Page 41 of Sin and Seduction

“I’ve missed you, darling. Now, let the men get their affairs in order. You’re coming with me. We have a wedding look to put together,” she says with a wink before pulling the girls and me away.

I wave to my husband, who stares after me with so much love that it takes my breath away.

16

Esmeralda

It’s beena week since Marianne arrived, and I stare at myself in the long mirror.

Today is my wedding day, and I can’t get over my reflection. I am wearing Camila’s silk gown, and my dark hair cascades around my shoulders in waves. Marianne brought a veil that matches the dress perfectly, the length of it matching the train of my dress. Even the crystal edges match my straps perfectly.

I am wearing a pair of white, silk heels and my makeup is natural except for the bold, red lip that Camila’s makeup artist perfected on my pouty mouth. I look like I stepped out of a catalogue, and all I hope for is that my husband likes what he sees.

“You look nervous,” Michele says as she sneaks up behind me, holding a small box in her hand.

“I haven’t graduated college, and I’m getting married in South America,” I say with a chuckle, and she shrugs, setting the box down on the table.

“Could be worse,” she says as she looks over my form, tears in her eyes.

“Oh, my sweet Emmie girl, you look so beautiful. Your mom would love this,” she says, dabbing at her eyes as I hold back my own tears.

“I never thought I could miss her this much,” I say, my voice cracking as she hugs me, reminding me of my childhood.

“I know, baby, but she would want you to enjoy this day. I’m glad you were able to make amends with her before she went. She was a careless mother, but she loved you. In her own, sad way,” she says as she pulls away.

She grabs the box and hands it to me.

“Open it,” she says with a grin, and I do.

As I lift the lid, my eyes widen. Nestled inside the box is a small but beautiful diamond and sapphire choker necklace, resembling almost a large tennis bracelet. I remember seeing this on her many mornings that I would eat breakfast at Ricky’s house. I would always comment about how beautiful it was.

“Some old and blue, now new to you. I know the dress was borrowed, so I figured you would like something of your own,” she says, and I look up at her with wide eyes.

“Michele, I can’t take this—”

“You can and you will,” she says sternly, removing the necklace from the box and lifting my hair so she can clasp it around my throat. It twinkles in the light and catches my eye.

“My mama gave this to me so that I could one day pass it down to my daughter. You know Ricky doesn’t like jewelry like this, but I know you’ve always loved this. And you’ve been a daughter to me for as long as I’ve known you, Emmie,” she says, making me tear up again.

“I love you, Michele. Thank you for always showing me what a family looks like. I owe my life to you,” I choke out, and she holds me.

“You owe me nothing but your happiness, Emmie girl,” she says, dabbing at my tears gently.

“Look what you’ve done, mama! Her makeup was perfect, and here you come with your sentimental babble,” Ricky says in a frustrated tone, coming in to fix and fluff me until I’m perfect in his eyes.

“Are you and your dad ready to give me away?” I giggle, and he rolls his eyes.

“Your new husband may be delicious and loaded, but I’ll nevergiveyou to him. You’re mine forever, baby girl,” he says with a wink and continues to fix my hair and veil as Gabriela and Camila walk in.

“Everyone has arrived and is seated. Are you ready, Emmie?” Gabriela asks.

She’s wearing a dark red silk dress, and all of the men have ties to match. Camila ordered more red roses than I have seen in my life and picked the most rich-looking color scheme. I requested Gabriela to stand by me as Oscar will be standing next to Dante. I snuck a look outside of the window this morning while I was getting ready, and the sight stole my breath away.

Camila really did outdo herself. Silk canopy tents lined the vast land behind the house, and a long, red rose-lined aisle leads up to a beautiful arch near the cliff overlooking the ocean. Several white chairs donned with red silk linens sit on either side of the aisle. She even had a professional orchestra come and several staff members for the catering and the bar. Javier came in a few days ago to oversee the food and the menu and made me promise that I wouldn’t peek, as he wanted to surprise me.

In other words, everything is incredibly perfect and like a dream, just as Camila had promised.

“You are a vision, Esmeralda,” she says as she grabs my hands, looking me over with warm, golden eyes.

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