I woke up to the sound of low murmurs and whispers that were in the room. I slowly sat up and rubbed my eyes. People. There were people in the room. I cautiously pulled the comforter up to my chest whilst I scanned through the crowd of strangers. There were two woman, one dressed in Antonio's maid staff uniform and the other just in normal clothes. There were also two men, both dressed smartly.

"W-who are you?"

My voice still sounded tired from my sleep as I asked the question. One of the woman stepped forward and answered with a thick Italian accent.

"We are here at Mr. Marino's request to help get you ready, Miss."

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"Ready for what?"

They glanced nervously at each other, unsure what to say in response. Instead I was just handed a letter that was addressed to me, so I tore it open and unfolded the piece of paper that lay inside the envelope.

Alice,

You will obey the staff and do exactly as they ask of you. All of their orders come directly from myself. I will be alerted immediately if you show any resistance. They have their instructions so I suggest you do as your told or there will be repercussions.

Antonio.

I practically threw the letter to the other side of the room as if it had a disease. My heart rate had gone up dramatically since reading his note. Why was everyone acting so strangely? I could be in for anything from simply going for dinner or maybe Antonio was finally bored of me and had decided to sell me off to someone else. That was possible for someone like him, he had power and connections. Would that be better or worse? To be shipped off to some random person would mean escaping Antonio but maybe falling into the hands of someone worse.

Upon inspecting the room further, I noticed that there was plenty of makeup and hair tools laid out on the desk and a rack with a large outfit that was packed inside of a protective sleeve, meaning I couldn't see it.

I hesitantly climbed out of the bed and was soon taken into the bathroom by a maid who had already drawn me a large bubble bath. I felt awkward undressing in front of her but there was nothing I could do about it but soon relaxed when the warm, sweet scented water and bubbles washed over my body. The bath had been infused with essential oils and even flower petals! Maybe this was just Antonio's way of apologizing to me after all. Never the less, it was worth enjoying while the amazing treatment lasted.

I leant my head back so it hung over the edge of the tub. What I hadn't expected was for the movement to trigger the same maid to come and put some sort of mask on my face. I couldn't help but moan in satisfaction as she rubbed the product into my face in circular motions, spreading it out. She also placed some soothing pads on top of my eyes. For the first time in a very long while, I felt completely relaxed. It was almost as if I could sense all the tension leaking out of my body and into to water around me. I hadn't even noticed that I was falling asleep until the maid helped me out and wrapped my body in a warm, fluffy towel.

Half an hour later, I was perched on a chair in front of a huge vanity. I was wearing a thin, silk dressing gown and stared at my reflection while tuning out anything the staff were saying. Not that I could even understand them. They were only communicating to one and other in Italian, clearly to shield me from the truth. I still had no idea what was going on.

My makeup was flawless, my eye lids were coated with a layer of rosy eye shadow, with a perfect stroke of eye liner over it. My lips had also been painted a beautiful nude color. This was by far, the best I had ever looked and I would be lying if I said that I was slightly sad that all of this was only going to be seen by my kidnapper.

(Please note that I do not own this image.)

My hair was also immaculate. It had been curled and styled into a large, messy bun with strands falling out and a small, elegant clip held a few in place. It looked so thick and voluminous yet didn't feel heavy at all.

(Please note that I do not own this image.)

I felt a small smile work it's way onto my face. But soon forced myself to wipe it off once I remembered that I still had no idea why I was being made to look so fantastic.

Turns out, the people each had a purpose. The maid got me prepared, then there was also a stylist, hair dresser and make-up artist. It bewildered me by how many people it took to get one person ready. Who knows how much this must have cost.

"Miss, it's time to get you changed."

I simply nodded at the maid who was stood next to the stylist. They began to unzip the bag that held my outfit however my heart stopped as soon as I saw it's context. It was a stunning, white ballgown. This was a wedding dress.

My jaw dropped and I didn't miss the look of pity in everyone else's eyes as they watched me carefully, assessing my reaction.

"N-no."

I slowly began to step away from the stylist, heading towards the door. There was no fucking way that I was getting married to Antonio. Now I was well aware of his intentions. Everything made total sense now. The relaxing bath and facial, the makeup and hair. He was trying to get me off guard so his people could dress me up exactly how he wanted like some brainless doll.

My plan failed though because as soon as the door opened I was greeted by a guard. He only sighed and muttered something into the cell on his shoulder. Shit, Antonio.

I slowly walked backwards back into the room, my steps stopping as I walked into somebody.

"Miss, you need to change."

This couldn't be happening!

"No! No way am I wearing that dress!"

By now, there were also a pair of shoes and a veil on the bed. They also waited for me in a tedious way.

"Miss please. For your own sake. Mr. Marino will not be pleased."

I bit my lip, in an urgent attempt to stop the tears that were building up in my eyes. Don't cry. I took a deep breath and nodded. I had no choice but to accept my fate. Either way, I knew Antonio would get me into that damn dress, even by force if he had to. This was the easy way.

It was stunning. I had never imagined that I would see myself in a wedding dress, not after what happened with Ryan. I was far too damaged to ever get into another relationship let alone think about marriage. Yet here we are.

