CHAPTER 30

ACCOUNT BALANCE

USD: -473,000.00

MOVEMENTS:

AMORIELLE, VITTORIO ------- 06:00 AM

+ $7,000.00

AMORIELLE, VITTORIO ------- 05:57 AM

+ $20,000.00

The days leading up to Ellis and Vittorio's wedding were flying by, causing Antonietta to question if she would be able to organize the event on time. Especially because her son had decided to invite all the families, without exception. He also determined that the wedding would take place at the family mansion, as it was the most private location, given that the media was in a frenzy, wanting to cover every detail of the wedding.

In fact, this harassment from the paparazzi made it difficult for Ellis to participate in some wedding decisions, which was a relief for her because she didn't have to run into Vittorio. The only things that remained the young woman's responsibility were her dress, bouquet, shoes, makeup, and vows. And with little time left until the wedding, she had yet to fulfill two of them: the dress and the vows. This was because Antonietta had prepared a list of establishments where she could go to expedite these tasks. Ellis had already been to almost every bridal shop, but every time she put on a white dress, she felt an emptiness in her soul. This wasn't how she had imagined getting married, as an obligation... a business transaction.

And it was this feeling that resurfaced once again when she entered the private room, where Jason was waiting for her, sprawled on the ivory couch with paper and pen in hand. He was already tired of accompanying his sister to these places and was still trying to help her write her vows.

"What do you think?" Ellis asked as she twirled in the white dress adorned with Chantilly lace and Swarovski crystals throughout the skirt. It was a beautiful dress, but she couldn't feel a connection to it.

"I think you already know the answer," Jason said, looking at his sister. "You look beautiful."

"But..."

"But it's coming from you, my sister," Jason said. He looked at the paper and continued, "Let me read the vows... Today, I take you as my husband and promise to love, respect, and care for you with all my love and affection until the end of our lives."

"In this case, until the debt is paid off," Ellis corrected, making her brother laugh.

"So..."

"Well, it's okay," Ellis said.

"You hated it," Jason blurted out, sighing.

"No, I mean, it's kind of... I don't know, standard."

"Standard? This is a masterpiece," Jason refuted. "You know what? This dress is hideous."

"I knew it!" Ellis exclaimed, pointing at her brother. Then she turned to the saleswoman and said, "This isn't my dress."

"Okay," the saleswoman said, facing the bride's twentieth dress.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't feel comfortable in any of them," Ellis explained, embarrassed.

"Maybe the problem is the color," the saleswoman said, catching Ellis' attention.

"The color?" Ellis raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, some brides can't connect with the dress because of the white. You know, the whole purity, virginity thing. Maybe that's the case for you," the saleswoman suggested, extending her hand to help Ellis down. "Come, let me take you to the special section of our store."

They both left the private room and walked to the section where the saleswoman showed them various aisles with a variety of dresses in every possible color.

Ellis walked in awe among those beautiful dresses. Each one was more magnificent than the last, but there was one at the end of the fourth aisle that caught her attention. She touched the dress, enchanted while being observed by the saleswoman who encouraged her.

"Go ahead, take it. It's beautiful and unique. No bride has worn it before."

"It's too beautiful, but the color..." Ellis began.

"With the accessories, the color will be the least of your concerns," the saleswoman affirmed. "Let's try it on."

"Of course," Ellis agreed.

In a few minutes, young Barker emerged from the fitting room feeling much more confident. She stood before her brother, who looked shocked by her choice.

"Wow! This dress is truly beautiful," he exclaimed.

"Yes, I thought so too," Ellis agreed, observing herself in the mirror.

"However, have you thought about what Don Vittorio will think of the color?"

"I don't care what he thinks. I will marry Don Vittorio Amorielle wearing this dress."

***

Vittorio watched as his guests were led by the ushers into the garden of his house for his wedding. In a few moments, he would be a married man. Of course, it wasn't the way he had imagined it, but at least it would be one less obligation in his life. At least that's what he tried to think, but every time he thought about the last time he saw Ellis, a feeling of regret arose. He imagined himself acting completely different, especially not letting Ellis go, and certainly not with that image of him. Even though she said she didn't care, something in her eyes indicated the opposite. He could have sworn he saw a tear in the corner of her eye. However, there was nothing he could do to go back and change it.

"Son, I'm coming in," Antonietta announced, entering her son's room. She paused in the middle of the room to admire her son, dressed in a black tailcoat, a white waistcoat, elegant striped pants, and a tie matching his jacket. "You look stunning."

"You look marvelous too," Vittorio complimented the matriarch, who had chosen a navy blue dress that flowed to her calves and a pearl necklace inherited from her mother-in-law. "Has she arrived?"

"No, no sign yet," Antonietta informed, noticing her son's saddened expression. "But it's a tradition. The bride needs to arrive late to cause a stir. However, we can't be late under any circumstances."

"Alright," Vittorio agreed, offering his arm to his mother. "Allow me to escort the most beautiful woman in town."

***

The string quartet began playing "In Case You Didn't Know" to announce Vittorio and Antonietta's entrance into the mansion's garden. They walked calmly until they reached the heart-shaped arch made of tree branches, adorned with robust floral arrangements and billowing white fabric to create a sense of lightness. In the center of the arch, the priest awaited them, along with the selected capos serving as groomsmen, including Rocco, who stood in his position. Ellis hadn't chosen anyone to be on the bridesmaids' side, so Antonietta took it upon herself to assign their female companions to the role. The only request was for her brother to walk with her.

Vittorio kissed his mother's forehead and then positioned himself next to Rocco.

"Do you know if she has arrived?" the nervous mafioso asked.

"Not yet, but I instructed

Cetraro to bring her," Rocco explained. "And rest assured, he won't arrive here without her."

"I hope so," Vittorio said, trying to control what his intuition insisted on telling him: There was a possibility that Ellis wouldn't show up at all.

***

As the afternoon turned into evening, everyone started wondering when the bride would arrive. The priest even left his place and approached Vittorio.

"You know, it's common for the bride to be late, we know that. But yours is two hours late!" he informed.

"Rocco," Vittorio called his capo, who quickly approached. "Get in touch with Cetraro, find out what's happening."

"I've already tried..."

"Then...?"

"He's not answering, sir. Neither him, nor Jason, nor Miss Barker," Rocco replied, concerned. "Something's wrong..."

"Could it be... It can't be..." Vittorio refused.

"What is it, sir?"

"We only have two options: Either Ellis ran away... Or Tommaso Grecco decided to act," Vittorio replied, serious. He looked at his men and nodded. "Get to work, find out what's going on."

The men started moving from their positions when the wedding coordinator entered, shouting, "Everyone, take your places, the bride has arrived!"

***

The wedding march began playing, causing Vittorio to release his breath, nervous. Ellis was arriving. The mafioso put on a smile, but as the bridesmaids appeared with shocked expressions, his smile quickly disappeared. Something was wrong, and it was confirmed when the flower girls and ring bearers entered with tearful faces.

"What the hell is happening?" Vittorio asked the women.

"Oh my God, the bride is wearing black!" one of the guests exclaimed upon seeing Ellis emerging at the entrance.