Shades of love

Domenic looked at himself in the mirror, smirking in satisfaction. He could almost taste the growing power, the new position, everything he had wished and worked for was coming true. “You look so handsome, my son” – his old nanny, Maria, smiled brightly, looking at him with tearful eyes. “I can’t believe you are getting married” – she repeated a hundred times that day. “I can’t believe it myself, either” – he said, grabbing a glass of champagne. “I just want to get this over with, as soon as possible.” “I have prayed so long and so much, for your happiness, Domenic– Maria was again in the verse of tears “Maria, would you calm down, please? I thought that was the bride who should put up with cheesy sentimental speeches.” – he replied in an almost annoyed tone. “I know am not your mother, but… I raised you both, your brother and you…” Domenic sighed “You are more a mother to me than the woman that brought me to life Maria, you know that” – he said, patting her shoulders, “But it’s a day just like any other, with the only difference, it will take me one step ahead of what I truly want. Think of this marriage as a… smart chess move” “What do you mean?” – Maria asked, confused, looking at him like he was suddenly speaking a whole other language. She could not understand a word. Before anyone could say anything else, the door of the room busted open. A young woman, with long messy hair and a painful expression on her face, entered uninvited, looking at Domenic from his head to his toe, with wide eyes. ” What are you doing here Mia?” – Domenic sounded angry and worried ‘So it is true?” – she said, breathing hard in disbelief “You are getting married?” – two lone tears escaped her beautiful green eyes, which expressed so much pain and betrayal. “You need to get out of here. I don’t want any scenes.” “Scenes? You don’t want… scenes?” - Mia repeated his words, as a storm of different emotions hit her, making her feel almost paralyzed. “Who is this girl, son? What does she want? “ –  Maria asked, concerned, witnessing the bad physical and emotional conditions of the young woman, but also the dissatisfaction and irritation in Domenic’s face. “She is a nobody! Can you please leave us alone for a minute, Maria?” – he asked in a hard voice while keeping his cold look fixed in Mia. “Yes, of course. Please, make this quick. The ceremony is about to begin in 15 minutes. You should be at the altar, before the bride” – Maria said, before closing the door behind her. “So I am a nobody? Right? Was my love not enough for you? Huh? Everything I have been through, all the things I put up with… I forgive you even our child’s death… “ “Shut up! Shut up!” – Domenic smashed the champagne glass he was holding against the wall, making Mia flinch in fear. “How dare you blame on me the death of that baby, when it was your fault, to begin with?” “My fault? How is it my fault that you hit me so hard that I lost my baby? Huh?” – she yelled back at him, for the very first time, leaving Domenic shocked for some short seconds. “I loved you! I love you! You should have been at least man enough to say it in my face that you are getting married to another woman! Why should I find out this way? Why did you do this to me?” – Mia cried out, angry and hurt. “Calm down! This is not the place, nor the time” – Domenic took a long breath trying to control himself and her. ‘This is exactly the right place! You promised me the world, you promised me that we would get married, have a family, and be happy together. I trusted you, I waited three years for you… But nothing is good enough for you is it? I am not good enough!” – Mia looked at him brokenheartedly, the look in her eyes twitched something inside Domenic. Her eyes always had immense power over him, even though Mia was totally unaware of this. “Calm down, Mia. Just because I am getting married, does not mean it is over between us two” – he said, cupping her head in between his two big palms. She looked up at him, with wondering, begging eyes. “I am marrying Olivia because it is the right thing to do. She is from a good family, and I need her father’s connection to ensure my position and gain more power. But we will still see each other, nothing will change” – he said in a soothing voice, trying to reassure her. “You marrying Olivia?’ – she asked underneath her breath, not believing her ears “I will rent you an apartment in the city center. I will visit you every week. I will never abound you, my beautiful kitten” – he said, leaning down and kissing her with deep passion, almost leaving her breathless. As always, his touch was demanding and dominating, but this time she did not answer back. With all the power she could gather, she pushed him back. Hitting his muscular chest with her fists, she managed to take a few steps away from him, maintaining distance. ‘I wish you all the misery in the world in your marriage, Mr. Domenic Krieger. You and your soon-to-be wife certainly do deserve each other” – she said in a smirk, while bitter tears flooded her delicate face. “Mia” – Domenic said in a sharp voice, surprised by her reaction. “ These tears I shed all these years because of you, will one day hunt you. And I hope your heart will be broken to pieces, just like you did with mine if you have a heart, of course. I hope that you lose peace, that you lose sleep, by being just as isolated and lonely as I am, right now.” ‘Listen to me, Mia” – he tried to say something, but again she cut him off. “And I hope, Mr. Krieger… I pray that you become as powerful and rich as you always hoped to be. I really hope so, because only then will you find out that money cannot buy happiness. People may fear or respect you because of power, but no one will love you, as I have loved you” – she said, sobbing. Her lower lip trembled. “I never want to see you again.” “Mia?” – Domenic called out to her. For the first time in his life, he felt a deep fear of losing her. “Sir?” – a voice was heard from behind the door “We need you, the ceremony is about to begin” – a man said. ‘We will talk about this after the ceremony finishes, Mia. Wait for me here” – he said with a demanding voice. ‘Your bride is waiting for you, sir. You better not be late” – she said, forcing a smile, despite the tears and the pain. “Wait for me here, kitten. I will never give up on you” – he said, grabbing her delicate shoulders and putting a kiss on her temple before leaving. Mia looked at the man she loved, as he turned his back on her, to marry another woman. “Farewell, my cruel love” – she said, whipping her tears with force, before forcing a window open and leaving the back garden, so no one would see her.