His always and forever

First meeting

Alex

To say I didn't want get married would be an euphemism to say the least. I've had once a girlfriend, only to find out she was only there for my money. It didn't break my heart or any of those things. If I had been with her, it was only because I wanted to try it out; having a relationship. It turned out to be a bad experience. She started asking for gifts and presents constantly. Don't get me wrong, I think it's normal to offer presents to our girlfriend but to be forced to do it? That's not how it should work I mean I guess. I just dumped her after a week. I sincerely hope this new bride of mine isn't a gold digger or I'll make her life a living hell. Anyways I won't be a real husband to her and I'll make sure she gets it since the start. I'm not marrying her because I want to but because I have to.

I pulled out a black suit from my closet, selected a watch and a crimson tie. I got dressed and exited my walk-in closet. After styling my hair, I took my wallet and my car keys from the small coffee table in my bedroom and headed downstairs to meet my family.

They were all waiting at the stairs bottom, my parents had huge smiles on their faces like today was the most amazing day in their life, Matteo, on the other side, had a devilish smirk on his face. I walked down the stairs and went straight to the front door. I heard Matteo laughing as I passed by without greeting anyone. I was clearly not in the mood for anything.

If this bride of mine could simply vanish, I'll be the happiest man on earth. Maybe that's the solution? No I can't do that to someone. The idea didn't left my head the whole ride though. It would be so simple though. All I'd have to do was to give my cousin Enzo a call and he'd to care of it. Not that my father nor my mother would approve but Enzo knew how to do it discretely. His dad was the head of the Italian mafia after all.

I hooped in the car and set the address of the restaurant where I had to meet my bride on the GPS. I didn't even wait to see my dad's car out of the garage that I already drove away. As I looked into my rear view mirror I spotted my brother's ferrari right behind me. Great. I speeded up and for a moment I just wanted to run away. I wasn't a coward far from that actually. But I was nervous to meet her, the woman I was forced to spend the rest of my life with. In no time I pulled up in front of the restaurant and handed my car keys to the valet. I pulled out a cigaret from my packet and lighted it up waiting for my parents.

Caroline

I couldn't find a proper dress and it was getting to me. I could feel myself getting nervous and starting to sweat. No no no, I can't be late. I decided to face time my sister. Kate always knew what to wear and when. We decided on a tight asymmetrical black dress. It hugged my body perfectly showing off my hourglass shape and a little bit of cleavage. I ended up curling my long blond hair in big generous waves and applied my makeup. To finish my look, I put on some red lipstick and decided I was looking decent enough for the bride of a supermodel's ex. I looked one last time at my reflection through the mirror and tried to give myself a pet-talk. You can do it. You're Caroline Yvanenko and there's no man in the world that will ever be able to make you feel like you're nothing. My phone rang; it was the taxi. I grabbed my black clutch bag and took the elevator. I hooped in the taxi and gave the address. It was better to take a taxi, I didn't have a normal car, just the limousine but that'd be too much. The taxi was a better option. I paid him and exited the car. In front of the restaurant, a man caught my eyes. Not just any man but him. He turned to look at me, his cigaret between his fingers. We were for a moment lost in each others' eyes until a young man slapped him on the shoulder from behind and he teared his eyes off me. I looked at my phone and saw I was a bit late. That was bad. Not great for a first impression. But I couldn't careless. It wasn't like I actually wanted to make a good impression. I hurried inside before he could see me again. The waiter took my long red coat and leaded me to Mr Borreli's table. I instantly recognized the old man. He was wearing a navy bleu suit with a matching tie. There was a beautiful woman beside him. She had black hair and green hazel eyes. She was gorgeous and didn't look a day over 30 years old. Lorenzo looked up as he saw the waiter and I approaching.

- "Caroline, my dear, good evening. You look amazing." He said getting up from his seat and pulling me in a hug.

- "Evening Mr Borreli, thank you sir." I felt kinda uncomfortable to call him Lorenzo in front of his wife.

The beautiful woman got up as well and pulled me in for a hug.

- "Oh my dear, you are so beautiful!" She was hugging me real thigh, like I could barely breath.

I managed to loosen up the hug without being rude and smiled gently.

- "Thank you ma'am you are very beautiful yourself." She was truly. She looked so young.

- "We're gonna have so beautiful grand-babies Enzo!" She cheered placing her hands on both sides of my faces.

Lorenzo chuckled and nodded;

- "Si amore (yes love) , but let the woman go, you'll scare her away." I was relieved he helped me, I honestly didn't know what to say. Because yeah I knew I'll be his wife but I realized I never thought about the whole intimate part of a marriage and the babies and now I was... just afraid.

