9 Where is the Groom?

Julie's POV

"Are you mad too?" I looked at Sarah who asked me with her doe eyes.

"No, honey…come here," I replied pulling her in while a lot of boxes were surrounding us telling me there was a lot left to do and there was only a week left until my wedding. And, that was making me skip my beats many times in a day. It was a miracle I wasn't in the emergency. I know I have seen the person and there was nothing wrong with him. But…the only thing that made my hands cold was the fact that I have never seen him afterward. I sometimes tried to talk with Mr. Lucca but he always has something going on. And, no time felt like the right time.

"I like your dress." Sarah kissed me while I smiled looking at her innocent gesture.

"Thank you…I liked that dress too…"

"Can I try?" I laughed before telling her, "What about tomorrow when we will finish all of this?" I replied making her run shouting, "I am going to be a bride…" while I huffed before getting to my room. My shoulders seem hard and there was a knot in my throat recalling how Anna and Rachael were acting. I knew I can't do this and at times like this. I want only one person who could understand me. To whom I could share how tired this day was.

The tension in the house was thick enough. Anna was sure that I was planning this all along while Rachael was mad thinking it is immoral making it seem more immoral than I previously thought it was. Changing them apartment had taken more hair of mine than these last seven years of work and not to forget it was exactly I have thought about my big day to not be.

Resting my back in the bed I let all the frustration out. I don't like being weak. It is the worst thing. I don't recall if I have ever cried in the last many years. Not even the day when my father died. But…but the day I bawled like a little girl in front of an audience was still afresh in my mind. I laughed a little recalling the day. How stupid I was? I whispered recalling the day I gave up any hope of finding a family but deep down I hope for it not to be true.

I groaned before getting my cell phone and started reading the articles I have saved on my fiancé. And, half of the articles had been on his trading company or its achievements. I wonder what I was going to tell my kids…if that happened of course…I do want kids…yea…I know that but what if he doesn't want. I stared at my beautifully cut diamond and whispered, "He looks like someone who would love kids." I recalled him holding the little girl.

I wonder if there was a single bride in this whole world who doesn't know what kind of place she is moving to after her wedding. I…I had this much right…but…but…I was literally selling myself for 1 million and doesn't feel like asking. I mean…I didn't even ask Mr. Lucca who his son was and now that I have seen that he is pretty much normal it felt wrong asking.

It says that he is among the twenty richest people in Europe. I zoomed on one of his pictures where he seemed to talk with a person. I have seen this jaw. It looks more delicious in person…I wonder if he is thinking about me…he should…why we won't have each other's numbers?…because…you are selling yourself…but he is not! Why can't he contact me to tell me where we will be living?...or…if he wants to have kids or not!

The morning came and I made breakfast at home given Rachael required home-made food and we could no longer just order. I groaned holding my back and turn to see Anna coming. I knew she loved her new room. Mr. Lucca offered this home and I have made the papers in Rachael's name so she doesn't get any problem in the future.

"You don't need to do this. I can do this for my mom." I looked at my thirteen-year-old sister who was clearly pissed.

"You know you can talk to me. I will listen,"

"For starters…you have eyes bags, a tired face and really don't look like who is going to get married. Are you doing it all to make yourself innocent or what?" I turned the stove off before staring at her.

"I am not pulling anything…" I started but was cut off with...

"Everything is perfect, Julie…why are you leaving? I…I never thought you will be this selfish?"

"Selfish?" I wasn't surprised because this is what she has been telling me for two months.

"What else will explain you hiding this rich ass fiancé of yours from us? Or…or you were trapping him…"

"Anna!" I gasped but ignoring me she started taking out the dishes before she came at me again,

"Please, don't do this…we have the store back…a home…we can return him the leftover money and…and you can at least delay your wedding if you love the guy SO MUCH…we need you!" She said the last part coming to me and I felt my restraints falling when I heard Rachael getting out of her room.

"Don't do this Anna…" I looked at Rachael who came to me and I relaxed when she hugged me for the first time in the two months and I wondered what was changed. I held her for a few seconds before she whispered,

"I only wish you well on this new journey…will you show me your dress?" She asked me making me smile. A lot of tears were clogged in my throat and I could only nod.

Anna was still mad at breakfast and didn't join us when I took the dress out to show it to Rachael. Sarah had already seen the dress a lot of times but she was still looking at the dress as if it was her first time.

"You will be the most beautiful bride…I know that," Rachael said making me blush. The whole day was lighter and I hugged Rachael often.

"I am missing, dad," I said making Rachael stiff. Maybe I should haven't mentioned him. After me, they were going to miss dad even more. And, she won't have anyone to talk to about dad.

