Adrian and I turned around and walked down the aisle with our arms locked together. Once outside the chapel, we unlocked our arms and faced each other. I kept my gaze to the ground and thought about what had happen.
“Congratulations.”
I turned my head to see the our grandparents walking towards us. Pietro shook his grandson’s hand while Maria gave me a kiss on a cheek and a hug. “Welcome to the family,” she said to me. I gave her a nod.
I turned around and gave my grandparents a hug. “We love you Vera,” Grandfather said to me. “I love you both,” I said to them. I held my tears back. I pulled away and gave them a smile. “Time to take some wedding pictures,” Pietro said to us.
Adrian escorted me to a room where our pictures would be taken. Our grandparents were giving us some alone time. The photographer looked up at us. “Mr and Mrs. Minetti. It’s an honor to be at your presence as well as take your pictures,” he said to us. “Indeed,” Adrian said to him. I kept myself silent at watched them have a conversation for a few moments.
After their conversation, the photographer finished setting up his camera. “Alright. The newly weds please stand in front of the camera,” the photographer instructed us. Adrian brought me in front of the camera and wrapped his arms around me waist. He brought me closer to him so that there was no space between us.
Automatically, I placed a hand on his chest and held my bouquet on the other hand. My face felt a bit hot from his touch. Force yourself to smile. I tried to smile. “Perfect,” I heard the photographer say while he took a picture.
We took about five different pictures. Next thing I knew, the day had went by. I had to say that the pictures came out better than I had expected. “I’ll have these developed right away,” the photographer told us. Pietro had entered the room.
“Lets go and celebrate,” Pietro said to us. We walked to the cars that were parked in the parking lot. Surprisingly, I did not see any paparazzi in the area. The Minettis must really made sure that nobody knew about the wedding.
Adrian’s driver was waiting for us. Adrian escorted me tot he car and opened the door for me. I got inside and made sure that my dress was inside the car. He closed the door and walked to the other side of the car.
He got inside the car and wore his seat belt. “To the Minetti Mansion,” Adrian instructed the driver. “Yes. sir,” the driver answered and drove out of the parking lot. Throughout the ride, I stayed quiet and looked out of the window.
I watched the buildings go by as the car drove up the street. I tried to take in the scenes that I passed by me. It was going to be the last time that I see them. Tomorrow, I would be on a plane to New York City with Adrian.
At the corner of my eyes, I could see Adrian looking out of the window on his side of the car. I still wasn’t used to the idea that he was my husband. In time, I would have to accept the fact that I am married to him.
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Once at the Minetti Mansion, Maria took me away to a room so that I could change into something comfortable. I liked to continue to wear the wedding dress but, it felt suffocating if I wore it for long period of time.
Maria had me wear a grey and white wrap dress with metallic grey high heeled sandals. I remembered something. I looked at Maria who was tying the dress for me. “Why wasn’t Adrian’s parent at the wedding?” I asked her.
“They were busy with business in Asia. They were happy to know about the marriage and hope to meet you very soon,” she told me. I gave her a nod. I wonder what they are like . I smoothed the dress down.
“I’ll meet you downstairs,” she said to me and left the room. I fixed the dress a bit and shoes quickly. I got my glasses and wore them. Almost look like a librarian . I didn’t care. The glasses made me look smart.
I put my hair up in a neat bun. I made sure to take off my wedding gloves and slip the wedding ring onto my finger. I wasn’t used to wearing rings on my fingers. It felt odd to me. I better get used to wearing a ring .
The wedding ring was adorned with diamonds. So pricy looking . I would have been fine with a simple ring. After all, the ring wouldn’t have much sentimental value. The marriage was loveless and arranged.
“Are you ready Vera?” I heard my grandmother call out to me. I turned my head to see her at the door. “Yes. I’m ready,” I said to her. She took my hand and led me out of the room and through the different hallways.
We walked down the stairs to see my grandfather talking to Pietro and Maria. I turned my head a bit to see Adrian who was wearing a grey dress shirt and black pants. He looked up at me. I couldn’t read the emotions in his eyes.
Once down the stairs, Adrian walked over to me and wrapped an arm around my waist. I felt the chills go up my spine. My cheeks tingled a bit. What is he making me feel? Our grandparents seemed to approve the match.
We walked to the dining room to see that food was set on the table. Adrian pulled my chair for me. I sat in my seat and watched Adrian take a seat next to me. I had many questions popping in my head about him.
In my mind, in order for our marriage to work, I would have to know about him. I didn’t want to know him from the media’s perspective. I would rather learn from him directly. I knew that the media portray people differently.
We passed the food around the table and enjoyed the meal. The servers came with wine glasses and a bottle of wine. I waved at one of the servers. “Can I get water please,” I said to him. “Yes. Of course ma’am,” he said and walked away to get my water.
Underage .
