Chapter 17

Lana's pov

We got back after an hour of silence in Mattia's car.

I kept checking on Aria from time to time, until after only 20 minutes I found her sleeping already, with her head on the window. In rest.

She must have been tired from all of this.

She's hardly adapting. I can comprehend.

I just hope she takes in everything quickly.

I can sense that in a matter of days, things will fall apart and change once again.

The instability bothers me as am much as it does to her.

I took quick glances of Mattia, Does he always frown like that ? His thick eyebrows almost meet every time I look at him. I don't wanna judge him just yet, but you can tell a lot from someone's facial expressions.

I looked down the road, greenery and mountains contained it beautifully, my vision met the horizon and I lost my thoughts for a while. I could only hear the car tires' on the road, the wind buffeting as I rolled down my window to allow every skin cell of my body breathe.

I closed my eyes, trying to visualize mum's face, I could hardly focus on one thing, the pure enjoyment I felt was beyond tranquility..just when I was at the lake and swans the other day..Tranquility.

My favorite English word.

Regarding that I have spent most of my life in Beverly Hills, I speak English more than Italian.

As guilty as I might feel, but somehow Lorenzo knows and acts like it,too.

I can understand people when they speak to me in Italian, but I can't make a full conversation without switching involuntarily to English, so my Italian isn't much really to be proud of.

Once we arrived back, Lorenzo called for me in his office, one of the rooms that have always been locked that I wanted to go into so badly.

I woke Aria up, told her to stay up in my room for me. She lazily walked up the stairs.

I knocked twice before I heard him inviting me in,

I must confess, he has good taste, he may have hired an interior designer, but I knew this must to be his own taste, the office is stunning.

With forest green walls, complementing the minimalistic chocolate brown furniture.

-Sit.

-Can you be any less bossy ?

I said in a sarcastic tone, he ignored.

-It's gonna be an intimate wedding, only family members and a couple of business partners, but of course press and photographers will be there, so make sure you act happy and in love. Everyone will see us, everyone. I also hired a wedding planner I saw you following on instagram an-

- Helga Peters ??

His sharp deep voice stung out of his throat,

-Don't Interrupt me when I am talking !

-Uh-

-Anyway, she's arriving soon, I sent her a jet. You can talk to her through the whole thing if you want.

Anger flared in me in a split if a second,

- No, thanks. It's not the fairytale wedding of my dreams to plan it. I am obliged to this. And since you take all decisions, feel free to do what's you want.

-Watch your attitude!

I swallowed my tongue. Pretending not to give a shit about his constant warning when i actually knew I must take caution.

-Have you picked your dress ?

-Aha

-Good. Nothing revealing huh ?

-Aha,..why's there no paintings or vases or any decoration of any kind in here ?

-you can say that I don't like distractions when I am working of any kind.

-Mmm..Need something else from me,then ?

He noticed that I am ignoring him,

-Keep on avoiding my eye contact like that, Lana. You surly want to get bend over the fucking desk while I the fuck the hell out of you, don't you ?

My eyes widened in shock, my breathe quickened and my fingers started to shake,

-w-what ?

-I don't repeat myself, want me to demonstrate what I just said ?

-N-no !

My tongue tied in thousands knots, no matter how much I try to tease him,he always tops me up.

Fucking asshole.

My heat turned up in flames, I try to find words to get myself out of here as soon as possible,

- Uh-blushing already ?

I cursed him in french, " bâtard"

(Bastard)

- Yeah, insult me as much as you like, as if that is gonna affect me.

I sighed in anger,

- Anything else,Lorenzo ?

-I want you to remember that tone tomorrow.

-Tomorrow?

-Aha

He busied himself with some paper he had on his desk, a smirk on his face that held a meaning only I can understand, but I wanted to play stupid.

-Why is that ? I wonder.

-To punish you.

-Punish me ?

-You deserve it, we both know that.

He slightly raised his gaze from the document he has been reading, and fireworks jotted out of his darkened eyes.

I couldn't hold my gaze at him for long,

I stood up and turned to leave,

-Did I tell you to leave, Lana ?

A touch of hesitation broke my stare,

-I can see what you're doing.Lorenzo. Really it's stupid as fuck.

He threw the file on his desk haphazardly, tied both hands together,

-Enlighten me,then.

In the most sure voice I could possibly act upon. I said,

-You are trying to put me in place where you can feel like you're the boss, the leader, or whatever you call it. But really relationships, of all forms,aren't about that. It's manipulative and toxic. Our marriage may be obligatory to me, but we will lay under the same roof, so we have to a respectful way to deal with each other.

