Chapter 8 WEDDING CEREMONY

It was the D-Day of my wedding to Damilola, and as I stood at the aisle, my mind raced with a mixture of anxiety and frustration. I peered down the flower-adorned pathway, impatiently waiting for her to make her grand entrance. Deep down, I longed for the wedding ceremony to be over as quickly as possible. The reality of being forced into this marriage weighed heavily on my conscience.

Damilola, dressed in an elegant white gown, was a picture of beauty as she slowly walked toward me, her eyes fixed on mine. I tried to hide my inner turmoil behind a forced smile, but my heart ached with the knowledge that I didn't love her.

Our families had arranged the marriage as a symbol of friendship, a union meant to strengthen their ties. I had been left with no choice but to comply, despite my vehement objections. The weight of tradition and family expectations bore down on me, making it impossible to escape this matrimonial fate.

As Damilola approached, her father proudly escorted her to my side. I took her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her touch. She looked at me with hope, anticipation, and a touch of nervousness. I couldn't help but notice the glimmer of sadness in her eyes, unaware of the internal battle waging within me.

The wedding ceremony progressed, and as the priest began the solemn words, memories of the life I had envisioned for myself flashed before my eyes. Dreams of true love, companionship, and a marriage built on genuine affection seemed to mock me from the corners of my mind.

As the priest asked the customary question, "Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. I stole a glance at Damilola.

Summoning all the courage I had left, I took a deep breath and whispered, "I do." The words felt hollow, a lie spoken to appease the expectations of those around us.

"Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest asked Damilola, she hesitated for some minutes before say yes I do.

As the ceremony concluded, cheers erupted from the guests, oblivious to the internal struggle that had taken place.

DAMILOLA POV

After exchanging wedding vows and rings with Leonardo, our families came together, creating a beautiful tapestry of love and support. The wedding ceremony was a celebration of unity, filled with laughter, tears of joy, and heartfelt speeches.

As we embarked on our journey as a married couple, we carried the blessings and well wishes of our loved ones in our hearts. Leonardo's family embraced me as their own daughter, and my family welcomed him with open arms. We formed an unbreakable bond that went beyond bloodlines.

I bid every member of my family goodbye, tears streaming down my face. I hugged my parents tightly, feeling their warm embrace for the last time before leaving with Leonardo and his family. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with both excitement and sorrow.

We arrived at the hotel and went to our suite, the air heavy with tension. Leonardo acted cold towards me, making it abundantly clear that there would be no relationship between us. It felt as though we were two strangers forced to get married to each other, and the weight of that realization settled upon my shoulders.

As we entered the suite, I couldn't help but notice the opulence that surrounded us. The room was adorned with elegant furnishings and breathtaking views of the city skyline. But the grandeur of the surroundings did little to alleviate the uncomfortable atmosphere between us.

I decided to break the silence, hoping to find some common ground or at least ease the tension. "Leonardo, I understand that this marriage is not what either of us expected. But we're in this together, and I believe it's important for us to try and make the best of it. Who knows? Maybe we can find some common ground and build a friendship, if not a romantic relationship."

Leonardo sighed, his expression softening slightly. "I appreciate your optimism, but I fear that's easier said than done. We come from different worlds, and our union was arranged solely for friendship purposes. Love was never a consideration."

I nodded, understanding the practicality of the situation. "I know the reasons behind this marriage are not based on love, but that doesn't mean we can't find some understanding and support each other through this process. We don't have to be enemies, Leonardo."