Giorgia ~
We turned around, and there he stood. The man who had us frozen in place, his posture relaxed but eyes sharp. Victor.
"Shouldn't you both be sleeping?" he asked, his voice smooth, deliberate, and far too knowing. Martina, fiery as always, didn't hesitate. "This is our house, our territory. We can do whatever we want. It's none of your business."
Victor didn't flinch. He didn't even look at her. His gaze was locked on me, unwavering, like he could peel back my defenses with just a glance. My heart thundered in my chest as the weight of his stare pinned me in place. He took a step closer-not threatening, but enough to send a ripple of unease through me. "I'll ask again," he said, his tone calm yet heavy with warning. "Shouldn't you both be sleeping?"
I swallowed hard, my throat dry, my palms clammy. My legs threatened to buckle beneath me, but I forced myself to stand tall. Meeting his gaze was like staring into a storm, but I didn't look away. "Please," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Let us go."
Martina's hand tightened around mine as I tugged her back toward the kitchen door. I could feel Victor's eyes burning into me, but I didn't dare look again. Not until the door closed behind us with a soft click.
Once inside, the door clicked shut behind us, and I exhaled deeply. But before I could even think of relaxing, Martina was already speaking, her voice sharp with frustration.
"Are you out of your mind, Gia?" she snapped, her frustration cutting through the silence. "You just gave in to him! You know what he's like. We could've said something-done something-". "There's no point, Tina." My voice wavered, but I pressed on. "He already knows. Lying wouldn't change a thing."
Her scowl deepened, but I could see the flicker of worry beneath her anger. "What about Father? What if he finds out?" I hesitated, dread curling in my stomach like a serpent. "I don't know. But Victor doesn't forget things, Martina. If he tells Father, it's bad enough... but if he tells Javier..." I trailed off, the thought too heavy to finish.
Martina's sharp retort died on her lips, replaced by silence. I moved toward the window, the hum of a car engine reaching my ears. Parting the curtains, I watched the Rodriguez family leave, but the sight didn't ease the tension coiling inside me.
I didn't sleep that night. The fear of Father finding out was suffocating, but the fear of Javier knowing? That was a nightmare I couldn't shake.
--
Two years later...
Antonio and I stood in the parking lot, waiting for Martina. We were headed to my wedding dress shopping. Only two months left until the wedding. Two months until everything I feared came to fruition. Two months until my life was sealed in a deal that wasn't mine. Two months until I became exactly what I dreaded-just like my mother. Two months until everything changed, and there was no turning back.
The dinner at our mansion had been the first and last time I saw Javier. In the two years since, he had never come to visit, never called, not even a simple text. The only time I heard from him was when he sent expensive gifts or the usual bouquet of roses on my birthday or Valentine's Day. Nothing more. Nothing personal. But that was fine, I told myself. He never had to be anything to me. After all, the marriage wasn't about us.
"Why the hell are you joining us?" Martina asked Antonio with a mixture of surprise and sarcasm. She eyed Antonio from head to toe, the sarcasm thick in her tone. "You want to help pick out wedding dresses too?" She snickered, shaking her head as if the idea was absurd.
Antonio, ever the stoic, didn't even blink. His gaze was flat, his patience worn thin. He just stared at her with that unamused look that made it clear he didn't find her little quip amusing. He was the kind of man who didn't entertain unnecessary drama -especially when it involved Martina.
Sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "For once, can you be on time, Tina?" I asked, my voice betraying the frustration I felt.
Martina raised an eyebrow, not even the slightest bit apologetic. "Being on time isn't exactly a 'Martina thing' to do, Gia," she said, her voice dripping with sass as she casually checked her nails. "Get in the car, we're already late," Antonio called out, heading toward the vehicle. He slid into the driver's seat, starting the engine as we both reluctantly climbed into the backseat.
Even Martina was shocked when he announced he'd be coming with us. But I figured he was probably there to keep an eye on us-bride abductions were a real threat in our world.
That night when Victor caught us, I thought we were gonna die. I didn't actually expect him to not tell my father. He must have told Javier, that was obvious but what bothered me was the fact that Javier didn't make a scene about it. Had it been someone else, then there would have been hell to pay. But it didn't matter now‐ let the bygones be bygones.
