Love Like Chess

4

The congregation was frantic with worry. Bianca felt a streak of sweat down the side of her powered face. She held her bouquet in a tight grip, eyes shut staring at the luxury vinyl tiles and her Alexander McQueen shoes. The louder the whispers of the agitated and bewildered crowd, the more tears welled up in her pretty brown eyes, eyes shimmering like Mediterranean sapphires with warmth and passion. And when the music stopped, her heart skipped a beat.

Over the last one year, she had acquired quite a number haters, American women that loathed her for daring to court Williams, but most importantly for the gossips of her scandalous secret affair with his jaw-dropping brother.

How would she face them after today? She hoped the floors would split open and consume her.

'Betrayal in Tuscan countryside: Italian princess left at the altar' or 'Royal Romance Ripped Apart: Princess left heartbroken'

She could think of so many headlines.

No. It would be horrible. Her father's reputation and hers, dragged in the mud because of that useless man she cared little about. She had begun to tremble, slowly, gradually losing grip of her ten thousand Euro worth bouquet. Her fairytale wedding had turned her most dreaded nightmarish.

But then the crowds became silent and calm but she was too petrified to turn, to see the reason for the sudden tranquility. Maybe they pitied her. The thought of that burned her chest.

Now everything was uncomfortable; her pricy wedding dress felt pricky everywhere, her jewelries: delicate diamonds and beautiful pearls, seemed cold against her warm skin and her shoes became unusually tight. Her mind raced. He could have annulled the arrangement months ago, weeks before now, she would have be ecstatic if he had cancelled the Goddamn alliance yesterday; literally any day but today. Her legs wobbled. He didn't love her, neither was he infatuated by her many qualities. But her beauty had captivated him and he needed this alliance for the future of his father's business.

Then the music continued. Music swelled into life, a masterful songs, soaring violins and delicate piano accompaniment that filled the air with romance and joy. The string quartet's classical elegance and contemporary twists added sophistication and freshness to music, crafting an unforgettable atmosphere that lingered long after the last note faded.

She heard boots behind her, slow, steady, sure and firm, familiar steps up the altar.

It was a different cologne, but the same dominating presence.

"Cameron?" her voice was like a velvety serenade, rich as honey, smooth as porcelain with a warm, melodious tone that wrapped round the heart like a gentle breeze.

"Bianca" his male, husky, soothing voice came.

"Cari amici e familiari, siamo qui..." the priest began the ceremony as if nothing had gone wrong. She stood motionless and spellbound but it seemed too good to be true: until Cameron held her sizeable feminine hands, so tenderly, so lovingly and wiped the rivulets of sweat at her temple with his handerkerchief. She knew it was real when his glassy blue orbs found hers and his face lit with a smile.

She was at the threshold of forever, her heart overwhelmed with gratitude and love. Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes, shinning like diamonds in the chandeliers light. Every fiber of her being vibrated with love, devotion and a new commitment as she braced herself to embark on this new chapter with the one who held her heart. And when she pronounced the words 'I do', she felt reborn, renewed, blessed.