Chapter 131 - Wedding Shopping

[GOAL :

20 GOLDEN TICKETS (month) = 2 extra Chap.

200 Power stones = 2 extra. chap.

(weekly)]

....

"It's strange that she isn't letting him go even in her sleep," Persephone murmured when she saw how Emy fell asleep in Salvatore's arms. Was he the same brother who had never picked children in his arms before? 

"Would it be alright if we drop you guys at home?" Salvatore asked them. This kind of behaviour of his was giving Persephone suspicious vibes. 

The nanny looked hesitant. She glanced at the man stationed behind him and said, "If it's fine with them." She pointed behind him and continued, "It will be fine with us."

Salvatore turned to find a guard stationed on duty. "Would it be alright, gentleman?"

The bodyguard's eyes popped but he controlled his expression before nodding. 

"Then, please drive my car," Salvatore told him. He possibly couldn't hold Emy and drive a car at the same time. 

Salvatore's unusual behaviour surprised Persephone the most. She saw how he held the little girl close to her chest in a very protective and possessive manner. The way he was patting her head when she would stir up and then go back to sleep was making her feel curious for some reason. He was whispering something in the girl's ear too. And what's with the nickname? 

Cupcake it was? Huh…

Fine, Emy's eyes were like molten chocolate balls. But cupcake? So unnatural yet it was uttered in a very natural manner from his mouth. 

She had always seen her brother behaving indifferently to everyone. She knew that he wouldn't show his care to anyone in public, not even to his family. He was way too reserved. But today, he was not bothering to hide his overflowing sudden care for a toddler he never met before. 

When they reached Ellison's house, Salvatore had reluctantly handed the little girl to the nanny. He even advised her to not leave her alone at night. Not only this, he asked them to take care of the girl's mom too. 

If Ellison were to hear his words, she would surely punch him in his mouth. 

Salvatore was driving back to Marino house with Persephone. Now he was unusually tense and silent. 

"Sal, how did you bond so well with Emy?" Persephone asked him. "I have met her so many times but she didn't come running to my arms. She is only this frank with her mom and sometimes with Valencia but never with me." 

"I don't know," came the simple reply. 

"I'm jealous," Persephone confessed. "Emy didn't like me. I have no experience with kids. You don't have kids yet you are so good with her. Look at Emy, no one was able to calm her down but you did it. I wonder if I will ever be able to become a good mom." 

Even Salvatore was confused with the way her thoughts went in a different direction. 

"Percy! No one is a ready-made parent," Salvatore chided her like a big brother. " When you hold your baby for the first time, all the maternal instincts will come running to you." He told her with a smile. " You would want to cross every sea of fire just to keep your child safe. It happens naturally. You won't even know. And trust me you will be a great mom. I won't say perfect because no parent is perfect but with effort, they can become decent parents. " 

"Thank you, Bro! Your words mean a lot to me!"

….

The next day, Sophia was supposed to go wedding shopping. She had to try on her wedding dress and buy some jewellery. Plus, she and Santiago would be choosing their wedding rings today. She was accompanied by her mother, Isabelle and a very reluctant Persephone. 

She would meet Santiago when she would be done with the wedding dress's fitting and some other stuff. 

"Wow, you look like a princess," Carina gasped. Her eyes were teary and she was so emotional seeing her daughter in the wedding dress. 

"You are right, Carina," Isabella agreed. With a strange look, she continued, "She indeed looks like a princess."

Sophia smiled at them but her gaze fell on Persephone who was dozing while leaning against the couch. It was clear to everyone how uninterested she was in this wedding shopping. 

"How does it look, Percy?" Sophia asked her. 

Persephone had no idea in the world that her sister was talking to her. She was feeling too sleepy today. And she was way too exhausted today; physically and emotionally. Lord knew why but she was feeling too heavy today. 

To say her mood was kind of gloomy for some reason that even she didn't seem to know wouldn't be wrong. 