---
Twenty minutes later, we stood in front of one of the most famous and luxurious wedding dress boutiques in Vegas. The building was a pristine white, its sleek two-story structure accented with large glass windows that showcased an array of stunning gowns shimmering under the soft lighting. Delicate floral arrangements framed the entrance, a blend of roses and orchids that exuded elegance. The boutique's name was etched in gold cursive on a marble plaque by the door, and the faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air, setting a tone of sophistication even before stepping inside.
We entered inside, and the stylist came rushing over with a wide, almost too-enthusiastic smile. "Ms. Giorgia Torrini, welcome! We've been expecting you," she said, her voice a mix of professionalism and barely contained excitement. Her eyes sparkled, clearly thrilled at having such a high-profile, wealthy client to work with.
"I'm Celeste, and I'll be helping you find your dream dress today," she added, gesturing toward the plush seating area surrounded by luxurious racks of gowns. The faint scent of roses filled the air, and the soft lighting made the delicate beadwork and lace on the dresses glisten.
As she spoke, her gaze flicked briefly to Antonio, who stood silently beside us with his usual unreadable expression. The excitement in her eyes dimmed slightly, and she shifted on her feet, clearly unsettled. Everyone in Vegas knew who we were-or more importantly, who he was-and the mere presence of a Torrini often had that effect.
"Shall we get started?" she asked, her voice slightly more subdued now as she avoided looking directly at Antonio again. "We should start, but can we wait for a little while?" I said, my voice hesitant. "We're expecting someone else," I added, looking around the boutique, trying to ease my nerves.
Just as I finished my sentence, the door opened with a soft chime. I turned around, to see the familiar figures of Camila Rodriguez, Victor and a girl with mesmerizing green eyes and curly hair enter. They had flown in from Miami last night, all here to help with the wedding preparations. Camila was Javier's younger sister, though she was a few years older than Ivan. The other girl was maybe Camila's friend or something. And then there was Victor... we all knew exactly who he was.
Martina's eyes narrowed as she gave me a questioning look. She was quick to pick up on the fact that I hadn't mentioned their arrival. "Why didn't you tell me they were joining us?" she asked, her tone already hinting at annoyance.
I shrugged slightly, feeling the weight of her gaze. "Camila asked if they could join," I said, my voice quiet. "I didn't tell you because I knew you'd throw a tantrum about it." Martina huffed but said nothing more, while I quickly turned back to face the group entering the boutique. Of course, Antonio knew they were joining us-I had already made sure to inform him. After all, they couldn't step into our territory without our say-so.
"Hey! How are you?" Camila greeted me with a warm smile that lit up her brown eyes. "I'm great! I hope you're doing well too," I replied with a genuine smile, feeling truly happy to see her. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" Camila said, her voice soft and familiar. "By the way, this is my best friend, Lucia Salazar."
I smiled at Lucia and said, "Hello," before introducing Martina. "This is Martina, my younger sister." Lucia smiled warmly at Martina "Hi, nice to meet you," she said to Martina and Martina replied her in the same polite way. Lucia seemed younger than Camila and me-probably around Martina's age.
Meanwhile, Antonio and Victor exchanged a subtle nod, a silent acknowledgment that wasn't accompanied by warmth. It wasn't exactly a greeting, more like a quiet recognition of each other's presence.
As I glanced over at Victor, my stomach tightened. He hadn't spoken to me, but the memory of that night when he caught us still lingered in the back of my mind. I hoped-prayed-that he had forgotten it, or at least hadn't mentioned it to anyone. But deep down, I knew I couldn't be that lucky.
"So, should we get started now?" Camila asked, her excitement practically glowing in her voice.
"Yes, of course," I replied, gesturing for everyone to settle down. We all made ourselves comfortable on the pristine white sofa. Victor and Antonio, however, stood off to the side, a few paces away from the rest of us, clearly uninterested in what was happening. The tension between them was palpable, but neither seemed eager to engage.
