Fresh

Three

“You know there’s still time to change your mind, sis,” Julie frowned as she helped her sister, Becky, with her exquisite white wedding dress. On a whim she had opted to go with a different drees than what she had chosen for her wedding with Dominic.

The wedding arrangements had all been swiftly taken care of to ensure a hitch free and lavish ceremony and one to remember in the minds of many. No expense had been spared at all, and Becky was grateful that the family had agreed to an early wedding rather than the usual drag that her brothers had allowed with theirs. With Dominic it had been different. He wanted a grand wedding and an even more elaborate honeymoon but tight work schedules hadn’t allowed for that. Hence, the long engagement of six months before his death.

Antonio it seemed was used to having his will and way done. And within a short while, of delegating work to his vice and almost running her own calendar, the wedding day was now here. All within two weeks.

“I know that. However, I still have to go with it. Many people are counting on me,” Becky said. Which was in fact a lie. Her imminent marriage wouldn’t significantly affect the relationship between her family and the Brandons since they were already. close as family. And she doubted if Sebastian would have still insisted on a wedding if Antonio wasn’t open to the idea. In the end Antonio would certainly have been the next heir, with or without a marriage in hand.

“It’s a marrriage of convenience, you are marrying a man you don’t love or rather hate and you are betraying Dominic’s memory,” Julie argued. “What would people think of you?”

Julie had severally expressed her dismay at the marriage. Why marry a man you don’t love, and one who hurt you many years ago?

It had been the same reaction when she had announced to the family that she was engaged to Dominic. Everyone has been happy for her except Julie. His brother left you for another girl. He never checked up on you the whole time were away from home after high school!

“It’s not like that!” Becky insisted. “This is more complicated, more than you could ever understand. You have never loved someone so much and yet been rejected. You can’t ever understand why I’m doing this.”

“So, why did you agreee to marry him? Dominic was bad enough but I relented because he wasn’t the one who made you cry that whole time you weren’t at home or abandon you for someone else.”

“Because it’s for the best. At the end of the day, I can still win a thing or two even if I can no longer have Dominic.” Becky said. “No matter what happened between us, he’s still my first love.”

“He has mistresses. A long line of them.”

Becky shrugged. “No problem. I will show him why I am indispensable unlike them.”

“What about Elena, hmm? What are you doing now that many months before she was born you said you won’t do?”

“Julie, I’ve a plan, and it will work well if you help me. And only if Elena’s true identity isn’t revealed.” She held up her pinky finger and grasped her sister’s. “Promise me,” she said. Julie sighed. “I’ll do what I can.”

The wedding ceremony went on smoothly, and as group pictures were being taken by the family and wedding party, Antonio noticed a little girl in a pink and white dress standing next to Julie, among a group of female relatives. For a moment her bright blue eyes reminded him of Becky’s.

“Is she part of your family?” Antonio asked Becky, directing her attention to the girl.

Becky was quiet for a moment. “No. She’s a daughter of one of Julie’s less closer friend. She couldn’t attend because of work.”

“Her eyes look very much like yours,” Antonio said. “What’s her name?”

“I….I think it’s Ellie or something. I will need to ask Julie about it.” Becky stammered. She hoped that Antonio won’t press the issue further. But then, she had to warn Julie first.