Da Silva's Bride

CHAPTER 1

Xavier Da Silva looked at the girl standing across the room trying on her wedding dress.He knew she would be no different from her social peers in their privileged circles in Italy..rich and spoilt.She was paler than her contemporaries, but he guessed that came from her English father.Her mother,Isobel Christofedes Miller was Italian through and through.His brain felt slightly fuzzy around the edges and he cursed himself mentally,many a shot of whiskey wasn't going to help him out of this predicament or the feeling of entrapment he'd live with for years.

Alisha Miller spun around to see her soon to be husband.

"I like this dress, Xavier.Does it look good on me?"

He nodded nonchalantly.

"Can't you for once say I look beautiful or I'm pretty?"

"You're beautiful"He said, sarcastically.

"Xavier...."

"Don't make a big deal out of this!You should be glad that I'm here with you,wrap the dress up and meet me outside"With that,he stood up and walked away.

Alisha's fist clenched.

Xavier slowly came to a halt in front of her house.

Alisha moved closer to him to kiss him,he shot her a warning look which made her retreat.

"We're getting married in two days, can't we even act like couples already?"

"We would do everything you want once we get married"

"If you don't want this marriage then why are you pushing through with it?"She asked, frustratedly.

"Don't act as if you're reluctant to get married to me.You want this marriage more than I do.When your Father sold your family's resort to my father,he rewrote your destiny"His month thinned into a bitter line."They both got what they wanted... your father got money from the sale with the assurance that the resort would return to the family through you by walking away with a watertight marriage agreement"

Alisha rolled her eyes."Why are you reminding me of this?"

"You need that resort back to save your family's company from bankruptcy so don't act as if you truly care about me. I can't stop this wedding even if I want to.The wedding must hold"

He held her chin and tilted it up roughly.

"Don't worry I'll spoil you with money because that's what you want,you little thing"His gaze flicked her insultingly.

Tears stung her eyes.

"You don't know me, Xavier.I'm full of surprises"She slammed back and got down from his car.She opened the backseat,as soon as she took out the parcel containing the wedding dress.He sped off.

Alisha angrily walked into the house,she dumped the dress on the floor and screamed.

Who does he think he is? Simply because she was attracted to him gives him no right to insult her.Why was she even drawn to an arrogant and cold-hearted jerk?

Isobel walked in.

"I heard you screaming, What is it?"

"Mother, I can't marry him"Alisha replied sitting on a chaise lounge.

"Why? I thought you liked him?"

"Even so, I don't want him to think he can just snap his fingers and everything would fall into place, I want him to find me expensive not cheap"

Isobel sighed walking closer to her.

"Don't worry,dear.Everything would be okay once you two get....."

"I want to delay this wedding, I just want him to see...."

A hot slap welcomed her left cheek,she held her face staring at her mother in disbelief.

"You aren't delaying anything.Don't you know how much his family hate scandals?You want to delay a wedding which everyone already knows that it's in two days.You should be happy his father chose you for someone like Xavier.Other than getting our resort back,we would never get broke again.This is a golden opportunity. I don't care how Xavier treats you....a plaything.....a slave.... I don't care.You are getting married to him the day after tomorrow and nothing...I repeat nothing would change that"Isobel said, sternly.

Tears rolled down Alisha's cheeks,she would be Xavier's bride but first he has to know that she was priceless.

Miguel walked into the kitchen to find Isobel preparing lunch.

"Good day ma"He greeted, politely.

Isobel turned to face him and smiled.

"I thought you wouldn't show up to wish Alisha a happy married life"

"I won't miss that for anything"He said, innocuously and sat on a stool.

"Amanda wanted to visit her father's grave so I accompanied her."

Isobel placed a cup of coffee on the table.

"I thought she'd never return to Italy"

Miguel grinned."Well,she said she likes it better here and she's doing really well"

"Did you tell her about the wedding?"

"I did"Miguel drawled."But I'm not sure if she'll be attending"

"She doesn't have to.Enough talk about that little devil. I just wish I can speed up time,once everything has been signed at the wedding, I'm filling this house up with servants.It'd be like before"She said, dreamily.

Miguel rolled his eyes.This woman would never change.

"Where's Alisha?"

"Up in her bedroom,I guess.She's pretty mad that I hit her yesterday, I was only trying to bring her back to her senses"

Miguel sighed."What did she do?"

"Nothing that concerns you."Isobel snapped.

He sighed."Before I freshen up,let me say hello to the bride."

"The very beautiful bride"She added, proudly.

Miguel shook his head and walked off.

Almost five minutes later.

"You have to come in here now!"Isobel heard Miguel's voice echoed in the house.

