After weeks of being told what to do and having my wedding planned for me, the day arrived. Hannah and Mother had done most of the planning, even choosing the color palette theme for the wedding.
Luckily, I got to decide what I wanted the bridesmaids to wear. Granted I didn't have any friends, it was my sister and a few cousins only. There were also women from the Cosa Nostra acting like my bridesmaids.
As far as anyone was concerned, I wasn't old enough to plan a grand wedding. But I was old enough to get married?
I didn't understand how that made sense.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror what my life after that day would be like. For a brief second, I allowed myself to wonder if I would ever find happiness or love. I'd never been in love before.
Was it a good feeling or was it bad? If I fell in love, would the person I loved reciprocate? Would I fall in love with another man aside from my husband? I hope not.
Men in the Mafia were possessive of their wives. They hated it when other men touched or played with their toys. Sadly, the sentiment wasn't reciprocated.
Mafioso wives were not allowed to bat an eyelash if their husbands were seeing other women.
"Are you ready?" Hannah asked as she entered my dressing room.
The wedding was taking place in the Mancini Estate. It was a tradition for the Cosa Nostra families to get married in the Mancini Estate. Since I was getting married to their Capo dei Capi, I had to get married there as well.
"I'm ready," I said to Hannah.
Her eyes observed me for the first time since we met. She was very professional and she was always working. It was hard to believe that she had pulled off such a grand event in three weeks.
She was very talented.
"You look gorgeous. That wedding dress was truly made for you." She commented. I offered a tight smile as she added, "Your sister is outside waiting to talk to you. I'll give you guys five minutes and then you have to walk down the altar. "
I nodded my head and turned to the mirror to check myself out again. The wedding dress was very flattering on me, no doubt.
It featured a stunning off-the-shoulder design with a dramatic, wrapped bodice that created a luxurious and voluminous look around the neckline and shoulders.
The fabric used was satin material, giving the dress a smooth and shiny finish.
The gown had a fitted waist, accentuating my figure, before flowing into a full, A-line skirt. The notable feature of the skirt is a high slit on one side, adding a modern and slightly daring touch to the classic silhouette.
The slit allowed for ease of movement and gave a glimpse of my legs, balancing the gown's otherwise traditional style.
I had a serpent statement necklace with green diamonds on the eyes of the serpent. It complemented the off-the-shoulder neckline perfectly and matched my engagement ring.
My shoes were a dazzling and glamorous pair of high-heeled sandals. They featured a slender stiletto heel, an open toe, and a delicate strap across the toes, providing a minimalist yet elegant silhouette.
The standout feature of the sandals was the large, sparkling bow that adorned the ankle strap. This bow was encrusted with numerous tiny, shimmering rhinestones or sequins, catching the light beautifully and adding a luxurious, eye-catching element to the design.
"Wow. You're so very gorgeous. I wish you were getting married for love." Angie said as she entered the dressing room.
I sighed, refusing to let the sadness increase. I already felt like I was attending a burial instead of a wedding.
"At least he's not a balding old man."
"He is eleven years your senior and the most dangerous man in Italy. What if you don't make it through the year?" Angie asked as tears flowed from her face.
I pulled her closer and hugged her. If she cried more, she would smudge her makeup and Mother would punish her.
"I will be fine. You know how brave and strong I am." Liar. I am just as scared as you are, if not more.
But I couldn't tell Angie that. She would only cry more.
"Promise me you'll come and visit me after you're married," Angie said as she pulled away.
"I will."
I wiped her eyes and redid her eye makeup a little. I smoothed out her smooth blonde hair and put my hands on her arms.
She was in a dress characterized by its vibrant emerald green color and luxurious flowing satin fabric.
The dress featured a dramatic, open-back design that added a sense of allure and elegance. The open back extended from the nape of the neck down to the lower back, creating a sensual and eye-catching detail.
The front of the dress had a high neckline, which contrasted beautifully with the daring open back. The dress had long, cape-like sleeves that added to its dramatic and flowy silhouette, giving it a sense of movement and grace. The hemline was relatively short, balancing the covered front and long sleeves with a more playful and flirtatious length.
Her dress was on theme with the color palette, which was emerald green and black.
Her feet were in white stilettos with a bow at the back of it. She may have been sixteen but she could walk in six-inch heels. Since the age of twelve, we'd been taught to walk in them.
We had to wear them all around the house until our feet were too sore to move. I could run in heels at this point.
"You have to be strong. Mother will punish you if you show a peek of weakness. Remember what I taught you?"
"Yes. Push back hurt feelings, blink away the tears, and cry in the comfort of my room where no one can see or hear me."
"Good. That is the only way to survive Mother and Father. You'll be married soon, and maybe sooner than I. Wear that advice like a second skin if you want to survive your husband as well."
After exchanging a few more words, the door opened and Hannah stepped in.
"Your parents are waiting to walk you down the aisle."
Angie and I left the dressing room and approached our parents. Angie joined the other bridesmaids and left me to have one last conversation with my parents before they gave me away to the devil.
"Do everything your husband wants and don't embarrass this family," Father said.
"If he asks to jump, you ask how high. If he wants an heir, you open your legs and let him have it. He wants to move his mistress into his house, you take deep breaths, be the bigger person, and allow it. He is the head and the voice of the house. Always remember that." Mother added.
"Okay. I will make you two proud."
They looked at one another and smiled in satisfaction. When the music started, we got into position.
Time to trade one devil for another.