Daring to Love

Prologue II

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“Por el amor de Dios…you are suffocating her. Let her breathe. My granddaughter is already perfect. She is a Maximiliano, after all. Our natural beauty has been immortalized by Poetas across generations. We are the embodiment of perfection.”

Part of my ten percent had already arrived, her words and her voice carrying across the room as she leveled the designers, make-up artists and hairdressers with an easy-going smile. Her eyes, though, were where the message really was. Nina Maximiliano’s nature easily hid the fire that she beheld within her. She was a fierce woman, a protector and the former CEO of AeroMax, a billion dollar Construction company that she had handed down to her daughter, Elena Maximiliano, and her granddaughter, Gianna Aleksandros.

The Maximiliano family had a more matrilineal system of inheritance with powerful women being at the head of the household as they grew their construction empire. Theirs was a legacy that had become entrenched deep with every success that AeroMax celebrated - including the most recent partnership with Adetos- a Hospitality Industry Giant.

“I agree as far as the fussing is concerned. She looks perfect. Now, can we please have a moment with our precious girl? We have about thirty minutes before the ceremony begins.”

My Aunt Elena spoke up, subtly and playfully rolling her eyes at her mother’s remarks. She was equally a force of nature, intimidating as hell and an iron lady who had grown AeroMax to impressive levels in her time despite the challenges she encountered as a woman in the industry.

Facing off with her is probably the dumbest thing you could ever do. You’d have to have no sense of self-preservation. I definitely wouldn’t want to be on the other side of her wrath…

Everyone in the room seemed to feel the same way as they immediately packed their things, making a beeline for the door that they shut softly, leaving the three of us within.

“I see Karen went wild with the wedding arrangements. Talk about excessive. The flowers themselves are enough to attract all the bees in the tri-state area. We might have a swarm upon us at this rate.”

Abuela Nina murmured as she walked over to the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the expansive backyard that had been transformed for the wedding. I chuckled at her words, my first real laugh of the day, as I agreed wholeheartedly with her. Karen Saint James had taken up wedding planning, leaving no room for argument or consultation. Not that I minded, really. She had declared that we would have a lavish and traditional Saint James wedding - thereby choosing this very location.

The main Saint James Estate was located in the Mclean, Virginia suburbs. It was a stunning mansion that had housed generations of the Saint James family and if Karen had it her way, Rickon and I would have joined in on the family tradition.

Living in a twenty million dollar home would probably be a lot of people’s dream, but not when you live with your in-laws. She is already suffocating as it is... I’m so glad Rickon agreed for us to stay in our apartment in Georgetown…

“Well, she’s always had gaudy taste. Take this dress, for example. Were it not for your beauty, my darling, it would be just some old school design that belongs in the past. Had I known Karen would force her way on this, I would have asked Ayana to make you a dress before that woman trapped you in her whims. You do know you are allowed to say no to her, Fernanda. She may be your fiancé’s mother, but she has no right to make decisions for you, no matter who she thinks she is. You are your own person and any decision you make, she must respect.”

Aunt Elena’s words were true, resonating with me as I nodded whilst staring at said wedding dress. Naturally, Karen’s take-over included my wedding dress as all my preferences were set to the side.

She wanted traditional- which to her meant silk, sleeves and a lace turtleneck with a floor-length veil. The designer had complied as much but added a few elements of modernity to the dress - probably because she felt sorry for me- and I was grateful to her for it.

The outcome was a turtleneck design that was made entirely out of lace and embroidered with gorgeous pearls and rhinestones that glittered under the light. This same design was applied to the sleeves, giving the dress its wow factor. The bodice was silk together with a form-fitting bottom which stretched out into a short train. The floor length veil was embroidered with a few pearls in between, maintaining its traditionality and yet still with a few hints of modernity to it. The design was nice- but it just wasn’t me.

One of Ayana Carrington’s designs, though…that’s a whole different story…

The top American Fashion Model had broken the internet by designing Gianna’s wedding dress. She was now a rising star in the fashion world, creating gorgeous looks that had everyone in a chokehold - me included.

Maybe one day, I might wear one of her original looks…Just not today…

“I know, Tia. She was just very…passionate about the dress. But hey, at least I got to choose these beauties…Gia’s shoe taste is, as always, elite. I love them.”

I responded with a grin, lifting my dress to showcase the gorgeous designer white peep toe, red-bottomed heels studded with pearls that perfectly matched with my dress. Anyone who knew my cousin knew her for her outstanding beauty, brains and her high heels which, on most occasions, were red. Although she had been unable to come to the wedding due to a last minute business trip, she had sent a host of gifts from her and her husband - including the heels I wore and a Mancini custom bracelet that probably cost an arm and leg.

I’m probably never gonna wear that piece. No, it stays in my personal collection…only to be admired from afar.

I had taken the ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ statement literally from a pretty young age as I began creating my own personal collection. Gifting me jewellery was probably one of the few sure-fire ways to my heart. A cliché, I know, but in the same way that some girls expected flowers and chocolates- I wanted a gorgeous diamond.

I glanced at my engagement ring- a vintage marquise style ring with a gold band that had belonged to Rickon’s grandmother, or better yet, his grandfather’s second wife- and tried not to obsess about the details - like the fact that the woman who wore this ring before me had been an absolute terror.

“I’m glad you do, dear. It’ll, at least, elevate this entire look. A bride should be bold, the center of attention on the most important day of her life. A day that should have been all about you. Instead, Karen has managed to make this all about her. I mean, did you see the feathers on that stupid f*****g hat she’s wearing?”

