Chapter 63

Wedding scene! Yikes.. It's finally here.

ARE YOU READY FOR IT?!

WELP, I'M NOT. HAHAHAHAHA

Stephano’s POV

*

“What do you mean you still can’t find him?! His details were all imputed when he got arrested and you know how tight the security is in that prison!”

“Yes sir. But both him and the boy in the same ward escaped. Right now, there is no data recorded for him in that prison.” He explained stiffly. I heaved a sigh.

The hearing of Gonzalo’s case was in two month’s time and now that bastard managed to escape prison. We were supposed to have done this since three months ago but for some reasons, his lawyer said he needed to gather some details and then it was adjourned. And the worst part of it all was that, after searching every hole in Italy, Gonzalo was still nowhere to be found even after searching for over a month.

I had been suspicious about this since Kara’s finals and after her graduation. That was why I started going to her apartment every night, even transferring some of my clothes there since I started spending the night. I didn’t tell Adrian a thing but she was all too glad to always go over and spend the night with Diego before their exams were completed.

But suddenly, the informant Andre planted in Italian Government Criminal Institute, one of the toughest prisons with the most notorious criminals in Italy, was found dead one morning. Then after research, I found out that Gonzalo had been contacting someone from America so I decided to make a move when I get back from Paris after the proposal but when I got back, the other informant had suddenly evaporated.

We couldn’t trace his whereabouts and couldn’t tell if he was even safe or not. The possibility that he had been killed was fifty percent while the possibility that he had been bribed to get off the case and leave the country was also fifty percent.

Andre didn’t hear anything from him again and when I would make my findings, it was too late. He had suddenly disappeared without a trace.

“I’ll get back to you. I have something important to attend to now.” I told the agent swiftly. I would have to deal with this after my wedding. I didn’t want Kara getting involved in any of this and that could only successfully happen if I did not busy myself with that business and get distracted.

“Alright.”

I ended the call and my room door was opened immediately I picked my shirt on. I was still in only my boxer shorts and singlet.

“Boss.”

“Andre.” I replied and nodded in affirmation at his dressing. He was already dressed in blue tux with white rose tucked in the pocket. Along with Benito, Diego and Mark my cousin, Andre was also one of my groomsmen. Giuliano was my best man.

Even though my mom asked me to make Stefan one of the groom’s men, I stood against it. I didn’t want him anywhere close to her and the bastard loved taunting me since childhood because he somehow found out I liked Kara. He would often call Kara his wife and she would play catch me with him, running around the house and playing with him all day! Ever since then, let’s just say Stefan hasn’t been on my good people list.

“I met with agent Scott this morning and he gave me all the requested information. I also told him what you requested.”

“Tell me.” I confirmed for him to continue. My eyes clouded with blazing fury for a second and I tried to quench it and control myself.

“Gonzalo Rodriguez left the country two days after someone helped him escape prison and is currently in America. We couldn’t trace his address but he entered America that night. The boy that was his ward mate is actually in Rome and I have all his bio data.”

He dropped a manila envelope on my table, labeled with a white paper tape. ‘Romans’ was written on it.

“The boy’s name is Romans? Or...why the label?”

“His name is Romans Wanguel. He is the great grandson of Sir Manuel Simmons, of the Roman Empire lineage.”

I was stunned at the information. What was the boy doing in jail when his parents could have easily gotten him out and even dealt with those that put him there? Everything seemed fishy. I suddenly felt unease in my heart. Today was my wedding day, I shouldn’t be meddling with this kind of issue or even feeling this way.

“What else?”

“According to my observation, Gonzalo isn’t just the son of a worker in your place. He had some strong backing but he intentionally went to prison without objection when we conducted the search and arrested him last year.”

I furrowed my brows. Why would Gonzalo intentionally go to prison when he had people backing him?

Why didn’t they just help him?

How did he know that Romans boy?

