The Mafia’s Wanted Desires

ASHLEY

There is no greater joy than watching the people you love get everything they deserve and more. It just leaves the feeling of warmth spreading all over, a knot of immense pride swirling like bubbles within you. It ignites a wave of pure, undiluted happiness in you.

That was exactly how I felt today.

That was exactly how I felt about Ivana getting married today. Heck, if I didn’t know any better, I would say I was happier than she was and was the happiest woman on earth. But then, there was no denying the fact that I would top the list of one of the happiest humans on earth.

I have looked forward to this day for years. I have looked forward to this day since the moment the duo professed their love for each other. I looked forward to the day they would make everything official and seal it with the approval of God. The moment they would bind themselves to each other in every way that was humanly possible.

I was used to wondering how Ivana and Vincent were able to stay in love with each other for years, without getting tired. It felt like a form of sorcery. Their love never waned for a moment. If anything, it blossomed like never before, leaving the duo as crazy and as obsessed with each other as they have always been with each other from the onset.

The duo completed each other in a way I would never fully understand.

But now, I was starting to understand what it truly meant to be consumed by the existence of someone. I was starting to understand what it meant to be connected to someone that you could feel every ounce of what they felt too, just by a glance at them. I was starting to understand what it means for your body to burn just at the slightest contact with them. I was beginning to understand what it means to be into someone so badly that you would do anything for them…be anything for them…

Without batting an eyelid.

I was beginning to understand what it meant for someone to be your weakness…your blind spot. To be bound with someone in a way that surpasses even humans’ comprehension. In a way that was raw, real and intense. Astoundingly beautiful…

The big white-themed room was filled with so many gift boxes that occupied one corner of the room, alongside the presence of the designer and stylist, who were in charge of her dress. Different maids trooped in and out of the room with gift boxes in their hands. The king-sized bed had her accessories strewn on it, coupled with her shoes and bouquet. Her wedding dress, which was sealed in a see-through polyester bag, was hung on the wall, bare to everyone in the room.

She was seated on a stool by her dresser. A makeup artist was slightly crouched in front of her, enhancing her beauty with different make-up products. It was no news that we were running late and the Artist wasn’t done. But thankfully, her hair was already styled.

“Your mom will be here any minute now,” I giggled, putting my phone aside. Ivana sent me a warm smile through the mirror and I grinned.

“God!” Dawn groaned, barging into the room with the hem of her burnt-orange silk dress gathered in her hands. A wine glass occupied her other hand. She was flaunting her blood-red nails in the process.

The redhead had her hair styled in a similar body wave to mine, cascading down her shoulders in lush waves. Her blue eyes were enhanced and seemed darker because of her smoky eye shadow, highlighted by her shimmering nude lips. She accessorised her dress with black six-inch heels and a pair of onyx dangle earrings and a necklace. Her hair was pinned to the side with cream, a pearly hairpin made a beautiful contrast with her ginger red hair.

Dawn absolutely slayed her bridesmaid’s dress.

Our dresses were of the same colour. Burnt orange silk floor-length dress. A corset dress that clung firmly to the upper body with droopy flat straps off shoulder sleeves. It was folded in neat drapes around the hips, a dangerous side slit running up to the mid-thigh. It was a simple, yet oozing class. It took a while before Dawn and I could decide on a particular style that screamed subtlety and elegance at the same time.

But unlike her, I had on all nude makeup, which included shimmering lips and my hair was tucked in a messy chignon bun, held together with cream, pearly claws with tendrils dropping on my face. I paired my dress with silver heels and accessories.

“Are you not done?” Dawn expressed her exasperation, huffing as she marched over to where I sat. She plopped on the bed, handing me her wine glass. I took a small sip from the glass.

“Almost done, ma’am,” the make-up artist answered with a smile, grabbing a setting spray to keep the makeup in place. She chirped and spun Ivana around, eliciting a gasp from us. My eyes suddenly felt so itchy and it took me a while to realise I had tears pricking them.

She was breathtaking. I had always known she would make a beautiful bride but seeing it was a different thing.

She was still clad in her black robe.

Her blonde hair was elegantly styled in waves, pulled atop her head in a messy bun. It was styled with various alabaster pearl clips that accessorised her hair and brightened the creamy goodness of her blonde hair.

