness of who the gown actually belongs to, but I still held my chin up as my father walked me down the aisle.

Diego De’ Luca was standing beside the priest, the black suit he was wearing fits him to perfection, his gaze met mine through the veil, his expression was still unreadable. He stretched his hands to me as I reached him, I hesitated a bit before placing mine on his.

I didn’t pay attention to what the priest was saying, there was no way I could, the priest voice was a reminder of what I was getting myself into, I could hardly concentrate as different thoughts were running through my mind.

The flash of a camera snaps me out of my thoughts, making me realize it’s time for the vows.

“Do you, Diego De’ Luca take this woman…..”

“I do.” he said without letting the priest finish his sentence.

The guests laughed out loud, they probably thought this was cute or even charming, they all failed to notice the tone of his voice. He looked really bored, like he can wait to get this done and get out of here.

The priest turned to me, I saw his mouth moving, I knew he just directed the same question to me, he was waiting, everyone was waiting for me to say that word they all want to hear.

“I do.” I said, sucking in a deep breath, my hands trembled as my husband to be took my hands in his and slipped the ring on my finger.

“You may may now kiss the bride.” The priest said smiling widely, this made the crowds begin to clap. Diego De’ Luca lifted the veil slowly, for a second I thought he wouldn’t kiss me, I was only a replacement like he said, perhaps he would have kissed the one he chose, he leaned in slowly and brushed his lips against mine briefly and looked into my eyes.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,”

The wedding was over, I am now a married woman and this scares me a lot, I tried my best to keep smiling as people congratulated us, none of them knew the hidden truth behind this marriage, Diego barely stayed beside me, the same way he had short conversations with politicians is the same way he had with top tier businessmen. I badly want to have a conversation with my dad, tears seep from my eyes and I wiped it off, really, no goodbyes to his daughter.

“Are you ready to go home?”

“You held yourself well and went with the flow,” he said quietly, stepping very close to me. He offers a hand and his white shirt pulls up to reveal an expensive watch, and a jagged tattoo that I didn’t notice before. His suit jacket was already gone, how I wish I could remove this gown right here

I take his hand and allow him lead me out of the hall, into a sleek black limousine.

“Were you expecting me to fall apart?” I asked, not looking at him.

“Most people do when their lives change overnight.”

I scoffed loudly, “Change?”

“Mine ended overnight.”

He studied me for a long moment and didn’t utter a word.

The car ride to his mansion was silent, I stared out through the tinted glass, watching the city lights fade behind us. The driver was taking us outside the center of Madrige and I just stayed put, there was nothing I could do, I belong to him now.

His mansion stood on the outskirts of Madrige, huge and breathtaking, it looks more like an estate because of its hugeness, and it doesn’t seem to house only him.

Iron gates opened as we approached, revealing the beauty inside, guards lined up at the entrance as we passed. One of them rushed to the limo and opened it for us.

“This will be your home now,” He said as he stepped out before me. I followed behind him quietly, inhaling the sweet smell coming from the flowers in the garden close by.

“I will have my assistant handle everything relating to your personal accounts tomorrow.” He added as we stepped fully into the mansion. He led me through a side door into the lobby of the mansion.

The walls inside were adorned with expensive paintings, both new and old, I could see his initials on some and that makes me wonder if someone like him actually paints. Everything in here looked perfect but nothing felt alive, I don’t feel alive myself, I feel empty.

A kind faced older woman appeared from nowhere.

“Mr De’ Luca.” She said bowing her head.

“This is Eliz, she is the housekeeper, if you need anything you can call her attention, Eliz please take her to the upper suite”

I followed the woman, she took the stairs, two at a time as if she just couldn’t wait to get done with me.

I realized the suite had lot of rooms, not just rooms, but ensuites that are stuffed full of expensive things, things I would rather not spend my money on, it doesn’t even stand a chance with the Ford’s mansion, my father might be wealthy, but not as wealthy as Diego De’ Luca.

“This is your room, Mrs De’ Luca.”

“If you need anything, you can ring the bell by the door. I will take my leave now,” she said softly.

“Thank you, Eliz.” I replied, forcing a smile. I moved to the window when she left, playing with the ring on my finger.

Mrs De’ Luca, the name sounded so strange and weird, I am no longer a Ford.

A knock sounded on the door, I thought of not responding, but I knew it won’t make sense, if I was back in my father’s mansion, not responding means I needed to be alone. But I obviously can’t do what I am privileged to do back in my father’s mansion here.

“Come in,” I said quietly, the door opened and my husband stepped in, still in his shirt, the tie was slightly loosened now. He leaned against the doorframe watching me carefully.

My heart skipped a bit, why is he here, is he here for our wedding night, the mere thought of having sex with him made me shudder.

“If you want more privacy another wing can be prepared for you, I don’t want you to feel cornered in my wing.”

That made me frown, is he supposed to care?

“You care about my comfort?” I asked raising an eyebrow.

He just stared at me with an unreadable expression. “Isabella, you’re my wife, of course I don’t expect you to play the perfect wife, but I expect loyalty, I do not share what belongs to me, let whatever happens inside this marriage stay between us.”

“Fine,” I replied, he turned to leave but paused, it was like he wanted to say something but he didn’t, instead he walked away.