BOUND BY CONTRACT, CLAIMED BY DESIRE

Chapter 15: The Wedding

Valentina's POV

The dress hung on the back of my door, a floor-length gown with long sleeves and a modest neckline.

Leonardo had it delivered three days ago with no note, no explanation. Just the dress in a garment bag with a designer label I couldn't pronounce.

After the engagement party, hardly saw him again, always at work and I stayed at innhere because he said so.

“Oh God,” I whispered, remembering the kiss. “It's just for show Valentina, don't get too giddy,” I muttered, my gaze fixed on the wedding gown.

I stared at it now, my hands shaking. “Today is the day,” I whispered, but a knock on the door made me jump.

"Come in," I said.

Mrs. Chen entered, carrying a makeup kit and a velvet box. She set them on the vanity and turned to me.

"Mr. Monte requests you be ready by ten," she said smiling softly as usual.

"What time is it now?" I said, as I took a deep breath.

"Eight thirty,” she said, as she walked to the dress and unzipped the garment bag. "Let's get you ready."

She helped me into the gown. The fabric was cool against my skin, and it brought out my curves like it had been made for me.

Mrs. Chen zipped the back. "Sit. I'll do your hair and makeup."

She worked in silence, curling my hair, pinning it up, applying foundation, blush, lipstick and whatever makes me look like a bride.

"From Mr. Monte," she said, bringing out a diamond necklace from a velvet box.

She fastened it around my neck, the cold metal pressed against my skin.

"You look beautiful," Mrs. Chen said softly, as I looked at myself in the mirror.

I looked like someone else, someone who belonged in this dress, in this penthouse, in this life and I didn't feel like that person.

"It's time," Mrs. Chen said, as I closed my eyes, my heart beating rapidly.

The car was waiting downstairs, and Leonardo was already inside. He wore a black tuxedo, crisp white shirt, black tie. His hair was slicked back, and his expression was unreadable.

He looked up when I got in, his eyes traveled from my face to the necklace to the dress, but he said nothing.

I sat across from him, the space between us felt like miles.

"You look fine" he said finally, but his expression said otherwise.

"Thank you," I said, but my eyes stung. Just fine, no beautiful or…stunning?

The venue was small, a private estate outside the city with white stone building,manicured gardens and fountains.

We got out of the car, and Leonardo offered his arm which I took as we walked inside together.

The ceremony room was intimate. White chairs arranged in rows, a simple arch decorated with white roses. Sunlight streaming through tall windows.

Alessandro stood near the front, silver hair perfectly styled, warm brown eyes already wet. He saw us and smiled, as he wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

Catarina stood beside him, blonde hair pulled into a tight chignon, cold blue eyes fixed on me. She wore a navy dress.

Dante stood to the left, dark hair greying at the temples, sharp green eyes, warm smile, and Isabetta stood beside her father. She wore a pale pink dress, her dark hair fell in soft waves, her green eyes on Leonardo.

The officiant stood at the front. A man in his fifties, grey suit, kind face. "Shall we begin?" he asked.

Leonardo nodded, and we stood facing each other while the officiant opened a small book.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Leonardo Monte and Valentina Rossi in holy matrimony,” Alessandro sniffled, but Catarina's face remained blank.

"Marriage is a sacred bond, a commitment made before God and witnesses. It is not to be entered into lightly."

I felt Leonardo's eyes on me, but I didn't look at him.

"Leonardo Monte," the officiant said. "Do you take Valentina Rossi to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Leonardo's voice was flat and emotionless. "I do."

No hesitation, no warmth.

The officiant turned to me. "Valentina Rossi. Do you take Leonardo Monte to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

I opened my mouth but nothing came out, the whole room going silent.

I thought about my mother, about the simple gold band she wore, about the love she had with my father.

But this wasn't that, this was a contract, a transaction for just two years. I felt a slight pain on my palm, and looked up to see Leonadro, his eyes were dark, as he clenched his jaw.

"I do," I whispered, barely audible.

The officiant smiled. "The rings, please." Dante stepped forward, he handed two rings to the officiant, as the officiant gave one to Leonardo.

"Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed,” Leonardo took my left hand, his fingers were cold. He slid the ring onto my finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he said.

The officiant handed me the second ring. "With this ring, I thee wed."

I took Leonardo's hand, it was larger than mine. I slid the ring onto his finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," I said, but my voice shook.

The officiant closed his book. "By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Alessandro wiped his eyes again, and Catarina's expression didn't change.

"You may kiss the bride,” the official said, smiling.

Leonardo turned to me, his eyes met mine. He leaned in and cupped my face gently.

His lips touched mine, soft and gentle, tasting like mint and whiskey, but he pulled back almost immediately.

His eyes lingered on mine, his lips in a deep frown, and I wondered if my breath smelled bad.

"Congratulations!" Alessandro said, as he rushed forward and pulled Leonardo into a hug. "Welcome to the family, Daughter," he said pulling me into the hug.

Catarina approached and kissed my cheek. "Congratulations, Valentina,” she said smiling, but it didn't reach her eyes, and I rolled my eyes mentally.

"Sign here,” the officiant said, handling Leonadro a pen and a document.

Leonardo signed, then handed the pen to me.

I stared at the paper for a moment, my hands shaking, constantly reminding myself what I'm entering, but I signed anyways.

"Congratulations. You're officially married,” he said.

Alessandro insisted on photos, and we stood together. Leonardo's arm around my waist, my hand on his chest smiling for the camera.

After the photos, Alessandro announced lunch. A private dining room in the estate. The table was set with white linens, crystal glasses, fresh flowers.

Leonardo sat at the head, while I was to his right. Alessandro and Catarina across from us. Dante and Isabetta at the other end.

The food was brought out. Salad, roasted chicken with vegetables and wine, but all I could think about was how mu life will be for two years.

"To Leonardo and Valentina. May your marriage be filled with love, joy, and prosperity,” Alessandro said, raising his glass, as everyone raised their glasses.

"To Leonardo and Valentina," they echoed.

"Valentina, have you thought about where you'll honeymoon?" Catarina said, leaning forward.

"We haven't discussed it," Leonardo said.

"Well, you should. It's tradition.”

"We're not traditional," Leonardo said, as Catarina's eyes narrowed. But she said nothing.

Lunch ended at two, Alessandro hugged us both again. Catarina kissed our cheeks, Dante shook our hands while Isabetta said goodbye quietly.

The car ride home was silent. Istared out the window as the city passed in a blur.

Leonardo sat beside me, his attention on his phone.

We arrived at the penthouse. The driver opened the door while we walked inside.

"I have work to do,” Leonardo said, loosening his tie.

"Okay,” I replied.

He walked to his study and closed the door, while I stood in the living room, alone, in my wedding dress.

I looked down at the ring on my finger. “What have we done?” I whispered, but before I could do anything further, I heard the sound of glass shattering.