CHAPTER 6: WEDDING BELLS
The church clock struck twelve, and the orchestra swelled into a golden symphony. Diana's heart pounded against her ribcage as the grand doors opened, revealing the long aisle that led to her future.
With her father's steady arm guiding her, she took one step, then another, towards the man waiting at the altar.
Her breath hitched as she took in James's form. Tall, commanding, exuding an aura of quiet power. He stood at the altar, his presence almost overwhelming. A man too enigmatic, too dangerously alluring. Her fingers tightened around her father's arm, not out of fear, but out of something she couldn't quite name.
Diana sucked in a breath.
This is it.
She instinctively glanced to her left—her family.
Her mother and sister, Phoebe, grinned at her, eyes twinkling with amusement. No doubt, James had somehow won them over. Her brothers, on the other hand, stood rigid, their faces set in stone. As for Rebecca? Ever unreadable, ever distant.
Diana nearly chuckled. They had all tried—each in their own way—to stop this wedding.
Her brothers had spent the entire night plotting her escape, whispering ridiculous plans of stealing their father's money and helping her run away. Rebecca, ever the dramatic one, had offered to kidnap her and claim innocence afterward. Even her secretary had tried to warn her.
Yet here she was.
Her gaze flickered to the right, where her in-laws sat. Fewer in number than her own family, unfamiliar, yet all wearing the same polite smiles. Whether real or fake, Diana clung to their silent approval.
As they reached the altar, James descended the steps. He moved with effortless grace, his eyes never leaving hers. Diana held her breath.
Her father, Raymond Higgins, took her hand and placed it in James's waiting palm.
The moment their skin met, a slow, deliberate squeeze enveloped her fingers. Warm, firm, reassuring. A silent message only she could hear.
Diana swallowed hard, willing her heart to remain steady, but it betrayed her—beating wildly against her ribs.
"Please take care of my daughter," her father's voice was gruff, his gaze sharp.
James didn't falter. He met the older man's stare head-on, nodding once before gently pulling Diana forward.
The ceremony continued, vows exchanged, rings slipped onto fingers. When it was time for the final words, the minister's voice rang out, sealing their fate.
"By the authority entrusted to me by the elders of the church and through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I now pronounce James Deniro Alfred and Diana Margaret Alfred as husband and wife. James, you may now kiss your bride."
Diana's stomach tightened.
Her first kiss.
Her lips trembled slightly, panic creeping into her bones. What if he found her lacking? What if she disappointed him?
Before she could spiral further, James closed the distance. His lips brushed against hers in a kiss so brief, so fleeting, yet it sent an electric pulse through her veins.
The church erupted into applause. Confetti burst into the air, fluttering around them in a cascade of colors. Diana's breath stilled as she glanced up at the man now legally bound to her.
James met her gaze, his expression unreadable, but the faintest of smiles tugged at the corner of his lips.
For the first time that day, Diana smiled back.
Yes, this man, in all his godly male glory, was her frigging husband.
THE EXIT
Hand in hand, they walked out of the church.
The moment they stepped outside, Diana noticed her mother and sister wiping the corners of their eyes. She bit back a laugh. Weren't they the ones who wanted her to run?
A sleek, black limousine stood at the entrance, adorned with ribbons and balloons. Diana frowned. She hadn't pegged James as the type to care about wedding decorations.
As if reading her thoughts, his deep voice rumbled beside her.
"I hope you like the decorations. They were done because of you."
Diana turned to him, blinking.
"You did this?"
He gave a slow nod.
Diana tilted her head. "You mean, you, James Deniro Alfred, the ever-intimidating CEO, took time out of your very busy schedule to decorate a wedding car…?"
James sighed, shaking his head. "I didn't do it myself."
Diana grinned. "Oh, thank God. For a second there, I thought I married a closet romantic."
James raised a brow. "And if I was?"
Diana clutched her chest dramatically. "I would have to file for divorce immediately. Too absurd."
His lips twitched. "Get in the car, wife."
She laughed and slid into the limo.
HOLLAND GARDENS
The limo pulled up in front of Holland Gardens.
Diana gasped.
The estate was breathtaking. Sprawling, majestic, with manicured lawns and fountains that glowed under the evening lights. A private helipad sat at the far end, a sleek helicopter resting atop it.
Before she could fully take it in, James opened the door for her.
She stepped out, her fingers brushing against her gown as she turned to him.
"This place…" she started.
James inclined his head. "It's home."
A balding butler appeared, bowing slightly. "Welcome, Young Sir and Madam."
James nodded. "Nicodemus, meet Diana."
Nicodemus straightened, his face kind yet professional. "It's an honor, madam. Welcome to Holland Gardens."
As they ascended the stairs, eight uniformed staff lined up near the entrance, greeting them in unison.
James gestured towards them. "These are the house staff. They handle everything from housekeeping to security. You'll get to know them in time."
Diana blinked. "They're all… trained?"
James smirked. "To perfection."
Diana whistled. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about stealing cookies at midnight."
James turned to her, deadpan. "Are you planning to steal cookies?"
Diana gasped. "What?! Of course not! That would be immature."
James crossed his arms. "Hmm."
Diana sighed dramatically. "Fine. Maybe one or two. But only on special occasions."
James shook his head, muttering, "Absurd woman."
Diana grinned as they entered the house.
THE TOUR
Inside, the mansion was a dream.
The living and dining rooms were furnished with rich, dark wood and shimmering chandeliers. The fireplace was adorned with beautifully shaped rocks, adding warmth to the vast space.
James led her up the grand steps, his grip on her hand firm yet unassuming. Every detail—from the intricately carved furniture to the shimmering chandelier—spoke of wealth, power, and legacy.
As they ascended the staircase, James finally broke his silence.
"This is where we'll be staying," he said. "You'll find everything you need here—an indoor pool, a rest lounge, a bar. There's no dining area in this wing, but meals can be brought to you if you prefer privacy."
Diana absorbed his words, still in awe of her surroundings.
Then, unexpectedly, James halted in front of a door. "I had something made for you," he said, pushing it open.
Inside, a personal workspace awaited her. A private office, perfectly tailored with all the materials she could ever need.
Diana blinked once. Twice.
"You did this for me?" she whispered.
James shrugged, but there was something almost… nervous about the way he shifted his weight. "Take it as one of many wedding gifts to come."
She stepped inside, running her fingers over the polished desk, the carefully arranged materials. A strange warmth spread through her chest.
But just as quickly, reality crept back in.
James's voice, low and controlled, shattered the moment.
"I know we didn't fall in love before we got married," he said. "And I might never fall in love with you."
Something inside Diana flickered, like a candle on the verge of being extinguished.
Her fingers curled into her palm.
She didn't know why those words affected her so much. Hadn't she already accepted this? Hadn't she known this was just an arrangement?
Still, the sting remained.
James exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair. "But the least I can do is make sure you live well."
Diana swallowed the lump in her throat. "I understand."
And she did.
She had spent a lifetime bottling up her emotions—this would be no different.
James studied her for a beat longer before his lips twitched into something resembling amusement.
"Come on," he murmured. "There's one more important place to see."
Diana turned. "Where?"
James took a slow step forward, closing the distance.
His voice dropped to a velvety whisper.
"Why, of course, our bedroom, wife."
Diana inhaled sharply.
James straightened, giving her a mischievous wink before walking toward the next set of doors.
Diana stood frozen for a second longer, her pulse unsteady.
She had walked into this marriage expecting nothing.
But something told her…
James Alfred was going to make sure she got everything she never saw coming.