Scorned In Vernice

Chapter four : The engagement day

(Bianca pov)

The night had arrived, and Venice glimmered like it had been painted just for me. The city’s canals reflected strings of golden lights that wrapped around the palazzos, making everything look ethereal as if the entire world had paused to celebrate this one night.

I stood at the top of the grand staircase in the Donald mansion, heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. My gown a soft ivory creation with delicate lace that hugged my figure shimmered with every flicker of light. The train stretched elegantly behind me, and I could feel all eyes waiting for me to descend.

The doors at the bottom of the staircase opened, and I could hear the low murmur of voices, the clinking of glasses, the rustle of silk and tuxedos. Guests had arrived from all over the world: business partners, family friends, and socialites eager to witness the union of Bianca Donald and Matteo DeLuca.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. The weight of the moment pressed on my shoulders, but it was a kind of weight I welcomed. After all, this was my life, the life I had fought for, the life I had built.

With one final glance at my reflection in the mirrored wall, I began my descent. Each step felt measured, graceful, as though I were gliding rather than walking. The eyes of every guest followed me. Whispers floated up to me, polite exclamations of admiration.

There she is…

So beautiful…

The bride to be…

My gaze scanned the room until I found him. Matteo.

He stood at the foot of the stairs, tall, impeccably dressed in a tailored black tuxedo. His dark hair caught the candlelight, and those piercing blue eyes my Matteo locked onto mine. A small smile played on his lips, confident and warm all at once.

My heart skipped.

As I reached the last step, Matteo extended his hand, his voice steady yet filled with a softness reserved only for me.

“May I have this dance my lady ?”

I smiled and placed my hand in his. The warmth of his touch spread through me, grounding me in a way nothing else could.

“Of course,my Prince Charming ” I whispered.

He led me to the center of the ballroom where the polished floor reflected the lights above. The string quartet began to play a soft, romantic waltz, the music wrapping around us like a tender embrace. Matteo held me close, his hand steady at the small of my back, our fingers intertwined.

“You look… breathtaking,” he murmured, his lips brushing my ear as we began to move.

I laughed softly, tilting my head to meet his gaze. “You always know what to say.”

He shook his head with a small smirk. “I speak the truth. Do you remember the first day we met?”

I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. “Of course. How could I forget? You were so annoyingly confident, I thought you were trying to impress everyone in the cafe. And yet…” I trailed off, the memory vivid. “And yet, I couldn’t stop looking at you.”

He chuckled, a warm, low sound that made my chest flutter. “And I couldn’t stop staring at you either. I knew from that moment I wanted you in my life. Forever.”

I squeezed his hand, feeling the heat of his words seep into me. “You got me pretty quickly, Matteo DeLuca. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

He grinned, spinning me once so our movements matched the rhythm of the waltz perfectly. “I had to. You are …. impossible to resist.”

The guests had begun to gather around the dance floor, joining couples, laughing and swaying to the music. But for me, the world had narrowed down to just him. His touch, his warmth, the steady beat of his heart against mine, it was intoxicating.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered again, his forehead resting briefly against mine. “Every single time I look at you, I see… everything I have ever wanted.”

I blushed, my hands tightening slightly around his. “You always know the right thing to say, don’t you?”

“Only when it matters most,” he replied, a teasing glint in his eyes.

We danced through the night, sharing memories and laughter as we glided across the floor. He reminded me of the little things our first coffee date, the walk through Piazza San Marco, the gondola ride where I almost fell into the canal. Each memory brought warmth to my chest, making me laugh and smile as though we were the only two people in the world.

“Remember when you insisted on paying for gelato?” Matteo said, twirling me under the soft lights.

I giggled. “And you tried to tell me I didn’t need to. But I insisted. I was stubborn even then.”

He shook his head with amusement. “And I fell in love with that stubbornness.”

The music swelled, and the crowd clapped, joining in as more couples moved to the floor. I felt the world fade around me, the soft melody of the waltz and Matteo’s presence creating a bubble of pure happiness.

“Dance with me until the stars fade, Bianca,” he whispered, his lips brushing my temple.

“I will,” I replied softly, letting the warmth of the moment fill me completely.

As the night wore on, the room seemed to glow brighter with every smile, every whisper, every soft laughter. And there, in the heart of the ballroom, Matteo and I moved as if time itself had paused two souls intertwined, two hearts beating as one.

The engagement party had begun perfectly, just as I had dreamed. But little did I know that behind the laughter and music, shadows lingered, waiting for the perfect moment to disrupt everything.

For now, though, I was happy. I was loved. I was Bianca Donald, the girl who had survived abandonment, heartbreak, and loneliness and who was about to step into a new chapter of her life.

And for this night, the world was ours.