Something is wrong with my Wattpad so if you find the chapters not in order then please understand that my Wattpad is probably high.

If it happens again, I am gonna cry.

Also, give me sixty comments and I will give you a double update at 5 pm IST.

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CHIARA

(Age Eighteen)

Trying to calm myself, I scrolled through the messages exchanged between Ezekiel and me this morning.

'Not thinking of running away, are you?'

'Oops. How did you find out?'

'Funny. You better not. Or I will find you from any corner of the world and it won't be pretty.'

'Wow, you sound desperate to marry me.'

'I don't like being left at the altar, fiancee. Embarrass me and I will make you regret marrying me.'

'Don't worry, I am already regretting and we are not even married yet. The future looks promising to me.'

'Obey and respect me and you will have a peaceful life.'

'🖕🏻'

It was fair to say he didn't message me after that.

"Ready?" Dad asked softly coming to stand beside me.

I slipped my phone inside the pocket of my wedding dress and sighed. "No."

Guilt flashed across his face and he pressed a kiss to my temple. "Everything's going to be okay. Let's go now."

Nodding, I hooked my arm into the crook of his elbow and the gates of the church swung open as we stepped inside.

It was a traditional church wedding with lots of guests from both Dad's and Uncle's sides.

I sucked in a sharp breath as my eyes fell on Ezekiel standing at the altar, wearing an all-black tuxedo, his hair was slicked back with just a single strand of it falling over his forehead.

He stood with his hands clasped in front of him and his eyes clashed with mine, the intensity in them made my breath hitch.

I felt conscious of myself, I wanted to know what he was thinking, I wanted to know if he thought I was looking beautiful or not.

Wait. I am looking beautiful. I don't need his opinion.

Or maybe I do...

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realise that we have already reached the altar and I Stumbled over the steps, my dress got stuck in between my feet and in the most embarrassing way, I fell forward.

Ezekiel grabbed my shoulders just in time and steadied me, making me stand in front of him, still holding his hand.

My cheeks burnt with embarrassment and when I looked at him, he had that pained expression on his face as if he couldn't believe what he was getting himself into.

"You are going to turn my life into a disaster." He shook his head slightly, sighing heavily.

"Of course." I snapped back. "You should have thought twice before marrying me."

He cocked his head, pursing his lips. "Maybe you should have run away as you planned."

"And maybe you should have died. It would have been the best fucking day of my life." I retorted.

His eyes narrowed and he looked seconds away from killing me.

'The bride dies in an unfortunate incident as her groom stabs her to death on the altar.'  I could imagine the headlines.

Someone cleared their throat loudly and I glanced at Marcelo who was glaring at us, standing along with Silvio and Cyrus as they were the groomsmen.

Right. Marcelo already gave me a long-ass lecture on not arguing with Ezekiel today. Fine.

I rolled my eyes and the priest started the ceremony.

We said our 'I dos' and as the priest announced us as husband and wife and told Ezekiel to kiss me, my breath stuttered.

I should have thought about this, it was inevitable.

My eyes zeroed in on his lips which looked too plum and luscious to be true and my throat felt dry, my tongue darting out to lick my lips.

Ezekiel took a step forward, looking unfazed by the idea of us kissing and wrapped his arm around my waist.

When I attempted to step back, his grip tightened around me and with no effort, he pulled me flush against him, my palms pressing against his chest.

I gazed up at him and gulped when I found him staring at my lips and he leaned in close until his hot breath fell on my cheeks.

My eyes fell closed, his warmth comforted me, and I relaxed against him.

Here's goes my first kiss.

And then with a tenderness that I didn't know he possessed, his lips grazed mine in a feathery kiss, just for a millisecond.

His warmth disappeared instantly and I opened my eyes and found everyone clapping and cheering. 

"Don't kiss me again." I discreetly licked my lips as if trying to feel how it felt like.

He rolled his eyes and brushed some nonexistent dust off his sleeves. "Don't flatter yourself. It was out of formality."

Whatever.

Keeping his arm around my waist, he led me down the altar, this time making sure I didn't trip.

We were soon surrounded by our families and Uncle kissed my forehead, welcoming me to the family.

Cyrus looked too excited, it was as if he got married himself and couldn't stop talking.

"You are looking so gorgeous, babe", he said to me, grinning.

At least someone complimented me. I smiled at him. "Thank you, Cyrus."

