Divided

chapter FIVE

I was back at The Chapel, but it wasn’t a club. It was the church before the renovation. The pews overflowed with people dressed in their Gothic finest. I floated over the congregation, a detached observer.

Back in my body, I found myself in a little room off the wing of the church. It didn’t fit the real life layout of The Chapel, but that’s how dreams are sometimes.

Bryn was there with me, her dark tufts of tight curls in contrast to the elegant amethyst gown she wore. It was long and full at the bottom, with a corset bodice that gave her boyish figure just the right curves.

I looked in the mirror; I wore a white gown with a corset top, and tons of tulle under the skirt to make it float out all around me. Elaborate beadwork accented the top. Bryn pinned a veil in my hair, and arranged it over my face. I looked down at my left hand to find a massive diamond on my ring finger. I was getting married, but to whom?

“You’re breaking a lot of girls’ hearts tonight, Elena,” Bryn said.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m getting out of here.” I stormed out the door, only to find myself at the back of the church, with everyone staring at me. Bryn shoved a bouquet of white roses into my sweaty hands and gave me a little push.

Vittorio stood at the altar in a white tuxedo. I was marrying Vittorio?

I walked as slowly as I could, hoping if I delayed reaching the altar long enough, this crazy thing would end, or someone would tell me it was all a joke. Much to my chagrin, they didn’t, and I reached the altar.

Vittorio looked at me adoringly and held my hands in his, the bouquet having magically disappeared. I barely heard the minister until he asked me to say the vows. I was in such shock from the whole thing, I said ‘I do’ before I could stop myself.

The next thing I knew, Vittorio pushed back my veil and kissed me. My body tingled, begging for more, and I thought I would melt right there in his arms.

We walked back down the aisle, my arm through his, as the onlookers threw rose petals at us.

A white carriage pulled by white horses waited outside. Vittorio helped me up into the carriage and kissed me again. “Now, mio amore, we will be together for all eternity.”

I woke soaked in sweat. All eternity? What the hell did that mean? I had never dreamed about getting married, much less to someone I had just met. No, I didn’t like the way he affected me one bit.

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