CHAPTER FIVE

Bam!

Luca's face connected with the hard wall

He could hear the crunching of his bone and he let out a loud groan

Bam!

This time it was harder. Blood splattered on the wall and on his jade floor. He was about to propel himself the third time

Donald grabbed him before he could cause further damage to his face.

His nose bled profusely.

“What the actual fuck is wrong with you Luca?”

“Leave me alone!”

“Arman, how did this happen?”

“Well this morning he requested for liquor, then when I reminded him of his engagement dinner this evening, he bashed his nose against the wall.”

“Pull yourself together Luca!

You bumped into a tree, that's the story Grandpa's gonna hear.”

Luca chuckled, then with brute force pushed Donald away from himself.

“I don't care what Grandpa thinks. He wanted a marriage, he's getting one, but my personal matters are not anybody's business!”

Luca entered his bathroom and slammed the door shut. He examined his nose and wiped the blood off with a wet towel.

He had not composed his thoughts properly, and he knew he wasn't going to.

His grandpa arranged a marriage

He had a one night stand with some degenerate.

He had to attend this stupid dinner to see her in person before the wedding

His brother promoting the whole marriage affair.

The thoughts kept swirling inside his head and drinking was his only solution.

Not that he made reasonable choices the last time he got drunk.

Luca opened his door, Arman was still standing there, Donald had probably left.

“I called the doctor, he'll get here in a couple of minutes—”

“Do you realise that my little brother wants this marriage more than I do?”

“He seems very ambitious” Arman said

“Oh cut the crap, you know what I mean.

He's made it his point of duty to make sure I follow grandpa's script.

They're obviously in some sort of coalition or something, and I don't like it one bit.

“Prepare me a black tux and some liquor”

Arman froze.

“Sir—”

Luca rolled his eyes.

“I won't bash my nose this time, I promise”

***************

Mrs Emilia Gray watched as the finishing touches were applied to her daughter's face.

“You look absolutely beautiful.”

Her hair had been made into a messy bun, with decorative silver hairpins.

She wore a diamond necklace and it glistened, she looked like a fairy.

Mrs Gray tried to cheer her up, but Sharon could see that her mother was also worried.

“Your husband, he's not here, you must compose yourself Sharon. It's really sad that the person you dressed up for could not do you the courtesy of arriving early, but please —”

“Don't let them see you cry”

“I won't mother, I won't.”

Mrs Emilia stepped out of the dressing room that was created just for the ceremony.

Claire entered shortly after.

“You know this isn't your wedding right, you can't cry today, it'll just be cringe.”

“Claire, you look sexy as hell.”

Sharon stood up and gave her a hug.

“Yeah I know, it's too bad I'd be seated a little far from you though, I would've made you laugh till you puked your food out in front of them.”

Claire pointed at where the Pavilochenkis were seated.

“Speaking of the Pavilochenkis, is it a coincidence that I kinda recognise your brother in-law?”

“Um—”

“I'll giev you a sign you when you get seated.” She said before she dashed out.

I guess my husband's not coming, I might as well take my seat.

Sharon stepped out, with all the guts she could muster, walked elegantly to her table, and sat with her family. The crowd was in decent uproar, but If she fell on those heels she would never recover.

It was exactly 6:12 pm.

Some news reporters were stationed outside the garden.

The flowers let out a sweet smelling fragrance and the guests we're already seated.

Roses of different colours and types dandelions, lilies, hibiscuses and many others surrounded the guests.

The Gray family were seated at one end, the Pavilochenkis at the other.

Esteemed guests we're scattered across various tables, and beautiful vines with decorative lights formed a canopy over them.

At the centre, there was a circular partition on the vine roof to let in the moonlight.

The setting was all so “romantic.”

The melodic music helped to set the tempo.

Sharon played with the diamonds on her purse, nervous as hell. She was seated next to her mother,she looked like a fairy. Mrs Gray was the one who insisted she wore six inch heels, all because her supposed husband was “really tall.”

Luca was still nowhere to be found.

Mr Pavilochenki was at his wit's end, but and struggled to keep his composure.

Mr Gray basked in the moment, he wanted anything that would make Mr Pavilochenki look bad.

Donald's eyes were fixed on Claire, who sat at a guest table not too far from theirs.

He had always suspected it, but now he had it confirmed. Claire was Sharon's very close friend.

He had been spying on Sharon for about a week.

Then there was noise in the distance, the guests began to clap.

“He's here” Donald said relieved.

Sharon turned to see “him”

Her eyes swept over his features.

Jet black hair, dark blue eyes, a jawline that could cut through glass. He had a bandage on his nose and his tux was tailored to perfection.

The aura around him was dangerously charming, his features could get him on the cover of Vogue, because it seemed like he was chiseled by the gods—

His eyes swept over her features.

She was wearing lash extensions and light makeup, but her features could not be disguised.

Curly red hair, turquoise green eyes, an upturned nose, freckles and heart shaped lips. The colour of her gown complemented her skin tone—

Luca's nonchalant dark blue eyes were wide open as he gasped

Riann?