Tessa's POV
"Where is that bastard!" I yelled, "Let me through"
I screamed at the security guy, pushing through him.
"Don Pedro or whatever you call yourself, You can't keep her from me!" I shouted as I burst through the wrought-iron gates.
I slapped the foolish guard when he tried to touch me.
"Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me"
I had come to the Lorenzo estate with one purpose—to see my dear Aunty Nora and get her the fuck out of there.
But before I could reach the main entrance, two large men in dark suits stepped forward, blocking my path.
"Miss Moretti," one of them said in a flat tone, "you are not allowed beyond this point."
I was taking aback, trying to keep my voice steady, narrowing my eyes as I looked up at them. "I'm here to see my aunt. Now step aside."
They exchanged a look, one of them spoke into the wireless talkie he was holding, I could barely hear what he said, but he gave his colleague a signal and before I could protest further, one of the men seized my arm.
I jerked, my heart thumping, "Let go of me!"
I struggled, kicking and cursing, but they were unyielding.
"Miss Moretti, you must come with us," the other guard added, his voice lowering into a whisper.
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded, struggling fiercely against their grasp. I could feel their nails digging into my flesh. "You are hurting me!! I just want to see my aunt!"
"No arguments," one of them replied. "You will have to follow our instructions."
My heart raced as they dragged me across the lawn. What were they going to do to me?
I tried to scream, "I demand to see her!" but my words were drowned by the sound of my own frantic heartbeat.
I was almost out of breath. Struggling in between ragged gasps for air as I screamed along the way with them.
I was forced into the back of a waiting car, the interior was frigid. One of them sat in front, while the other sat behind me.
What's going on? What had happened to my Aunt?
The door slammed shut, and as the car sped away, I pounded on the window, shouting, "Let me out! I need to see my aunt!"
Inside the car, I could only hear the muffled voices of the guards talking into their talkie.
I felt utterly helpless, a kind of helplessness that had me hyperventilating.
Who would do such a thing?
It wasn't long before the car came to a halt, and I was roughly pulled out onto a paved driveway with flowers on both sides.
I looked up in horror to see the façade of a building—a church, its tall roof top reaching towards the sky.
Good Lord, what are we doing in a church?
It better not better not be what I am thinking, God lord help me!
I struggled free for a moment, managing to shout, "What is this? I'm not coming in there!"
But before I could make sense of my surroundings, I was pushed inside the building.
Inside of the church was cool, quiet, very different from the storm of emotions brewing me, beads of sweat taking a field trip down my face.
The benches were arranged in neat rows, all empty. But they were a comforting companion to the loneliness I was feeling as I looked around, begging them for help.
At the front of the sanctuary, near the altar bedecked with white roses and candles, stood a man in black suit.
When I had walked, half way to the hall, he turned.
It was the monster, his dark eyes met mine, and a smile—one that sent a chill down my spine—curved his lips.
Oh goodness!!! Oh my good lord.
"Welcome, Tessa," he said softly. "I've been expecting you."
He was wearing a smile that irritated all the way. I could swear that he enjoyed what he was seeing.
"Don Pedro," I spat, my voice trembling with anger and disbelief as I walked towards him. "What is this? Where is my aunt?"
He stepped forward leisurely, as if enjoying every moment of my distress. Oh he enjoyed it.
He was having a field day.
"Your aunt is safe, Tessa, but her well‐being, as you might say, is dependent on your cooperation."
I took a step back, my hands balling into fists.
"I'm not your subject and wont be cooperating with you on anything. I want to see my Aunt, and I won't leave until I do."
Don Pedro's smile widened, "Oh, mi corazon, you misunderstand. I have arranged a little ceremony here today. A wedding, if you will. And until you say those two little sweet words—I do—you will not be allowed to see your aunt."
I stared at him in disbelief. "You expect me to marry you?"
He inclined his head, his tone matter-of-fact. "Yes, Tessa. You will say 'I do' and become my wife in the eye of God and not just on paper, and only then will your dear aunt be released into your care."
"Oh so you regard, God"
"Absolutely not!" I cried, my voice breaking. "I will never marry you. I am not your bride, and I will never be yours."
A murmur of laughter rippled from somewhere near the entrance. My heart pounded as I turned to see people walking into the church, all dressed in white.
Were they here for the wedding?
I turned to him.
"Who are these people?"
"Parishioners, Associates and friends, a few people here to witness our wedding" he said.
I could neither escape nor comprehend.
"Listen carefully, Tessa," Don Pedro said lowering his head, taking a step closer until we were nearly face to face. "I understand that you have feelings, that you value your freedom and your family. But you must realise that you are already in my world now. Your aunt's health, your safety—everything depends on your submission. Say those words, and I will ensure that Aunty Nora is cared for. Refuse, and you will not like the outcome of what I might do."
I took a deep, shuddering breath. "I'm not marrying you," I insisted, voice firm despite the terror rushing through my body. "I'd see to it that you rot in your miserable existence."
Don Pedro's eyes flashed.
"Why do you even need my permission when all you do is take and take and take!" I said.
"This is different!"
I looked around, seeking any sign of help, any escape, but the church was as good as empty because non of these faces looked familiar. Not even my aunt. My eyes searched the congression for her.
My pulse raced as I pleaded, "Please, Don Pedro, let me see my aunt. I beg you—I just want to see her."
He shook his head slowly. "I'm afraid that is not possible, Tessa. Not until you agree. You see, the arrangements have been made already mi corazon: the church is our venue, the priest has been paid in full, and every detail has been attended to. All that is left is your consent."
The priest came out from a door side the altar, dressed in white.
I glanced toward the altar where he stood silently, his eyes downward, as if he was resigned to the situation.
I wanted tempted to beg him for help. But he looked helpless already.
My heart battered with anguish. "You can't force me to marry you!" I cried "I will never be your wife!"
Don Pedro leaned forward and pulled me into an embrace, his deceptive scent clouding my nostrils with his smile that sent shivers down my spine.
"Ah, Tessa, people are watching you, turn those beautiful tears into a smile. It's already enough embarrassment that you are wearing a cheap outfit unfiting for a Lorenzo bride" He started, "you speak of freedom and love as though they are privileges you can simply choose to have. But in life, choices are made for you, especially when you are in my debt."
IThe thought of being forced into a marriage with this man was a mental struggle I could not fathom.
"Please," I whispered, turning my eyes toward the priest, as if seeking some divine intervention. "There has to be another way."
The priest looked up at me. "I am but a servant of God, Lady Tessa. "
"But this is a fucking working day, a Friday, I am not even dressed as a bride" I protested.
"If I cared about you wearing a dress, I would have gotten you one" he said.
Just then I heard a voice behind me.
"I brought a dress!" the lady softly echoed from where she was, a dress in hand and her purse.
"Good Morning Brother!" She said, going to hug Don Pedro, kissing him on both side of his cheeks. Then she turned to me.
I was speechless. I could swear this monster did not have any woman in his life, but he has a whole sister.
"Sister in law! I am so sorry I am meeting you under this crazy circumstance", she said, holding me softly by the arm. "Please come with me let's get you dressed up"
I was too speechless to even mutter a word. One of the body guard had tried to come with us.
"Brother call my dogs to back off" she said with a smile, Don Pedro agreed. "We are going to take just five minutes"
I let her lead me away.