Chapter 4

"How can you two be so different and yet have the same face? Your boobs are smaller, and your butts…" Isobel announced, startling Amanda who had just walked out of the bathroom in her undies. She quickly reached for her robe but, Isobel saw what she was trying to hide.

"God! How can you have a scar like this on your stomach? What kind of woman harbors scars like this? Why can't you just be spotless like—"

"That's enough, already," Amanda snapped, tying her robe. "If you keep talking to me this way, I might just change my mind," she warned.

Isobel swallowed. "Anyway, your body doesn't matter since he won't be seeing it anyway. You have to make excuses upon excuses, no matter what. Do not let him lie with you, and don't ever forget that you aren’t his bride."

"You have no need to worry. I don’t want to be his real wife."

Isobel smirked and stood up. She walked over to the closet and opened it.

"These are her clothes. You won't be taking them along with you because I'm sure the Da Silvas have already purchased everything for you. I just want you to know how classy Alisha was."

Amanda stared at Alisha’s clothes. She was happy that she wouldn't have to wear these. One doesn't have to dress like a prostitute to be classy.

"Miguel will briefly tell you about the Da Silva family, and I'll be back to teach you some things you need to know." With that, she walked away.

Amanda put on a loose-fitting gown, wondering when Isobel would allow her go to bed.

Someone knocked on the door. She grinned. "Someone's pretending to be modest," she teased.

Miguel laughed opening the door.

"I've always been modest. You're the one who always intruded on my privacy," Miguel shot back, sitting on the bed.

"When?"

"Do I need to remind you? In high school, especially…"

Amanda's cheeks flamed recalling when she had walked into his room to find him totally naked.

She quickly shook her head. "You talk too much," she snapped.

Miguel snickered. "My parrot is saying I talk too much?"

She gasped. "Your parrot?"

"If we keep going on and on like this, you won't learn anything about the Da Silva family."

"You’re not right about everything," Amanda snapped.

"Why do you always like to argue with me?" he asked, ruffling her hair.

"Stop doing that. I'm not that little girl anymore."

Miguel grimaced. "Oh sorry, Grandma."

"Grandma?" she asked, picking up a pillow.

"Oh no! We don't have time for this right now," he said, backing away from her, but she lunged towards him and they ended up running around the room.

"MIGUEL!" Isobel yelled.

They froze. "I think she heard us," he whispered.

Amanda slowly sat on the bed.

"I was sitting so quietly before, and you started being as troublesome as always."

Miguel sat beside her. "You always trigger my troublemaking spirit. Now, before I get distracted by grandma again, let's proceed."

"Don't call me that."

"Listen. Xavier has been in Spain for three years, but he came back two weeks ago, and preparations for the wedding began. I think Alisha and Xavier met up three times before the wedding dress fitting." He paused and took out his cellphone to show her some pictures.

"This is Xavier's father, Cesario Da Silva, his mother, Alice, and older brother, Salvador. He's a doctor."

Amanda stared at the pictures. Only Salvador had a slight smile on his face. Everyone else was stony.

"This family looks so scary."

"There's nothing to be afraid of. I'll make sure Alisha comes back soon to take her hell of a husband."

"Is he really that mean?"

"He is not just mean; he's evil." Miguel ran a hand through her hair smoothening the mess he had made earlier.

"Don't worry. You won't have to put up with him for long," he assured.

***

Isobel stared at Amanda as three women made last minutes tweaks to the wedding dress.

If only Alisha hadn't been so stupid. She'd be the one wearing this beautiful dress. Anyway, everyone would think Amanda was Alisha so that was enough for Isobel. She walked out of the room and saw Miguel approaching.

"You should keep an eye on her today."

"I'm not going to the wedding," he snapped and walked away.

As Miguel walked into the room, he stopped dead in his tracks. Amanda looked stunning, absolutely beautiful. To him, Amanda had always been the most beautiful woman in the world, but today, her beauty was tremendous.

"Miguel," she called, snapping him out of his reverie.

He shook his head and walked closer to her.

"You look so beautiful," he said, staring at the wedding dress sparkling on her body. It was a strapless dress and distracted him mercilessly.

He had dreamt of her countless times in a wedding dress, but he had always been the one waiting at the altar. He tried to assure himself that this wasn't her wedding, but he couldn't help the uneasy feeling running through his mind.

"You aren’t dressed," Amanda said, staring at his black jeans and hoodie.

"I'm not going to the wedding," he announced.

"What? I need you there, Miguel!"

Just thinking about that man touching her in church hurt and seeing it in person would be unbearable.

"I have to start looking for Alisha today. Don't worry, you can do this without me. Just say whatever is required of you and don't talk much. His family won’t like your chattiness. I'm the only one who likes my parrot."

Amanda nudged him playfully.

"Don’t start again. If we start, we’ll never leave," she warned.

Miguel grinned and held her hand. He clamped a bracelet around her wrist.

"It's so beautiful!” she exclaimed, staring at it.

His heart sang. "I'm glad you like it. I don't want you to feel lonely for the few days you're going to spend with him. Whenever you feel alone, look at it and think of me. If that doesn't make you feel any better, you can call me on the phone. You know I wouldn’t miss your calls for anything, right?"

She smiled and nodded, then hugged him. Without Miguel in her life, she would be lost.

