The Don's Wife

4 | At Last

The wedding reception went off without a hitch. All guests was satisfied and entertained, especially with the wedding kiss earlier. They were clapping and laughing in amusement at the bride's boldness, which I too was caught off guard.

She's the aggressive type for sure and yet every inch of her screamed innocence, as shown in her kiss. It was light and brief, more like a peck. No sense of ulterior motives, no lust, only genuine anticipation as if she had waited all her life for the moment to come. And judging by her reaction after, it was probably her first time.

And it was soft.

I mentally slapped myself after having such intrusive thoughts.

"Salvatore." A deep voice brought me back to my senses. It was none other than Lucas Alderidge himself.

"Alderidge." I greeted back as we exchanged a handshake. I wonder why his name always left a sour taste in my mouth.

"Congratulations on your wedding, and I hope this union will bring us fruitful outcome in the future." Said with his usual stiff, monotonous tone.

"Thank you. I hope so as well." I gave him the obligatory courtesy smile.

"Despite one's reputation, I believe a man can change. Especially a man of high integrity such as yourself, I find no difficulty to trust you to be a proper husband that treat his wife well, yes?"

It was already a rare sight to witness Lucas speaking more than one sentence, let alone revealing his emotions even the slightest. Even though he stood in front of me rigidly with hands in his pocket, wearing his emotionless face, I could see his feature slightly hardened, and hear the hidden threat laced within his cold tone of voice.

Well well, who would've thought that the walking corpse has a soft spot for his little sister. I just learned an interesting fact.

I can't help but to be amused by my current discovery. "Honored for you to think so nobly of me, but I wouldn't blindly trust a man who couldn't even trust himself. Though I can assure you that no harm will come to your sister." Physical harm that is.

Seemed to be dissatisfied by my answer, he stared at me for a while then sighed. "I guess that's the least you can do. My apologies for thinking that I could expect the bare minimum from you when it's clearly beyond your capacity. But it didn't hurt to ask."

Dick.

"Careful Alderidge, you're emotion is showing. You might catch a stroke." I pointed at the spot between my eyebrows, referring to his furrowed ones.

"Ladies and gentleman, taking the dance floor for the very first time as husband and wife Mr. Jameson and Mrs. Rosalind Salvatore!" The MC announced.

"Well that's my cue. Enjoy the party, brother in law." I waved my hand as I made my way to the stage.

Walking down the stage I found Rosalind already standing there flashing her smile, waiting for me.

I don't understand what makes her look so happy? I hardly show any enthusiasm since the very beginning of the ceremony, and I reckon she realizes that. Yet here she is, still looking at me with those glittering eyes like a love-struck teenager.

Without breaking our gaze on each other I placed my hand that fits perfectly on her tiny waist and pulled her closer to me, earning a soft gasp escaping her lips that unknowingly did something to me, but I quickly brushed it off. With her hand rested on my shoulder and her other one in mine we began to slowly sway to the song 'At Last' by Etta James.

There she goes still smiling at me, only wider than before.

What is she smiling about? Should I be concerned?

Or am I that good looking? Well, I suppose..
Could only blame the genes for that.

But why isn't she sad nor angry about the fact that they had deprived her of her own freedom? That they had taken away her choices, manipulated her as though she's a puppet, a mere tool. Or maybe she's just pretending for the public?

"You look tense." She whispered to me.

"Well I'm not much of a dancer." I answered her indifferently.

Huh.. either way, what does it matter? Why should I concerned myself with whatever she's feeling? This marriage is not going to last long anyway.

She chuckled lightly "I can tell. But don't worry, you got me to teach you from now on." She lifted up her chin to show confidence in her skill.

Oh I'm afraid you won't get the chance to teach me anything, princess.

"It feels like a dream." She casted her eyes down, wearing her soft smile. Leaving me with the view of her perfectly curled lashes.

"What is?"

"This moment, here, with you." Her sparkling hazel eyes found its way back to mine. "It just feels surreal."

Stop looking at me like that.

Annoyance started to seep within me, and it tells me to wipe off that sweet smile off her face. "Then you better wake up princess, for the reality isn't as beautiful as you thought. Some are even down right cruel."

But it was to no avail.

"Oh but it is beautiful when I'm with you." She giggled and blushed at her own words.

Stop.

"I think you misunderstood my point, Rosalind Alderidge." I called her former name with a firmer tone.

"And what point is that?" She tilted her head, looking genuinely clueless.

It baffled me with how dense she could be. Should I leave her on the stage for her to know where she stands?

"That I–!" realizing the raise of tone I held myself back from going any further. It would be unwise to go off when many eyes are watching. Reputation is something to maintain, either it's the family's or mine, and I won't let it be spoiled by some trivial matter.

"–Never mind, we'll discuss it later." I grunted.

I just need to bare with it for now.

"Okay."

Suddenly I felt a light plop fell on my chest that made me stiffened. Just when I thought she couldn't get any weirder, like a pillow I am, the fair maiden dared to rest her cheek onto me.

And the stupidest part of any of this is that for some reason I felt my stupid heart skipped a beat. Undoubtedly out of astonishment by her audacity, of course.

"Thank you." She said under her breath.

For what? For not leaving the stage?

"For making this the happiest day of my life." She nestled comfortably against me.

With her close distance I caught a delicate floral scent radiating off of her that woke an unknown urge within me. An unknown, unexplainable urge to engulf myself with.. what exactly?

An uncomfortable pang rang in my heart, making me want to push her away from me. But I kept telling myself to bare with it.

"Oh don't thank me too soon." I said with disinterest.

It's the least I can give her, before I make her life a living hell.