The Coldwell

Greek Ceremony

Vanessa watched the scenes unfold as if it were a movie, and everything was going wrong. She was supposed to deceive Dante, involve him in her lies, but the opposite was happening.

"I have to hurry to prepare his wedding; it has to be the best. It will be my first child to get married, and even though he's not the oldest, he's the one carrying the weight of the family business," Vanessa's mother exclaimed.

Vane couldn't understand why, if Dante was one of the younger children, he bore such a significant responsibility.

"Why let me take care of it? Or not?" The hurried question from Dante's mother snapped Vane out of her thoughts. She turned to the woman who looked at her expectantly.

"Of course, you can handle it. I trust your good taste."

"Thank you, daughter. You make me so happy," Dante's mother replied.

Dante smiled, seeing that the girl was following his instructions to the letter.

"Mom, Dad, I've met a guy in Los Angeles. I've invited him, and he'll be arriving later. You know I've never invited anyone, but even though I've known him for a short time, I really like this guy."

"He really likes you?" asked her grumpy father.

"Yes, Daddy, I really like him, a lot."

"Well, if you like him, it's okay that you invited him. We'll let him know he needs to be careful in how he treats you. Otherwise, he'll have to deal with an angry father and five brothers ready to take him on," Diego said very seriously, with Dina being the most precious treasure of all.

"I think we should go up to the rooms to rest for a while. The guests will start arriving in a few hours," Dante's mother said excitedly. She was fascinated by matrimonial bonds.

"I'll accompany my girlfriend to her room, then I'll go to mine to rest for a while."

"I'll be keeping an eye on you, son. You know we are traditional in this family; you can't stay together," Vane blushed, realizing that everyone was watching her.

"Don't worry, Mom, my fiancée is a serious girl."

"I hope so, and I apologize, daughter, it's nothing personal. But in the last few years, my son has been doing things that I didn't approve of, with people who aren't worth it."

"Mom!"

"I'm just telling the truth. You know I don't hold back what I think."

"It's better that we go up, my love."

"You don't know how pleased I am that you've overcome the past, son. Your engagement is proving it," Dante's father said. Upon hearing this, Vane wondered if he was referring to what happened with his ex-fiancée.

Dante didn't respond; he took her hand and led her inside the estate. Once in the room, he apologized to Vane.

"I'm sorry you had to hear all that, Miss Sanders. Remember, I'll pay you very well for your work."

"Don't worry, Mr. Damasco. It's none of my concern."

Apparently, Dante was a grumpy boss, a CEO known for being ruthless in business. But in front of his family, he seemed like a scared puppy. What could have really happened years ago?

"The wedding has a Greek theme, you know, things that the bride and my mother have planned. In a little while, I'll send you the appropriate clothes. The event will start in the late afternoon."

"I'll wait for the things to start getting ready."

Dante hurried out of the room. The sweet scent of the girl had him captivated. It was better to stay away and avoid danger.

Hours later, Vane saw from her room window how the guests were arriving little by little. Dante hadn't sent the clothes yet. She felt nervous and searched through the clothes she had brought, finding nothing suitable. If only he had let her know.

Minutes later, someone knocked insistently on her door. When she opened it, she found a couple of rather peculiar-looking guys. Both dressed in black, their eyes excessively dark with makeup.

"Gorgeous."

"Divine."

"Excuse me?"

"How great that we speak the same language. I was imagining communicating through signs, thinking you only spoke Italian."

"I'm American."

"I see, I see. We better get started. Our dear Dante won't forgive us for being late to do our job."

One of the guys practically pushed Vane into the room. The other entered, carrying a sort of clothes rack with various garments. The first guy left and returned with huge boxes.

"Alright, we have everything we need—clothes, shoes, makeup, accessories, oh, and the jewelry Dante has given us. From this moment on, you're in our hands, darling, with no escape."

"And if we see you in your underwear, don't worry. We're a couple, not into women. It's nothing personal, but we prefer other things."

"I understand, no need to explain."

"Haha, as simple as saying that, although you're a real beauty, between you and Dante, we'd choose the hunk a thousand times."

The guys asked Vane to take a shower without wetting her hair and provided her with a very suggestive white lingerie set.

Upon leaving the bathroom, she was covered with a bathrobe.

"No, no, no, off with the robe. Get rid of that cumbersome bathrobe. Don't worry about us; we work with completely n***d models every day, so we couldn't find you alluring even if we wanted to."

The guy made a disgusted gesture at the thought. Vane smiled, knowing he was joking—or was he?

They measured her for various Greek-style tunics until they finally decided on the one they deemed perfect for her body.

"Undoubtedly, this is it," they smiled at her.

"You won't be able to see yourself in the mirror until our work is complete, my love. You're a Damasco's fiancée; you have to make heads turn wherever you go. People will discreetly look at you, smiling with envy at the man who will have you by his side."

The guys styled her hair and applied makeup. Vane simply let them take charge. Before she knew it, she was dressed, suffering terribly when only covered in lace lingerie. The guys helped her put on gold sandals with high straps.

"Ready! You can look in the mirror now. Admire our masterpiece."

Vane liked what she saw. The guys had done an excellent job.

"Even Artemis herself would die of envy seeing you."

The beautiful beige tunic Vane wore was ankle-length, sleeveless, made of fine silk that outlined her curves perfectly. It was cinched at the waist with a gold belt. Her long hair was left loose in delicate waves cascading down her back, adorned only by a golden tiara.

The jewelry Dante had sent included a beautiful bracelet, small earrings, a necklace, and some rings, all in gold, adorned with tiny diamonds.

"Only missing your favorite fragrance, and you're ready to impress your fiancé. Child, I wish I had those pronounced curves you have."

"We're leaving, darling. We have to change. We'll see you downstairs. Fortunately, we're also invited. This is the event of the year."

The guys kissed her on the cheek before leaving the room. Vane hesitated to come out; she didn't know if she should wait for Dante to escort her. Finally, she gathered the courage to go downstairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, Dante was standing there. Vane descended slowly to appreciate him. The Adonis also wore a chiton, but unlike hers, the fabric was linen, in white, decorated with fine embroidery.

Over this, he wore a himation, in golden, draped over his shoulder and lightly wrapped around his body. When she got closer, she noticed his white sandals adorned with small wings around the ankles, in gold.

On his head, he wore a laurel crown interwoven with golden threads, and he had an identical bracelet to hers, only thicker.

As she descended, Dante was also watching her. With each step, the generous and smooth silk allowed him to admire the generous curves of her body.

"Sister-in-law, you look beautiful," the twins exclaimed in unison as they arrived.

"Take care of her, little brother, because she's very beautiful, and we don't take responsibility," Diego joked.

Dante placed his arm next to hers, ready for her to entwine hers. They walked towards the garden, followed by the twins.

Upon exiting, Vane felt all the eyes of the guests turn towards them. They advanced slowly down the aisle, hearing the comments from the guests about the beauty of the girl. They walked until they reached their seats in front of the altar, reserved for close family members.

Shortly after, the groom arrived, and minutes later, the bride made her triumphant entrance. She looked simply beautiful, everything about her was perfect—a Greek goddess in every aspect.

The ceremony was very emotional; Dina and her mother cried with every word the priest spoke.

After the ceremony, they headed to the tables to start the celebration. Dina received a message and headed towards the exit. Shortly after, she returned accompanied by a guy.

Vane, who hadn't been paying attention, paled upon hearing the voice of the newcomer. She raised her eyes only to confirm that she was not mistaken.