Sara stared at her reflection in the large mirror after wearing the wedding dress. Her eyes were burning with fury. An hour ago, she had a huge confrontation with Luca and eventually she had to give in.
Beggars can't be choosers.
The words from Luca's mouth repeatedly hit the back of her head. What hurt her the most was Luca was taking pleasure in her pain. How could someone be this inhuman?
'I can't believe he was my crush once,' she thought.
"Madam, how do you find yourself? Would you like me to take a picture of you?" The attendant asked.
"No, thank you," Sara refused. What good would it bring to click a picture of herself in that wedding dress? It would only bring the haunting memories to her how Luca forced her to wear this.
Just then, she heard the gentle footsteps and from the reflection, she found out it was Luca with his secretary right behind him.
Against the old tradition that the groom should not see the bride before the wedding, he strode in as if such rules didn't apply to him.
Sara had already turned around, but the moment her eyes met his, momentarily the anger left her body and for a brief moment, she didn't see him as her enemy. In the black tuxedo, Luca looked too handsome. He was the man who was a dream for many. His dreamy eyes always attracted women to him.
Her thoughts interrupted when she heard a click. Luca presented her with a necklace.
"This is called the Queen's necklace. Now, it's yours," Luca said, carrying it to her neck.
Sara recalled how Luca's ancestors were the descendants of the royal bloodline. Because such ranks had disappeared, so Luca's family came into the line of business.
Luca seeing her resistance took a step closer to her and leaned closer. His fingers brushed the nape of her neck as he fastened the necklace, and she gulped. Even now, after so many years, his touch did something to her.
'No, don't think like that. He's nothing for me.'
Luca's eyes lingered on her neck, then traced her face. "Beautiful," he complimented. Sara wondered if it was for her or the necklace on her neck.
Definitely it wasn't for her. He never found her beautiful enough.
"Did my parents come?" Sara finally asked.
"No," Luca replied with a chuckle, the corner of his mouth curling. "Seems like they truly abandoned you." He then turned to his secretary. "Bring Sara to the hall… as her brother."
Fabio nodded and watched Luca leave, tension coiling in his shoulders.
"I don't want you walking me down the aisle," Sara said firmly.
"My boss will fire me if I don't do what he wants," Fabio said with a hesitant smile, signaling the attendant to step forward.
"Please help Miss Falcone with her veil," he urged, stepping back.
The attendant adjusted the veil quickly and handed Sara a bouquet, but she refused it. From the large paper bag at her side, she retrieved her own flowers. The bouquet of black roses caught both Fabio and the attendant off guard; they gasped softly at the sight.
"Now, I'm ready," Sara said with a faint, defiant smirk.
Hooking her arm around Fabio's, she allowed him to escort her toward the wedding hall. The room was packed with guests. She recognized a few faces, but her focus stayed straight ahead as she ascended the steps to the aisle.
At the altar, Luca stood like the perfect groom, a teasing chuckle escaping his lips as he noticed the black roses in her hands. Around them, whispers rippled through the hall.
Why black roses?
It's a wedding, not a mourning.
Isn't that… shameless? Does she want to bring bad omen to her husband?
But Luca's smile only widened. He hadn't expected anything less than Sara to make such a bold statement.
Reaching the altar, she released Fabio's arm, holding her gaze on Luca. A subtle grin curved her lips.
Luca stepped forward, taking her hand to guide her to the altar.
"Miss Falcone," the priest finally said with slight unease, "black is traditionally an omen of misfortune."
Sara's eyes flickered. "There's nothing good about this wedding anyway."
Luca smirked, leaning slightly closer. "I like black. It's my lucky color. And you… you anticipate your husband's desires without him asking."
Sara tightened her grip on the black roses, expecting Luca to get pissed. She had thought the bouquet would provoke him, perhaps even shake his composure. Yet he remained unnervingly calm, and that infuriated her even more.
The priest's voice resonated through the hall, commanding everyone's attention. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of two souls in marriage. Marriage is a sacred bond, a promise of love, respect, and commitment."
Luca leaned closer to her and whispered, "Did you hear the words of the priest? We have to give each other love and respect."
"You have lost it today," Sara murmured.
Just then, the priest announced, "Please repeat the vows after me."
"I, Luca De Augustino, take you, Sara Falcone, to be my wife. I promise to love you, honor you, and stand by your side through all of life's joys and challenges. Today, I give you my heart, completely and forever."
His gaze didn't waver from hers, and also the smile remained intact.
"I, Sara Falcone, take you, Luca De Augustino, to be my husband. I promise to love you, support you, and share my life with you, through every happiness and every trial. Today, I give you my heart, completely and forever."
"Now, please exchange the rings and complete this union," the priest stated.
Fabio stepped up with ring boxes. Luca gave one to Sara and the other he kept to himself. They slid rings into each other's fingers when the guests clapped for them.
"Now, you may kiss the bride," the priest said with a warm smile.
Luca lifted Sara's veil, who looked flabbergasted. A kiss with Luca was a dream for her. 'Why is my heart suddenly racing? I've no feelings for him.'
She looked away when her eyes fell upon Asher, who was standing at the bottom of the aisle.
"Asher!" She whispered.
The moment that name fell out of her mouth, Luca's lips crashed on hers.