Lorenzo pull out a chair on his right for me.

- "Amore, I'll fetch the boys. I'll be right back. Excuse me ladies." With that, Lorenzo got up and exited the restaurant.

- "So tell me love, I don't know much about you." The lady, Lorenzo's wife I presume, said with a huge smile plastered on her face.

There goes nothing, just breathe Caroline.

- "Well there isn't much to know about. As you must already know, I'm Russian."

- "I'm sure there must be plenty to say about you. Such a beautiful woman must have a lot to say."

She winked at me smirking and I just chuckled. Maybe this wasn't as bad as I thought. The mothers always are the most difficult ones to charm and get approval from. But she already seemed to like me.

- "Not really, my life's pretty simple. I was born and raised in France. Then my sister and I came here to NYC about three years ago. We built our company and now we want to extend to Europe." I said smiling sweetly.

- "It's incredible, truly."

- "What is?"

- "That the two of you have managed to build such an impressive empire at such young age. And so without the help of anyone. I have me impressed Ms. Yvanenko." She looked at me with admiration if I'm not mistaken. A warm feeling settled in my chest. She was proud of me.

- "Thank you, I appreciate it. You know my sister is my strongest ally. Without her none of that would have been possible." It was the truth. Kate has always been my strength and I hers.

- "I see family is important to you. I'm glad to hear that because for us Borreli's it's the most important thing." She raised her wine glass and tilted it towards the entrance of the restaurant, a gentle smile on her lips. " Speaking of which."

I turned around and there I saw him again with the young man from earlier and Lorenzo. Now that they were all three there standing side by side, I could clearly see the resemblance. Lorenzo had those brown light eyes and gray hair. He looked like an older version of the young man who I presumed was the youngest brother. Alexander, on the other hand, had his mother's eyes. They were a beautiful shade of green hazel. His hair were as black as night whilst his brother's were dark brown. As they approached the table, I got up to greet them and so did Lorenzo's wife.

- "My beloved sons, always late..." She gave them a stern look before walking next to me and pushing me lightly forward.

- "Alexander, Matteo, may I present you Miss Caroline Ivanenko." Oh god help me, I took a step forward and extended my hand for them to shake. But to my surprise instead of shaking it, the youngest brother, Matteo, took it to bring it gently to his lips and placed a slight kiss on my knuckles.

- "It's a pleasure to meet you. You are such a beauty Ms. Yvanenko soon to be Mrs. Borreli. I can't wait to call you sister." He winked and let gently go of my hand. To say as I was surprise would be an understanding, my mouth was nearly falling to the floor. I quickly got a hold of myself and closed my mouth. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop the blushing. Great Caro, a way to go girl. ( notice the sarcasm here)

- "The pleasure is mine Mr Borreli. You are too kind." He was truly, I didn't know why but I felt like I could thrust him. He chuckled lightly and turned to his father.

- "Oh no that's my father, I'm not that old." He then turned back to me not before exchanging a look with his brother. "Please call me Matteo or yet better brother or whatever you want it's fine for me sweetheart." He winked at me and I could feel myself blush. I heard both his parents sigh and when I glanced at my husband-to-be, I could see his eyes turning a darker shade, he was visibly angry.

Alex

How dare he flirted with her? She was to be my wife, whatever that meant at the moment. I was ready to reap him apart when I heard the most beautiful sound. I instantly turned to look at her.

- "I'll go with Matteo for now thank you." She chuckled lightly. Her voice was like an angel's, hell she looked like an angel herself. No better yet like a goddess. I promised to myself to make her life a living hell but here I was, only 5 minutes after meeting her, lost in her blue-like-ocean eyes. Snap out of it Borreli. I cleared my throat and shove my brother aside. I walked up to her and extended my hand. She smiled gently and shook my hand with her tiny little one.

- "Alexander, nice to meet you." I needed to be nice in front of my parents or they'd have gotten mad and that was the last thing I needed.

- "Caroline, likewise." She was even more beautiful from up close. I needed to be strong and not let myself be seduced by her.

We all sat down and went on with dinner. I didn't talk much, I was listening. She seemed to fit perfectly in the family. Even mother approved. Matteo didn't stop flirting with Caroline the whole time and I could feel my father's gaze on me waiting for a reaction. But he got none. I just wanted to go home and stop this masquerade.

After what felt like hours, dinner was over and I offered my lovely bride to take her home. Little did she know we were going to my house and I was gonna show her where her place was.