Page 13 of Something Old

I don’t utter another word until Marco leaves. I don’t even say goodbye to the man.

Then I turn towards my father, fuming with rage. My fists clenched at my side.

“What the hell was that. You blindsided me and you know it.” I snap.

He doesn’t even flinch. He was expecting this - which makes me even more angry about it.

“Masaccio, you have to marry one day. May as well be now.”

“No, not that girl. Get Celso to marry her. Tuomo, Rufino - any of them - I really don’t care. Just not me. I have too much to do. I don’t have time to get married and deal with that shit.”

My father turns towards me with his brows knotted and his eyes narrowed. His gaze is sharp and pierces into me.

“Youaregoing to marry that girl. It is my decision, and you will do it. I know that if you don’t end up in an arranged marriage, you’ll never get married. This is the way it’s happening. She’s a beautiful girl. I don’t understand what your problem is.”

“I’ll get married one day - I will - just not to her.”

“Bullshit. When last did you even go on a date or look at a woman with interest? You bury yourself in work. You hardlysocialize. No. This is done. It’s decided. You are marrying her, and I won’t hear another word.”

I grit my teeth. I know the limits of when I can and can’t disagree with my father’s decisions and he won’t tolerate me talking back again. He let me have my say - and now it’s done.

I am going to have to marry that fucking girl. The one girl on the planet that I would never ever want to marry.

CHAPTER SIX

Leora

There are people all around me, rushing back and forth in a noisy, beautiful chaotic and energetic buzz. I am so excited I want to scream.

It’s my wedding day.

I’m marrying the first man I ever kissed. My first crush.

I can’t believe it.

I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

When my father came home that night, after his meeting with Vincent Vece - when he told me I was going to be marrying the oldest son, Masaccio - I almost cried I was so happy. I really struggled to hide my emotions. I didn’t want my dad to know I even knew Masaccio because it might have upset him.

But today is different. I don’t care at this point if my dad finds out I knew Mas before the arrangements were made - it’s too late to change anything.

I don’t have to hide how I feel because today is going to be the happiest day of my life, and I want to celebrate every single moment of it.

“Here, stand still, wait, let me clip it in.” Isabelle grabs my arms and turns me to face the mirror. “Will you calm down? It’s like you’ve had too much caffeine or something.” She complains, trying to clip the tiara into the braided curls on top of my head. I am wiggling and dancing on the spot. I have too much energy to stand still.

“Put it further forward, the veil is going there.” I point to the back of my head.

“Oh, right?” She pins it into my hair and then rests her chin on my shoulder from behind me. “You really looksobeautiful. I can’t believe it wasmywedding just the other day - and now it’s yours - I never - in a million years - could have seen this coming.” She laughs.

“I think I always knew. Somehow. I’ve always felt there was something special between Mas and me.” I haven’t admitted that to anyone out loud. It feels good to say it. It feels real and true.

She shakes her head, still smiling. “Alright. Let’s get all the bridesmaids together and do a final make up check and then I think we are ready to get going.”

Isabelle turns away from me and calls the bridesmaids together.

Dalila, Masaccio’s sister, is my maid of honor. She seems just as excited as I am about her older brother getting married.

“Are we ready?” She asks Isabelle as she comes to stand with us. “Oh, my word, Leora, you look so beautiful.”

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