The Convenient Wedding: a contemporary romance (The Rosa Legacy Book 3) (6 page)

She tried to remain calm but her emotions were spilling over. She couldn’t allow herself to marry for such practical reasons. She could feel her heartbeat accelerate and the thought crossed her mind that her emotions were going to be her downfall. He had no desire to build an emotional life with her. He was interested in what he could get out of the marriage in terms of political connections and voters.

He grimly faced her, saying “You have a choice to make, bella. Marrying me will give you protection from the media and the contacts to launch a successful business. But don’t think that you are marrying for love. Love won’t enter into it.”

She bit down on her lower lip and turned away from him. “I’m not under any illusions about the true nature of our relationship.” Lucia said. She was emotional and impulsive. Maybe entering into a loveless marriage would protect her. She had thought she was in love with Paul but it was one sided. His betrayal had crushed her.

“I have a few calls to make before your parents arrive.” Anderson turned and began walking away.

“I don’t know if I can marry you on those terms. I need more.” Lucia called after him.

Anderson stopped and came back to her. Lucia could see the displeasure radiating in his movements.

He looked at her unemotionally and said, “I can’t offer more. It’s who I am, bella.”

This time when he walked away from her, Lucia said nothing. He called her bluff and she would have to make a decision. She wanted to tell her parents the wedding was off when they arrived but it would bring other problems. The media had amplified the news of their wedding. Their photograph had been in every national paper and everywhere online. Backing out now, would cause a huge backlash. 

Arthur found her on the terrace a short while later. “I just heard from the limousine service that your parents will arrive in a few minutes.”

She smiled at him. They had developed a fast friendship over the last few weeks. His ability to put aside his grief and welcome her into his life surprised her. The entire charade was getting more complicated by the minute.

Arthur placed her hand on his arm and they walked to the foyer and chatted for a few minutes until she heard the limousine pull up to the house.

Opening the front door, she saw her father emerge from the polished black car and ran to greet him. For a few moments, there were warm embraces and pleasantries exchanged.

Lucia noticed Anderson and his father standing on the steps waiting to be introduced. She stepped away from her parents and stood next to Anderson. He held his hand out to her father and greeted both of her parents warmly. Arthur told them what a wonderful daughter they had. Lucia noticed the four of them instantly connected and the conversation flowed effortlessly.

Lucia glanced at Anderson and saw a fleeting look of challenge flicker across his face. Lucia thought unkindly he was playing the part of successful politician in winning over her parents. 

Arthur insisted on showing them to their room so they freshen up after the long flight. She had purposely let go of the earlier tension between herself and Anderson. But being alone with him brought the subject to the surface again.

“Your grandfather is joining us for dinner tonight?” Anderson asked.

“Arthur didn’t say he invited him.”

Anderson walked into the formal living room and asked, “My dad invited him. Would you like a glass of wine?”

“No, thank you.” She would need to keep her wits about her if her grandfather was coming. The tension between her father and grandfather was difficult to manage at times.

“I wish he hadn’t invited him. It would have been nice if my parents had a chance to get to know you and Arthur without the added stress.” Lucia was trying to select her words carefully but by the look of surprise on Anderson’s face she was not being diplomatic enough.

Anderson handed her a glass of sparkling water and said, “Arthur was probably trying to put them at ease by inviting him but I take it there is a rift?”

“They normally don’t have much contact.”

Anderson took a sip of his drink. “Why?”

Lucia went to stand by a window overlooking the side garden. How could she describe the bitter, resentful relationship without sounding disloyal?

“Lucia?” Anderson asked.

“They haven’t seen each other in years. The last time was my college graduation.”

“That surprises me.”

“They have never understood each other. When I was little, my parents would travel to Connecticut once a year to visit but as soon as I was old enough, I came by myself.”

Anderson gave her a blank look.

“My grandfather wanted my father to become an attorney and create a life here but he wanted to teach and escape a life lived under a microscope. Their political views are completely opposite and neither one will back down.”

He smiled at her. “It should make for an interesting evening.”

Arthur appeared in the doorway, “Lucia, your parents are lovely. I’m glad they were able to come early.”

The doorbell chimed in the distance and Lucia could feel the tension building in her spine.

Within minutes, her grandfather was seated in the formal living room and Anderson opened champagne.

He waited for her parents to come downstairs then handed each person a glass.

Arthur was the first to offer a toast, “To the joining of two families.”

Her father spoke next, “Yes, to Lucia and Anderson may you find happiness.”

Lucia tasted the champagne and concentrated on relaxing her shoulders and neck. It appeared her grandfather and father might were willing to put aside their differences for the evening and wish her well.

Over dinner, the conversation revolved around the wedding. Lucia noticed her grandfather and father while hardly speaking directly to each other, were not sparring either.

When dessert was served, her father asked Anderson, “What made you decide to enter politics?”

“I began my career as an architect. My first real job was working for a development company that had received funding for low income housing. I spent a number of years working in communities in New York combating urban blight until I was able to go out and start my own development company.”

Her father asked, “So you knew from the beginning you would run for office?”

Arthur laughed, “No, at that point Anderson didn’t feel a calling for public service but instead worked on amassing wealth.”

Anderson nodded. “It’s true. I was focused on material success. I spent the three years in Asia, mainly Hong Kong, investing in and managing large construction projects. It wasn’t until I returned to the U.S. and began seeing some of the problems I had ignored before. I never believed homelessness and poverty were part of the American dream.”

