✈︎

dis-moi que tu m'aimes (m.) tell me you love me

EMILIANO

It was three months later when our wedding took place in Italy, overlooking the picturesque Lake Como. The azure waters glistened under the relentless sun, casting a shimmering spell over the entire scene.

Three hundred guests from around the world had flown in to attend the grand ceremony at Villa del Balbianello.

Nestled on the edge of the lake, the villa's terraced gardens overflowed with vibrant flowers, and ancient stone steps led down to the water's edge.

The sun beat down hot and heavy as I stood beneath the arbor, waiting for Rosabelle to appear.

"God, Em, you're really getting married to my sister," Rafael whispered, his tone dramatic. "I mean, it's not like I didn't want it to happen, but I expected Dad to break the deal off before the wedding night, and you two would resume your wars or something-"

"Shut up," I gritted through my smile. I had gotten closer to my younger soon-to-be brother-in-law over the months, but that didn't mean he could rattle my nerves this much. "Don't want to kill my best man today."

"Ouch, you wound me, Em," he sighed from beside me as I restlessly scanned the crowd for a glimpse of my wife. "Imagine what Rose would do if she knew you hurt her brother."

Was he trying to threaten me with Rosabelle now?

"Trust me," I smiled, "She'd love it. The world would sleep in peace without your existence."

I never imagined I'd have to say it someday, but Rafe was in every sense a bigger menace than me, period.

My gaze swept over the crowd of guests. Genevieve was there, engrossed in conversation with Rosabelle's cousins, her gaze occasionally falling on Aleksandr, who stood to my other side.

I noticed my only cousin among the crowd, her smile cunning as she waved at me. Not far from her stood the Sokolovs, one of my best business partners.

"Hey, Em, who's that?" Rafael suddenly asked, apparently ignoring my earlier words. I chuckled a bit and followed his gaze, only for my grin to widen.

"She's none of your business," Aleksandr spoke up for the first time, dread in his tone as he stared at the younger man.

Apparently, my soon-to-be brother-in-law didn't realize that the woman he was checking out was my brother's wife. However, it didn't take him long to figure it out, and a gleam of mischief crossed his eyes. "Ah, sure." He had surely other provocative things to say, but he stopped himself because of his elder brother's death glare.

It was ironic that Rome agreed to become my groomsman, but as long as we played the peace card, it was better for both of us.

My gaze flickered towards the aisle when the rich, majestic tone of the wedding march filled the air. The guests rose from their seats, and all my thoughts ceased the moment Rosabelle appeared at the end of the aisle, her gracious hand holding onto her dad's arm.

My throat dried up as she walked down the aisle, a bright smile on her face as she met my eyes.

To say I was admiring her beauty would be an understatement.

I felt like a dying man before a deity, trying to chant my last wishes to her.

Slowly, Rosabelle's form stood in front of me as her dad handed her off to me. I held her delicate hands in mine, the jewel on her ring finger indicating that this woman was now mine, forever.

I used to think I wouldn't have found her or become obsessed with her if she hadn't visited Russia. But in that moment, I knew I was wrong.

A part of me would have always followed Rosabelle de Luca, even if she lived far from the Pacific Ocean.

Maybe I wasn't fated for her.

But I knew, to the moon and back, that she was the only fate written for me.

"You're looking good, Mr. Nikolayev," Rosabelle murmured, her hands soft in mine.

"I could say the same for you, Mrs. Nikolayeva," I grinned when her cheeks turned pink at my comment. She wore the best custom-made gown, the best hair, and makeup among all the European estates, and I never felt more happier for being the man who could provide her this luxury. "Thank you," she replied coyly.

The priest cleared his throat, interrupting our conversation. I sent him a warning glare in return. Rosabelle's hands squeezed mine, and I realized I had to act like a gentleman today.

I sighed and stood still, my heartbeat racing with every passing second as the priest's words echoed in my ears. After what felt like an eternity, he decided to end his vows as we reached the climax of the ceremony.

"I pronounce that you are husband and wife. I ask you now to seal the promises you have made with each other this day with a kiss."

I swept Rosabelle into my arms and kissed her. The crowd erupted into loud cheers and whistles, but the sounds barely reached my ears as I lost myself in the kiss with my wife.

So breathtaking was it that I almost had a heart attack.

The mere thought that I could now address her as my wife sent electric thrills down my spine.

"God, I love you, Rosabelle Sofia Nikolayeva," I whispered when we broke the kiss, her eyes welled up with tears immediately.

"I... I love you too." Her cheeks reddened again, and I let myself admire the view as long as I could.

As long as my lifespan would let me.

✈︎

ROSABELLE

I watched the woman before me with my mouth agape, my jaw nearly hitting the floor. I couldn't hear what she was talking about, and it was so embarrassing that she was talking to me.

However, nobody could blame me when Genevieve Nikolayeva was so charmingly beautiful that she could easily captivate people with her allure.

Hazel eyes, black wavy hair, and a maroon dress that hugged the perfect curves of her body. Who would guess that this woman had a daughter and was pregnant with another one as well?

Nobody.

"Are you comfortable, Rosabelle?" I blushed when she asked. "Please, you can call me Rose. And yes, I'm comfortable," I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and looked down. "Thank you for asking."

It wasn't my first time meeting Genevieve, but I couldn't help but be astonished by her every time I saw her.

And I noticed her husband's gaze lingering on her from time to time, his eyes roving over her for longer than necessary. Gone was the man whose dark gaze sent shivers of terror down my body, replaced with a gentler one as he silently watched his wife, before another guest caught his attention.

I would love to hear their story someday.

I chatted with Genevieve for a while until Tatiana came into my view. By the time I was done talking with each of our guests, I finally found Emi in the corner, deep in conversation with Rome about something I didn't want to know.

Their expressions made it clear they were death threatening each other, but I decided not to interrupt their conversation. Just as I was about to turn around, I was stopped by the strong arms wrapped around my waist.

"Where do you think you're going?" Emi's husky whisper, as always, didn't fail to send butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

I turned to face him and looped my arms around his neck. "Hmm? Maybe running away from you again?" He smirked, "You actually believed it when I said I forgave you, Belle?"

"No?"

"No. You'll see it tonight."

Pink blossomed across my face again, and I tried to hide it by burying my face in his neck. "I thought you'd be a gentleman for the day, Emi."

"Don't even dream of it, darlin'," he tilted my chin up to see my face, a prideful smile crossed his face immediately. "Damn, I'd never get tired of making you blush, Belle," his words only increased the burn of my cheeks.

"Emi?" I asked.

"Hmm?" He responded.

"Tell me that you love me, again."

"I love you, moya Bella,"

Then he captured my mouth in a passionate kiss, the buzzing sound of the music, and the presence of the guests disappeared from my mind. The only thing that existed there is this.

This moment. My moment.

"Rosabelle?" He asked this time. "Hmm?" I responded, pulling apart from the kiss.

"Never leave me again."

My eyes twinkled with unshed tears and he kissed those away from my eyes. I thought this man was my nevermore. But at this moment, I knew that I was wrong.

He was my eternity.

I closed my eyes as we rested our forehead against each other. "Never." I whispered. I promised.

Never again.

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