The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make - not just on your wedding day, but over and over again - and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.

-Barbara de Angelis

Rafe Moretti's POV

I stared at my reflection as I took a deep breath. Today was not like any other day in my life. It was my wedding day, I find it funny how my life completely changed in two weeks since meeting the Spencer heiress. She has a bright personality and is filled with the zest of life. I just hope that she would not regret marrying me later.

I just need to make sure that she would be happy with me from now on. She's a very kind woman who insists on helping me with my dilemma with her inheritance. We agreed to try to work out our marriage and live as a normal couple.

It's been a week since we agreed to wed. From the day I asked her hand in marriage with her father. I took care of the necessary documents for our wedding. I secured a special license since she's eager for the wedding to take place.

Placing the cufflinks on each side of my sleeves, I decided to call my mother to inform her that I'm getting married today. After a few rings, she finally answered. "Hello, mother."

"Rafe. How are you, figlio?"

Looking at the reflection in the mirror for the last time, I walked into the living room of my hotel room. "I'm fine. I just want to inform you that I'm getting married today."

"What?" My mother exclaimed on the other line. "What are you talking about? Why I haven't heard this before?"

I sighed deeply, rubbing my forehead. "I'm doing this to save our family's business. Besides, you said that you don't want to lose our family home, right?"

There was a long pause on the other line I thought it was disconnected but then I heard my mother again. "Yes, but..." She paused again. "...didn't you tell me after Leila runaway not to marry again for a stupid reason? Who's the girl?"

I sat on the sofa. It seems that my necktie was too tight around my throat this morning. "She's an English woman who can't access her inheritance unless she marries, mom."

"Does she know the real reason you are marrying her?" My mother fired the question without a heartbeat. "Does she know that you are in love with another woman?"

I frowned at my mother's words. "May I ask who I am in love with, mother?"

She snorted on the other line. "Laila, of course. Why? Are you going to deny it, figlio? Wasn't that the reason why you were so happy when her twin sister runaway and your wedding didn't take place?"

I groaned and close my eyes. "Oh mother, stop saying that! Other people might hear you and think that I still have secret feelings for Laila. I don't want that to be an issue now that she's happily married to her husband. I am over with my feeling for her."

"Cesare made a mistake when he sent Laila to meet his good friend's son. He should have waited for his men to locate Leila who flees to escape her fate." My mother said acidly. "If Laila stayed in Sicily then you might have a chance with her—"

"Stop it, mom." I cut her off. "I am hanging up now. I don't want to hear that from you again. We cannot change whatever happened in the past. Maybe it's the best for all of us. I don't want to marry Laila and later she will realize that she's not really in love with me. Cesare's decision had been correct. I need to go."

"Wait!" My mother said on the other line. "All right, fine. I will not open this subject again. But tell me something. When will I meet your bride?"

"I don't know." I stood from the sofa. I glanced at my wristwatch and it's almost time to go. "I planned for us to visit Sicily after sometimes so you can meet her but we need to oversee the legal process of her inheritance and take care of our business before we can have the chance to travel. However, with our conversation today I am having second thoughts about introducing Coco to you. You might spill out unnecessary information to her."

"Don't tell me she doesn't have any idea about your past?"

I took a deep breath. "She doesn't have to know my past. All that matters is my present and future with her. I need to go, mom. I will call you later again."

I disconnected the phone can and prepare to leave when my phone sounded again. I thought it was from my mother again when I saw a text message from my bride. I slid my finger on the screen to view her message. It made me smile seeing her message.

Hi honey, I just want to make sure you didn't run for the hills. We're on our way now to the registrar's office. I am the one wearing white. See you in a bit. 😘

As I slipped back my mobile phone into my pocket. I knew I didn't regret this decision of marrying her. Closing the door behind me I walked to the hallways with a smile playing on my lips.

One hour later I stood outside the registrar's office waiting for Coco with my secretary. I couldn't much feel the cold of the air. Finally, a car pulled in front of the building. I suddenly felt nervous when I saw the Spencer heiress slid out of the car. I must admit she's a stunner in her wedding attire. She looked every inch of an aristocratic English lady with her custom-made wedding dress and stylish British hat.

"Hi," She greeted me with a smile. Her blue-grey eyes gleamed with delight. "Are you okay, Rafe?"

