I don’t accept this marriage
ALINA
I shambled myself into the back seat of the limousine, a sigh escaping my lungs.
The sun was gradually setting, the sky in a plethora of orange and pink colours.
Everything had finally been done. My wedding had gone through without ease and the reception was a success.
Father had made sure there was banquet of delectable cuisines bountifully made available for the guest.
The reception hall had been spellbindingly ornamented and beautified. One would think this union was a happy one.
I watched everyone with a plastic smile on my face. I hated it all. I never imagined to ever get married in these circumstances especially not to Dante Morelli but I just had to.
Now, we were on our way back to what was my new home. I stared at the window, my thoughts bedevilling. I would either die in the course of this marriage or live a miserable life.
Dante took of his tuxedo and removed the buttons of his shirt. From the corners of my eye, I noticed he had his eyes on me.
“Don’t you talk?” He huskily asked, breaking the silence.
“I only talk when it’s necessary and I don’t want to talk right now” I abruptly replied.
He laughed. “You should stop being so feisty principessa. I am your husband and you are my moglie” he spoke in Italian.
“I don’t accept you as my husband!”
“You don’t have a choice whether to accept or not!” He yelled back.
I sighed and stared intently at him. “Why did you choose to marry me? I mean I don’t like you. I even slapped you. Why did you still pick me?”
“You want to know why?” He asked in reply. I nodded.
“For revenge. I married you for revenge. Making your life miserable is one of the few ways I’ll feel fulfilled”
My eyes widened in disbelief and jaws were at ajar.
“Why w-would you do that? Why would you make my life miserable? Surely slapping you is not enough reason for that” I stuttered.
“Your family killed my parents. My father and mother are dead because of your father. And what better way to make him feel pain than inflicting pain on his dear beloved daughter?” He maniacally asked with a crooked smile.
I was left tongue tied. Father arranged this marraige as a peace treaty but Dante here sees it as a means of revenge.
“I lost my mother too. You aren’t the only one that is without a parent!”
“I lost both! Your father backstabbed my father and this led to the gory death of both my parents. You have one but I have none. Did you all think I would forgive you all that easily like you didn’t do anything?”
Tears prickled down my cheeks and I pressed in my lips to a thin line, turning my face away from Dante’s.
Mother died because of father. She lost her life in the process of father and his men opening fire on the Morelli’s years ago.
Now I’m paying for his sins.
“You signed a document not to lay your hands on me” I reminded Dante in a whisper.
His rich chuckle filled the limousine.
“Ofcourse. I don’t hit women. But I’ll make sure I make your life as miserable as hell. And if you ever think of a divorce, I promise I’ll kill every one of you starting with your father. You will come to know what pain is so you better dry your tears my precious wife”
I remained silent, my chest heaving repeatedly with anger.
“I hate you Dante Morelli” I muttered underneath my breath.
He pulled my chin to gaze at him. “The feeling is mutual”
I pulled my face from in between his carouse hands and turned my attention back to the tinted windows of the limousine.
Soon enough, I noticed our limousine had come to a halt before it slowly began moving. I couldn’t see anything at first until we came in front of a huge iron black gate.
I stared at the magnificent iron bars that opened for our limousine to drive inside.
I peered through the tinted glass and I could see guards almost in every nook and cranny. They looked so anxious.
This was my new home– more or less my new prison.
I kept on peering outside the glass. The environment was so captivating. A large lawn decorated by colourful flowers and well trimmed grasses spread across everywhere. Mini-fountains oozing pure crystal clear water were spotted at almost every corner. I spotted some lovely picturesque buildings at the far back as our limousine kept on driving slowly
It felt like we were in a garden. The serenity was so natural. Soon enough a gigantic milky shade shadow came in view.
It was Dante’s mansion.
Our limousine came to a hault once again and our door was opened by a chauffeur. I stepped out with Dante taking the lead.
My eyes were literally feeding on everything. The buzzing of bees and chirping of birds could be heard at all coners. The heavenly fragrance of beautiful flowers filled the air. I noticed he had several ostentatious black and white sculptures of lions scattered everywhere.
A group of guards came towards us, bowing their heads midly at Dante.
It felt intimidating.
Togther with his entourage of guards, we walked towards the double oak doors of his mansion.
The interorior was breathtaking. The light from the various chandeliers situated at all corners almost flooded my vision. The walls looked like they were literally dripping gold as the light from the chandeliers illuminated the beguiling and imperial designed living room.
Beautiful flower pot plants stood at all corners, feeling the living room with their enchanting odour frenzy.
About two or more dozens of both male and female workers scurried towards our direction. They all lined up and bowed their heads at Dante.
“As you all are aware, I got married today. Meet my wife, Mrs Alina Morelli, daughter of the Russian don, Nikolia Fedorov” Dante announced to them.
I gave faint smiles to them before Dante dispersed them all.
Taking my hand roughly, he led me upstairs.
We walked until we came in front of a huge silver door with a carved snake metal as its handle.
I refused stepping inside.
“Why are you just standing there like a log of wood?” Dante almost yelled.
I clenched on to my wedding dress and shook my head at him.
“I am not sharing a room with you” I refused him again.
He painfully yanked my hands and pushed me against the wall.
I winced at the sudden discomfort.
“Really? You are already being so stubborn!”
“Call it whatever you want Dante” I seethed in anger, trying to wriggle my hands from his iron grip.
“But Alina isn’t sharing a room with you neither am I going to consummate this bloody marriage” I spat acrimoniously at him.
He slowly let go with a smile. “Fine. Do as you wish tonight”
I watched Dante call for a maid who scurried her feet towards us.
“Show her to any of the rooms and make sure she’s in settled in”
The young maid nodded and faced me.
“Right this way please”
I trailed my steps behind her but not before craning my neck to get a glimpse of Dante who just stared at my walking figure.
Dante had accepted my decision so easily which was shocking.
There was usually a sign before a storm.
What could Dante be cooking up in his thoughts?