Pre-Wedding Celebration

The Longhart's and Marino's were family friends and had many business ties together.

Ferdinand Longhart, the oldest son and the next in line to take over everything his father had built in the past thirty years, shared a close relationship with Elsa.

Since their family had close ties, both of them grew up together, attended the same school until they parted ways for college.

"He wasn't happy when I told him about your wedding." Ricardo tried to closely observe his sister's expression. He had always assumed that Ferdinand and Elsa liked each other.

In fact, it was pretty clear that Ferdinand was head over heels for her and he never tried to hide it. Elsa, on the other hand, never crossed the line between friends and lovers.

"I did not tell him yet." Elsa sighed. She already had too much on her plate at the moment. Dealing with Ferdinand's outburst was at the bottom of her list.

"Did Desmond talk to you when he was at the funeral?"

"No," Elsa shook her head. "But his younger brother did."

"Justin? What did he say?"

"Nothing much, he was just asking how I was doing," she answered.

"Shouldn't you be the one asking him that? I mean, he is the one who got shot." Ricardo frowned. "I don't understand why the Greco's chose you and Justin. If he really wanted to kill someone, it should have been Desmond or me."

"Since you both are next in line while Justin and I are nobody?" She scoffed and rolled her eyes at her brother. "That's so mean."

"That's not what I meant." Ricardo awkwardly cleared his throat.

Keeping quiet for a while, Elsa asked, "Do you think if I hadn't gone out that day, things would have been different?"

"No, they would have found a different way to attack us." He grabbed her hand. "Stop blaming yourself, it wasn't your fault."

She sighed and helplessly shook her head. Only she knew how much she regretted stepping out of the house that day. If she hadn't asked Karlo to drop her, maybe he would have been alive. Gabriel wouldn't have to lost his father.

…..

[One Week Later]

"Aunt Maria, is this necessary?" Elsa asked as she watched her own reflection in the mirror.

"You are getting married next week, it's only right we throw a party." Maria mixed Elsa's hair before stepping away. "Done." She gently caressed her cheeks. "You look beautiful, honey."

"I haven't even met him properly." Elsa sighed. "I am not complaining. I know why we are doing this but it still feels weird."

Maria did not say anything at first. She kept smiling at her. "You know, your mom and dad didn't know each other when they got married. In fact, they both met for the first time on their wedding day."

"Yeah, I know that story." She chuckled.

"They did not even share a room for a couple of weeks. But after that, something happened and they were inseparable until Rosie passed away." The sadness in Maria's voice was evident.

"Alright, let's not dwell in the past." She gently caressed Elsa's cheeks. "Let's get you down, okay?"

Elsa smiled and nodded.

...

[Outside Fedorov Mansion]

"I cannot believe we are voluntarily stepping into this place." Marco frowned and loosened his tie. No one was as annoyed as him at the moment.

It was one thing that they were about to showcase a fake non-existing friendly bond with the Fedorov's but the fact that his little sister would be staying in the very same house after getting married in a weeks time was killing him.

Though Marco had also made his peace with the fact that this marriage was important, that didn't mean he supported it or was happy about it.

"Control yourself Marco," Enzo warned his son. "Don't forget we are here for your sister's pre-wedding celebration."

Marco was about to say something when Elsa stopped him. "Will you people stop?" She glared at them. "Do you really want to make a scene before we even enter the house?"

Marco frowned and wrapped his arms around his sister's shoulder. "You stay close to me. Do not leave my side, okay?"

"She has to stay by Desmond's side." Enzo ignored Marco's darkened expression. "They both are the stars of the night. People are gathered here to celebrate their union."

Marco was about to retort when he felt Elsa's hand on his arm.

"Relax, I'll be fine," she assured him.

"You don't know that." He didn't trust any of them, especially Desmond Fedorov.

"Relax, it's not like he will kill me." She scoffed. She wasn't scared of Desmond. Yes, she did think he was the most intimidating amongst the three Fedorov brothers, but he was nothing she couldn't handle.

She had grown up with three intimidating men. She could easily handle one more.

"He can always try," Marco scoffed. "I'll snap his neck before he even gets a chance to harm a hair in your body."

…..

[Inside]

When they entered the mansion, Henry Fedorov and his wife, Olivia Fedorov, greeted them at the entrance.

"Enzo."

"Henry."

The two men shook hands before engaging in a brief hug.

"This is my eldest son, Ricardo." Enzo introduced him.

"Of course, I met him at the funeral." Henry then looked at Marco. "But I didn't get a chance to meet the other young man."

Marco glared at Henry without saying anything. His dislike for him and his entire family was evident in his eyes. But Henry didn't mind.

It wasn't easy for both the families to cope with the drastic changes that had taken place in their lives in the past week.

In fact, he was impressed how Ricardo had managed to perfectly console his emotions. Enzo had trained his heir well.

"And you must be Elsa." Olivia smiled and grabbed Elsa's hand before pulling her into a hug. "I was waiting for the chance to meet you." She pulled away and gently caressed her hand. "You are so beautiful, Desmond is a lucky man."

Elsa gave her a weak smile. She did not say anything. Olivia's warm yet unfamiliar touch made her feel very weird.

"Henry—" Olivia looked at her husband and gestured him something.

"Oh right." He quickly took out a velvet box from his pocket and gave it to her.

Olivia opened the box and took out a rose gold bracelet. It had four green jade stones surrounded by multiple diamond studs.

…..