She hurried upstairs and rushed into Alisha's room.She looked around.

"Where's she?"

"I don't know, but the room was empty when I got here and I found this"He said handing her a piece of paper.

Isobel shakily took it from him and stared at the paper as shockwaves rolled through her body.

"Mother,

I know you'll be disappointed when you get this, furious even.But I can't get married to Xavier when he sees me as a spoilt brat.He should respect me.My decision to delaying this wedding would make him realize that I'm a jewel and I should be cherished.I'm not coming back until he learns to treat me like a queen"

Isobel's body almost slumped on the floor but Miguel quickly held her.

"Alisha has killed me"She choked out.

"If this is what she wants, I think you should understand, and everyone knows Xavier is a ruthless billionaire,this isn't her fault"

Isobel pushed him on the chest forcefully that he almost fell.

"Who runs away a day before her wedding.This is a catastrophe!If the wedding doesn't hold tomorrow, I'd lose everything, I'll be thrown out of this house.This senseless child of mine has ruined everything!"She yelled, tearfully.

At that moment, her cellphone rang,she stared at it and frozed.

"It's Xavier"She bit out.

"You should tell him Alisha ran away"Miguel advised.

"I can't tell him,we still have some hours to find her"She cleared her throat and picked up the phone.

"Why isn't Alisha picking up my calls?"He yelled.

"She....she went out to get some groceries but didn't take her phone with her."

"She should have taken it with her! Doesn't she know that I might call?Is she back?"

"No"

"When she gets back, I want you to pass this message to her.Yesterday,she had seemed really pissed saying that she is full of surprises,if she dares tries anything funny at the wedding tomorrow, my family would call off the wedding instantly.You know what you stand to lose, don't you,Mrs Miller?"

Isobel swallowed the thick lump on her throat.

"She won't do anything that would ruin your reputation, Xavier"She assured and he hung up.

Miguel heaved a sigh of confusion."Your daughter just ran away and you're telling Xavier that she won't do anything to ruin his reputation?"

"We have to find her today"

"What if we don't find her?What if she left the country, already?Can we find her then in just a few hours?"

Isobel frantically paced up and down the room.This marriage has to push through.Nothing would ruin her plans.... absolutely nothing...if she can't find Alisha by the end of today then......

"You said Amanda is in town, right?"

Miguel frozed."You can't certainly want her to......."

"Right now, I would do anything possible even if it means killing a person.Someone has to walk down the aisle to Xavier Da Silva tomorrow!"

CHAPTER 2

Amanda walked home from work.No matter what had happened between her and Alisha,it seem right to attend the wedding tomorrow,it was her sister's wedding....her twin sister.But then, Alisha didn't even call to invite her so there was no need of showing herself at the wedding.

She saw a car in front of her apartment building,her footsteps halted on seeing Miguel getting down from the car,he opened the backseat and Isobel gracefully alighted from the car.

"Hello,my dear"Isobel said smiling broadly.

Amanda grinned uncomfortably.

"May I have a word with you inside?"

Throughout her stay in Canada, neither Isobel nor Alisha visited her so this visit was very creepy.

Isobel stared at her apartment in total disgust,she shook her head....no one can ever be as classy as Alisha, but she had to at least try to make her fit in.

Amanda walked into the living room with two mugs of coffee,she placed one in front of Isobel and handed the other one to Miguel.

"It's instant, hope you don't mind?"

"Of course not"Isobel replied, sweetly.

Amanda sat down impatiently waiting for her to say the purpose of this creepy visit.

"Alisha's getting married tomorrow"She began.

"I know, and I also know that you ain't here to invite me"Amanda snapped.

Isobel slung her a sly smile."Let bygones be bygones,my dear.I won't beat around the bush.Alisha ran away to heaven knows where, Miguel and I have been searching for her since noon.The Da Silvas would call off the wedding if they get to know about this and I can't let that happen"

Amanda gulped knowing where this was heading.

"I want you to walk down the aisle to Xavier tomorrow"Isobel announced.

Amanda snickered.

"You just made it seem as if it's like eating a piece of cake. I should walk down the aisle to Xavier?You've got to be kidding me"

"Don't make this hard for me!If you refuse,the resort would never be ours again....."

"Ours? I didn't know that I was still part of the family"

"Amanda, this isn't the time to dwell in the past.We are not only going to lose the resort.The company and the house would be taken away too, we'll be penniless"

"I don't care, it's....."

"Amanda! Isobel yelled getting frustrated."Don't make it seem as if I want you to have a life with him, just give me a few days, I'll find your sister and she'll assume her role as Xavier's bride,no one would ever know that it was you who walked down the aisle to him,we need to secure our properties,think about your father,think about the years he spent..... "

"Enough!"Amanda cut in, scared that she might change her mind at the mention of her father.

