Marie's POV
"What are you doing Marie? This isn't right and you know it. We're about to make a deal, he has six million dollars in cash, and in a week from today, we give him the balance. What's gotten into you Marie?" I knew my brother was pissed as well as my brother Dante. They both hated Mancini but at this point, this was the only way I get to save them from getting killed.
I watched my father die once, and I was blessed with the opportunity to save him and I took it, I can't let my father get killed again.
The marriage settles the debt, my father can go on with the money to start his company, who knows he might become what he's always dreamt of.
"Well your debt has been paid in full Mr. Roberto, Marie here would make a great wife. You're so poor, you should be thankful that your daughter right here has a good heart to make this decision for you. We'll be on our way now Marie, say your last goodbyes and meet me outside, you have just s minute to get this over with" He licked his lips, patting my father's shoulders as he was accompanied by his soldiers.
"Why are you doing this Marie?"
"This is the only way, I can't lose you, Father. The debt has been settled, and you both can come together and plan how to use this money to make a good name for yourself. This is the best solution to this problem, I have to protect this family." I urged him to believe my words which felt like an impossible mission staring at the look on his face.
"This old-looking shabby house is fighting to control my breathing. So hideous" He taunted my father, my father would have been successful if he had his companies up and running. I was uneasy at this point wondering if this was the right decision I made by accepting to get married to Mancini.
"You're going to be married to me, I hope you can satisfy my needs, or you'll get used to me cheating with so many ladies like you" He rubbed his temples. His good looks can't be denied, all the ladies would want to have a one-night stand with Mancini. I should be ready to tolerate his excesses for the sake of my family's protection.
Staring into his sky-blue eye. His jet-black hair shifted over his ear for me to look at him properly. He folded his arms, trying an announcement.
"I'll be getting married tomorrow at the court. She's a lowlife, but I'll manage her because her body speaks volumes" Lionel chuckled at his words.
"Why's it sudden? There's no time to make sure she's ready?" My father retorts, clenching his fists in anger.
"You're poor and I know that, a disgrace to this world we live in, I'll be here to pick her up in the morning. I'll send a dress and a slipper for tomorrow. You can't afford a taxi for her, so I'll let a driver out of my convoy stick around." Mancini disrespected my father in ways I couldn't imagine.
"This is Ten million dollars paid in flesh" He chuckled as he held my hand and turned me around. I felt like an item being sold off as an exchange, but since it was for the protection of my family I accepted my fate.
"Don't you think this is unwise? We could take the money and give him three days to make up the balance" Lionel suggested, Mancini glared at him.
I wondered why they kept their eyes glued to me like they were studying my body movements.
"She's scared, she should be lucky being married into this family. She's going to be my wife" The cynical smile on his face left me puzzled.
"Like I said earlier I would be here in the morning to pick her up. She should be ready, Dante assist her and make sure she's ready" He ordered, as he rested his arm on Dante's shoulders. He was about to retaliate, but Roberto stopped him. We watched his retreating figure accompanied by Lionel and the soldiers.
I couldn't sleep through the night, wondering if my decision was right trying to protect my family. Mancini would have killed my father and if Dante retaliated he would also end up like my father. This was the best way to contain this.
"Marie, are you sure you want to do this? Dad is asking, he wants to know so we can prepare to wage a war. We have what it takes" Dante was too young to be messed in this fight, I can't watch my father get killed close to me.
I dozed off early in the morning, it wasn't long until I heard a loud bang on the door. It felt like they wanted to break the door, so three maids strolled in. One held a box, the other held a dress and the last held the matching slipper.
"We're here to get you ready as instructed" She sighed as she pushed me into the washroom to shower while they set up everything.
The water cooled off the heat I was feeling about my decision, I washed up, rinsed my body, and dried it before stepping out.
The maids hastened, it felt like my dad gave them a time frame. Ten minutes later, I was standing staring into the huge mirror hanging on the wall.
My reflection was surprising, a beautiful gown, but it felt like I was wearing a prisoner's attire heading straight to my cell where I would stay locked up forever.
I have to protect my family at all costs, I can't handle facing the same tragedy twice when I know I had the chance to prevent it.
My father and my brother would be angry at this decision only if they knew I was doing it for them, for us as a family.
My soon-to-be husband's men barged into my room to lead me to the court, Mancini left without his bride, isn't that interesting?
Surprisingly the wedding was a small one, quite different from what I expected. Mancini is a well-known man, so why would he choose this?
Mancini's eyes were filled with anticipation as he held my hands and recited his vows, we exchanged vows as he kissed me. Everyone cheered, and I pretended to be happy about it, deep down I felt devastated.
"Now that we're married. Don't you dare think of running? If you do so they die, and watch your words when you speak to me" He ordered,
I noticed Lionel's eyes completely fixed on me, I was trapped in a marriage with someone who I despised. Lionel was Mancini's right hand, more like his personal bodyguard. I couldn't shake off his piercing eyes fixated on me.
After the wedding, Mancini took to insult me, making me feel less of myself. The taunts and the heavy words were too much for me to swallow. I couldn't swallow. I couldn't take it any more.
"Your father is delusional, there's no certain way he would make up for the money my father gave to him. I wonder what he has sold to make up five million dollars" He chuckled running his hands through my hair, and I slightly pushed my hair away from his right hand.
"Your family is in ruins, I guess you're getting married to me because you're tired of your lowlife father making more enemies. He's nothing but a dimwit an old lost and abandoned man who's sticking to his liquor more than any other thing in his life… I mean he's better off dead" He added, as we arrived at the house. When we got to the room, I knew he was going to keep insulting my family.
"Your father…"
"Don't you dare disrespect my father" I spoke back, interrupting Mancini.
It earned me a hard slap to my right cheek, tears welled up in my eyes as he growled,
"You're my property now, don't you ever raise your voice, or you'll see the heads of your father and brother as a parting gift. Undress yourself now!"