Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Diego 's POV

I observed with a raised eyebrow as she entered the hall, her gaze evading everyone while fixated on her feet. It wasn't until she took a deep breath that she mustered the courage to meet my eyes. Only when she reached me at the end of the aisle did she manage a smile. However, the smile failed to reach her eyes, and as I returned the gesture, I knew mine lacked sincerity as well. 

Nevertheless, the scrutiny of the onlookers demanded we play our parts convincingly, for failure would have consequences for both of us.

As she stood before me, I clasped her hand in mine. We recited our vows, and people watched in amazement, believing we were a couple deeply in love. In truth, the last thing I desired was to marry her, yet circumstances led us to this impromptu union. She averted her gaze from mine when she uttered her "I do," and in response, I leaned in, briefly pressing my lips against hers.

She returned my kiss, pausing briefly as if expecting me to intensify it. However, I had no desire to kiss her or even touch her. Nevertheless, we had both agreed to put on a show, and I couldn't back out now.

"Well, it appears that the couple is so deeply in love that they couldn't wait for the official pronouncement," remarked Lucia, Gabriella 's mother, as she observed us. Gabriella averted her eyes from mine and silently shook her head. Her shake revealed her embarrassment, although she made an effort to conceal it.

"Certainly, we are." I responded, wearing a smile tailored for the eager press surrounding us, capturing every moment.

Gabriella 's smile seemed more genuine this time, and as her gaze met mine, I was taken aback by her ability to feign such authenticity.

"Mrs. Lopez , do you have any comments on your marriage?" inquired one of the reporters. Gabriella glanced at me, biting her lower lip, her hand resting on my chest as she smiled. We hadn't even had our first dance yet, and already, I was astounded by the swarm of photographers documenting our every move. But then again, wasn't this the reality of being wedded to a billionaire? The union of two affluent families was generating considerable buzz, given the soaring investments involved. Shareholders and investors would undoubtedly rejoice in the outcome, and the more convincingly genuine it appeared, the better the end result would be.

"She expressed her immense joy, saying , it's difficult to put into words how incredibly happy I am to be married to the person I love more than anything," she exclaimed, her face beaming with delight. Responding to her contagious smile, I reciprocated and leaned in, gently planting a kiss on her forehead. With my hand tenderly cupping her cheek, I held the embrace for a few blissful seconds. Placing my hand on her waist, I drew her nearer, while she rested her hands on my waistband, her gaze modestly lowered.

As we broke apart, I noticed her closing her eyes, a contented smile gracing her lips—a truly picture-perfect moment.

Interrupting our private reverie, a reporter directed a question at me. "Mr. Lopez , is there anything you'd like to share with us? How do you plan on spending this season together? Are you embarking on a honeymoon?"

"I'm sorry, but I won't be revealing any specific details about our plans as they are meant to be a delightful surprise for my beloved. However, we will make sure to share some occasional pictures to keep you all informed," I said with a smile, indicating our intention to provide updates. Gesturing to the security personnel, I signaled them to escort the reporters out, and as they began clearing the area, we prepared to conclude the evening.

We still had a few important events ahead of us, including our first dance, the reception, and eventually heading to the airport. Nevertheless, if we continued entertaining the reporters' inquiries, I knew we would struggle to leave this venue before midnight.

Drawing Gabriella closer to me, my hand settled on her waist as she lovingly wrapped her arms around my neck. Together, we gracefully swayed to the enchanting music. I pulled her even nearer, and she looked up at me, gracing me with her most radiant smile.

I spun her gracefully, guiding her into my embrace, her back pressed against my chest. Resting my chin on her shoulder, I couldn't help but express my surprise. "You truly caught me off guard today." I said to her.

"Do I need to ask why?" she responded, attempting to maintain a cheerful tone as the crowd gathered around us, couples swaying to the music. I gently turned her around to face me, pulling her closer, our eyes locked.

"I never expected you to possess such acting skills. I must admit, I was genuinely impressed. You did an exceptional job," I admitted, prompting her to laugh and playfully shake her head.

For a brief moment, her emerald eyes met my silver-blue ones, a shared smile crossing our faces as we gracefully twirled together. Amidst the enchanting scene, a few cameramen managed to sneak into the hall, capturing a precious snapshot of the two of us.

We swayed in silence, not uttering a single word while we danced. The security team was discreetly attempting to remove unwanted guests, mindful not to cause a scene or disrupt our moment.

"Let's be honest with ourselves, both of us are reaping the benefits of this marriage," she stated calmly as the first song concluded. Her gaze locked onto mine as our parents approached; her father would dance with her, while my mother would join me on the dance floor. "Shall we finish this dance then? After all, we still have a reception to attend, don't we?"

"Absolutely," Gabriella responded with a smile, just as I excused myself to share a dance with my mother while she enjoyed a dance with her father. After a brief pause, we reunited once more, pretending to be together to maintain appearances. Suddenly, a reporter, clearly taken aback, inquired, "Could you please share with us the story of how you two fell in Love?"