Chapter 44: Got married

GEMMA

The next day in Antonio's house was terrible for me. It's my worst day of all the days in Antonio's house.

I had woken up in the morning with tears in my eyes and had burst out crying till I could cry no more.

I'm doomed for life! I suddenly felt like killing myself but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I stood up and walked to the drawer where I kept my phone. I opened the drawer and brought my phone out and stared deeply at it.

I don't think I'll ever talk to Gabriella again. I didn't know what to tell her. I don't know how to explain things to her.

How would I tell her that I'm getting married to a man that treated me like trash?

I don't even have the courage and mind to bring myself to tell her everything that happened. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if she finds out that I gave myself up to protect her.

Gabriella has always told me to put myself first but I was too stubborn to do that.

My past days in Antonio house replayed quickly in my head and I screamed loudly and smashed my phone to the wall angrily.

The phone shattered and broke into pieces. I stared at it with tears rolling down my cheeks while I tried to calm myself down.

Antonio told Nanny Emilia about his plans to marry me and she's strongly against it. She knew what I was getting into and that's why she's strongly against it but Antonio was determined that for the first time in his life, he didn't listen to her.

I was left to my own fate. As for Isabella, she's too excited about the news.

"I'm sorry, my child. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to stop Antonio" Nanny Emilia apologized to me.

"It's fine, ma'am. It's not your fault" I said.

"I'm sorry, Gemma," she said as tears rolled down her cheeks.

I couldn't help myself as I joined her to cry. We hugged each other while we cried on each other's shoulders.

Later that day, a woman brought some wedding dresses to the house. She was directed to my room as I refused to leave my room.

She brought some wedding gowns and asked me to pick one.

"Anyone" I replied nonchalantly.

"You need to pick one, ma'am," she said.

"I said, anyone!!" I yelled and her face morphed into that of surprise then I realized I just yelled at her out of frustration.

"I'm sorry" I quickly apologized.

"It's fine, ma'am" she replied and went ahead to pick a dress for me.

"I think this one will fit so well," she said.

I took a quick glance at the dress, then nodded my head.

She did whatever she came to do and left. I was finally left alone in my room. The wedding is tomorrow.

According to Antonio, it's going to be a very small and quiet wedding. I was glad about it as I didn't want a big wedding. There's nothing joyous about it.

I finally forced myself to sleep, making me free of my worries temporarily.

A knock on the door woke me up from sleep the next morning.

"Who's there?" I called out and yawned, scratching my eyes sleepily.

"Boss asked me to inform you to start preparing for the wedding," the voice said. It was Luca.

I sat up forcefully on my bed.

"The wedding?" I repeated like a fool.

I had totally forgotten about the wedding. I'll be getting married to the monster today. A marriage against my own will!

The wedding dress that was hung in the wardrobe told me it wasn't a dream. I was really getting married.

"Can you hear me?" Luca asked loudly.

"Ye…yess" I stuttered.

"The boss said you shouldn't waste his time," Luca informed me.

"Alright" I replied and heard him walk away.

The wedding was indeed a small one. It was just the officiating priest, me, Antonio, his men, Nanhy Emilia and Isabella present.

There was no one on my side to witness the marriage. The officiating priest had asked.

"She's an orphan. She has no relatives or family" Antonio had replied.

The wedding ended as soon as it started.

I'm now Mrs Gemma Romano.

The drive back home was long and boring. I entered a separate car with Antonio, with Marco in the driver's seat while Isabella, Nanny Emilia, Luca and Mateo were in another car.

We finally got home. It was obvious that Antonio wanted a celebration but no one in the room was in the mood for it, except Isabella of course.

Luca was strangely very sad and quiet.

"Thank you for accepting to be my mom," Isabella said to me.

I faked a smile at her, rubbed her hair and walked away to my room.

I had just finished changing from the wedding dress to a simple gown. I heard a knock on the door.

"Who's there?" I asked.

"Ma'am, the boss said you should come to the private room immediately," the voice said. It was Marco.

Ma'am?? Did he just call me ma'am?? Because I'm now married to his boss?

"Okay" I replied and he walked away.

I walked to the door, opened it and walked out of the room. I went straight to the private room. Mateo opened the door immediately and I went in.

For the first time, the room wasn't dark. The curtains were opened for sunlight to come in. I had a good view of the room. It was beautiful but also very cold. There's a big plasma TV mounted on the wall and also a projector. Apart from Antonio's office table and chair in the room, there were three couches in the room.

Why didn't I see them before??

"You called for me," I said.

"Yes, my darling wife," Antonio replied. "It's time for me to introduce you to the members of the syndicate"

"That's so fast" I protested.

"The earlier, the better"

"Alert the rest that we have a meeting right now, I need to introduce Gemma to them " Antonio instructed Luca and he did as he was told as he made some calls.

"Ready, boss" Luca said after the calls.

Antonio did something on his phone, picked a remote and turned on the TV, his face appeared on the large screen.

Soon, I saw strange faces on the large screen. There was a familiar face there and it was Margaret. I knew it!! She's part of them.

"Antonio, why the sudden meeting?" An old man said, he's looking really old.

"Mr. Edward," Antonio said and bowed. I was surprised. This is the first time I'm seeing him bow to anyone.

Judging from the way he showed his respect, I guessed the old man was higher than Antonio in the syndicate.

"Boss" the rest of them greeted Antonio. They were his subordinates.

"Sorry for the urgent meeting. I have someone to introduce to you all" Antonio said and summoned me to come closer.

I came and sat beside him and my face showed on the screen.

"Who's she?" The old man asked.

"She's my new wife and she'd be joining us in the syndicate," Antonio announced.

"Your new wife?" Margaret asked with surprise written all over her face.

"You heard me right," Antonio replied.

"Boss, we don't just let anyone into the syndicate," Margaret said. I could sense jealousy in her voice.

"She's right, Boss. How well do you trust her?" A man asked.

"She's very smart and sharp and I trust her. The syndicate doesn't need to worry. She's my wife so I'll put her through on everything she needs to know" Antonio replied.

I was shocked. Smart?? Sharp?? He trusts me??

"What if she fucks up somewhere along the way, are you going to take the responsibility, Boss?" A female member of the syndicate asked.

"Yes. I'll own up to it and accept whatever punishment" Antonio replied.

I sat there watching them talk about me. I was surprised when Henry said he's going to own up to every one of my actions.

"Good then," the old man said.

"Are you okay with it, Sir?" Antonio asked.

"Antonio, you're now in charge of the syndicate and the mafia boss. I left everything in your care and I trust you'll make the right decisions" the old man replied.

"Thank you so much Sir," Antonio said.

"We'll have a meeting later for our next operation"The old man said and Antonio nodded.

"She's Gemma Romano but will be addressed as Pink butterfly"he said.

There was total silence and a few nods of heads.

"That's all for now " Antonio said and turned the TV off after he bowed to Sir Edward.

"Luca" Antonio called.

"Yes boss," he replied.

"I leave Gemma in your care. You'll be her teacher. Teach her everything she needs to know about the syndicate and Mafia gang, there should be no mistakes " he instructed.

"Okay boss" Luca replied and bowed, then he raised his head to look at me.

My eyes locked in his and I got mesmerized in his eyes and for a split, fast seconds, I felt butterflies in my belly.