Objections

Objections
Alessandro
“Of course not.” I inwardly laughed at the thought of that happening. “That will ruin things.”
“Alright. Alright. Just make sure you get ready on time. The moment is closer than you think.”
“It feels a little unreal.”
“I should be saying that. I never thought I would see you getting married.”
“Get used to it.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Flaunt it all you want. I can decide to get married tomorrow if I want.”
“Then, get married and stop complaining.”
“You are a weird person,” was all he said, and nothing more was uttered.
We remained in silence. And I entertained thoughts about the wedding.
I can't wait to see Carrie.
~~~
Carrie
After my makeover, which was also done by the hairdresser, I stared at the enhanced beauty I had become.
The view made me remember my first wedding and how I threw up on my then-husband’s shoes. I laughed at that memory; the hairdresser stepping out had to look back to check if I was okay.
Seconds later, I sighed and reminded myself that I was about to get married.
It just really sucks that I don’t have anyone to walk me down the aisle.
“Carrie Edwards,” Eduardo popped out of nowhere.
He must have silently walked; I didn’t sense him at all.
“Eduardo.”
The man smiled and admired my bouffant gown, which had miniature beadwork around its neckline. “You look… amazingly gorgeous, my very beautiful Sister.”
“Do you think Alessandro would appreciate you saying that?” I teased.
“Who cares? He can’t kill me.”
“I believe that.”
“So…” He turned me to face him. “Are you ready?”
A quick nod and I replied, “I want to do this.”
“Good. I’ll be walking you down the aisle.” He tilted his head, and his lips formed a smile. “That is fine, right?”
My heart warmed even more because of the embrace of his affection. “I am lucky to have you, Eduardo. Of course, you can walk me down the aisle.”
“Then,” a quick adjustment of his position, and he offered his arm, “let’s head downstairs and turn the heads of men that can never have you.”
My laughter followed. “That is a pleasant way to put it.”
“I’m glad I’m constantly able to make you laugh.”
My pointed silver shoes and his black loafers moved; the image formed an imprint in my mind, one that would last forever.
With those steps, we reached the venue, which would greet anyone approaching with the sight of plenty of pretty flowers.
The priest had already called Alessandro onto the constructed and decorated pulpit, and even though he could not see me, I saw him. And I admired how differently gorgeous he looked.
He effortlessly bested the beauty of the space; he effortlessly made every other person look like peasants despite their fine clothing.
I must say though, I could not recognise the seated guests I have seen so far. I was also quite surprised by the presence of cameramen that we didn't hire, but that didn't concern me too much. I was more concerned about my hilarious expectation that someone from my family was secretly attending this wedding.
My father is fond of making his presence known even when he's not there in person, so it would not be shocking if he sent someone he knows to witness this.
“The bride may enter,” a solemn voice announced, and I snapped out of my world of thoughts.
“Are you ready?” Eduardo asked.
I nodded and walked with him down the lawned path, which divided the seating arrangements into a left-side-right-side formation.
A lovely piano tune filled the air, and it helped me stay focused on Alessandro only.
Alessandro was not exactly smiling very grandly, but the gaze he possessed lured me closer and closer to him, until the distance between us shortened.
“Hello, my flower,” he greeted once he took my arm off Eduardo’s.
“Hello.” I sounded like a shy lass who was yet to know the ways of a marital bed.
“You look absolutely beautiful.”
“So do you.”
He leaned closer and lowered his voice, “Your neck… looks sexier today.”
I'm aware of the allure my neck has, so I knowingly smiled in response to his comment while my inner mind hoped he'd kiss that spot.
“Eh ehm…” The slightly aged priest behind us cleared his throat. “I was informed that this will be a short ceremony, so we'll do just that.” He cleared his throat again. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered on this fine day to celebrate love and the eternal union it brings with it. Before we proceed, is there anyone here who objects to the union of these two? Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
I faced the seated guests and wondered if anyone would…
“I object!”
Great!
When I was searching for an objection at my first wedding, where was it?
“I too, object!” Another one sprang up before I could even know who the first one belonged to.
Murmurs followed. Not because of the objection…. because of the people who made the objections— Kante and their grandfather, Mr Valante.
~~~
Alessandro
For many minutes, my hard gaze alternated between my brother and my grandfather, who gloated in their delight without shame.
“Did you hear me?” Kante roused more attention towards him; the little limp I created in his hand was clearly not enough warning. “This wedding will not hold. Carrie is the one for me. She has always been!” The camera fools he brought nearly poked him with the said cameras as he turned tearful. “Carrie… He stole her from me and now-”
“That's enough.” The priest sternly intervened. His ability to create and dismantle order is one of the reasons he was my mentor before he departed from our mafia world. “The objections are concerning. We cannot overlook them. Let us hear their reasons. Perhaps, some misunderstandings can be solved.”
I ignored the priest and reached for Carrie’s right hand.
A loud gasp sprouted from the crowd as I walked her off the podium.
Eduardo met me halfway.
“Drag those two yapping fools to the quietest room. And take care of Carrie,” I instructed.
“Definitely.”
I faced Carrie, who was surprisingly not confused or angry. “Give me some minutes to handle this. Things will be back to normal soon, okay?”
“Sure.”
Her response was hardly lively; I didn’t expect it to be. Thanks to my sick family, our ceremony might not happen.
If they succeed, it'd give Carrie more reasons to walk away. I don't want that to happen yet; if it does, I might end up showing her the ruthless desires I never want her to witness.
That’s why I’ll face those fools head-on and ruin whatever wishful thinking they have.
Moments later, my suit jacket had been taken off, the sleeves of my shirt were rolled up, and my feet, filled with anger, hurried to where Kante and my grandfather were.
Once I reached that space and closed the door, I flashed them a glimpse of my fury before sitting opposite them.
“And what do you two think you're doing?”
“Alessandro,” Kante scoffed, his smile more sickening than before. “I told you, didn't I? You won't have your way.”
I didn't come here to have another round of senseless back and forth. So, I asked, “What do you want?”
“You know what I want,” Kante replied.
I grimaced. “Do I have to slit your tongue to get a proper response?”
“I want Carrie and the ultimate seat of CDP’s king.”
My arms crossed, and I bit back the desire to laugh. “Or what, Kante?”
My foolish brother glanced at my grandfather. Then, he replied, “Or the worst happens.”
I sighed. He was still being crooked with his words. “Kante…” I pointed my gaze at the hand I injured. I hope to use the gun behind me on it soon. “Speak clearly.”
I hope this idiot family of mine is not thinking that my current calmness is a good sign. Because it never is.
The old man took over before Kante could reply. “You are still family. I'll give one last opportunity to do the right thing.”
I cocked a brow. That's quite an audacious, hilarious statement.
“The right thing?” I cackled. “Fine. Let's hear it.”
“Get rid of Carrie. Once you do, I promise you'll come back to your senses.”
I maintained a faint smile. “Or?”
“If you insist on marrying her, I'll sacrifice you. The press downstairs and all over Italy will receive interesting news articles about your true identity every fucking ten minutes.” His eyes turned bloody with the desire to control me. “You think you can survive that?”
“Nonno, that is a stupid plan.”
He nodded. “I know.”
I watched as he placed his hat on the table separating us. I also imagined smashing his head into the table.
“I know the plan could endanger CDP as a whole. So, make the best choice, Alessandro.”
“Threatening me with the two things I have,” I muttered beneath my breath.
“What other way to corner you, Alessandro? You forced me to do this,” Grandfather smiled. He certainly was confident about this plan of his.
“Fine.” It didn't take me too long to find my answer.