"It's either you get married to me right here and right now or I'll kill everyone in this place immediately." Dante said, his voice laced with authority. . . . . When brilliant and ambitious Hazel is forced to marry Orion Gunnar, the ruthless mafia boss, her life is turned upside down. Orion's obsession with Hazel drives him to destroy everything in his path, including his own family, and tearing her away from Nathaniel, her crush from college. Now Hazel had to marry the man who terrifies her.
Chapter 1 Unexpected guests
I sat in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but think about how real this moment felt. I was actually getting married to Nathaniel, the guy I had been crushing on for years, and it was all thanks to the scholarship that had given me the opportunity to attend Columbia University.
There I was, walking in the bustling hallways of that prestigious institution, that our paths had first crossed in a literal sense, his shoulder had collided with mine, and as I turned to face him, our eyes had met, and I had been struck by the warmth and kindness that radiated from his gaze. I had fallen in love with him at first sight, I would have never believed if someone told me that I will get married to him one day.
He looked at me with concern, " are you okay?" He asked.
I....I am fine, thanks," I mumble the words out of my lips. My heart was racing and I became nervous.
He looked at me with the most beautiful smile, " Thank Goodness you're fine, I'm sorry I hit you, I am in a hurry, I need to get my stuff from the chancellor's office." He said, his voice soft and sweet.
I couldn't help but admire him, " it's okay, I should not waste your time." I said.
"Thanks" he said, with a calm expression as he ran down the hall.
And now it was hard to believe that my first love was now standing at the altar, waiting for me. As I prepared to spend the rest of my life with him, I felt a sense of joy and gratitude that was hard to put into words.
I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the beautiful white wedding dress that adorned my body. The gown was a stunning masterpiece, with intricate diamond glitters that sparkled in the light. It was a simple yet unique design that hug my curves and made me feel like a princess. I felt like the luckiest person alive to be wearing such a gorgeous dress on my special day.
My parents had always been supportive of my dreams, and I knew they were thrilled to see me marrying the love of my life. My mom's hands rested gently on my shoulders, and as I met her gaze in the mirror, I saw tears welling up in her eyes.
"You look absolutely beautiful, Hazel," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. I felt a lump form in my throat as I smiled back at her, and a single tear rolled down my cheek as I replied, "Thanks, Mom." I took a deep breath, savoring the moment, and feeling like the luckiest person alive.
Just then, I heard a knocked on the door and my dad came in. His eyes were filled with joy, surprise, and sadness. He had never seen me look so beautiful before. "You look absolutely beautiful, my little girl," he said, trying to hold back tears. I smiled slightly, feeling a tear roll down my cheek. "Thank you, Dad."
He sighed, looking at me with a mix of emotions. "I still think of you as my little baby, but now you're all grown up, 22 years old and getting married. It's hard to believe." He smiled, but his eyes showed concern. "I hope he treats you well. I'm a bit worried because of his family and the kind of dangerous things they're involved with, but I trust you. You love him, and I want you to be happy so I'll trust him with you."
I reassured him, "Don't worry, Dad. He loves me too, and he'll protect me." My dad smiled, but his expression still showed worry. I knew I had to prove to him that everything would be okay.
"Now it's time for me to take you to the altar," my dad said, his voice filled with emotion as he gazed at me with tears in his eyes. My mom helped me adjust my dress, making sure every fold and crease was perfect. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of nerves and happiness as I prepared to walk down the aisle. My dad offered me his arm, and I took it, feeling a sense of comfort and security as we walked towards the door.
As we made our way through the venue, the guests applauded, their faces smiling and joyful. I felt like a princess, my beautiful white wedding dress shimmering in the light. My hair was styled perfectly, and my makeup was subtle yet elegant. I had never felt more beautiful in my life.
As we approached Nathaniel, my soon-to-be husband, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness. He looked handsome in his tailored tuxedo, his eyes locked on mine as we exchanged a tender smile. My dad handed me over to Nathaniel, who took my hand and pulled me close. His smile was captivating, and he whispered, "You look stunning, Hazel." I blushed and replied, "Thanks, you look great too."
The moment was magical, and I felt like I was on top of the world. But our tender moment was short-lived. Suddenly, a convoy of black cars screeched to a halt outside the venue, the sound of tires squealing and cars crashing echoing through the air. The guests gasped in shock, and I felt Nathaniel's grip on my hand tighten.
Gang members poured out of the cars, armed with guns and knives, their faces twisted with menace. They looked like they meant business, and I could feel the atmosphere turn tense and fearful. I glanced at my parents, who looked worried and scared, their eyes fixed on the gang members.
My heart racing, I watched as one of the gang members opened the door of a car, and Orion stepped out. He was tall, handsome, and exuded an aura of fearlessness and power. His eyes scanned the room, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he began to walk towards us, his movements confident and deliberate.
Nathaniel's grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel his body tense beside me. I knew that something was about to go terribly wrong, and I couldn't help but wonder what Orion wanted. Why had he crashed our wedding, and what did he plan to do next?
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