Infatuation Of Darkness

"Okay, so which one are you wearing first?" The make-up artist that had been specially called in, questioned Alexis when she saw the two wedding dresses. She looked appalled by the idea. 

"Well, the cape one is for the reception and the other is for the wedding." She happily answered. At least she was getting to wear wedding dresses without having her credit card carry the weight of two very expensive dresses. The only thing she had paid from her savings.

The woman looked a bit annoyed by the fact and she made no effort to hide it. "Well," she clicked her tongue making Alexis feel a bit conscious. The judgmental vibe could be felt. "I hope, I won't be called again, given the fact that I'm paid once."

Alexis felt insulted a bit. Why would say that to the bride? Wasn't she suppose to be at her beck and call? "I wonder why they did in the first place," Alexis snorted. The woman looked appalled by her words. 

"I can put on a primer, foundation, concealer and some bronzer on my face with some good neutral eye shadow without having a professional standing by my side. It's basic, also honey, you weren't called, you offered your services because you wanted to tell the world that you did my make-up." The woman looked like if she could cry and throw a tantrum, she definitely would if the most powerful families in the world weren't watching. And what Alexis said was true. She could put on makeup by herself, without anyone constantly giving her the directions for it. 

"Excuse me, I am-"

"I have no idea about who you are if that's your attitude. You have been employed for my wedding and it's my choice if I want to wear five wedding dresses or not." Alexis was sitting in front of the vanity and looking at the women through the mirror. But she got up and stared hard at the woman. She had annoyed Alexis to the level where she didn't want to see her face. "Leave. I can do my make-up without a professional. I have no intentions of being a clown with neon colours dancing on my eyes. Out!" Her chest heaved up and down. It was her wedding and no one was spoiling it for her.

The woman practically ran out as Nikita came in. "All okay?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. Alexis was pretty moody for her wedding. 

"Yes," she sniffed, sitting down with some force. "Am I acting like a... Normal bride?" She didn't want this marriage. Why was she pissed at everything then? She felt like a bridezilla and she hated bridezillas. 

Nikita huffed out a breath, "Earlier, if you remember, You had the sitting arrangement changed for nothing because, in the end, you said 'Just put everything where it was like before then you called the wedding planner and asked her to change the 'sequence' of the flowers on the tables and then this," she waved her hands around, "you made the makeup meanie cry." She moved around and stood behind her, looking at her through the mirror. "Honey, if anything, you're worse."

Alexis groaned loudly. Wow, for something I didn't want I sure am throwing a good tantrum. 

"Why?!" She felt more and more irritated by the passing minute. Why was it suddenly so hot in here? 

"I don't know," Nikita laughed. "You know the facts. I guess you're brain's catching up or maybe, you know that it's the reality and reality no matter what should be accepted."

Alexis looked at the mirror. They were at the church. Church; somewhere she didn't think she would have her wedding but then again, she didn't think of having a wedding. All Alexis thought was about her career then around somewhere in her thirties, she'd adopt a child and give 'em a good life. She didn't think of having a man in her life. They were useless and had too much work involved whereas a child needed the care. 

"Well," she cleared her throat, "how's it out there?" She changed the topic. Maybe the topic was depressing or the whole world was. 

"Fine but it's still family. Don't change into your dress yet since the guests would arrive after hours. You're early, brides usually take up hours and are late but you are on time." She smirked. "You might be the first one in generations." 

"Oh," she slouched. This was no fun. Wait for an hour or two. 

Nikita served her some coffee and started talking about the wedding. 

Hours had passed by in a hurry and Alexis had no idea how. She was three hours ahead of schedule once but now the guests had started arriving and she was sitting on a plush sofa while wearing her gown. She was still looking at the clock. Where had the time gone by? Nikita was still sitting in the room with her even after the girls who helped Alexis dress up had left. She was silent and Alexis appreciated that. The silence was helping her calm her nerves better than talking. 

A knock on the door had their attention in a second. Nikita looked at Alexis before getting up to reach for the door and immediately greeted the person and inviting them inside. She was respectful than her usual self. 

"Alexis," she spoke a little breathlessly, "this is The Don's Grandmother; Julia de'alessandro."

The woman did not look as warm or comforting as Isabelle did. Isabelle emitted a homely vibe that invited people to her, however, this one looked cold and calculating. Come to her and she would eat you raw. 

Alexis got up immediately and pulled on a formal persona. This woman was not here for being family with the facial expressions she had. "Good Afternoon," she greeted. "I hope you had no troubles with your travelling." Even if you did, I won't care. So, kindly don't complain.

She didn't say anything. She merely kept looking at Alexis. "Do you know what you are getting into?" Her voice was a bit croaky, the guess was because of her old age but it was still firm.

"To some extent, yes, but I haven't been told anything yet." Her voice didn't waver. She was holding on a strong front and Nikita was impressed.

She snorted. "They never do." She smiled a bit but the coldness in her eyes didn't change. "Ask what you want child, otherwise you might end up somewhere where knowledge is needed and you have none." The wisdom in her words was clear. Surely Alexis would take up on that.

"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you." She nodded with gratitude. Cold and calculating but she was helpful. The life she lived might have turned her into this. 

"Don't thank me yet, you have a lot to see." She moved a bit closer, "If you are scared by me then you have a lot coming when they include you in the business." She held Alexis's hand hers, "I hope they don't, for your sake. Now, jokes aside, let's talk business."

I'm sorry but they were jokes?

"If you ever cause any trouble of my Grandson, I will not hesitate to have you removed. You might have the power but I pull the strings." Her grip tightened on her hand, "You will be the wife he wants or I might help you in this whether you want it or not and you don't want that." She smiled again, this time her eyes had malice and promises of torture in them. They surely were twinkling because of them.

"Now, I will like to help you. Since you are not family yet, I shall give you a way out to avoid any further troubles. Nikita, Out!" The pitch of her voice immediately went higher when she asked Nikita to leave and both the young ladies flinched. Nikita looked torn but chose to obey and Alexis won't blame her too. She held the power in her hands and she was not afraid to use it. 

"Yes, Grandmother." She closed the door on her way out. Nikita felt like a traitor to leave Alexis alone with a vulture but she had to respect her too. So she chose the indirect option. 

"Alright then. There is a window," she walked to the sidewall and pulled open a window. "This is your way out. The only one you will ever get and you won't ever hear from me again." She walked to the door and stood by it, her eyes held sincerity. "If you choose to walk away, you walk away from everything but if you stay, you recite the vows by heart in the house of God. Do you understand, child?" Seeing Alexis nod, she went out and closed the door with a thud behind her.

Alexis slowly turned to the opened Window. For the first time here, she saw.. An opportunity to leave it all.