Then it occurred to me that I have been busy staring at her that I haven't return her greetings. I tried to smile for her benefit. "Good morning, Signorina." I gave the bouquet of red roses I bought earlier. "For you."

"Oh, thank you. They are so pretty." She took the bouquet and smelled the flowers. I notice the man walking behind her. She pulled the man beside her. "Honey, I would like you to meet my brother, Oliver. The last time we went in the manor he's not around. Oliver, this is Rafe, my soon-to-be husband."

I offered my hand towards his brother. "Nice to meet you. Rafe Moretti."

"Good to meet you." He shook my hand briefly. "Please take good care of my little sister."

"I will," I told him honestly.

"Enough of this introduction." Coco inserted, sneaking her hand in my arm. "I am freezing cold let's go inside."

Once we were inside the receptionist led us to one of the rooms in the office where the wedding celebrant was waiting for us. "Shall we begin?" Coco and I stood before the man who would perform the ceremony.

"Yes, please," Coco answered with a smile.

He cleared his throat. "We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between Rafaelle and Corrine, by joining them in marriage. All of us need and desire to love and to be loved. And the highest form of love between two people is within a monogamous, committed relationship. Your marriage today is the public and legal joining of your souls that have already been united as one in your hearts. Marriage will allow you a new environment to share your lives together, standing together to face life and the world, hand-in-hand. Marriage is going to expand you as an individual, define you as a couple, and deepen your love for one another. To be successful, you will need strength, courage, patience, and a really good sense of humor."

I glanced at my bride while the wedding officiates performing the introduction. She probably sense that I was staring at her when she glance in my direction too and smile.

"...do you Corrine Cordelia Spencer take Rafaelle Moretti to be your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death does you part."

She looked at me and smile. "Yes, I do."

The wedding officiates continued. "Do you Rafaelle Moretti take Corrine Cordelia Spencer to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death does you part."

I took a deep breath before answering. "I do."

"Please exchange rings." I slipped the platinum wedding band next to her engagement ring while she did the same. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The wedding officiates announced with a smile. "You may now kiss the bride."

Just like that, I was a married man. I looked at my wife who was smiling at me. I lifted her chin and kiss her briefly on the lips. Her brother and my secretary applause and gave their best wishes.  

After signing the marriage license the wedding officiate left us inside the room to have some privacy. "So," Coco's brother said after we're left alone in the room. "Mom and Dad prepare something for your wedding celebration back at the manor. Shall we go? I'm sure they are all eager to see the new couple."

"No," My wife announced firmly. "You can tell them to have the celebration on their own. I want some quality time with my husband, right honey?"

I raised an eyebrow in her direction. "If that's what you want."

She encircled her hand around my arms and smile brightly. Her happiness was so infectious I couldn't help but smile back. "Let's go?" Before I could answer she dragged me outside not bothering to say goodbye to the people who act as our witnesses.

Once we were outside where I parked my car. I opened the passenger's door for her before sliding to the driver's seat. I started the car's engine I look at her expectantly and ask. "Where do you want to go?"

"Hmm..." She thought for a moment. "Since this is the first day of as a married woman. I don't have any idea where I want to go. Any suggestions?"

I raised an eyebrow in her direction. "This is also my first day as I married man."

She laughed and slapped my shoulder playfully. "You don't have to be sarcastic, honey. I know where I want to go."

"Where?"

She grinned at me. "I want a burger and very large chips."

My eyes widened considerably. "With our attire?"

"Why not?" I asked devilishly. "Let's hit the fast food with style. Come on, before my brother goes out the registrar's office and drags us to the Spencer manor."

"Are you sure you don't want to go there? Your parents prepare something for our wedding. They might feel hurt that we ditch them."

She waved her hand as if my worries were only absurd. "Don't worry about them. My parents have thick skin they won't be easily hurt. I am sure they not even raised an eyebrow that we're not there to celebrate our wedding."

I smiled slightly and started to drive on the street. "If my wife wants fries and burgers on her wedding day I will give it to her."

"That's my husband." She pinched my cheek before placing a hard kiss making sure it would leave a kiss mark.

Before she could place a distance between us again I kissed her briefly on the lips and smirked at her stun face. "Don't attack me when I'm driving, mia moglie. If you don't want for us to involve in a road accident."

"Okayyy..."