Just then my phone rang. I checked the time in panic and heaved a sigh when I saw the time was still minutes to seven. Mom would castrate me if I got late to the church. According to her, I was getting married to the last born of the family and the last born deserves to be pampered so I should always pamper her with love and affection. I picked the call.

“Stephano Alfonsi.” A tense voice said.

“Speaking.”

That tense voice wouldn’t startle me. What would startle me was the malicious glare of the woman I loved; Kara’s glare could freeze an ocean!

“Gonzalo Michaelo Rodriguez on the line.” He said. My eyes widened and I made signal to Andre, so he would trace the number. “Don’t try to trace the line...which I am guessing you probably are about to do, because it will be a waste of time. Just listen.”

I raised a palm for Andre to halt and he gave me a look of uncertainty but I turned away and went to stand by my window, looking out into the beautiful skies.

“I have done justice by serving my time in prison. I won’t apologize for what I did to you since I already received my punishment. I was the one that sent you that text last night at your bachelor party and the woman I would have fought for, I found out that she...Kara is truly in love with you so I will let it go. However, don’t try to make any move on me again. I don’t care if you are related to the Morello Mafia family by blood, I will end you. Let it end here. Don’t try to track me anymore. I wish Kara a happy married life.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

That meant he was the one who sent the text message last night and I couldn’t trace his number even after calling an expert to do so. In the message, he said; ‘I know you are about to get married to Kara but I might steal her from you before that time. Who told you she is yours? Be on the lookout. Kara isn’t married to you yet so don’t celebrate.’

I had been upset all through the party and even went to take my irritation and pensiveness out on my Kara but now, it has all been cleared. Thank God. I heaved a sigh of relief and turned to Andre. “Terminate plan B. Also, we’ll will no longer proceed with the search.”

“But sir, we could have tracked that line...”

“Let it be Andre. He has explained everything to me and there is nothing between us anymore. He’s no longer coming for me or Kara and we are safe. Still, go ahead with the security plan adoption. Though I am not disputing Gonzalo’s words, Kara will have an agent tailing her every move without her knowledge from now on.”

“Sir, can we trust his words? What if he is still holding a grudge against you?” Andre asked and I could see the unease in his eyes. He wasn’t willing to let it go because of how Diego treated me last year. I shook my head.

“It’s okay. He won’t trouble us anymore. Contact the commissioner and tell him to get his boys off the case. Also contact the company’s security team and tell them to quit that operation.”

He nodded stiffly and went out.

I dressed quickly and looked at myself in the mirror, smiling proudly because I simply couldn’t help it. Today, I would stand on the altar and proclaim to the whole world that Kara is mine and she would have no reason to deny me anymore. Also, I could make love with her and then have hot sex without Kara looking at me as if I stole something precious to her because of some dumb wedding tradition.

The thought of her warm skin meshed with mine alone made me twitch in my pants and I shut my eyes to calm my raging hormones. Then I heard a knock. I cleared my throat. “Who’s that?”

My old man coughed loudly and I chuckled. “Come in.”

“Son.”

My father came in and tapped me on the back. He came to stand beside me and smiled warmly, his brown eyes twinkling with pride. The look brought a smile to my face. My dad smiled a lot, and even at the age of fifty six, women still blushed whenever he cracked a joke. In fact, they blushed whenever he spoke, joke or not.

“Dad.”

“You’ve grown so much. It feels like yesterday when I was carrying you in my hands and you peed on my face.” He said casually. Embarrassed, I looked away. Heat crept up my neck when I saw the shining glint in his eyes and realized he was teasing me all along.

“Are you ready to get married in a few hours from now?” He asked, still with those twinkling eyes.

I stared at him. Honestly, I didn’t know if I was ready. Everything felt surreal somewhat. “I am not too sure...”

“You’re scared?”

“No.” I replied instantly. I would never be scared to have Kara by my side.

