The Marriage Gamble

Chapter 2

Leonardo's POV

The soft light from the dim bar flickered as I leaned back in the old leather chair. A full glass of beer sat in front of me, its surface slightly wet from the warmth of the room, just like the excitement in my chest. Tomorrow was my wedding day, and it felt strange. I thought about Lucia, the woman I would soon call my wife, even if it felt like the world disagreed.

“Can you believe it?” Eduardo's loud laughter interrupted my thoughts. He leaned in, his big gestures making every word more dramatic. “You, my best friend, are marrying a twin! What kind of silly TV show is this?”

“Be quiet, Eduardo.” I laughed, taking a big sip of my beer. “At least I'm not marrying you.”

“Please, as if I’d want to date that other twin. Everyone knows she’s like a delicate vase. A strong breeze could break her.” he said, shaking his head. “I can just imagine it ‘Eduardo Guzman, the guy who married the weak sister.’ I’d be the joke of the whole world.”

I lifted my glass with a grin. “Cheers to me marrying a twin! You should go for it and marry the other one. Seriously, try it out!”

He laughed. “Join the ‘unlucky husband club’? No way! I’m happy being the single friend.”

Laughter flowed between us, thick like the frothy beer we were drinking. Eduardo always knew how to lighten moments filled with pressure. Yet, I felt my own heaviness. This marriage wasn’t one I had wanted. It was a bargain my father made for business—a joining of families, a rise in status. But now that it was close, something kinder pulled at my heart. Lucia—the thought of her eased the tight hold of my obligation.

“Wow, I never thought you'd actually get married, my friend.” Eduardo said, snapping me out of my daydream. “You’ve been like a recluse, stuck in your work. It seems like you've been avoiding love for ages since...”

He stopped speaking, his words left unfinished. I got the hidden hint about that bad love the pain that had made me blind to new chances. “What? about the past?” I asked, trying to sound cheerful, even though the past still hurt.

“Yeah, buddy. That heartbreak changed you a lot. It was like seeing flour turned into dough—smashed, shaped, and then baked hard. But here you are, ready to jump in. It's a brand new you.”

“Alright, enough with the deep talk.” I smiled and poured more beer. “Let’s talk about what really matters tomorrow I get married, and you’ll be my best man right next to me!”

Eduardo lifted his glass, pretending to be serious. “I’ll make a toast that everyone will remember while you wipe the sweat from your forehead! Just don’t fall down the aisle.”

“That's hilarious.” I smiled, the moment lasting longer than I thought. We had been through a lot together—his constant jokes reminded me of the good old days that seemed lost in my busy new life. I finished my beer and waved for another.

As the minutes passed, the space between us was filled with silence instead of laughter. The heaviness of getting married, my mixed feelings, and my family's pressure felt like a powerful storm inside me.

“Okay, I should get going.” Eduardo got up and stretched his arms. “Are you okay sitting here by yourself thinking about love and life?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” I brushed him off, but when he started to go, I called out to him. “Hey! Can you help me with something?”

He stopped and looked back. “What?”

“Watch for Sofia? In case she—”

“Don’t worry!” he said while saluting. “If I see a twin walking around, I’ll guess it's the delicate one. I’ll send her to you!”

We shared another laugh, but it didn’t go very far. As the door closed behind him, I leaned back and sighed deeply. In that moment, with the laughter fading away, I looked within myself. It was true—I had put my business first ever since everything went wrong with my ex. For a long time, I had pushed away any hope for love, scared of the pain that had almost broken me.

But now, Lucia wasn’t just a duty. Somewhere between the plans and the careful talks between our families, I had found real feelings for her, a growing warmth that managed to shine through my past heartbreak.

***

Sofia’s POV

Excited footsteps filled the García home, a strange energy hanging heavily in the air. I ran my fingers nervously along the mantel, biting my lip as my parents hurried around like busy bees. I hadn’t seen Lucia since yesterday.

“Mom, where is she?” I asked, feeling guilty like I was trapped in a vine. “She was just here, wasn't she?”

My mom turned around, her face full of concern. “I tried to call her, Sofia! But she won't answer her phone! This is really not okay.”

“Didn’t you hear her go?” I asked, trying to remember. I was sure I heard her footsteps, but I didn’t know she would vanish like this before her wedding—our wedding, not just hers!

“Of course, I did!” my mom said sharply. “But I thought she was just being herself—wedding nerves and all! But this—this isn’t the time for silly stuff!”

Dad walked in, mumbling to himself, phone tight against his ear, his forehead creased with annoyance. “Lucia isn’t picking up? What is this nonsense?”

“You need to relax.” My mom replied to him. “The wedding is tomorrow! How can we go on without her?”

“Are you really going to delay this just because she’s having one of her episodes?” My dad’s voice was loud, mixing authority with annoyance. “Look, we have put way too much into this wedding. Leonardo Guzman stands for more than just a marriage he brings a lot of money to this family!”

“Are you really listening to yourself, Nicholas? This is our daughter’s future! Don’t you care about Lucia?” My mother’s feelings burst out, her hands moving as if trying to hold onto a truth that seemed far away.

I frowned as the arguing went on, each loud word making my worries grow like a flame. “Mom, Dad, please! We can’t ignore this. It’s not just about money!” I tried to step in, my heart racing as I began to panic.

“Maybe we should delay the wedding.” my mom said carefully, her voice becoming gentler for a bit.

“No! Definitely not!” My father was firm, anger showing on his face. He looked at me, and for a moment, his eyes had a strange, cold look. “Sofia, you will marry Leonardo instead.”

My heart dropped. “What? No!” I turned to him, shaking my head hard. “I can’t marry him! I just can’t!”

“It totally makes sense! You're twins no one will see the difference! Just act like Lucia until she gets back!” he insisted.

“I can’t be her, Dad! I won’t marry him!” My voice got louder, and I felt desperate.

““Sofia, listen!” he said, his voice showing his frustration. “We’ve done a lot for your health! You can't just say no to this!”

“Can’t we just discuss it? There must be another option!” I begged, but inside, I felt the pressure of their hopes.

My mom moved closer, rubbing her temples like she was trying to ease her stress. “It’s dangerous…” she said softly, seeming to drift off in thought. “But we can’t let the wedding fail it matters too much. Consider the money.”

“But I can't do it! I can't just act like her!” My voice shook with how big this request was.

“What's your plan then? Let the wedding fail and throw away all we have? This chance may not come again!” Dad's voice was more intense now, and the stress felt heavy.

Panic rushed through me as the walls felt like they were closing in. I put a hand on my heart, sensing that familiar flutter warning me an Atrial Fibrillation episode might come soon. “Please… don’t…” Tears ran down my cheeks, and I felt so powerless.

“Sofia!” My parents bent down closer, looking really worried. “Just breathe. You need to trust us.”

“No... you don’t get it!” I yelled, feeling completely confused.

As they looked at me with furrowed brows, their choices felt like they were crushing me. I felt scared, stuck, and completely alone.

I stepped back a bit, shaking my head. “This is wrong. I won’t marry someone I don’t love.”

The silence was long and heavy between us. My dad's lips were tightly pressed together. “You have to pretend until we find Lucia. We’re in need, and I can't let this chance go.”

“What if you’re mistaken? What if she doesn't return? What if something bad has happened to her?” My voice shook, but he didn’t hear me. He walked away, making me feel lost in a storm of confusion and fear.

“Don’t share this with anyone! Do you get it, Sofia?” my mom cautioned, her voice low. “We can't let anyone else be part of this trouble. And you must follow our instructions! You have no choice here!” she made it clear and firm!