Chapter 55: Understanding You

I looked out of the window. The dark forest which used to remind of the depth of my love for him, now reminding how dangerous it can be to be fallen in love. My body shivered as he traced my arms before caging me in his embrace and peppered a few kisses on my neck.

I wanted him to understand what he had done, but my empty heart couldn’t feel anything. His deed didn’t subside my love for him. I wasn’t able to dislike this man.

“Don’t be such a silent wife, just name it. I will do whatever to smile at you again.” A teardrop slipped unknowingly at his words. He tinted the holy church, killed his bride in front of the cross, and forced me to marry him. Was he coaxing me?

“El, it’s me.” I looked at the sound source. Alex was standing behind me, and Arius was nowhere to be seen. Her presence broke my patience, and I ran to find some refuse in her.

“Calm down. Everything will be ok.” Her broken voice couldn’t soothe me, my sanity walked away before I turned. He stroked her hand over my shoulders, holding me, letting me hug her. I cried, I cried until I couldn’t.

“You saw what he did, he forced me to …”

“Shhhuuuu” He made me sit comfortably on the sofa and gave me a glass of water.

“No, El. My father forced him to marry you. He had pointed a gun at you. And honestly, I agree with my brother. It really doesn’t matter if you two are married or not. What you feel for each other won’t change.” I understand her. She was defending her brother’s deed. I kept quiet. She resolved my doubt about the gun.

“But, he loved Aria.” My heart is torn every time the thought of her crosses my mind. The man I love loves somebody else. It wasn’t easy for me.

“El, how can you be so stupid? Haven’t you seen? Arius said he would be your friend even if he had married Aria. He wouldn’t love her if he weren’t here.” I closed my eyes and took a heavy breath. Alex was a smart girl. I trusted her, but with my heart, I couldn’t even trust myself.

“Elena, my brother doesn’t understand emotions at all. He doesn’t even know. He loves you or ever going to understand, but his every action yells how much he loves you.” My heart clutched. She nodded as I snapped my face at her. She was holding tender and moist eyes, the care for her brother was dripped everywhere.

“I can guarantee that he didn’t love the girl he was going to marry. He agreed because he could secure your safety. Being in the mafia brings threats to loved ones.” I freeze listening to his reason for his decision to marry her. He cared for me, yet I only see how ruthless he can be.

“He makes half of the world bow down to his feet, but he kneels in front of you. We all saw his condition when you had an anxiety attack. He looked like he would die any second if you didn’t calm down.” My breathing was getting pitched every second, the uneasiness in my chest was suffocating me.

“My brother is innocent here. He doesn’t know the gentler way. Hell, he doesn’t even know what love is? Nor does he love you. He only knows he can be alive around you. The death of our mother and elder brother affected him a lot. I never saw him alive before. Don’t hate him. Embrace whoever he is.” The pain in her voice was hitting my heart directly.

“El, he may never confess his love to you. I have seen how eager he is to listen to you love him. The world fears to meet his gaze, but he lingers around you as if he is asking permission from you to breathe.”

“Don’t push my brother, he may look calm and calculated in front of you, but I can see how much he wounded her.” he held her hands pleadingly in front of me. I held her hand and nodded, and I agreed. I have said a lot of things to hurt him. I shouldn’t have said I wanted to die.

“Thank you, Alex. Can you send him in?” She smiled, cleaning her cheeks with both hands, before she ran to open the door.

I walked in the cold air of the balcony, and within a few seconds, his warm embrace circled around me. I turned and hugged him. He was surprised, but hugged me back tighter.

“What’s wrong? She was crying too.” I shook my head negatively, burying myself deep.

“I am sorry Arius. I shouldn’t have said those words.” His face flashed in front of my eyes, when said those words in rage.

“It’s alright, you were ragged but don’t do it again.” He leaned to kiss my forehead, but I tiptoed and kissed his lips. Without further delay, he pulled me higher, dominating my mouth, ravishing as if he would never kiss me again.

I had to put my reasons behind when Alex put his perspectives in front of me. He wasn’t right nor wrong for me, it’s just our fate wasn’t in our favor.

“I am sorry too.” I looked up at him in confusion.

“For such, rush marriage. I will soon arrange a fairy tale marriage and honeymoon for you.” I smirked at him.

“Will you propose to me? Will you say I love you to me?” He laughed aloud, pinning me over his chest.

“I don’t know about that, but you love me. It is enough for me.” I rested my head over his chest, listening to the synchronized melody of our hearts. You were right, married or not, nothing would change. Every reason was small in front of our love. I don’t know, I will ever hear I love you from you or not. I am certainly sure I will see it every second.

“Let’s go to the crowning ceremony.” Getting dressed in a long black diamond studded dress, we both walked out of our bedroom. I loved this man and was ready to give him a chance.

People and guards were gathered around the hall, their gaze stuck on us. He told me, it will be brief. We walked over and sat in front of the majestic sofa while everyone stood. His father looked in a hurry. There was happiness flooding from his face. Entire Accardo family was excited when his father read a few documents.

“Welcome to the family, sister in law.” Marc interrupted, earning a glare from his father. He hurriedly handed a knife to Arius in apologetic eyes. I was shocked when he gave a cut over his palm, blood was dropped.

“Airus,...”

“It’s alright, Wife.” He took my hand and looked up as if I was ready. I nodded and closed my eyes tight. A thin metal sliced slight cut, drawing a few droplets. His father rolled his eyes at him but kept quiet. It was stinging, but not much.

He held our blooding hands together high and everyone kneeled again. He printed our hands out some contracted papers and we exchanged rings with the king and queen written on them. It was a weird ceremony for me, but I survived.