Imagining myself walking her down the aisle to give to some other guy was my wakeup call because her mother might have asked me to do just that when Kara brings some other guy home. Natalia knew how protective I was of Kara but she didn’t know it wasn’t just big brother kind of love I had for her. It was a ‘you are mine in body, soul and spirit and I want to fuck make sweet love with you till all you can remember is the feeling of me embedded in you’ kind of love.

And she probably wanted me to figure it out, so she refused to mention anything about my feelings to Kara all these years.

My dad shook his head. “It is normal to be a bit scared. You’re human... But hold yourself with determination and be strong. Now that Kara is with you, you have to think of yourself as double. You’re not just a man now, you’ll be a married man and you have to be careful of other women. Remember the secretary implication years ago?”

I nodded.

“I had nothing to do with her. I was just being nice by patting her back when she relayed how someone tried to assault her but...someone sent a video of me and that woman in a rather complicated angle to your mother, causing her husband to come and create a scene here and your mother punished me for a whole two months. Be careful son. So many people don’t like the fact that you are up there and everything is going well for you...”

“Thanks dad. I knew it from the start and...I’ll be careful.”

I was a bit startled when he hugged me and patted my back. My breath hitched at the weird feeling but it was warm and... nice. So I accepted it and retaliated.

“I am proud of each one of you. Don’t take long now. Your mother will go berserk...you know how much she adores Kara.” He winked. I nodded again. “Now it’s time for Giuliano to start thinking with his head and not his dick.” He stated bluntly and he left.

Chuckling, I stared at his back and found it hard to believe he just said ‘dick’ but my dad was always cool unlike the uptight Stephano Alfonsi.

When I was through with dressing, I went out of my room to meet a full house. Some were running around, some on a call, my cousin Callie was kissing some random guy, my brother was teasing one of my cousin’s best friend whom I guessed followed her here from college. I shook my head and checked the time. Thirty minutes past seven and they were already this energetic. I was supposed to be at the church before nine, so I decided to leave the house first even though it was still very early.

“I’m leaving.” I told Giuliano. He pecked the girl’s cheeks and she turned as red as a tomato.

I stole a careless look at the bastard. He was smiling at the girl’s flustered face. The girl who succeeds to tie him down would get the latest car brand of her choice a week after their wedding! We stopped by at an eatery to eat something since I didn’t eat last night and got back on the road. When we got to the venue after an hour, a few people were already present. I might have hinted the public that we were engaged on social media but I didn’t reveal the details, wedding date or venue.

I didn’t want this place to get crowded and only a few people were invited by Kara and me. But my mother still invited everyone she knew, home and abroad.

Over five hundred people on her list of close friends, associates, business partners and such. The wedding would be carried out soon in this church then we would move to the reception where most people were waiting.

“Check that ass out!” Giuliano whistled. I looked beside me and found out Giuliano was checking out some girls as they passed beside the car. I heaved a sigh. There must be a player in the family. He was the player in our family.

Then I remembered Kara and I suddenly started missing her. “Give me your phone.”

Giuliano distractedly passed me his phone and I typed Kara’s number. He actually stored her name as ‘Kara bear’ with a kiss emoji! I quickly changed it to sister-in-law while glaring at the back of his head. Then I dialed her number.

“Hello?”

“Baby. How are you?”

“Stephano...thank goodness you called. I’m freaking out. I can’t find the necklace you bought as my birthday present and then my make-up artist is just leaving the damn house when she should’ve been here earlier and then Adrian has been acting like a witch and then someone-”

“Baby. Calm down.”

She sniffed. Shit, was she crying? Why was she crying? I heaved a sigh. “Do you want me to come over?”

I was already about to alight the car and go there to take care of her myself even though that would be ridiculous, considering the fact that I needed to let her grow up instead of pampering and babying her. But I loved babying her. After all, I had been doing so all these years. Sometimes she would know I was and sometimes I would be in the shadows.

“I’m good. I’m fine. Are you already at the church?”

