1 Chapter 1

The sun shone through the stain glass window of the small room in the back of the church. Alessandra sat staring at the clock on the little desk. She watched the second hand tick by and thought about how her life was about to change. She could hear her heart beating in her head, her palms becoming sweaty. She began ran her tongue across her teeth a nervous habit that she had yet to break. A small knock on the door made her jump in her seat.

"Come in," she called adjusting her hair slightly. Her older brother, Leon, cracked open the door.

"You decent," he asked.

"Yes, Leon, I wouldn't have told you to come in otherwise." Alessandra relaxed back into her chair. She could be herself around Leon, no judgement ever passed between them.

"Sooooo, how ya doing kid?" Leon ran his hand through his hair, his nervous tick.

"I'm fine," Alessandra said honestly. She was never one to feel too much emotion, she liked using her head better. There wasn't any point in getting upset about something you couldn't change so why bother with it.

Leon looked like he wanted to say something else but didn't know how. He kept picking at his tie, or the sleeves of his jacket, the flower that was on his lapel, nothing seem comfortable on him with how much he was fidgeting with it.

"Leon.." Alessandra began, but he cut her off.

"Marco has the car around back. If you don't want to do this, you don't have to we will figure something else out, we always have. You don't have to marry this guy."

Alessandra took a deep breath before standing up to face her brother. He was almost a foot taller than her and probably double in size. But when it came to his sister he was wrapped around her little finger.

"Yes I do Leon. It's a contract. Marco already said there is nothing he can do to reverse it. I promise I will be okay." She held his hands tightly, trying to get him to understand this is what had to happen. Besides this was for the best, after what has happened to her in the past, Alessandra had given up on any chance to be happy so what difference did it make if she was going to marry a complete stranger.

"You don't even know the guy!" Leon shouted before turning away from her. "If dad knew..."

"Do not bring dad into this," Alessandra warned.

"But if he did, there is no way in hell he would let you go through with it and I'm not going to let you either. As the eldest I am the head of the house and I am not going to pimp you out for some debt, I'll go talk to them."

"Leon, stop! Talking was already tried. Negotiations were already exhausted. This is going to happen whether you, or Marco, or dad, or myself like it. Now you can either walk with me and support me or you can leave, but I can not deal with the fighting right now." Alessandra sat back down in her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose to stop the headache that was coming on.

Leon was silent for a moment before clearing his throat, "Then I guess I better go have a few words with your husband to be. Better be ready its 1." He shut the door behind him as he left. Alessandra could tell he was mad, but she was serious, she couldn't deal with the fighting today. She leaned her head back and groaned. I just want this day to be over, she thought to herself.

She looked at the clock again, he was right, it's 1:03. In 57 minutes she would be married. If you asked 2 years ago she would have laughed. She was just starting out, she worked her butt off to get to college and she wasn't going to give that up for anything. But here she is, 20, sitting in a white, lace dress ready to go back on the promises she made herself years ago.

She stood up to look at the dress in the full-length mirror. It was a gorgeous dress and no doubt more expensive than what one year salary would cover. It was form fitting, but not too tight, it showed off what curves she had in classy way. The fabric that touched her skin was a soft silk in a creamy ivory. A traditional lace was placed over top of the whole gown that made it look timeless and elegant. The bodice of the dress had off the shoulder sleeves that went to the elbow, in the same lace. The neckline was just high enough to cover her cleavage but not enough to make her look like a nun. Throughout the lace there was little embellishments here and there, just enough to give it some sparkle. What Alessandra really loved was the back. The buttons were made of pearls that went the whole length down the dress and cathedral train.

It really was a beautiful dress, but she would have never picked it. She didn't see a point in spending so much on a dress that would only be worn once. Also, it wasn't her style but then nothing about this wedding was.

First off, she wasn't Catholic, she would never have her wedding in a Catholic church. She probably wouldn't even have one in a Christian church, she always wanted her wedding outside. Secondly, there would not be 500 people attending her wedding, maybe 50. Lastly, she wouldn't be wearing any of the things she was wearing now. The shoes were silver glitter she would want somethingmore simple in a smaller heel, the jewelry she was wearing, no matter how expensive it was. held no value to her. She wished she could be wearing her grandmother's pearls like her mother wore on her wedding. More importantly she wished she could wear the ring her father had given her. But it was yellow gold and it didn't "match" any of the white gold according to the person that dressed her.

She looked at the ring on the desk. Just a simple gold band. It could easily be looked over by anyone. Nothing flashy about it, simple, just like she liked it. Her father knew her better than anyone, especially when it came to what she liked and didn't like. She wanted to cry, knowing that he wouldn't be the one to walk her down the aisle, but what could she do, he wasn't here.

She slipped the ring onto the ribbon that held her flowers in place before tying it securely to the bouquet. Even if she couldn't wear it she was going to keep it close to her heart.

She looked at the clock, 2pm on the dot. She went to go for the door, but someone beat her. Leon and Marco stood before her dressed in their Sunday best. Leon had a serious expression like always, he wasn't even going to try and hide his distain for this wedding. Marco on the other hand, tried to look happy, but his normal goofy smile was replaced with a stiff, forced one.

Alessandra sighed and said, "Let's do this," as she wrapped her arms around each brother's arm.