CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"Why the hell are you even interested in mine and Arcadio's talk anyway? Why do you care even if I was marrying him?" I question only for him to glare at me. "Just answer the damn question!"

"I'm done with you brothers bossing me around. Yes, I'm marrying him. There I answered your question, now move the hell away from me." I reply and go away.

Upon entering Leo's room, the tears that I was trying to keep at bay the whole way fell from my cheek one by one. How did I get myself into this mess? I don't know? I regret even helping a man like Arcadio. Maybe, I should've listened when my head was shouting at me not to go and help him, yet my stupidity that I saved him for which he is not even thankful.

I thought he brought me here to save me. Instead, he got me here for marrying me. What kind of return gift is that? I saved his life, and instead, he wants to marry me in return! Thinking about my parents makes me want to cry more. How am I supposed to explain everything to them?

I remember Arcadio's threat loud and clear. If I don't marry him, then he will kill my parents. What am I supposed to do? Should I run away? Or should I hang myself here and die. I look up at the ceiling to my disappointment. It is so high that I can't even reach it without a ladder.

"A warning would've been nice saying that you were about to marry my brother and were about to become my sister-in-law!" Leo's voice echoed in the room.

I immediately wipe my tears. "I was about to tell you." Only if I had known about it myself?

"When did this happen?" She sits beside me. It takes a whole lot of guts for me to restrain myself not to cry in front of her. She's my best friend, for Christ's sake, yet I can't tell her about Arcadio's blackmail. Otherwise, she would go and straighten her brother out for me, or would she support her brother?

I can't be true to my own best friend. What has my life come to now?

"When I first met Arcadio. I fell in love with him, and when he asked me yesterday, I couldn't deny him." I explain the best I could given the circumstances.

"So that is why you were in my brother's room in the morning! But you said nothing happened. You lied to me?" She gasps.

"I.... I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know when we were going to tell everyone." I further add.

"So, when's the wedding, and am I your maid of honor?" The question surprises me. Only if she knew the reason for this wedding then maybe, she would not be smiling right now.

"I don't know, but I'm guessing your brother is planning something."

Leo gives me a frowning look. What is with everyone frowning at me? "What do you mean you are going to let my brother plan it and not me?"

"Well, you can ask your brother if you want to plan it."

"One more question." She says, and I nod. "Are you happy with my brother?"

My insides shout no at that question, but the thought of Arcadio hurting my parents gulp back those words, "yes."

"One more thing, Ellie. He may be my brother but tell me if he hurts you because then I'm going to forget that he is my brother and kick his ass for you." Only if she knew what his brother was planning, Leo hugs me, and I hug her back with all my emotions.

Her voice comes hoarse, "you are going to be my sister-in-law! I can't believe it. I'm so happy for you!"

"Yeah."

A knock comes from the door, Arcadio appears then. He stares at both of us. "Why are you both crying?"

"Just girly stuff," Leo beats me to reply.

"Well, I wanted to ask you something, actually," he looks at his sister.

"What?"

"I wanted you to take Ellie for wedding shopping tomorrow." He instructs.

"Wedding shopping?"

"When is the wedding?" We both ask at the same time.

"The wedding is by the end of this week. I don't know what you'll need, so tomorrow get everything. Roger and Savino will be going with you."

"This week?"

"Wow, you guys must've had a practice of talking at the same time. Yes, this week. Why any problem?" He eyes me.

I gulp and shake my head immediately, but Leo inquires, "Why so early?"

"Because I've wasted half of my life being a mafia leader, and now." Leo interrupted him, "now you suddenly want to become a family man?"

"I don't know what's with you and Romero?" My eyebrow raises hearing Romero's name. "Why can't I marry Ellie without having to answer your questions? Why can't you guys be happy?"

"Yeah, right. After sleeping your way across half of the country, you suddenly want to be a one-woman man. Is that it?" Leo's sarcasm makes Arcadio scowl at me. What? I didn't say anything to her. I was hoping he would listen to my thought.

"Oh, and what did Romero say to you?" Leo continues.

"He threatened me, to be exact," Arcadio explains. "Why would he threaten you?" This time I was the one who raises the question.

"He threatened that if I hurt Ellie, then I would be explainable to him."

"Why would he threaten you?" Leo asks.

"I don't know. Why don't you enlighten us, Ellie? Maybe he said something to you about why is my brother, so protective of you." I could hear the mocking tone in his voice.

"How am I supposed to know that why is he saying all that to you? I didn't even had a proper conversation with him since I've met him," I reply.

"Now I know that is not true. You both looked pretty comfortable when you were talking to Romero outside my office."

I scowl back at him, "are you insinuating that I'm having an affair with your brother when I'm about to marry you, love?"

"Hold your horses, guys. What is with all the blame game? I thought you were in love with each other and are about to marry. Is this how you are going to fight with each other even after marriage?" Leo interrupted.

"Say sorry to each other." She says as if talking to a few five-year-olds.

"C'mon Leo, we are not kids," Arcadio hears my thoughts.

"I'm not taking no for an answer. Say sorry to each other." She again says.

"Sorry"

"Sorry," We apologize, and as if that was not enough for her, she continues. "Now kiss and make up." She pushes me to Arcadio, who perfectly catches me with his arm around my waist.

Before we could say anything, she cuts us, "I don't want to hear excuses about how you can't kiss my brother in front of me."

"She's not going to back down," Arcadio whispers in my ear, and instant butterflies flutter in my stomach.

His eyes look straight into mine, and his hand tighten around my waist. Closing the gap between us, he kisses me. This kiss was just like that of yesterday. Sweet and soft at the same time filled with passion. Before the kiss got heated, a cough interrupted us.

"Woah, guys. I didn't realize you guys were so into each other." Leo chuckles. I blush at her comment. Wasn't she the one who wanted us to kiss?