Lucia looked at her father. He was pleased.

Her grandfather said “Be careful son. You cannot change the world. Being elected to Congress will dampen your idealism like nothing else.”

Anderson nodded. “I realize I’m an outsider. I do have an agenda but I understand what you are saying in terms of deal brokering and compromise. I have honed those skills with each project I took on.”

Arthur stood up, “Why don’t we adjoin to the terrace?”

After an hour or so, her grandfather left and her parents excused themselves and said goodnight.

Arthur, Anderson and Lucia sat outside and the conversation turned to the election. At almost midnight, Lucia decided to call it an evening.

Lucia formally said “Goodnight” and thanked Arthur for hosting the dinner.

Anderson said, “Sleep well.” 

The next few days were chaotic as guests arrived and the celebrations were well under way. Her cousins, Isabel and Emilia, arrived the day before the wedding and kept saying how wonderful it was she had fallen in love and it was just like a fairytale. If anyone noticed the strain she was under they attributed it to last minute nerves and not unhappiness.

The morning of her wedding, Lucia woke early and went outside to the pool. The sun was rising and entire house was silent. Slipping into the pool, Lucia allowed the cool water to calm her nerves. She knew the marriage was a mistake but thought it was the best solution. She reminded herself to let go of her exuberance and impulsiveness. She needed to follow through and do the right thing for her family.

Climbing out of the water, she wrapped a towel around her body and thought about how different her life would be now. She would no longer be single and carefree, thinking only of herself. Her life would be a whirlwind of activity and social obligations and her role would be to present a certain image for Anderson. She walked back to the house, and vowed whatever happened after this day she would remain true to herself.

Lucia walked through the quiet house and was glad she had a few minutes to collect her thoughts before the rush of the day’s events. The housekeeper, Adeline, was already in the kitchen and greeted her warmly.

“Would you like breakfast in the dining room or on the terrace?” she asked Lucia.

“No, I’ll wait to later. Thank you.” Lucia poured herself a cup of hot coffee and added some cream. Taking a sip, she said “Your coffee is delicious.”

Lucia watched Adeline prepare a fruit salad and asked the older women, “Is it hard having so many guests?”

“It’s a joy having activity back in this house. For a long time it has been quiet, too quiet.”

Back in her room, she took a shower. The rest of the morning was spent with a hair stylist and make-up artist that came to the house. Lucia felt uncomfortable with all of the warm wishes and tried not to dwell on the fact that the marriage was a masterful deception. 

At two o’clock, everyone gathered on the terrace for photographs. Lucia had her hair put up in a sophisticated style with small white roses enhancing the look. She had chosen both of her cousins, Isabel and Emilia, to act as her matron-of-honors. Isabel had announced that she was a few months pregnant but was not showing yet. Lucia thought it was amazing that all three of them had married within a year of each other but then she reminded herself that she wasn’t marrying for love. 

Lucia glanced at her parents who were standing off to the side, holding hands and looking extraordinarily happy.

After a ton of photographs, the guests started arriving and she went to the library with her cousins while everyone else went outside to where the ceremony was to take place.

When the three of them went into the library, they found an open a bottle of champagne on ice and three glasses. Isabel poured two glasses of champagne and then just a tiny swallow for herself in the third glass.

They lifted their glasses in salute to Lucia, “I can’t toast with water. It would be unlucky. To my dear cousin, may you find joy and happiness.”

As they each took a sip of champagne, a feeling of despair settled over her. Lucia knew she was deceiving everyone closest to her in the hope that they would be spared the worry and humiliation of a scandal. Even though she smiled brightly and thanked them, she knew her cousins were worried. It was only ten weeks since they all assembled for a much different wedding in California that never took place.

When Lucia was waiting with her father, she caught a glimpse of Anderson. He was dressed in a traditional black tuxedo and was calmly talking to his best man. He looked relaxed and happy which was the exact opposite of what she was feeling.

Her father kissed her cheek before they slowly began the walk down the aisle. The wedding march was playing and all the guests turned happy faces to look at the bride. Lucia tried to smile but everything was happening in slow motion. She was plagued by an insane desire to turn and run as fast as she could away from the entire scene playing out in front of her.

But she stayed. The entire ceremony seemed like a blur until Anderson bent down and lightly pressed a kiss on her lips. His head blocked out the sun light for a moment and Lucia looked deeply into his eyes for reassurance but instead she saw triumph.

When they turned towards the applause and made their way down the aisle together, Lucia felt hurt. She needed him to understand how she was feeling.

They were kept busy with all the expected photographs and ceremonial activities until finally it was time to say goodbye and head off in a limousine.

Lucia was thinking of her families’ happiness and wondered if she should have placed so much trust in Anderson. She hugged her parents tightly and said goodbye to her cousins. She knew the entire façade of their marriage could come crumbling down as soon as one of them weakened.

The driver opened the door to the limousine and she was conscious of a photographer taking pictures. Anderson climbed in and shut the door. The car immediately glided forward and out of the front gate.

“Would you like another glass of Champagne?” Anderson asked.

“No, thank you.” 

Anderson settled back and opened his briefcase without another word to her. Lucia thought so much for the charming politician. But her anger only increased when she realized she had no idea where they were heading. Her pride stopped her from asking him about their honeymoon, instead she pretended a bored indifference.