Chapter 2 Chapter Two
The room was cold and warm at the same time. And this confused Lydia. Forcing her to open her eye, only to see a beautiful room ...... for a prisoner.
There were soft golden walls, velvet white curtains on the tall windows. Bed drapes all around the bed and a chandelier hanging by the entrance.
She was sleeping and watching the whole room carefully. Because last night was a blur here and she didn't remember anything. Immediately her eyes trained to a different direction. It was like a pull. And there she saw HIM.
The man who put her in this golden cage. Her breath shifted and her eyes snapped open.
He was right in front of her. Sitting on the large high backed leather chair, near the window. In his hand he had a whisky and expression unreadable.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She asked, getting up and sitting far away from him.
"Good morning." Arthur muttered. "I was watching you." He huffed.
"Watching?" She asked, pulling the silk sheets over her chest like a shield.
"You are insane. Get out of my room, I do not have to spend every hour with you." Lydia said. His large body unmoved, confident. There was evil in his eyes.
"It was important for me to come see if you were still here." He said, with some calmness.
"To see if I'm still here?" Her voice cracked. "And did you think I had a choice in this?" She asked, tired of him. This only made him smirk as he took a sip from his whiskey.
"You always have a choice Lydia. You could have jump out of that balcony." He said, and she looked out to see how high up she was in this building.
"You think all of this is funny?" She asked.
"I have never considered anything funny in my life." Arthur muttered placing the glass on the table harshly.
There was this heavy silence in the room, this made her shiver.
"I gave you time. I give you comfort. And now it's time that you start cooperating with me, Miss Merchant." He said.
"I am not marrying you." She let out, in frustration. Sitting up straight. But something changed in his eyes, it is visible.
Arthur stood up. He looked so large, intimidating.
Slowly pulling his phone out.
"You're not going to marry me?" He asked as he walked closer to her. He then threw his phone on her bed and she took it, and there everything shattered for her.
Her father lying unconscious in the hospital bed. Bandage, wires and machine everywhere.
"No." She whispered shaken. She swiped to the pictures, and the next. This was where she broke.
"What did you do to him? You MONSTER. WHAT DID YOU DO?" She screams, tearing up and grabbing his shirt.
"You hurt him. You." Lydia was about to hit Arthur but the man grabbed her arms tight, never flinching.
"Your father had an accident. He was trying to run away, when he got caught with other people. Who are not very friendly." He said in a cold voice. She was stunned,
"I didn't touch him."
"Liar." She yelled struggling to pull her hand away.
"You're lying."
"He is alive, isn't he?" Arthur asked, cold in his voice.
"Under my protection, I could have had him die and yet I did not." He said, looking her dead into her eyes. Lydia's breath now heavy and her eyes burning. She immediately pulled herself free from him.
"I want to see him. Take me to him." She whispered.
Now this made Arthur smirk. Cold and cruel.
"You still care for him? Even after he sold you away?" He spoke the truth and it hurt her.
"He is my father."
"And yet, he never thought you to be his daughter when he gave you to me." He muttered, his lips almost touching hers. She didn't say anything this time. Because the truth was too strong and she felt the pain of it all.
"That is always good." He whispered.
"What are you talking about?" She demanded.
"Your obedience guarantees his survival." Arthur said, moving even closer and she completely froze..
"Don't hurt him." She begged.
"I wouldn't, unless you give me a reason to. This marriage is happening. This wedding is going to go through. Otherwise, your father will not make......"
"I hate you." She let out, not letting him finish. She was still on the bed, sitting on her knees while he was towering over her body, inches away from her.
"You should get some rest Miss. Merchant. And you will meet me at the altar. Or your father will not see another sunrise." Arthur Romero said blankly. A large tear fell through from her.
"Why are you doing this?" She whispered.
Arthur looked at her red eyes, carefully.
"As you said yesterday. I am a monster Miss Merchant. And this is exactly what monsters do. And in one hour, I will be your husband."
Lydia let out a heavy breath as he stepped away, walking to the door. But Arthur turned around.
"Get some rest Cara Mia." He whispered over his shoulders.
"Or star planning your father's funeral." He said, shutting the door and she collapsed on her bed. The phone still in her hand.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."
Lydia screamed her lungs out, her screams went all over the room. She simply wanted to go back to her old life, with her people. Away from all of this. But she was stuck here, with him.
With a devil.
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After a few hours, there was a knock on the door and a woman pushed it open.
Lydia though, was standing on the balcony of her room. She didn't even turn but heard a woman's voice.
"Miss. Merchant, the wedding designer is here to see you. Lydia only looked down at her bandage on her arms.
The woman behind her was nervous, biting her lips.
"Please miss. I need you to follow me." The woman said and this request made Lydia turn to her. She was so weak and tired, even to fight anyone.
And so she walked back out the room, and following the woman. She was doing this for her father, and his safety. Even though it was killing her on the inside. They made their way down several hallways, until they finally reach the large living room of the mansion.
There were tall windows and beautiful sunlight falling into the room. Arthur was not here and Lydia was thankful about it. However, only two women were in that room, standing far away from each other.
One older woman was sitting on the large couch. She had a very proud look on her face. While, the other woman was younger. She was standing by the balcony in her elegant blue silk dress and warm smile, soft.
More like she was Arthur's mother.
The older woman had a black suit and a rigid look. She looked like she rather be anywhere else but here.
Arthur's mother and grandmother.
"You must be Lydia Merchant? I am Gena, Arthur's mother" Gena said, stepping back into the house and walking closer to Lydia, taking her hands. Lydia was very confused but gave out somewhat of a smile.
"Hello." Lydia whispered.
