Secrets & Lies

Chapter Thirty-Six

Gia looked at Alex and saw that he seemed as nervous as she felt. She still wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do, and questioned if she was really only going through with this because she loved Alex or was it because she felt she had to due to all the effort Astrid had gone to making their wedding so special.

"Stop!" Gia heard a voice come from the back of the room. She turned along with everyone else in the room to see Jack standing there in his white priest collar.

"What do you have to say sir?" The officiate asked Jack as he began approaching the makeshift alter.

"Gia you do not need to marry this man here today even if you believe you do." Jack stated.

"Jack this really isn't the best time. I appreciate you coming here and all but I am happy to marry Alex." Gia insisted.

"Gia I need to talk to you?" Jack said and pulled Gia back down the aisle toward the door. Everyone was looking at them and Gia was mortified by what was happening. Alex looked bewildered at what had just happened. Why was the priest pulling Gia away from him? What had happened at their lunch yesterday that had prompted this man to interrupt their wedding and take away his bride? Alex just couldn't imagine what was going on and he was definitely not happy about it. He stood there confused debating if he should run after them or give them a few minutes to talk it out. Instead of making a decision he just stood there looking at the back of them getting farther and farther away.

"Jack what is wrong with you? I'm in the middle of my wedding ceremony." Gia complained.

"You asked me yesterday why I became a priest and I need to tell you." He said hurriedly.

"Jack this really isn't the time to go over that." Gia said moving back toward the door.

"I left because I was in love with you, but I could never tell you." Jack said quickly.

"What?" Gia stopped moving towards the door and turned to look at Jack startled by what she had just heard.

"I could never tell you before because I felt like I was a predator and I felt I needed to separate myself from the temptation. You were so young and beautiful even then. That's why I kissed you which you probably don't even remember."

"I do remember. I was thirteen and I thought it was wonderful my very first kiss." Gia responded remembering.

"Don't marry this guy. Come home with me and marry me. Be my wife." Jack begged.

"But you're a priest?" Gia said confused.

"I would leave the priesthood for you. Don't you wonder why God led us both here at the same time? It is our destiny to be together. I know that now and so I am here begging you to listen to your heart and come back with me." Gia was so shocked by what Jack said she didn't even know what to do or say. She just stood there staring at him like he was crazy.

"Gia?" She heard Alex's voice behind her. Alex had grown tired of waiting for Gia to return so he decided to go find out what was happening. When he exited the door he heard the priest ask Gia to leave with him and that really confused Alex as to why this guy was here now at this exact time.

"Alex?" Gia said very confused.

"Gia is leaving this circus and coming home with me where she belongs." Jack said taking a step toward Alex.

"Is that so?" Alex said taking a step forward. Gia thought that Jack was going to hit Alex the way he was coming at him and it made her very afraid.

"Alex, Jack, stop this please!" She begged them.

"Is this what you want Gia? A bully to keep you away from your friends and family?" Jack demanded still looking at Alex.