ARON (A Mafia Romance)

~3~

Valentina's POV -

My brother gave me exactly one week to do anything I want. Anything. So I did everything I could. Came almost everyday home drunk at midnight, hooked up with random guys in the bar, and the list goes on. My brother was usually awake when I came home late the whole week but he said nothing. I don't know what kind of family I'm going into but it for sure doesn't feel right. I always wanted to start my own business but I guess it'll remain a dream forever. I've seen my granny and my mother...they were never allowed to set their foot outside, to explore the real world, I guess that's the reason why my mother fought with my father and brother for my freedom cause she knew the value of freedom. But here's my brother snatching away my freedom just 1 month after our mother's death. I still don't get why I'm marrying Aron Martinez he's the mafia heir for God's sake. The mafia men are ruthless, cold, bad, and God knows what all..that's how they all are.

"Miss is this fine?" I snap out of my thought by my seamstress's voice.

I check my reflection in the mirror. Wait..is it me? My makeup is flawless, which brings out my bright eyes. My hair is curled up into a loose bun and a few strands of hair are hanging out. I look more beautiful than I've ever imagined I'd look at my wedding. I wish I could be happy but I just can't

"Wow. I look so pretty. Thank you so much" I say to her with a big smile but in response, she just nods. Looks like someone isn't familiar with greetings.
Nevermind..I sigh.
I can't believe it's really happening to me. I still haven't seen my Grooms face not like I'm interested. I wonder if he would have ever seen me but I doubt he cares even a little bit about his soon-to-be 'wife'.

After a few minutes Jules, my only friend, comes inside the room and pauses when she sees the look on my face.

"You'll be alright" She mouths with a sad smile.
The moment I told her about my marriage a week ago with Aron she started crying right there in the cafeteria. She is the one who's giving me support at this time. The whole week I spent my days with her trying to have more good memories before leaving for the hell. I seriously doubt that Martinez will allow me to visit her or vice-versa.

I force a smile and nod. She knows it's fake but she doesn't say anything. That's the thing I like about her the most, she knows when to speak and when not.

Someone opens the door, and we turn around and see the other seamstress.
"Yes?" I ask her.
"Your brother is coming to get you. Be ready!" She squeals.

Just after that my brother enters the room and stops near the door when he sees me. He smiles a real smile. I hate that he's smiling when I want to cry so bad. He walks over to me and bends down in front of me. He takes my right in near his lips and kisses my knuckles.

"You are definitely the most beautiful bride in the world niña (little girl)" he whispers, his eyes full of pride. I hate seeing him like this as if he is enjoying every bit of this moment.

"Oh great! I look beautiful...yeah thanks, brother. But do I look happy? Tell me..Do I?" I snap at him while standing up.

"Valentina not again. I've told you thousand times we are not having this conversation again. You are marrying Aron in a few minutes and that's final" He says while standing up too.

"For the first time in months, I wish mom and dad were alive!" I yell before making my way out of the room.

Five minutes later I walk out of the bathroom carefully wiping the corners of my eyes with a tissue paper, blinking my tears away. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. In the last five minutes, I decided that I won't let Aron or his family if there is one, control my life in any way. I will live my life myself and they can live there if that's what they would want. I'll find a way to survive there, I will have to. I feel more confident right now than I was in the past few days.

                            ***
The door opens and I see my brother standing there. I walk over to him and hold on to his arms as he leads me down to the aisle.

This wedding is huge, really HUGE. There are several thousand people gathered.

I keep a smile on my face as my brother, Cardan, walks me over to my 'soon-to-be-husband' and that's when I see him. I suck in my breath when he walks toward me his footsteps echo through the hall.

I can't help but notice his every move. The ways he is walking. The way he doesn't even bother to smile even just for the sake of putting up on a show. Just as he stands in front of me, my brother guides my hand to Aron's outstretched palm. I meet my brother's gaze for a moment, but the smile on his face doesn't reach up to his eyes..in other words, his lips are smiling but his hazel green eyes are not..just like mine. Soon the warmth of his grip disappears and gets replaced by Aron's cooler ones.
I finally get to see his face clearly and saying that he is handsome would be an understatement. He is a goddamn God! There's not even a single flaw. He has a devil-may-care outlook. His Roman nose and half-dome cheekbones sit above an oaken jaw. His wrestler's shoulders are part of his burly physique.

But still, I notice how lifeless his eyes look I wonder if he is forced to marry me too. But then, what the hell made him marry me? I am sure as hell that girls would have been drooling all over him.

He finally gazed at me. We make eye contact before he looks at me from head to toe. I suddenly start feeling hot.

The pastor begins to read the vows. I can't listen to anything other than my heartbeat which is pounding so hard. Whenever I see Aron's mouth moving to say "I do" I repeat after him.

"Join your hands, and declare your consent before God and his church." The pastor says.

Aron clasps my hands, his are cold against my hot skin. Arons starts speaking making me look up at him. "I, Aron Martinez, take you, Valentina Santos, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days if my life."

I repeat the words I had to, It's funny how we just lied in front of everyone who thinks it's a marriage for love, the pastor blessed our rings.

"You may kiss the bride-"
My whole body freezes.

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A/N
Dedicating this one to this amazing person I met on wattpad, krisfictions, I lysm dude! Practically the one because of whom I'm republishing this story. TYSM💗🫂
Anyways here you go! Ik Ik lol I said I won't be updating for a while but here I am!🤭
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and yeah it's kinda lengthy💀👍🏻
Hehe
Okay so for real this time I won't be updating for a while. Probably till the 28th.
Give me best wishes for my exams lmao😭👍🏻
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Xoxo I.G
1179 words
16/09/22