The server came back with my water. “Thank you,” I said and took a sip. At the corner of my eyes, I could see Adrian taking a sip of his wine. I helped myself with some salad and penne pasta. I wasn’t in the mood to have a large dinner.
After the meal, the cake was brought to the dining room. “This is your wedding cake,” Pietro said to us. The wedding cake was decorated elaborately. Wow. The baker really showed off his or her skills.
Everything was symmetrical.
“Adrian and you should cut the cake,” Grandfather suggested to us. I looked at Adrian who gave me a nod. We got up from our seats and walked over to the cake. I looked down at the cake cart to see the cake knife with a crystal handle.
I could see Grandmother getting ready to take pictures with her camera. Adrian took the cake knife and gave the knife to me. I took the knife in my hand and waited for Adrian to hold the knife with me. He placed his hand over my hand and got ready to cut the cake.
“Ready?” I heard him ask me. I felt shivers go up my spine and tingles on my cheeks. He hadn’t spoken to me until now. I gave him a nod. I felt him guide my hand to the cake. We made the first cut and were blinded with flashes.
After cutting the cake, we had the cake slices for dessert. Adrian seemed to have a lot in his mind even though he would talk to his grandfather and my grandfather. It was in his eyes. His eyes looked a bit distant.
“Well…look at the time. It’s time for us to go,” Grandfather said to us. I felt my mood fall. I knew what he really meant to say. We got up from the table and walked to the front doors. I helped my Grandparents wear their coats. It was the least that I can do for them for one last time.
Grandmother gave me a hug goodbye. “Stay health Vera,” I heard her say to me. “I will,” I said to her. I pulled away and gave my Grandfather a hug. Tears were forming in my eyes. I felt him rub my back to comfort me.
“Don’t cry Vera. Be happy,” I heard him say. “I will. I promise,” I said to him. He pulled away and gave me a smile. Hesitantly, I let go of him. Slowly, they made their way out of the mansion and walked to their car.
I watched them get into their car and drive off into the darkness. They were gone. They left me to live my new life. I started to feel different emotions. I felt sadness, loneliness, fear, and nervousness. My new life felt…scary.
I turned around to face my new in laws and my husband. “Well, you should go to your room and get some rest. You have a flight to New York tomorrow,” Maria told me. I gave her a nod. I felt a hand on my small back that made me jump a bit.
“Let’s go,” I heard Adrian whisper softly to me. I felt him push my back that led me to walk up the stairs. He used is hand to guide me through the mansion. I had no idea where we were going. I still didn’t know my way around the place.
Soon, we arrived in front of a door on the right side of the mansion. He opened the door to reveal a large room. I was very surprised about the view. He had a King size bed with a grey blanket, an office desk with a duel screen computer, and a large bookshelf.
I felt him nudge me to go inside the room. Slowly, I walked inside the room and looked around to see that a bathroom was connected to the room Even though the bathroom was dark, I could see that the bathroom had a large size bathtub.
I turned around to see that Adrian closed the door. I felt really nervous. He walked over to me and took my hand. Instantly, I felt a tingle sensation go up my arm and all over me. It’s probably from my nervousness .
He pulled me over to another door. He opened the door and turned the lights on to reveal a large walk in closes that was filled with clothes.
Wow. I really have my own mall here . I saw that the closet was separated into different wears.
He walked me to where my pajamas were located. “Pick one out and wear it. I’ll wait for you outside,” he told me before he left the closet. I let out a deep breath that I seemed to have kept inside the whole time. It was a breath of relief in a way. When I thought about the situation, I didn’t want him to look at me……naked.
I turned my attention the pajamas. I could tell that Maria had them picked out. Sifting through the clothes, I found one that was a bit more conservative than the other ones. The other pajamas were a bit too…appealing for men.
After getting dressed in my pajamas, I walked out of the closet and to the bathroom without seeing Adrian. I made sure to lock the bathroom door so that I didn’t get any surprises. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I should shower in the morning .
Once I was done, I walked out to see that Adrian was on his computer. Is he working? He didn’t seem to notice that I was looking at him. I walked towards the bed and got under the covers. I laid down close to the edge of the bed to be sure that I didn’t touch him during my sleep.
I could hear him typing on his keyboard. Maybe a long night . I closed my eyes and tried to drown out the sounds. Usually, I couldn’t sleep with any noise around me. I laid on the bed waiting for Adrian to stop his business.
I didn’t know the time but, after a long while, I heard Adrian stop typing. He must be done. I started to drift away into a deep sleep. I heard heavy footsteps go around the bed and to the closet. I heard the lights go on. I didn’t open my eyes to see because I was already ready to go to sleep.
Soon, I was at the edge of falling asleep. I didn’t hear Adrian come out of the closet and wash up in the bathroom. I did feel the bed dip a bit. He must be in bed now . I felt him adjust the blanket so that he had most of the blanket.
I didn’t fight for the blanket because I slipped into a deep sleep.
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Finally another chapter.
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