"Percy!"

Persephone jerked from the sleep immediately and yelled, "Yes ma'am."

She groaned in embarrassment when she saw how the shop attendants were looking at her weirdly. 'Oh, God! Can I not make a fool out of myself for at least one day?'

Ignoring everything, Sophia asked her, "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," Persephone replied with a big smile. She didn't even look at her yet. 

"Percy! Be serious," Sophia chided her. 

Only then Persephone loomed at her from head to toe and frowned. "You look like a white sparkling Christmas tree. The only difference is the Christmas tree brings happiness and this thing is bringing darkness... "

How blunt…

Everyone gave her a weird look but she didn't seem to mind. 

Why did it matter to her that Santiago was carrying her sister? 

She realised now that she didn't have any problem with her sister marrying anyone...but when it came to Santiago taking vows with his sister the day after tomorrow...she had this heavy and gloomy feeling. And why on earth would she want to drown her sister in river Hudson? 

It was weird, right? 

But she knew that she was even weirder… 

Whatever...who cares…

'I do…'

'Dammit…'

'Screw you, Santiago fucking Vitello… Fuck you…'

'The idea is quite tempting….' 

'Ugh,' She wanna pull her hair. 

Back to Sophia…

"I'm not buying this one," Sophia said to the assistant helping her with the dress. 

"But ma'am, it was fitted according to your measurement," The woman in black uniform said. 

"And?" Sophia raised her brow. She didn't forget to throw off her status as Marino princess. 

"We will show you some of our exquisite new pieces," the shop manager said. 

"Help me in selecting the one," Sophia said to her sister with a sigh. 

"Nope," Persephone directly replied. "Wedding is akin to a funeral for me. Choose yourself. I don't have information about such stuff…" 

Sophia and Isabelle gave her a look. In the end, it was Isabelle who stood up to help Sophia out. Persephone was checking out the beautiful shop assistants when the other ladies were choosing the right dress for her dearest sister. 

"How about this one, ma'am?"

"Blush is not my colour." 

Only when Persephone heard her, she looked up to see a very cute woman holding the one piece. It was a blush coloured wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline and puffed sleeves. It was a simple piece with no shimmering stones and stuff but it was beautiful, too beautiful actually. It was simple, way too simple for someone like Sophia but for her...it was the one dress that every girl would love to wear on her wedding day. 

'Can I have this dress?' she wanted to ask. 

'So what if I won't ever marry anyone? I can wear it for myself once, right?'

All of a sudden, she would imagine herself walking in this particular dress to the altar where a blue-eyed man was standing, waiting for her. He had eyes for her. Only for her. 

But still, she couldn't see his face clearly. It was blurry but his physique resembled a certain forbidden man.

Shaking the thoughts from her mind, she parted her tummy and murmured, "Just a few days baby. After your aunt's wedding...we will be gone from their lives. I promise you that your mama will give you the best. I will keep you safe from every danger that dares to even stumble into your path. I love you more than anything. We only have each other….only you and I…" 

….. 

On the other side, Santiago was driving to the mall where he would be meeting his in-laws for 'wedding shopping'. He was getting married without his brothers… Then again, he didn't even know where the rest of his brothers were from the last two months… They have scattered like petals… 

It was sad but true… 

"Vitello," Santiago said. 

"Boss, you called?" The voice said in his ear. 

"Yes, pack your bags. Come to New York. I will send you the exact address. I want you here." His words are short and curt. 

"I have school…" the other party murmured. 

"You have vacations,"Santiago said. "Bring your boyfriend if you want." 

"Yes, boss!"

"But can I ask what's the task?"

"You're gonna assist my wife here for the time being, " Santiago replied. 

"You are married?"

"No, I will be married soon."

"W-who is the woman?" The other man asked. 

"You know her," Santiago said while parking in the car. 

"W-who?" A very hesitant voice called out. 

"Persephone.. Persephone Juliet Marino."