He took every word in, stood from his chair slowly, walked towards me with cold expressions until he invaded my personal space, I automatically took steps back, but he didn't stop until my back hit the door.

He chained my neck with the palm of his rough hand, pressed his fingers to my flesh enough to deoxygenate my breathe a little. he growled,

-I am not trying to make you feel like who's the boss, because I am the boss, Lana.But I must admit. You're fucking sexy when you analyze stuff. So confident. You better watch your pretty mouth, it could be a blessing or curse to you. My punishments aren't typical.

One second passed before he continued whispering in my ear with hot breathe fluttering on my neck,and his thumb harshly pressing into my lower lip.

-The things I wanna do to you,...Unspeakable.

I forgot about breathing for seconds, concentrated more about the wetness I already can feel in my panties, I clenched my thighs secretly,

-Be a good girl, Lana. Believe me I don't tolerate naughtiness.Understood ?

I tried catching my breathe,

-Answer me !

-Oh-uh, o-okay.

He kissed my neck softly as he released his grip slowly to allow blood flow back to my veins,

- You can go now.

I couldn't contain myself much longer, I ran out of the room catching my breath all the way to my own room.

This man is gonna drive me nuts.

————————————————————

Aria and I managed to decline dinner and slept out of exhaustion till the next day, anxiety consumed me. The amount of pressure is insane. I even woke up at 5 am, Aria is still in bed, I took a long shower, scrubed and drenched myself with body perfumed oils, I felt much better as a result.

Now it's 10 am, Aria is changing into her dress,while I looked through my window, I saw workers placing white garden chairs and tables, white roses set ups in every corner of the garden by the lake, swans swimming by scattered flower petals on the water's surface. I saw Helga Peter's petite body roaming around, pointing and directing workers, I saw a couple of them carrying a large box full of tall,slim candles, others where putting wine glasses and beautiful china plates, forks and knives matching sets, Another guy was folding napkins and putting a name tag in front of every chair.

Everything was so magnificently aesthetic. Just as I imagined. I can't even complain about a thing.

Helga is the best.

I heard the bathroom door open, I turned my head to see my beautiful baby sister looking like a powerfully seductive badass, I insisted on doing her make up beforehand she gets dressed, a bold red lip and a graphic eyeliner complemented her honey tanned skin. Finally she wore the famous Versace black platform heels to show off her slim legs.

- Are you sure there's no other way to get us out of this mess ?

-It's the only thing possible,Ari. It's not fair i know, but it's probably for the best. We don't know our fate yet. Maybe it turns into something good.

-Good ? Can you accept just "good" ?

-I told you, honey. There's no other option. I have made up my mind. I am marrying Lorenzo.

She held both my hands giving me a reassuring nod,

- I am truly blessed to have you by my side. Even though I don't deserve it.

-You do,Ari. You deserve the world. You just messed up.

She let go of my hands in frustration, turned her back to me, and with an angry voice,

-This isn't called messed up, I did nothing regarding knowing that dad is gonna fucking sold you. This is a fucked up shit only whores do, and I became one. All of what is happening to you now is because I stayed silent. A worthless piece of shit.

-Aria listen to me..

-I don't wanna speak right now, please. I am going downstairs.

She fought her tears dripping rapidly down her face as she stormed out of the room.

I sighed in deep agony as I stared aimlessly at the wedding dress I am supposed to wear on the manikin, my future is decided.

I did my make up, soft and glowy. With rosy lips and a smoked out brown eyeliner, baby pink blush and highlighter. I sprayed my so far favorite perfume from the cabinet full of them, the fact that he bought almost all scents in the market because he doesn't know my favorite is so sweet and odd at the same time.

The Miss Dior will always be a favorite.

I looked at myself in the mirror, dull eyes.

Yet a perfect appearance. I felt absolutely beautiful, but something was messing. If only mum walks through the door, promise me that everything will be alright, that I am doing the right thing, or even pats my back as she always did. I'd be complete.

I took off my clothes, getting into the dress was quiet challenging at first, I couldn't get hold of my back zipper of the dress, I opened the door just a little to call Aria a couple of times, but she wasn't there.

I called Freya. Nothing

I closed the door back behind me once I saw Lorenzo down the hall in his tux, he looked so dangerously handsome.

Now isn't the time for him.

I must to focus.