Camila and I had met for the first time at my nineteenth birthday. As the soon-to-be wife of Javier, I had to invite his family to all my functions, but only Camila had bothered to show up. It wasn't as though I expected the whole Rodriguez clan to fly to Las Vegas just for my birthday, but I still thought at least Javier could have made an appearance. Not that I missed him, but it felt like basic courtesy. But then again, I couldn't expect anything like that from someone like him.
In fact, a small part of me was relieved he hadn't come. I had no intention of meeting him anyway. Camila, on the other hand, was completely different from her family. She was kind, genuine, and seemed genuinely interested in everything about the wedding preparations. She was a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of them. Maybe she was more like her mother.
Lucia seemed nice too, and without a doubt, she was absolutely stunning. Her green eyes, so striking, reminded me of Javier's. She and Camila made the perfect duo-blonde and brunette, like the ultimate best friend pair everyone admired. They just radiated an effortless charm together.
As we chatted, Celeste started bringing in wedding gowns for us to look at. She brought dresses from every style imaginable-sleek, modern cuts, classic ball gowns, and even more daring, avant-garde designs. I started trying on gowns, but none of them felt like the one for me. I wasn't overly invested in this whole process, but I did want a dress I could at least tolerate-something that would have a piece of me in it, especially considering how little else in this wedding was my choice.
"Do you have any specific preferences, or the groom's preferences?" Celeste asked after presenting nearly every gown in the boutique for the past hour. "The groom prefers her naked," Martina shot back with a smirk, not at all concerned about Camila overhearing. "You don't have a dress like that, do you?"
Celeste's expression tightened, clearly not amused by the taunt. "I'll look for some better options," she muttered, her tone tinged with irritation. Without another word, she excused herself and left us to our own devices. "Don't worry, you'll find your dream dress, darling," Lucia said encouragingly, her smile warm. Camila gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "We don't expect you to make a once-in-a-lifetime decision this quick. Take your time."
"This isn't the last boutique in all of Vegas, bitch," Martina chimed in with a wink. "You'll surely find the one for you." After some time, Celeste returned with a dress, and oh my goodness, it was the most amazing gown I had ever seen. Without wasting another second, I quickly rushed to the dressing room to try it on.
The dress was a stunning mermaid-style gown, hugging my curves perfectly. It featured a long, dramatic train that trailed behind me as I moved. The neckline was heart-shaped, emphasizing the delicate contours of my chest, with intricate crystal designs scattered across the fabric, catching the light as if the stars themselves had been sewn into it. The crystals continued down to about halfway, creating a sparkling, ethereal effect. At the back, a delicate bow tied the gown together, adding a touch of sweetness to the otherwise glamorous and sophisticated design. It was the perfect balance of elegance and sparkle.
I walked out wearing the gown, and as soon as everyone saw me, they were speechless. Camila's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. Lucia gave me an approving nod, her smile soft but genuine. Even Martina, who usually had a comment for everything, was quiet for a moment, her gaze lingering on the gown with a hint of admiration.
Victor, standing at a distance, didn't say anything, but his eyes were on me, calculating, as always. Antonio was the first to speak, his usual indifference melting away for just a second. "That's the one," he said, his voice low but sure.
Celeste, standing nearby, beamed with pride. "Perfect choice, Ms. Torrini. It's like it was made for you."
I couldn't help but smile, feeling a rush of relief. For once, it felt like I wasn't just going through the motions. This dress-this moment-was mine. I looked at myself in the mirror, the smile on my face was the most genuine one I'd had in these two years. But as I stood there, the realization hit me, and that smile slowly faded.
The gown was beautiful, yes. It was everything I was supposed to want for my wedding day. But underneath it, something was missing. The reflection staring back at me wasn't just the bride in a perfect gown. It was someone trapped, someone who had no choice in what she was doing, no say in her future.
I had never felt this ugly before-not in the way this gown made me look, but in the way it made me feel. It was as if the gown was only a shell, a mask hiding the truth beneath.
With a deep sigh, I turned away from the mirror, my heart heavy. I had found the perfect dress, but I hadn't found myself. Not yet.
"Let's just get this over with," I whispered under my breath, already feeling the weight of what was to come.
And just like that, the chapter of my life that was supposed to be filled with dreams felt more like a nightmare in the making.