He grabbed my hand and lifted it to kiss it but before his lips could make contact with my hand, Ezekiel grabbed his wrist.

"What the fuck?" Cyrus looked at him in confusion.

Ezekiel's grip on his wrist tightened until Cyrus released my hand. "I think Mom is looking for you," Ezekiel spoke calmly, gesturing to where Lorelei stood at a distance.

"But..."

"Go."

Giving his brother a pointed look, Cyrus walked away.

"What was that?" I questioned.

"What?" He questioned back nonchalantly.

I sighed in exasperation. He is going to test my patience.

.
.
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"I don't remember signing up for this," Ezekiel grumbled, narrowing his eyes at the photographers who were telling us to pose.

"What's the point in having a wedding if you don't even click some pictures?" Uncle said, patting him on his back.

"Right." Cyrus chirped in. "What will you show your children when they will ask for your wedding pictures?"

"Shut up!" Ezekiel gritted making Cyrus grin.

My cheeks flushed. Children. Just the thought of having children with him makes me feel weird. So, yeah, I don't see us having any kids shortly or ever.

"Come on, it's not a big deal." Dad urged us both, gently pushing us in the direction of the photographers.

A backdrop of flowers was already set up and we were made to stand in front of it as we started with simple pictures first.

"Closer", the man assisting the photographer, told us.

I could see Ezekiel rolling his eye before he shifted closer to me making my shoulder brush against his bicep.

As per the further instructions, he placed his arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his side.

I stared straight at the camera, ignoring how I perfectly fit into Ezekiel's side. The cameraman soon lowered his camera and frowned.

Ezekiel cut a glance at me and pinched my waist. "Smile, wifey."

I placed my arm around his waist and pinched him back while smiling at the camera. "Don't call me that, hubby."

He pinched me again and I managed to maintain my smile as our picture was taken. "Don't pinch me, wifey."

"You started it." I shot back.

The photographer lowered his camera and got busy making sure he took the pictures right and we both relaxed.

"Jesus, we just got married and you are already giving me a headache." He complained.

"Which is nothing compared to the headache you are giving me."

"Stop it." We heard Marcelo hiss as he stood on the sidelines along with everyone else, glaring at us. "You both are making a scene."

Ezekiel sighed and didn't say anything else for the time being, we both became silent and got our pictures clicked. 

Thankfully, Dad intervened when we were asked to kiss for a picture and he told the photographer that we both are too shy for that and we settled on a forehead kiss.

With his arms around my waist and my arms around his neck, Ezekiel pressed his lips to my forehead and I closed my eyes as per the instructions.

We were done with the pictures soon and as the photographer and his assistant left, we both stepped away shooting each other a glare.

"Okay, now, it's selfie time!" Cyrus exclaimed, bringing out a huge ass selfie stick on which he fitted his phone.

"Isn't that too big?" Marcelo pointed out.

A stupid grin formed on Cyrus's face and he winked. "That's what she said."

Ezekiel rolled his eyes while Marcelo groaned in exasperation, Silvio looked amused except for Lilith who looked confused and looked to Silvio for an explanation which he didn't give.

Our parents had gone to entertain the guests so it was just us as Cyrus told us all to pose.

Cyrus grinned widely, holding the selfie stick, I stood behind him, a small smile on my face, Ezekiel right beside me and behind us. Silvio and Lilith stood hand in hand followed by Marcelo who raised his glass of champagne towards the camera as if toasting.

He clicked a few selfies until he was satisfied then continued to brag about how he should have been a photographer since he clicks such good pictures.

Overall, my wedding was a fun-filled one if you minus my husband.

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I was on my way to my new home.

The silence in the car was deafening as we both sat as far as possible with Ezekiel busy on his phone.

I was married. A wife now. I don't even know what responsibilities I will have. 

He did tell me that he won't force me to do anything but still as his wife, I am expected to sleep with him, ain't I?

Nerves formed a knot in my stomach and I anxiously bounced my leg up and down, chewing on my lips as I tried to focus on the buildings whirling past us.

Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe I should call Dad and ask him to pick me up. 

I continued bouncing my leg until a warm hand landed on my knee, halting my movements.

I snapped my head to it and then to Ezekiel who was still on his phone but he kept his palm over my knee giving it a light squeeze as if assuring me.

And just like that, everything was alright.