The three of us shared a knowing look before we all burst out laughing, sharing in the ridiculousness of my mother-in-law’s outfit. She really did look absolutely horrid but somehow explained it away as ‘haute couture’.

“She does look like she’s about to fly away, doesn’t she?”

I choked out, stretching out our laughter as we got even louder. I knew the people waiting outside were probably alarmed by the amount of noise coming from in here, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to share a light moment after months of stress from the object of our conversation.

“Now wouldn’t that be perfect? It would, at least, spare us from having to stare at that bird’s nest on her head. Heck, I’d pay anything to see an actual bird make its home on her head. Could you imagine that? She’d probably keel over.”

My Abuela’s laugh at her own joke made us laugh even harder, the three of us spending the next five minutes trying to calm down as we dabbed carefully at the happy tears whilst careful with our make-up.

“Okay…okay. Let’s actually do what we came here to do and that is to let you know how much we love you, little one. We are proud of you and how you’ve taken charge despite the obstacles that have come your way. Don’t look at this wedding as an opportunity for Zephyr to get back on its feet. You love him and he loves you. That’s all that matters...”

Aunt Elena stated, her growth and change clear as day. She was no stranger to business marriages, but her stance had clearly changed after Gia’s marriage and the rekindling of her own relationship with her ex-husband who had, undoubtedly, been the love of her life.

Abuela Nina spoke up, walking towards me as she did with a particularly familiar frown that she always had when she talked about my grandfather.

“If only that stubborn old man would let us help. Zephyr is just as important to us as it is to him. It belongs to you, children, and we would do anything to help…”

Her complaint was not new. The two of them had offered to come in and help, but their requests had been met with a categorical refusal from my grandpa. He’s always been stubborn, and more so when it came to the unspoken competition between him and my Abuela. It was all friendly, of course, but sometimes we weren’t so sure…

“We’ve been over this, mama. Let it go. You know Uncle Augusto is just as stubborn as you are.”

The older woman huffed, taking my hands in her own as her gaze softened, and her beautiful smile broke through.

“Well, either way, I am happy to be here on your special day. Thank you for honoring us in this way, my dear. We could never take the place of your parents or your brother, but we will always be here for you just as they are right here within…so chin up, back straight and show them that disarming Maximiliano smile. You know, it has actually been said to be bewitching…”

I chuckled as she and my Aunt Elena fell into another mini-argument about how dramatic my Abuela was being, leaving me to stare at the two of them with that said smile. Of all the things Karen had taken from me at this wedding, I was glad I fought for the chance to have this time with my family and my three best friends who were also part of my bridal team. I had no idea how I would have survived without all of them.

I never thought I would have my wedding without you all…Mae…Pai…Santi…but I’m gonna be okay. I promise…

I did miss them so much, it hurt, and although I had made memorial charms using their photos that I pinned to my wedding bouquet, I still longed to have them by my side on such a big day. But I meant my words. I would be okay, especially with the family and friends around me.

A knock sounded on the door at that moment, pulling all our attention as one of my best friends peaked her head through, granting the three of us a beautiful smile as she ventured into the room once I asked her and the others to enter. Reyna Escudero was stunning, and even more so today in her bridesmaid’s dress, a pretty blush color that matched well with her tanned skin and gorgeous features that were an ode to her Filipino roots.

This is probably one of the few things Karen chose right…My bridal team looks amazing…

“You guys sound like you’re having an amazing time in here and I hate to interrupt, but, the wedding planner looks like she’s about to pass out from the pressure she’s getting from Rickon’s mom. I think we should probably get ready to head out - save the poor girl’s life and all.”

We all nodded, knowing full well that Karen was more than capable of terrorizing the poor woman to death.

“You look beautiful, babe. A true Saint James bride.”

Madeline Taylor spoke up, a childhood best friend that I cherished with all of me as I returned her small smile. She and I went way back, our friendship growing through our junior year right into our adult years. There was no one I wanted more beside me and choosing her as my maid of honor had been a no-brainer. Her dress was slightly different from the rest, a champagne color that was a contrast to her pale skin tone but looked amazing all the same.

“A little too much of a Saint James bride, but if anyone can pull it off, it's you, hal.”

Hari Escudero spoke up, granting me a broad grin as he brushed a hand on my veil. I wasn’t surprised that Reyna’s younger brother and twin hated my dress. He was, after all, one of the top fashion influencers of this age, garnering the attention of top brands who bid to sign him to their companies, whilst fashion houses like Voyuer employed him to walk their runways. When he realized he couldn’t salvage my dress situation, he had settled on getting my hair and make-up just right and had done a remarkable job of guiding the stylists to bring out his vision.

As part of my line-up, much to Karen’s chagrin, he had chosen to find the perfect look to match with the girls whilst still keeping his own individuality, something he had always strived for as a twin. He always stood out in his own way and this time was no different in his tan-colored suit that he had paired with a white shirt, a blush tie and dark brown loafers. His dark brown hair was slicked back, his dark eyes hidden behind a pair of designer sunglasses.

“Okay, enough little brother. Grab your boutonniere- and you, Madz, can grab our bouquets please. Let’s give our bride a few minutes with her last minute guest...”

Reyna’s grin was devious, her gaze fixating on the door for a moment before she began to hustle Madz and Hari out of the room. My Tia and Abuela seemed to catch onto whatever was going on, their own smiles filled with mischief and knowing as they blew me air kisses before heading out.

Confusion filled me for a moment as I turned to confirm what my body already knew to be true. Navigating around my dress, my gaze fixated on the one person I’d been longing to hear from. The one person I had personally sent an invitation to.

He’s my missing piece…the one person I couldn’t stand being away from today - even if it means torturing myself…

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