Leonardo looked at Arya like she had horns. Not only did she wear a different color but she also went against him purposely.
"Give me one reason I shouldn't send you back to change", he asked more annoyed at the fact that the dress was doing something to him.
Arya was wearing a red body con-ish silk dress with lace embroidery. It was an exquisite wedding dress, characterized by its intricate detailing and elegant design. The gown features a breathtaking long red veil that adds a touch of grace and sophistication to the bridal attire. The dress is adorned with embellishments that highlight its luxurious texture, with lace elements that contribute to its delicate and romantic appeal.
The color, red, eluded sensuality and it clung to her curves provocatively. The contrast of her bright red dress with the black and grey theme made her stand out.
"The dress you picked out isn't for me. It looked outdated. You have good taste in fashion for yourself but not for me", Arya replied desperately.
"Do you have any idea how you look in the dress?", he asked in a raspy tone.
"Oh, come of it. I know my dress looks good. I can see it in your eyes", she replied.
Leonardo, yet again, couldn't dispute that fact.
Soon, murmurs start to fill the hall. The catholic priest cleared his throat and began with the ceremony.
Arya hoped the Don would just overlook her dress and let her be. Her life was no longer hers, she couldn't let her wardrobe belong to someone else too. Somehow, they got lost in their thoughts and drowned out the priest's voice.
"Do you take Arya Miguel to be your wife", the priest asked Leonardo.
He had made to sure to tell the priest to make the ceremony short. A catholic wedding for a mafia was just to get recognized marriage certificate from the church.
"I do", he answered, looking at anywhere but Arya.
"Do you take the Don, Leonardo Marcello, to be your husband?", the priest's voice called Arya out of her thoughts.
As if she had a choice.
"I do", she said.
The priest then asked for those who are against the marriage and of course, nobody spoke up.
"By the power vested in me, I now proclaim you man and wife", the priest said with finality.
The couple exchanged rings but they didn't exchange vows. The marriage was strictly political.
The orchestra started and the couple walked out of the reception with Arya's hand in his.
*********************************
Maria yawned as she stretched on her bed in the guest room. She hated that Leonardo was getting married to someone else but there was nothing she could do. She's just an orphan who was taken in by the Marcello's family. Her parents who were agents for the Marcello's died from a shoot out. They were ambushed by a rival group.
The Marcello's took her in as since her parents died on duty and raised her up. She was never adopted by them and stayed with Leonardo grand father at the time.
She would watch Leonardo train from her window and had an unhealthy crush on him ever since. She knew people like him rarely looked at people like her unless they had a reason. If she tried any funny business at the wedding, she knew the mafia families benefiting from it would have her head.
"Arrrgh", she screamed and pushed over her bed lamp angrily. She remembered her conversation with Leonardo earlier.
FLASHBACK.
Maria watch Arya walk away and tried to calm herself down. She and the Don had a different relationship from the other mistresses and she thought to put that to use.
She walked into the mansion to Leonardo's room.
"Is the Don in?", she asked the guards by his door.
"He's getting married Maria, move on", the guard on the right said.
"Still doesn't mean he can't have mistresses", Maria hissed.
"So you prefer being a whore instead of doing something with your life?", the one on the left said.
"Leonardo is my life. Where is he?", she asked again.
"As long as it gets you out of my sight then check his office", the guard said.
Maria gave him insulting glances and walked away. She needed to know what was going on in the Don's head.
She didn't knock on the door, she just barged into his office. There he sat, at the other side of the table, looking like a three course meal. He was reading some documents.
"I can see I didn't do a good job of avoiding you", Leonardo said without looking up.
"I know you are getting married but it's not by your choice. You certainly do not love her, mi Amoree", Maria said as she sat down opposite him.
"Listen to yourself", Leonardo said and shook his head.
"It's not the first time you've had a girlfriend, you still came to me back then. Why does it change now?", she asked.
"I decided to get rid of my so called harem because I am getting married. This isn't a relationship", he answered.
"In that case I still have time. I mean you're not married yet. I know what you like, Don", she said seductively.
Leonardo let out a frustrated sigh. Maria just doesn't get the hint and now he has to be brutal with her.
"Sex is primal. I am a man with a cock that has needs. You have the place I could stick it in but now, I don't want to stick it in anymore. It's simple, Maria. Leave", he said with finality.
She stood up slowly with tears in her eyes.
"I've only known you all my life, how do I live", she cried.
"I know what you do with Fin and some other mafia members. You're a whore, you just lost a client, that's all. It's just business and now I'm cutting you off the pay check", he said.
Maria stood in shock wondering how he could have known.
Stupid, Leonardo thought. He's the Don for crying out loud, there's nothing he doesn't know.
Maria walked out in shame and tears.
FLASHBACK ENDS
"Arrrggh", she screamed again.
She might not be a mafia princess but she has never backed down from anything. She picked up her phone and looked at the time.
8:50pm.
They should be rounding up the church wedding soon and from there head to the villa. She managed to get Fin to get her an invite so she can attend the reception.
She dialed a number and waited with baited breath.
"Maria....", the voice said from the other end.
"Hello".