At night, I was looking at his pictures again. Mr. Lucca had asked me to see him tomorrow as some important guests were coming again. It was almost the sixth time that he was having someone at his place and wanted me to introduce him to someone.

Mostly, at times like this, I only notice more how they know big shots or what Mr. Lucca saying that he needs tolerance in me meant. Of course, being a part of his son's life was going to be a lot of work. I wonder if I had to spend a lot of time in Italy too with his son because this way I won't be able to see my family more.

A knock made me look at my door. "May I come in?" Rachael asked making me smile. "Yea," I replied,

She came to sit on my bed saying, "Your room seems great,"

"Thank you…"

"…I…you should haven't done this…not for us at least." I looked at her embarrassed not knowing what to say.

"You have no idea what life would have been without you," I told her hoping she would understand.

"I was dying knowing my daughters have someone." This made me smile.

"…you…you should have hidden this fact from me that you are doing it for us…you could have told me that you have found someone and you are marrying. I would haven't stopped you…" This made my eyes narrowed.

"You…you think I am lying. I…"

"I know you are not lying. I know you have done this for us…but knowing…" She let out a long sigh before adding, "…that you are doing this much for all of us…you don't deserve it, Julie. You have already done enough,"

I held her hands in mine for a few seconds. "You know I have never considered Anna and Sarah any less of a family…you have no idea how much…how much this word family meant for me…"

"I know…I know Julie…I always knew." I smiled before shaking my head.

"Relax…I am fine…and this man…I have met him. He is quite a big shot…he seems perfect,"

"I know but…you still didn't deserve this. I am sure that Mr. Lucca must have reminded you many times how he has given you money." I didn't know how Rachael knew this. Maybe it was her experience of how people work. But it didn't matter, right? Even if Mr. Lucca makes me remind this…he was not entirely wrong. And, I take this…job…a lifetime of job…that now seeing how Mr. Lucca's son is doesn't seem much difficult.

"He hasn't. Believe me, I am fine…" I lied.

"I need to tell you something…no ask you…something." She cut me off and the edginess in her voice was settling something in me.

"What?"

"I don't ever want you to do anything for us…in your new life. Just focus on you and…and your real family…and…and…and…remember one thing, Julie. You deserve love even if you don't work for it."

The words made me remind something…to be exact…someone but I shook my head before getting close to Rachael and held her in my arms before whisperings. "I know...I never worked to get dad's love...Sarah's and Anna's affection...I love you...I always loved you...I will cross oceans if I have to…I will never live my life knowing my family is in trouble. And, you three will always be my real family." I took a long sigh before stating the fact she already knew, "I have transferred money to your account and that will be enough. With dad's store, you will be fine on your own…." My speech got disturbed when I found her hiccupping louder.

"Hey…Rachael…what's wrong?... I am fine, I promise I am fine," I held her face in my hands and tried my best to smile so I could show her I was strong enough.

"your father was…friends with father George." Of course, even after years, I knew this one name. It could make me chill or disgust…but how he could be friends with dad? He only met him when he came to pick me.

"We…we knew you were one of the kids who had been sent back by three families…and…is the most disciplined kids at the orphanage."

"I know you that you two know this…where is it going?" I asked,

"…we didn't adopt you because you were ….his daughter. We hired you because…after Anna I had hypertension and…we knew you will be a perfect fit to help around,"

"Why are you doing this?" my voice came out louder than I wanted.

"I am so sorry," She hiccupped.

"No…I know he was my dad…I know…you are…lying…why are you doing this Rachael?"

"I am telling you the truth. So…you don't get yourself in any more trouble for us."

"I…will get to the orphanage. I will ask them…"

"If you…recall it correctly,…I was not rude with you in the start. But the moment your dad decided to treat you as his real daughter was the moment everything started going downhill. You…you make him recall his sister…and the way you used to actively take part and were disciplined…anyone could fall in love with you…though his intentions at the start were mean he really lived a friend and a daughter in you."

My body was going numb. For a huge part, I still believed that it can't be true. The way he used to drive for me. Yes, I remember helping him out in the store after my school but it was…it was always fun to be around someone who loves me unconditionally. Or maybe not…

"I am…am so sorry. But… I don't want you to…" Rachael tried to say something.

"Why…you could have told me that you two are adopting me?"

"This way you were more compliant for the visits from the orphanage even though you were working with your dad…you never once mentioned. You always think you are doing it for your own family."

My jaws dropped while the woman sitting in front of me? I didn't know her anymore.

"Rachael…leave…please…" She left while catching my head in my hands I sank to the floor. Resting my head against my bed I tried to take deep breaths.