***

Xavier stood at the church altar, staring impatiently at his wristwatch. She wasn't late, but he had heard of brides keeping their grooms waiting. If she dared make him wait even one minute, he would make sure she heard about it later tonight.

The church doors opened, and she walked down the aisle to him. He must admit, she was beautiful in the wedding dress.

As Amanda walked slowly to the beat of the wedding march, her fear of staying with this man for a few days increased. A potent aura of raw sexuality surrounded him. He was the most elusive and sought-after bachelor in Rome. His hands were thrust deep into the pocket of his expertly tailored suit trousers. Xavier Da Silva was a truly magnificent specimen of virile masculinity.

When Amanda reached him, he took her hand and led her up the stairs to stand beside him.

He lifted the veil up and over her head, looking down into her eyes and for a tense moment. She saw an unmistakable glint of confusion in his eyes, and she feared that he noticed something different already.

"You're lucky you didn't keep me waiting," he said gruffly and turned to face the priest.

Amanda sighed, relieved.

The ceremony passed in a blur. Somehow, Amanda knew she must have said everything required of her, but she couldn't remember. She was aware of the cool band of gold on her finger.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Shock waves rolled through Amanda as she looked up to see him moving closer. He placed his hands on her waist, bent his head, and took her lips with his.

Her eyes fluttered closed and her body trembled violently. As if sensing her reaction, he snaked his hand around her back, pulling her even closer. When his tongue touched hers, it was as if her brain disconnected from her body. She found her hands clinging to his jacket lapel because her legs had turned to jelly.

Somewhere in a distant part of Xavier’s brain, something told him that this was supposed to be a socially suitable chaste kiss. He pulled back and smiled at her upturned face. She was so lovely with a bloom of pink in her cheeks, and her soft lips pouting and moist. It took a second for her to open her eyes. He read the reaction in their dark chocolate depths—shock and confusion and something much more potent—fear.

A warm feeling seeped into him. The heat between them just seconds ago had been fierce and elemental. He had always thought there was nothing good about her, but right now, he was sure she would make a good wife in bed.

Amanda seethed at herself inwardly as she slowly took Xavier's arm. But she managed to paste a fake smile on her face, nodding to people she knew were smiling at her now, but were already dissecting every minute of the ceremony, her dress, and the prospects of the success of this marriage. They would be the topic over morning coffee throughout the capital for days, weeks to come.

She couldn't believe that she actually loved the feeling of his mouth against hers. No, she couldn't love it. It definitely had to be the fact that she couldn't remember the last time someone’s lips warmed hers. The feeling was new to her. Yes, that was it...she didn't love the kiss, it just felt foreign.

One thing was paramount as of that moment—she needed to protect herself at all costs and maintain a distance between them until Alisha came back.

When they emerged from the church, all Amanda's thoughts scattered. A barrage of press awaited them, the camera flashes nearly blinding her. And a huge cheering crowd had gathered across the road. Unconsciously, her hand tightened around Xavier's arm.

He looked down at her and grimaced slightly before saying, "You should have expected this. Just smile and look happy. They're all here to see you."

Amanda was beyond shocked by the sight. After a few minutes, Xavier led her down the steps of the huge cathedral to a waiting car, helping her carefully into the back before joining her.

As they pulled away, Amanda saw the rest of the wedding guests spilling out of the church into the heaving crowd. She realized she was shaking like a leaf. Xavier noticed and took one of her hands in his, and to Amanda's dismay, her shaking started to subside.

"The reception will be held at my house. It's not that far from yours."

Everything was hitting Amanda at once. Miguel didn't mention anything about Alisha visiting Xavier at his home, or even meeting up with his family. What kind of marriage was this?

She said nothing but pulled her hand away from his. Before long, they were driving through an expensive suburb, and then they slowed down outside impressive gates.

Amanda tried to hide her reaction. The house they were approaching was nothing like her family home. It was grand and palatial on a level that made her home look like a gatehouse.

The car pulled into a gravel courtyard surrounded by flowering trees, which kept it secluded and private. An impressive array of vintage cars was lined up on one side, and despite herself, Amanda's interest was piqued; she'd always loved old cars.

But Xavier had come around to open her door and was waiting for her, hand outstretched. Thoughts of anything else disappeared. Amanda had no choice but to take his hand, which bloomed into a heat she hated, the tingle of awareness racing up her arm.

Staff in pristine black and white uniforms waited for them at the top of the steps. They blurred and morphed into a jumble of names and faces as Xavier introduced them all.

He turned to face her. "Come, I'll show you to your room, where you can freshen up. The guests will be arriving at the back of the house where a wedding marquee has been erected for the reception."

Amanda ignored his outstretched hand this time and followed him slowly up the stairs. Xavier glanced at her, stunned that she was maintaining a distance between them. This was a woman, who for the past two weeks wanted him to touch her, even to hold her hand. Now that he wanted to do all that, he noticed the way her body reacted to his touch, as if she didn't want him to touch her.

Something was different about her today and Xavier wasn’t able to put his finger on it. He was confused as hell, but he tried to assure himself that she was only acting, trying not to seem easy, when in reality she was. Her continuous flinches wouldn't stop him from having her tonight. She was his now, like property he could use until its beauty faded away. His ultimate triumph would be having her in bed, panting and sobbing for him to take her.