The wedding

Lisa had just finished packing their bags. In a few minutes, a new life with Alessandro would begin. She was tired from all the work, but she couldn’t even nap because Piero would be there any minute. She lay on the bed, thinking about her marriage to Alessandro. He was arrogant, bitter, and heartless. Would he ever be satisfied with her service? And his lifestyle—ugh, she didn’t even want to think about it.

Would she ever adapt to that life? She was used to a simple existence, not this world of money and lavish parties she had glimpsed the night before. Their personalities were completely different; they had nothing in common. And they didn’t even speak the same language! Questions ran through her mind, unanswered. Why must the wedding occur so late in the evening? Why were there gold diggers in the world, making life difficult for others? And Mancini—she still didn’t understand him.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Piero at the hotel, ready to take her to her future home. She glanced at her simple dress—maybe she should have worn something fancier. Alessandro might be blind, but the others weren’t. She shook her head. She was an ordinary person, not a rich man’s daughter, and she would not pretend otherwise. The porter took her suitcases to the car while she paid the hotel bill. Afterward, she greeted the hotel manager and walked to the waiting car.

Alessandro’s POV

When the car stopped, Alessandro relaxed on the front porch with his brother and sister-in-law.

“Oh my soul, what a beautiful girl! God must have taken his time creating her!” His sister-in-law whispered.

“Who are you talking about, Sophia?” he asked, frowning.

“I think it’s your bride. She just got out of the car, Alessandro,” Sophia explained.

He immediately stood when he heard Lisa approaching, recognizing her by her perfume. He held out his hand, hoping she would take it. His brother and sister-in-law were unaware of the arrangement. A cold hand took his.

“Allow me to introduce my sister-in-law, Sophia, and my brother, Gabriele Mancini, to you, Lisa,” he said. Then he turned to his sister-in-law: “Lisa is the woman I’m marrying tonight. Her name is Lisa Saunders.”

Lisa greeted them kindly. He was about to invite her to sit down when Sophia spoke.

“I don’t think there’s time for talking, guys; Grandma has just arrived with the makeup artist,” she said.

“Sophia, will you take Lisa to her room, please?” Alessandro asked, wanting to show interest in his bride-to-be.

“It’s not necessary, Alessandro. If you tell me which room, I can find it myself,” Lisa objected.

Grandmother’s voice called then:

“Good to see you again, my dear. I assume you’ve met Gabriele and Sophia? Let’s get you ready. Alessandro, please go and get ready.”

Alessandro nodded. He didn’t want to marry a woman he had never seen before, but he could not refuse his grandmother. He heard Sophia speak to Lisa as they left.

“I hope you don’t mind; I already put your wedding dress and everything on your bed this morning,” she said.

“Come, big brother,” Gabriele whispered beside him. “I can’t believe you’re finally getting married.”

“If I were the one marrying her, I would have hidden her too,” Gabriele added.

“Let’s go,” Alessandro said, and Gabriele led him to his room.

Lisa’s POV

“I assume you’ve already showered; I’ll just help you get dressed. Grandma hired a makeup artist and a hairdresser,” Sophia said kindly.

“That’s very kind of you, Mrs. Mancini.” Lisa forced a smile.

“Since you’re about to become my sister-in-law, Lisa, call me Sophia,” she interrupted.

“Alright, I’ll get used to it,” Lisa replied. “This is all new to me, and I don’t know Alessandro well yet.”

“Come, dear, let’s get you ready. From now on, you can call me Grandma,” Maria said.

Entering the bridal room, Lisa’s tension vanished. The bed was king-size with black and red bedding, a large flat-screen TV fixed to the wall, and a walk-in wardrobe bigger than her bedroom back in South Africa. The bathroom was massive, with black tiles, a Jacuzzi, and a shower that could fit four people.

“We have to get ready before the groom comes for you himself,” Sophia said.

What should have been a happy day felt full of worry and stress. Thoughts of her sister gave her strength; otherwise, she might have run away.

