Last Chapter.

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MARCELO

"Your ideas are stupid so shut up." I scolded Cyrus.

"Please, do you have any better ideas? We need to get Orla back because her presence actually made you less grumpy."

"If I had to kidnap her, I would have done that already."

"Yeah, why aren't you doing that?"

"Exactly." This time even Silvio agreed.

Sighing, I went back to solving the cube. A new one this time after I threw that one out. I don't need to keep any reminders of Julian.

Everyone knew about Julian so when I told them the truth, they all were shocked but they agreed that it was the right thing to kill him.

Cyrus's phone went off with a notification and he sighed. "Why do I get a notification every time there is someone new at the door? What am I? A gatekeeper?"

"Who is it?"

Cyrus pulled up the CCTV footage and frowned. "It's...Orla's brother." He kept staring and added, "Could be a trap maybe..."

A trap? Maybe.

But Orla told me once that among her family, he is the only sensible one and someone who cares for her.

"Bring him in. I want to talk to him."

"Now, don't be ridiculous." Cyrus said, "What if he is carrying weapons?"

"Then go check him." I gestured to the door.

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Come on, Sil, let's go see why he is here."

Silvio followed Cyrus out of the door leaving me alone and I pulled up the CCTV footage on my phone.

Seconds later, Cyrus approached Arnaud and talked to him and he showed him a white envelope and said something after which he was checked for weapons before he was led inside.

That envelope reminded me of that day when Orla gave me that letter asking me to give her a chance.

Best fucking decision I ever made.

A minute later, the door to my office opened and Arnaud walked in with Cyrus behind him but I gestured for him to leave us alone.

I leaned forward in my chair. "How's Orla?"

"She sent you a message. This was the only way of contacting you." He slid the envelope towards me.

I told him to take a seat before I opened the envelope and started reading her letter.

"I hope you are doing okay because I am fucking not.

I managed to convince dad to not go after you but it came at a cost of me getting married to some stranger. These past few days have been really hard for me, Marcelo.

They are getting me married this Sunday and that's the last thing I want. Maybe I should have run away with you. They really don't care about me, about my happiness. My happiness lies with you. I don't want to marry anyone but you.

Please, do something. I know I told you I will manage everything but I failed. Just get me out of here now.

You know, I even said that I might be pregnant because I just felt like that but after I was forced to take five pregnancy tests, it turned out I wasn't and I swear I was so disappointed but at the same time I am glad because they would have forced me to abort it.

I don't even know what I am saying...just do something. I was going to run away tonight and come to you but Arnaud offered a better solution.

I hope this letter reaches you.

I love you.
And I love your accent too."

I resisted the urge to shred the paper into pieces as soon as I read about her being forced into a marriage.

"You better do something, I don't wanna see her crying anymore. She has never cried so much. Mom even slapped her the other day and dad was going to hit her too had I not intervened." Arnaud spoke, tapping his finger on the desk, as soon as I finished reading.

Fucking hell. I might just break her mother's hand for slapping her.

I rubbed my temples. "Thank you for looking after her, Arnaud. I really appreciate it."

He shrugged. "What are you going to do now? What's the plan? We don't have much time. There is no way she can run away so we have to figure something else out."

"What's the venue for the wedding?"

"I don't know. Dad is keeping everything a secret, he didn't even tell me the venue."

Fuck.

I pulled open my drawer and took out two burner phones and gave it to Arnaud. "Give one to her and keep the other with yourself. They have my number, ask her to talk to me and then you will contact me about whatever information you can gain about the wedding. The venue, the attendance, the security, everything. Do you understand?"

He nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll let you know."

"Can I trust you with protecting Orla in the meanwhile?"

"I have been protecting her the past few days so yeah."

I already liked this boy.

"Good."

"I am going to leave before dad suspects anything. What should I tell Orla?"

"Just ask her to call me." I pointed to the phone.

"Okay." He pocketed those phones and he bid his leave.

Cyrus and Silvio soon entered my office, looking curious. "What's going on?"

I smirked. "Get your tuxes ready. We have a wedding to attend."

.
.
.

ORLA

I stared at the burner phone Arnaud gave me.

I was so happy when he told me that he was able to meet with Marcelo and now I had a way to talk to him.

So at midnight, when I knew everyone must have gone to sleep, I dialled Marcelo's number and pressed the phone between my ear and pillow.

He picked up on the third ring. "Orla?"

I closed my eyes, hearing his voice made me emotional and my voice shook when I spoke, "M-Marcelo?"

"Mia amour, I am so fucking sorry."

"What for?"

"For not being able to be there for you."

"No..." I said softly. "Please, it was my idea. I...just..." Tears fell from my eyes and I tried holding back my sob.

"Bella, are you crying?"

A small sob left my mouth and for the next minute, I kept crying over the call.

"Listen to me, Orla. You are stronger than this. You can't let this break you, hmm? I am going to fix everything, just trust me, my little spitfire."

When my cries didn't subside, he cursed, "Fuck. Don't cry, baby."

"I want to be with you. I want to hug you..." I cried softly.

"You will very soon. I will get you out of there. I give you my word, you will not marry whoever that asshole is, okay? I would never let you. So, be assured of this but I need to act like you are right now, I don't want anyone to suspect anything."

"Okay..."

"Now, stop crying. Take a deep breath."

I did as he say and wiped away my tears.

