The following morning arrived, and I had never felt so relaxed in my life. The comfort of the bed felt like a cushion of heavenly clouds.
As I opened my eyes, yawning, I realized Dante wasn't there. I assumed he had already started dressing up, but I was wrong. He walked out of the bathroom wearing a towel around his waist. Then, to my surprise, he dropped his towel, exposing his nakedness in front of me. Screaming, I grabbed the blanket and covered my face.His manhood was really big.
"Is this your first time seeing a naked man?" Still under the blankets, I didn't answer. He tugged the blanket off my face, still naked, and I looked away. He took my hand and placed it on his manhood, saying, "It's all yours. Don't you want to play with it?"
Then a knock saved me. Dante picked up his towel and wrapped it around himself.
"Come in," he gestured, and it was Mercy. I was relieved she came.
"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I just wanted to know if Ms. Elena is up so that we can prepare her. I guess I will come back later."
"No," I said, jolting out of bed. "I'm ready."
He just scoffed and said, "Go get ready."
Mercy took me and apologized for the last time. I said it's okay. She took me to the bathroom and said she was instructed to bathe me. I found that ridiculous, but she said it's traditional.
In the bathroom, I removed my clothes, and she gasped upon seeing my back. "Oh my goodness, what happened to you... I..." Stepping into the bathtub, I explained everything that used to happen to me and about Aunt Silvia and Antonia.
She expressed her sympathy as she massaged and rubbed my body with an ointment. "I have something we can use to help you heal. Back in my village, we used it a lot, and your wounds will heal within days."
Her and I got along really well, and I sensed that her and I are going to have a good friendship.
Later, I went to my room, and found the makeup artist waiting for me. I sat at the vanity, and she got on with doing my makeup. I was really impressed ,she did a really good job and covered my black eye and eye bags. I looked different—the eyeshadow made my blue-green eyes sparkle, which complemented my long black hair. She finished, and I loved it.
Mercy made the ointment for me and was about to start rubbing it on my back before I could wear the wedding dress. Then Dante walked in, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt that gripped his muscles with a vest on top and tuxedo pants. His hair was perfectly gelled and complemented his black eyes ,he wasn't even fully dressed, but he looked so handsome.
I realized that I was still in my bra and underwear. My face flushed red, and I didn't have anything to cover myself with. Mercy bowed, handed him the ointment, and left the room. Dante walked towards me, "turn around," he said, but I resisted. "I will not repeat myself," he said. "Mr. Dante... I can't," I replied stammering.
He pulled me close, I could see his anger building up in his eyes. "Don't call me Mr. Dante," he said in a low tone. "And I hate it when I repeat myself."
" Mr... I mean... Dante, I can't. I have ugly scars on my back, and I..."
" I don't care. Turn around," he commanded.
I slowly turned around and showcased my scars. He took some ointment and rubbed it on my back. He was so gentle, tracing every single bruise and scar with the tips of his fingers. It felt like a light feather was being traced on my skin. He put his hands on my waist and pulled me closer, he whispered to me, "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
Tears dropped from my eyes as I apologized and explained everything that had happened to me.
He turned me around and made me look into his eyes. "Never lie or hide anything from me," he said, pulling me in for a gentle kiss. I didn't know him that much, but he made me feel so safe and loved.
He helped me wear my corset and didn't tighten it too much. He assisted me in putting on the dress—the dress his mother gave me , and the necklace that belonged to my mother.
"Let me go and finish dressing up," he said, placing a kiss on my forehead before leaving and instructing Mercy to come and finish helping me.
Mercy came through and helped me finish. I looked at myself in the full-length mirror and wondered who the drop dead gorgeous girl in the mirror looking back at me was. I couldn't believe it—I was finally getting married.
I thanked Mercy for helping me get dressed. Then asked her if she could be my maid of Honor since I didn't have anyone. She was happy and agreed to be my maid of Honor. I called for another maid who helped her dress up too. She looked lovely. The peach-themed dress brought out her ginger hair and brown eyes.
We both walked into the hallway and stood at the door of the wedding hall, still overwhelmed by everything. Then I felt a hand wrap around me—it was Uncle Julio.
"I thought you needed someone to walk you down the aisle," he remarked.
The doors opened, and we finally walked into the hall. I could see people staring at me through my veil. I looked down as we walked, then I saw Aunt Silvia and Antonia in the crowd, both looking angry and miserable. As I approached the altar, I noticed someone else in the crowd.
It was Isaac, could he have come to see me and want to run away like we talked about. It was too late for that now.
I walked up to where he was standing with the priest. He really looked handsome.
The priest cleared his throat and began his speech about love.
"Dear friends, today we gather to celebrate not only the union of two individuals but the merging of two hearts, two souls, and two destinies. Love is a journey, a beautiful voyage where two people choose to navigate the highs and lows of life together. It's about understanding, compromise, and unwavering support. Love is the force that binds us all, and today, we witness the formation of a new bond."
He then turned to Dante and I, asking us to exchange our vows.
Dante looked deeply into my eyes and spoke, "Elena, from the moment I saw you, my life transformed. Today, I vow to stand by your side through joy and sorrow, to cherish and support you, and to be your partner in this extraordinary adventure we call life. With you, every day is a new chapter, and I promise to make each chapter as beautiful as the love we share."
I smiled, with tears of joy in her eyes, and responded, "Dante, you entered my life like a gentle breeze, calming the storms within me. I vow to be your confidante, your partner in crime, and your refuge in times of need. I promise to love you in moments of happiness and hold you in moments of sorrow. Together, our story will be written with love, and our hearts will beat as one."
The priest, with a warm smile, pronounced, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Dante and I shared a tender kiss, sealing our vows and as we opened a new chapter as husband and wife.
The crowd erupted in applause, and we turned to face our friends and family, hand in hand. I could see Antonia and Aunt Silvia weren't happy and neither was Isaac. Walking down the aisle together, I couldn't help but steal glances at Dante. His eyes held a sense of commitment and, strangely, a touch of tenderness I hadn't seen before.
Uncle Julio stood next to me, making me feel both comforted and a bit sad. As we walked down the aisle, Aunt Silvia and Antonia glared at us with disapproval. Their negativity was clear, but I decided to concentrate on the love growing between Dante and me.
The reception was filled with joy, music, and dancing. The scars on my back reminded me of my past, but holding Dante's hand reassured me.