“Yes.”

“You better have a good reason for fixing the wedding at ten o’clock! It’s too early...and even the engagement we had two weeks ago wasn’t this early.” She whined. I chuckled at her childishness and wished she was here so I could kiss her sweet lips right now.

“I do. I have a good reason. I can’t wait for us to exchange vows.”

“Okay. I can’t wait too.” She whispered then I heard shuffling and screaming in the background. “I’m on an important call you bitch! Can’t it wait? I can still cut your long cherished ginger hair in your sleep and make your bodyguard boyfriend despise you a teeny bit, Barbara. Don’t joke with me...okay, yes I like that pantie color-” she didn’t stop talking but reduced it to a hush while I listened attentively.

Her voice sounded refreshing to my ears and I couldn’t wait to see her.

“I have to go Stephano. We’ll see at church okay?”

“Okay my wife-to-be. Choose the red lace underwear set. I sent Adrian to get the extra and she snuck it into your bag.”

“Stephano! You’re so cheesy. I’ll hang up now love.” She purred like a seductive kitten. So sweet.

“Okay.” I returned the phone and alighted the car, going in.

~°~

Kara’s POV

*

“You’re nervous.”

I looked up at the man that had been like a second dad to me all these years. I nodded and hooked my arm around his elbow, swallowing. “I am.”

“Don’t be, Kara bear. You’re the most beautiful bride today.” Right. Everyone in the Alfonsi’s house called me Kara bear, including Mr. Alfonsi Snr. “Don’t tell my wife I said that.” He chuckled.

I blushed at the comment. “Thank you dad.”

He insisted I call him dad and his wife mom. I could confidently say I had the best in-laws ever! The bride tune started playing as the doors opened widely and I entered, taking short steps in with Mr. Alfonsi’s support.

My legs were shaking as all eyes were on me, which I wasn’t used to.

When I looked up and saw the most handsome man up there at the altar, looking right at me with so much love and adoration...I froze. He was in black tux and trousers, with white shirt under the jacket and a silver tie. His shiny Italian shoes and socks complimented his elegantly stylish dressing and that made delight spread through me.

There was a silver pocket square hanging neatly in the breast pocket. I tried to move my legs but they couldn’t. Could I go on? Did I deserve the love he’d shown me? Would I mess it all up with my constant childish antics? I felt warm hands on my cheeks and someone wiped my tears.

I didn’t even know I was crying. “Baby. Look at me. I’m here love, I’m here.”

I opened my eyes to find Stephano’s icy blues staring deeply into mine. I quickly released a shaky breath and looked into his warm, loving eyes through my veil.

“St-stephano...” My lips trembled as I felt overwhelmed with different emotions. He pecked my forehead through the veil.

“I’m here, baby. I’m here.”

“Stephano...I’m nervous.” I murmured. My face was heated up even though they couldn’t see me because I knew people were looking our way and I was obviously creating a scene. This was childish, but I had to let him know how I feel. This was real, not the practice we’d had with the reverend before now.

“You can do it baby. I love you so much and we’re getting married. You’ll be the mother of my children and I’ll be there,” he pointed at the front where the reverend father was standing, “waiting for you. We can do this. I’m here for you my love.” He told calmly.

“You’re here. We can do this.” I breathed again. “You love me.”

“Yes baby. It’s just us and you’re the only woman I love.” He reassured.

He pecked my forehead again and walked back up to stand at the altar. I walked up to him with his dad’s gently leading but didn’t climb up yet since the reverend was just going up. Then the incoming bride song stopped.

“Brethren, we have come together at the invitation of Kara Wilson and Stephano Alfonsi to celebrate the uniting in Christian love, their hearts and lives. Another way that God provides for this ‘full’ life is creating those who will love us. Stephano has found such a one in Kara’s heart and spirits were drawn together before today by the Lord of all creation. Two lives are not united by ceremony, but only in the power, love, and grace of God.”

