Forever Changed

Chapter 6: Dinner and Declarations

Angelique POV

As promised, I played the part of a happy bride perfectly. As we circulated I received more attention than I'd ever experienced before and never dropped my facade. I accepted compliments for my second gown, told the story behind my first one and was humble when I was repeatedly praised for honouring my mother that way. We both received congratulations on our special day and hopes for many children to come. Through it all I wore a smile and laughed at all the appropriate times.

I deserved an award for the moments I had to interact with Mattia. He hovered, probably worried I'd cause a scene and further embarrass him. His every touch making my heart ache. He was attentive and spoke with nothing but praise for my dress choices. I almost laughed the first time he stepped into my story about my mother's dress to say how proud he was to marry a woman who honoured her parents so beautifully. Liar!

It seemed like hours later dinner was finally over. I had only managed a few mouthfuls and they all tasted like ash. The beautiful menu I'd taken days to decide was simply pushed around my plate. I made sure to make appropriate small talk and give out soft smiles. My mother had trained me well. I was the picture of a perfect wife. Polite, well spoken and attentive. The only people aware anything was wrong were Rachael and my mother. Both gave me worried glances whenever we made eye contact. Mattia had his arm draped over the back of my chair. I kept myself ram rod straight in hope of avoiding as much contact with him as possible. That didn't stop him regularly playing with my hair that was draped on my shoulder or leaning in to press a kiss to the side of my head or quietly ask if I needed anything. Every time he did it I had to pinch myself to stop from crying. My arms would be bruised tomorrow, but it would be worth it if I could get through these last few hours.

At the pre-planned time the wedding speeches commenced with Mattia's best man Lee being first up. He gave a witty speech with some funny stories from their childhood and adolescence. He then praised the bridesmaids and complimented them on their beauty before smiling at me and giving a loud whistle. Mattia bristled at this. Lee complimented how naturally beautiful I'd looked in my church gown but that he'd had to stop Mattia punching one of their group when he commented on how I looked in my second dress. Laughing as he recalled Mattia warning his friends to not stare at me if they wanted to keep their teeth.

Everyone laughed good naturedly and I felt myself blush. He finished by asking the room to raise a toast to the new bride and groom. This should have been such a beautiful moment in my life. Instead I felt hollow. Like I was watching everything happen from outside my own body. I sipped my champagne but tasted nothing.

Next up was my father and his speech was short but complimentary. He praised me for being the best daughter a man could ask for and told the room his only wish was to see me become a mother to many grandchildren for him to spoil. He again asked the room to raise a toast to the new bride and groom and they obliged. As I sipped my champagne and smiled at him I felt my eyes well with tears and pinched my arm extra hard to ensure they didn't fall. I was worried if I gave in now I wouldn't stop.

The last speech was from Mattia's father. He was a staid man. Very little emotion ever showed on his face but today he smiled. Perhaps due to the many glasses of scotch I'd seen him consume during the dinner. He formally welcomed me to the family and praised the day. Thanked my parents for their part in the preparations and raising such a polite and intelligent daughter. He openly praised my appearance and went so far as to say how lucky his son was to have a wedding night with such a beautiful woman to look forward to. That he hoped the evening brought him his first grandson in nine months time.

I felt my face flame and tensed as all the men in the room cheered. My previous idea of wanting to be sexy for Mattia now made me feel ridiculous. Like a child playing dress up. Mattia obviously felt me tense and moved his hand from the back of my chair to my shoulder and curled me into his side. I didn't want it to, but his hand made me feel comforted. His father finished his speech by asking the room to raise a toast to the new bride and groom and they obliged. I took one last sip of my champagne and set my glass down.