Chapter Three

"Let's get married".

That actually shuts everyone up, even my aunt. My jaw is wide open as I stare at Mr. De Luca like he's stupid. Because he really is.

"Are you crazy?". I ask.

"Vanessa!!!!". Auntie calls out in warning. Fine we don't hold any cards here but this man is clearly mentally deranged and we can't let him have all the say. Who the hell offers to marry a girl on her wedding day?

Dad storms forward. "Okay, Ellie. I don't know what you think you are doing but this man can't…..".

"Stay out of this, Bryan". Auntie snaps.

"Vanessa cannot marry a stranger!!!!".

My aunt jerks her head towards the podium. "Cody was more or less a stranger anyways, and she was still going to marry him". Poor Cody. I turn back and glance at him for the first time since this drama started. He's still standing by the podium, now joined by his younger sister who glares at us hotly. His face is as red as a tomato and he looks a bit lost as he continuously glances between us and his parents. 

Mr. De Luca cocks his head as he peers at me. I watch his eyes travel down my height, right from the top of my head to the bottom of my dress. My cheeks heat up in embarrassment at the not-so-conspicuous assessment. Finally, his eyes travel back up my body again.

"Good. We are already at a venue. Let's get married right now". He doesn't even sound like he's joking and that's giving me serious chest palpitations.

"Sir, I'm not going to…..".

"Vanessa". My aunt chips in. She grabs my upper arm like her life depends on it. "Please give me five minutes sir, I'll just talk to her".

Mr. De Luca cocks an eyebrow. "It's funny that you think I have five minutes to waste".

Auntie's face heats up. "Please, just two minutes sir".

The man sighs and glances at his watch impatiently. "Two minutes, Ellie. Or I'm leaving this place and you are your husband are coming with me. And not in the nicest of ways". 

"Yes, sir". My aunt drags me off haphazardly towards the other end of the pier. I glance behind me and see that my uncle is moving to the MacMillans who are still staring at the whole scene like it's a movie. And then the man…..Mr. De Luca. His eyes are fixated on me as I'm dragged off and for a moment, I think to myself, what a shame. Outside of these circumstances, I would have definitely swooned in 5 seconds for this kind of man. He obviously looks rich, his black tuxedo fitting perfectly and an expensive watch hanging off his wrist. His body does all the justice to his height. I can't see his arms but I bet they are as a toned as I think they are. Not to talk of that ginormous confidence and ego. That man is a  man that has money and isn't afraid to show it. 

Auntie spins me around to face her, her eyes wide and crazy. "Vanessa, look at me. What the hell are you trying to do?".

"How could you agree to that? That's the most…..".

"I did it for you*. I see the tears spring into her eyes and I nearly roll my eyes at this ancient manipulative technique of hers that still never fails to make me feel guilty. "I did it for you and Camilla. You people needed to be taken care of".

"Auntie, I had definitely moved out before all of this happened".

She realizes I'm right and I almost see the engines whirring in her head as she thinks of what to say next. "But Camilla was still with us". As expected.

I actually roll my eyes this time. "Camilla couldn't have even….".

"Pay back Camilla's share then".

"Auntie!!!!".

"Yes, pay back your younger sister's share. Work for him and pay him back".

"I don't have much of a deal about working for him but marrying him…  ". 

"Don't you see". She leans in conspiratorially. "You could get him to fall in love with you".

I glance at Mr. De Luca and grimace. "No, thanks".

"He's rich, Vanessa. Filthy rich. You won't suffer. And you both can get it anulled after you pay up".

I sigh softly and look down at my hands. Can it really be so bad after all? 

"Auntie…..".

"You'll do it, Vanessa. That's the only option".

She doesn't even wait for me to respond before spinning around and walking towards Mr. De Luca a tight smile pasted on her face. "Let's have the wedding sir".

My father glares at her from where he's standing and then turns to look at me, his face questioning if I had really agreed to this. I can't even look him in the eye. Robotocially, I step forward my eyes cast down.

"You might want to hurry up. I have a business meeting in 40 minutes". He glances at his watch anxiously and turns and walks to the podium. Cody is still there, looking like a confused dog and when he sees Mr. De Luca approaching him, he shuffles away, clearly intimidated. The man doesn't even spare him a second glance as he takes the spot Cody had been occupying and glances back to see my progress. There's a small ruckus going on in the left pier where uncle and Cody's family are getting into it but I make myself as small as possible and slink past them, climbing the podium and taking the position I had been in earlier, except this time, the man in front of me is different. The priest had stayed back too to witness the scene and when his eyes land on me, my cheeks burn uncontrollably. Mr. De Luca pays no mind. He turns to the man and jerks a head cockily.

"Let's begin".

"B...but….". He tries to say.

"Your duty is to officiate a wedding". Mr. De Luca says, his voice hard and ungiving. "So please do so".

The priest's face remains confused but he opens his book and begins to recite the same lines he had read out for Cody and I earlier.  I hear stamping feet and turn to see Cody's family storming out angrily, dragging their son after them. I feel bad for them but there's really nothing I can do here. I'm literally a pawn in this game too. 

"Don't bother asking if anybody objects". Mr. De Luca interrupts the priest. "I'm pretty sure everyone here does". 

The priest looks at him strangely before continuing to read. "Where are the rings?". He asks when it's time.

"There are no rings". Mr. De Luca chips in again impatiently. "Just round this up, will you?".

Highly uncomfortable by the situation, the priest's brows remain a bit knitted as he waves a hand at us. "I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride".

Mr. De Luca doesn't even wait to hear the last part. He's already going down the stairs, his guards instantly forming a perfect alliance behind him as he marches out of the hall. I stare at his disappearing back. This is it. I'm married.