The makeup artist did an excellent job of preserving her pale skin. The subtle, nude make-up augmented her amber orbs that swirled with warmth. Her eye shadow had a pinkish hue but it wasn’t all too noticeable. The rose-gold colour was more pronounced. Her lips were coated in salmon shade, topped up with gloss that made them pop elegantly. The contour, blush and bronzer enhanced her cheekbones, bestowing upon her the look of a Queen.

She radiated regality at a glance.

She has always wanted a fairytale wedding and right now, she looks like a modern version of Cinderella.

“She’s perfect,” I croaked, choking on my sob.

“You look so beautiful, Ivie!” Dawn cried.

Her amber eyes shimmered with tears and we got up from the bed, sauntering over to her and engulfed her in a hug. She released a shaky breath, trying to hold back her tears. My heart twisted into beautiful knots. Not because I was sad, but because I was so happy for her and I couldn’t help the tears that rolled down my cheeks.

“I am so happy for you, Ivana. You deserve all the good things that come your way and I am so glad that you have a man as amazing as Vincent by your side, to weather through the storms with you. He loves you. So much. You two deserve each other. Take care of each other and be good to each other.” My voice was cracking and quivering. My lips trembled heavily. My eyes were blurred with tears.

Dawn pulled away from the hug, crouching before her and took Ivana’s hand in hers, brushing her fingers over her diamond engagement ring.

“I am so proud of you, you know that, right?” Dawn told her, a tear rolling down her cheek, but she made no move to wipe it. Ivana nodded vigorously.

“I love you and I am so happy for you.” Dawn broke into sobs and pulled her into a hug. The duo broke down uncontrollably, not caring if their make-up could get smeared. I couldn’t even control my own tears, my emotions got the better part of me.

“I love you girls, I swear it.” She professed and we cooed.

“Alright! That’s enough tears!” Ivana croaked, chuckling. We all giggled.

“Could you please touch up her makeup, so that she can get into her dress now?” I asked the makeup artist politely, who nodded with a light smile dancing on her lips. I could have sworn I saw dry streaks of tears on her face.

Dawn moved away from Ivana and grabbed a few brushes and powder pallets from the make-up box, leading me to the bed, so that she could retouch my makeup. She tried to do it as quickly as she could and did hers too. By the time she was done, Ivana was ready to get her dress.

The designer and the stylist fetched the dress from the wall while Dawn and I watched in curiosity as they helped her into the dress.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

It was a thin-strapped bustier lace white dress with intricate beading designs. It hugged her upper curves and cupped her curves, then from her waist to her ankles, it dropped like a huge ball gown. It looked heavy but it was lightweight. The lacy dress revealed an ample amount of her cleavage, clinging to her body like a second skin. She had a white veil, which was adorned with silver beading and pearls, draped over her head, dropping to the floor in a pool of soft nets.

It was the perfect wedding dress.

“You are so pretty!”

“You are so beautiful!”

Dawn and I squealed like little girls. She giggled, her eyes glowing with warmth. Ivana made a gorgeous bride, there was no disputing that. I flashed an appreciative smile at the designer and stylist for the great job they did in making my best friend look like a Queen on her big day.

“Honey?”

The barely audible voice called and we swung our heads in the direction of the door. Our eyes landed on Ivana’s mom, Helen, who was standing by the door, clad in a beautiful emerald green dress. Her eyes, that were just like Ivana’s, gleamed with unshed tears but somewhere in those golden orbs, I could see the immense happiness that swirled in them, doused with pride.

“Mom…” Ivana’s voice trailed off, breaking slowly.

“Oh, honey,” her mom trudged from the doorstep, skidding over to where her daughter was. She engulfed her in a loving embrace. Dawn’s hand that was splayed over mine squeezed them gently and she sent me a warm smile.

“You look so beautiful!” Helen cried.

“Thank you, Mom.”

“Corey! Get in here! She’s ready!” She called out to Ivana’s dad, who sauntered in immediately. He paused at the sight of his daughter, gazing at her with adoration written all over his face. He slowly walked to where she was and pressed a long, lingering kiss on her forehead, eliciting a sugary giggle from Ivana.

“Hey, Daddy,” She whispered with a grin.

“Are you ready to walk down the aisle?” He asked, his voice was laced with softness. Ivana’s eyes darted around the room, pure love and adoration thrown across those golden orbs.

Then, she nodded her head.

“Yes.”