She slowly stood up.

"I can see that you're bent on making me fill in for my sister. I won't do it. I won't marry someone like Xavier in a million years, make use of the door when you're ready to leave"With that,she walked into her bedroom and shut the door.

Isobel lifted up the mug intending to smash it against the wall but Miguel quickly held her wrist.

"You won't destroy anything in her apartment"He declared.

She shot him a murderous look."Sometimes, I wonder whose side you're on"

"I'm taking sides with no one.After everything,you shouldn't expect her to agree to what you want.I suggest you let Xavier know....."

Isobel pulled her hand away from Miguel's and placed the mug on the table.She stood up.

"He won't ever know about this.What's the essence of having children if I can't use them?"She walked closer to him.

"She didn't agree to this because the only person she listens to didn't ask this of her."

Miguel frozed."I would not talk her into doing this"

"Oh yes,you will."She placed her hand on his shoulder."Think about the look on Amanda's face when she finds out that the one person she trusts is a murderer"

"You can't keep using that to threaten me,you know very well that I didn't mean to kill him...it was in self defense."Miguel retorted through gritted teeth.

"Will she think that way or will she run away from you?"

She walked towards the door and stopped.

"Don't keep me waiting, Miguel. I really need to groom her tonight to at least behave gracefully like my Alisha."She turned to face him,slinging him a wicked grin.

"If she doesn't come out in fifteen minutes, you of all people know what I can do to you and her"And then,she sauntered out.

Tears stung his eyes.Was there anything more painful than convincing the woman you love to marry someone else?

Miguel walked into her room.

"I thought you left with Mom"She said shutting her laptop.

He slowly sat on the bed.

"Well...I... we...."

Amanda moved closer to him.

"I know that look on your face and right now, you're scaring hell out of me"

"You have to do it, Amanda"He choked out.

"Why aren't you on my side this time, Miguel? I wasn't the one who was betrothed to him and if his bride got cold feet and ran off,the wedding should be postponed till she returns.Why should I suffer the consequences of her actions?"

"The Da Silvas won't postpone the wedding,they would call it off if anything goes wrong.Don't you remember how much your father wanted his resort back,when he pushed through hard times,he offered them twice the money they paid for it but they wanted the arranged marriage to finalize the deal.Amanda, your father's company...the house... everything he worked so hard for would go down the drain.The Da Silvas had promised to save the company from bankruptcy and pay off the loan if this wedding pushes through tomorrow"

Amanda sighed sadly,why did he have to remind her of her father?

Miguel held her hands.

"Three days..... I promise... within three days, I'll find Alisha and everything would be back to normal.You just have to save everything your father worked so hard for and I will search every nook and cranny for her.... you trust me, right?"

She smiled and nodded.Miguel was one in a million.

"Alisha and I are so different.Are you sure that I won't do anything wrong,can I possibly...."

"I agree,the two of you are really different but other people won't be able to tell the differences,you just have to be careful, I'm sure you won't do anything wrong"

He moved closer to her and hugged her.

She burried her face in the crook of his neck and wrapped her arms around him.

Miguel stroked her hand tenderly."Everything would return to its normal state. I swear it"

CHAPTER 3

"How can you two be so different and yet have the same face? Your boobs are smaller not to mention your butts"Isobel announced startling Amanda who just walked out from the bathroom in just her undies,she quickly reached out for her robe but unluckily for her, Isobel saw what she was trying to hide.

"God!How can you have a scar like this in your stomach? Which kind of woman harbours scars like this,you really can't be spotless like...."

"That's enough, already"Amanda snapped tying her robe."If you keep talking to me this way, I might just change my mind"She warned.

Isobel swallowed."Anyway, your body doesn't matter since he won't be seeing it anyway.You have to make excuses upon excuses,no matter what,do not let him lay with you and don't ever forget that you ain't his bride"

"You have no need to worry, I won't have any cause to be his real wife"

Isobel smirked and stood up,she walked over to the closet and opened it.

"These are her clothes, You won't be taking them along with you because I'm sure the Da Silvas had already bought a trousseau for you, I just want you to know how classy she was"

Amanda stared at her clothes,she was happy that she wouldn't have any reason to wear this clothes.One doesn't have to dress like a prostitute because of class.

"Miguel would briefly tell you about his family and I'll be back to teach you about some things you need to know"And then, she walked away.

Amanda wore a loose fitting gown, wondering when Isobel would allow her go to bed.

A knock sounded from the door.

