Page 76 of Corrupted By You

Most of my nerves were hidden beneath my mask of flawless foundation, pink blush, black winged eyeliner, and ruby red lips. A timeless look that lent me a loftiness found in the portraits hanging inside the De la Croix’s manoir.

I inched him a smile and squared my shoulders, gathering false bravado to enter my doom. “Ready, Berto.”

The wedding march played and the doors swung open like the gates of the underworld welcoming their new queen.

I walked to my own beat, my veil a shield under the perusal of the guests.

Céline and Éva stared at me in awe, while Yves and Ben looked proud. There was only one side excited about this union.

The room was filled with hope, the crescendo of the organ, and the soft glow of afternoon sunlight peeking through the mosaic windows, weaving a kaleidoscope over the floor, making me feel like for one perfect moment,la viewas trulyen rose.

Zeno watched me with unconcealed hunger, looking regal in a dark red velvet blazer with black lapels, black slacks, and a black bowtie. His mouth was poised in his signature smirk. The one that stated he held the world in the palms of his tainted hands.

The room blurred out of focus and I had eyes solely for my future husband.

My wedding dress was white, off-the-shoulder, with pearls and diamonds embroidered in the bodice. It flared into a big skirt that cascaded into a long train. My veil was dotted with freshwater pearls and my hands garnished with a gardenia and red rose bouquet. The crown on my head, with deep-set rubies, was a De la Croix heirloom. I wore it for Céline’s sake, after she delivered it to me with a heartfelt letter.

There was an appreciative glint in Zeno’s gaze as Alberto handed me over to him.

He liked what he saw.

Zeno raised my knuckles to his lips for a kiss and I barely registered the rest of the ceremony. I gazed at my husband with false adoration, knowing we were under the watchful eyes of many important people.

I did, however, notice that he hadn’t worn my hairpin today. It was irrational, but the small omission irked me.

When the time came for our vows, Father Domenico asked, “Do you, Darla Ivy Hill, take Zeno Gianni De la Croix, as your lawful husband, to hold from this day onwards, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you apart?”

Until twelve months do us apart.

Eyes glittering with fabricated love, I added to the deceit by saying, “I do.”

Father Domenico asked my future husband.

Zeno’s face mirrored my own and for a split second, I wished…I wished this was the real thing. I wished I could have been the princess who’d gotten the fairy-tale ending.

“I do,” Zeno returned with a soft rasp. “From this day onwards, je suis àtoi, mon ange.”

My heartstrings reverberated with sadness even as I swooned.

We were pronounced husband and wife.

Zeno lifted my veil.

I held my breath.

No choice but to adhere to the crowd, he cupped my cheeks and a sliver of regret flashed on his face before he closed the distance.

My husband bestowed a tender kiss on my lips.

The reception was in the De la Croixes’ lavish ballroom. Gardenia and red rose centrepieces decorated the tables, gold gossamer circled Corinthian columns, and crystal chandeliers hung from molded ceilings, lighting the room in an opalescent manner.

I sat next to Zeno and our families while Ella gave a speech after dinner. I told her she didn’t have to go the extra mile. She insisted, saying this was still my wedding and her best friend duties beckoned her to say something cheesy and nostalgic.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ella and I’m Darla’s favourite person in the whole wide world,” Ella said into the microphone, inciting the crowd to chuckle. “We met when we were three years old, bonded over Barbies in preschool, and the rest is history.” She winked at me and I blew her a kiss. “Darla was always the quiet one while I was the loud one. Polar opposites, but somehow we worked. Anyone close to me knows how protective I am of my best friend and how much I cherish her. We’ve been through thick and thin, but we always find our way back to each other. Because she’s more than my best friend.” Ella pinned me with a wistful smile. “Darla, you’re my co-captain, you’re my partner in crime, and you’re my sister. You’ve taught me that one of the best gifts in life is friendship. In case I don’t say it enough, I admire your patience, your kindness, and your ability to always empower the people in your surroundings. You’re such a gem and I love you to pieces.” Seeing her eyes water caused my own to sting. Then Ella jokingly glared at my husband. “Zeno, you should know, I’m spectacular with a baseball bat…and I do not play ball. If you hurt my best friend, I will raise hell.”

Laughter followed her threat.

Zeno grinned like a good sport and nodded to her in acceptance.