The Croesus' Bride [Completed]

Laura Conti's POV

"Okay, chop everyone. I want all of the details perfect and our bride has to be PERFECT!" Antonio's voice was filling the room as he and his assistant were doing my makeup and hair. They even brought the gown from Milan to Finale Lìgure. I was shocked as they were doing stuff to my face and my hair as I have been sitting for hours. Now it was the peak of preparation when Antonio said the wedding will start in 30 minutes.

Everything was a blur. I was standing in front of the mirror to look at someone that I don't even recognize myself. The person was wearing natural makeup, a strapless, love-shape neckline lace wedding gown. I was amazed to see that my black hair was glossy and my violet eyes were shining. I have a glow that I don't even know I can do it.

"is everyone ready?" Kyle's voice filled the room as he entered the room. I turned to look at him, surprised that he even come to my wedding.

"Yes, everything is according to plan. Now, she is ready," Antonio said before he went out of the room with his assistance to give some privacy to Kyle and me. He sighed as he looked at me and hold my hands. He was wearing a black tuxedo and was very hot in it. I would want to know who can mend his heart.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry, Laura, fo everything that me and Marco that made your life complicated and hard. I am so sorry for never protected you when I am the oldest in the family. You ran away to Albania because of what happened to mum, I…" he stopped to take a deep breath. "I'm sorry," he said as he looked at me with his teary eyes. I smiled at him before we hugged. I already forget what he and Marco did when we were little. We were kids but Lucca has been there like a friend and a person that dear the most to me. heck, I even wanted to get to the aisle with him today!.

"it's okay, Kyle. Let's forget our past and mend our future together. I would never turn my back on my family. You guys were the ones that I have left," I said as I caress his cheek to wipe his tears.

"Mamma Mia! What have you done to my beautiful creation!" Antonio screamed as he saw us. I smiled awkwardly as he already instructed me to not mess my hair and makeup.

"oh, hush darling, let aunty Romano fix it for you. Now off you go," Antonio instructed Kyle to left me to do his work and move to the beach for our wedding.

I felt excited, nervous and want to vomit with all the feelings that were holding inside me at this moment. I can feel my cold feet and the butterfly in my stomach as I walked out of the room and Antonio instructed me to walk slowly and be ready at the end of the red carpet. I feel nervous all of sudden until Kyle stand next to me.

"relax, mia Sorella. Everyone will love you, especially the man you married today," he said smirking at me. I rolled my eyes at him as I punched lightly at him. He overacted with it. He such a drama queen.

"ugh, I am going to be sorry for Lucca to live with you for the rest of his life," he said before the wedding march began to play. I walked down the aisle with Kyle holding me steady. I was so nervous that I don't want to embarrass myself by tripping or rip my dress. Then, I focused at the end of the altar. And there he was, standing to wait for me to come and took my hands from my brother.

I can see that his best friend, Nathan White was the best man and Stella was my maid of honor. I was surprised that she kept this a secret from me. She smiled at me as I looked around for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. There were some familiar faces but most of them were people that I don't have a good connection with. I saw some people in the crowd, Mrs. Debaux and her husband, Tim and his wife and their baby. I smiled at them as I scanned the crowd again. Then I saw Lucca's side of the family.

I saw uncle Lorenzo smiled and Talia was waving at me. I waved back before I saw Aunty Sofia was looking at me. I smiled at her as I nodded at her. She did not respond to it, just looking ahead after looking at me walking down the aisle. When the music stopped as I stand in front of Lucca, I smiled at him when Kyle handed me over to him. He took my hand and brought me up on the podium. I was about to trip when he steadied me with his hand on my waist.

"You look beautiful," he whispered at me.

"you too, I mean, handsome as always," I said before the priest started to officiate the wedding. He was giving a speech before he went to the vows part. shit, I was not prepared for any of it. I just calm my nerves and spit whatever came to my mind.

"Lucca Giovanni, I have always known you when I was little. You enlighten my world as I was the only daughter in my family," everyone laughed, "I never realized that one day I would see you more than just a friend but a lover, husband and partner in good and bad, wealthy and poor, healthy and sick, until death took us apart but I hope it will not be soon," was the last vow I made before everyone laughed at my humor. I looked at Lucca as I was sure my love poured out for him in my eyes. Lucca smiled before he starts his vow.

"Laura Conti, you have always been in my heart since the first time I met you when we played until dusk as our mothers were worried," everyone laughed, "I saw you through the thick and thin of life as you became one of the most successful archeologists in Italy with your works renowned overseas. You are my angel, my love and my life as I could not bear the thought of you gone in my life again, not like those tragic days of your kidnapping, but all is well and I hope that you would grow old with me. Will you marry me, Laura Conti, not because of our benefits for each other, but for real love, this time?" He gets on one knee and the ring boy brought the matching pair of wedding bands. The crowd gasped as I was closing my mouth in shock.

"What do you say, marry me?" He asked as his hand was shaking by holding the ring. Tears were about to break down from my eyes. I was too stunned to talk as I just nodded at him and he slipped the ring into mine. He got up on his feet and kissed me on the lips. Everyone was clapping and applauding at us but I can only hear my heartbeat and his. We were so in the moment that I forgot to slip his ring. We broke the kiss and I took the ring before slipping it onto his ring finger. I smiled at Lucca as he kissed me again and lifted me and rotating. I was so happy at that moment that I forgot about all the trouble and the future that we will face together.

Later that evening, we were having a reception party at the ballroom of the hotel. Antonia Romano and his team did a very good job at it. We were having so much fun and we were eating a variety of food. There's seafood, vegan and vegetarian and of course for the meat lover as well. Our 3 layers of black forest cake and a huge New York cheesecake were presented at the center of the ballroom. Lucca lead me there as we need to cut the cake and photographed us. We have initiated the eating of the cake before the staff distributed it to the guest. I told Lucca that I needed to use the restroom. I was fixing my hair and makeup when Aunty Sofia was entering the restroom.

"I'm impressed, Laura. I don't think that you could ever take Lucca from me but you did," she said as she was applying the lipstick on her face. I was silent as she continued to downgrade me.

"You know, being a scientist will leave Lucca alone quite a lot. He will found someone else to replace you. I know I've tried before and Lorenzo asked me to stop being the scientist that I wanted to," she said as she looked at me with sad eyes. I did not know how to respond to that. She finished up before she went out. I did not know what came over me when I went after her.

"that's not true," I said making her halt in her walking, "if you love your partner, you should never ask them to change. I'm sure Lucca will understand," I said as some of the guests were eyeing us suspiciously. Aunty Sofia went to me and slapped me across the face.

"You whore, you are the same as your mother. Trying to get close to us because we were able to help you. You sicken me," she screamed at the top of her lung and now all the guests were looking at us.

"did you know that your mother was the cause of my cold marriage bed. You of all people should know that because you're her spawn," she said before she wanted to slap me. I was bracing myself for impact but the slap never came.

"enough, mother," Lucca said as he holds his mother's hand from came into contact with my face. I looked at Lucca before I tried to get away from the crowded people. I ran before I can hear Lucca's voice was calling after me.