She grinned."Someone's pretending to be modest"She teased.

Miguel laughed opening the door.

"I've always been modest, you're the one always intruding my privacy"Miguel slammed back sitting on the bed.

"When?"

"Should I start reminding you, especially in highschool"

Amanda's cheeks flamed recalling when she had walked into his room to find him totally naked in highschool...

She quickly shook her head."You talk too much"She snapped.

Miguel snickered."My parrot is saying I talk too much"

She gasped."Your parrot?"

"If we keep going on and on with this when you know I'm always right about everything,you won't get to know about his family"

"You ain't right about everything"She snapped.

"Why do you always like to argue with me?"He asked ruffling her hair.

"Stop doing that, I'm not that little girl anymore"

Miguel grimaced."Oh sorry, Grandma."

"Grandma?"She asked picking up a pillow.

"Oh no!we don't have time for this right now"He said backing away from her but she lunged towards him and they ended up running around the room.

"MIGUEL!"Isobel yelled.

They frozed."I think she heard us"He whispered.

She slowly sat on the bed.

"I was sitting so quietly before and you started being as troublesome as always"

Miguel sat beside her."You always trigger my troublemaking spirit.Now, before I get distracted by grandma again, let's proceed"

"Don't call me that"

"For now, listen.... Xavier had been in Spain for three years now, he got back two weeks ago and the preparation for the wedding began, I think Alisha and himself had met up three times before the fitting of the wedding dress."He paused and brought out his cellphone showing her some pictures.

"This is Xavier's father,cesario Da Silva...his mother.. Alice.... and older brother... Salvador, he's a doctor"

Amanda stared at the pictures, only Salvador had a slight smile on his face,the faces of the others were stony.

"This family looks so scary"

"There's nothing to be afraid of, I'll make sure Alisha comes back soon to take over her hell of a husband"

"Is he really that mean?"

"He is not just mean, he's evil"Miguel ran a hand through her hair smoothening the mess he had made earlier.

"Don't worry,you won't have to put up with him for long"He assured.

Isobel stared at Amanda as three women made last minutes tweaks on the wedding dress.

If only Alisha hadn't been so stupid,she'll be the one wearing this beautiful dress.Anyway, everyone would think it's Alisha so that was enough for her.

She walked out of the room and saw Miguel approaching.

"You should keep an eye on her today"

"I'm not going to the wedding"He snapped and walked away.

As he walked into the room, he stopped dead in his tracks seeing her looking so stunningly beautiful,to him,she had always been the most beautiful woman in the world but today,it was as if her beauty doubled tremendously.

"Miguel"She called snapping him out of his reverie.

He shook his head and walked closer to her.

"You look so beautiful"He said staring at the wedding dress as the sparkles shone on her chest.It was a strapless dress, and was mercilessly distracting him.

He had dreamt of her countless times in a wedding dress,but he had always been the one waiting at the alter.He tried to assure himself that this wasn't her wedding but then he couldn't help this uneasy feeling running through his mind.

"You ain't dressed"Amanda said staring at his black jeans and hoodie.

"I'm not going to the wedding"He announced.

"What? I need you there Miguel"

Just thinking about that man touching her in church hurts, and seeing it would just....

"I have to start looking for Alisha today.Don't worry,you can do this without me, just say whatever is required of you and don't talk much,his family wouldn't like your hobby.I'm the only one who likes my parrot"

Amanda nudged him playfully.

"You've started again and if I continue we won't leave here"She warned.

Miguel grinned and held her hand,he clamped a bracelet around her wrist.

"It's so beautiful!"She exclaimed staring at it.

His heart gladdened."I'm glad you like it,I don't want you to feel lonely the few days you're going to spend with him, whenever you feel alone,look at it and if it doesn't make you feel any better you can call me on the phone,you know I don't miss your calls for anything, right?"

She smiled and nodded,she closed the distance between them and hugged him.If she didn't have someone like Miguel in her life she would be lost.

Xavier stood at the top of the church staring impatiently at his wrist watch,she wasn't late though, but he had always heard of brides who kept their grooms waiting for some minutes,if she dares make him wait any more than this, he would make sure she gets it from him later tonight.

The church doors opened and she started walking up to him.He must admit,she had turned out more beautiful in that wedding dress.

As she walked slowly to the beat of the wedding match,her fear of staying with this man for a few days increased.A potent aura of raw sexuality surrounded him,he was the most elusive and sought-after bachelor in Rome.His hands were thrust deep into the pocket of his expertly tailored suit trousers.Xavier Da Silva was a truly magnificent specimen of virile masculinity.

He took her hand and led her up the stairs beside him.

