Chapter 4 My wedding day

Chapter 4

Great. Just when I meet a Montello who's actually friendly towards me, I run into another one who definitely hates me.

"Anyway, I'm going back to the party. I'd better see you on the dance floor later, Chiara!" Solenn said, which I acknowledged with a nod.

"Of course. Where else would I be?" I replied with a forced smile because I could still feel Katrina's cold glare. Why do I feel this way? Why am I so nervous around her? I shouldn't be afraid; that's what Dad always taught us.

I took a deep breath and met her gaze. I probably hadn't done anything wrong to be so anxious or scared. But once Solenn left, her sharp look only intensified.

"Excuse me―!"

"Let me make this clear from the start. Ethan and I are much more than friends. Your little sham marriage means nothing to me, and it doesn't mean anything to Ethan either. It's just a means to an end." She emphasized every word.

"To what end? You mean, to secure the peace treaty?" I replied, crossing my arms.

"Obviously. I supported the marriage so our families wouldn't constantly be at war, but on a personal level, I couldn't hate this arrangement more. Ethan loves me. He should be married to me. That was the plan until your father got involved." She said angrily, which made me stop.

Ethan was going to marry Katrina? Is that really true? But he said he had no plans to marry anyone. I looked at Katrina again. Is this why she's showing such hostility towards me?

"I'm sorry, Katrina. I don't want to come between you. I had no idea about this marriage," I said, and she seemed momentarily taken aback. I didn't know if it was because of my apology or my claim of ignorance.

But her expression quickly returned to anger. "I don't need your pity, Chiara! I just want you to know that I'm the one Ethan loves. Don't get any ideas that any of this is real―this wedding, your vows, the rest of your married life... it's all fake."

I know I shouldn't let her words affect me, but they do. She's right; this isn't a real wedding. This isn't a real marriage.

"Enjoy the rest of the wedding. I hear it's supposed to be the happiest day of your life," she said as she strutted away, leaving me standing there with tears blurring my vision. I forced myself not to cry. I refuse to play this game.

It's not like I ever thought Ethan had real feelings for me. After all, we only met recently. But if Katrina already has his heart, what does that mean for me? Am I going to spend the rest of my life alone?

No one warned me how exhausting my wedding day would be. My face looked so tired from all the smiling, and my feet hurt from dancing.

I immediately searched for Ethan. I really wanted to rest. I couldn't go to our room without him.

Oh, there he is. It looks like he and Kuya Enzo are arguing again.

As I got closer, I saw my brother's snarl. Ethan's stance was no less hostile. They looked ready to go for each other's throats.

"If you step one foot out of line, I'll put you back in your place. Chiara may be your wife now, but she will always be my family," Kuya Enzo said angrily.

"Like you said, she's my wife now. That means you and I are family now," Ethan replied, which only made Kuya Enzo snarl more.

"Family? You and I will never be family, Montello."

I took a deep breath. The last thing this wedding needs is a fight between my husband and my brother. I need to stop this.

I approached them and immediately intervened, facing Kuya Enzo. "I know how much you hate this arranged marriage, but it's too late to do anything about it now."

"That's right. Your sister and I are married. You heard us take our vows. You saw us sign the register," Ethan said, almost taunting Kuya Enzo, so I looked at him seriously with a warning glance.

Kuya Enzo stood tall. He wasn't as tall as Ethan, but he was still an imposing figure. I gave my brother a pleading look. He sighed.

"FINE! I'm not going to make a scene at my sister's wedding, but I'll be watching you, Montello. And if I don't like what I see..."

"Take your threats somewhere else, Bianchi. They're wasted here."

"Enough!" I interjected, annoyed, separating the two. For once, Kuya Enzo kept himself in check. He stalked off, leaving me and Ethan alone for the first time in hours.

I looked at Ethan, who now seemed annoyed again. "What was that? Are we going to have a problem here?"

"It's Enzo's problem, as usual. Your brother just can't seem to control his aggression. Too bad he doesn't channel it into something useful," he said dismissively.

"What a great way to make an impression on your new wife. By insulting her brother." I was about to turn away from him because I was really frustrated with the situation, but he stopped me and pulled me closer.

"Hey! Chiara, listen. I wasn't insulting him. His loyalty to you is admirable, but his anger towards me is misplaced. Your father wanted this for you. Your father wanted you to marry me. If Enzo has a problem, he should take it up with him." I took a deep breath and looked at him.

"Believe me, he's trying," I said, and he frowned as he looked at the guests who seemed to doubt that Brother was genuinely trying to accept the situation.

I sighed. This marriage was supposed to make the peace process easier, but it seems to be stirring up tensions on both sides.

"Uh, did you enjoy yourself? I haven't seen you much since earlier," I changed the subject, and he returned his attention to me while drinking from his glass. He nodded.

"It's been fine," he answered tersely, and I couldn't hide my frustration.

"My new husband just described our wedding day as 'fine,' wow," I said sarcastically, and he chuckled quietly, which only irritated me more.

"Well, I would've preferred to spend more of it in your company." I frowned. I really couldn't understand this man. Just a moment ago, he said our wedding was "fine," and now he's saying he would have preferred my company. It was confusing.

I suddenly caught my breath as he approached and wrapped his arms around my waist. "You know, parties aren't really my thing. If it were up to me, I'd skip this whole reception and take you up to our hotel room. That's the part I'm really looking forward to." I felt my cheeks flush as I saw the way he was looking at me and the smile on his face. It was driving me crazy. This is unacceptable. What is this Montello looking forward to?

My heart raced at the thought that crossed my mind. OMG! Is he referring to the honeymoon? Isn't it a bit too soon for that?

"Montello, w―what do you mean by that―!" I gasped as he suddenly lifted me into his arms, carrying me as if I were a lightweight child. "What are you doing? Put me down!" I scolded him, and I noticed the guests starting to look at us.

"Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of my wife and I... we'd like to say goodnight." He said with a smile to the guests, and I gave him a weak slap on the chest, but I heard loud cheers and laughter from the guests, which made my cheeks flush red. I wanted to disappear right then. I knew what they were thinking once we entered our room.

I heard my heart pounding loudly as we entered our room. He gently laid me on the bed and then climbed on top of me.

"E―Ethan... what are you―" I felt faint as I felt his lips on my ear.

"Do you want me to help you out of your dress?" I swallowed hard. What does he mean?

"Ethan... um..." I closed my eyes as I felt his right hand crawling along my waist, gently caressing it until it reached my back to lower the zipper of my dress. Why is he doing this? Do we need to do this right now?

Stop him, Chiara... But what excuse do I have? We're married now; he has a right to me.

While I was thinking about this, I didn't realize he was staring at me.

"Why?" I asked nervously, and he shook his head, continuing what he was doing. I felt like my soul was leaving my body every time his lips touched my skin.

I closed my eyes and held tightly onto the bedsheet as he licked my shoulder, moving up my neck. Should I stop him?

"Do you want me?" he asked, making me open my eyes.

"Huh?"

"I'm asking if you want me?" What is he referring to? Do I want him, or do I want him to continue? I'm really confused. I've been struggling with his presence all this time.

"I―I don't know," I answered because I really didn't know. He took a deep breath, got off me, and lay beside me, staring seriously at the ceiling.

"Are you leaving?" I asked, fearing he might, but he shook his head.

"No.

To Be Continued...