"You are crap! Unwanted crap! If you want to survive out there or get accepted? You work!" I recalled father George shouting at top of his lungs, shivering with anger as he cried on me and three other kids in his office and gave us the punishment to stand for two hours.

I…I never believed this fact was true in my case but now…I think I was living this all the time without my knowing,

I tried to recall any time when dad wasn't good with me and I couldn't. Yes, I helped him in the store but he was never mean to me.

Because you were working for him, Julie. You were nothing for him. He loved you as someone would fall in love with his dog…you won his love. You were not given his love? My mind shrieked making me fall into fits of hiccups.

I didn't leave my room the next morning. And, only got out of bed when there was only an hour left for lunch with Mr. Luuca. The things I would have done in my life if dad never adopted me were innumerable.

I would have attended a community college or living in my own flat as of now no matter how small. Then, I would have time to make some friends or find the love of my life. All this time I thought I was working for my family without my knowing I was nothing for them.

But dad loved you, Julie. A thought echoed making me cry over my sink. Why me?

.

.

.

"This is too expensive," I commented looking at the necklace Mr Lucca passed me.

"Not more than you…I want to buy this whole world for you." I raised my brows at his comment.

"But,…" I tried to deny but was cut off with,

"You know we…never had a daughter in our family for as long as I can go back in the history of my family. For us, our daughters-in-law are always our daughters." This made me press my mouth.

"Thank you, I…I want to tell you something," I closed the box and smiled,

"Tell me all,…" He replied,

"I wasn't Mr Cole's real daughter as I have previously mentioned. I am his adopted daughter. I…only get to know this from Rachael last night…I think it is convenient that you know this too,"

"Have you ever felt like he treated you differently?" Well, technically the answer was yes because he did adopt for his store or to take care of his home but I was so blind all this time that I never felt I was being used.

"No…"

"Then, what's the problem? As far as I know you…you should be very…forgiving for this matter and even feel blessed to have a real family!"

I blinked at Mr. Lucca in surprise.

"I am no God,"

"But…a family is a family…you are here thinking about what your life could have been? Let me give you a reality check you could have turned into a drug addict or be a single mother…I mean your mom would have been someone like this." I looked at Mr. Lucca with utter shock.

"Don't look at me like this. You should always be indebted to your family. Go home and don't forget you have us now too. What else you want!"

Maybe liberty to do whatever I want to do with my life? I shrieked in my mind but only sat there receiving how I always should be thankful for what I get.

"Mr. Lucca…you have visitors," I looked at David but looked away instantly. I knew I had no right to lead him in anymore. I was…I was someone's promise now.

"I think you should go back and enjoy this leftover time with your family…" Mr. Lucca told me.

On the way back home I really wonder who my mom would be. For the last many years I was convinced that my mom was someone who wanted to get rid of me but at this stage, I didn't want to know anymore. Sometimes not knowing is a blessing.

Getting back home I was welcomed with dinner but I told them how I am full and can't join them. In the night, Rachael came into my room. "Are you regretting taking this decision for us?" She asked and I looked at her blankly.

"No…Rachael. Why I would regret it? Oh, you haven't met him. If you had met him I am sure you wouldn't be asking this question. I am fine, Rachael." I offered her a smile knowing the woman in front of me didn't deserve to know what I feel anymore.

In an hour, I end up calling my friends and telling them about my wedding because why not? I have learned my lessons. No one is anyone's. We just jump from a job to another job. Of course, my friends were surprised but I sent them the venue that was Mr. Lucca's mansion. I do have some spare invitation cards and I sent them via courier.

The big day finally arrived. I spent the morning zooming on a picture dad and I clicked on his truck. I loved how genuinely I was smiling here. "Thank you," I whispered.

Mia and I had a kind of connection as of now. I could trust her for my look while she kept telling me I don't need any much makeup as I already had great skin. I knew she was only saying for the sake of my confidence because the number of layers she plastered on my face told another story. Sarah was with me all the time because she wanted to get prepare too and Mia was doing Sarah's hair when I found Katelyn coming in with Cecelia.

"You are looking amazing?" Cecelia commented while Katelyn came to give me a side hug.

"Thank you for coming,"

"No…thank you for inviting,"

"Well…we only have five minutes left girl." Mia excused my friends and I stood up for Mia to get my veil ahead.

"But…groom is not here yet," Katelyn said making me look at her while an unknown worry settled in me.

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F.a.c.e.b.o.o.k p.a.g.e: Ashleh Queen

I .n.s.t.a.g.r.a.m: theashlehqueen

T.w.i.t.t.e.r: Ashleh Q