Chapter 24
ARIA
I can’t believe today is my wedding day.
In just a few hours, I’m going to be married to Enzo Andretti, which is something I never saw coming.
In my wildest dreams, I never thought any of this would be possible. I was already resigning myself to the thought that I’d have to live the rest of my life trapped in a miserable marriage with Salvatore.
But, by some stroke of luck, I’m going to be marrying the man I’ve fallen in love with. Well, not really luck, since I went through hell and back to get to this point.
Now though, I wouldn’t trade any of that hardship as long as it landed me right back here, where I belong.
This morning I woke up in Enzo’s arms, the happiest I’ve ever been, and I want to wake up like that every single day for the rest of our lives, however long that may be.
My heart is just so full of love and gratitude for this man. I still can’t believe he got Giana here. That was so unexpected but exactly what I needed last night. I can’t remember the last time I had that much fun in one night. The last few months without her company were lonely, and I missed her.
Though I don’t regret any of the time I got to spend with Isabella.
She really was a great friend for the few months I spent at that convent and I hope I get to see her again at some point.
When I first went there, I wasn’t even expecting to make any friends, but I’m so thankful for her because she got me through those dark times.
Friends found in the unlikeliest of places are usually the best ones.
I miss her so much right now, and I just hope to God she’s still safe.
Bringing myself out of my thoughts, I focus on my current dilemma. I’ve been in room-arrest all day. I was ordered to stay in our room this morning, relax until it’s time to get ready, and then head down for the ceremony.
I have no idea what Giana and Enzo are up to, and even though I love to snoop, I’ve resisted the urge. Instead, I spent the time relaxing in bed and watching television, while Giana supplied me with snacks throughout the day.
Just when I think I’m about to lose my mind, there’s a knock on the door before it opens a second later. Giana steps into the room with a huge smile on her face.
“No more lazing around, slacker, it’s time to get ready,” she tells me with a cheeky grin.
“If I recall correctly, I was ordered to stay up here and lie down until I melt into the bed by being a bed potato all day,” I grumble.
“Damn, I’ve never seen anyone pout because they had to rest,” she laughs.
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I was so bored by myself,” I complain.
“It’ll be so worth it when you see the downstairs.” She grins.
“Ooh. I can’t wait to see it!” I squeal.
“You are absolutely going to love it,” she tells me as she helps me up from the bed. “Sit here for a sec, I’ll be back.”
She leaves and heads into the bathroom for a few minutes before coming back out to get me. When I step into the room a few seconds later, I see that she’s drawn me a bath and it smells amazing.
“Soak for a while, and when you’re done, yell for me, and I’ll come back to wash your hair.”
“Okay,” She helps me get into the tub before she walks out of the bathroom, leaving me to soak in the tub. I spend about forty-five minutes in the bath, and when I’m about to get really pruny, I decide it’s time to get out. “Gi!” I call out for her.
“You done?”
“Yep. All ready,” I tell her and she grabs the shower head and begins to wash my hair. She gives me a good scalp scrub. “Damn, that feels so good.”
“No falling asleep now. We have to get you ready to get married,” She laughs. In my defense, this kind of thorough head massage would put anyone to sleep.
“I know! I’m so excited! Pinch me because I still can’t believe any of this is real! Ouch!” I grumble a second later when she actually pinches me.
“Hey, I’m just doing as I’m told. You’re the one who said to pinch you.” She grins.
When she’s done washing my hair, she helps me out of the tub. I dry my skin and wrap my hair up in a towel and put my robe on before heading into the room.
She dries and curls my hair. Then she twists a couple of strands together into some kind of knot before leaving the rest to drape down my back in soft curls.
She follows up with my makeup next, and once that’s done, I get up and we walk over to the closet to grab my undergarments, followed by lotion and body oil. When I’m done, my skin is glowing.
“Damn girl. You look hot. Enzo is going to lose his mind later.” She smirks.
“I hope so.” I laugh.
She then helps me put on my dress. I still can’t believe this is my dress.
I stare at myself in the full-length mirror. I can see myself glowing. The dress is an opulent, fairytale-style gown. It definitely looks like something a princess would wear.
