Meeting the Devil

Chapter 1: Meeting the Devil

Seraphina's POV

"Good," mom replied, calmly. "Now, get to work."

With that mom walked down the stairs in her heels. I couldn't argue, she had left me speechless. 

The maids joined the guard in pulling me to my room. It was no use struggling. 

"Let go of me!" I yelled, but the maids didn't flinch.

Once I was in, the head guard left and stood at my door. I knew my mother had assembled the men around the house and even at my window. 

"Please, miss. Don't make this harder for us," one of the maids begged. 

"Madam, will punish us if you run. Please," the second maid begged. 

I cleaned the tears in my face and the chief maid, Martha came forward. Someone placed the bowl of warm water and handed her a towel.

She placed my legs into the bowl and started to massage it. I squirmed, feeling the pain hit me hard. 

"Good, at least you think about this when next you think of putting yourself in danger. Did you think for a second that you could have been killed by wild animals," Martha said, her voice breaking. 

She was holding back her tears, and it hurt me to see her cry. "I'm sorry, Martha," I apologized. "I didn't know what else to do."

She stopped washing my feet and held my face. "Promise me you'll not rush your life again," she begged. I nodded calmly and smiled. 

Martha and the other maids went back to work. I showered and the maids started to dress me up. It was hours of staring at my reflection in the mirror as they did my makeup and styled my hair. 

One of the young maids pulled out a pristine white wedding gown from a bag. She was full of smiles and for a second, I forgot I was supposed to hate this wedding. 

It took another five minutes to fit me into the gown. I wished the day would slow down, but the sun started to glow brightly. 

"You look beautiful," Martha said, adjusting my veil. Her eyes were teary and she sniffed to keep the tears from falling. 

"I'll miss you," she said and pulled me for a hug. 

The other maid joined, and we cried. "We don't want to ruin your makeup, sweetie," Martha said, wiping my tears with a tissue. 

I heard the sounds of cars pulling up at our front yard and I gulped. This was it. I exhaled, trying my best to calm down and stared at my reflection once more in the mirror. 

"It's time to go, Miss," Martha said, opening the door. 

I nodded and took a deep breath. I let my veil down, covering my face. One of the maids handed me the bouquets of white roses and I walked out of the room. The guards stood, turning their gaze to me as they made way for me to walk down the stairs. 

Marcus and the other guards followed behind leading me to the large hall. The door opened and I was led in by the guards. Mom smiled proudly as I walked in. The music and chatters grew louder while my heart sank. 

Every powerful Mafia family was present. I glanced briefly at their sharp suits and glittering dresses. Walking past the Vitale family, I swallowed. I maintained my pace, and looked ahead. 

And then I saw him. Luca Vitale, standing at the end of the aisle. He was handsome with striking features. His olive skin glittered. His eyes were blue and cold. It was almost like he didn't want to be here. 

His black hair was styled back, with a few strands in his face. He was tall, dominating. I walked forward taking his hand. My eyes trailed down his back suit and breathed slowly before he opened my veil. 

My stomach twisted the second our eyes met. The ceremony began, and the priest began reciting the vows. My hands shook slightly and Luca held them, rubbing his fingers against mine. 

When it got to me to say my vows, I hesitated. Every bone in my body screamed at me to run again and damn the consequences. But could I really escape? I quickly glanced around the room meeting my mom's piercing gaze sending a silent warning to me. The guards were postponed at the door blocking the exits. 

I swallowed and returned my gaze to Luca, smiling. "I, Seraphina Calabrese, take you, Luca Vitale, to be my husband. To love and to cherish till death do us part."

Luca's lips curled into a smirk and he began reciting his vows. 

I cursed in my heart when the priest spoke to me. "Do you, Seraphina Calabrese, take Luca Vitale to be your husband?" 

I hesitated again, my heart racing.

"I…do," I forced out, my voice shaking.

The priest turned to Luca, but he didn't wait for the question. "I do," he said smoothly, his smirk widening.

The crowd erupted into applause as we were pronounced husband and wife. Luca took my hand, his grip firm, and pulled me closer.

"Welcome to the rest of your life, Mrs. Vitale," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

I stiffened, my heart pounding in my chest.

He leaned in, his hot breath touching my neck. "Smile, darling. You don't want them thinking you were forced to come here."

I gritted angrily. "But I was. I hope you remember how much I hate you!"

"Of course, I promise to change that," he answered calmly. 

What did he mean by that? How on earth was he going to change my mind?

"Go to hell!" I murmured, and I felt his hands move down to my waist grabbing my butt. I turned to face him in shock, a gasp escaping my lips. 

"Gladly," he said, smirking. 

I looked away smiling fakely at the crowd. I wanted to run. I endured the remaining part of the night and grabbed a glass of wine. I took the first sip and from the corner of my eyes, I noticed someone dressed in black hiding among the people. 

My eyes strained, to capture the face but it disappeared. I could tell it was a female because of the dress but it left a chill down my spine. 

It's just my imagination. You're just tired, Seraphina. 

But, when I raised my face the second time while sipping the wine. The figure appeared again, this time more clearer with her bright emerald eyes staring intensely at me. Her expression turned into a wicked smirk and I started to feel my head spin. 

The glass fell from my hand smashing into pieces on the floor as the crowd turned their attention to me. I gasped for air, choking as Luca ran to me. 

"Seraphina!" He yelled. 

I held my neck, trying to breathe, feeling the room spin. "The woman in black…" I managed to say, pointing at a corner. 

Luca traced my finger, but she was gone. "There's no one there."

I kept gasping and suddenly everything went black.