However,

His knocks startled the fuck out of me,

-Open the door,Lana.

-No ! Get Aria for me,please.

-That's not a discussion. Open the door.

-I said no, Lorenzo. Besides..

I smirked to myself.

-It's bad luck to see the bride with the dress before the wedding.

-I am not gonna repeat myself.

-ugh..I just need you to close the zipper and get out.

I heard a giggle in the hall way, Aria ? Giggling ? Am I high or something?

I heard her talking,

-What happened ? Everything's alright ?

- she need to closet he zipper

- Oh-okay, let me get inside.

-The pope is waiting in the garden, everyone arrived, get her ready in five minutes maximum.

-Okay.

I heard his footsteps fading away.

She popped her head from outside the door, smiling at me devilishly,

-Are you ready for a heart stopping surprise ?

-What ? Are you okay,Aria ? Did you just laugh outside ?

-Ahmm, you wanna know why,don't you ?

-What are you taking about ?

She opened the door wide open, and saw Natalia holding her breathe in excitement ,smiling at me.

I screamed in joy as she hugged me so tight my dress almost fell, Aria joined the warm hug and I couldn't contain my laughter,

-Oh my god, How did you get here ?

-Your fiancé sent me a jet to Spain, i didn't believe it when I read the wedding invitation, I didn't hesitate for a second to get here and understand what the hell is going on, I called you but you phone was out of service, and so as Aria's. So I was really confused. How could you now tell me ?

-Oh,Nat. If only you knew.

-Wait. So Aria wasn't messing with me when she told me it's an arranged marriage just now ?

-No, it's the truth.

-Oh my god

She put both her hands on her cheeks,

- How-why ?? Are you fucking serious ?

-It's a long story,Nat. I will tell you later, I promise. All I need now is for you guys to help me wear my heels and close my dress.

And so they did, Freya handed me the flower bouquet and all of them went behind me holding my chapel veil and the tail of my dress. I felt complete.

I have to thank him for getting Natalia.

This is truly less complicated than it seems now.

I saw Helga Peters, a woman in her forties in black women's chic suit with a blond ponytail swaying as she was walking towards me with a ear piece in her ears ordering someone to close the curtains. She smiled at me, and with a poor English accent,

- You look like an angel, my dear.

She looked at everyone around me and in a formal tone,

- I need you all to get to your own seats right now, come with me,dear.

I followed her as I dragged my dress behind me, it wasn't that heavy after all.

In only three seconds after I stood behind the white silk curtains barrier between me and everything else.

I felt my heart pounding.

The curtains opened from both sides.

I almost gasped when I saw everyone looking at me, I managed to for a soft smile on my lips as soft music played in the background while I walked.

I looked to end of the pathway I have been seeking to find, there he was standing high and steady, with his broad shoulders caressing through his pitch black tuxedo, looking absolutely stunning with an intense dark look I have never seen before.

Multiple flashes of cameras secured every move I took. I heard whispers in Italian praising me, my smile widened even more.

At the corner of my eyes, I saw Aria and Natalia looking extra concerned for me, I knew what could they be possibly thinking. But it's time for me to stand up for myself.

I arrived at the end of the aisle, where the pope, Lorenzo and Mattia stand. Mattia must be the best man. But he ain't even looking at me. I glanced suspiciously at who was he looking at.

Aria !

I took a glimpse at the crowd, felt tingles in my skin and anxiety began to form, Lorenzo took my hand to help me stand inches from him, as he didn't took his eyes off of me. He noticed my worried expressions, he squeezed my hand just a little for me to pay attention back to him, I read his lips while the pope was giving his speech,

- look.at.me.

I glanced at the pope's last question,

-I do.

-And do you Lorenzo Caruso, take the Lana Salazar your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health ?

-I do.

-I now pronounce you husband and wife..you may kiss the bride.

He fucking smiled again.

I can't get enough of his smile,honestly.

But I don't seem to keep him smiling for long.

My heart raced as he leaned in closer to me, he held both of my cheeks firmly, as he crashed his luscious warm lips into mine.

I closed my eye in desperation to the satisfactory I always feel once we connect, he moved his talented lips to every corner of my own, he wanted access for his tongue to roam around my mouth but I didn't give it to him, we had been already carried away for almost forty seconds after hearing the crowd clapping and shouting their congratulations and cheers in Italian.

If only my life is as perfect as this kiss was, I would be the happiest woman in the world.

The 5th of May,2015 is my wedding day.