He lifted the veil up and over her head looking down into her eyes and for a tensed moment,she saw an unmistakable glint of confusion in his eyes, and she feared that he noticed something different already.

"You're lucky you didn't keep me waiting"He said gruffly and turned to face the priest.

Amanda sighed, relieved.

The ceremony passed in a blur.Somehow, Amanda knew she must have said everything required of her but she couldn't remember.She was aware of the cool band of gold on her finger.

"You may now kiss the bride"

Shockwaves rolled through Amanda as she looked up to see him moving closer.He placed his hands on her waist, bent his head and took her lips with his.

Her eyes fluttered close and her body trembled violently.As if sensing her reaction,he snaked his hand around her back, pulling her even closer.

When his tongue touched hers,it was as if her brain was disconnected from her body and mouth.

She found her hands clinging to the lapels of his jacket, clinging because her legs had turned to jelly.

Somewhere,in a distant part of his brain told him that this was supposed to be a socially suitable chaste kiss,he pulled back and smiled seeing her upturned face..so lovely with a bloom of pink in her cheeks, lips soft, pouting and moist.It took a second for her to open her eyes,he read the reaction in their dark chocolate depths... shock and confusion and something much more potent.....fear.

A warm feeling seeped into him,the heat between them just seconds ago had been fierce and elemental,he had always thought there was nothing good about her.... but right now,he was sure she would make a good wife in bed.

Amanda seethed at herself inwardly as she walked slowly on Xavier's arm.But she managed to paste a fake smile on her face, nodding to people she knew were smiling to her face,but already dissecting every minute of the ceremony,her dress and the prospects of the success of this marriage.They would be the topic of coffee mornings all over the capital for days...weeks to come.

She couldn't believe that she actually loved the feeling of his mouth against hers.No,she couldn't love it....It definitely had to be the fact that she couldn't remember when last she had someone lips on hers.The feeling was new to her.Yes,that was it....she didn't love the kiss.....it just felt foreign.

One thing was paramount as of that moment,she needed to protect herself at all costs and maintain a distance between them until Alisha comes back.

When they emerged from the church,all Amanda's thoughts scattered.A barrage of press awaited them,the camera flashes almost blinding her... and a huge cheering crowd had gathered across the road.Unconsciously,her hand tightened around Xavier's arm.

He looked down at her and grimaced slightly before saying.

"You should have expected this.Just smile and look happy.They're all here to see you"

Amanda was beyond shocked at the sight in front of her. After a few minutes, Xavier led her down the steps of the huge cathedral and to a waiting car, handing her carefully into the back before joining her.

As they pulled away,Amanda saw the rest of the wedding guests start to spill out of the church into the heaving crowds.She realized she was shaking like a leaf.Xavier noticed and took one of her hands in his....to Amanda's dismay,her shaking started to subside

"The reception will be held at my house, it's not that far from yours"

Everything seem to be impacting upon Amanda at once.Miguel didn't mention anything about Alisha ever visiting him at his home...or even meeting up with his family, what kind of marriage was this?

She said nothing and took her hand back from his.Before long,they were driving through the expensive suburb of a street, pulling up outside impressive gates.

Amanda tried to hide her reaction.This house they were approaching was nothing like her family home.It was grand and palatial on a level that made her home look like a gatehouse.

The car pulled up in a gravel courtyard surrounded with flowering trees which kept it secluded and private.An impressive array of vintage cars was lined up on one side and despite herself, Amanda's interest was piqued, she'd always loved old cars.

But Xavier had come around to open her door and was waiting for her,hand outstretched.Thoughts of anything else disappeared.Amanda had no choice but to take his hand... and hated the tingle of awareness that raced up her arm and the blooming of heat.

Staff in pristine black and white uniforms were waiting for them at the top of the steps.They blurred and morphed into a jumble of names and faces as Xavier introduced them all.

He turned to face her."Come, I'll show you to your room, where you can freshen up,the guests will be arriving at the back of the house where a wedding Marquee has been erected for the reception."

Amanda ignored his outstretched hand this time and followed him slowly up the stairs.Xavier glanced at her, stunned that she was maintaining a distance between them,this was a woman who for the past two weeks wanted him to touch her.... even to hold her hand and now that he wanted to do all that,he noticed the way her body reacted to his touch as if she didn't want him to touch her.Something was different about her today and not being able to put a finger to it was confusing as hell but he tried to assure himself that she was only acting, trying not to seem easy when in reality she was.Her continuous flinches wouldn't stop him from having her tonight,she was his now,she was like a property he had to use and use until its beauty fades away.His ultimate triumph would be when she would lay underneath him... panting and sobbing for him to take her.