❝𝒱𝒾𝒸𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒶, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓆𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝓎 𝑒𝓂𝓅𝒾𝓇𝑒.❞
˜*°• 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇
Victoria Russo grew up in a world full of money, crimes and powerful families. Being a part of the Sacred Eight families she knew what it mean...
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FIFTEEN MINUTES
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WHEN GIRLS ARE YOUNG, THEY DREAM ABOUT THEIR PERFECT WEDDING DAY and each thread of imagination weaves a tapestry of hope and wonder. They envision themselves draped in delicate white lace, hearts fluttering with anticipation and walking down an aisle with blooming flowers in their hands and promises of forever. These pure and tender dreams were painted with the colours of their childhood fantasies – a prince charming waiting at the altar, eyes only for them, and unconditional love. They fantasize about a beautiful venue for the ceremony and celebration, the fantasies filled with laughter, music and the warmth of family and friends. In these dreams, they planned out every detail. It was a reflection of the deepest desires of their innocent hearts. Their happily ever after.
Victoria Russo was one of those girls who dreamt about her wedding day when she was younger. Even though she was a member of one of the Sacred Eight families who were leaders of the mafia web in the United States of America, she always envisioned herself walking down the aisle to the person who was her everything, who loved her unconditionally and was her happily ever after. After all, she was a girl and she grew up with fairytales read to her by her mother. Nicoletta Russo was determined to let her daughter savour her childhood for as long as possible until she was needed to start her training and get involved in mafia life as much as she was allowed. Nicoletta has done that with all her three children and they were thankful for that.
Yet, those girls who fantasized about their perfect wedding never considered a loveless marriage. A marriage to someone they did not even like or could tolerate. The idea that their family would tell them they were to marry a man chosen for them because it was advantageous was unimaginable. And Victoria never imagined she would be the girl to whom those words were said. Her dreams about her perfect wedding day came crashing down when those words left her uncle's mouth.
" Victoria, did you hear us? " her uncle's voice reached her ears and she slowly raised her head. She still could not believe he was forcing her to marry a blond who was sitting on the same couch as she was. From the corner of her eye, she glanced at the young man she had known all her life and hated since they were five.
" I...I did, " she answered, her voice shaky. She met the gaze of her older sister and younger brother, their eyes telling her that they were sorry. Everyone knew it was impossible to change Adriano Russo's mind once he was set on the idea. And Victoria knew that her siblings tried to but failed. " I'm still trying to process it. "
Adriano Russo became the legal guardian of the three children seven years ago when Nicoletta and Fernando Russo were found dead with gun wounds and a lot of questions about their deaths. There were no witnesses, evidence or suspects. Nothing. And till this day there was a lingering question of what happened to them. Although Adriano was not a very caring uncle, he raised Victoria, Gabriella and Alessandro and gave them what they needed. He took over his deceased brother as the leader of the Russo family and all the business, waiting for the day when Alessandro was fully prepared to take full responsibility for the family and business as a rightful heir.
" Is there no other way?" asked Gabriella, coming to sit near her shocked sister and looking at the people in the room.
" I'm afraid not. We all know what it means for the two Sacred Eight families to be joined by marriage and we need that if we want to protect everyone and everything, " answered Antonio DeLuca.
Marriages between the families of the Sacred Eight were rare. Such unions elevated the couple to a status akin to royalty. In the long history of the Sacred Eight, there had been only seven such weddings. Victoria Russo and Lorenzo DeLuca were poised to become the eighth historic pairing but for different reasons than the other seven couples before them.
" We're sorry you both have to go through this, but it's the only way, " Natalia DeLuca started to speak, looking at her son and then the girl who soon will be her daughter-in-law. She took a deep breath and continued to talk. " The wedding is in two weeks and people need to believe that both of you are in love. They need to buy this. "
Victoria gulped. She understood why people needed to believe this but it was hard to wrap her mind around it right now. It had only been ten minutes since her uncle announced that she was going to marry Lorenzo. And on top of that, she needs to act in love with him. With Lorenzo DeLuca. The one she hates.
" Excuse me for a moment, " Victoria said, standing up and heading toward the backyard door. She needed a breath of fresh air. It was overwhelming to discover everything in such a short time.
Fifteen minutes. That is all it takes for your life to take an unexpected turn. To see your dreams and hopes shattering. Fifteen minutes. And the girl with a perfectly planned wedding comes crashing down like a falling meteor to the ground.