I took one last glance in the body length mirror, running my fingers over the dazzling patterns. It was defiantly beautiful. Antonio once again had proven his immaculate taste. I just wished that I was wearing it under a different circumstance. In a dream, I would have fallen in love with a man who loved and cared for me unconditionally. I would have chosen the dress, accompanied by my best friends and we would all cry when I showed it to them. Only that wasn't the case.

(Please note that I do not own this image.)

God this was sad. In fact, more so for him than me. He was a rich, handsome man who could get any willing girl, yet here I was, being forced to marry him instead. It made no sense.

"Miss, are you ready?"

No....

"Yes."

I followed the maid out into the hall, glancing down at the ring that had been given to me earlier. It was big and sparkly but was just another prop in this fake story of a wedding engagement that Antonio had obviously put together. God help me.

"I do."

I had yet to make proper eye contact with my soon to be husband since my arrival. The venue was, just as expected, stunning. It was outside and flowers were decorating the entire area. I didn't know anyone in the seating area, only recognizing a few of the guards and of course Alexander, who was Antonio's best man. I had almost forgotten how this all started.

Only a few weeks ago, I was treating my kidnapper's brother and now look where that lead to. But one thing was for certain, I never would have gone back to work if I knew that this was where I would end up.

"Alice!"

I was dragged out of my thoughts by Antonio's agitated voice. Oh. It was my turn to say those dreadful words. I do. It was such an easy thing to say, but two words and my whole life would change forever. However I got the warning that I was running out of time to say my vows when he began to squeeze my hand. Then after another few seconds his grip tightened before it literally felt like my hand was being crushed. I let out a small whimper before I was forced to give in and practically screamed out the words.

"You may kiss the bride."

And he did. I felt like he was marking his territory in front of the audience. His grip on me was possessive, like this kiss was just another opportunity for Antonio to prove his ownership over me.

The reception was no better. Antonio had picked out a strapless dress on purpose because every time that I was introduced to someone their eyes lingered on my collarbone, all eyes on the tattoo. I felt shame every single time and wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball and hide away from everyone, especially Antonio.

There had been several times that I had tried to get away from my new husband (that felt weird to say...) so I could go to the bar and get a glass, or 4, of champagne to try and numb my feelings. However Antonio saw right through me and simply wouldn't allow it. God I missed alcohol.

"You ready to go?"

I turned to look at Antonio who already had placed a hand on my lower back and was now leading me over to the car.

Truthfully, I was ready to depart from this sad excuse of a wedding celebration hours ago, but didn't want to piss off Antonio. We climbed into a car and were driven in silence to wherever we were going now.

"We are going to an Island off of the coast of Italy. It's only going to be an hour journey."

He spent the next five minutes trying to excite me about the honeymoon he had planned for us. Turns out the Island was called Capri. Of course I had heard of it before so already knew how stunning it would be. Sure enough Antonio had a boat waiting for us at the port, meaning that we were in the expensive hotel lobby within the hour.

It was already 10.00, and I had been walking in these heels and heavy dress all day and wanted nothing more than to go to sleep. Unfortunately, I was rarely getting what I wanted these days. I despised how everyone's eye's lingered on us. They saw a newly wed, happy, perfect couple, but if only they knew the truth.

I just followed Antonio, mutely up to our room. Of course it was the most luxurious suit that he could find on the whole Island. I never doubted that for a second and knew that he had gone to all sorts of lengths to make this wedding perfect for me, but it could never be that. I wasn't in love.

(The rest of this chapter may be triggering to some readers, reader discretion is advised.)

I couldn't help but shiver and flinch forward when I felt Antonio's presence behind me. He was so close that I could feel his warm breath fanning against my neck.

"You look phenomenal."

I didn't say anything. I couldn't. I was frozen to the spot and completely tongue tied. Antonio caught on to my fear and chuckled, his mouth on my neck causing subtle vibrations to radiate on my skin.

I began to shake when I felt his hand trace his way up my back, leading to the dress's zipper. He then slowly began to pull it down.

"W-what are you doing?"

He let out a sigh whilst pushing to bodice of the strapless dress down.

"What do you think I'm doing Alice?"

I practically yelped and frantically pulled the opening dress up, trying to cover myself. He was right. I knew all along that Antonio would eventually want sex from me, but that didn't mean I was ok with it. I didn't want to sleep with him.

"Get away from me!"

He completely disregarded my plea, instead coming towards me. My reaction was to immediately step backwards but I soon realized my mistake when the backs of my legs hit the bed.

"How do you want to do this sweetheart?"

I realised that begging wasn't an option, if Antonio wanted something, he was going to take it. So instead I just climbed onto the bed, aiming to jump over it to get to the other side and use the bed as a barrier between us. Yet again however, I underestimated him as he grabbed me by the waist and slammed me back down onto my back. I started to kick and shout at Antonio, desperate for him to release me but had no such luck and instead just had my gown torn off of my trembling body. He was pulling it down my legs and I took the opportunity to kick him right between the thighs, however all that earned me was a harsh backhanded slap across the face.

It was so hard that my ears rang and my vision blurred and spun.

"I didn't want to do this."

I made no movement and barely even noticed as Antonio secured my hands to the head board with his tie. I barely noticed anything in fact. There was nothing else I could do. So I lied under my abuser, letting my mind slip away from my body because that was the easiest thing to do.