Stephano’s eyes were on me. They were glinting. ‘You’re beautiful’ he mouthed. I blushed under his gaze and he licked his lips, making me suck in an unsteady breath. Finally he would be mine. My husband and my everything.

“Who then has prepared this woman for marriage to this man?” The father asked.

“Her Mother and I.” Mr. Alfonsi replied.

Myself, Stephano, Giuliano the best man and Adrian my matron of Honor, all moved up the stairs, front of pulpit area.

Then it was time to say the wedding vows. We already practiced this so I was prepared for it.

The reverend faced the congregation. “Stephano and Kara, no other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than these you are about to assume. You are entering into that holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which is the very sacrament of divine love.”

Then he faced Stephano. “Stephano, will you have Kara to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her so long as you both shall live?”

Stephano blinked when I smiled at him and raised my brow for him to concentrate. “Shit...” He muttered lowly. I made the reverend father repeat his words.

“I do.” Stephano replied in a heartbeat.

He faced me and asked the same question. “I do.”

Then he made us take each other’s hands to repeat the vows. Then Stephano made his promises and the reverend father told him, “You may now place your ring on your Bride’s finger.” And I repeated the same, placing the ring on his finger.

All through, Stephano didn’t stop staring at me. Not once did he take his eyes off my face as he kept smiling.

“For as much as Stephano and Kara have consented in holy wedlock, and have thereto confirmed the same by giving and receiving each one a ring; by the authority committed unto me as a minister of the Church of Jesus Christ, I now declare you husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God, and the laws of the state of the supreme court of marriage, Sicily Italy, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. You may now kiss th-”

Stephano was no longer listening as he grabbed me by the nape of my neck. The rest was a blur as our lips entwined in a beautiful synchrony. I was the only one concentrating on the reverend father’s words and even reminding Stephano to pay attention. He kissed me for what felt like an eternity and people were cheering.

“Finally. Thank you. I love you. Now you’re all mine.” He kept muttering while still kissing my lips and my chin repeatedly. Tears poured down his cheeks and my heart burned. I could cry and he would pet me but seeing him crying made me lose it. I put my hands around his neck and kissed him back.

“I’m here baby, I’m all yours, and we’re finally married. Don’t cry.”

I wiped his tears and pecked his nose. Stephano chuckled as Adrian came to pull me into a bone crushing hug while screaming that I was her bitch and then she was so emotional that she started crying. I cried along, getting emotional as I remembered the first day we met and how she wouldn’t stop cursing at a guy that tried to pick her pocket amongst a sea of students on the second week of school resumption.

Who knew we would get this far and even be so close? I made a great decision by telling her I needed a roommate when she just moved here all from New York. I didn’t actually need a roommate at the time, I just liked her and the private hostel where I was staying was so big, the most expensive one at that, thanks to my darling husband.

Diego took care of that after hugging her and pulling her away. He hugged me and congratulated, then pecked my forehead. “I’m proud of you, baby sis.”

“Thank you twinnie.” We took pictures after that, and Giuliano kept cracking funny jokes, making me and Angela, Stephano’s younger sister laugh.

When I threw my bouquet, Barbara caught it and looked around with a red face. Her bodyguard boyfriend laughed and carried her like she weighed nothing, kissing her like crazy but she just pushed her face in his chest shyly. Then we left for the reception after rounds of well wishes from friends and associates who we took pictures with as well.

At the reception, we were called to do our first dance as a couple.

“I’m so glad you’re finally in my arms.”

“Same baby.” I whispered.

He moved his hand down to my waist and gripped me firmly while I listened to the song by Ed Sheeran. Everyone suddenly started screaming and I got confused. Then someone tapped me on the shoulder just as I was about to look around and find out what caused the commotion.

I almost passed out when I turned around and eyed the man who was smiling at me, dressed in navy blue suit. He had orange hair and was wearing glasses. He looked eerily familiar but I told myself he couldn’t possibly be the one.