"I am sorry for all of this Lydia. I wish this wasn't the way." Gena said, quietly. Pain in her voice and eyes and she wasn't faking it. Lydia could see that.
"You have been through more than anyone deserve. But please remember, you are safe here." Gena was giving her support.
However, the older women snapped out of nowhere.
"She is not a guest here Gena. She is an arrangement made by my grandson. I hope you do not forget that." Her words were very dismissing, sharp too.
"Enough Aurora." Gena let out, angry.
"I am well aware of that." Lydia spoke strongly. With a very tight voice. She was not afraid of anyone, but that was not the entire truth.
"I understand that I am not welcome here. You do not have to remind me of that." Gena's lips twisted but she did not smile. But Aurora Romero was not impressed.
"At least this one is not dumb, like so many other we have seen." Aurora Romero said, looking at Gena.
"But still not beautiful enough for my Arthur. Too simple." Aurora Romero muttered, smirking. Only to stare back at Gena.
"I believe simple is what every Romero men wants. A generational fault I believe." Aurora Romero went on with that insult. But Lydia cared very little about it.
"But remember love. This Romero family is about to become your family. A name well maintained."
"By blackmail. I hope you remember that." Lydia reminded Aurora Romero. Only making her blood boil.
"And nobody asked for your approval, Aurora." Gena said.
"And I am not giving it to her. A small shop owner's daughter." Aurora Romero spit. Disgusted by Lydia's presence here.
The air still hot and tight, and Gena let out a heavy breath, pulling Lydia away.
"Your wedding dress designer is waiting for you, Lydia." Gena said as she opened a joined door and in this attached room there was a bridal salon, a private sanctuary filled with fabric, mirrors. And there were whispers and tension.
And there walked in Giiuseeppe Costa. A legend in Milan. Lydia had seen him many times in magazine.
"What a beauty." He declared, as Lydia entered.
"You have fire in your eyes. Beautiful rage." He muttered.
"I am sorry?" Lydia asked confused.
"She will wear black." Aurora Romero said, declaring it.
What she said surprised everyone.
"Not white?" Giiuseeppe asked.
"Not for this kind of bride." Aurora Romero said, walking into the room.
"This is no wedding. It's about power. Let her wear shadow, let them all see the bride in the family color." Aurora Romero smirked and Gena sat down drinking water, very irritated.
The designer though, could completely understand the way Lydia was being insulted. And he did not like it.
"Let them all fear you in black Lydia. The most powerful woman you will be soon. Marrying the most powerful man." He said, smirking. Showing her what she really is to be.
Lydia looked at him. And that for the very first time, Lydia felt seen.
Immediately the assistant brought multiple dresses after dress. Velvet, silk, lace. But Lydia couldn't help but think about her family. Her mother couldn't be here and her father who should have been here.
Lydia was all alone with strangers and the wedding was in an hour. Her life was over now.
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The garden had been transformed into a real beauty of red rose everywhere and lights, but all Lydia saw was a battle field here.
There were a few guest and she was alone. No one to hold her hand but only her in her black silk dress. This was not a union of love.
Right at the end of the aisle Arthur Romero was standing, like a statue. Cold and haunting in his black suit, that fit is tall, broad frame. And his expression unreadable.
But still very cold. His eyes never left hers. The moment Lydia reached him, she stopped. There was silence everywhere, and her heart beating faster than ever.
The priest glanced at both of them.
"Come up to the Altar love." The priest muttered and there Arthur realized she wasn't moving. And then Arthur pulled his hand out, palm open, waiting.
Lydia stared at his hand, refusing it for a long second. She did not move, but then she looked at him and the ice in his eyes.
Lydia placed her hand on his and Arthur closed around it. Possessive, strong but never painful. She took in a deep breath and let it out, as Arthur helped her up.
Both of them standing right next each other and the priest spoke up. His voice very soft, slow and deliberate.
"We are gather here today for the union of these two in holy matrimony. Lydia's body was very still and her mind was screaming.
This isn't real, this isn't mine. I am not the bride, I am not the price." She thought to herself, but the priest continued.
He then turned to Arthur.
"Do you take Lydia, to be your lafull wife. To love and to hold her in sickness and in health. For riches and poor. For better and for worst. In joy and sorrow? Do you intend to protect Lydia Merchant forever, until death? Do you?" The priest said and Arthur had no expression on him.
But Lydia felt like her stomach twisting.
"I do." Arthur deep voice came, like a command. Behind Gena Romero had a very big smile but Aurora Romero just sat there. Realizing Lydia was here to stay and she couldn't go against her grandson's words.
But she couldn't stand Lydia. Moreover, attached to the name of Romero.
"Do you take this man, Arthur Romero to be your lawful husband. To love, to hold, to......"
The words went on blurring and now Arthur Romero's hand was holding hers tight. She was being ripped away.
Lydia looked at him for a second and so did he.
"Answer him." He said.
"Hmm?" She muttered.
"Answer him, Lydia." He said, and that is when her heart broke.
"I do." She said barely whispered. The priest had a smile on him .
"By the powers vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife." He said, looking at Arthur.
"You may now kiss the bride." Her lungs stopped working, and she didn't move. Her fingers tensing up.
Arthur Romero, slowly turned to her and his body radiating something unreadable. Both locked their eyes as he bent closer and closer. She prepared herself for dominance, for performance for the guest.
But Arthur slowly kissed her on her forehead. Soft, warm, intentional and she completely froze in her place.
There was a sense of relief and a question. He didn't take her lips didn't brand her in front of everyone.
The crowd erupted in an applause and Arthur Romero backed away, still holding her hand
For a moment, she was grateful he didn't kiss her. But she still didn't understand his game.
Because this man was Arthur Romero, and he always had a plan.