"You won't cry again, will you?" He asked sternly.

"No." I sniffled.

"That's my good girl."

I smiled on hearing that and snuggled more into the pillow. "Can I call you tomorrow again?"

"You can call me anytime, bella."

"Okay, but you might have to buy me a new and proper phone when we meet."

"I'll buy you the fucking world, Orla. Your wish is my command. Now sleep, little spitfire."

"Goodnight, Marcelo."

"Goodnight, Orla. I love you."

"Love you too."

.
.
.

It was my wedding day.

I was all dressed up in the wedding dress mom chose for me but too bad such a good dress would go to waste because I trust Marcelo, he is not going to let me marry any stranger.

But I was also kinda freaking out cause I was going to walk down the aisle already, my arm hooked into dad's elbow.

I looked around and met Arnaud's eyes and he gave me an assuring look.

Soft music started to play and I walked down the aisle to the altar where my so-called groom stood.

He was just a few years older than me and by the looks of him, he looked like an innocent man but it was evident that he was also being forced into this marriage considering how he had a bored look on his face.

Dad gave my hand in his and he made me stand in front of him.

Fuck. Where is Marcelo?

The priest was about to start the ceremony and panicking, I looked at Arnaud who gave me a nod, and mouthed, one...two...three...

A loud gunshot boomed through the church.

Everyone's head snapped to the church's entrance and I watched with wide eyes as Marcelo walked in casually, wearing a tux and Silvio and Cyrus and Ezekiel followed behind him, all dressed up.

What is going on?

Behind them was a huge group of his men, all carrying guns and dad shot from his seat and started to shout some orders but surprisingly none of his men stepped out. It was as if they had all disappeared.

Among Marcelo's men, I noticed his sister and parents and even Lilith. Why are they here?

Marcelo's eyes clashed with mine and he gave me a dashing smile and walked up to the altar.

Cyrus smiled at me too as he reached me. "Hello, babe. Miss me?"

I was too shocked to reply and Silvio grabbed my groom and pulled him aside and shoved him to one of his men and dragged him out of there.

My mouth was hanging open and Marcelo took the place of the groom and held my hand. "Will you marry me?"

"What?" I chuckled, not able to believe what was going on.

I glanced to see that the groom's family who was sitting in the front row were all replaced by Marcelo's family. And Silvio, Cyrus and Ezekiel took the place of groomsmen.

My parents were currently being held back by his men.

"Marry me?" He asked again.

"Yes. Of course, I'll marry you."

He turned to the priest who looked so confused. "Begin."

It took the priest one glare from Marcelo to begin the ceremony.

I couldn't care less what the priest was saying, I was busy processing what all just happened.

It all felt like a dream as we said our 'I dos' and Cyrus handed us a pair of rings and we exchanged them.

"...you may now kiss the bride."

Marcelo grabbed my waist and tugged me to him and grabbing the nape of my neck, titled my face.

"Hello, wife." He whispered against my lips with a smile and pressed our lips together.

Tears of happiness rolled down my eyes as I kissed him desperately after so many days.

We are married. Oh God, I can't believe this.

Despite what we both wanted, we kept the kiss short and chaste and smiling, we pulled back.

The church was engulfed in silence. All my parents' guests were in shock.

Cyrus glanced around in displeasure and simply pulled out his gun and fired a shot in the air. "Clap."

The church was immediately filled with applause and I couldn't help but chuckle and bury my face in Marcelo's chest.

"Thank you. I didn't know you would do this but I am so glad you did."

He dropped a kiss on my head. "I thought why not take advantage of the situation."

"Now...as per the tradition..." Cyrus announced and walked over to stand in front of us with Silvio and all their men present there.

Perplexed, I watched as they all simply went down on their knees and bowed their heads at us.

"Whoah," I exclaimed. "I feel like a queen."

Marcelo looked proud. "You are. My queen. Now that you are married to me, you are like a queen to them. They will show you the same respect they have for me. You are their new queen now."

He grazed his lips over my forehead. "We are going to rule this kingdom, my queen."

Wow. Okay, that's flattering.

They all were still bowing so I said, "Um...thank you...? You all can get up now."

They all stood up instantly and all the men took their positions.

"What now?" I whispered.

Marcelo intertwined our fingers together and led me down to where my parents were.

Arnaud was grinning and I pulled him into a hug.

"I should kill you for what all you did, not to me, but to my wife." Marcelo said to dad, "But for peace's sake let's consider this marriage as a permanent Alliance between us."

Dad's face was all red with anger as he glared at us and then his gaze slid to Arnaud and he realised that he helped us.

He was about to take a step towards him but Marcelo pushed him back. "Arnaud is under my protection now. Hurt him and I will declare war."

With that, he turned to Arnaud and ruffled his hair before leading me to his parents and introducing me to them.

They turned out to be sweet and they accepted me happily. Chiara and Lilith were more than happy.

"Never did I imagine my wedding day to be this chaotic," I mumbled to Marcelo as everyone got busy with the drinks.

"And never did I imagine getting married to such an amazing woman." He shot back.

I blushed and playfully hit his chest. "Stop flirting."

He tugged me closer. "I think as your husband I do have the right to flirt with you."

"Maybe."

He chuckled softly and cradled my face in his palms. "Ready to go home, wife?"

"Yes, my husband." And I kissed him.

Written and published on: 19/3/23