“Ed...Ed Sheeran?!” I whisper yelled and covered my eyes. When I removed my hands, he was still standing there. “Stephano, Ed-”

Stephano’s grip on my waist got even impossibly firmer and he dug his nose into my neck. “Love my surprise?”

“Yes! Thank you! Oh my good gracious, I’m not dreaming!” I screeched, giggling like a high school teenager.

“I wish you a happy married life, Mr. and Mrs. Alfonsi. You look really beautiful.” Ed Sheeran picked my hand and pecked the back of it, making red flare over my cheeks. I thought I would faint...I loved his songs so much, I loved the singer himself! Perfect was my favorite song! “I’ll be singing a song you know well. Enjoy the dance.” He winked at me before leaving with a nod.

Stephano gripped his hands on my waist and I looked up at him to see him glaring at Ed’s retreating form. I giggled at his obvious jealousy and leaned further to him.

“Stop being so jealous, baby.”

“Only if you call me ‘baby’ again.” Stephano was still glaring at Ed.

“Baby. I love you. Only you.” I purred like a lovesick puppy.

Stephano heaved a sigh and looked down at me, his eyes turning misty.

“Thank you for loving me, I’ll never not cherish your love.” He told me softly and kissed me, mixing our breaths with lots of tongue and teeth till I pulled back for breath and cleared my throat. He gave me a shy smile and shrugged, eyes twinkling.

We danced slowly to the rhythm of the song ‘Thinking out loud’ and I repeated each word while looking up into his eyes.

When your legs don’t work like they used to before,

And I can’t sweep you off of your feet

Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love,

Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks…

And darling I will, be loving you ‘til we’re 70….

And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23,

And I’m thinking ‘bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways

Maybe just the touch of a hand,

Oh me I fall in love with you every single day

And I just wanna tell you I am…

So honey now,

Take me into your loving arms….

I sang each line along with Ed, mouthing the words as I gazed into his sea blue eyes.

After the dancing and cutting cake; which an overexcited Adrian had co-ordinated even though it was the MC’s job, it was time to leave for the honeymoon in The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai where Stephano had a private beach and we would be going there in his private plane.

My eyes brightened at the mere thought of it. Finally I would have him in my bed! My heart thumped wildly at the thought.

“Kara Sophia...I love you so much and even though you’re now all grown and married, you’ll always be my little girl. You’re married now to a man who loves you just as much as I do and you’ve made me the happiest woman on earth today as I got to see you handed over to him. Don’t forget all I discussed with you a few days ago, okay?” Mama told me with tears in her eyes when I was about leaving with Stephano. He already had the limousine door opened for me.

I smiled and hugged her. “I won’t mama. I love you too. You know Mimi is no longer here with us. I’ll be gone for about three weeks so take a very good care of yourself and don’t let the house chores be strenuous for you. Let Stephanie put the new girls through everything and just rest well for a few days. You’ve retired, so rest well. Okay?”

“I understand. Go now. Your husband can’t wait to have you all to himself.” She giggled and left after Diego, who pecked my forehead and reminded me of how much he loved me.

Adrian winked at me just when Stephano was about to shut the door and I shook my head at that girl. She was up to something.

“Wife?” Stephano murmured close to my ear and quickly stole a kiss, caressing my hair as he pulled away, his gaze turning soft and deep.

“Yes husband?” I blushed at the effect of his intense gaze on me.

“Thank you for making me the happiest man on earth today.” He smiled at me and took off his suit jacket.

My wedding dress was sleeveless with a knee to floor length half flare that also had a slit. The flare had been attached to the dress, so I unbuttoned the press button aiding the combination and kept it in a corner then moved closer to straddle Stephano.

“And thank you for making me the happiest wife on earth.” I breathed, loving his arms that were quick to hold me firmly by the waist.

And I kissed him. I kissed my husband.