Dante and The Innocent

Isabella stood there, hand shivering and leg almost on the verge of breaking down just for her to lay on the red carpet where her future/soon-to-be husband stood. Even though the veil over her head, she can see how tall Dante Messina was standing beside her. His cold expression looked straight at the priest. As if every word the holy man was saying to them was offending him.

Probably was seeing the last thing Dante had said to her before she finds herself walking to the altar was…

Marrying me will be the biggest mistake you'll ever make. I won't be a loving husband nor would I acknowledge you as my wife unless it's for show. I do not love you nor will I ever love you, do you understand? A woman with your reputation does not deserve to be my wife but what choice do I have if our parents already decide that for us?

She bit her lip. None of what the priest was saying make any sense to her. She could barely listen well with how loud her heart beating inside her chest. Dante's threat made her hands achy and the flowers in her hand were not helping as someone forgot to remove the thorn on the end despite the part where she was gripping was covered.

Red roses, she looks down and admires its beauty seeing she loves to raise them behind her house. However, for the first time in her 21-year-old life, she could not enjoy the breathtaking arrangement seeing she was forced to marry a man 9 years her senior.

If it wasn't for my father, I would've left this state a long time ago. You better rethink this marriage again, Beatrice. I will give you enough if you reject this wedding but if you go through with it, I'll make you regret ever knowing me.

Her name was Isabella. Not Beatrice. It's Isabella Marie Granger, named after her grandmother who had taken care of her ever since her parents decide that one twin was enough for the Granger to think about. Being sickly as a child made her family focus more on the future heiress of the Granger dynasty. Founder of several real estate companies around major cities in the US, Beatrice only deserves the best and the best the family was able to find was Dante Messina, son of the current CEO of Messina Enterprise.

Of course, her parents had other reasons to match her sister to him and, not her.

Not only he is in charge of the real estate and city development business in the NY and other several parts around the world, but he was also in charge of some shady businesses within the black markets, handling firearms and military weapons including a few other stuff.

He was the kind of man that one should avoid at all cost but her family, her family's greed never cease to surprise her. The willingness to put her sister's or her life in danger so they could be a part of the powerful family made her heart drops. Standing on the altar makes her want to die but what can she do…

"Please, Bella! You have to replace her! You have to take Beatrice's place or else this family will be done for!! YOU have to do it. We need the dowry.

Please, Isabella. The Messina would not be forgiving if we ruin this wedding. Imagine what the society will say to them? This will shame them!

Do this for your mother and father, Bella. Do this for your grandmama. Do you think she can handle it if the Messina takes everything that belongs to us? Even worse, they will have our heads…

You and Beatrice look the same… No one knows about you. BE her replacement until she returns, my love. Please…

Do it or we'll all be dead. Please my love…

Please…

How can she break her parent's hearts no matter how much they have ignored her, her whole life? Sending her to the countryside so she won't be a distraction and putting all their hope, faith, and love for their oldest twin that ended up running away the day before the wedding?

"In the name of God, I, Dante Messina, take you, Isabella Marie Granger to be my beloved wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow." Dante says while looking at Isabella's covered face. The veil was so long it reaches down her chest where her dress was a tad too tight for her since her breast was bigger than her twins.

Dante held her hand and placed the diamond-crusted ring down her finger and while he leans a little lower, he whispered to her. His deep voice brought chills down her spine.

"Remember what I say, Beatrice. You still have a chance."

He pulls back and stares at her. Hating the situation he was in yet found his wife to be to have the loveliest curves he has ever seen. Nonetheless, with her raunchy reputation, he knows that she was not to be trusted no matter how much his blood boils for her

"Miss Beatrice. It's your turn."

She looks down, breathing hard, and finally sighed.

"In the name of God, I, Is…. I mean, Beatrice Elizabeth Granger, take you, Dante Messina to be my beloved husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."

Her future was locked. Right there, right now.

She too took Dante's hand, shaking as she tried to put on the ring and she can feel his hands, tense but somewhat warm.

She can feel a dark aura. Anger and frustration beside her made Isabella want to run and hide. When Father Anton finally finishes the ceremony with "You may kiss the bride. I present to all of you, Mr. and Mrs. Messina."

Dante slowly lifted her veil and gently placed it down her back. She was looking down with tears pooling in her eyes. Her teeth biting her lip and her heart beating like a drum.

She can feel his gaze on her and fear made her still look down until Dante held her chin and push her head up so she would face her.

Her greenish-gold eyes penetrate his cold blue eyes that look almost grey.

The most handsome man she has ever seen. Darkest of hair, trimmed beards with a chiseled face structure, reminding her of the man in the "365" movie she had watched with her best friend while her grandmother was away. She could die with embarrassment but ….

Seeing Dante makes her remember the lead man. Olive skin tone, piercing eyes, lean nose, and the way his suits stretch out, defining his tone muscles, and strong chest, Beatrice was surely to be a lucky woman alive to land a fine specimen like him.

He was hers now. All hers but the saddest part was, he hates her.

He leans over to kiss her, but not before whispering to her lips just for her to hear.

"I've warned you, little one."