The Beginning

Chapter Three

"Absolutely not", I said for the hundredth time. My father gave me a glare, sighed. "Giovanni, it's the only way", my father said.

I couldn't believe this was happening, first I had to go against Greta's family and now I had to marry Leonardo's daughter. Ever since Greta died, I swore I would never get married again. Greta was the only woman I ever loved and that wasn't going to change because they wanted peace.

"We did say we had a proposal", Antonio laughed.

"When you said the proposal, I didn't actually think you meant a real proposal!", I snapped.

I grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the pocket inside my suit. I put a cigarette to my lips and lit it, giving it a puff. I couldn't believe it, this wasn't happening and it was just a dream.

"Don't", I begged, as Greta sobbed. "I'll do anything, just please don't hurt her", I begged. I tried to go to Greta but I was being held back. The man held the gun to Greta's head. Greta sobbed and called my name. "Shut it!", the man holding the gun to her head yelled. Greta continued to cry, scared for her life. He picked her up and smacked her, making her fall to the floor.

"You son a bitch!", I yelled as I tried to get free. The man shook his head and cocked the gun back.

"Giovanni", my father's voice, snapped me out of the memory.

"I will also provide you men and other things. We will work together and if you're family, you're family. There's no turning your back on family", Leonardo said.

"Is your daughter aware of this? Is she okay with it? I won't do anything or agree unless she's given her consent.", I said after a long minute of silence. Just because I was a cold-hearted bastard, I would never do anything to a woman unless she agreed. I was a gentleman when it came to certain things. I would make her life hell. She would know that it's just for peace and nothing more. No real feelings would ever come from it.

"We've talked to her about it. She's a very open-minded person. If you'd like we can call her in here", Leonardo said.

I wasn't sure if I was ready to meet his daughter. I've seen her a time or two but I didn't pay attention to any woman after Greta or while I was with her. I shook my head denying Leonardo's suggestion. I looked through the papers and read the conditions.

"A wedding? I get the whole getting married thing but why can't we just sign some papers and get it done with?", I asked. They wanted to have a wedding, the church, and a big party. I prefer just signing papers at a courthouse and get it done with.

"Giovanni, my daughter has never been married before. If she's going to be married to a man who she doesn't know well, she should at least have a wedding she deserves.", Leonardo said. I looked at my father and he nodded. I sighed the agreed. I hate everything about this. I didn't want to get remarried, I didn't want to have this woman living with me. It wasn't going to be fun and it didn't seem fair to this woman. She would be in a loveless marriage and she wouldn't even have a family. She'd just have me as a husband only by law. She would be throwing her life away with a man just because her family wants peace with his family.

I picked up the pen and hesitated before I signed the contract. That was it. In only two days, I would be a married man to a woman I didn't know anything about.

"We shall start the wedding arrangements", Leonardo said.

I cleared my throat and fixed my tie before walking out of the room, not saying anything to anyone. I looked down at my hand, I still had my wedding ring from my marriage with Greta on. I slipped it off and kissed it before putting it on my chain.

****

"Giovanni, how are you holding up?", Lorenzo asked as he walked into the room I was getting ready in.

"Don't want to do this, but I have no choice", I sighed as I turned to him.

Today was the day. My father and Leonardo had gotten the wedding arranged quickly, not wanting to waste any time. There was a knock on the door, I walked over and opened it. It was my father holding a few bouquets of flowers. "Which one would you like to have delivered to your bride to be?", my father asked. I had forgotten that I had to get a bouquet of flowers delivered to her. It was something that was done for the bride, the last gift the man gives his girlfriend before she becomes his wife. One problem was that she wasn't my girlfriend.

"uh... This one", I said pointing to a bouquet of white roses. My father nodded and closed the door as he left. We didn't do everything by tradition, I didn't want it that way only because that's how Greta and I got married.

"I know you don't want to do this, but it will be good for us", Lorenzo said.

"Going against my wife's family doesn't seem good for us. Marrying a woman I don't even know isn't good for me or her. She will be in a loveless marriage", I said fixing my tie.

"Yeah well, she won't be your wife anymore. Leonardo's daughter will.", Lorenzo said.

I rolled my eyes, I've never met Leonardo's daughter in person. I didn't even know her name but today that would change. I couldn't help but feel bad for this woman. She deserved a man who would love her and want a family with her. This wasn't the case. She probably would end up having an affair but it wouldn't bother me if anything I'd understand why. My father came in when it was time to get ready. We walked out of the room they had set me up in and we walked to the front of the church. I walked down the aisle and up the steps. I faced the front doors of the church, my hands over the other, and waited patiently.

Music started playing and everyone stood up. The doors opened where I saw Leonardo holding a woman's arm. She had a veil over her face and I couldn't see what she looked like. They walked down the aisle slowly. I had just wished they'd hurry up and get this day over with. I felt like I was hurting Greta in a way. Even if I wasn't moving on, moving on, I was getting remarried.

They reached me and I took the woman's hand after she kissed her father's cheek. I helped her up the steps and let go of her hand instantly. I faced her and it wasn't until she was close up that I could see her innocent green eyes. She had a soft expression, her pink lips were formed into a small smile. "Hi", she whispered.

The priest said what he needs and I repeat what I needed. I wasn't paying attention much to what he said, mostly because I wanted to leave. It didn't feel right, I was still in love with Greta and I wasn't ready. We exchanged the rings and I held her hands in mine. It wasn't long until I figured out the woman I was marrying name. Aria Esposito.

"I now, pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Giovanni Morello...You may kiss your bride, Mr. Morello.", The priest said.

I lifted the veil and pushed it behind Aria's head. "Is it okay, if I?", I asked Aria before doing anything. She nodded. I hesitantly cupped her cheek and slowly moved closer. I placed my lips on her and they moved in sync slowly.

I pulled back and everyone clapped.

"Giovanni Morello", I said to her.

She smiled, "Aria Morello", she laughed softly.