Chapter 9
1742 Words
I Liliana's POV
I am walking nervously down the aisle while Francis's eyes are fixated on me. I felt like at any minute I would lose my balance.
When I reached the altar he extended his hands and I nervously took them.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked. Francis smiled at me and then nod his head.
"Trust me, Liliana," he uttered.
I am hesitating if I should marry him. Once my father and Leonardo learned about this the two of us would face death including my mother.
"My mother's life is at stake Francis," I uttered firmly. Francis squeezed my hand.
"We will get out of this situation alive and we will save your mother from your father. But first, we have to make sure that you won't be wedded to my father because once that happens there is no way out," he uttered and I nod my head. I know that fact. Once I became Leonardo's wife I will be forever controlled by him.
We invited Mathew and Melissa as our witnesses. They are people that we could trust that will keep our wedding a secret.
After a while, the priest arrived. He looked at us and then nod his head.
"Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not
ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs;
love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up;
and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal. There are inspired
messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange
tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. Our gifts
of knowledge and inspired messages are only partial; but when what is
perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear. When I was a child, my
speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an
adult, I have no more use for childish ways. What we see now is like a dim
image in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. What I know now is only
partial; then it will be complete as God's knowledge of me. Meanwhile, these
three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.
The word of the Lord, " he reads the Bible.
" Thank be to God, " Francis and I responded in unison.
After the readings, the priest started asking us questions,
" Have you come here of your own free will and choice and without the compulsion to marry each other? " the priest looks at us.
"We have," we both responded.
The ceremonial rites continue and as we respond are hands are tightly joined.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest uttered.
"You may now kiss the bride," Francis looked at me intently then held the hem of the veil that I am wearing. He slowly lifted it to see my face.
Francis put the veil above my head and then cupped my face. He stared at my face for a few seconds before leaning his face closer.
I closed my eyes anticipating his kiss and when I felt his soft lips land on mine all I did is to savor this moment.
The loud clap from the two-person we invited interrupted our sweet moment.
I turned my head on Melissa and she has this teasing smile on her face. She came nearer then cling her arms around my arm.
"Your dead Liliana," she uttered. Mathew heard it and he agreed.
"You are both dead," he uttered as we walked outside the church.
"Our plan will succeed," Francis butted in full of confidence. Francis held my waist and then planted a soft kiss on my temple.
"I will give you freedom Liliana," he uttered and saw hope upon looking into his eyes. I nod my head and then pulled4him into a tight hug.
"I trust you," I uttered. Francis is the only person that I can rely on. He might be powerless but I saw his dedication which pushed me to trust him. I trust us.
We have to go back before the day's end since that's the curfew Leonardo had given.
Leonardo thought that did gown fitting but without his knowing we used that hour to be wedded. We paid the owner of the boutique to cover us up and I hope she won't spill any news to Leonardo.
We arrived at the mansion at six pm exactly the time of our curfew.
I walked towards my room while Francis go to his.
Before we parted ways he whispered something in my ear.
"Meet me at your balcony," he uttered and I nod my head. When I entered my room I took a quick bath since I already felt sticky.
When I am done I wore a silky night dress since it is comfortable to wear.
While I am blow-drying my hair I heard a knock on the glass door of my balcony and when I turned my head it is Francis smiling at me. I smile back and then put the hair dryer down before running toward him.
"Hi," I uttered.
"Hi," he responded then snaked his arms around my waist.
"I will show you something, " he uttered then pulled me towards a huge telescope. I have no idea when he put that thing there.
"What is it?" I curiously asked. He motioned me to look at the telescope so I did and I didn't regret following him because I saw beauty.
"The brightest star that you are seeing," he uttered while my eyes are fixated on it.
"That's yours," he added. I turned my head on him with my eyes wide open because of shock.
"You are kidding," I uttered in disbelief but he just shook his head and then showed me the document to prove that he is telling the truth.
"A star costs millions," I uttered still in the middle of processing that Francis bought me a star that costs millions.
"Thank you for marrying me Liliana," he uttered. Happiness consumed and the next thing I did is I throw myself at him and then claimed his lips.
"Thank, yo, u Francis," I uttered genuinely. It's my dream to have a star under my name and he made one of my dreams come true.
Francis POV
When I saw a smile appear on her lips everything became worth it.
I lost millions in buying that star but her smile is worth the money.
"Francis," he uttered. I look at her and gave her all my attention.
"Hmm?" I asked while holding her chin.
"I believe in you," she uttered again which made me smile because I have gained the strength to continue pushing my plan.
I pulled Liliana towards the couch. I sat on it while I made her sit on my lap.
I rested my chin on her shoulder the snaked my arms around her waist.
" I already know the ins and outs of our business. I have talked to shareholders and they gave me their word that they will support me in taking over Dad's business." I uttered and listen intently to my words.
"If things go as planned, before your supposed marriage I am already handling the López Group of Companies Liliana," I uttered. Lilianface that yeses intently.
"I'm scared," she confessed. I gave her a reassuring smile to give her courage and ease her worries.
"What if your plan failed?" she asked. I shook my head then cupped her face and softly caressed it.
Liliana closed her eyes feeling the warmth of my hand on her cheeks.
"I will make it work I promise," I uttered.
"I bought a private island, Liliana. Once we successfully take your mother both of you will hide there for the meantime," I uttered and she nod her head agreeing to my plan.
"You won't fail right?" she asked and I nod my head.
Our talk was interrupted when we heard a knock on her door.
Liliana immediately stood up and then walked towards the door. I hid in the corner because once someone sees me in Liliana's room they will start suspecting us.
I peeked to have a glimpse and I saw Brandon Keller hugging Liliana tightly while beside him is his wife, Susana Keller.
They stepped inside the room so I immediately jumped and did a dangerous stunt again until I reach my balcony.
I quickly entered my room and then let out a huge breath.
I stepped outside my room and walked towards the sala. I sat on the couch and then opened the TV while waiting for them to come down.
After a while, I heard footsteps heading toward me.
Brandon Keller saw me first. I stood up to greet him.
"Good evening Sir," I uttered politely because even though he is an he is still Liliana's father.
"Good evening Francis," he responded then took my hand.
After that, I turned my head to Susana Keller who is looking at me with a genuine smile plastered on her face.
"Good evening," I politely uttered then extended my hand. She took it and then continued smiling at me as if she is happy seeing me here.
"You're already grown up," she uttered and I politely nod my head.
I invited them to sit while our maids are preparing dinner.
"I heard that you are helping Liliana and Leonardo," she blurted out. I nod my head at her to confirm.
"Dad asked for my help. I am just doing what he told me to do," I responded and she nodded her head after a while her eyes diverted to my ring finger. I immediately hide it but it is already too late, she has seen it.
I looked at Liliana's hand and she is wearing our wedding ring.
Susana smiled at me and then held Liliana's hand covering the ring. Liliana looked at her confused but Susana just smiled and then brought her eyes back to me.
"You are a good son Francis, you never once betrayed your father," she uttered. I wasn't able to respond because our maid called us for dinner.
Brandon Keller leave the sala first but before we could even follow him Susana's stronghold stopped us from moving.
" Be careful, " she reminded then walked out.
- Writer
