CHAPTER 38
Leo sat in the room at the church, staring blankly at the wall. He couldn’t believe that he was actually going along with his mother’s plan to marry a woman he barely knew. He had never felt so trapped in his life.
William noticed the look on Leo’s face and tried to cheer him up. “Hey man, what’s wrong? You look like you’re about to face the firing squad.”
“I just can’t believe I’m going through with this. I barely know this woman, and now I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her.”
William’s voice fell an octave “I know it’s a big change, but come on, man. It’s not like you’re getting married to a stranger. You’ve been courting her for a while now.”
“Yeah, but that’s not the same thing as actually being married. I feel like I’m going to be trapped.”
“Marriage is a whole different game, my friend. You’re going to have to bare all of yourself to your wife. But that’s not such a bad thing. You’ll have someone to share your life with.”
“I don’t know, man. I just feel like I’m being forced into this.”
“I know it’s tough, but you’ll get through it. And who knows, you might end up really liking this girl. And she’s a catch, Leo. Anyone can see that.”
Leo took a deep breath and tried to push away the feeling of dread. He knew that he had to go through with this, for the sake of his family and their reputation, for the sake of stupid alliance and for the sake of his family. But he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was making a huge mistake.
The door opened, and his mother walked in.
“Mother” he stood up to greet her. Rebecca wrapped her hand around her son and kissed him deeply. Tears were already filling her eyes.
“It’s time, Leo. Are you ready?” She asked him, sizing him up like a boxer while patting her shoulders.
“Yes, I am” he took a dep sigh.
Leo glanced at the door, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t know what the future held, but he knew that he had to go through with this. He looked at William, who gave him a reassuring pat on the back, and he followed his mother out of the room.
As he walked down the aisle, he saw Rachel standing at the altar, looking stunning in her wedding gown. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of something in his chest. He didn’t know what the future held, but he knew that he had to try to make this work.
As Leo and William made their way to the altar, Leo couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach. He knew that William was not just speaking about revealing his face, but about baring his heart out to another person. He had never been one to open up easily, and the thought of having to do so with a woman he barely knew made him feel uneasy.
As they waited for the bridal train to come in, William turned to Leo and gave him a reassuring pat on the back.
“You got this, man. Just remember, she’s a catch. Anyone can see that.”
“I know, I know. It’s just… I’ve never been good at this whole emotional stuff. I don’t know if I can do it.”
William chuckled “Look, I know it’s not easy. But you’re going to have to try. That’s what marriage is all about, Leo. It’s about opening up and being vulnerable with another person. And I know it’s not going to be easy, but I believe in you. I know you can do this.”
Leo took a deep breath and tried to push away the feeling of dread. He knew that he had to go through with this, for the sake of his family and their reputation. But he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was making a huge mistake.
As Leo stood at the altar, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The wedding was a small affair, as per his mother’s request, with only close relatives and friends in attendance.
The reception, however, would have a wider range of guests. He tried to distract himself by looking around at the guests, but he found that he couldn’t focus. His mind was racing with thoughts of what was to come.
The organ music started to play and everyone stood to their feet as the bridal train made their way down the aisle. Leo’s eyes were fixed on the entrance, his heart racing as he waited for his bride to come in. He saw his mother, Rebecca, walking down the aisle, looking radiant in her designer gown. She gave him a reassuring smile as she took her seat.
Leo’s best man, William, leaned in and whispered to him. “Relax, man. You look like you’re about to jump out of your skin.”
“I can’t help it. This is all just so… overwhelming.”
“I know it’s not easy, but you’ll get through it. And before you know it, all this will be over.”
Leo tried to take William’s words to heart, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling of dread. He knew that this was not what he wanted, but he felt trapped. He was about to marry a woman he barely knew, all for the sake of his family’s reputation.
As the bridal train continued to make their way down the aisle, Leo finally saw Rachel. She was walking arm in arm with her father, and she looked absolutely stunning in her white gown.
As she made her way closer, Leo couldn’t help but feel a twinge of something in his chest. Was it attraction? Or was it something else? He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
As Rachel reached the altar, her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek and handed her off to Leo. He took her hand in his, and they turned to face the priest.
Leo’s mind was racing as he looked into Rachel’s eyes. He didn’t know what he was feeling, but he knew that this was not what he wanted. He knew that he had to go through with this, for the sake of his family and their reputation.