Page 92 of In Ruins
“Go!” I laugh. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t take long. Don’t want your man to get impatient and come busting down the door in search of his bride-to-be,” she says, giggling before rushing out the door. I let out a chuckle because I know he would do some crazy shit like that if he thinks I’m taking too long to get down there.
In less than ten minutes, she’s back and finds me right where she left me. I didn’t move because I was too busy admiring myself in the mirror. The dress, makeup and hair… I’m kind of speechless because I’ve never seen myself look quite like this. I mean, she’s done my makeup before, and I’ve looked beautiful, but today it’s just different. It makes me stand out even more. I really can’t wait to get married to the man of my dreams.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I tell her and she hands me a bouquet filled with light-pink flowers.
“These are beautiful,” I tell her.
Smiling, she takes my hand and we make our way out of the room and down the hall toward the stairs. When I’m standing on the landing at the top of the stairs that looks over the entire living room section, my mouth drops open.
It’s been transformed. The set of chairs facing the windows has been moved, and arches have been installed in its place everywhere.
I can’t even see Enzo from here because, from the bottom of the stairs to the altar, there are arch stands that create the path I need to go down.
The stands are all covered in a sheer fabric that’s like a rose gold or dusty rose color.
At the base of each stand on both sides are bunches of flowers. I can already feel the tears coming again.I don’t think I’m going to get through this without crying.
Giana helps me down the stairs and when we reach the bottom, I see rose petals covering the floor. All the flowers make the place smell so nice.
The music comes on suddenly and she slowly begins walking me down the aisle. The path is in an L-shape, and when we reach the end and turn, I stop right there. Now, I can see Enzo standing there at the altar, waiting.
He’s the only thing I see. I don’t pay attention to anything else around me as my eyes zone in on him. He looks different… In a way I can’t even explain. Though it’s definitely because of the way he’s looking at me, nothing but possession in his gaze. Like he’s been waiting for this moment for a long time.
He looks devastatingly handsome, standing there exuding confidence in a black tuxedo that fits him to perfection. The sharp lines of his jacket hug his shoulders just right, giving him a broad and powerful silhouette. He looks like a God, especially with the setting sun’s amber glow casting him in a soft halo.
Looking at him in front of the windows with the sky already changing to shades of orange and fading blue has my heart skipping a beat.
His eyes are still on me, watching as I take it all in… take him in. He’s doing the same because a slow smile curves his lips as he peruses me from head to toe before he lifts his index finger in a ‘come here’ gesture.
I just roll my eyes at him as my feet begin moving, taking me closer to him before I’m even aware I've moved, which has me pulling on Giana’s arm, and she lets out a chuckle at my expense.
“Looks like somebody can’t wait to get up there,” she whispers.
“Nope! Let’s get me married,” I whisper back. One step in front of the other, I walk the rest of the way down the aisle with confidence in each step because I’m walking to where my future is standing.
When we get to the front, just before the altar, I see there are four chairs. Bruno is in one, and I’m assuming the empty one next to him is for Giana. On the other side, I see Aldo in one of the chairs.
I only know who the man is because Enzo introduced him to me as his head of security. The other man next to Aldo is older, maybe in his sixties or so, but I have no idea who he is.
There’s a huge smile on my face as Enzo walks over to take me from Giana. She lets go of my arm as Enzo cups my jaw with one of his hands and pulls me in for a kiss.
“I don’t think we’re at this part yet,” I whisper when he pulls away, looking down at me with desire in his eyes, while I hear everyone around us chuckling.
“Don’t care. I needed to taste those lips.” He winks before walking us back to the altar to stand in front of the priest.
A second later, we turn to face each other, holding hands as the priest begins the ceremony, his voice calm and practiced as he guides us through the readings and blessings.
I try to listen, I really do, but my eyes keep drifting to my soon-to-be husband’s face. He’s so fucking handsome. I still can’t believe I’ll get to call him mine for the rest of our lives.
I feel his thumbs brushing lightly against my knuckles in a calming gesture. Even though I’m so happy right now, I’m stillnervous, butterflies flying in my stomach because I have no idea what tomorrow holds.
I know my father will most likely do something crazy when he finds out I’m here with Enzo and that I married him, one of his rivals.
Enzo’s touch grounds me. Even though he’s my father’s rival, he’s never mistreated me a single day, and I’m so thankful for that. I know other men who would have used me in some kind of war game just to send my father a message.
