The Vindication Gents

Chapter 2.13

Antonio Romano’s POV

“You should not toy her like that,” Nina said as I was reading some papers from my beloved Kathleen in Finland. I scoffed at her as I was handing the papers to her. It seemed that I was needed for services after the wedding.

“Well, I was not. She thinks I was in love with someone else,”

“Her?”

“No, someone that was not her gender, apparently,” I said as I remembered the bold move that she had been making in her room earlier this morning. She was changing into her bra and panties as if I was not a hot-blooded male.

Believe me, I was one and it did not bother her at all!

I was rubbing my face as Nina was arching her eyebrows at me. I rolled my eyes at her as I knew that I was not being reasonable right now.

Okay, maybe I was infatuated by her.

I mean, who doesn’t? Christina Dobulski was a fine woman. Her eyes, her mouth, her hair. Everything about her screamed s****l appeal and she did not even know. I have to protect her from unwanted attention. And when she was running around in her shorts and t-shirt today, all the males were staring at her and I growled in response that they were not eyeing my Christina again.

Holy s**t!

Fuck!

I did not dare to say what I was just describing right now because I can sense that Nina was judging me and I think she liked to judge me for my anger. I mean, give me a break. I have a rough life, okay?!

“Will that be all, Nina?” I asked her as she was smiling smugly at me.

“Yes, that would be all, sir,” she said sarcastically before she went out of the reception hall. I cannot believe that my perfect moment was interrupted by Nina as Christina was laughing in my arms.

I wished it would be like that forever.

I shook my head as I was looking for any flaw in the reception. I cannot let anyone disturb my beautiful creation as the duke will be using it tomorrow night as I just heard that he was there with his bride.

I hoped it would suffice and everything would be a great piece afterward.

*****

The morning came as I was looking around for people to get to their stations. I instructed Christina to work with the guests and would check in for the ceremony and the guests would increase by the time the private ceremony ended and we would be moving to the reception.

Right now, I was busy preparing the duchess for her moment.

“Okay, chop everyone. I want all of the details perfect and our bride has to be PERFECT!” I said as I was looking at the duchess while my assistants were doing her makeup and hair. It was exhausting because it was 40 degrees and we were having a garden wedding.

Why did I agree to do this?

Then, someone from the bride’s side was asking if everyone was ready. I was looking at the duchess for one last time before I was nodding at my assistants.

“Yes, everything is according to plan. Now, she is ready,” I said as I was checking for something and because I was trying to get away from the private conversation of the bride with her brother.

Then, everything happened.

I saw that the duchess was crying as she was hugging and smiling with tears in her eyes that wanted to dare to fall down her cheeks. As if I would let them be!

“Mamma Mia! What have you done to my beautiful creation!” I screamed as I was shooing her brother out before I was fixing her makeup. After I was satisfied with it, I nodded to her. Her brother was apologetic for ruining my creation.

“Oh, hush darling, let aunty Romano fix it for you. Now, off you go,” I said as I was pushing them to stand at the door before it opened as they were walking outside to greet the duke at the end of the altar. I was smiling as I could see the genuine smile Lucca was giving to her bride.

The ceremony was wonderful and gorgeous as I could sense my tears were trying to come out of my eyes. But I held it in before I instructed everyone to the reception and Christina was doing her job perfectly.

I was happy that everything was going the way that I wanted it before someone was shouting somewhere in the ballroom. Then, I saw Lucca Giovanni going up the stairs before I was rushing toward him.

“Your Excellency, what about the ball?” I asked him as he was grunting and I could see that his mind was focusing on somewhere else. Or maybe someone else.

“You handle it. After all, you’re the best,” he said before he went to his bride. I think I just smiled at his effort to make sure that his new wife was happy. I cannot help but admire him.

Unlike someone that I knew from my past.

I shook my head as I was focusing on the ball and since Mr. Giovanni went after his bride. I was left in charge to handle the party and make sure that everyone had a good time. I saw that many people were happy and satisfied with my work here.

I just made rounds to make sure everything was to their liking until I came across the best man, Nathan White. Strong, lean, muscular. His brunette, wavy hair and grey eyes. I sat next to him and ordered a whiskey on ice for my 15 minute break.

“Stressful?” I asked as I tried to make a conversation with him. He smiled as he took a sip of the Chardonnay.

“A little, just tired I guess,” he said as he twirled the wine in his glass. I took one shot and slammed it onto the table.

“Whatever you feel like a burden, face it and let it go. It’s all in the past. And whenever you are ready to plan the wedding, call me, here’s my card,” I said as I shoved my card at him and he took it.

“I’m not sure if that’s possible but thanks,” he said before putting it into his pocket.

“Oh, everything is possible, honey,” I said while I patted his shoulder before I went to make my round. I looked back at him to see that he was contemplating his decision before he took one shot and went out of the ballroom.

Christina Dobulski’s POV

I was checking the guests' list as I was admitting them inside the ballroom. I was exhausted before I was taking my 15 minute break. I needed to get out of here before I went to the park. I was sitting on the bench before I saw someone that was wandering around in the garden.

I think she was lost or something.

So, I followed my guts and I went to greet her. She was looking around and when I tapped her on the shoulder, she turned to look at me.

And I was mesmerized.

Her emerald eyes were shining under the moonlight. Her perfect red mane was shining and I think I was staring far too long at her as she was smiling at me.

“Yes?” She asked. And God, even her voice was so angelic.

“Are you lost, ma’am?” I spoke English as she was speaking in English with a flawless American accent. She looked around the room before she asked for the ball.

“It was right here, ma’am,” I said as I showed it to her. She thanked me before she looked back at me as she was smiling. I smiled back as I was waving her goodbye. I think she was an angel. Her lover must be a lucky guy.

I hope I have one as well. And I think his name started with an A, my dark mind said as I shook that thought away. I felt my face was heating up before I was smiling at that thought. Not that it was forbidden to have that thought, but I think it would only destroy me if I was hoping too much.

“If you set your mind to it, you can do anything, sweetheart,” my father’s words were ringing in my head as I was startled to know that I remembered his words exactly. Not that he is always there for me. I sighed before I was gulping the remaining water before I threw the bottle away.

“Time to get to work,” I said as I was walking back to the booth that I had been standing all day long.

Curse Tony and his handsome face!

As I was standing in front of the lobby and I can see the ballroom completely now, I saw that same woman who was lost in the garden as she was talking with the best man. I think his name was Nathan or something and I saw the exchange between them. They were seductive to each other as they were easy, easily flowing and nice. I wished I had that talent as well.

And maybe I can use it on Tony.

Wait, what?

I shook my head and when I looked at them again, they were leaving the party as I was sure they might be having fun on their own. I sighed before someone was clearing his throat. I turned to look and it was none other than the devil himself.

Antonio Romano, the man of my wet dreams.