CHAPTER 3 Not his wife

(Alana)

After a tiresome ceremony, Mrs. Erin Romero brought me to the same room and gave me some refreshments and something to eat. I told her I wasn't hungry, but she was adamant; hence I had no choice but to take a few bites

“What's this…it's very neat…did you draw this,” she said while I was busy putting the suitcases properly. I glanced up and saw her holding my sketches

“Your mom gave these to me, she said they are important to you,” she said and started checking the designs, I was quick to get them from her, knowing I would burn them later

“Oh no, actually just some silly drawing,” I said and shoved them in the backpack

“They are beautiful, the necklaces go with the dresses… are you a designer?” She asked with interest in her eyes. I shook my head in denial

“No, it's…well, I get sometimes bored so…”

“I'm a designer myself, I know something beautiful when I see it… my husband runs a jewelry company, and it's now run by Ricardo…. Show the designs to Ricardo…he might need some new inspiration,” Erin said warmly and picked up more designs and handed them to me. I thanked her and took my sketchbook as well. I made sure to pack everything, later on, once I settled. Not only that, but I was going to burn everything

“These are just rough ones…nothing special,” these were some of the designs I made, so I could show any good company I'd get a job in. Unfortunately, now it was no use,

“See this, I'm sure it will look pretty on you… I bought so many for you to choose from,” Erin said cheerfully while showing me all the dresses she bought. After the wedding ceremony and all the congratulatory wishes from people. Erin dragged me back inside to get ready for the after-party. I was exhausted and the wedding dress I was wearing was too tight

“Any will do, “I said, not sure if I wanted to attend any party. It was in the evening. What scared me was nighttime. As a new wife, what was I expected to do?

“Nonsense dear… you only experience this one time…come on, let's pick a beautiful dress. You have a sexy figure so…this dress will do,” Erin remarked mischievously and showed me a red half-shoulder denim dress… her gaze and words had my cheeks burning from embarrassment, all my life I tried certainly to wear loose clothes. It was the only way I was comfortable, I didn't like wearing anything that outlined my figure

“Your brown hair is beautiful,” she said while styling my hair differently. I didn't understand why she was such a nice lady, even if I was angry, I didn't show it in front of her “now you are good to go, hurry and get ready and oh did I tell you…you'll be leaving tomorrow morning,” she added while rushing to get her purse and go, I was a little confused

“To…a different house?” I asked even if I knew I would have to leave with my husband

“No silly, to France…well, that's where your husband stays…in Paris,” Erin said, pinching my cheeks lovingly. I was utterly surprised, Paris. Likewise, I thought we were going to stay in Italy. That way I would see my parents. But it seemed fate was indeed being cruel to me

“You'll love it… I'll come back to get you, let me see the guests,” Mrs. Romero said with a warm smile and left the room. The door closed shut, and I turned toward the mirror.

“Paris,” I muttered the words, even if I was sad to leave my parents. Paris was my favorite city, the city of love. Other than that, Paris was the world fashion capital. The heart of fashion…many great designers came from. France. I always dreamed to be among such people,

I undressed and kept the wedding dress on the bed. Wore the red dress and some heels Erin gave me and decided to find the party room. So far, my parents brought all my belongings, I just had to say goodbye to them,

I left the room and walked down the passageway. I was a little confused because it was the first time I came here. They used a different route to get me to the room. Then later Erin used another one saying she didn't want people to see her

“Oh gosh, am I lost,” I was lost because I came to a place where there were many passageways and rooms. I was about to take the left when I heard voices. Mr. Armando's voice was one of them

“I did what you told me…now can I go in peace,” I heard a deep stern voice say, I recognized it at first, and it was Ricardo talking

“Our family is here, stay and celebrate this just like everyone else,” Mr. Armando said this time? It seemed they were discussing something private; hence I turned to leave but stopped

“I have work, I have an important meeting tomorrow morning… I can't stay here and waste my time over something useless,” Ricardo said, this time Armando frowned, not sure if his little brother understood what a wedding was

“Work can wait… you are the boss…why don't you postpone the meeting for another day… you just got married,” Armando remarked bitterly and elegantly sat down. He was irritated with Ricardo. After coming to his wedding late, he wanted to leave immediately

“My work is more important… all this is rubbish, if you think I'm going to tolerate this…then you are wrong,” Ricardo spat out bitterly. He came to the wedding and did as told. They wanted a wife, and he gave them a wife. He hated parties. The least they could do was let him go back to France and focus on his work

“Stop this now, I expect you to be a good husband even if you don't like the idea…do it for Santiago,” Armando said feeling frustrated, Ricardo didn't even bring Santiago to see his new mother all because he hated the idea of Santiago calling any woman his mother. The wedding was in the afternoon and Ricardo came the same day after threatening him

“I don't care, she's not my wife… she can stay here if she likes. I'm leaving,” Ricardo said coldly and turned to leave when Armando's next words stopped him. Turning around. Ricardo's expression turned cold

“You heard me, mom will be in Paris too watching you, if you hurt that girl… I'll forget who you are…do you understand me, Ricardo Romero,” Armando said in a dark tone and stood face to face with Ricardo? His gaze was dark and piercing that Ricardo stayed put. He didn't forget the black dragon, the mafia man before him. Ricardo knew any better than to say anything in front of Armando, knowing he was still a crazy mafia. it took time for Ricardo to finally accept he was a Romero too

“Be a good boy and don't let black dragon down,” Armando added with a smirk and patted Ricardo on the shoulders before walking out on him. Ricardo remained standing there contemplating what to do

“I'm.... I'm sorry, well” once Armando walked out of the room he nearly bumped into a woman, and it was Alana

“Are you okay?” Armando asked and let go of her. Alana but her lower lip and averted her eyes from him

“Y-Yes… well, I got lost… I was…” she didn't know what to do when she was caught eavesdropping…but she couldn't help it. It seemed even Ricardo was against the marriage…if so, then why did he agree to marry her…he was a grown-up and could have easily walked out when the priest

“Don't worry, Ricky is here,” Armando said with a smile just as Ricardo walked out of the room. And stopped when his eyes fell on the small lady before him. His wife

“Come on, show her around if you feel bored… I'll have the servants arrange your room and bring something to eat,” Armando said and left from there…as soon as he disappeared down the passageway. Ricardo ignored Alana completely, took out his phone and walked away, leaving her by herself.