Finally, she was dressed in a pure white wedding gown: shoulderless, with a low neckline adorned with delicate beads and diamonds, an open back, and a train that seemed to drag like a red carpet. Her natural curls fell freely, and her makeup was perfectly done.

“Something new,” Sophia said, placing a heart-shaped necklace around her neck. “Something old,” she added, securing a white-gold rose hairpin. “Something borrowed,” she continued, putting a simple bracelet on her wrist. “And last, something blue,” she added, adjusting the garter on her leg.

“You are indeed the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen, Lisa,” Maria said. “It’s a pity Alessandro cannot see you; he’ll never know how beautiful you look today.”

“Thank you very much, Grandma,” Lisa said softly.

A knock sounded on the door. Sophia went to open it.

“Is the bride ready?” Gabriele asked.

“Yes, I’m ready, Gabriele. “Thank you,” Lisa replied. They walked to the back door leading to the garden, where Gabriele left them to join Alessandro.

“Are you ready, dear?” Maria asked, taking her arm.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Lisa replied. Mason guided her down the aisle. Guests whispered as they approached Alessandro and Gabriele. Lisa took Alessandro’s outstretched arm and noticed how handsome he looked in his black suit.

The priest began:

“We are gathered here today to unite this man, Alessandro Mancini, and this woman, Lisa Saunders, in the bonds of matrimony. Alessandro, do you take Lisa to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” Alessandro said, his voice irritated.

“Lisa, do you take Alessandro to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do,” Lisa said softly, realizing she was now his wife.

“By the power vested in me by the State of Vatican City, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Her heart raced. Would he kiss her in front of everyone? Instead, Alessandro kissed her cheeks. The applause and whispers brought her back to reality. Hand in hand, they walked to the reception tent, confetti flying around them.

Lisa noticed her wedding ring: a set of two blue diamonds. Alessandro commented, “I’ve never met a woman with such small hands.”

Once alone, she returned the ring to him.

“May I talk to you for a moment?” she asked.

“Yes, sit and tell me,” he replied. She explained she wanted to return the ring, realizing it was a family ring.

“You are right,” he said coldly. “It’s the family ring every Mancini heir uses. My grandmother wants you to wear it.”

Lisa felt a sting but didn’t argue. “What time should we visit my sister?” she asked.

“Let’s go now, or you won’t see her after visiting hours,” he said. She took his arm, and they drove in silence.

At the hospital, she led him to Lilani’s room. “Lilly, I’d like to introduce Alessandro Mancini,” she said.

Alessandro greeted her warmly, and Lisa helped him sit beside the bed. She bent down and kissed her sister on the head.

“Are you ready for the operation tomorrow, little one? Once you leave, I’ll arrange for a nurse at our home until you recover.”

Lilani’s shy smile appeared. “Will I stay with you, Uncle? My sister says your house looks like a castle. Are there fairies? Do I get my own room?”

“Yes, you’ll stay with us. And yes, a room with a bathroom,” Alessandro said calmly.

Lilani thanked him and soon fell asleep.

“She seems to be asleep. The visit must have exhausted her,” Lisa whispered.

“In that case, we should leave so she can rest,” Alessandro said softly. Lisa kissed Lilani gently and guided him to the car.

Back home, Alessandro retreated to his study while Lisa found Grandma.

“How’s your sister?” she asked.

“Alright, I guess,” Lisa replied.

Grandma sighed. “Alessandro lost both parents early. After his fiancé left him, he became bitter. Maybe you’re what he needs to find himself again.”

“I hope I’m strong enough,” Lisa admitted.

Grandma smiled gently. “You might be. Let’s see.”

Later, Alessandro reminded her, “Your sister’s surgery is at six tomorrow morning. If you’re at the hospital by five, you might see her before it starts.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, climbing into bed, reflecting on her wedding day. It was supposed to be her honeymoon, but this wasn’t a normal marriage. She turned off the lights, still thinking of the arrogant man beside her.