Forced to Marry the Devil

Chapter 2

Leonardo was getting impatient with his soon to be fiance.

What's taking her so long? He thought.

He glanced over from the main dias to all the people who were mingling around at the Garcia house, waiting for Teresa to show up and for the engagement ceremony to begin.

He knew that Teresa didn't really want to get married to him, as much as he didn't want to get married to her. He was just being an obedient son to his late mother and fulfilling her last wishes.

Why couldn't she make Christiano or Antonio marry her? Why me, mamma? He asked silently, looking at his two younger brothers dancing with Teresa's cousin sisters.

Then suddenly, his eyes fell upon a girl dressed in blue entering the garden, looking like she was about to be sacrificed. She made her way to the main dias and stood next to her parents.

So this is Teresa Garcia he thought. She looks so beautiful yet so simple, is she really 24 years old? She doesn't look 3 years younger than me.

Teresa stood next to her mother and scrutinized the man she would soon marry with her bright emerald eyes. She was told that she and Leonardo would have to pretend that this is a love marriage in order to stop the press from speculating about the couple.

Leonardo did look handsome in his dark three piece suit, she had to agree. He looked like a Roman god with his thick, dark hair that was swept back and reached uptil his neck. His face looked like it had been taken from a Roman statue and placed on his face, so angular and cold and yet handsome enough to make many women throw themselves at his feet. Even his deep brown eyes seemed so cold. Her heart sank even more, at the thought that she would be marrying and pretending to be in love with a man who was known for having multiple affairs with women. She was sure that he would cheat on her.

For someone with such warm colored eyes, he looks very cold, mamma Teresa whispered to her mother.

I know baby, he's not right for you. But your father wouldn't have it any other way and even I can't change his decision. This was also his mother's wish, replied Rosalina, wishing that she could stop all this and just keep her only child to herself forever.

You know, your father was just like that when we got engaged. But I managed to make him fall in love with me, encouraged Rosalina.

I don't know mamma. I don't know if I have the patience to deal with Leonardo the way you dealt with father. I didn't want to get married in the first place, cried Teresa.

I know darling, but you'll have to make your peace with this replied her mother. Now go and stand next time him. You two will exchange rings and dance together after your father and Eduardo have said their speeches.

Teresa obliged. She went over to Leonardo and stood next to him. He immediately took her hand and pulled her into a hug. Everyone in the garden quietened down due to his gesture and Lorenzo started giving his speech to the crowd.

So you are Teresa Garcia? Forgive me for asking that because I have only seen you in pictures. You are far more beautiful in person Leonardo whispered into her ear.

I'll take that as a compliment, Mr. Cortez. I had also seen you in pictures, mostly with different women all the time. It's interesting to see that you can't ever stay satisfied by just one woman. Just so you know, I don't expect much from you anyways, you might even cheat on me, Teresa whispered back.

Whatever, and as my future wife, you will call me either Leo or Leonardo, not Mr. Cortez. Now smile for the crowd and pretend to be my loving fiance hissed Leonardo, definitely annoyed.

When the speeches finished, Leonardo and Teresa exchanged rings. After placing her ring on her finger, Leonardo brought her hand to his lips and kissed her ring finger. The reaction caused sparks erupting inside her. Teresa really wished that she was in love with Leonardo, this gesture was so sweet, but who was she kidding, this man wasn't really interested in her anyways. He was just being an obedient son to his mother, just like she was being as obedient daughter to her parents.

After the exchange of rings, the couple had to dance. Teresa had never danced with another man except for her father. She had never known any other man or even kept friends. Even while she went to college, her parents had been strict and she was always accompanied by guards.

She began to fidget, even when Leonardo had hugged her, she had felt awkward, and now she had to be held in his arms dance with him. Her worst nightmare coming true.

Leo took Teresa into his arms and hugged her.

I won't bite you cara, you need to relax, he purred into her ear. To her it seemed like a lion was purring to her, seeking permission to devour her. She pulled out of his arms, and looked determinedly into his eyes, letting him know that she's alright.

He took her hand and led her to the dancing pavilion in the garden, and slowly began to hold her, one hand holding her hand while his other hand made it's way from the back of her neck and slid right down really low on the small of her back. Teresa began to feel uncomfortable again, she had never been held so intimately in all her life. She was startled. Leo held her tightly in his arms and let his eyes meet hers. She looked so scared, so innocent and all he wanted to do was kiss her and get rid of her bewilderment.

He bent his head down, looked into her brilliant green orbs and was about to capture her lips into his, when he heard someone clear his throat beside him. It was Lorenzo.

I would prefer if you did all that after the wedding, young Cortez. I do find such intimacy between unmarried couples very inappropriate, growled Lorenzo.

Teresa silently thanked her father for noticing how uncomfortable she was feeling and coming to her rescue. She shrugged herself away from Leonardo's hold and went to her mother who was bidding the last of the guests goodbye.

Mamma, may I go and rest in my room now? Everyone has gone. Only the Cortez's are left. I believe they are leaving soon, Teresa asked her mother.

Well alright my dear. But before that you have to bid the Cortez's a good night, answered Rosalina.

Oh great, Teresa thought. I'll have to bear the lion before I head to bed. Hopefully he doesn't haunt my dreams like the devil he is. I can't believe he tried to kiss me!

Teresa walked over to where the four Cortez's were engaged in an animated conversation with her father about a few cases that her father had to handle for them. Lorenzo Garcia was afterall their family lawyer.

Papa, I'm going to bed. Goodnight. Good night Mr Cortez, Leonardo, Antonio and Christiano. It was a pleasure to finally meet my fiance and his family. I hope you all enjoyed your time here. We'll meet again in two weeks time for the wedding now. Goodbye and take care of yourselves, said Teresa coldly before running off to her bedroom.

Believe me, I have no idea on why she is acting this way. All this has been happening too fast for her liking I guess, Lorenzo Garcia replied to the quizzical looks on the faces of the Cortez's.

Well if you want then we can set the wedding date to a bit later, suggested Eduardo. The child does look like she isn't at peace with this arranged marriage.

She isn't, but she will make her peace soon. I have faith in her, said Lorenzo.

Good. And there is no need to change the wedding date, dad. Things are going fine just the way they are now, stated Leonardo. My family and I take our leave now Senor Garcia. Goodnight.

As soon as Teresa reached her bedroom, she locked the door and flung herself onto her bed, crying bitterly. According to her, in two weeks time, her life was going to get beyond ruined.

I feel like I didn't justify something :( but what?