The top features a sweetheart neckline. It’s elegant with delicate straps embellished with pearls. In fact, the whole dress is adorned in pearls, shimmering beadwork and fine embroidery. It catches the light in a subtle and glowy sparkle.
The top fits perfectly to my breast, but there is enough space covering my pregnant belly, in a way that’s not tight, before the bottom part blooms into a voluminous layered skirt.
The skirt is the dress's true eye-catching part. It’s full and cascades in multiple airy layers of tulle. Each layer is embroidered with beadwork arranged in a beautiful pattern.
The layers in the skirt create depth and when I move it’s like the whole skirt shimmers. At the base, the dress spreads into a soft train with heavier detailing along the edges.
It’s just dreamy, embodying luxury and elegance. It also has a magical, ethereal finish, fit for a princess. I can tell he must have spent a small fortune on it.
The last thing Giana does is clip the veil onto the back of my head.
I’m not covering my face with it because it looks better this way.
It’s really long and trails behind me. She set it in a way that it’s clipped onto my hair and then it covers around my shoulders, draping all the way down my back, flaring out in a long trail.
“We’re all set now,” she tells me a moment later, before giving me the once-over from head to toe. “Wow. You look so beautiful and radiant.”
“Thank you,” I reply with tears in my eyes. I feel beautiful too.
“Don’t you dare cry or you’ll make me cry too, woman!” she laughs while fanning her face.
“Okay, okay. I won’t cry.”
“Good! Now stay in your room for a few more minutes while I run and change my dress before coming back to get you.”
“Go!” I laugh. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t take long. Don’t want your man to get impatient and come busting down the door in search of his bride-to-be,” she says, giggling before rushing out the door.
I let out a chuckle because I know he would do some crazy shit like that if he thinks I’m taking too long to get down there.
In less than ten minutes, she’s back and finds me right where she left me.
I didn’t move because I was too busy admiring myself in the mirror.
The dress, makeup and hair… I’m kind of speechless because I’ve never seen myself look quite like this.
I mean, she’s done my makeup before, and I’ve looked beautiful, but today it’s just different.
It makes me stand out even more. I really can’t wait to get married to the man of my dreams.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I tell her and she hands me a bouquet filled with light-pink flowers.
“These are beautiful,” I tell her.
Smiling, she takes my hand and we make our way out of the room and down the hall toward the stairs. When I’m standing on the landing at the top of the stairs that looks over the entire living room section, my mouth drops open.
It’s been transformed. The set of chairs facing the windows has been moved, and arches have been installed in its place everywhere.
I can’t even see Enzo from here because, from the bottom of the stairs to the altar, there are arch stands that create the path I need to go down.
The stands are all covered in a sheer fabric that’s like a rose gold or dusty rose color.
At the base of each stand on both sides are bunches of flowers. I can already feel the tears coming again. I don’t think I’m going to get through this without crying.
Giana helps me down the stairs and when we reach the bottom, I see rose petals covering the floor. All the flowers make the place smell so nice.
The music comes on suddenly and she slowly begins walking me down the aisle. The path is in an L-shape, and when we reach the end and turn, I stop right there. Now, I can see Enzo standing there at the altar, waiting.
He’s the only thing I see. I don’t pay attention to anything else around me as my eyes zone in on him.
He looks different… In a way I can’t even explain.
Though it’s definitely because of the way he’s looking at me, nothing but possession in his gaze.
Like he’s been waiting for this moment for a long time.
He looks devastatingly handsome, standing there exuding confidence in a black tuxedo that fits him to perfection.
The sharp lines of his jacket hug his shoulders just right, giving him a broad and powerful silhouette.
He looks like a God, especially with the setting sun’s amber glow casting him in a soft halo.
Looking at him in front of the windows with the sky already changing to shades of orange and fading blue has my heart skipping a beat.
His eyes are still on me, watching as I take it all in… take him in. He’s doing the same because a slow smile curves his lips as he peruses me from head to toe before he lifts his index finger in a ‘come here’ gesture.
I just roll my eyes at him as my feet begin moving, taking me closer to him before I’m even aware I've moved, which has me pulling on Giana’s arm, and she lets out a chuckle at my expense.
“Looks like somebody can’t wait to get up there,” she whispers.